Akhira's Story

As the light of the sun slowly began to set on this day, a trickle of rain began to fall upon the surrounding land. Amesha was beginning to grow dim, albeit slowly, but surly and the lights of the protesting mob at the entrance dispersed in time. However one light still remained and it was steadily coming its way up the long drive from the front gate

This was a singular carriage, pulled by two and lead by one. As the driver gave his horses a quick nudge to hurry them along and into the veranda outside the main entrance. His cargo, watched over by two pairs of dutiful eyes that kept their own time with the treasure inside. Ensuring chains and manicals remained attached, to secure their prize away.

Aemon was first to realize, seeing as the little miss in front of him was not eyeing the door. His gaze sat upon the carriage as it spun into place, to let the men off its back and allowed them to unload their cargo in quick measure. He lightly reached out for her arm and beckoned her closer towards the center fountain before the men could brake the threshold of this great house.

He looked down at Nadiya before speaking "I suggest you keep clear and watch Nadiya, because your about to see what this house most entails for many visitors." As if in timed concert, the three moved the cage into the main foyer. Only for several of the attending guards to assist in their handling of their charge. Something that was sectioned within this rattling covered cage and obviously something of human size. Something that the guards were quick to snatch from the confines of the cage, showing a vastly practiced routine of pulling the subject out and latching their chains through the ties in the floor.

Aemon was quick to walk forward and inspect what he could see was a young woman in the bindings. However it seemed as though she was put through a rather strenuous brawl before coming into their care. He produced a clean cloth from the side of his satchel and began to dry off the young woman's features, as her eyes were still trying to adjust to the sharper lights within the building. "Damn barbarians, they could at least have taken it easier on you in the long run." One of the men that brought her began to laugh, with a deep below to his voice, like its tone was lost in a keg spirits. "Not us old man." added the largest of the group. "Caught her in the middle of a scrap.. right nice catch on that one. I would keep the chains on however, best to keep her like that then to deal with the beast." Aeom was not entirely listening to the man as he began to clean away some of the filth that had gathered on the young girl during her trip. Only to see the man holding out his hand as if expecting payment from him.

He looks back up and motions for a guard "Take him upstairs to get paid, I don't have the patience for one like you at the moment. He replies as he returns to his work.

---

Misha looks at Safiya for a few moments, letting a glimmer of time pass between the two of them before speaking again. "So I see the master has you slated to be one of those boring talkative types that deals with those dignitaries. I do love the color blue, but all that talking and ass kissing can be such a bother." She adds the last part with a very vibrant smile as if to make Safiya more uncomfortable with how the young girls form was. Each smile was slightly exaggerated and served to show off more of the girls teeth, despite how unsettling the visage might be.

---

As Kenner looks on at Azai and listens to his words, a small pang of realization swoops over his face and he gets slightly closer to the young arachnid. "So you have experience with actual noble life and not just the concept of blue bloods in general. That is actually something that I can work with." He rubs a hand over his chin for a moment only for the trudging on boots off in the distance began to sound nearby and within moments of everyone noticing, a guard ran into view. Only stopping for himself to be allowed to approach the group, at Kenner's behest.

The guard approached and leaned upwards into Kenner's ear, having to stretch slightly with how much taller the Master was then himself. After a quick word, the guard gave a quick nod and return from the direction he came in, with a more quizzical look rummaging around on Kenner's face. He turns to face Chlorra for a moment after making his decision "Go and see what Aemon wants in the foyer. He is waiting with a young woman who has business with the house.

Chlorra gives a nod and begins off on her own, the very drape of her dress covering up all site of her feet as she moved off. All sound of her steps nonexistent as she traversed the floors of that vast house. Leaving Kenner with his chance to look back at Azai and speak. "How would you feel about being a part of those familiar circles again? My house could always use another individual to indulge those dignitaries away on political missions. Your foreknowledge could be a great boon in this indeed.

Akhira flinched when the strangest of strangers began to wipe at her face and her arms. She felt that he was angry, but the anger was not directed at her. Nonetheless, her domineering instincts took hold and she reacted angrily. She growled, baring her teeth to hurl herself backwards from his touch. Why is he wiping at me? Where am I? These chains... Is he challenging me? A reptilian hiss wound it's way up through her chest when she saw the chains binding her. More chains.... Damn curs. With an unkind look at her captors, she attempted to translate their word-speak. Not work-speak... Something else... It took her awhile to recollect what knowledge she had of these... humans.

Language, yes, language. Akhira stayed quiet, knowing that she had spent more she should have as a dragon, and had neglected her studies by focusing only on finding Blackfire. Blackfire. She growled, harshly casting out her mentor's name from her head and began to focus on her present situation.

With that, the odd strange began to wipe away the filth she had... acquired from her fight with that dragon brute from earlier. She didn't pull away from his touch this time as she was too focused on the details of the room, the people. This strange human before her. Who stops when he sees one of her captors looking at him. Expecting something. A wage. "Take him upstairs to get paid, I don't have the patience for one like you at the moment."

Suspicion began to nip at her heels as she only caught half of he said. Something about payment, and time... and her captor. From how he said the word, Akhira would assume he was disgusted with being in the same room as someone as low as her captor. Highborn, perhaps? She thought of how he was treating her... Nein. Too... something.. too different from the selfish highborns. Even the weaker humans never acted this way. It may be surprising for some to think that she didn't assume that he could be treating her kindly, but since she's never seen a human emote that kind of emotion, it wasn't surprising at all.

Aemon kept at it while the young woman began to fight at his touch, but with every pass of his cloth. He began to see a sheen of nearly pearl white skin through the mess he was uncovering. He wiped her hair from side to side as a hurried set of footfalls came running down the stairs. Not a few minutes after having gone up them before, the hunter came back down with a look on his face that wasn't one of his best. He was quick to return to his two partners and share words with them from beyond earshot of the others.

Aemon begins to grin to himself as he moves about the girls neck and begins to take notice of the objects on her head. " Ahh.. I see now." He runs as finger along the near azure colored scale on her left side. Only for him to muse a bit before speaking out aloud towards the hunters. "Not happy about your catch? I would think so, seeing as how well you have treated her and her age. The Master isn't too keen on paying for children, even if you take her breed into account." He stands and folds the cloth over towards a clean side, before stuffing back into his satchel.

Several of the guards approach the men and point as if to usher them out into the rain and back onto their carriage. Were this any other place, it was obvious that these men would try something, however with the multitude of guards and how their armed. These men would be hard pressed to come out of the event unscathed. So thanks to that, the last everyone inside the foyer sees of them. Is an angry hitched strut out into the rain.

Aemon snarks for a moment as he keeps a final eye on them, before setting his eyes back on the young dragon before him. "I can see that your still in a spot of bother, if you'd like I can answer some questions before The Master gets here?"

Akhira was frustrated with not knowing what they were saying as she was too busy trying to take in the details of the room. The chains. The smells. The voices from above and below. The voices in this room. It was all too much information for her to process while also trying to understand their language.

Oddly quiet, Akhira remained silent and seemed to be observing a fly on the wall. That is until she felt him run a finger near her scales. It sent chills up her spine, as well as cause her to lose her cool. She jumped, startled, letting a snarl escape her lips. "Ahh.. I see now." Damn Human.

But then her captors left with anger radiating from their terrible hides. She was alone. With the strangest of strangers. Not that she was afraid she couldn't win a fight against him, but it all just felt too odd. Like she had fallen into a trap, but she didn't know what type of trap.

What idiot would leave her, a powerful dragon in a house with some stranger that could easily crush by shapeshifting. To change... Akhira growled irritably at the human when he spoke, "I can see that your still in a spot of bother, if you'd like I can answer some questions before The Master gets here?" She glared defiantly at him, and if looks could kill, we all know he'd be dead, but sadly, looks don't kill. And Akhira was ignorant of what was going on.

So far, the only thing she knew was that they were speaking words she couldn't understand, and that from the smells and noises she could hear, she was surrounded. By enemies or... more enemies, she did know, so that piece of unknown information kept her from acting... For now.

"Chains." Akhira spoke the word harshly, but surprisingly, remembered exactly how to say the word. "Off chains..." She wasn't asking, more like commanding him to release her. Despite saying the words, she began to yank at them, but knowing that there was magick on them, the kind that kept her from changing. She hated it.

Despite her unease, Nadiya felt almost guilty for making the older gentleman apologize to her, her own hands mimicking his apologetic gesture. "Oh, no, it's ok. I mean, it is nothing you need to apologize to me for..." she began, quieting upon seeing Aemon look back at the guards behind him. She didn't hear any words, but obviously the two men understood each other enough without the need for conversation. She vaguely wondered what the guard went off to do.

Aemon answered her inner inquiry before she could wonder about it more. He had been sent to get the Master of the house. Bowing her head in gratitude, Nadiya felt a bubble of relief start to accompany her nerves. "Thank you sir. I hope I haven't inconvenienced you." she said, only to bite her lip at his prying. Of course she had a reason to come here, but to admit it aloud suddenly seemed more than just a tad embarrassing. "Why? Well...you see.."

Nadiya didn't get the chance to answer, a sudden commotion interrupting her reply. A carriage pulled up just as she was gently nudged aside, Aemon's words earning a slight shiver and a bubble of doubt. What was she getting herself into?

Upon getting a glimpse of what was in the cage, Nadiya gasped, the condition of the female inside earning a look of horrified disbelief. It wasn't bad enough to put her in a cage, they had to hurt her as well? Tentatively taking a few steps closer to get a glimpse of the captive from behind Aemon, the would-be servant's eyes widened as the man's cloth revealed pearly skin beneath. Such a beautiful color...what kind of creature was she?

The sudden snarling made her jump, the eyes looking out from the cage clearly angry and intent on self-preservation. Well, not like you could blame her. Nadiya lifted a hand to her lips upon hearing the female speak, stepping towards the cage without realizing it. The girl wanted the chains off. Surely they could at least get her out of the cage? The rattling of the chains sent a chill down her spine. Was this commonplace here? Nadiya swallowed hard, feeling bad for the angry prisoner.

"D-does she really need to be in the cage as well as being chained? It seems overly cruel..." she asked Aemon softly.

Kenner nods his head several times as he gets Azai and Babbles reply, though in the case of Babble he was somewhat apprehensive about just letting him go about his business around raven home without some kind of oversight. Though with all things in an effort to understand and a need to achieve. He could find some way to make things work in the end, just as he always has.

He clasped his hands together in a slight sign of happiness, the excitement shown in the fact that Azai was even interested in what he had to say. "It really means nothing, just being a point of words on my part. So how you could take it, could be either way, moot for all I care. The teachers here would help you understand everything from political etiquette, to regional dialects and histories." Kenner raises his hand and snaps his fingers, with a calm resplendent smile on his face. Only for Azai to feel the band on his arm begin to act up again. As he looked, its color began to shift and replace its original slowly. Becoming more blue in shade and leaving only a small section at its binding, completely black.

"I'll take your questions as at least, an interest in what my house has to offer." He walks up to Azai and places a hand on his shoulder, missing all of the problems that his touch brought before. "All you must do is follow the rules of our home and you shall find a new life here. I am not asking you to kneel to me or anyone else, that you would not chose to do so yourself." He removes his hand as he backs away from Azai, giving his head a slight turn towards Babbles own person. "Now you on the other hand, if you are going to be a part of this house. I must do something to stabilize your presence here. An elemental is a thing of nature and can barely abide by such a static construct, in the least." He reaches down and takes Babble up in his arms once more, helping him to stand.

"I can tell your body is still whole, just not all in one place. Now when my house purchased you, it was the intention of having all of you and not just part of what you are. I wish to rectify this and balance your perspective of the world around you."

"Would you wish for this?"

---

Aemon looks over as the young dragon hurls snarls and spits in his direction, a clear protest of what he was doing. He looks back down at her as she protest about her confined position and the lengths that the men went through the keep her contained. He gave her a slight lean to he head as he replied, both to her request and the question that Nadiya posed for him as well. "I cannot unfortunately, the problem being of what you are and how you might react to your newfound freedom.. if you can call it that. Besides the guards may not look it, but they have the ability to harm you should they need to and when it comes to it. They would most likely put you back in the chains, or in a worse position." He kneels before her again and lays a hand on her shoulder, at least showing her some compassion. "I understand that your uncomfortable, but I have seen it all before and in time this tension will pass. You will come to be at ease here, all it takes is time."

At that moment, Akhira's senses lit like a fire, as if her body was warning her of some imminent danger. As if she were caught in a burning building, or trapped in the bowels of a sinking ship. Her sight was drawn to a figure sitting quietly behind Aemon and Nadiya, perched patiently on the side of the small fountain. It was Chlorra and how long she had been sitting there was unsure, even the fact that both Aemon and Nadiya had not noticed her arrival. Though the guards themselves did not seem bothered by her sudden appearance and as Aemon followed theline of sight that Akhira's eyes were focused on. Only for his reaction to be noted as he looked, with a strange scowl forming on his brow. As he turned his face back towards the young dragon, who could feel Aemon's grip tighten slightly at his own discomfort.

"I had sent for master Kenner, though I did not expect you miss Chlorra."
She stood and waltzed slowly towards the small gathering, with a slow glide in her movements. Akhira's dragonic senses able to see where the extreme sense of dread was coming from, as it flowed off of the dark woman. Like heavy smoke off the edges of a burning hut and gliding across the floor.

What came next was a low whisper, but with it was a burning sensation to the ear. "No need to be so cross my dear doctor, he is merely occupied for the moment." She drew closer and placed a hand on the underside of Akhira's chin, taking hold and pulling, placing a small strain on the chains holding her. "I am glad to see that you brought me a present. She leans closer with Akhira seeing the very energies seeping from behind the mask she wore and spoke words all too clear to Akhira.
"(Tell me little one, is your pride hurt?)

"(To be captured and prodded by those insufferable stains of life..)"
Akhira could see that the sides of Chlorra's face were widening in what only could be discerned as a smile.

Akhira was trying, desperately to keep up with his words. If he keeps talking too fast, I'll have to enter his mind in order to understand. Yet doing that would be a terrible thing to do, even to this human. That is until he knelt down before her and lay his hand upon her shoulder. She began to glare daggers at him, He's being condescending about my height for sure.

While she was just the right size as a dragon for her age, it was a whole different story for her human form. She looked like she was stuck just between being a teen and being a child. It was humiliating and had been the reason her problems with the other dragons had begun.


But now, she had only grown 4 inches taller, in only three years. Humiliating. She gritted her teeth and tried not to turn and snap at Aemon's hand. That was when she appeared.

---

"(Tell me little one, is your pride hurt?)

"(To be captured and prodded by those insufferable stains of life..)"

Akhira felt like the oil-vapor was choking her. In response, a guttural snarl so primal it was hard ti believe that that sound was coming from one as small as her. She's challenging me by entering my mind; she wants to kill me. Her instincts were going haywire, becoming a burning wildfire beneath her skin. Her scales protruding from her head was beginning to look like they were going to shatter at any moment. Everything inside her was screaming at her, demanding that she change shape and show this witch who she was challenging.

Yet the chains that held her were keeping that from happening by turning red with heat. The magic on them being put to the limit. She couldn't breath, couldn't change, cornered. The wildfire beneath her skin warring with the magic heat on her skin. Change, i... I have... to... change... change... I have to SURVIVE

SURVIVE-SURVIVE-SURVIVE----

"Agh!" Akhira felt like heaven and hell were colliding within her, heat from below and above her skin. Pressure everywhere. She finally couldn't take it anymore and she jerked backwards, out of the witch's grasp. SURVIVE-SURVIVE----SURVIVE
She shoved Aemon out of harm's way and... and--
Her skin began to harden, to turn into crystal, becoming stone-like and... With one loud crack followed by the sound of shattering glass, her form burst. The magic chains that once held her to this form, broken by her sudden rush of adrenaline. Her powers had been too much to hold in place. Now only someone who had powerful magic could change her back now.

Like someone had lifted a veil, she reared her massive head and roared. She was beautiful, her blue scales her large wings. Her horns, more like a crown upon her head. And she barely fit in this room.

Nadiya looked dismayed at Aemon's words, even though he was focused on and trying to calm the caged girl. Her hazel eyes went to the prisoner, feeling bad for the female and wishing she could offer some form of assistance. It didn't sit well with her to see her chained and caged like some beast. Her jaws were clenched, trying in vain to come up with some logical reason to convince them to release the poor girl. She knew she had no power here, and how likely would people chaining a young woman be to listen to her opinions or any argument she might be able to make?

Startled by Aemon's change in tone, Nadiya glanced over at the alchemist, instinctively about to ask what was wrong when the sight of a strange woman caught her eye, silencing all thought. Something was almost eerie about the stranger, and the mask only added to the mystery. A slight chill went down her spine, the voice that accompanied the figure more than just a tad unnerving. If only she could see an expression, maybe the person wouldn't be so intimidating.

Upon hearing the woman refer to the chained female as a 'present' made Nadiya stiffen, a slight frown crossing her features. Surely they couldn't think such a girl was no more than a pretty toy? She had to bite her lip to keep from voicing her thoughts, trying to rationalize that she didn't know for sure that was what was going on- that she shouldn't judge without the facts...

The cry from the caged girl was met with a gasp, Nadiya stepping forward without even realizing it. She was in pain! "Please don't hurt her!" Nadiya implored, her thoughts interrupted by the loud shattering of...glass? No, the girl had changed.

Upon seeing the girl shift into a dragon, Nadiya looked on with her mouth agape. She was as beautiful as she was large and fierce, and Nadiya took a step forward, looking on in apparent awe. "A dragon..." she mused mostly to herself, the roar echoing in her ears. She could feel the rumble from such a powerful voice, and while it was undoubtedly a sound that was to be met with caution, the would- be healer was more facinated than scared (though she was most definately more than a little shaky in her knees by now.)

Slowly, Nadiya reached a hand out, palm up in a peaceful gesture. "A-are you hurt? Will you let me see?"

Kenner smiled at Luna for a moment as he caught the look on her face as he awaited Babbles reply. The idea that she could be concerned or interested in some way, was a good plus for him and would mean guiding her attentions was in fact possible. "I see that you are not so quiet anymore, that is good to say the least. Because now we can help each other with that expenditure. All of this, is to see the best place for you among my house..." The air goes still for a moment as a tension could be felt stirring and then a deep echoing sound came bursting through the open air of the building. The singular hall leading to the atrium was more then enough to amplify this sound, allowing them to hear the roar that fallowed. Only for a stringent sigh to come out from Kenners lips as he realized that sending Chlorra, may not have been the best of choices.

He raises a hand for a moment, palming his own face in the process. This gave way to the guards posted nearby to approach, only to subsequently be held to stop by the out stretched hand of Kenner. "I will deal with this, just take our new friends back to their rooms and have this one assigned to one as well." He stepped back from the small group and looked back at them for a moment with a somber expression in tow. "You may want to cover your eyes." Not a moment before he said this, did his flesh and hair begin to glow a quick, exaggerating white light.

Luna, Babble and Azai all were in no position to argue his suggestion, as the sight quickly began too much to bare. As if they were all staring directly into the sun and as if the sun had been situated only several feet away from their faces. Luna was the only one to have an adverse reaction to this however, as her skin began to feel like it was being flayed from her arms as she covered her face. It was almost as if she were rushing headlong into a wall of flame and just like that the sensation was gone. A gust of air pressing against them was the last sign of Kenner's presence, before their eyes could adjust enough to notice his absence.

---

As Akhira makes her debut transformation for the whole of the foyer to see, only a few things can be heard after she manages to do some minor structural damaged with her emergent thrashing. For the most part, the sound of the water from the fountain was unobstructed and clear as the breaking stone began to settle and after that, it was the sound of clapping. Chlorra was standing there staunchly were she was before, keeping her attention focused entirely on the young dragon.

It was then from this position that Akhira could see something else was off about the strange woman. Looking down on her from the height, she could see that Chlorra's shadow split into three direction, instead of brushing from the angle of a light source. "Such a precious little treasure aren't we?" Weather she was still referring to Akhira's age or her size was a slight forethought at that point. She merely turned her head to look on at Nadiya as she began to approach Akhira, letting the young woman lock her gaze onto herself before Chlorra began to shake her head. As if to emphasis that Nadiya should take this moment to step back.

Akhira roared yet again, this time it was directed at Nadiya. Her fierce roar was louder this time, filled with anger that made it resonate more through the hallways and rooms of the building. Wretched human! Baring saliva coated teeth at the two-legger, she rolled her shoulders and side stepped - no small feat since she was in this small room. Flexing muscles that had before been dormant, she flicked her tail and snapped it in Nadiya's direction.

"Such a precious little treasure aren't we?"

Not caring if she had hit the woman with her tail or not, Akhira quickly turned to face the witch that had threatened her whilst in her human form. She raised her this time, as high as it could go in this small room, as she unfurled her wings somewhat, showing her immense size. It was nearly odd that such a small room could still contain her whole size, but somehow... I should leave instead... No point in bothering with this Necromancer.... but...

Akhira snarled and with a sudden fervor she lunged at witch. If she hit the Necromancer, she'd be killed by her claws and teeth, but if not, she herself would go flying through the wall right behind the witch.

Luna was quite pleased with herself as she watched the strange boy, but that soon ended when the mumbling her stopped and the words "close your eyes" echoed throughout the air mere seconds before a searing heat enveloped her. It took only seconds for the heat to become akin to the heat she commonly felt in the demon ruled, but as time went on the temperature began to rise and rise until even she could not stand it much longer; this was the moment when she decided to tempt fate and look upon the source of this great power, only to be shocked by the sight of her own flesh burning from her body like the paper from the cigarettes her mother would consume at the end of the day. However her shock was multiplied as she laid eyes upon what was beneath the pale flesh, but before she could try and look further the heat suddenly vanished....along with The Man. It didn't take much to understand that he had been the origin of the heat, and somewhere deep in the corners of her mind....Luna envied him and his power, it was the power she was constantly seeking throughout her life. It was her main reason for being here in the first place, but she doubted anyone really knew that. Most were here against their will, or here simply to serve others.

Looking back she turned her head towards the spider boy Azai, and covered up her burns with her sleeves, then immediately noticed the strange new pattern of his armband and hated to admit that she felt a little sad at the sight of it. For now she was one of the only ones of her group to bear the black ribbon, meaning that the chances of coming to some sort of "arrangement" with him were second to none. Luna sighed and stood up straight to look out as the first rays of sunlight began to appear on the horizon; it was hard to believe that this was only her FIRST night in the place considering how much had already gone on. At this moment the universe decided to surprise her with yet another eventful situation, with the sound of a monstrous roar somewhere outside of the castle walls. "Now WHAT!" She shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose "If there was ever a time to have a glass of blood, now would be it." She sighed again and walked to the other edge of the strange garden in hopes being able to detect other information, and the new position didn't disappoint. "It's....a dragon?!" This was the tip of the iceberg; she hadn't heard the roar of a dragon since she had been a child walking past their training grounds of her school each and everyday, gasping in wonder as the soldiers of the demon world changed into their dragons forms and took to the skies in a show of what she felt was complete freedom. Oh how she wished to be among them, but sadly fate wrote her story a different way.

With newfound excitement she raced off past the guards and the Azai to the elevator in hopes of being able to track down and admire the magnificent creature the way she would when she had been a child. However yet another problem smacked her dead in the face...."How in the hell do you work these things?" She said as she fiddled with every button she could see, but still not being able to get the damn doors open. Sheepishly she turned to Azai and filled with the hem of her skirt. "Do you know how to get the elevator working?" She said quietly as an embarrassed blush invaded her cheeks.

The young girl looked on at Safiya as she moved closer off the edge of the bed and smiled. "Oh you would be just fine for such a task, so pretty and well spoken.. albeit softly and somewhat timid." She steps past Safiya for a moment as she straightens the hem of her dress and looks at the light pouring in from the artificial window. Swaying in place as she hums along with her hands, dancing on the dresses edge. "Besides, he has only a few at a time that he.. deems, worthy of being dignitaries and they usually spend their time here at social functions. Or they are sent abroad to speak with those influential enough to help Raven Home succeed in this day and age. Procuring resources that the current regime attempt to keep from us and continue failing at in kind." She looks back at the kneeling woman and smiles while holding out her small, supple hand.

"Would you like to see my section of the house? It would be nice to have a fresh set of eyes there after so long, seeing as I don't have any new students. The company would be well appreciated."

---

As Luna stood in the elevator with Azai, the figure of a guard came waltzing down the hallway with Babble in tow under a light arm. A slow and ponderous step as atoned to the size of the guard in question as they breached the opening of the lift, joining the two as Luna looked to fumble with the strange controls. "I would suggest learning by example, before just pressing buttons little miss." A surprisingly feminine voice echoed from behind the armored face plate as it became more obvious, thanks to the form of the armor. That this was in deed a woman before them, despite standing nearly two heads taller then the two of them.

Thanks to the plume jutting from the rear of her headgear, it was easy to tell that she held some position within the guard. However without any real insight, the two could not really discern what position that was. However in time that may as well change as all things.

She held out a silvery gloved hand and pointed towards several of the rows of buttons as she explained. "The two left rows are for the upper house and the two left rows are for the lower levels." As indicated by the numbers on face of each button, along with a strange symbol that sat at the bass of each as well. "Your rooms are on the first floor, along with the foyer and main access. Just press the needed floor and then pull the lever." As she did this the lift shunted to life slightly as it began to descend down the spine of the house.

It didn't take long for Azai and Luna to realize that unlike the ride before with Kenner, the lift was taking longer and they both could not recall him pressing any of the buttons in question. The guard on the other hand was still and silent with Babble in hand, keeping one hand under his arm and the other set on her hip. As the gentle sway of the lift caused the metal of her scabbard to jingle against the guard of her thigh. "You should feel honored.." The guard added strangely "The master usually doesn't take such a personal interest in recent arrivals." She stops for a moment as something seems to catch her attention, like a dog listening for a far away noise and she slowly returns her attention to Luna."I see, we have a dragon in the house. Oh well, it was only a matter of time before we got another. Maybe this one will have a better temperament from the start."

---

The moment moved in nearly a paused time as Akhira arched her posture to come down on Chlorra. Her dragonic eyes could see the same expression of a smile on the edges of the face that looked up on her through masked eyes.

Aemon was quick to reach forward and wrap his arm around Nadiya's waist "I believe this is between them my dear." He sharply pulls her back as a section of the ceiling begins to crumble away under the young dragons movements and tucks her back towards the other side of the fountain.

Akhira comes down with intent as the masked woman stands her ground, neglecting to even show a response to being charged. However when the young dragon claws her way within several feet of Chlorra, a hand is brought up to stop her. One hand is all it takes and Akhira can feel something change heavily in the air, her body hitting something solid and forming. Like being submerged in a frozen lake and as she looked on, she could see the form of the masked woman giving off a thick layer of black smoke. With an outstretched hand pointed firmly at Akhira's snout, as if to issue a deep command.

Chlorra looks on at the Dragon as she withdraws the hand, shaking her head slowly. "Come now, you honestly didn't think it would be that easy. Maybe if you were a few centuries older, this might actually require effort." It was a vastly alien feeling for Akhira, held in place and constricted more so then she had ever been before. Even now, she could feel the edges of whatever was holding her tightening and pulling her scales tight. Even her muscles were beginning to creek and groan under the forced presented unto her.

The masked woman slowly tips closer into Akhira's space as she runs a hand along the dragons scales "You are such a beautiful specimen of your kind, such a pretty shade of blue." The guards remain lax as they sidle back, obviously aware of just how Chlorra might handle things. The fact that they remained as still till this point, only to avoid being crushed is a testament to what they may know. Chlorra looks on at Akhira for a moment as she brushes a hand across her chin in contemplation. "Your biology isn't that much different from the others I know.. how best to teach you a lesson?" As she runs her hand over the front of Akhira's neck, the young dragon feels something pierce her scales and slowly begin to dig in. A squirming, serpentine feeling, as if a large snake were carving its way through her flesh.

The feeling begins to slow however as Chlorra's head leans over and she sighs out with a low tone "Aww.. too bad, it seems our fun must come to a stop now." Before the young dragon can question what her meaning was, the room begins to shake and a deep glowing hue starts to shine through every inch of brick and mortar within the room. Chlorra quickly withdrew her hand from Akhira's neck and with it the digging sensation ceased.

As if by unison, all of the guards covered their faces with a spread palm and even Aemon was quick to shield the eyes of himself and his young charge. The room erupted with a vastly, overpowering light and even with her own powers of sight. It was hard for Akhira to stare directly into what was happening, as if the sun had been placed firmly on her nose. All she could make out was the outline of a man, standing on the edge of the fountain. Water all but frozen in the air as he looked upon the sight before himself. "I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised with how things progressed."

"Should I Chlorra?" To which the masked woman only shrugs her shoulders.

Kenner steps off the edge of the fountain as the light quickly fades from the room and like that, Akhira is dropped from her hold. Letting her weight fall slack onto the floor. Kenner approaches slowly as he looks the young dragon over, drawing a hand back to brush hair away from his face. "Damn second rate bindings.." He curses under his voice as he looks into the eyes of the dragon before him. "Still young and yet so driven, you should realize when its not advantageous to have such an outburst."


"I am Kenner and I am the master of this house."
As Akhira rights herself, she can already see something is vastly off about the man before. Her senses are screaming at her, telling her to tread carefully. Not like the revulsion she experienced when Chlorra touched her, but this feeling tells her that Kenner is something incredibly primal. Even when compared to one of her own kind.

Akhira's scales had changed from her normal soft blue to a pale and sickly white after the Witch commented on her color. Needless, to say, Akhira was beginning to hate this Necromancer more than she hated the humans. Rage rolled off her in waves, the temperature of the room beginning to rise as Akhira's rage slowly loosened her hold on her inner fire.

Akhira dropped onto her feet and recoiled away from the two beings, of course knowing that the odds weren't in her favor. "Damn second rate bindings.." Hatred ran through her blood undiluted as she could feel the loss of her freedom now that there were two of them. "Still young and yet so driven, you should realize when its not advantageous to have such an outburst." Odds were, she'd never be free to dance the skies again. She hissed at Primordial One (Kenner), the feel of his ancient power keeping her from reacting as she did toward the Witch.

"I am Kenner and I am the master of this house."
Her hearts were beating fast quick, like a rabbit that had been sprung to be coursed by hounds. How she despised the feeling.
She was young, yet not so naive of the world as most her age would be and so, she stayed in her dragon form and offered no words to them. Snapping her teeth at him, she lowered her head and backed enough away from them as she could, wondering if the walls had runes to keep her in.

The dried dragon's blood on her wings and claws contrasted with her white scales so dangerously beautiful. It was serve as a reminder to those present that she was beautiful in her defensive posture, and all the more dangerous since she figured she was corner and would fight all the more harder for her survival. Yet, the wounds she had sustained in her previous battle against another dragon, still showed. Bitemarks were evident on her in various places, some were shallow and had already become scabs whereas others were deep and had begun to ooze blood again. Clawmarks were also noticeable, but these were not as bad as the bite marks and if you looked closely, you'd see that Akhira was missing a claw on her left hind foot. She did after all get into a fight with a brute dragon nearly twice her size to land herself here.

The dragon's roar made her stop, the beautiful blue creature clearly agitated. Nadiya could feel the roar reverberating thoughout her entire body, accompanied by an almost overbearing heat. She could hardly believe she was face to face with a dragon currently directing its roar towards her. The body language was enough to tell that the beautiful girl-turned-dragon was fully prepared to retaliate in self-defense. Everything was a threat, and it showed.

Nadiya barely managed to evade the powerful tail intent on ferociously whipping her aside, only for her to let out a startled yelp as Aemon grabbed her with ease- pulling her back from the struggle. Glancing at the alchemist as he released her, Nadiya bit her lip, feeling conflicted about the whole affair. She was wary and certainly anxious now that the dragon was so upset- but she didn't blame the girl for fighting.

Nodding mutely, the young woman returned her attention to the masked woman and the angry dragon, willing to mind her own business until the strange woman touched the dragon's neck. She looked back at Aemon, a slight frown in her face as she felt tempted to run out into the fray once more. "She's not hurting her is she? What is she going to do with her?" Nadiya asked, troubled by the way the masked woman was acting. She couldn't stand to see people in pain or distress, and the dragon only seemed to be growing more upset.

A blinding light caused Nadiya to squeeze her eyes shut even as Aemon held up his arm in a protective motion. It took several seconds for her to open her eyes once more, a new stranger suddenly in their midst. Where had he come from? Was the light from some magic?

Nadiya parted her lips, ready to start asking her current company when the man introduced himself to the dragon-girl. In spite of herself- Nadiya felt her draw drop in stunned surprise as she took in the sight of the master of the house. This was the one she was going to offer to sell herself to. Kenner, the master of Raven home. Though she had come looking for him and been initially disappointed at the thought of not getting an audience with him, now that the man was so close, she felt her anxiety return with a vengeance.

What was she to say? How would she go about talking to the ruler of this estate? Her confidence began to waver, feeling dreadfully small and powerless now that reality was sinking in. She was no less intent on making herself useful, nor did she wish to give up in her efforts to provide for her family. However, the task before her was daunting, and she wondered if he'd dismiss her upon seeing how unused to his world she was. How plain of a background she had. No one to speak on her behalf, no reputation to speak of. She was a country girl, and what if he thought she wasn't worth the money? "That is the master of Raven Home?" she asked softly, eyes riveted to him and the dragon he was addressing.

Kenner looked on at the young dragon as she snarled and kept a lip curled from anticipation, easily able to see the agitation that Chlorra's presence was causing her. Though he did not send his old companion away and even when he began to look over the room at the damage caused by his new acquisition. He knew the cause the reason behind both problems, as such a cause was no small matter.

A small glance over his shoulder at his old friend and he asked "I hope you have a good reason to explain hurting her like you did, when there was no reason." Chlorra was quick to shrug her shoulders, with a low toned laugh escaping her mask as she replied "She was being so aggressive, I merely was trying to put her in her place..." She met the shrug with a palmed gesture as she relaxed her stance. Obviously not bothered by how the situation looked at all, only for Kenner to sigh as he looked back at Akhira. "Leave us, this will be dealt with later."

Chlorra's stance solidified for a moment as her head took a short lean and she just as quickly dissuaded the moment with another gesture. "As you wish... Master.." The next few moments revealed how she was able to appear so quietly behind the group before, as her body began to sink into the floor. With what appeared to be an effect of her own shadow swallowing up her form, before long all that remained was a small pool of pitch and soon that to shank. Vanishing into nothingness before the eyes of all those in accountancy.

Aemon looked on as Nadiya asked her question, whether towards herself, or out into the world. He could only guess as to what kind of actual reaction she could have from such a site. He leaned into her side to get her attention "Yes, but do not worry. Master Kenner is as fine and just a being as any could hope to be." He spoke from experience in all honesty. Kenner had shown him much kindness in the past, but to say that the man did not possess a darkness about himself would be idiotic and a deadly prospect, in more true ways than expected.
He walked past Nadiya for a moment and approached Kenner with a quick pace in his step "Kenner, I would like to point out that she was rather hurt before she arrived. If at all possible, I would like to get her upstairs and treated before any problems persist." Kenner turned his head towards Aemon and smiled lightly, as if words were being said without speaking a single syllable. Though he did nod with a look of contemplation on his face, Kenner returned his eyes to the dragon at hand and gave Aemon his own response. "No, I believe she still needs to be put in her place. Though violence in this instance, is unnecessary."

Aemon took his cue to step back when Kenner's flesh began to issue forth a warm glow, nowhere near as bright as before. However his body was emanating a warmth that could be felt from several feet away. He looked up into Akhira's eyes and gave her a sombre stare as he spoke "This will not hurt, but I cannot say it will feel entirely pleasant as well." At that moment Akhira's own reaction was to pull back and prepare for whatever was going to happen. However she was unprepared for when Kenner surged forward. Flat footed and with little chance to react, he moved as a blur the ten or so feet that was between then and placed the flat of his hand on the bridge of her snout. Within that moment, she could feel a wave of intense heat begin to flow through her. The feeling itself was holding her in place, though she could still feel the motion of her body moving and writhing. It was shortly after this that she recognized she wasn't in fact moving, but it was her own body turning back into that of a human and despite her own efforts, this change was not going to be halted. She could feel her dragon form being peeled away from her own being, like a snake would removed its last layer of skin.

When the feeling had finally passed and she could feel the change subside, Akhira was hit with a sudden feeling of exhaustion. Like she had been through lost year of combat, without a moment to rest. "There, all better now." As he spoke these words, it dawned on Akhira that even though she was tired. The soreness of combat had left her and indeed the woulds she had been carrying for the last few days were now healed, with even an arguable trace nowhere to be seen.

Kenner brushed some of his hair back as he looked over the exausted girl and spoke "Please refrain from any more outburst." He ran a hand under her chin as he spoke and even now, she could feel how warm his touch still was. Only for him to fully stand and turn on his heel towards Aemon. "So.. who's your little lady friend? Come now my dear, no need to be shy. Though I am sorry you had to witness that, today just seems to be one of those days." He adds, with a wide disarming smile.

A pair of heavy boots come from the front door of the foyer and Kenner turns his gaze to meet the site of a guard from outside. Approaching and stepping out of his own way slightly as he walks around a section of the ceiling that collapsed with Akhira's recent outburst. He looks on at Kenner after stopping and informs him "We have several men here, asking for an audience. They have a rather, unusual breed for sale it seems." Kenner cocks an eyebrow as he hears this and looks back at Aemong, before returning his attention to the guard. Giving him a nod as a sign to go ahead and allow the men in with their merchandise.

Kenner looks back at Aemon again and sighs. "I guess its going to be a busy day today with all the new additions."

The color black. Everything- His nightmare was thankfully, although painfully, interrupted and Seth was brought back to the current nightmare at hand. While passed out, he had been transported inside and his cage opened. The men who had captured him hit him with their weapons to rouse him, shouting words that were too fuzzy for him to discern yet. When he was hit again after waking, he attempted to snarl at them but found that he did not have the breath to do so. In fact, anything related to breathing in or out was difficult. Maybe his lung had been punctured by a broken rib or he just had a flailed chest. Or perhaps fluid could be building up from bruising or he might even have caught pneumonia; he had, after all, been beaten half to death, starved, and given no warmth during the cold nights. His immune system may have started to fail. But regardless of the cause, his snarl came out as a simple labored exhale. He tried to sit up but was unable to.

After noticing Seth was awake and unwilling to move, two guards grabbed his arms and threw him out of the cage and onto the ground. One of them, seemingly the leader of the rag tag group, stood a foot on Seth's left shoulder triumphantly.

"Pretty rare, wouldn't you say? Eh, kenner? Bloody thing killed over half of my men when we tried t-" he was cut short as he let out a blood curdling scream. Having put his foot on Seth's shoulder and pissing him off even more, Seth found that he could at least turn his neck to bite his ankle. He found joy in the man's pain, as well as the relief of pressure on his chest, making it slightly less difficult to breath again. The hobbling man turned his attention to Seth and was about to impale his head with his weapon when he stopped.

"It's just a bite.... The sucker will get what's coming to him here. Can't damage the merchandise anyway...." Seth hadn't moved a muscle even though he knew what was about to happen. He thought that maybe it might be much less painful than suffocating or succumbing to his injuries. He almost felt bad when the man didn't follow through before he remembered the promise again. He mustn't die, no matter what. Instead of dwelling on sweet release, he shifted his mind to what the man said. Merchandise. Get what's coming to him here. What was this place? Looking for more clues he studied his surroundings.

The room looked like it was in shambles, as if either it hadn't been taken care of very well or something had taken place within. He decided it was the latter noticing how recent the damage was since dust was still settling. What about the people here? There were the guards, a man and woman nearby, and then there were two odd beings that both seemed different. His instincts kicked in and he immediately knew the female of the two odd ones was very intriguing. She gave off an air that he felt could only mean she was in similar standing. Maybe she was more like him than he knew. She seemed to have an animalistic air to her as well.

The man was a whole other story. He gave off so many different scents, emotions, imposed so many different thoughts onto ones psyche. He was a complete mystery to Seth; one that he would likely never solve. The other female and the male both gave off similar auras that Seth thought he recognized. It was his own. He thought they seemed like they were capable of healing and likely to want to. But the female seemed even more like Seth. He couldn't tell what was more similar between the two at first before thinking deeply about it. Was it maybe fear? Were they both scared at the moment? Then he noticed the animalistic female also seemed scared. Seth was ashamed that he never even noticed his own fear. He had pushed it aside and forgotten about it which was a mistake; fear is what drives more people to survive than anything else and he had to survive under any circumstances.

He redirected his gaze at the baffling one, who seemed the center of attention besides himself and tried to speak.

"Ken...ner?" He managed to gasp out through gritted teeth. He wanted to growl and bear his teeth again out of fear, the emotion that had surfaced again since he no longer suppressed it, but he could barely hold onto consciousness. Instead, he laid his head on the ground and did his best to continue breathing, closing his eyes.

"Wake up you! I need you to look good if I'm to get any good money out of you and you owe it for taking the lives of my men!" The hurt man yelled at him and pulled his uninjured leg back as he prepared to kick Seth....

"There, all better now."

Akhira was exhausted from having been forced back into her human form, but it would at least keep from her from challenging Kenner's... assertiveness for awhile longer, at least until she regained her strength. So tired... She struggled to stay on her feet, trying hard not to let herself be seen as weak by falling in front of these Humans. "Please refrain from any more outburst." His aura was so warm, that she felt herself being drawn to it and didn't struggle when Kenner placed his hand under her chin. She let out a low rebellious growl, signifying that she wasn't entirely under his command. Then his warmth was gone, and she opened her eyes to find she was barely able to keep from falling over.

Akhira was too exhausted now to really observe her new environment or even care to listen in on the conversation. Words were slow, and barely registered through her hazy exhaustion. But the Primordial One's voice she could hear clearly, albeit more like hot honey dripping from a spoon, smooth and warm. She felt herself being detached from her physical body, finding that the world was beginning to move slowly, more more slowly then it should.

Vaguely, she could sense instinct telling her that there was a new threat in the room. A boy. Pointed ears. She barely had time to notice those physical characteristics before her body could not take anymore. Exhaustion demanded she sleep, whereas fear and caution demanded she stay away and on her feet. Such haywire instincts confusing her, that she barely realized that she was falling. Am I... falling? She didn't have time to brace herself for hitting the hard floor as the only thing she could clearly think at that moment before she drifted into unconsciousness was: I can't believe I'm fainting and How am I going to find Blackfire now?

Nadiya felt her worries increase, wondering if she would be seen as useless when she had no knowledge of alchemy or of magic. Her fretting was cut short as Aemon assured her of Kenner's virtue. That was comforting to know- and the alchemist sounded sincere. Even so, the master of the house definitely had a certain something to him, it showed in his demeanor and how he presented himself.

The young woman was secretly glad he was scolding the mysterious (and in her mind- more than just a tad creepy) masked woman who had earned the dragon-girl's anger. She was pleased she wasn't the only one who thought the treatment bestowed upon the dragon was harsh and unnecessary. Nadiya found herself glad to see the woman gone, even if her method of departure was unorthodox and eerie to watch. She stood frozen in place for a moment after Aemon approached Kenner, listening to them converse even as she looked on at how they were going to handle the dragon-girl now that she was released.

Stepping forward as she watched, Nadiya bit her lip at hearing whatever he was about to do wouldn't be pleasant, though she was glad it wasn't something to hurt the poor thing. She didn't attempt to intervene this time, simply marveling at seeing magic being used- so much in such a short period of time and by so many different people! Was magic something more commonplace here?

Nadiya had little time to ponder it, Kenner's attention directed at her now. His words earned an embarrassed and nervous flush of her cheeks, her reply momentarily stuck in her throat as she searched for the right words. She didn't want to screw this up. The smile was wide and pleasant enough, prompting her to smile softly. "W-well, I have a bit of a request. An offer, actually. I know this might be unorthodox, but I've come to sell myself for the highest price I can get..." she began before being interrupted with a guards approach. Unusual breed? What on earth was going on now?

A soft gasp escaped her lips as a young man was dragged from a cage and placed before Kenner, one of the men showing the person off like an exotic prize. Which was exactly what they thought of him- going so far as to call the battered figure merchandise. Nadiya felt her fists clench. Monsters!

Her eyes scanned the bloody prisoner in question, eyes widening slightly at the realization that he had a tail and what looked like wolves ears. What manner of person was this? His injuries looked extensive, his breathing was harsh. Piece by piece, Nadiya appraised his condition, and found herself more worried and appalled at each passing second.

It was the shout that cut her visual exam short, the seller yelling for his captive to wake up even as he lifted his uninjured leg to deliver a kick to the already badly beaten male.

Before she could even think about any consequences or care what anyone else might think, she rushed over and shoved the man as hard as she could, making him fall before standing in front of the wolf- tailed stranger so as to shield him. "You monster! He's so badly beaten he can barely stand, and you're going to kick him when he's down?! You have no manners at all! And he's not a thing! What kind of a person doesn't care at all about seeing the pain of another? Y-you ought to be ashamed of yourself! People like you are scum!" she snapped, shaking with anger and nerves.

Seth had visibly tensed up before the hit, bracing for what he anticipated to be a very painful blow. Instead, however, he received a different kind of blow; the female risked herself by pushing the man and standing between him and Seth. It was his ego that received an attack. He could tell she was still scared, but she acted regardless of it and had saved him from any further suffering. He thought it was very kind of her and wanted to thank her sincerely. He owed her and would have to return the favor at some point. But he couldn't let her stand up for him any longer. He had to be strong and survive by his own actions. He couldn't rely on someone else who was a stranger to him.

He placed both hands on the ground, starting to put pressure on them but stopped immediately when one arm seemed to be broken; it was the only way he could explain the extreme pain and the way it almost gave away. He let out what sounded like a whimper but pressed on. He got himself onto the other arm that had not been as seriously injured before getting to his knees. He brought one leg up, followed by the other and began slowly rising. His legs somehow found the strength to lift him, even though they shook heavily. Finally he stood at full height but only shortly; the shaking in his legs got worse and he stumbled towards the female, falling onto her and putting weight on one of her shoulders.

From this point he could see her face in more detail. The color of her eyes, the shape of her face, all the details he couldn't tell from before. He realized that he had begun to stare and tried to stand on his own again, looking away with a blush. He tried to speak again, this time being slightly more successful.

"S-sorry.... Thank you.... what's your name?"

He was interrupted by the leader of his captors who had gotten back to his feet after watching Seth's attempt. He was just as surprised as any to see that Seth had been able to stand, even after his treatment. The man had made sure to take measures that would normally incapacitate any normal man and make him unable to move, yet this boy was able to stand, albeit weakly.

"Look, Kenner. I'm not here to deal with this mess. I just brought you another pet since I know you like to collect them and I want payment for it." He decided to ignore them instead since he wasn't interested in a fight with a woman and a half dead boy. "Will you take him and give me something for my trouble? He's very resilient as you can see. He shouldn't be able to move at all yet there he stands! Surely he's worth a bit to you."

Seth was sickened by the man's words and tried to growl again, this time with a little success, but at the cost of coughing blood up with it. He tried to wipe it away and pretend he wasn't in such a weakened state. But it was no use, he was still a sad sight to behold. The pain throughout was severe and it showed in the way he moved. Every muscle twitch, every shift in weight, even every breath made him wince. He hadn't much choice but to wait and see what the mysterious man might do.

kenner looked on as the men brought in their prize, which from the beginning he could tell was a vastly spiritual entity. Though anchored here in the material and confined into a physical body, a glow being slightly apparent from the boy. Something that only Kenner could see for the moment, since he was more aware of such things.

The acts of the young woman Nadiya was somewhat intriguing to him, as someone willing to be so forward and protective of someone she could not possibly know. Or something that a human would normally find intimidating, or frightening and distance themselves from. A small smile did grace his face for a few moments as she did this, though when the captor began to speak again. Kenner could find the petulant whining wearing on his patience. He looked at the man and motioned with a finger for him to go upstairs "Up and then the door on your left, the young lady inside will be the one to pay you. However I would like if the rest of your men waited outside, the place is going to get crowded pretty soon."

The man gave a nod and told his few men to head outside for the time being, while he quickly made his way up the wide staircase. It was obvious that the thought of money was spurring him on, more so then most other thoughts. As the man disappeared and his other companions vanished out the door, Kenner had two of the guards close the main entrance behind them after they left. This left only a smaller door, framed within the large set as an exit and the guards finally locked the main entrance as the two heavy slabs collided.

Kenner walked towards Nadiya and the young boy as he down on the two "Well miss Nadiya, I must say you are a surprising find and it is good to see you mean well. Not many come here of their own volition, unless its to help their families or themselves. So.. It would be my pleasure to add one such as yourself to my household." He knelt and gently laid his hand on Seth's shoulder, looking him over and slowly discovering the damage the hunters had done. Only to look back at Aemon and call him over with a simple gesture, to which the man acquiesced. "Aemon, this one has been roughed up pretty good and since this young lady is going to be joining us. I suggest you take the two of them with you, treat the boy and see if she can be of any help to you." Aemon looked down and began to inspect Seth with a few glances, before nodding and reaching down to pick the young boy up. His small frame was light enough and his weight was rather inconsequential at this point "Its alright now, we'll have you fixed up in no time..."

Kenner looks at Nadiya as he begins to help her up off the floor, his touch surprisingly warm and soft. For a moment she can feel his eyes looking over her as if she were being appraised and he smiled when she caught him doing so. To which he slightly laughs "My apologies, its a force of habit at this point I'm afraid. Go ahead and follow mister Aemon, his quarters are not far at all."

---

As the three leave, the man from before comes down the stairs with a tied pouch hefted in one hand. With a look of glee on his face as he pads the small bag back and forth in his hands. "Good doing business with you Kenner" He says as he lands on the ground floor and begins to make his way for the exit, to which a guard opens the door for him. Kenner on the other hand pays the man no mind, as he has already made his way back to Akhira's side and has knelt down next to her, with a hand on her shoulder. The man leaves with the guard closing and securing the door, the last of the days sunlight pouring through before it closes and the rain has started to come down once more. Like it has been for the last few weeks.

Kenner rubs her shoulder slightly, letting his hand drop down slightly and then a warm emanation begins to cover her arm. Rolling her head to the side, she feels a the warmth grow to cover and encircle her arm. Before it stops and takes the form of singular black ribbon on her upper arm and Kenner speaks to her "There now, you are a member of my house and so you shall be marked as one." He starts to run his fingers through her hair as he looks down on her, only to take his hand and firmly grasp the back of her head tightly and her eyes shot open as she could feel the heat return. This time however it was flowing straight into her and not through. Her soreness began to disappear and the lax feeling of her body was starting to soften with each passing moment. It was now, he was giving her back enough stamina to facilitate moving and as he began to lift her up with his free hand. Kenner released his grip on her head and helped to steady her as he stood her up and sat her on the edge of the fountain.

He looked her over to ensure all of her wounds were healed stood before her "I must apologize for Chlorra, she has always had an unhealthy interest in those with dragons blood in their veins. You were no exception, though you did make a nice mess of my foyer."

---

Babble had been placed in his own room after a short walk, so close and confined with the others in the area. His ears could still make out the different sounds that pulsed through the entire building, though he could tell that their were areas guarded against his own senses. Several places nearby and there was even an entire section of the hose itself that was nothing but a blank section for him. No movement, no noise, no nothing, just a vast empty opening that seemed to nearly extend all the way into the sky above him.

Though there were other sections of the house he could hear music and singing, either from a group of children or adults, or a mix of the two. He could even hear the tapping of feet several floors above him and there was even the sound of someone working nearby, that seemed to sound like they were carving wood. Then came stranger noises, as if something were crawling inside the very walls and he could hear the things that crawled even talking to one another. Though it was safe to say that the words were unfamiliar to him in nearly every conceivable way.

His attention on the house almost did now allow him to hear the sound of his own door, being pushed open and small feet begin to peddle in. As he looked it was a person with covered features and a trey with a bowl. This was one of the maids from Raven Home, like from before. Though it was possible that Babble had possibly never seen one such as these, given that every feature was concealed and hidden away. Though, from the look of this person, the small stature and the lithe form. It was sure to be a female of some kind, however Babble was sure that he could hear a cluster of distinct ticking noises follow her around the room.

She laid the trey on the nightstand and produced a spoon from a pocket, wrapped in a clean silken cloth. She gathered a spoonful for Babble and presented it for him to eat. It was obvious this woman was sent to care for him as she leaned in and waited patiently. It was a rich and hearty smelling meal indeed, possibly prepared because of the condition he arrived in. Something that would be easier on his stomach, though it was uncertain if he had any actual meals in the last few weeks of his trip. Still the girl stood there before him, outstretched hand with the other held under the spoon to prevent a mess. It was strange this woman, not a piece of skin could be seen and the only sound that could be heard was the light repeated ticking.

---

Luna had been sitting with this book under her nose for several minutes now and she had begun to realize it was an incredibly dry read. This book was written as if it was from a first hand account, though it was not of anything important. There were accounts of how the building hand been changed in the beginning to suit larger needs and then there were accounts of how the lower and upper levels became a necessity. However the book did not contain how the building came to be, or how it was being constructed in the first place. Not even architects were being named and she was hard pressed to find any mention of any notable figures at all, save for one mention of Kenner in the beginning of the book and that as well was a footnote.

"To think I was just passing through.." Luna's head shot up, nearly with a pained jolt as she saw Chlorra standing on the other side of the table and in the dim light of the library it was more eerie than frightening. "and it was you that I would find here. I don't recall the master giving any new slave access to this place on their first day, now I wonder what that means for you." She looks down at the book Luna had set on the table and reaches a long thin finger down to flip it closed, its cover sitting on top."Ahhh.. looking for something I suppose, or just hungering for a little knowledge?" It was this time that Luna realized Chlorra's voice didn't cut like it did before, though it was still an uncomfortable thing to sit through.

A few moments passed, that began to grow increasingly uncomfortable as Luna could just feel Chlorra's eyes on her. Though it was hard to tell if she even had those hidden behind such a creepy visage as that mask and she noticed the dark woman's head keen over slightly as if to ask a mental question. Before long though, she did "Tell me little horn.. when you first met the master, did it burn? This was a serious question she asked, as followed by her tone. "Many of your kind, save for the most powerful usually have an extreme reaction to his presence. Being a half blood, was probably a saving grace for you." She commented.

Chlorra proceeded to laugh under her breath, which to an outside ear was a rather jaunting experience. Several voices laid upon one another echoed her, becoming a sick cacophony of humor.