Master Kenner's Story

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Kenner stood on the stage with Chlorra off to his side, her form sitting perched on a singular stool near the circles center. As her master lightly paced back and forth as the last of the new house members were lead in and sat down, his calm smile keeping them all appraised. Only when Akhira was lead in and the other guards lead away, did they shut the large stone door that now was apparently the only way in and out of this room, did Kenner speak. "Welcome everyone.. to the circus. This place is were everyone of importance gathers in times of crisis to have their own voice heard. So I believe it is best to perform my own kind of orientation for any new members of the house, as well as letting each of get to see the faces of your new family."

"I am Kenner and I am the lord of this house, all begins and ends with my word."

Chlorra stood and placed a hand on his shoulder for a moment and the two shared a short gesture before she approached the group and her voice began to fill the room. "Like it or not, all of you are now property of this home. However there is no problem with that, despite how the rest of the country is cramming their rhetoric down the throats of the current populace. A place shall be found for you and a life shall be forged from this place that not only will benefit you, but any you may serve in the future. In fact, there are many who serve here in Raven Home that are now free.. because they served dutifully." She holds out a finger in exposition and displays it as if it were a warning. "Breaking the rules of the house are punishable offenses, however if you betray this family... then it is something worse that awaits you." She rubs a hand over her stomach as she says this, like a woman cradling new life that sits and waits. Kenner walks up behind her and reaches around her waist, holding her in a loving display for the group to see.

"Simple rules for a simple system.. do not harm another member of this house and do not steal from another member of this house. This includes lying before any of you are going to be inclined to ask." He walks around Chlorra before addressing the whole group more closely."Are there any question before we begin."

Luna

The sensation of what Luna just experienced was enough to keep her down and out for some time. Though its hard for her now to understand if what happened to her, caused her to faint or merely fall asleep. She was coming out of it now and the world was beginning to come into view. A gigantic column of light was shining down, far in front of her for what seemed to be several miles away. This light illuminated a large mass of land that was simply floating in front of her, something that seemed to like an island. With streams of water and vast amounts of lush vegetation siting on its sprawling land. She would try to reach out for the vision, but realize that her arms were not able to do so and in fact, neither were her legs able to move. She looked down to see that her body was nearly entirely embedded in the side of a massive tree. She could see that it extended down for what seemed to be an eternity and when looking up, the top went on for just as far. Being consumed at both ends by unending darkness that she could barely pierce with her own focused vision.

Her eyes scanned the region around her and she could see that the island in the center was being encircled by thousands of trees just like the one she was stuck within and if she tried. Her eyes could make out similar forms protruding from the sides of the others, some flailing and screaming unheard voices. Others so quiet and motionless, it was hard to gather if their were even alive. Her attention was seized when a large dark bird came crashing down on a nearby limb, the flap of its wings brushing her face with stale air and dust.

The bird was like that of a large crow, with slick black feathers and a dark ash beak. Its dark crystal like eyes looking deeply into Luna's as it spoke, using a voice that she could all too easily recognize as Chlorra's. "Good morning little horn and welcome to the island."

Seth awoke to a loud knock at his door. At first, his eyes were nearly glued shut. He barely managed to open them, and when he did, it felt like someone was trying to force them closed by hand. It took enormous effort just to keep them open and stay awake. Where am I? he wondered. Everything that happened the day before was a blur to him, like a dream. He couldn't grasp what had happened. However, the moment he tried to move pain shot throughout his body at various levels of strength and he began to remember what had happened. His attackers showing up at some mansion, being helped to some sort of infirmary, being treated, and being fed. A face popped up at almost every memory that came to mind about yesterday, and it made him want to smile. It was a soft, warm face of a very kind woman.

He was broken free from his thoughts as someone knocked once again. He sat up to try to answer and immediately regretted it. His whole body was insanely sore. Maybe it was too much to ask for a little bit of blood to heal someone, who was so close to death that it was breathing down their neck, back to full health instantly. Surely there was some kind of price to pay for getting your health back. Presumably, in this case, it was intense pain. Eventually, a third knock forced him to power through the pain and stand, walking to the door awkwardly and opening it. The moment he turned the handle, he opened it about 8 inches before slamming it, apologizing loudly for how rude he was. He forgot that he went out his window the night before without clothes on to sit in the rain, a common practice of his. He tried to find something to dry his hair and some clothes to put on, which he found a set that looked oddly like what he would normally wear. After putting it on, he opened the door again, this time ready to go. He couldn't help but feel awkward on the trip all the way to a large room with many seats and a rather big stage. He never got a chance to see the guards face, but he was sure they were scowling at him....

Once he reached the large room, there were many people already inside. They ranged in appearance, not many looking like another. Scanning them, he did not see the girl from earlier and he was very sad to say the least. His ears drooped and his head hung low before his nose and ears twitched. He looked up and spotted the girl this time! He was so happy that his tail wagged and he almost started to pant, though he refused to do something so embarrassing in front of all these people; He managed to catch himself as he started to. But his tail, he could not stop. He was too delighted. When she looked in his direction, he gave a shy wave, hoping to be seen, but a little more apprehensive and shy than last night since the drug had worn off.... he was a little bit less open and more afraid. She was the equivalent of a loving mother or sister in his situation; never in his life had anyone been so kind, and now he didn't know how to react to it.

But before anything could really happen between them, the man in the middle of the room spoke up and his gaze shifted to him instantly. The man looked calm and kind. However, Seth hated him almost the moment he saw him. He couldn't understand his own distaste for the man. Why did he hates someone he had never met before? Was there something about him that made his instincts scream, trying to tell Seth something about him? He had a scent that seemed average among human men, he sounded like a normal man, he looked normal, he hadn't felt or tasted him but he was fairly sure that those sense would tell him he was normal too, so why? Then he noticed the woman next to him. It wasn't Kenner, the master he had learned he was, that he hated. It was the woman. She was practically radiating evil. Seth didn't know about his mother so he was unaware why he could tell, but because of his mother, he could sense the evil. Not just from her, but from within her too. What was in her, though, he couldn't possibly know. Only that she was giving off hate, lust, death and many more things that he did not like. He decided it would be best to avoid that woman if at all possible for now. The man, he decided, did not deserve his dislike as his opinion of him changed once he knew what he felt and where to direct his negativity. He listened quietly throughout his introduction to his new family.....

"Wait, family!?!?" Seth never knew what it was like to have one and was blown away.... this could be the experience of a lifetime for him. He covered his mouth and tried to hush his words as best as he could while Kenner continued on.... "Sorry," he whispered quietly, "my bad....."

Akhira yawned wearily as she followed the guard in front of her, trying to not appear interest in anything as she didn't have the most the restful sleep. This was mostly due to her pride as the night before, she didn't eat the food that had been provided. She instead sat and waited until she wasn led her to her room. Where she had taken one look at the bed and grabbed the blankets and pillows to make a nest on the floor at the far corner of the room. She then fell into a restless sleep.

Much to her surprise, woke to hear someone knocking on the door. It had taken her awhile to shrug off the blankets and open the door, but she did and immediately Guards then began to lead her away, not giving her a chance to even change her clothes. Not that she cared about how others saw her, especially how she looked in the mornings since being beautiful something she never to had to try to be, she just was always beautiful. If anything, she was more adorable looking in the mornings anyways. Perhaps it was her size or her sapphire eyes, but she did look more like a pre-teen human that glowed life. What terrible misfortune for those that would think it to be heavenly to pat her head, thinking she may bestow them with a cute and adoring look in return.

Not minding how others saw her, Akhira grumbled out growls when she was led to a sort of stage room, where upon Kenner appeared with that... Witch and began to speak. It was hard for her to listen to his speech while also taking in the sight of... the others... (She could never think of them as family or even friends.)

Although she was pretty good at ignoring the other beings and trying to keep her stomach from grumbling... She did however notice dog-boy from earlier, as well as the insect that had gotten in her way earlier.

Akhira began to make her way to them... and yet... there were others in her way... Particularly a female human in a green dress. Akhira hummed out a low purr and her scales on her head shimmered softly and before she could even speak a word, she was interrupted by dog-boy. "Wait, family!?!?" This was quickly followed by an apology from him and Akhira finally caught all of the words that Kenner had been speaking.

She turned sharply, and glared fiercely at him. Her heart was being wrenched about just then. She had no family and she didn't want a family, muchless be a part of one. It was insane. She couldn't even stand that... mistress witch of his and now he thinks they can just become a family?! A low growl was working its way up her throat and much to her credit, was able to stop it from turning into a snarl. Great, just great.

Babble

The night passed. As usual this was one of those nights where Babble wasn't tired enough to get any sleep. Ordinarily it was because he could constantly hear everything rattling on around him, so much snoring. In this case it was because he was squished into a box. This effect resulted in an amplification in power as ordinarily he was spread too thinly to maintain this level of prescience. As it was even the sound of the blood squishing about in his veins would of been maddening, more so than usual.

Thankfully he was able to maintain a powerful zone of silence with his magnified control over the sound within this small area. The silence was a result of his sound meeting the waves at equal length and height, cancelling both sounds out. While this meant Babble could live in a bubble of beautiful silence this also meant he needed to maintain it in order to preserve this precarious peace he built. Such is what he did throughout the entire night. He simply sat on the ground, his eyes closed as he let his mind empty of all thoughts. The only thing that remained was his concentration as it maintained the Golden Sound.


When the guards approached his door he did not hear them knock. When the guards entered his room he did not hear them approach. When the guards picked him up by his arms and dragged him from the room he did not hear them trying in vain to talk through the Golden Sound. As he approached the hall he couldn't hear the guards fussing over matters such as how could they not speak or that strange feeling which had crawled into their bodies.

The human body is accustomed to the sound pressure from latent sound present from all around. It relies on sound for a number of functions both emotional and physiological. The first sensation to of effected the guards was a feeling of something softly squeezing their heads. It was by no means harmful but definitely disconcerting. Without even the noises their own bodies constantly made, noises that are ordinarily drowned out by the overlaying background audio that is life, the instruments in their ears started straining to no avail. The fluid which determined their balance was now askew somewhat making their walking awkward. The body constantly uses sound to assist in physically navigating environments. As such this experience wasn't even just like going deaf. It was akin to being sealed in a true vacuum, only with gravity performing normally and they could still breath.


Needless to say both guards were quite unhappy overall. They were eager to be rid of Babble, shoving him in quite brusquely so as to put as much distance between them and him as possible. He couldn't blame them. There wasn't any reason to blame them either. He didn't care. Casual cruelty was practically kindness compared to the state of which he was accustomed to.

With the guards having escaped the oppressive silence to return into normality all that was left was Babble, the people and Kenner... Oh yes and Chlorra. It would be hard to forget her, especially after what she did. Not only did he remember what she had done but he was trapped in it's effect even now. Stuck like a moth in a spider's web all he could do was cocoon himself in hope of putting something between him and the wages the world would have on his poor mind.


Distantly he could hear the howling noise. Even with his power condensed as it was the sound of Kenner's being was still louder than Babble's Golden Sound. As far as any other sounds were concerned there was just a perfect field of absolute silence around him, eliminating all noise up to the distance set for him by Chlorra. Kenner's voice was also distant, like the howling which accompanied him always as far as he knew, and he could hardly make out what the words were. He tried to listen but at the same time he knew if he lowered his silence the power of Kenner's voice would cut right through him. He hadn't the skill nor the confidence to adjust the silence around him with any measure of delicacy. The techniques he used before were still the same but it was like going from wielding a sledgehammer to wielding a teaspoon. If he used the same amount of effort to manipulate the field as he used to he'd wind up switching right over from silent to even more loud which he was fairly sure would hurt him greatly.

So with his Golden Sound keeping him safe he sat cross legged on the floor in between the seats, looking up at the stage while waiting for something resembling a command or perhaps a creative new punishment for Babble. After all, what else was Babble good for except for hurting? That was how the world was, simply enough.


As for everyone else he couldn't hear where they even where let alone what they were saying. His eyes were transfixed on Kenner in the hopes that some sort of message might come across so he couldn't even see what the other members of this new family he didn't even know had formed looked like. He just sat there, still clad in the bloodstained straitjacket and patient's pants he arrived in. His arms were wrapped around his body, not tethered by any means but each arm was tucked under each armpit nonetheless. He was simply staring, mouth flat in a dull line without expression. His eyes were looking with their deep dark circles underneath from all the sleep he never had.

Out of them all none looked like more of a prisoner than he and he didn't just look like one.

I am one.

Every inch and cranny of Luna's body felt sore and beaten, yet she could not see anything but her torso jetting from the large oak wood tree that imprisoned her. The numbing pain had even invaded her senses, making the light off in the distance feel like a thousand burning suns screaming at her brain through her eyeballs, and the sound of the she-witch echoing from the crow felt like a thousand needles piercing her ears. With a grown she squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head slowly in hopes of healing herself in some way, and to a certain extent, it did. When she opened her eyes again she was able to take in the full extreme view of her new world, and it both amazed and frightened her all at the same time. Was this all inside of the woman, or was the woman herself some portal that she had been sucked in through? At the thought of being sucked in her last known memories from last night flood her mind as the truth hits her with its presence. She had come no closer to gaining knowledge that would grant her power. Nor did she keep her promise to her old wizard teacher to keep her demon side in check, no, all she had done was dig her own peaceful but still very hellish nightmare. However, like a saving grace one of the teachings that the old wizard gave her came to mind "If all else seems to fail, asks questions, they often-time lead to a way out." With a nod of her head she cleared her throat with pain and looked over to the crow.

"W-Where am I? What island is this? Why am I in this tree?"

As if to prove her point she tries to pull her right arm from the tree and quickly finds that she can't, which does not surprise her in the least bit. With a sigh she puts that objective to the side and uses the moment to gather all the things around her with a more thorough glance. She can now make out other people in trees such as herself, and even further observations lets her know that they are not all human. Many are of other races, some known, some unknown, but for the life of her she can't find any who look to be of the demon race such as herself. With a strange laugh she thinks to herself, "Guess that makes me special."

Looking down her eyes finally notice the lush green scenery below, with its rolling hills and vegetable gardens that seemed to be manually kept up with immaculate care. In her mind she instantly sets it as the place she wants to be in the near future, If she can think of a way to remove herself from the tree without plummeting to her death, or an endless fall into the darkness below her. There appears to be no sky above or any other source of light besides the shining white beam way above her and with a slant of her eyes she makes note to asks about it to the bird once it answers her initial questions.

The sudden knock at the door made Petra wake up with a start, and she immediately attempted to grab a weapon. After a brief moment of panic, Petra remembered where she was now and began to calm down. " I will be right out in a little while." she replied to the knocker. It seemed to satisfy them since they stopped knocking, so Petra got out of the chair and groped her way around the room. At some point during the night, someone had put in a change of clothes and an eye patch out for her to wear, and this made Petra nervous and a little frightened. This meant that there was someone or something skilled enough to make it into her room without alerting her, and could easily have killed her. Of course, Petra reasoned to herself, perhaps she was just getting tired of having knee jerk reactions and was getting sluggish and fatigued. She didn't pay attention to what the clothing that had been given to her was since she doubted it mattered; if the master of the house wanted her to wear them she would, there was no point in testing the waters on something so little. With one last look in the mirror to adjust her eye patch, Petra opened the door and was led through the rooms and halls until she arrived in a room with an assortment of other people and...things. The guard left her to her own devices and she scanned through the faces until she recognized the James girl--Anna-something was it? Walking up besides Annabelle, Petra decided to have a little fun in the morning. Resting an arm on Annabelle's shoulder, she asked the person she presumed to be the legendary Master Kenner, "Oh I do just have one question Master Kenner, if I may. What exactly could possibly be worse than death, or what some of us have already faced?" She suppressed a grin and looked very seriously at Kenner, wondering if he would give an answer that would unsettle Annabelle and other less..composed indivuals in the room. Still, she was starting to feel a very unsettling feeling of her from both Kenner and the woman next to him. Both were likely powerful mages, if the stories were true, and mages who abused their power for their own end.

It took a while for Nadiya to calm down from the sight of a skewer sticking from the maid's face, but after much fretting and some coaxing from the wolf-tailed boy, she finally began to resume her normal composure- albeit somewhat anxiously. Her companion did have a point- the servant didn't seem in the least bit concerned: she wasn't bleeding, nor were there any signs of suffering. It was with some reluctance she let the issue drop at last, somehow managing to eat.

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Nadiya followed the guard as requested, wondering what it was that she was being led to. She debated asking the guard about it, but refrained from doing so. This world was much different than what she was used to, and she wasn't entirely sure what was proper. What if she inadvertently offended her escort?

The large room she was led to earned a small gasp of surprise, taken away by the vastness of what could only be described as an auditorium of sorts. It was elegant and yet built with comfort and purpose in mind. The room was filled with a decent sized crowd, and more individuals continued to enter. The young woman glanced around, searching for any familiar faces (though she wouldn't expect many). Feeling more than slightly apprehensive in such strange surroundings and without any companions, she caught sight of someone waving...at her? Looking carefully, she noticed it was the young man from the day before. He looked better than before, and she waved back, smiling at him in relief. Perhaps she would talk to him later.

A minute later, the dragon-girl from before was led into the room,and the door was closed with an audible thud. Nadiya looked up at the stage to see the master of the house, and the eerie woman from before. She frowned, recalling how the woman had attacked the dragon- girl the day prior, and seeing her again was unpleasant. What kind of person was that? Unfortunately, it seemed she and the Master Kenner were very close- cozy even. She wondered about his taste. It was not any of her business, obviously, but she couldn't help but be slightly unnerved by his apparent fondness for the violent woman. Even if there was another side to the creepy individual, it would not be easy for Nadiya to overlook her other actions.

Nadiya returned her attention to Kenner as he began to speak. A welcoming assembly for new servants it seemed. His words were strong and sure, but they were reasonable enough. She had assumed his word was law, so no surprise there. And it was convenient to bring them together to get acquainted with the others.

Nadiya's amenability began to wither as soon as the woman began to speak, nearly cringing at the words. Her mannerisms were far more unpleasant, and Nadiya felt her anxiety and doubts begin to return. What exactly had she gotten herself into? Surely the master didn't assume they would act like criminals? She would have to make sure her situation was understood! She wasn't going to act out. And she had yet to discuss a price- so perhaps if he couldn't give her family enough, she'd try to find a soluton elsewhere.

Soon enough, the master had said his piece, and she immediately stood up, ready to approach Kenner regardless of his proximity to the unpleasant woman. Before she could make good on her desire to clarify her situation, one of the people gathered voiced a question, and Nadiya found herself facing the pair on stage with rapt attention, wary of the answer.

As the question left Petra, Kenner was at her side of the platform and ready to answer. The look on his face showing a certain amount of enjoyment that she was able to ask in the first place, or for the fact that she had the nerve to do so as quickly as she did. "Give it some time around the house and I believe you will see more than enough of what I am talking about."
Kenner looked on at the group as he smiled and rubbed his hands together at the responses he managed to illicit. Walking to a small sway in his step as he reached the outer edge of the platform and gleamed over the others, giving a small clap in a moment of torpid excitement. "I had hoped that all of you could be here this morning, however its unfortunate that more than one has had confinement made necessary. It is good however that a majority are able to continue with the proceedings, as usual there is always one or two that make the transition difficult." He gives Akhira a small sideways glance before returning his view to the who group and Chlorra can be heard behind him, issuing a lurid array of giggles. As the two of them shared a moment of comedy between one another, a fact that Akhira was more than aware of emanated from her own expense.

"I do have some rather high hopes as to how you will all choose to acclimate to life in this home of ours. So little is it that we manage to get such new blood in from time to time and I can say with assurance that the others will be happy for the new faces as well." He adds a finger to his words, as if to point out a fact for the others to take in. "I will tell you this however, seeing that several of you are not entirely safe for the household.. do not be surprised if you see guards shadowing your movements through the house."

"It is merely just a precaution and nothing more than that."


Chlorra says nothing as Kenner explains this, shrugging lightly as Seth catches her in his view. Only for Kenner to continue speaking "You will all have a few minutes to converse between one another here, before the bell tolls and the days activities begins."

Luna

The dark bird leans over Luna's shoulder as she was only able to adjust the angle of her neck and head "This place is mine little demon, a virtual home away from home if you will." The bird spoke, echoing forth voices that belonged to Chlorra.
It was then that Luna could tell that the bird itself was not entire correct in his shape, in fact the whole form was misshapen and unnatural for something that a normal creature would have. Twisted joints, crooked bones and feathers that were more than likely made from a pitch colored goo that clung to its body. The idea of how this creature could even hold flight was beyond her at the present moment. Then again she was suspended within a tree that had either no end or beginning, in a void surrounding a lush island. So it was possible that reality took side coach to everything else here.

"You have been put here as punishment for killing a member of the house.. despite the fact he will not remain gone forever. I was tasked with giving you a small test and if you pass the test, you go free."

Nadiya swallowed hard as Kenner replied, vaguely suggesting that they would eventually find out, whether as a witness or as a subject of such things- what punishments were worse than death. A shudder ran down her spine, her doubts struggling to combat her will and desire to ensure a better life for her family back home. She only hoped her plan wouldn't backfire.

Her gaze followed Kenner's as he glanced towards a certain individual in the crowd, seeing the dragon girl again. She had been the last one to enter, and Nadiya hadn't had the chance to look her over fully. Thankfully, the young dragon seemed unharmed, but knowing how the woman on stage had treated her put a sick feeling in the country girl's stomach. Hearing the master's words made her eyes widen and her anxiety increase. The dragon girl was going to be chaperoned? Confined, even?

The giggling figure on stage with Kenner was met with a frown, her disdain for the eerie woman growing rather than abating. Her eyes followed the unpleasant individual with a wary gaze before Kenner finished speaking.

About to relax and go see the wolf boy and the dragon- girl to see how they were doing, she abruptly changed tactics- reminding herself she needed to speak with the master of the house first. How embarrassing to think she had nearly forgotten!

"Sir...Master Kenner! Might I have a word with you sir?" Nadiya asked nervously, looking up at him as she edged closer to the stage. Not like she wanted to discuss things loud enough for the whole room to hear after all.

Luna

As she peered deeper into the unwavering pool, Luna began to lean forward on her toes and the edge of the pond was moistly beating under the edge of her feet. It wasn't apparent to her in that instant that the reason it was so still was either because of the unnatural calmness of the place it resided in, or if it was the fact of something waiting below. As time slowed for her dive to continue she was now buckled nearly half way over her waste and her eyes caught it. A pin point of contact in the pond that was all the more still than the rest and as she leaned forward over the pools edge, that point broke from the surface of the water. So out came a large arm from the surface of the small pond, parting the top of the water like a great womb. A long outstretched limb with six fingers, each sharing an equal length and tipped with a viscous nail. Aside the shoulder of this form was a large head that jutted from the surface, aside from that it was hard to discern what exactly it was in all honesty. Long raven black hair slid effortlessly off from each angle, conceiling its true visage from Luna. Only leaving a large form for her to see that was both massive against her stature and painted black, like the color of the pond itself.

This revelation came to soon as she was far beyond the point of turning back from her choice, her body being committed now in its motion. Her face was just about to decide its own expression in the face of the inevitable, but as soon as she felt the weird grimace come over her features. She felt a strong arm grip around her waste and pull her away from the pond, allowing the outstretched arm to barely glance her cheek in turn as the world became a blur. The force her body felt in the intense pull was enough to draw a ragged breath from her lungs and the speed at which she was moving did not allow for much of a chance to inhale. The pond and its receding dark form slinking back into its hole are what painted her view for only a fraction of a second, before it was consumed by the sight of the forest being rushed in around her head.

The color of the trees turned from a brightened pink, into what could be seen as a deeper crimson and possessing more twisted bark than before. It was then that Luna was dropped with very little grace as the one responsible began to slowly trot past her, the momentum of their escape still carrying whoever it was in step. They were dressed in what seemed to be the same garb that many of the house maids were seen wearing, though Luna could swear it was off in some form or possibly just an older style. This outfit feature a tightly pulled corset and a shorter skirt, with only one torn and stained stocking to speak of wrapping a very feminine form. She fell to her knees breathing like she had just run a marathon for several days as she rolled onto her rear and began to pedal away from Luna slowly. She managed to get away from Luna's physical range before leaning up against a small, rocky slope. "Damn it.. how could you just jump in?..." The woman was breathing heavily still and it was easy to see why, the skin of her arms and legs that could be seen was nearly emaciated. Showing that she had gone for some time without a decent meal and it was at that time Luna noticed her face. It was almost completely covered by a heavily forged, silver mask that was missing several inches on the top and side of its left. Exposing most of the woman's face that Luna could easily see what was the source for her being saved.

The woman's one visible eye was the color of pitch, with a singular red slit passing all the way down from top to cheek. Along with the stump of what seemed to be a broken horn protruding from the side of her head, just above the ear. On the other side the horn was intact, indicating a form of lower demonic heritage as the horns bore a goat like curving. It seemed something had tried to take her head off at one point and was only able to acquire what little it could. "You're lucking I was following you since you entered the grove..." She added, with her speech still being broken at times with heavy breaths.

Nadiya

As Kenner watched on in anticipation for anymore questions to come forth, he did spot Nadiya approach. While the other newer slaves were buys glancing back between one another with the same uncertain look that he had seen many, countless faces share in the past. She was at least calm and collected when she walked up near the mound. From what he had read about her, she would be a rather straight forward girl to tend for and raise into the family. However a smirk did form on his face as the idea of her breaking mold and going against the norm came to mind. He looked on and knelt slightly as she reached her head up, raising her chin and he could almost hear her make a overly audible swallowing noise to clear her throat.

She asked if it were possible for her and him to have a quick word together, as so the other slaves would not hear the two of them. He gave the thought of it some time before lightly nodding to agree and he motioned for Chlorra to move out and begin the daily activities. To which the masked woman motioned for all of the others to gather near her and several guards in response.

"Its okay Nadiya, they are just going on their way through the house to see everything they need to know."

The truth of his words shined easily when all of them were slowly lead out of the room and than down the hall from which they came

At the initial silence, Nadiya began to fear the master of the house was not interested in discussing anything with her, and she could feel a rising anxiety. Before it could fester and grow into distress and panic, Kenner nodded in agreement with her wish, prompting an immediate sigh and smile of relief.

She did not fail to notice him motion for his masked companion to escort the rest of the slaves in attendance out through the house. NAdiya tried to keep her expressions from betraying her, but it was obvious she was pleased to see the odd woman leave.

It did, however, leave her feeling very exposed and alone when the room was empty except for her and the master.

Looking thoughtful for a second, Nadiya ran over the words in her head before voicing them, not wanting to sound rude or cause any misunderstandings. Managing to meet Kenner's eyes, she began to speak softly, yet earnestly.

"Well, as I said before, the reason I've come here is to sell myself for the highest price I can get. Not for me you see, but for my family. I am the oldest of six, and obviously that is a lot of mouths to feed." Nadiya paused, feeling slightly embarrassed all of a sudden, unsure if there was a safe way to ask such a question. She had to find out though, to know if she was making the right decision.

"Master Kenner, if I might be so bold to ask, how much would you be willing to send to my family if I offer myself in service to you and your household?" she asked, getting it all out in one breath before going silent, biting her lip in nervous anticipation.

Nadiya

Kenner smiled back as Nadiya fought with the shyness that welled up within her as she tried to ask the question that had building in her mind. Her need to know if she could somehow parlay herself for enough to provide a future for her family was a normal question and though it had been sometime since Kenner's home had hosted one in such a condition. He stepped down from the platform and paired up in front of her as he looked her over, seeing as such she was not able to meet him formally till now. Holding out a hand to take hers in turn, which after a short moment of battling the same meek nature that was surging in her from before. She managed to hold out her hands and allow him to take them in his own, turning them over and examining both sides. He would run a finger over her knuckles and across her palms as she could feel his eyes roaming over other aspects of her person as well. A prospect that threatened to raise a heavy blush on her cheeks as she slowly realized what such a look could imply.

Releasing her hands so that she could return them to her sides, only to continue the gentle smile that he had possessed before. "To be honest Nadiya life is not a cheap commodity like the ruling half would have you believe. I am more than willing to ensure you're family have generous compensation for you to join my house." He Keens his head to the side for a moment before stepping around her, keeping a hand on the flat of her side as he strode around. An act that raised a certain alarm in Nadiya's person, whether it was the feeling of his touch or the anticipation of what that meant for her was a vastly racing possibility in her own mind. Only for his hand to lift from her side and stepped away towards where everyone had gathered before.

"But first I would like to know why one such as yourself felt it was necessary to be sold into such a service?" He sat on the on the stone surface and looked back at her. "One with you're skills could have been more than a well accomplished herbalist.. why come here, seeing as how illegal the Crown views such a service as mine?"

Akhira

Stern slows his step as Akhira begins to move with less speed, only stopping to wave the other guards around them both as he stays in stride with her. Watching silently as she swayed with the weight of her full body pressing against the wall, her fall quickly followed after. As he knelt down beside her Chlorra's form came rushing up to their side, moving like a blurred shade in the darkness and stopping just as abruptly. Stern places a hand on her neck to feel her pulse and even in her diminished state Akhira could feel something was off about him, though his presence was dark there was an intensity in his presence. She could feel the strength of his heartbeat through the tips of his fingers, a vast contrast to the normal aura that permeated his being.

"Whats wrong little scale, feeling blue?" Chlorra asked with a depraved hint of comedy in her voice, it seemed she was taking all of this as a powerful joke. To which Stern replied justly.. "Even in the mornings you can be such a heartless bitch Chlorra." She tilted with a giggle that easily pooled within as she jostled her form and replied by stroking the back of his hair. "Oh sweetie its her own fault for being in this situation, that legendary pride they all share is only outmatched by their stubbornness."

He leaned down to lift her slowly, making sure as to not increase her discomfort and Akhira quickly found that his form greatly dissuaded from his strength. The metallic edges of his plate causing only slight discomfort on her side as he held her firmly. "The Master should be informed.." Chlorra was quick to wave off his suggestion with her hand as she looked on, the group ahead had stopped in her absence and was now waiting for her return.

"Let the little one deal with her this time around, its been a while since a dragon has been her way. She will most likely be elated to see such a figure in her care." He doesn't give the dark woman much attention after that and leaves with Akhira in arm, only worried to hurry her off towards her next destination. Leaving Chlorra behind to return to her current task of leading the others on.

Nadiya waited in silence for the lord of the house to answer her, body stiff and on edge as she fretted over rejection. As Kenner approached her, she tried to read his body language, attempted to study his facial expressions for some insight as to what he was thinking. Had she been rude or presumptuous to ask such a thing? She considered apologizing for her question when the master of the house took her hands in his, examining them as he ran his fingertips across her skin.

His steady appraisal as well as the feel of his touch elicited a flush of pink in her cheeks, unsure what he was looking for- or looking at. Not used to being studied at length like this, Nadiya felt a unique mixture of curiosity, anxiety, and surprise. Even as he released her hands, the young woman was unable to look away from Master Kenner, face a bright pink at being the center of attention.

She released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, relieved to hear he was perfectly willing to provide her family with a suitable payment- and even suggesting he didn't think a life was cheap (something she was also pleased to hear- a sentiment she could agree on). Beginning to relax, she parted her lips as words of gratitude formed in her mind and on her tongue. She didn't manage to properly thank him, however, his closeness sudden and unexpected. She burned an even brighter pink, mind whirling with thoughts as she tried to decipher what he was doing. What he was thinking as he appraised her some more. Did she even want to know? Each possibility she dreamed up only served to make her more uncertain, watching him with a question in her eyes. He was smiling and acting pleasant enough, so she made no move to retaliate. Besides, she was essentially offering herself as a tool or merchandise for sale.

His question caught her by surprise, swiftly pulling her out of her attempts to puzzle over his actions (and become further confused or anxious by the many possibilities in the process). Why? Nadiya bit her lower lip, eyes following master Kenner as he sat himself upon the stone. He was being generous with his words, suggesting she of all people could become an able bodied herbalist in her own right. She dreamed of such, but without being properly taught, she'd never be as highly sought after as the masters of the craft.

"W-well sir...I must admit I have had no formal training- only knowledge passed on from my mother and various village folk. Most healers begin as apprentices and study under a master- something I had neither time nor resources to do. And no one would take a simple country girl. When I was younger, I still needed to help look after my siblings, but now that I am older, I may offer of myself as a servant. I..I would seek employment or tutelage, but I have had little luck. And I have no magic talent as far as I can tell." Nadiya swallowed hard, realizing she was pointing out all very logical reasons not to take her on or buy her. Anxiety began to creep into her subconscious again.

Clutching the sides of her skirt in her shaking hands, Nadiya spoke again, softer this time. "I...I thought this was the best way...the only way. I am too cowardly to hop a ship any further from my home- it was hard enough crossing the strait to reach this part of the country. And I fear having no place to turn to, nor one that might take me or have such access to all that you do..." The young woman managed to meet Master Kenner's eyes, silently begging him not to turn her away with nothing.

Nadiya
Kenner looks back at Nadiya after she tells him her own reasons for not going in a different route before choosing doing what she has done. It simply boiled down to the fact that such an avenue was not readily available for her in her current state, which was understandable seeing the way things worked outside of the cities.

He stands and meets her gaze as he can be seen formulating his response on the side of his mouth, a creased smile following his next words. "In all my years on this earth you humans, have always fascinated me. Some of you are born to greatness and others have to fight for it all their lives, but that never stops you from striving for the best that you can perceive." He clasp his hands together for only a moment, allowing a glimmer of light to strike Nadiya's vision before he separates them. Only to reveal that a thin, emerald green ribbon was now swaying gently between his fingers. "I can offer you some of the best training and the highest quality of working conditions for such a craft.. yes. But you must be willing to take that final plunge into this life, and that is something that I cannot press upon you.

You see unlike the ones that are brought to me in the night and are sold beyond their own power into my arms, you are different. Those that come here willingly are still within their own power to turn and walk away into the world they left. Not to mention I cannot promise you that you will remain a member of my house forever, someone may take a fancy with you and that means you may eventually be bought from my home. Taken to a vastly foreign land and will always be at risk of never seeing you're family ever again." He clutches the ribbon in his hand softly as he looks it over for a just a moment, before lightly dangling it in front of her eyes. "This world will become yours should you wish it or you may return home... the choice is yours to make." He holds out a hand in what appears to be some sort of offer to take hers, this was apparent to Nadiya that if she was to take his offer. Everything that he has spoken will become true and she would be at such a danger, its just that with such a life like her former one behind her. She could just well be damning herself should she walk away from his offer.

Akhira
It was not long before her feet touched the floor that Akhira could feel eyes upon her from beyond the curtain. She could feel the urge in her body fighting with the black ribbon wrapped around her arm and no amount of clawing could dislodge it, to spite the wounds she could inflect upon herself. She could feel her skin pulling into its new form despite the fact this was rather unnatural for herself, what was more unnatural was the coming pulse of heat released from the ribbon on her arm. Shattering her new skin leaving her human form bare, as the forced transformation of her flesh was cracked from her and sent into the air like a flowing glacial mist. The force was not painful though it was rather unpleasant to feel herself pulled back into a form that was not her current choice.

She could feel the object wrapped around her was not mere magic, but something far more transient than her own relation to the forces of magic could ever be. The ribbons burning sensation stopped as soon as her transformation was halted, leaving her keeled over slightly beside the bed as she could here a small collection of footsteps coming her way. Her head could only crane so far as to see just their forms as the curtain parted. Seeing an older man with two of the maids framing his side, though these maids were in dresses that covered every feature they possessed. As well as what appeared to be a green choker wrapped around their throats, with a matching veil covering their faces. "Well she wasn't exaggerating, you do seem to be in a rather terrible way..." He snaps his fingers and the two maids are on Akhira quicker than she could react in her current condition, though she would be hard pressed to say that their grip was not human in the least. Even struggling as strong as she could, neither woman was budging an inch and their hold as they lifted her back into the bed. The pain and sickness was already causing her sight to blur with some off setting consequences. Her sight of the man was only to the point that she could make out the edges of his face and his piercing blue eyes in her haze.

The maids made sure to lay her back on the bed as easily as she was able to let them operate and they quickly adjusted themselves to hold her down, as the man pressed his head to her chest and checked her eyes. "Alright, we are going to address you're fever and you're health at this moment. Hopefully get this evened out before we can get you some food and maybe see how much better you do in the coming hours." The clatter of hurried footfalls came up form the other side of the curtain once again. Only for Akhira to make out the visage of the young girl once again as she hefted a tray up to the older man and he began to take items from it.

One was a wide flat stone that he proceeded to lay upon the crux of her stomach, one that she found was exceedingly warm to the touch and continually flowed with magics that allowed it to stay at the same intensity. The other was a small vial that he uncorked and than closed to what seemed like an extremely uncomfortable distance to her face as he began to speak again. "This is a special dust that we use for creatures such as yourself, it will put you to sleep for almost an hour but that will be just enough time for me to work. I am telling you this out of courtesy, rather than having you panic about what I am going to do to you right now." In an instinctive response she closes her mouth to keep him from pouring the contents in, only to have him take hold of the back of her head and bring the vial under her nose just as she inhaled.

The powder comes flowing in with reckless abandon, only a slight hint on the edge of its texture. It slowly brought back the memory of far flung mountains that she had once crossed in her younger years, as the edges of her eyes slowly became more heavy and lidded.

Babble
As the group continued to walk through the upper halls of the house, Babble was till stuck with having to come to terms with his power being refocused into something more akin to what a human would sense. He could barely argue with the idea that now his eyes were possibly more accurate than his sense of sound. Though it did not stop him from trying to attune himself from time to time, in methods that could effect those around him. But every time he tried to break past that barrier of restriction that Chlorra had placed upon him, he could feel the ribbon on his arm slightly heat up and somehow dial back on the strength that he was allowed.

As he eyed the ribbon for a few seconds as soon as he looked up his eyes were met with a rather grand sight. An extremely large room that seem to be built on the actual outer edge of the building itself, with the height of its beveled ceiling taking up what appeared to be several of the floors above and thick roped curtains of dark purples could be seen hanging over the windows. The room in general was vastly different from the rest of the house that the slaves had currently been allowed to see, with lavish decorations adorning nearly every surface that could be seen with the eye and the floor was polished with an immaculate shine. In fact several of the house maids could be seen toiling away with their own work keeping them busy in the room as they shined and dusted all around on edge of the room. Chlorra started to lead the others down the large room, its open space stretching far off from the door in which they entered. Babble was able to pick it up before the others, but in the back of the room he could hear and somewhat feel sounds being plucked upon. Only when the group crossed through a set of twin curtains did they see what the sound was coming from.

It was a group of people, slaves like themselves in fact that were are stringing and tuning their instruments in the process of getting ready for practice. They paid little attention to the group as a whole, though it was easy to see that Chlorra's presence was an almost universally unsettling substance in of itself for them. Several of them becoming physically disheveled by the sight of her and the others opted to just adjust their seating to keep her from their view. Babble could hear each of them doing a poor job in his taste, not one capable in actuality of satisfying his rather rich pallet. Save for the next sound he hear coming from deeper within, beyond the bodies of the other faceless slaves that sat before him. A stag was erected beyond their seating and past its curtains he could hear some kind of heavenly sound cascading out, only to be plucked at lightly before drawing out several long notes. It was an instrument of some sort of that he was rather sure. His mind was struck from its train of thought as a voice sounded out from behind the group and everyone turned to see a dramatically young girl standing there in what seemed to be a well pampered victorian dress. Her pale skin and silvery white hair are abstracted against the sight of her blue eyes that are able to glow through the low light of the room.

"Well lady Chlorra its good to see you, however I must say you were not to be expected as of yet. Brother and I have yet to prepare for class today and I haven't even had my morning cap myself." The girl laughs behind her teeth as she lifts a hand to hide them from the view of the group ahead.

The smile was reassuring, though she was surprised to hear him marvel at humanity. He wasn't human himself? She had mistakenly assumed he was a magically gifted human. Nadiya tried not to stare, but she looked at him with surprise and wonder. What manner of being was this master Kenner? Did she want to know? Would he even tell her if she asked?

Her contemplation was interrupted by the sound of his hands coming together- creating a light at the action before he pulled his hands apart once more. The young woman let out a soft gasp of amazement, only for her eyes to fall upon the ribbon that had magically appeared between his fingers. For a moment, Nadiya stared at it with a slightly puzzled expression, unsure what to make of the sudden action.

As she looked up with a question in her eyes, Kener began to speak again, confirming that he could provide her with all the tools and knowledge to become more than just a simple village herbalist. His words were laden with warning though, her future uncertain even if he took her in. She had never considered that if she sold herself, she could also likewise be bought from someone such as this Master Kenner. But he made it clear she had a choice...unlike the others (a thought that rather saddened her to think about). The emerald ribbon was hung before her, soon followed by his offered hand. She wasn't entirely sure what the ribbon was for, but the though left her mind fairly quickly, his voice encouraging her to make her choice- of her own will.

A part of her was scared- scared of the unknown, scared of the possibility of things going sour, scared she might not succeed. And what if by some strange chance someone did want to take her away? Perhaps this wasn't the only option? But she might never have such an opportunity ever again in her life- and she knew it. She bit her lip out of nerves, the thought of this being a mistake a daunting one.

But she wanted to help people- especially her family. It was tough, but life had been good to her, and she felt her family deserved to be taken care of likewise. In addition, she would finally get to learn how to be a proper healer! If this was her only chance, she would be a fool not to take it. And the promise of her family being compensated...

Placing her hand in his, Nadiya gave a single nod of resolution, making her choice before she could have a chance to hesitate or back out. Regardless of the unknowns, she had to try! She didn't come all this way for nothing. "I...I accept, if you will have me sir." she declared, looking up to meet Kenner's eyes.

Babble

Chlorra looked across the group of new arrivals as she passed in front of them and pointed them out for the young girl to see. "They are all here save for a few, ones that needed separate care especially." The girl looked over the group on her own terms as she walked around them, giving each a cursory look as she passed. Only stopping for a moment when she looked at Babble, cocking an eyebrow and turning her attention to Chlorra. "Taking in charity cases now are we? He would have little to no use for me.." She chuckled slightly.

"No Masha, he is an elemental just like Ferna and the others." She added as she stepped up towards the group "The little man can conduct and create sound as easily as a human breaths, despite the fact of his former master being more than a little rough with him. The master's offer still stands on fixing that for him.. if he would just play along.." She says as she runs a finger across the breadth of his shoulder. The room begins to fill with the sound of instruments again as several of the students begin to string up on their choice instruments and Masha passes around the group to close the large curtain separating the two halves of the room before addressing the group in full. "This is our music room if you could not tell already, I am Masha and through my brother Misha is nowhere in sight for the moment, I am confident that his greetings are as given as my own."

She begins to adjust the hem line of her dress for a moment, still speaking as she does. "We both train prospective students who wish to understand and learn to play the most elegant of instruments. Though from time to time we are called upon to play for specific roles and functions within the house, you're ultimate purpose is to be purchased and trained to the taste of any new master that finds you worthwhile. Though I must say it never hurts to learn an instrument despite what you're chosen vocation may end up being." She smiles at the group with a practiced grace for a few moments as she continues "Now are there any questions, or shall the tour continue?"

Nadiya

Kenner looked down at the palm of Daniya's hand as she held out her arm a warm smile growing across his face, holding out the ribbon with his had and taking hold of both ends. He runs it around her right bicep and clasp the two ends, which quickly disappear from view leaving the ribbon whole. He waves over a guard who seems to have been waiting for their conversation to end this entire time and takes a stand next to Nadiya. The guard gives her a small gesture which appears to be some sort of appreciative nod before speaking. "Please take Nadiya to the infirmary and inform mister Anton that she is to become one of his new apprentices." He looks back at her and continues "If you wish to see more of the house later, than I suggest you ask him assign someone to you. He would be more than willing to do so himself, but daily operations of the infirmary have him busy for some time."

The guard gives Nadiya another gesture, offering her to follow him as he leads her out and down the hall. Master Kenner on the other hand was last seen by her still standing where she left him, as his face vanished around the corner of the door frame.

Expecting him to take her hand in a handshake or something of the like, Nadiya was surprised to find the master of the house had another reason entirely for silently urging her to hold out her hand. Before she could question him, he carefully wound the emerald ribbon he had summoned out of nowhere around her bicep, the ends magically connecting to form one solid ribbon encircling her arm. Her eyes widened at the ease with which the man used magic, and she touched the ribbon with her free hand as a guard was called over.

So the ribbon was a marker of some sort? The young woman glanced over at it as she contemplated it's sudden presence upon her body. Now that she thought about it, she had heard tales that claimed slaves of old were always marked- either with a brand burned into their skin, or sometimes even a form of restraint to prevent them from fleeing. Was this his equivalent? If so, she was grateful for it, this method much preferable over the rumored habits of days long past. And now that she thought about it, she had seen quite a few people in the household with varying color ribbons.

Nadiya looked from Master Kenner to the guard, then back again, feeling a bubble of nervous anticipation at hearing she was being led to someone who would make her an apprentice. She'd only ever dreamed of being able to learn as an apprentice under a skilled healer! The guard's nod was met with an incline of her own head, smiling softly in return to his silent greeting. Master Kenner's words were met with a nod of understanding, and Nadiya gave him her best curtsy before following after the guard. "Thank you sire! I'll do my best!"

Babble
Agnus sits there with her head slightly cocked with the response that Babble was able to give her, though it was not usual for someone to even respond with the near exact same tone, and sound despite how he was treating it in return. She began to play again using low sliding notes that painted a sort of picture for Babble to see, though in all honesty it was her own interpretation as well.

It was the image of a lone figure kept within a box, left for many weeks at a time, and only removed when it pleased someone other then themselves. He movements were quick but methodical, and her tuning hand was pulling hard at the cords. Doing maneuvers that would put the most deft surgeon to shame. Babble could see that she was not throwing the sound from the instrument like any of the others in the first room. Instead she held the object so close that it bellowed up from within her own body, and resounded through the hole in her metal cowl. She was somehow using her whole body as a conduit for the sound to travel, and adjusted the notes as they traveled through her.

Babble could tell that she was asking him about what exactly his story was, even though it was an unsure answer that she could see him in the same way others did.

Nadiya
Anton was quick to sigh in dismay as he watched Akhira shove her way past Nadiya, and himself. Quickly waving off the nurse in order to keep her from acting, only to catch the door of the wardrobe almost straight across the room from them. Anton stopped to look for a moment as the same guard from before came by to inspect the commotion, who was quickly given the same motion by the doctor as well. "Well if this isn't an interesting turn." He mused for a quick moment as he looked over at Nadiya. Only for the two of them to hear the young dragons muffled voice on the other side of the thick, wooden door. The frame could be heard straining slightly as he guessed that she was possibly pulling rather hard on the inside, in an attempt to keep someone from following.

He kept his eyes fixed on the wardrobe for a minute as if waiting for something to happen, only to look at the guard, question. "Am I to take it that Kenner is on his way?" The guard quickly nodded, pulling a smirk from the doctor as eh looked at Nadiya. "Good, than he can deal with her all he wants. We have more to do than just wait on her the whole damn day." He motioned for both the guard, and the nurse to wait there just in case. As he then began to signal for Nadiya to follow, nearly forcing her to pull her attention away from Akhira at the moment. This lead her to follow him further down the cause way between the long line of shaded beds, until they happened upon an alcove between two sections of beds. This was a section of stairs that lead up two sharp flights, hitting upon the floor above, and once they were up there Nadiya's nose was assaulted by sharp, pungent smells. It was easy enough for her to recognize that the room above the infirmary was a lab of some sort, given to rows of shelves much like the work station of Aemon from before.

However the center of the room was meant to view down on the patients below, as if the ceiling was somehow transparent. "Brilliant isn't it, my own little laboratory, complete with an observation lounge as so I can view my handy work." It was possibly becoming more apparent to her now that Anton was not just a doctor, but a scientist, and many of his actions were to illicit reactions that he could then observe.

The look on his face painted the idea that he was vastly proud of his space in raven home, only for his to validate this thought in his own words. You'll be hard pressed to find a more grand a lab in all of the free lands... much less the crown." He grimaced as that word left his mouth, and he looked down from Nadiya to see some of the patients below. "All of the gathered knowledge here, and all of the materials to do whatever you please with can be rather daunting at first. But I am sure you will get used to it, everyone does." He finished the sentence by looking in her direction, then motioned around as there were several others moving about the upper floor. In actuality it was not many, but it was enough to keep him occupied with a decent staff.

Akhira
Time droned on as Akhira stood there inside the large wardrobe, holding tightly with her claws pulling deeper into the frame of the door. It was some time after she heard anything meaningful, aside from the usual happenings within the infirmary. Having not heard anything from Anton or any of Nadiya for over a few minutes now, only for several rapping knocks against the door.

"Akhira.. its time you come out now." It was Kenner, and she could hear him send both the nurse, and guard both their separate ways. Only for him to return to the door "...At least let me in or come out, because I honestly would not like to have a conversation through this door."

"Akhira.. its time you come out now."

Akhira started at that. "...At least let me in or come out, because I honestly would not like to have a conversation through this door." She shut her eyes and her claws dug into the wardrobe even more, her breathing becoming faster. Panic. Panic. Panic! I'm panicking!!! What for!? The thoughts whirled around inside her head, a taunting fear that danced about within the darkness behind her eyelids. Inside her chest, her hearts were beating rapidly. Fear, it was a thing she had tasted before many times, and a feeling she was not welcome to. Calm down. I have to calm down. And think.

Akhira purred in confusion, a roughness and jumpiness in it that said she wasn't purring out of comfort. She caught her breath and shut her eyes until she remembered. The comforting warmth of the darkness. The darkness inside the nest. It was a memory from a long ago, that had kept her from ever having a fear of the darkness like a human would. She began to think, and as she was more of a bestial being at the moment, she thought her way through the foreign words the Primordial One had just said instead of shouting out no. "-let me in or come out-"

Obviously, he would not be able to fit inside the cramped room of the wardrobe... And she... What am I thinking!!?? Her thoughts had suddenly gone off track. Angry at being the one inside the wardrobe hiding, she growled out, "I don't want to see you!"

Which immediately was followed by fear when she remembered who she had just snapped at. Panic made her shout out again. "I.. A-And I didn't mean to... I'm so-" She bit her tongue. It was like the ability to think had been suddenly wiped from her brain, like she stopped working right... Her control over her inner fire slipped and smoke dispersed from her mouth exactly at the wrong time. She started coughing, and nearly choked on a fireball. Akhira groaned and hit her head against the door of the wardrobe, Something is wrong with me; I must be sick. It reminded her of why she was in the wardrobe in the first place.

"What are you here for, again? I'm sicker than usual?" Her words were frantic, grasping for any reason as to why she was behaving this way. She however, remained inside the wardrobe, completely confused.

Nadiya watched in dismay as the dragon she was so hoping to somehow soothe and comfort dashed away in a panic, only to go and hide in a wardrobe and seal herself inside. Despite being growled at and called an insect, she couldn't help but feel she had failed the dragon- fearing if she by any chance made it worse. The thought made a small bubble of guilt nag at her, and the retreating figure was followed with a soft apology. Poor girl.

She wasn't given time to try and initiate another conversation, nor did she get to see what Anton called Kenner for. Nadiya followed behind her new master as he beckoned her, looking back once in worry at the wardrobe where the dragon was hiding. She hoped she'd be ok.

Hazel eyes glanced around at her surroundings, pupils widening as she took in the elaborate ward and then, a laboratory with observational capacity. A soft gasp escaped her lips, the female looking at everything in apparent awe. She had only ever imagined such elaborate set ups as this healer had. Not only a full infirmary, but a full laboratory as well! The smells that assaulted her nose were not unpleasant as some might consider them, though quite a number were new to her.

Nadiya nodded in confirmation of his words, fully inclined to agree. "It is. I...I never even dreamed of seeing such a laboratory or infirmary." she marveled, looking down at all the patients he had. So far it seemed the dragon was still in the wardrobe, but was otherwise not in danger. Tearing her gaze away from the floor to look back at Anton, she regarded him in silence for a moment, mulling over his choice of words. His handy work? While she had no doubt he meant he could observe how his treatments and healing efforts were going, she had the feeling he could also mean 'handy work' in regards to his concoctions and experiments up in his lab. She just hoped that didn't mean he was any less a physician- or any less sensitive to his patients well-being.

Finally noticing the other workers, Nadiya began to observe them, curious and anxious to see how they performed. She wondered if they enjoyed working in such a lavish environment? She was eager to find out.