Master Kenner's Story

Nadiya
Anton looked down over the rail as he pulled his gaze away from Nadiya for the moment and scoffed. "Well.. it seems Kenner has made it here.. in impeccable timing as always." He motioned as to show her the tall figure standing in front of the wardrobe, giving several rapping motions against the door. "He is just going to go soft on her.. like he always does with new arrivals. Where it up to me she would be flogged twice in the morning, and made an example of. Several lashes are always necessary to ensure strict obedience."

He motions for Nadiya to follow him over towards the center of the platform, closing in on what seemed to be a work table. Producing a handily sized book from below the far edge of the right side, and placed it down on the table in front of her. Giving it a small flip to open the pages, revealing that the book in question was actually blank, and then slid it over to her. "From today on this book will be yours... wait. Can you actually read, and write?" He gave her a sideways look before dismissing his question in nearly the moment after asking it. "Never mind.. you will learn."

Quickly producing a mortar, and pestle from an adjacent drawer on the table, he slid them just as close to her as the book. "Firstly I want you render down this extract here before I get back, the process should take you no less than ten minutes." He finally set a large bowl of thick petals in front of her from a nearby shelf, as it was easy to see that his attention was quickly becoming divided. Giving her a small nod before hurrying down towards the long end of the room, and around a corner to disappear from sight.

Akhira
Kenner looked on at the door to the wardrobe, slowly pressing himself against to surface to hear her quickly breathing against the other side. Only to turn and lean against the door on his side, looking up at the ceiling for a few moments to wait, and see if she was able to bring about another response. "I wonder how things are going in there for you.. but you do know that it would be incredibly simple for me to rend this little wooden box in half, and pluck you from the wreckage." He waited for a few more moments only to see if she was going to add another breath to her fear of the situation, and a small thought crossed his mind as he began to contemplate what needed to be said.

"How about this.. if you agree to talk with me, then we can have the conversation in any part of the house... or even outside the house, if you like?"

Babble
As Babble came close to the end of his section of the song, Agnus pulled the notes away. Curving the image back, almost like she had reset it back to the way it was before. She played more slowly as she lifted off from the beginning of the song once again, as if trying to show Babble something that he had missed before.

She defined the image to consist of herself, carving the head into a singular image like that of her own adornment, and she began to show him a second image that approached the cage. But what transpired was hard for him to understand as the image soon became too much for him to stand, either it was the sound or the image she implied. It was just something that was after all this time, still alien to him on some fundamental level. The last he could see before pulling himself away was the image being the reason she was released from the cage.

It became obvious now that she was referring to master Kenner, and his rescue of her in the beginning.

Akhira was completely disoriented and when The Primordial One spoke again, she was silent in her panic. "I wonder how things are going in there for you.. but you do know that it would be incredibly simple for me to rend this little wooden box in half, and pluck you from the wreckage."

She let out a chirp, "Yes! But I don't think a gentleman would!" Even in such a state, she was being to maintain a bit of her indignant mood. It was right at this moment that she felt like she wanted to crawl back inside her egg. To be unborn. What a terribly human thing to do, that she clenched her fists so hard that the skin hardened around her knuckles, creaking. They became a substance nearly like glass, that if seen by a human, they might have started at the sight. Even more so when cracks began to run across her palms, some glittering white light shown from the insides of what should have been flesh and blood.

"How about this.. if you agree to talk with me, then we can have the conversation in any part of the house... or even outside the house, if you like?"

Her hearts skipped a few beats, and... began racing much more, but for a completely different reason other than fear. But then, suspicions shot down her sudden surprise. He could be lying. Just setting up a trap.... but, I'm already here, so...

Retracting her claws from the wood with an audible sound, she pushed it up an inch. And another one. Until you could see her face, eyes covered by her wild bangs, and the indecision shown by the way she bit her bottom lip with her fangs. Finally, she came out of the wardrobe, her hands clenched and held behind her back.

Akhira was an akwardly pretty sight when she peeked from underneath her face to those around her, looking at all others except Kenner.

At Akhira's notion that he was not the kind of person to do such a barbaric action, he slanted his exclaiming slightly "Well you have me there.." Followed by a light twist of his hip to adjust his stance. He was more than willing to wait her out of the small confines that she was able to work her way into. Though he would be lying if he said that there were not other more pressing matters in his day.

He laid a hand on the door of the wardrobe, and pressed against it lightly. Leaning up against it as slowly as he could manage, so close that he could feel her presence on the other side. She was so scared, but not in the sense that it was a scary place. More so because it was the unknown measure that consumed her in the moment. But deep in that feeling he could swear that the sense of hope was swimming around in that far flung mist.

He backed away from the wardrobe as soon as she began to press against the door, and was there to greet her with a slight smile. His stature placing her nearly square with his bare chest, having to crane her neck slightly even if she was a decent pace from him.

"Well my offer still stands if you are willing? He proposed for her to hear again.

The scoff of the physician prompted the young woman to follow his gaze, letting out a soft 'oh' upon seeing the head of the house. As her new master said, Master Kenner was standing before the very wardrobe the unhappy dragon-girl had hidden herself in. Nadiya subconsciously began to wring her hands slightly in uncertainty, wondering if everything would be all right. Anton's sentiments on the matter made a shudder go down her spine (though nothing compared to how she felt around that eerie and unpleasant Chlorra). She didn't disagree with discipline, but did a frightened patient really fall under the same category as an ill-behaved child or the like? Nadiya personally didn't think so, though she decided not to say as much. Instead, she bit her lower lip, trying to calm her once more rising nerves.

Nadiya followed Anton without a word, allowing him to speak even as he offered her a book. A sizeable one as well. The young woman finally looked up at the male with a mixture of eagerness and embarrassment. It was an odd combination, but as thrilled as she was to receive the book, she was loathe to point out how little she could actually make out. To her surprise, instead of him telling her to study up, the book was shown to be quite empty of words. Before she could ask, Anton brought up the very question she was afraid to answer, though she knew she must. "Only numbers and measurements sir....plus a few names of plants..." she admitted, face flushing in shame. Thankfully, he seemed to not be particularly concerned with her answer.

The mortar and pestle was a much more familiar sight, and she gripped the pestle in her hand to feel it's weight. Before she could say any more, her ingredient was presented to her in the form of thick petals. Nothing too out of the ordinary. Anton's instructions were met with a nod, her hands already moving to begin the task. "Yes sir." She mashed and crushed the petals as she had done to many an ingredient, stopping only briefly in the beginning to pour some water into the mortar so as to properly turn the petals into a soft paste.

Akhira twitched at the sound of Kenner's voice, and indeed, if she were in her true form, her tail might have been twitchy nervously much a stressed out cat. She waited a moment, grousing silently that Kenner was forcing her to speak instead of just forcing her along like last time. Perhaps he was being a gentleman? Or perhaps not, maybe he was just being the unexpected Primordial One that he was. She was deeply uncomfortable with the entire situation, but having been shown a glimpse of what sounded like hope to her, she stamped down her proud spirit and let out a breath and nodded in general agreement to Kenner's offer.

The outside air was something she needed to live, and in fact, it was something so dear to her that the possibility that Kenner was lying to get her out of the wardrobe filled her with a wary fear. It made her become fully aware of how just fragile she was at the moment, not entirely in body, but maybe in... spirit...?

Akhira waited for Kenner to move, to do something other then make her stand her... She still hadn't looked at him but she did notice in her periphery the foolish little ant from before... Nadiya...

Despite the various sounds of the patients and the lingering concern for the dragon girl, Nadiya managed to focus on her task and fell into a rythm, taking care with the plant itself. She couldn't recall the name of the flower, much to her dismay, but the scent and the knowledge that it was toxic remained in her memory. At least, she was pretty certain it was the same flower.

Before long, her new mentor returned, surprising her as he reached for her mixture from behind. Aside from a slight squeak of surprise, she was quiet, watching the man with baited breath. To her surprise, he brought some of the paste to his mouth, earning a slight gasp. "S-sir, isn't that poisonous?" she asked, faltering a little. Perhaps she was wrong about the flower she was working with? Doubt began to nag at her subconscious, growing all the more at Anton's expression. Was he upset with her? But he seemed to approve of her work, so why did he look so disappointed? After a moment of hesitation, Nadiya dared to question him. "Did I do something wrong sir? Have I displeased yu in some way?" she asked tentatively.

Awaiting his answer, she found herself unable to resist the temptation to glance down through the glass floor, eyes landing on the master of the house, and then the closet where the dragon was hiding.

Babble

The two continue to play their song for only a few minutes before she comes to a slow stop, with Chlorra and the young girl behind them quietly taking in the performance. Not sharing a single word between the two aside from what one would call an avid glance every now and again. Agnus begins to make what could be attested as more of a guttural sound with her voice, and speaks in a vastly muted tone. "Hungry..."

Misha is quick to interject herself into the moment as she leans in over Babble's shoulder. "Oh that's right, you didn't eat last night..." She disappears from view as she moves into a side room away from the small group and returns with a small hand cart. There is no food on the try that it carried aside from what Babble could tell was a large glass, full with some liquid pierced by a straw. As she stopped next to Agnus, the woman reached forward with her thin fingers. Pulling the glass up and sliding the straw inside the aperture covering her face.

The young girl looked at Babble for a moment before speaking. "Would you like something to eat as well? I am not sure if all of the new arrivals had managed to eat yet."

Nadiya

"Miss Naudiya.." Anton's voice pulled her back from keeping her attention elsewhere. Seeing his impatient expression as she turned to see him once again looking her over. "I did not have you brought here so you could just waste you're time gawking at the others.. or Kenner for that matter." He placed the bowl down with a heavy thud against the table. "You will have more than enough time, and chances to see such things in you're duties here. Though I am sure you haven't seen much of anything like this in you're life." He slides the rest of the small prospect along the table and sidles up near her as he looks down into the main area, peering at what she sees.

He scoffs at her interest for a moment before resigning himself to speak. "Yes.. the mixture was poisonous, but as you'll come to know is that we are protected here in this house and though there can be accidents, Kenner or Chlorra do what they must to right such events." He crosses his arms as he and Nadiya see her Akhira remove herself from the wardrobe. He chuckles as if musing to himself about what she had to go through, just to give up her hiding spot, which wasn't really much of a hiding spot.

"If there are any other question you may have, I suggest getting them off you're chest now.." He adds with a snide voice chirp in his voice.

Akhira

Kenner had begun to lightly lead Akhira through the halls of the building, staying on the same floor as the moved towards what she realized was the opposite side from the entrance. He was quiet the whole time as well, not speaking or returning eye contact with her for the whole time. Though it was easy for her to become slightly uneasy with the whole ordeal as they walked. The halls were full of other people with the various sounds, smells, and faces rushing around. The sea of bodies split as Kenner walked ahead of her, only stopping slightly as several servants would offer their thanks as they passed. They would only call him by the moniker master, though non bowed or took a knee in his presence. They all seemed to be moving in full force to get their daily duties down, and then be on their way once again.

From what she could see around the edge of his shoulder, he was gracious to each face that he saw, and each time he was spoken to. He would either give a solemn smile or nod to respond, noticing that his normal demeanor was that of a calm, quiet individual.

Before long her eyes began to wince with the familiar vision of natural light pouring in from the far end of the hall, and as they grew closer the sound of gulls began to follow. If it wasn't for him being ahead of her, she would quicken her pace into a run with the urge that nature was pulling at inside her. Only for her to feel a hand grip hers and she was soon running along with him. He was moving at a brisk speed with his wide gate striding in each step, he pulled her along side as to more easily help her keep pace and when the two of the broke the threshold of the door at the far end of the hall, she could see it. It was the ocean, vast and with a deep azure shine.

They were on a terrace overlooking the ocean from the side of the building, and as she looked there could be seen other such structures jutting out from floor above them. Which most likely proved true for several floors below as well, were she to lean over the edge and look down. The salty wind of the ocean swept over her as she could see several ships out in the marina away from the landmass of the peninsula. Even more so to her surprise she could see other beings out on those ships, and even other winged entities above them. Either stretching their wings or at play, from this distance it was hard for her to tell even with her exceptional sight.

As she looked out into the ocean, Kenner moved into her view with his smile intact as he gazed down at her. The wind was having somewhat of a field day tossing his hair around his head, making him look as though he was a silvered lion thanks to how much hair he had. But he used only a hand to get the mess under control as he swept it all to one side.

"Well... is this setting more to you're liking."

Nadiya's eyes shifted back to her newly acquired mentor, biting her lip at his tone. She hadn't meant to upset him, and already he was scolding her. The thud of the bowl caused her to flinch, suddenly worried he was deciding she wasn't worth his time. Despite her misgivings on his attitude when dealing with the dragon-girl, she couldn't deny he had a point. This was not how she was hoping her first impressions would go.

"Forgive me sire. I didn't mean any offense, nor do I wish to waste this opportunity." she said apologetically, looking almost cautious as she dared continue. "I know I shouldn't stare or pry...I just, was worried about her. She was hurt and she seems so distressed. And the master of this house is unlike anyone I've ever met." Nadiya waved her hands dismissively, hurrying to correct her words lest he misunderstand. "I-I mean, you and the master of the house, and the other figures in the household are all so....so gifted. Magic is almost unheard of in my parts." Nadiya's voice drifted off, afraid to admit she felt rather small and pathetic by comparison. Would they be upset that she knew no magic? She wondered if she could even have any aptitude for it at all.

Nadiya flushed at Anton's scoff, looking at the mixture she had prepared even as she listened to his answer. So she was correct in what plant it was. But even so, how could they be protected in this house from a natural danger? Was it because the healer could use magic?

The young woman glanced over at Anton, looking thoughtful as he bid her to ask him any questions she might have. She had so many questions! But ones that were for this moment in time? She pondered it for a moment. "Am I permitted to write to my family...once I can properly read and write as those with a proper education can?"

Akhira was undaunted by the entire social structure of the castle workers, taking note of how each one greeted Kenner and how he, returned the greeting in some way. It was a lot of respect, and in very few eyes did see something akin to fear. She had followed him warily, only allowing some tension into her arm to remind him that she was not following him whole heartedly like the rest of his slaves. It wasn't until she saw the light of the outside world did she felt a tremble of joy. There was the fire light of the world!

Ahkira's excitement got the best of her and she was running along with Kenner. She didn't even hear him when he spoke once they reached the outside. It was wondrous! The sky, the sea and the wind! Her hearts inside her chest were beating quickly! The skin around her cheeks turned blue with heat she was expelling unknowingly. Soon, the flesh around her would break and shatter, letting her true Form explode so that her wings would unfurl and she'd roar her dominance and superiority over those other beings! Yet....

She caught herself and cooled her inner flame, letting the weight of this flesh to hold her down. Her eyes that had been alight with spirit soon darkened again as she looked at Kenner. It was probably a trick, yes, it was a trick. Some sort of mind game without entering her mind. It made her scales turn grey. "I don't suppose you could turn around while I attempt to escape?"

There was light humor bordering on sarcasm in her voice, letting anyone within hearing range know she was completely certain her chances of escaping were zero, especially with Kenner here. She would never leave... Akhira's change in environment had indeed made it so she would speak with Kenner, but it still didn't change the fact that she was unhappy with this place, with him. Her hopelessness made her feel as if someone had wrapped their hands around her hearts and squeezed. It made her breathless. In a painful way. This place, she was completely sure, no matter how this Primordial One made it so, would always be a prison.

Throughout this moment, Akhira had looked beyond the shore, beyond the ships and flying beings. It was the edge of the world from where she was, and it was such an inviting sight to roaming dragon like her. What potential, what adventure it promised, if she could only fly beyond it. Her black and pale hair waved gently to frame her porcelain cheeks that showed no sigh of ever tanning . She stood there, for what was a second there, was captured perf3ctly inside her mind in case she would never see this again.

Nadiya was surprised to hear her new mentor declare he didn't use magic. She looked at him in bewilderment, wondering how else he was able to touch toxic substances without worry? Was he immune then? Or did he have an antidote? Such thoughts were quite quickly and rudely shoved away by his next words, his statement earning a gulp. Ingredients she could understand; after all, who wouldn't love to have the access and opportunity to study or dabble with all manner of supplies and ingredients? But a shudder ran down her spine with the mention of subjects. Subjects? Surely he didn't mean it in the way it sounded? He was a healer after all, so why did his words bring unpleasant thoughts to mind? The young woman fought to keep her composure, not wanting to rush to conclusions and potentially offend Anton.

A small smile finally began to form upon her lips at Anton's approval, happy to hear he was pleased with her first task. She nodded in agreement, not doubting for a second that it would take a long time to learn the intricacies of her desired trade. Her mentor's chuckle was followed by a rather odd...jest? At least, she thought it was a jest, yet it seemed almost like a cryptic musing. Nadiya considered questioning Anton and some of his words, but decided against it for the time being.

Once again (how many times had it been now?), Nadiya was being handed off to another member of the house. Apparently Phillipe was in charge of her for the time being, and Nadiya glanced over the rail to see who she was to follow next. The sound of a pencil upon paper drew her attention back to Anton, his furious speed impressive to watch. If only she knew what he was writing. She tried in vain to puzzle out some meaning to the rapidly appearing contents of her new book, an involuntary shudder traveling down her spine once more as Anton spoke. His words weren't anything particularly unusual or unnerving- there was nothing strange about washing one's hands before and after tasks, especially in regards to the healing arts. But the way he said it was oddly unsettling. Surely she was just being paranoid?

Nadiya shook her head vehemently, not wanting any of her superiors getting a wrong idea. "Of course not sir! I don't intend to forget your master's kindness in accepting me here! He is willing to give them money in exchange for me, so I have no right to protest. I shall do my best."

Akhira
Kenner looked on as the young dragon danced lightly in the air before him, the sound of the wave crashing against the rocks far below that became a soft song as the wind pushed along with it. He smiled lightly as he looked out over the peninsula, and only brought his attention back to her for a moment. "Even if I did turn my back, it wouldn't be that easy for you. Though I must admit the allure of such a chase does seem enticing." He gleamed back at her with his eyes stoic as always.

The slow ring of a bell could be hear from within the depths of the house, even at this distance outside. As if carried by some unseen force to ensure that all within, and without could here it. Akhira was quick to notice though that it was not the sound she heard that told her the bell was tolling, but she could feel it deep in herself somewhere. The only clue she could surmount from this was that the band on her arm was allowing for this to happen, and true to the thought as she paid closer attention to the item. She could feel a resounding sensation deep within her stomach, like a small hand plucking on the string of the vast instrument that was her form.

Kenner shot his eyes out past Akhira, as she could see him formulating something in his mind. The plan itself playing out on his features, like an astrologer reading the stars. His eyebrow shot up as his face widened into a grin once more, and he spoke "How about this?"

"I allow you time to enjoy you're day, spreading you're wings, and taking to the sky as you see fit. Only if you return to the house before nightfall, and come when you are called..." He motioned out over the bay, as if to show her something before her eyes that she might be missing. "You may even feed on the livestock, or game within my domain... though I suggest you keep an eye on you're prospective meal. I would hate to have you gobble up any of my more bestial subjects." Despite the grimness of his words, the master did not lose the cheer set upon his lips.

"The ribbon on you're arm will allow contact with you, and when the final bell of the day is tolled, you will feel that as well. Just return home within the hour, and I shall not have to take any action against you.. nor will any member of my house for that matter."

"Is this arrangement an agreeable one" He asked quizzically, though he was sure the young dragon would jump at the first chance of freedom.

Babble
The two women responded with a soft mix of laughter between the two of them, one being that Chlorra had come to just expect that of him. The second being that Misha didn't really know what to expect from all of this, and responded just as such when she laid down what looked to be a very thick drink, complete with a straw for the woman across from Babble. Who took it up in her long, thin fingers, and began to drink after running the straw under her mask. Despite the amount of trouble this outfit caused her, it seemed to Babble that it had more of a purpose than just concealing her identity, even from the likes of him.

The woman began to play once again after setting the drink down, asking Babble rather bluntly were he came from. Seeing as she had never met one such as him before in her life prior to being in Raven Home.

Akhira listened to Kenner, and as more words left his lips, a heavy feeling beginning to grow inside her stomach. She was not so young and naive to immediately be happy with such a thing, as if she were child throwing a tantrum and needed to be bribed either with toys or treats. "Is this arrangement an agreeable one?

He spoke as if it was not a question at all, like he expected her to say yes on the spot. It made Akhira irritated. With steel in her eyes, she gave him an answer, "A cage is a cage, no matter how pretty it is. I fly free or I don't fly at all." She wasn't sure what he would in response to that, but she was firm, in that she would not follow him along willingly. He sounded like the type to control the flow of any conversation he had with others... it was strange.

Akhira sneezed at that moment, creating frost like she did before. This time, it evaporated as she began to get a fever, the area around her becoming noticeably warmer. Her blue eyes becoming darker with fatigue. I nearly forgot, I have taken ill.

She remembered how and why she had been in that ward. It all seemed like distant memories now. Even more stranger.

Kenner laughed slightly as she mention the prospects of her being somewhat free to roam. "I can see how you might see it like that.. but you can also see it as being under my patronage for the time being." He motions up towards her, and even then she could feel the band on her arm start to heat up at his very gesture. "There is no hunter, sane or otherwise that would think to capture you so long as that mark remains. The mark only stands for my ownership of you, not a control that dominates the body its on." He stops for a moment as his attention begins to pull over to one side of the terrace, and he smiles warmly as he begins to wave off to the side.

Akhira could see that he was waving back at a small group of beings, a mix of silhouettes darting back, and forth chasing birds in the distance. The one waving in particular was not like anything she had seen on her travels. A young girl with the lower body of along serpent, paired with extremely vibrant wings that helped to keep her aloft. The others flew by, and like that the interaction was finished, several of them touched her in what would seem like a bought of areal tag, and she was off on the chase.

She looked back at him, his eyes now fixed on the sea below. He was in thought, was all that she could surmise from the look on his face as he lifted his sight to stare into her eyes. "We are all family here you see, though many are in my house within its service. That is not to say they aren't happy, many of them are far more happy then when the arrived... I merely offer a chance for them to get their footing in life once again."

He drops his hands from the rail as he makes a arks an eyebrow in questioning her. "Is it really that bad of a thing for you right now?"

"Food, a home, and a family..?"

Akhira could not see the logic in Kenner's words. He had spoken of his patronage and out of that whole thing, she only caught the word "ownership" and it made her still. Ownership? Ownership... ownership.... It went round and round in her head, adding to the sudden dizziness that made her stumble for a nearby wall.

"We are all family here you see, though many are in my house within its service. That is not to say they aren't happy, many of them are far more happy then when the arrived... I merely offer a chance for them to get their footing in life once again."

She looked at him, her eyes searching for something she could not find on his face. "Isit really that bad of a thing for you right now?"

"Food, a home, and a family..?"

Akhira froze at that... Family? Home? She never had a home and while, BlackFire had been a great mentor and somewhat of a caring elder, he could never have been her "family". It kept her reason for searching for him a mystery, and she'd like to keep it that way, as well as something else...

"Food? Home? Family?" She blinked her eyes and, felt a sudden headache coming over her. She tried not to laugh, the ridiculousness of the situation was beginning to make her appear crazy. "I never had two of those things and why would it help me now? As you showed me yesterday, isn't my purpose that of a mindless gladiator?"

She shivered and tried not to give off too much heat or else she'd just add more to her fever... it was so confusing. Akhira moaned and unconsciously mumbled something under her breath, "I just need..."

Sadly, this stimulating conversation with Kenner was tiring her already sick body. She tried to continue standing, to avoid showing anymore weakness in front of him, but...

Akhira leaned back against the wall and slowly slid to the floor ignoring the way the bricks scraped the flesh of her current form. "I don't need..." She was going to say family but her words died before they made it past her lips. She closed her eyes, exhaustion making her want to sleep for days. "I think I better go back to..."

Where? She was going to say maybe the healers would help but the memory of being force fed was still fresh. Where else? Ah, her room. But then it appeared to be too far to walk... and she wasn't going to ask Kenner for help. She stewed in her misery, starving but too sick to eat and to tired to move.... and apparently too proud to ask Kenner for help.

babble
Agnus shifted her head as he began to relay this image to her, the fact of not being able to see where her eyes were tracking was somewhat of a hindrance in most cases. Thankfully her ability to peer through the world like Babble did was the saving grace in this moment. She would give off small tones in response, letting him know that she was following along with his explanation. Only for her to pull the bow up to her instrument, and began to slide its cord across the strings.

She began to display the same as she had shown him before, a box within a small room, locked within yet another room. Though this time he would see a man come to retrieve her from time to time. Only to be placed back in the box once again near the end of the day, and after some extensive pain had been dealt.

"My former master was considered a great man of the arts, though his reputation did not reflect his treatment of those he kept." It was at this moment that Babble saw the same image she had shown before, that she most likely portrayed as the ideal form of Kenner, the master of the house. Facing the man as he returned Agnus to her box one last time, only for the two to argue, and then something was drawn against Kenner.. then nothing. The images scatter as Agnus tries to play a note that is far too complicated for even her skilled hands. Though if it was involving Kenner, then Babble may be able to sympathize with respects to that.

"I was beyond help by normal means by the time he found me, though I was used to what I had become. He still offered.." She actually spoke this time, her voice creeping out underneath the covering on her head. A small, and raspy voice, sounding more fetid than something a woman should ever possess as a means to speak.

Akhira
Kenner slowly approached the young dragon, her form pressed against the wall, and the light of life dim in her eyes. He reached down seizing her by the chin softly, and lifting her eyes to meet his. "I do this but once, and only to show you what I promise to offer.. nothing more." She see's him reaching up towards his face with the other hand, only for his teeth to become sharpened by him bearing them, and places a finger among one point. Suddenly she hears the distinct pop of his flesh break against the point, and he slowly hangs the hand across from her face. A deeply colored orb now forming on the bottom as he continued to move her head with the use of his hand. Not harming or forcing her in anyway, it was almost like her body was betraying her at his very touch, much like what happened before when they first met.

"Any sickness is like the darkness of a small room, chased away with even the smallest of candlelight."

His hand tips, and the drop falls. Landing neatly on the very crux of her brow, and like that her body began to shudder. A feeling reminiscent of the first time she flew towards the sun on the brightest day. The deep feeling in her chest was subsiding, and even then her body's inner instincts were becoming more profound. She could feel her skin shift to chase the sensation as it ran across her form, only for her to realize that she had her eyes clinched shut this whole time, and opened them to see him looking on her once again. Bearing a solemn smile, and looking content as always, albeit with somewhat a smug look.

"You shall be well for some time now, but the feeling will subside in a few days.. more then enough time to make you're decision about this place. You're destination was always up to you, Faust is the one who will have you if you desire to not find a position among the upper floors.. and I doubt he would take the mindless comment well anyway."

"You shall be well for some time now, but the feeling will subside in a few days.. more then enough time to make you're decision about this place. You're destination was always up to you, Faust is the one who will have you if you desire to not find a position among the upper floors.. and I doubt he would take the mindless comment well anyway."

Akhira forcefully yanked her chin from his touch with a sudden gasp at the odd sensation of... what could she call it? It was like something inside, something she had not know was broken was made new, whole and unbroken. She saw his smug look and a grumbling purr made its way from her chest.

Unconsciously, Akhira lifted a hand to feel at where that drop of blood, if she could even call it that, fell upon her. There was no blood stain, no sign to show for it having touched her skin. A small noise of unease escaped her just as she realized she was in a very... umcomfortable position. Stuck between a wall and.... Kenner.

In a sickened stupor she had not realized how close he was or how bad this situation would be if he were another dragon.

Without hesitation, Akhira smoothly slipped out of the space and shuddered. It was not good to be so... So... So.... So? So? What is wrong with me?! Irritated.

She let out an angry huff of smoke and fire. What was her skin turned an odd color of incandescent pearl and seemed to have become scales just for a mere moment when they individually shivered and quietly, turned back to normal. The diamond shaped scales on her head trembled and quaked just before turning white. She didn't notice the change, instead focused on everything but Kenner or herself. This place, was just....

She let out a heavy sigh. "I... don't know." Inside her head, she was a mess and her answer was something she didn't know even know to be in response to what Kenner just said, or what she thought of this place. She was a very confused dragon.

Kenner drew he poked digit into his mouth for a quick moment, and withdrew shortly after. Letting his arms fall to his sides, only to continue staring at Akhira. "To be honest, I am surprised you don't already know. But seeing as how young you are, and the disconnection you have from the rest of you're kind, it should not be a problem figuring that out.

He looked off towards the ocean just as the sun began touch behind the clouds, the grin slowly disappearing from his face. "For the reason of explanation.. its part of you're nature. Generations ago, dragon were purely magical creatures who cared little for the material world. Nor did they care for the mortal creatures that existed in it." He drew his hand across the rail, invoking a small wisp of smoke as it passed. The smoke was in a very serpentine shape, that folded, and whipped around as it moved. With a broad head like that of a dragons, though its body was almost entirely devoid of limbs. Save for two thin forward placed arms.

"But when they first started to breed, and be born in the mortal realm, the need for a mortal form became necessary." As he looked back at Akhira, there was already a vacant stare pointed back at him, so he expedited his explanation. "The problem with a physical, mortal form, is all of the problems that come with it. Dragons could now become sick, weak, wounded, and even die."

"Sometimes it is this paired magical, physical nature that causes all of the problems." Holding out his hand, he draws the small wisp into his palm, and turns to show it to Akhira. When he hold it up before her, the images changes before her eyes into something that resembles a heart. However this heart had several small growths encircling it, latching onto the entire mass."Look familiar?" Akhira could not catch it off the start, but the heart looked almost misshapen like this. It was the heart of a dragon, sharing the same paired form on both sides. A testament to the large form that such an organ must
support.

"You're paired natures are fighting themselves, slowly but surely it is weakening you, and may someday even kill you." He makes this point as the image in his hand, crystalizes into a thin ice structure. Before crumbling into thin flecks of ice, and falling away, scattered by the wind.

Akhira tried to keep up with Kenner's explanation. The words were coming from his mouth and the smoke that served to show her... it all seemed to pass her by without really sinking in... and... somewhere in the back of her mind, a door to a long forgotten memory opened.

BlackFire sat by the fire, his human form closer than a normal human would be to the flames. He was looking into lost in thought, his brown eyes with golden flecks that when caught by light would become amber and sparkle like gold. This disturbed Akhira. The sight of this older dragon looking more human than dragon.... she shivered and let out a whining keen.

In this memory, Akhira was just a young hatchling, barely learning to follow and mind-speak with BlackFire... she wasnt even able to shift into what she called then, human-shell-shape. And it was here, athe this fire place she had forgotten how BlackFire had turned to look at her, his eyes sparking with a dangerous premonition. "You, my dear, will be-"

She blinked and suddenly found herself missing the cold world she had come from. The snow and ice, as well as the warm breath of all life trying to survive. This world Kenner had made for the other flying creatures, did not tempt her anymore. Besides, She was sure now, that if she ignored her itching wings, she would forget. And it would be best to forget the freedom of flying for now.

"Who was that bug I first met?" She changed the subject to the human before.... the one that was odd in that it was kind. Not Nadiya. The male. She conjured up an image.... a poorly remembered image of the strange one. "And where did the second bug go?" Now she was talking about Nadiya.

Babble
Out of view of the conversation, Chlorra, and the young girl were talking about several things. Though their words always be out understanding for both Agni, and Babble. It was quick for him to notice that the you girl, and Chlorra would share a more closely guarded conversation over his back. Though their attention would slowly shift between one another, it would ultimately shift back onto him as his own perception could easily tell. The subject of which was most likely how he, and this Agni were doing together.

It was then that she struck a sharp note, as if to pull his attention towards her for a moment.

She began playing a slow mirrored tune, using the base of her instrument to latten its sound.

"It is not usual for someone injured like yourself to stay so in the masters care.. why has he not healed you?"

Babble could tell by the sway of her head, that there was a more quizzical nature to this context. She let the bow hand loosely for a moment before starting up again.

"Surely he must have offered the same, as he had offered me.."

Akhira
Kenner looked around her for the moment as he was thinking over his answer, adding his own exception to her statement. "I would suggest when dealing with the other members of the house, that you should not call them as such.. some may take offense. Doubly so as many are far older then you are." He slides to her side, and guides her away from the wall. Letting her see over the edge of the terrace, and down to the water below.

"The first is Aemon, his care for you was genuine I can assure you. Though the mans own upbringing is partly to blame, he could never look at someone hurting, and let them remain as such." Kenner shrugs lightly as he leans over the terrace, letting his hand twine up with some Akhira's hair as it began to blow in the wind. "He is one of the best in the field of alchemy, and has made quiet the name for himself in most circles." The hair strains through his fingers as he lets the wind take it away.

He smiles at her for a moment, and takes his attention off from her for the moment before bringing it back. "The other is named Nadiya, she is currently in the infirmary with several of the other house members helping her get used to the new position she is to fill... She does show plenty of promise" He adds as he looks into Akhira's eyes, as if he were searching for something.

Now it has come to her notice that while they both have been sharing this terrace, they were not sharing it alone. Several different birds had begun to perch upon the railing, and were now paying strange amounts of attention to the both of them.

"I would suggest when dealing with the other members of the house, that you should not call them as such.. some may take offense. Doubly so as many are far older then you are."

Akhira let out a long breath, her brows knitted together as her blue eyes sparkled indignantly. She was indeed, one to insult and did have many names for lower beings but somehow... "Then how am I supposed to insult them?" She grumbled under her breath, looking away as he guided her to the wall. She groused silently, yet again looking at everything but Kenner.

"The first is Aemon, his care for you was genuine I can assure you. Though the mans own upbringing is partly to blame, he could never look at someone hurting, and let them remain as such. He is one of the-"

Akhira listened, contemplating this new world of... ownership. She leaned against the wall, crossing her arms to rest her head on them, staring at the horizon. What lays beyond it?

When Kenner had reached for a few strands of her hair, she showed no sign of caring about it. It didn't appear to disgust her or even notice that he did that. Her face was the epitome of stillness.

"The other is named Nadiya, she is currently in the infirmary with several of the other house members helping her get used to the new position she is to fill... She does show plenty of promise."

Akhira blinked, letting out a sigh and happened to catch a strange look from Kenner.... She growled, startled and took a step back. This... This... There was a strange feeling inside her chest, something akin to pain that made her act fast. She move forward, tippy toeing so as to shove her hands over Kenner's face, mainly his eyes.

The eye contact broken, she let out a breath of relief and seemed to not notice how strange it was for her to do such a thing.

It was then when she noticed the birds. "What do they want?" She asked Kenner, her hands still covering his face.