Mistress Eavia's Story

Eavia walked down the little passage connecting to Ravenloft, a white collar on one side a pink on the other.
She waits at the gate for her slaves to open it and walks through, her heels clicking as she went.

"Hello," She said to one of the tall guards "I am Mistress Eavia. Open the door."
He slightly frowned at her but did as was told.
She nodded at him and flicked a strand of white hair over her shoulder, entering.
She's shown to a small waiting room and sighs, sitting down - she didn't like being kept waiting.
Tapping her foot on the ground she looked to her watch and back at her slaves.

"Get me a drink." She said, looking dully at the white collar who scampered off.
Lowing her gaze she examined her nails, making sure each was perfect, nothing could be be out of place.
Eavia was a perfectionist and that was just how she liked it.

Standing up she walked back over to the door "Excuse me, but when do I get to see the slaves?" She asks frowning slightly, patting down her long white dress.
The guard looked to his companion who simply shrugged.
Eavia frowned biting back the urge to say something cutting.
Walking back to her seat Eavia heard some strange noises coming from the hall and decided to inspect, walking over she pressed her ear lightly to the door a listened.
It sounded like Kenner and another person she didn't know.

Taking out her red lipstick and re-applying to she knocked on the large oak door.

Kenner

Kenner holds the young Naga's hand as she reaches for him and he realizes that she must not be completely aware of her situation or her surroundings. He can hear her mention something under her breath or it was just the fact that she was so weak that she could not muster the strength to really act on her whim.
She asked him if he knew her name, he could not answer her too well seeing as she was rather still weak for her state and he decided to take her up in his arms again. Kenner turned towards the last two remaining guards and speaks with his authority.. "I want you to go get the others that were going to get the food and tell them to bring it to the cells.. now" He does his best to balance her form in his arms, he makes his way with the Naga held fast against his body. A dull knocking sound resounding in the back of his ears.. "Get that.." He said as he passed by another guard.

Peeshka passes him and see's the load he carries..~Well.. I see the holders were neglectful to this one..should I..~ He does not give her the option to ask her question before he gives her an assertive shake of his head. The act does not harm her feelings but it does take her back a moment when she see's how he is treating the slave.

Within short order he was walking into the holding area with his new acquisition in hand, the other slaves were slightly riled from earlier. However Kenner did not have any idea of what Pesshka had done or what had transpired between her and the other slaves. Kenner looks at the cells and tries to decided where to put the Naga, even though a new cell would need to be made for her convenience. She needed warmth and space and the cell would have to keep her from getting out so it was that Kenner decided to make the alterations himself.

Kenner lays the young girl on the cobblestone floor off from the center of the room.

While he moves away from her Kenner makes sure to rest her arms on her side and turns to leave her for just a moment. While he is not one to really get so attached to a slave like this, it is a rather strong feeling for him when a slave is mistreated as such and it was that thought that drove him to carry her like this.
Kenner takes a knee near the center of the room and set both hands palm to palm in front of his chest, he breath slightly and as if responding the air in the room becomes still with his motionless state. For a moment Kenner looks over towards the slaves and glances back between the three sets of cages before moving again.

He presses his hands against the floor and in an instant the room is filled with a warm sensation and a low glow of light escaping from the floor. The light began to move away and take shape from the cobblestone as it reshaped and moved, splitting and widening on its edges growing ever wider. Eventually the glowing subsided and now in the center of the area stood a single cell with bars of its own.
The cell was however different from the rest with crossbars going around it making narrow squares instead of the regular vertical bars. The inside is devoid of much that the others have save for a elevated circular black stone.

Kenner grabs a section of the bars and gives a hearty pull which makes the section pop free on a hinge like a normal door. He returns to the Naga's side and gathers her up once again, carrying her inside and placing her on the stone slab which to her surprise is heated. He situates her as well as he can, finally removing the iron clasp that binds the two sections of her tail. Three guards arrive not long after he had stood to look her over, each bearing two bowls of broth like he instructed. They lay the bowls in front of her and are beginning to vacate from the cage when Kenner speaks.. "I see you handling another slave like this and I'll send you all below." The guards give a grim look and a small look of panic comes across their faces as they salute and return to leaving.

He places a hand on his head, not really knowing what to do if the rest of the day continues like this.

* * * *

The guard opened the door and looked to see Mistress Eavia.
He gave a quick bow of his head and proclaimed.. "I must apologize my lady but Master Kenner is rather indisposed at the moment." He looked towards Kenners direction heading into the holding area and decides to act as best he can.

"May I ask for you to wait in the main hall, he should be just a few minutes."
It was then that he saw Pesshka still standing at the end of the stairs with her hand on her waist looking towards the holding area as well. She seemed to be waiting for something as well and only held her hand on the side of her mask adjusting it slightly from earlier.

The guard rather wherry of his options trots up next to her and gets her attention.."Miss Pesshka.. This woman has just arrived, I believe she is one of the new masters."
Pesshka looks over his shoulder as see's Mistress Eavia staring back through the door and recognizes her from the information that Kenner had received prior.

~Ah yes, Mistress Eavia.. come in please..~
She says with a beckoning wave of her hand.

Eavia looks suspiciously at Pesshka, she was almost about the demand to be taken wherever Kenner was when she remembered, that is not proper nor lady-like.
Instead she brushed another piece of flowing white hair out of her face and followed the masked woman.
Her wings were easily hidden beneath her long, flowing robes and she could feel them yearning to be stretched out.
Eavia yet again took a seat, and noticed a small glass of something bubbling on the table next to her.
She looked up to her white collar - Nai (Na-ee) - and sighed "About time."
Sipping the beverage gently she eyed the girl, there was no way she were human. Eavia was frustrated that she was so confused over what this woman before her was.

She'd never seen anything like it. Of course, she was another one of a kind but she didn't like that she couldn't easily place this creature. She was beautiful, no denying but in the most terrifying way.
Eavia smoothed her lipstick and said with a bored tone in her voice "When can I pick my slave?"
If there was one thing Eavia could do (That's a lie, she could do many things) she could be feeling something but show the complete opposite. Her face never betrayed her and her eyes stayed steely cold.

It didn't help that she had no soul, but she liked it this way. She didn't feel petty, foolish things like 'Love' and 'Compassion'. No she cared for no one and nothing - beside herself.
Eavia deserved everything and everything she would have. It's unknown how she got her fortune but what people do know is she didn't even lift a finger to get it.

Shaking out of her thought she turned back to Pesshka. Thinking and not concentrating means being vulnerable and if there were one thing Eavia hated the most, it would be being vulnerable.

A guard came over to Eavia. Telling her that her room was ready she decided to check that out instead of just waiting around.
She stood, nodding in Pesshka's direction and walks after the tall, burly man, calling her slaves along with her.
"Where can those stay?" She asks, throwing a glance in their direction.
The guard looks at them "We'll sort then a room. Don't worry."
Eavia almost feels like laughing, worry? Oh please. These pathetic creatures are lucky if they don't have to sleep outside like dogs - But she refrains, just giving a tight smile.
Walking up the white, marble steps she takes a look around the large room she was in. Not having previously noticing just how large it was, in the corner sat a desk with all manor of papers on. Eavia wondered what they were for.

Making it to her room she nods approvingly when the guard opens the door.
"Nice." She says, the detail was gorgeous; the white washed walls were intracity painted on with a light grey to make it look like lace and the deep scarlet curtains hung down to the dark oak flooring.
She looked back at the guard and frowned "Something you want?"
He blinked and stood there for a second before shaking his head quickly and leaving.
Having been told her bag would be brought up and unpacked for her Eavia decided to seize the opportunity and got changed, her clothes - She felt - were too dirty and crumpled from the three hour ride here to be respectable.
She walked over to her wardrobe and picked out a long white dress with a dark blue pinafore over the top, removing her top she stretched out her large raven wings and sighed, they could finally be stretched out.
Her wings almost reached either side of her room and fell down to her feet.
She then got dressed; pulling back on her black lace gloves afterwords.
Deciding to see if Kenner had made an appearance she walked downstairs.

Hearing voices gradually coming closer, Eavia stood up when two people came into the room.
She immediately recognised Kenner but the other creature, she was a dragonkin. But that was all she knew.
"Good day Master Kenner." She says graciously and then turns to the woman, "Hello, I am Mistress Eavia. But you can just call me Eavia if you please." She greeted the lady, noticing she wasn't a slave - by her attire and how well-spoken she was - and therefore allowed her to just call her by her given name.

The woman (Syntira) was most dazzling. Her fiery hair was unmissable and you could tell she wasn't human just by taking one glance.
Averting her gaze as to not make the dragonkin uncomfortable she looks from the floor and then to Pesshka, who was now standing in the corner watching Kenner with, what's that?

Oh, She thought She's Kenner's. Well, this is most interesting.

"I was wondering," She started, turning her gaze back to Kenner "Do you know when we can survey the slaves?"
She flicks a piece of soft white hair over her shoulder.

Kaede

Kaede sits pouring over their correspondences, preparing himself for their first real meeting. Kaede knows what he wants, but doesn't want to seem overly enthusiastic. "Don't want to pay too much. Want to know I made the right choices." he continues thinking aloud. He lets out an irritated sigh as he finishes stacking the papers in their correct piles. "What do I want?" that question keeps vexing him. He's torn between picking fighters or distractions. "I've got my army. What I need is..." he stops when he finds the paper he is looking for, "Here it is. You may have whoever or whatever you want. But, you may only choose two from the stock. Signed Kenner." Kaede sighs again, "I remembered correctly. Pity!" he mutters disappointed.

His work is disturbed by a knock on the door, "My Lord, lunch time. Do you not hear the bell." a voice from the other side of the door calls out.
"Wha..?" Kaede is broken from his trance. He now notices the bell. "Oh, I'm sorry!" Kaede calls to the voice. "I'll be right with you." He quickly places the papers in his binder, shuts it and stuffs it in his bag. He races to the door, opens it and stops cold. Standing at the door is the most beautiful young woman he has ever seen in his life. She is wearing a long white dress, a white collar and has stunning black hair and brown eyes. Her bearing speaks of being from somewhere close to his country, but not from his country.
"Well... Hello there!" he says looking her up-and-down, smiling his teeth showing. "And what's your name, young lady?" he asks enthralled by her beauty.
"I am Peng-E." she says smiling back.
"Peng-E. What a beautiful name. A beautiful name for a beautiful young lady." Kaede says sounding like a boy of about 14 having met a girl for the first time. "Are you my escort?"
"My Lord, please follow me." she says leading him by the hand.
"Anything and anywhere you want." Kaede is amazed by how beautiful she is. "Kenner is full of surprises." the prince percolates. "I wonder if she'd be available?" he beams, distracting thoughts filling his head. "So, my dear. How long have you been here?"
"I'm afraid Master Kenner would not want me to say." she says apologetically.
"I see. And how old are you?" he quizzes hopefully.
"Twenty-six, my lord." she answers looking back at him and smiling.
"Really? You look so much younger. I was going to guess nineteen."
The woman giggles, "My lord, you are a flatterer."
"No my dear. I am not an idle flatterer. You are so young looking and enchanting. Oh, and please, don't call me Lord, it's not necessary. Just call me Kaede."
The woman says nothing as she escorts the prince down the stairs. His focus is so transfixed on the girl the hoard could come in ransack the building, razing it to the ground and he'd never notice. "My Lord, the dining area. Good day."
Kaede stands and watches her walk away. He is in true lust at the vision of loveliness he has just seen. What makes her even more enthralling is that she has spurned his advances. No girl has ever done that, especially those who knew he was a prince.
"A remarkable girl." he utters. He watches her until she turns the corner and is out of sight, the vision of his desire gone - for now. With the spell broken, Kaede remembers his purpose. The smell of delicious food fills the air as he turns and peers in the great hall. He only sees two people at the table, Kenner and the less-than-courteous woman he met on the stairs. On the table is a sumptuous amount of delicacies. Kaede enters the dining hall looking around, eying the area taking stock of anyone else who might be in the room as well. "Sir. M'lady." he says bowing to both and then walks toward the table.
Kaede stops short when he notices a woman dressed in white. "Pardon me M'lady. I did not see you there. No slight intended I assure you." This other woman, the one in white has put him slightly on edge. There's something different about her. He brushes it off, deciding that he's just being overly sensitive.

Eavia looked at the young man and bows her head.
"Of course Sir," She smiles and walks further into the room "I am Mistress Eavia. But you may simply call me Eavia."
Her cold gaze looked over his attire - He was a very well dressed man, possibly a prince or even a king.

Eavia walked over to where the other two sat and took her own seat, looking around at all the food.
"Quiet a collection of foods you have here Kenner. You do know how to spoil your guests." She says, thinking back to the gorgeous room she had been put in.
Her deep red eyes surveyed yet another room.
If there was one thing Kenner had, it was exquisite taste. Although she doubted he had time to pick out the room colours and furniture.

Her mind wandered back to the slaves as she thought about what she wanted.
She knew that a black collar would be impossible to train but looking couldn't hurt?
Eavia knew what she needed, yes a blue or maybe orange collar but she also knew what she wanted and that was her black collar.

Kenner

Kenner beckoned Syntira and Eavia, Peeshka was bringing up the rear of the group and they moved up the stairs once more. They traveled all the way back towards the penthouse ring and as they edged the top of the stairs turned to head directly away from kenner's quarters. The small group moved through the large oaken doors at the other end of the large ring and it was then they stepped into the dinning hall.
Kenner himself was glad to see that Kaede already seated, this made his happy that at least something was going as planned and he allowed the others to take their seats anywhere on the large table they wished. He could see though that the woman that accompanied Kaede were beginning to leave, their white dresses and pert form marked them as the attendants of the penthouse quarters. The fact that they are slaves as well did not bother him because they had been born into such a fate and therefore were content with their place in life.

He sat as well at the head of the table and only bothered to pour himself a glass of whine from a nearby bottle. Pesshka moved herself behind him and gave his head a slight caress as she stepped away and moved out of the room back into the main rotunda and down the stairs.
"I am glad to see that we could all finally take some time to converse." He takes a small sip of his wine, which strangely has a moggy purple color and given the aspect of the silver lined bottle only makes the drink more strange.
"Before we begin with any other pleasantries I would like to ask if either of you have any other question?"

* * * *

Pesshka moved herself back down into the main hall and stood in the wash of the midday light coming from the venting in the ceiling. She could not really feel the light but for her, to just bask in it was good enough.
One of the guards approached her and spoke.."Mam.. are you not going to attend the lunch hour with Kenner?" His words were calm and firm, he had no real fear of Pesshka as he had worked under her for a long time. Peeshka did not do much but move slightly shifting her hips and stance to face him. ~No.. he is with his "Clients".~ The very tone in which she spoke meant words of apathy towards what was happening upstairs.

She perked up for a second, as if the look of enthusiasm could be seen rushing across her nonexistent face. ~I think I will go see how the stock is doing with their meal.. You know how the first feeding can be.~

She trotted off once more with a skip in her step as if a child who was going to play a nice game after the troubles of school. Within a few minutes she was back within the holding area once again and she was looking at the kitchen hands as they were leaving with their machination in hand. The scent of the food could still be smelt in the air and she tilted her leather wrapped head back to catch some more of it.
It was then that she began to walk the cells, peering in and seeing what the ones inside were up to. If they were eating and behaving she could care less, that was not the aspect she was looking for. In fact she was looking for the ones with more interest in their eyes and actions in the being. Her first sight came when she laid her eyes on Bloodsong, she looked into his cell and could see that he was not touching his meal. Leaning against his bars she looked him over and knew that he was in suspect of the food handed to him.

While she could see that he was right in his suspicion, but it was that fact that meant he would most likely fight eating. So she knocked on his bars and pointed. ~Eat..~ she poked her finger in the direction of the bowl and bread, the made a motion towards the mouth on her mask. ~Can you even understand?..~
She could also hear the commotion coming from the cell where Nix was caged, she continued to boast and rouse more attention then was warranted.

She could hear the bestial slave mentioning that she would kill Kenner and leave this place to travel back home. Peeshka took a small step back from Bloodsong's cell and turned towards Nix's position..~Why don't you get it in your furry little head.. This is your home.. for now. Until someone finds you necessary for work of more and you are bought.~

~If you aren't bought however then you are always welcome to stay here and be my Master's little guest, that or you can work at earning your freedom some other way.~ The cacophony of her voices spilling over the lips of her white ivory mask. Peeshka was not one to tell lies and she meant the fact that freedom was a possibility. However she did not mention that freedom could come in many unwanted methods.

Kaede

Kaede takes his goblet and swirls the drink around trying not to give off his feeling of apprehension about the strange liquid in his cup. He's certain that Kenner wouldn't try and poison him or the others, but he does wonder if maybe he's also been in contact with his father. He's never told anyone except Tetsume and his spy in the castle the full extent of what he's up to. Kenner is pretty intuitive and he may know he plans on killing someone in his household, but he doubts that he could know the extent of his bloodthirsty regicide.
He tosses that thought aside quickly deciding he's just being overly cautious. Better safe-than-sorry yes, but not to the extent of making enemies out of casual acquaintances.

"Before we begin with any other pleasantries I would like to ask if either of you have any other question?" Kenner asks the group assembled.
Kaede thinks for several moments. He has questions, but some of his questions are personal, private; things he doesn't wish to discuss in front of others lest they be unscrupulous and willing to tell his father for the right price. People this successful, this powerful don't get there by accident; they're clever, cunning and often ruthless.

"Yes, I have a few questions." Kaede chimes in, "First, where do you find such lovely young ladies for your employ?" he smiles. "I'm sorry, if I seem gauche, but the attendant was quite lovely." he smiles, a look of boyish impudence on his lips, "Second, what time frame are you looking at for us being here? What I mean is, my room is lovely and well prepared, but it appears like it's been set up for someone who will be staying for several days. Am I misreading this?" he asks a more serious look on his face with this question.

His first question is typical Prince Kaede; be a little immature, make people smile or groan and then ask the important questions once they're distracted. "Oh and I think I speak for the group when I ask, When will we be able to see what you have down below?"
Having gotten to the most important question, Kaede takes a sip of his drink, satisfied that no one has passed away from theirs.

Kenner

Kenner leaned in when Kaede asked about the other woman that brought him to the dinning hall and questioned where he got them. It was a decent enough question and he could understand why Kaede also asked about the fact that their accommodations had been prepared in such a way that it appeared that the masters would be staying.
He ran his finger along the rim of his wine glass as he listened trying to keep for losing contact on the situation, however when the moment they could see the slaves came he could have guessed that the conversation would come to that.

Taking another sip of his wine, Kenner placed his elbows on the edge of the table and braced the underside of his head while sliding his glass off to the side.. "Firstly.. Those woman are a special case of slave, they were born into this house and as such were raised in its walls. This gave them all the time and understanding to realize that this was just another way of living." he reaches out and takes a grape from the silver tray not far from his seat and places it in his mouth.
"As well for the rooms I can understand your question for that.. The fact that we require the master to be, to spend time within these walls is to get to know their chosen slave."

Kenner grabs another grape and rolls it between his fingers for a moment while still speaking.. "The reason for such was while I was studying under the former master he was handing off a rather fine and well trained white collar to a Lord Borough." Kenner eats the grape and shares a rather low apt stare across the table.
"The lord did not like the fact she was a Kitsune and even though he had already paid, had his bodyguard kill her on the spot.. right in the middle of the holding area."
He regathers his glass and swallows the whole thing before returning his gaze "That was eighty.. six years ago I believe." He goes back to running his finger along the top of his glass and begins to smile faintly as the remembers the first years of his leadership among Raven Loft.
"The rest of his house had a strong distaste for what we did to him afterwords.. but they were quickly dissuaded when Pesshka stepped in." a look of thought comes across his face for a moment "I think his remains are still locked in the lower cell blocks... not really sure since we renovated."

He stands and straightens his robe for a moment.. "As for seeing them, that is possible.. after they are fed we move them into the atrium for observation and that will allow them to get something familiar under their feet as well."

* * * *

Pesshka looks at Nix when she speaks and it visibly does accost a reaction from the warden, she stares at the werehyena in her cage and her fist tense up with a type of anger bubbling underneath. Her feelings are so strong that visible ribbed sections of mass could be seen writhing underneath sections of her suit, especially around the neck and ribs.
She takes one step towards the cell before catching herself and stopping, a long dejected sigh escaping her body.. ~Your right.. I am not beautiful, being born in a world where darkness reigns having form is not a real necessity.~

~But I would rather that then being born into a world where petty mob mentality and the idiosyncratic thought of self worth comes so easily to you mortals... or was that too much of a mouthful for you?~ She gives a slight tilt to her head when she speaks and then turns away from the caged animal. She once again returns her attention back to Bloodsong who was responding to her presence with more then hesitation.
This she could understand and with that knowledge came a sigh from her and she walked forward, stepping a long leg in between his bars and a sinewy distorted noise begins to rumble from her as she squeezes through into his cell. Finally with her full form inside, while having only a small problem of getting her mask inside which was solved by twisted her head to the side. This tall red leather clad woman stood in front of the growling wolf boy.. ~I suggest this time you listen and don't try anything stupid.~

Peeshka picked up the bowl and stepped within three feet of Bloodsong and held it out in front of her, she tipped it in his direction allowing him to get a better view and scent of it.
~Not bad... food is for you...~ She tried to keep herself in check as she was dealing with him, losing any control of her temper could end up being bad for the both of them.

Kenner

While Kenner stands before the three masters in the dinning room he see's one of the woman from before return. It was Peng'E again and she was in somewhat of a hurry which was evident in the haste in her step. She came to her masters ear and spoke lightly as she informed him of what happened down stairs.
She spoke cleanly and clearly, but light enough to keep the information from all but Syntira's draconian ears.

He gave a slightly distasteful look of discomfort with each passing word and all he can hear is a term of internment that quickly needs to be repaid to someone. He gives Peng'E a slight pat on the side to interrupt her and slides his chair back under the edge of the table.
"Well.. it seems the day keeps getting better." He looks at Peng'E and leans into her ear with one clear whisper before looking back. "I must apologize but an issue has arisen down stairs.. I leave you all in her capable hands for the moment. When everyone is done, she will take you to the atrium for viewing of the new additions." With that Kenner made a bow and then a slightly hasted retreat from the room. It was easy to see that there was a part of him fuming under the collar even before he stepped out and now it was more evident then before as he jumped the banister.
That fall was short and he quickly regained his footing and moved down towards the main hall, only to see that Roldan had moved the young slave girl Genti into the main hall and two of the house maids had come to redress her in something more suitable.

He looked her over and turned his attention towards Roldan.."What of the men who brought her?.. are they waiting to get paid for such an intrusion." He spoke with a lightly burning haze in the back of his eyes.. "No.." Roldan answered "I paid them a small sum of silver and.. forced them on their way."

kenner gave a blank stare with a slight exaggeration to his expression.."Keep her here and get her fed as well.. do not remove the cuffs yet however." He turns on his heel and heads back up the stairs rather quickly "Because I feel we will be seeing them again.."

The march back up the stairs towards his quarters was fast and full of reason as he had a very plane method of doing things. The men who brought Genti to his walls were in blatant disregard of his house and required a lesson in etiquette. Once inside his room he made use of the privacy such a place affords, the back of his room had a small library in place but in there at the moment books were not his concern.
He stepped in the middle of the floor where a glyph sat on the floor, next to the glyph sat a table with a small crystal on a stand that he quickly took in hand and squeezed. The crystal began to glow faintly and pulse as he concentrated on one name that could fix his current dilemma.

"Daud.. I must speak with William.. it is a matter of some urgency."

* * * *

Peeshka looked at Bloodsong as he chowed away on his meal and she pulled her hand back to her sides after the bowl was taken. She was glad that he was more reasonable then most despite his appearance, which made her look back at Nix and remember the fact that she would be more of a hassle then she's worth.

She takes another look at the others in the cells and speak towards the entire group.. ~I suggest you all eat up.. we're all going outside pretty soon and that means your all going to need your strength.~
She stepped back outside of Bloodsongs cell passing through the bars as she did before and moved to lean on the far wall as if she were waiting for something to happen.

Kaede

Kaede smiles as he leans back waiting for Kenner's responses, looking around at the others to see their responses. He knows he hasn't said anything out of place and he's sure Kenner won't be offended. As to the others, he's not as confident, he tries to gauge their reactions to his small and fairly obvious queries; after-all some people get offended when you ask or answer their question.
"Firstly.. Those woman are a special case of slave, they were born into this house and as such were raised in its walls. This gave them all the time and understanding to realize that this was just another way of living." Kaede nods leaning forward again as their host explained the girls and how they came to be there. It also explains why Peng-E said nothing to him about how long she'd been here. Master-slave relationships can be complicated and it's always best to reveal little and leave men suspicious than to reveal everything and let them understand the world.

Kaede continued nodding as he answered his second question, "As well for the rooms I can understand your question for that.. The fact that we require the master to be, to spend time within these walls is to get to know their chosen slave." That seemed reasonable to the Prince and not necessarily surprising. Kenner ran what could only be described as a 'High End Establishment' and to expect the buyers to learn more about their purchase was reasonable. He figured it also gave Kenner a chance to learn more about the buyer as well.

Kaede sits leaning as far forward as he can to the story of Lord Borough, who is buried somewhere in the estate. The story seems grisly even without the details. "As for seeing them, that is possible.. after they are fed we move them into the atrium for observation and that will allow them to get something familiar under their feet as well."


"I see." says the Prince finishing his drink and pouring himself a second, "I must say your explanation is quite... thorough and impressive. As impressive as this lovely little drink you have provided. You are truly the gr...a...ci...ous host..." Kaede's voice trailing off as the vision of loveliness Peng-E enters and walks over to Kenner. Kaede smiles at her, but it dies when he realizes something is wrong. She is walking fast, too fast for something insignificant and she looks quite agitated. She whispers something into Kenner's ear, that he's too far away to hear, which is better since eavesdropping on his host might get him kicked out.

"Well.. it seems the day keeps getting better. I must apologize but an issue has arisen down stairs.. I leave you all in her capable hands for the moment. When everyone is done, she will take you to the atrium for viewing of the new additions." Kaede rises and bows to their host as he quickly exits the room.
Kaede looks at each of the others in the room. All women and him, normally this would be his dream, especially with Pen-E being there. But the woman in white unnerves him and he still isn't sure why. The impolite woman in red seems odd. He spends a few extra seconds washing his eyes with the image of Peng-E. He scoots out his chair, ready to play knight in shining armor for the nervous and somewhat agitated young lady, but instead he grabs some more fruit and one of the bowls of grapes and sits back down. "No sense in angering the host by upsetting his property." Kaede muses.
Kaede rises and holds his cup high, "To us, ladies. May our needs be met by what is made available." then he swallows the drink. "And M'lady," he says bowing slightly to Peng-E, "Whenever you are ready to take us to see the wares in the atrium I will be ready." Kaede pours himself another goblet full and sits back down admiring the exquisite taste.
Kaede slowly moves his glare around the room, capturing to memory anything and everything that he thinks might be important, mostly the mistresses. He takes another drink emptying the cup halfway and then sets it back down. "It's a fine liquor." he tells himself, "But I am on business. If I drink too much I may do something stupid. I should have brought a second with me. Someone to restrain me." he contemplates that thought, but then he can't think of anyone he could have brought other than Tetsume and he needs Tetsume with the men to keep everything organized and ready for his return.

Eavia noticed Kenner's discomfort and therefore doesn't comment on how rude it is when he leaves - it must be urgent, Kenner isn't one to insult his guests.

She then turns her gaze to the young boy infront of her, he seems too young and foolish to be a prince already and she prays that he grows up before he becomes king.
He is like a young boy, she thinks, noting his foolishness with the slave girl.

Eavia purses her lips when the boy holds a toast and can't help a small eye-roll.
Although she knows that she puts out a unsettling vibe that's what she likes to keep these children at bay.
That haven't seen the things she's seen and therefore believe that makes her wiser.

Although not toasting she does try the wine and nods, it was good. Not exquisite but then again it was hard to follow up Maki (Her slave) whom Eavia fancied as one of the best wine makers in the land.

"Ah finally," She adjusted a tight lipped smile onto her face "We get to see the slaves."

Eavia already had more than a fair share of slaves but they were mostly gifts and she wanted a chance to actually pick her own slave for once, it was almost a gift to herself.

Not touching the food she stood up and patted down her skirts, ready to see the slaves.

Kenner

Kenner looked down at the girl as she spoke.. "Genti?.. That is quite nice." his train of thought was interrupted by the pounding boots of a guard approaching from the entrance. "Master Kenner.. its Mad Dog, he has the two men from before.." Kenner's face brightens at the moment and he turns to look at Roldan, giving him a small signal to take the girl away.. "Take her to the atrium and have the others moved there as well. I will be on my way shortly."

Roldan blinks his reaction to Kenner's words and reaches down to lift up the smaller woman, the surprise almost making her drop the bowl. With he in hand he barks his orders to the other guards and they in turn run about gathering their things for moving all the others along as well.

But for now Kenner looks on as Manhoon and his men are lead into Raven Loft from the weather outside, he is also rather ecstatic to see the two suspects in tow among Bills cattery. They moved weakly with a wobble in each step, this was enough to tell Kenner that they had been worked over pretty well to get them to cooperate or even so for fun.
With the approach of the group both me were brought to their knees by two of Bills men and Kenner walked up in front of them with his hands on his waist and his robe split as before.. "I'm glad I can always count on you William" It was obvious now that Kenner and Mad Dog had a history and even thought it was a small footnote of time that registered for Kenner he was glad that such a man existed as to be counted on.

He stared down on the two pathetic excuses of man as they made small scrupulous noises to dictate their feeling towards the moment of their peril. The man on the left with his lightly brown and muddied hair has already starting to make a mess of the moment. Apperantly he soiled himself during the ride back, or maybe it was the man handling that Bills men gave him either which could not be discerned now anyway. The left one however, the little blonde man was also causing his own problems.
His nose somehow got broke before he got inside and an audible drip could be heard in the silence of the moment. Red dots of life dropped from his broken face and started leaving a small round reflective circle on the marble below. Kenner Sneered for a moment realizing that it would be his maids to clean up such a mess. Both men raise their eyes in fright and freeze when they see Kenner, who in turn leans in a small amount with his smile.. "What nothing to say?..." The blonde man stammers a small bit when he tries to answer but ends up swallowing his right to speak with a large resounding gulp in his throat.

Kenner raises himself and grabs the two men by the hair lightly twisting their heads to change position so he can speak and announce his orders.. "Guards.. I want them in a set of pared stocks and locked in the lower ring for three weeks." He tips the men back as the lose balance on their knees and fall backwards, their head smacking the marble easily causing more physical pain. The two guards on the stairs were quick to grab the men by the ankles and drag them off back towards the door, only to turn a corner and soon disappear down a ridged stair case.
Both of the men making sobbing sounds all the way, it was evident that they didn't know what was coming but they still feared it all the same.
Kenner produced a small rag from inside of his robe and wiped his hands clean of the muck that the men left behind, only to drop the rag and step forward and finally approach Mad Dog and take his hand in a hearty shake.. "Ahh.. Mad Dog Manhoon. Just the man that I can count on to make my day instantly better." They release the grip and Kenner looks at Daud with a large Grin.. "Welcome back as well Daud."

* * * *

Pen'g stood at the edge of the table and looked at the other Masters as they sat and finished their meals, Kaede was the first to act out with his small toast and while she was forbidden from drinking at the moment she gave him a slightly nod and smile. It was then that another entered from the adjacent door, it was another woman dressed in white. In fact she was dressed the same way as Peng'e, save for the fact that she had a rather large pony tail pulled in her hair with only the bangs sticking out. She looks at Peng'e and moves in to say something to her before moving back out of the room moving out of the main door. peng'e makes a slight face as she exist and returns her gaze back towards the group only when Eavia speaks up about wanting to see the slaves. She smiles and bows gesturing towards the rear door from where the other woman arrived and she walks out slowly so the others may have their time to rise and follow.

Meanwhile below Pesshka has stepped outside of Miyako's cell, she looked over at Nix as she spoke to herself. Either that or she was trying to get Pesshka's attention for some reason and the masked woman leaned in as she approached the werehyenas own container.
She presses her self against the bars as she tilts her head to hear the distant noise of boots approaching and turns back toward Nix. ~Well.. if you be a good girl and follow her lead.. then you will get your chance.~

Kaede

LIke the woman in white Kaede is anxious to see the slaves, but not at the point of seeming overly enthusiastic. Kaede finishes his drink and then follows. He wants to walk next to Peng-E, get to know her better, get to know this place better, the woman in white unnerves him and he doesn't believe he's being paranoid or overly cautious. There is something wrong, something wicked in the woman and he can't figure out what it is about her that makes him feel that way. She's formal, but not necessarily polite or social; but that would describe half of the people he knows and many of them he calls friends.
Kaede tries and blocks his concerns from his head. He's not here about her anyway and it's not like you meet saints and honest clergy in a slaver's den... or palace. He looks around the halls on the way to the atrium, "My what beautiful art work." he says admiring the paintings, "And the craftsman ship on the doors and ceilings is marvelous. I don't know what kind of man Kenner is, but I will say he's got an eye for beauty... the beauty of art and the beauty of people." he says smiling at Peng-E.
He admonishes himself for acting such a fool. He's never been one to miss out on the chance to complement a beautiful woman. And the excitement of possibly finding who he is looking for in the humanity, the person or those persons that will move him one step to the throne is also part of his impulsive behavior. Those combined with the effects of the alcohol are working together, clouding his judgment and he realizes he's acting the fool. "I should have brought someone along with me." he chides himself. He knows there really was no one he could bring. Tetsume is the only one he can trust and that's not an option - at least not for the moment.

Syntira had been observing the conversation in silence, she was lost in her own thought. She again saw the man she had seen earlier, and it was only now that she realized that he was another potential Master. And I hadn't even had the decency to say hello to him... When the two had encountered previously, the Dragonkin was so absorbed in the idea of seeing the slaves that she hadn't heard the polite gentleman say, "Milady." The mistress quickly made a mental note to apologize for her rude behavior earlier. Still in somewhat of a daze, Syntira reached for a piece of meat from the center of the table and began cutting it. Her napkin had already been placed over her lap, and she made quick work on the meal-cutting it expertly into small chewable bites. Syn's focus only lifted when Kaede made a toast to the table, "To us, Ladies. May our needs be met by what is made available." Smiling, the fiery Dragonkin lifted her own goblet, nodding once with a smirk plastered over her face.

"Ah, yes. And to bonds that will never be broken." Syn tipped her goblet towards him, winking once before she drank the fine liquid. It did have a lovely taste, and Syn couldn't place if she had ever tasted the same drink before. Her eyes then flashed to a lady adorned in white robes; who was scowling as the man made a toast. How utterly rude... Though Syntira's voice remained at the same icy and seemingly emotionless tone, she had been raised to be polite. She couldn't imagine disregarding a man of obvious power's toast or conversation. Speaking of which, that same man was eying over a slave hungrily. Syn held a hand over her mouth, giggling behind it and lowering her eyes. Standing just as the others did, Syn followed the beautiful young slave down the ornate hallways towards the atrium. She was definitely excited to encounter the species' she had seen earlier, but not to the point where the emotion would show on her face. In fact, if an emotion did show on her face, it was most likely anger. Otherwise, Syntira kept all feelings in check.

As the trio were led through the various corridors of the castle, Syn's mind returned again to the beings she had seen earlier. The white eared and tailed neko's face was plastered in her mind. Then again, so was the alluring red stripe over the canine neko's face. Nekos were the only species that Syn hadn't come into close contact with. Well, other than Master Kenner himself. His blood red eyes bore into her mind, and the seemingly demonic transformation still confused her. Syn hadn't had time to consult her journal about his species yet. In fact, his mate may be even more of a mystery. Pesshka... What secrets do you hide behind that mask of yours? And you Kenner, I vow to learn of your secrets as well. Syn shook herself of those thoughts, her eyes focusin again on Kaede.

"Excuse me, sir. I didn't catch your name earlier. I apologize for my extreme lack of manners earlier. I cannot have my kind represented in such a fashion." Mistress Syntira bowed her head for a moment, before raising it to like back up at the Prince. "I am Mistress Syntira, of the Dragonkin. It's a pleasure." Her green reptilian eyes observed his magenta colored hair. In fact, Syn quite enjoyed the color, especially on him. Syn's own hair was unnatural for a human, thankfully she wasn't of that species. But this man... The Dragonkin scented the air. Yes, he was definitely a human.

Kenner

With the greetings done between Mad Dog and Kenner it is taken upon the business men to converse more as they walk for a while through the master hall.
Kenner is starting to understand that this day must have been some sort of test to get under his skin, however Williams presence is making everything seem much better as the time drew on.. "I see Manhoon."
"If you are looking for some new.. blood as you so lovingly put it, I may be able to facilitate." He beckoned Mad Dog on and offered the extension to Daud as well and so the men began to walk out of the hall. As they left the guards who escorted the two men down below returned and continued with their own duties of standing guard at the stairs.

As the moved on it was easy to tell for Mad Dog that most of Raven Loft's insides had been renovated since he left with Daud in his keeping. Marble lined most of the floor and high archways gave the halls a towering appearance. Seeing that it was only barely after mid day many of the houses patrons were moving about to get back and forth between their respective stations. The sounds of the whole body that was this place echoed on around them while their foot steps were easily drowned out by the rest of such immense movement.

Kenner kept speaking to enhance the conversation between him and Mad Dog. "I do have an idea of what you could be looking for.. someone well enough for your new enterprise. From what I hear that new club will be ready for full operation soon." He dipped his head slightly as several woman passed by in sundresses, each with an assertive bounce in their step and it could be seen why. A woman was walking behind them who cast assertion in her face and dominance in her stride. It was her that was driving the group on to whatever activity they intended to be at next.
She gave Kenner a firm but respectful nod as she passed him and his two friends.
With their passing Kenner continued.."As of now all of my new additions that are not taken.. are rather bare."

"I do however have some unique new treats for our trainers at least."

As they kept moving in their purpose the three passed into a large rotunda of passageways with several stairways leading down into and away from it. This was the causeway, and it was the only part of Raven Loft that truly remained untouched from the renovations. Peng'E was leading the other masters into the rotunda at the same time and she could see Kenner ahead of the group. With a slight pause in her step the group was halted before fully surpassing Kenner's, she gave a slightly bow towards the masters accompanying her before Kenner himself greeted them.. "Ah yes.. its good to see you all here now, that is fine now Peng'E you can head back to mistress Thresh now." The woman in white bows once again flashing a slight smile as she heads back up the stairs from where the group came.

Kenner beckoned them onward and lead them further eastward into the keep and as he lead them on the hall began to become wider and taller, with a great vast light pouring in from the exit ahead. Each step lead them closer and as they walked the sounds of nature could be heard coming through the opening as well.
When the group broke the threshold it became clear to them what the name atrium meant.
It was a vast opening within the bowels of Raven Loft it had the makings of a massive gladiatorial arena, but instead of sand within the base of this giant ring there was a field. Trees and tall grass and a sizable lake in the center and all that many creatures could wish for. Kenner walks the group out onto the balcony of a large slope overlooking the atrium and presents it to them all. "Welcome to the atrium, a crowning example of design if ever there was one. As you look around you there is nature for all to see and if you cast your eyes above even the sun itself is part of Raven Loft."

He was not off when he said this, for when an eye was cast upwards a circular inverted dome could be seen dominating the roof of the atrium. It shined with a deep warm light that gave life as easily as the sun itself would do in mid summer.
"For all those slaves who want to see the world as they left it and come back to nature, however it is still safe to let them roam free here. There is no chance of escape even for those with the power of flight."

* * * *

Peeshka looked back at Nix as a look passed on her face that the masked warden would not have thought possible for the shape shifter to show. She tilted her head to the side as guards with restraining implements arrived in droves, each one in full dress and waiting with baited breath for Pesshka's words.
She cast her gaze towards them and spoke.. ~Alright pair up and get to your appointed cells..~ She looked up to see that behind several of them men were two guards with Genti in arm, they did little to hamper her movement and instead lent an arm to help support her weight for her as they helped her walk. The men & woman got to work as Pesshka walked closer to see Genti for herself. Stopping only a few feet away she stared for a few seconds before slowly leaning in, her expressionless mask looking on and red leather bindings creaking as she inched forward. ~I see.. a new one comes again unscheduled.~
"The master also wants her moved into the atrium with the others.." The guard holding her bowl in his right hand spoke in order to clarify. Peeshka only returned a twitch of her head in his direction before looking back at Genti before nodding.

Everyone was thus gathered up from their cells.
Awoken from slumber or lead out from their positions, some had to be restrained in order to keep the guards peace of mind. The cause to being marked with a black collar saw many of those slaves being treated as such. However the guards were gentle as they could be and courteous in their work, the master would not want to see them damaged what he had just come into possession of within the last hours.
It was then that the group of slaves, was lead towards their destination of the atrium. However they did not share the use of the upper walkways like the masters and more privileged slaves were used to. The area they walked was darker and more somber with wider halls and such open spaces as to maneuver large groups of bodies. This was the main way for the guards to transfer a mass of slaves from one point in Raven Loft to the other and while the atmosphere of this lower area was rather dim.
It still bore a fresh air and lenient energy about it.

The only exception to the move was Nitha, she was left within her cell. The guards did not have the material to move her nor the manpower at the moment and while Kenner with his gifts could transport easily, they would need several men to move her even with a dolly.

Within several minutes the group was lead through a causeway of their own and this one itself lead into the grassy area within the atrium. As the guards lead the slaves in one after the other was released from their bindings and left to stand within the light of the atrium's dome. Those with less tendencies to strike were released first and those with black collars were let go last before the guards passed through the cause way again and as the last stepped through a large gate was swung closed behind to bar an exit.

Pesshka stayed behind with Nitha looking into her cell..~I must say that it is good to see one of your kind again.. it has been some time since one with blood like yours has passed through these walls.~

Miyako get up from her bed and joined the group in line. She was nervous and scared. She wasn't afraid of the woman with the mask, she was afraid of what was going to happen next. Her fear was not as bad as it had been before the woman spoke with her, was kind to her. If this had happened earlier she would have been terrified.
Miyako stood next to the other girl. The girl was human like her and had brown eyes, but after that they were different. The girl was lighter skin and had rounder eyes. She was older and taller. She had the look that Miyako had earlier; the sad and defeated look of someone whose whole world had come to an end. She wanted to talk to the girl, maybe be her friend, but she decided not to, in case.
She looked behind and watched as the guards placed special restraints on the slaves with the black collars. She understood now what a black collar was, but was still uncertain what a blue and orange collar was. The girl next to her had orange, so they had something else in common, besides being human girls.

They walked through darkened underground corridors that felt cold and unfeeling. She couldn't see much, but the dark. As they walked she could see some light in the distance, "That must be the atrium." she though, her heart beating faster and her breath got faster. She squinted when they were almost there, the light seemed so bright. She stepped into the atrium and it looked like a giant forest. She stared at the trees, the grass, the flowers, everything, there was even a lake in the middle. Miyako stopped and looked up at the sunlight shining through the glass above. It was amazing, especially to a girl from such a small and backward community to see that a place like this really exhisted.

Miyako looked up and she could see people; there was the man who told her she was an orange and blue, two very scary looking men, a woman in white, a woman with red hair and a man in white robes who looked like he maybe similar to her but she couldn't tell for sure.
The girl named Nix went to play in the trees, the Wolfkin rolled in the grass, Miyako decided to go sit on a rock by the water and just watch everything. She didn't really want to play, there wasn't anyone to play with and she was more interested in watching everyone else, especially the people above them.

EAVIA

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

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

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

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

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

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


~

HOPE

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

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

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

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

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

KAEDE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kaede

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

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

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