RJ: Zurui would be walking through the market as the various patrons called out to make sales for their goods. The hustle and bustle of the townspeople going about their business while largely leaving Zurui be for the moment. Slaves were often sent shopping, or so one would imagine, so she was capable of that. However, during what would have been a normal shopping day, the chaos of daily business was suddenly interrupted by an even more unexpected chaos as a man came rushing out from a cafe, looking rather irritated. "Where'd he go!? Someone find and skin that feline creature!" the man demanded, his face red with rage. Meanwhile, Zurui would perhaps be the only one to witness a shape crawling over the structure of the man's cafe, a feline tail just disappearing out of sight over the roof.
Shrike: The kitsune strode along slowly, a passive smile on her face as she wound through the crowds. despite her status, she suffered little in the way of disturbance as she went. Her silken dress and the finely crafted collar around her neck marked her as a rather expensive slave, one who's owner might frown on those who damage the property. That certainly didn't halt the looks though, but she didn't notice those much, anymore. Such was her state when the shopkeeper burst out of his shop, braying for blood, by the sound of it. Zurui caught sight of a tail flicking over the edge of the shop itself, glancing up briefly before glancing back down, stepping out of the way as the shopkeep ran off down the street, hunting for the cause of his ire. Deciding that she was both curious enough and had the time to spare, she changed course, heading down the aleyway beside the shop, glancing at the roofs to find where the figure on teh shop had gone.
RJ: She went around the alley, stepping through a location not often traveled it seemed, and the reason for that soon become evident as she found herself at a dead end. Her footsteps were soft, and perhaps the object of her curiosity expected something heavier. A catfolk with beautiful black hair and triangular black feline ears with a straight and thin black tail was in the midst of digging through his bag. The articles he pulled out of the bag were of interest. A woman's hat, a silky red kimono in comparison to the black robes he currently wore, and chest pads. "A shame... I wanted to stay longer, she was a nice woman." he hummed quietly to himself, his voice sounding like a song of a prince separated from his beloved. It was as if his voice carried the beauty of music with it, which quickly labeled him as a bard of sorts. "Hunt for the 'man' who soiled your daughter, barbarian~ You'll not find him." Nyktan chuckled, before he began to slip his robes off to get changed into his disguise.
Shrike: Zurui smiled softly as she listened, coming to a stop perhaps ten feet away as she considered how best to continue. His voice seeme dlilting, musical in quality. A singer, or perhaps an actor in one of the plays performed around town. She pondered finding a line of verse to surprise him with, but he was starting to change already, and she didn't have one in mind yet, so she simply cleared her throat instead, adjusting the shawl hanging off the reddish fur of her shoulders. "Gotten into a hint of trouble, hmm?" She asked softly, watching his reaction. She stood still, not making any threatening moves, and apart from the pouch of coins held loosely in one of her hands, she didn't seem to be carrying anything. Of course, if he was worried about weapons, she did have that foxlike face full of teeth...
RJ: It was very brief, and easy to miss. He was startled, but didn't move asides from whipping his head back enough to glance back at the intruder with one of his violet eyes. After looking at her a moment, he would smile and draw his robe back up. "Oh? So you noticed? How meddlesome of a normal girl like yourself to come and investigate the shenanigans of a cat..." That was what he said, but subtle movements betrayed other thoughts. He seemed to come to appreciate how quiet she was rather quickly. He was a cat backed into a corner, and despite her best efforts, he was clearly reaching a hand into his bag and grabbing something large while trying to make it seem like a casual movement of body. A bead of sweat went down the side of his face for Zurui to see. He was nervous.
Shrike: "I was simply curious." She answered, tilting her head a bit as she caught sight of his hand ducking into the bag, noting the shift in the pack that indicated he was grabbing something large and shifting about. Her eyes widened when she realized it was probably a weapon, ducking her head slightly, a hint of apology entering her tone. "I saw the shopkeep running south, if he kept the same speed, he's at least a block away by now." She explained softly.
RJ: "... Oh?" he hummed. "Well, isn't that something?" he said thoughtfully. "Thank you, I appreciate your help, though... You had absolutely no reason to help me." He stated simply, he seemed to be watching her eyes as well, and seemed even more bothered that his every movement was witnessed. "... Indeed, I am in trouble. I intend to flee."
Shrike: The kitsune met his gaze evenly, her snout still pointed downwards She seemed docile enough, but her eyes did seem sharp, watching him intently. "How did you anger him? It wasn't something criminal, I hope?" She asked softly. Her hand sshifted again, metting in front of her around her coin pouch, perhaps a little protectively.
RJ: "Well, when fathers and husbands consider their women territory, I suppose I've a habit of treading on forbidden grounds." He admitted, before shrugging and drawing what he was holding out of his bag. He held not exactly a weapon, but a Lute in his hand. It seemed made of rather sturdy stuff, so it could easily survive being used as a weapon. He put his fingers to the strings, and smiled. "I apologize, I know love is a woman's most precious thing, but I must borrow it for a moment, for my own comfort." He said selfishly, before playing a quick melody on his lute, and humming a serene tune that made her heartbeat quicken. (Nyan-man is using Charm Person on Zurui: DC 16)
Shrike: Zurui's eyes widened a little as he drew the lute, calming quickly when she saw it was an instrument. She recognized the tune he playes, a small smile creeping onto her features as she hummed along, the small evidence of stiffness in her posture disappearing.
RJ: "It worked..." he sighed with relief, before finishing the short tune. Stepping closer, he walked straight up to Zurui and put his hand on her cheek, gently encouraging her to look at him. "... Such a dangerous face. If I didn't take you seriously, it may have been you who charmed me." He said, complimenting her beauty. "Tell me, love... Was it simple curiosity that made you corner me in this hallway?"
Shrike: Zurui smiled at the compliment, blushing under her soft fur and leaning into his hand slightly. "It was." She answered slowly, seeming to be grasping as something to say afterwards. "I'm sorry, I don't know your title. What should I call you?"
RJ: "My name is Nyktan. I see you had no ill intentions after all, my apologies for stealing your heart. Despite my ill reputation, I do not mistake magical love with consent. I will not harm you... Unless you truly wish for me to~" he cooed, before stealing a kiss from her. Gathering his bag, he seemed to decide that simply changing outfits was enough. Wearing a red kimono with black designs of flowers, he took his bag and strode up to Zurui, taking her arm around his own. "You must have been doing something before I so rudely distracted you. Shall I make it up to you and help?" he offered.
Shrike: Zurui accepted the kiss eagerly, pressing against him and making it last seconds longer than he had originally planned. She stayed put as he changed, dropping her gaze again to give him a modicum of privacy, answering again once he had slipped his arm around hers. "Ah, yes, I was buying supplies for my Lord's household." She explained, pausing a moment before continuing. "I think... You could likely pass for a servant in that guise. I could lead you into the servant's quarters, if you wish to hide there a while. I must make the purchases first, however."
RJ: "Oh? So you are a slave?" He said thoughtfully. "Hmm..." an idea crossed his mind, before he grinned. "Yes, I would like that." he nodded pleasantly, before helping her with her shopping, and following with her to her Lord's home. During the shopping, Nyktan wasn't keeping track of the time... When they reached the Lord's manner, he looked up to the sky... over an hour had passed. Fear struck him like lightning. If Zurui wanted to do something ill to Nyktan, she had her chance.
RJ: (Effects of Charm Person wore off)
Shrike: Zurui nodded, raising a hand to trace a few lines of the elaborate collar around her neck. She smiled when he accepted her aid, leading him out of the alley and back onto the streets. She purchased from three or four different stores, mostly food items, and a few replacement tools from the look of them, rakes and such that had the tendency to wear out. Once they neared the manor, which was as elaborate and impressive as the bard had seen, she slipped her arm out from his, taking a pace to the side, and making him share the load if he wasn't already. "Keep your head bowed, your breathing steady, and follow at my pace." She offered. Nyktan knew the spells effects had already passed, but for the time being, she seemed to be continuing to aid him. There was a pair of guards at the walled gate, the doors hanging open. Nobody halted them as they passed, Zurui leading him around the outside of the building to the servant's quarters in the back, her pace slow and even.
RJ: Nyktan simply did as he was instructed. It didn't end just with that, but at least he might have been able to run away from where he was. Instead, he was being brought deeper into enemy territory. He swallowed a lump in his throat, and kept his head low. "W-why...?" he whispered after they were out of earshot. He didn't even need to whisper, but he was just being careful.
RJ: Speaking from experience, the last girl he kissed who was under his charm bludgeoned him over the head with a club... Before revealing her sexual sadistic nature. That was quite a night.
Shrike: "Why what?" She asked back, leading him into the kitchen area. it was still too early for the kitchen to be in full swing, but the kitsune busied herself, unpacking the things she had brought and sorting them, directing Nyktan in putting a few of the things away himself while they spoke.
RJ: "Aren't you angry? I toyed with your emotions." He reasoned, while helping to put things away perhaps too high for her to reach using his feline ability to climb higher.
Shrike: Zurui shook her head once, pulling a knife from a nearby block and deftly chopping some vegetables, putting them on a plate as the catman put the last of the things away, nodding him towards one of the exit doors, leading the way again with the plate in hand. "You were doing what you thought was best. No harm was caused, and you still need aid. Would you do any different, in my position?" She asked. The hall they entered was unremarkable, likely still part of the sevants section, given the grandoise nature of the place he had seen outside. a moment later she opened a door for him, leading to a simple bedroom, mostly bare space with a few cushions about, and a small futon in the far corner.
RJ: "Perhaps not... No, I suppose you're right." he said with a returning smile. "Is this your room?" he inquired curiously.
Shrike: "When the Lord doesn't require me, yes." She answered, kneeling on one of the cushions and placing the plate on the floor. "Please, eat. The Lord is out, he's gone to meet with the conquerors from the West, we don't expect him back for several more days. You're free to stay here for two or three of those, but if he arrives early to find I'm hiding a visitor, it will not be pleasant."
RJ: "Oh, thank you very much for the meal." he said, giving her a respectful bow and eating with the grace of a noble, mostly so as not to make a mess. "... I've been thinking. Since you're helping me, that means I owe a debt to you. I am not a man that likes owing debts... Tell me though... Do you like being here?"
Shrike: Zurui dipped her head in answer to his bow, taking a few peices of vegetable herself and munching on them slowly. "I'm not sure I know what you mean. My place is here, is that not enough?" She asked, motioning for him to have a cushion as well.
RJ: He took the cushion gracefully. "Is that it? You're fine with that?" he inquired. "You helped me, so is there nothing I can do for you?"
Shrike: She nodded. "I am content here. You dont need to hold yourself to any perceived debt, I certainly won't." She answered, resting her hands in her lap. "Is there anything else you may need during your stay? I can't offer a blanket promise, but I will do what I can while you're a guest here."
Shrike: Mamono Force: He took the cushion gracefully. "Is that it? You're fine with that?" he inquired. "You helped me, so is there nothing I can do for you?"
Shrike: Shrike7: She nodded. "I am content here. You dont need to hold yourself to any perceived debt, I certainly won't." She answered, resting her hands in her lap. "Is there anything else you may need during your stay? I can't offer a blanket promise, but I will do what I can while you're a guest here."
RJ: Nyktan let out a bit of a hum in thought. "My reasoning to come here wasn't exactly for shelter. I suppose after realizing you were a slave, I thought you were suffering. But there's nothing I can do, it seems." he said distantly. "I do insist on my debt though. Mingling with you, that man passed right by us, possibly suspecting us to be a couple. I'd like to do something before I leave... And I must leave soon."
Shrike: Zurui frowned at that, thinkng hard. "I... I'm not sure. I don't really want for anything." She said slowly, a hand raising to run along the underside of her snout. "Perhaps... Could you teach me to sing, perhaps? I already know some, but I don't feel I'm very good, yet."
RJ: "Is that your request?" Nyktan inquired, his expression suddenly cold. "After I grant your request... I won't owe you anything." he announced. When he thought about it, it would be much easier to brace oneself for the inevitible, and with her wishing for this kind of life... Well, it's not like Nyktan didn't think about freeing her, he even tried to hint at it. However, this girl seemed intent on serving someone else, that's just who she was... Thoughtfully eating the last bite of his food, he decided. "After I grant your request, and I leave, we will never see each other again. So... Even though I think you're a person better than most in this world, and a rather sexy woman at that..." he admired her fine fur. "I don't want to become friends with you."
Shrike: Zurui nodded at his question, staying silent until he was finished. Her expression remained impassive for the most part, but he could tell she was crestfallen at the prospect of never seeing him again. "Thank you, you're incredibly handsome yourself. You don't owe me anything now, but since you insist... Yes, this is my request. although, please, stay here at least one night. I have rather enjoyed your company, I don't wish for it to end so soon." She asked, bowing slightly from her seated position.
RJ: He took a deep breath. He would have to see this through. He planned to leave that night, because even if a single night passed, he knew he would try to make love to her. It was undeniable, in his nature. He wanted everything to avoid doing that, because he already learned what happens when you make love to a woman you actually have feelings for. Those feelings develop, and root themselves deep in your heart and are damn near impossible to purge while they torment you every night... Though perhaps the reason most why he didn't want to get close to her, was that they were one in the same. He served his audience with whatever they desired, as does she to her patrons... And they're both rather good at it, so what he feared most is discovering who was better. When she made the request, he wished she truly hadn't. "Thank you... I suppose I will stay after all." he decided, unable to refuse.
Shrike: She smiled widely, probably the most sincere expression he had seen from her yet. "Thank you. How do we start, then? Would you like to hear me first?" She asked, shifting on her cushion slightly, adopting a more proper posture.
RJ: Nyktan felt ashamed. He was so wrapped up in his predator's instinct that her inquiry about how they should start was amounting to the lamb presenting itself on a plate to the wolf. He felt embarrassed for being wrong. "I'll teach you my favorite melody. It's a song that my mother taught me, and she told me to sing it to the one I loved, and they will share my feelings. I've only ever sang this melody once... And there's no magic behind it. I once misused it on a girl who took my fancy... Only to find that I was only attracted to her. I didn't really know what love was... When you find someone you love, sing them this song." he instructed her, before he put down his lyre... And used only his voice. There were no lyrics, just the sound of his voice. The way he sung, it was like he was inviting her to do her best to sing along. Hearing the melody was enough to make one's face flush, and their heart flutter. The pure serenity behind the music felt more powerful than any magic, able to touch with a person's heart and truly affect them... But there was something clearly wrong. His song would sound like such a personal melody, and yet that melody was not meant for her. It was meant for him.
RJ: Rather than make Zurui fall in love with him, the song reached out from his voice and went back to the source. His love wasn't reaching out to anyone.
Shrike: The kitsune sat stunned for a moment, listening to the bard's voice for a long moment before haltingly joining along. Her own voice was thin and clear, trying to match his in harmony. At the same time, her soul wept just hearing it, He sounded so alone, almost vulnerable, if she didn't know any better. Eventually, she changed her own tune slightly, keeping in pace with his, but trying to weave her own tone around and through his, blending them together as best she could.
RJ: She was correct. It was a lonely tune, but it was not one that cried for attention or love. Her own music would reach out, though it would mingle with his own in an odd way. Not to say her tune was worse or better, but it was like a different song entirely. She'd slowly understand it as they sung together. Nyktan sang as if he was on the center stage. The audience was there, completely separate from him, and he sang alone. His song pushed away any desire to truly join with his melody. Twas as if he preferred to be alone, and yet... The true element it was missing was love. The saying behind songs becoming more beautiful when they are sung to the one you love is quite true, so it was clear that Nyktan had no one to sing to that he cared for. There was no music of love lost or love desired. Rather, it was awkward. It was as if he simply didn't understand love itself, and truly desired to... That's what his melody was both waiting for and dreading. The appearance of a voice that knew love, that could drown his away. It feared losing the only thing it had, a simple audience. Being praised and appreciated was enough.
Shrike: Zurui sang along for a few moments longer, her attempts at finding a place to compliment his music slowly meeting with failure. Realizing finally that it wasn't a failure on her part, she simply sat back, enjoying his own rendition with rapt attention until he was finished. "That was wonderful, thank you." She said softly when he was done, bowing her head to him again. "I hope to be as good as you myself, one day."
RJ: Despite singing the song so well, Nyktan seemed hardly happy when the song was over. He took a quick sip of his drink that hinted at how upset he was. "That won't be hard," he nearly snapped. "Somehow... Hearing you sing that song for what it was intended for... I wonder if it would kill me."
Shrike: Zurui slumped slightly. nodding. "I understand." She said softly, smoothly standing and striding over to him. Standing behind him, she put her hands on his shoulders, slowly starting to massage them. "Thank you, Nyktan." Her hand sworked slowly but well, soothing the knots from his shoulders and neck.
RJ: "Are you showing me pity, Zurui?" he inquired. It was honestly embarrassing to be doted on after passing on one's motherly melody because the son couldn't put it to use. "Hehehe... I might cry," he said with a joking tone, and a hint of truth.
Shrike: "Neither is my intention. I'm merely ensuring my guest is comfortable, is all." She answered, both hands drifitng to one shoulder, rolling it in a short motion, aligning the joint. She repeated it with the other side, then started working down his back, her deft hands working smoothly.
RJ: Nyktan let out a sigh, and let her have easier access to his back. As she massaged him, Nyktan felt as if this was karma coming back to haunt him. None of those girls had wanted a bard coming into their lives unexpected, just as Nyktan didn't really want Zurui following him into that alleyway. He supposed this was their vengeance, as he couldn't help but become more and more taken with Zurui. Leaving tomorrow already... Sounded like an agony of sorts... Maybe a few more days? Perhaps until that lord shows up... At that thought, he laughed a little. "You are a wicked woman." he stated towards Zurui. "You remind me so much of myself that it's making me furious... Rather... You're like what I wished to be... I envy you."
Shrike: Her hands paused for a breath, continuing on slowly. "I don't think we're all that different, really." She answered, her own thoughts mirroring his own. "You make it your business to entertain people, to make them happy, much like me. The circumstances are shades different, but that's just on the surface. I have never heard of anyone saying they wished to be me, however, thank you." She urged him up momentarily, guiding him over to the futon and laying him facedown, so she could massage him more effectively. "Though, i have to ask... If i remind you so much, what is so wicked about us?" She asked as she leaned down, resting on his thighs, just below where they met his hips, her fingers firmly starting on his lower back, sliding along his spine and urging the muscles back into shape.
RJ: Escorted, Nyktan gave up as he found himself completely wrapped up in her pace. For all his life, it was always him stepping out to entertain. Every tavern he sat in, and every stage he stood upon while he was treated miserably by the oppressors... He received nothing in return. Mere coin was dropped in front of him to survive with... And Nyktan would go on to tell Zurui everything he was thinking thus far. All of his inner thoughts, he poured out, and it was truly a relief. He'd go on... "I'd long since forgotten what it was like to be truly loved. My mother was the only one who I truly felt that warmth from. Even with all those women... It was all carnal desire... I didn't care for them, and they not for me... The moment I grow old and my voice becomes raspy... I will fade from this world. That is all I am, a voice and a pretty face. I have nothing else... So I cannot even say that I sing to make my audience happy. I'm just doing it so they will look at me. I just want to feel like I exist... That is why I am wicked. I do not have a heart, you see. And a heart is a bard's most valuable instrument... And... The reason I see you wicked... Is because you are like me in the way we toy with others emotions even without knowing it..."