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Take my breath away

Started by Anonymous, May 15, 2005, 07:55:26 PM

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Anonymous

Renaki gazed at the tavern with a lifted brow, her eyes flickering over the run down exterior and a flashback of home resurfaced. She doubted it'd be even compareabley as cozy. Or the meals even decent enough to speak in the same breath of her mother's cooking. Ren lifted her shoulders to herself, hugging closer the cloak to wrap along her back. The ends were tattered and worn, but she couldn't care less. She moved to the door and knew there was someone on the other side - before she had a chance to move back the door flung and nearly collided with her face.. Which her eyes widened beyond the size of grapefruits and her hand came up in response to block the door. She had no real need for a broken nose.

And damn, why couldn't she be lucky? Why couldn't the person coming out of the door be some nice person who would just laugh it off? Ren was already beginning to giggle, attempting to restrain herself but all attempts were faltering and futile. And the man that was glaring at her with burning red eyes didn't seem to be as apologetic or giggley as she was.

"I'm sorry! I -- " She was abruptly cut off, which annoyed her, her hazel eyes narrowing and her slender brows raising.

The man grumped at her and told her to drag her sorry ass somewhere else. The Tavern wouldn't welcome her. She blinked and wondered if this man was stupid, angry, or jsut didn't give a shit what the hell came out of his mouth. She shrugged and she decided he wasn't worth her precious time. She could be relaxing right now, filling her tummy with soup or something hot. But of course, the man didn't want to let her pass.

"Excuse me, sir. But I'm hungry and thirsty and ---" Again, she was interrupted.

He thrust his fist directly under her nose, glaring down at her. Just because he was about a foot taller then she was. She grunted and moved his hand away, eyes flashing. This time, he tried to be swift and kick her.

That entire time he had been babbling about something or other. Renaki hadn't puzzled it out. She hadn't really had time too. She dodged the foot and readily came in with a punch to his gut, but over a bit. Ren was ready to bring up her knee, letting him stagger. She wasn't too hard - he was either drunk or miserable. She didn't want to make his day worse. But he was trying to pick a fight with her! All she wanted to get was some food.

He stood there, blocking her entrance defiantly while Ren just looked on, bored, and ready to fight.

Today could be worse, she admitted. Much worse. Actually, today was fairly good. A few little, minor things were nothing to worry about. If she had to crawl in through a window, she'd get past this stupid, probably drunk 'guardian'. Maybe she should just leave and come back later.. But he seemed like he'd follow her and she had no need for him to follow her to her current home.

Anonymous

Ti'Kuhn hurried along the street with the parcels his master had sent him out for:  several flasks of the elven wine which was much more to his master's liking than the brews served in the tavern.  The man would eat their food but refused to  drink their alcohol.  Ti'Kuhn wished that his master did not like strong drink so much; when he was under the influence, he often became abusive (or, rather, more so than when he was sober), and especially to those who didn't really have much choice than to take whatever he dished out.  

As he neared the tavern, he saw the altercation with the woman and wished there was something he could do to help; she looked like she could use a decent meal, and she probably hadn't really done anything truly provoking.  He could tell that his master had been drinking heavily again, and since it was fairly certain that he'd be his usual abusive self anyway whether or not Ti'Kuhn gave him a reason, Ti'Kuhn decided to go and speak to the woman.  "There is another tavern a few blocks down, milady," he said quickly before approaching his master, "the Feather and Rock."  He made a half bow and hurried to present the fruits of his errand to the man in the doorway.

Anonymous

Sitting at one of the tables, a tall and very slender man rested, kicked back in his chair.  A healthy, natural tan covered his tone figure, and his short hair was a rich blond.  His legs were crossed and propped up on the table's edge, and his chair sat on the two rear legs, and he rocked lightly with his eyes closed.  He wore an unusual uniform, that of a Starship crewmember, but his overshirt was unbuttoned and untucked, revealing his white undershirt with two gun holster straps crossed around his chest.  A small girl sat straddled on his lap with her little paw-like hands clinging to his shirt as she gazed curiously about the bar with her piercing green eyes.  She was a tiny catgirl, no more than four feet tall. Her skin was a dark, rich tan, covered by nothing but skimpy shorts, almost like lingerie, and a piece of fabric designed to cover her full bosom and push it forward.  She had long, wavy hair that came down her back and was a washed out blond, almost a sand color. She had a cat tail, covered with fur of the matching color of her hair and her cat ears were soft and furless, matching her skin through her hair, and then whiskers on the cheeks of her human face.  Her feet were cat anthro-ish and her hands were slightly clawed.  A petite collar was around her neck, and a long, small-linked chain draped from it, and the other end rested in the man's hand of which both rested on her thighs.  Her body was very mature and also tone.  She was lithe and very attractive for someone so small.  

The man peeked open an indigo eye and gazed over at the entrance after hearing some commotion.  He smiled, sighed and leaned forward, uprighting himself and the chair.  He petted the small girl and she closed her eyes and grinned happily, nuzzling into him.  With his free hand, he grabbed the only filled bottle out of five off the table and took another swig from it and looked back at the entrance.  He removed his hand from the girl's head and wrapped it around her, lifting her off him, and he set her on her feet with another pet.  He then stood up slowly with his bottle in hand and her leash in the other and gave a big stretch.  The girl yawned and stretched her little cat self, too, and stood closely beside him.  The man then began walking with the girl close behind and headed off toward the door.  

Abruptly, the grumpy man was pushed out of the doorway and to one side.  "Excuse me!" the man blurted.  He stood over the other drunk by a few inches, but was also thinner.  He then looked around at him, the boy and the girl, and he smirked again and introduced himself.  "Hello thea! I will be youa guide today!  I am Alexanda!" he said cheerfully, visibly not sober, especially with that bottle in hand.  The short catgirl peeked out behind him and noticed the boy first and smiled cutely.  He then looked down at her and landed a hand on her head.  "And this is lil Neptune!" he rubbed her head and focused on the girl, still grinning.  Neptune meeped and closed her eyes as her head was rubbed, her ears falling to their sides, and then looked back over at the boy when Alexander removed his hand, still holding her leash in it.  Her ears spasmed and she smiled again with a small blush, still half behind her owner.  Her tail swayed and curled, flickering out from the other side of Alexander.

Anonymous

Ti'Kuhn hurried up to the grumpy man and tried to prevent him from falling while still hanging on to the flasks, but while he managed to steady the drunk man, one of the flasks slipped out of its wrapping and smashed on the street.  Ti'Kuhn bit his lower lip and hoped his master wouldn't be too angry with him for his "clumsiness."  The other drunk in the doorway looked too inebriated to care what his intrusion into the doorway might cost the youth who was trying to convince the first drunk man to go back inside the tavern and rest a bit.  He winced as the drunk man boxed his ear soundly several times, and hurried inside at the man's order to put up the elven wine before "he was so careless tha' he droppeded anoth-*hic*-er one", but he quickly went back outside to make sure his master didn't wander off in his semi-conscious state.

Anonymous

In that entire time, Renaki had not one chance to respond. She just stood there, cloak twisting around her ankles with her hands perched on her hips. She wasn't worried about that drunk baffoon - if he dared to fight her she would have him down to the ground in seconds. And his time there would be spent under the most miserable conditions. This was - both frustrating and annoying. Her laughter time had been burned up by the drunk man's sour disposition. And even moreso lacking since she hadn't had a thing to drink since early yesterday. That, in it self, was only a fruit or so. Or, what she remembered. She wasn't quite sure anymore. She just wanted inside - but obviously, she wasn't going to get that anytime soon. Another drunk man and his.. pet? -- Waltzed out. Whoever and whatever. None of her buisness. But even she, in this state, examined how... stirring they looked. It roused a self-consciousness in herself she despised.

"Hello to the both of you," she stated cheerfully enough.

She wasn't going to act too enthused, not to a drunk nor because she was rather hungry. But it was rude to just ignore someone and walk past.. Do not look at neither. You don't know them, she randomly scolded herself. At least she felt a bit tall compared to Neptune.

Ren continued to hug the cloak tighter around her, as if trying to wrap herself up nad disappear. Not that she wouldn't mind that, of course. But she knew it wouldn't happen. She may be able to do some neat little stunts, but disappearing was not one of them.

Anonymous

Neptune continued to watch the boy, even as he hurried to help his master.  She witnessed hi s fumble and flinched as the bottle smashed in the street.  She saw the boy fuss and then listen to his master, heading inside.  Her attention stuck to him when he went in and when he came back out.  She mewed softly, still attached to Alexander, unsure if she should give a helping hand.  Alexander stared at the man and quirked his eyebrow with a crooked smile.  He also watched the boy without actually looking at him.  Even though he was filled up on alcohol, he could challenge a sober person almost equally.  He chuckled, pondering the situation and decided to shrug it off for now.  

He then focused his indigo gaze on the girl after she greeted him.  His smirk grew as he watched her expression, knowing what was going through her mind.  "Yes!" he announced cheerfully.  He tugged on the leash and Neptune meeped as she was slightly yanked and rubbed at her collar a little bit, holding no grudge against him.  "She is mine!  But she likes it!" he continued happily.  Neptune smiled again, now looking at the girl Alex was talking to.  "So what's youa pretty little name?" he asked.  "Oh, by the way, I came because I heard the commotion and decided to take it upon myself to help you inside."  He explained kindly.  

He then looked around, aiming for that boy.  "Here." He handed him the end of Neptune's leash.  "Can you hold this for a bit?  Thanks." He placed it in the boy's hand without an option.  "And don let go." He said stern, yet still sort of nice.  He was pretty threatening without trying, especially with alcohol in his system.  Neptune blinked curiously at the boy she was put in front of and, again, smiled timidly at him.  Alex returned to the girl.  "Sorry about that.  Now if I may."  He gently took her hand and guided her inside like a gentleman, his shirt still untidy and his holsters showing.  He still kept that bottle in one hand, but did not drink in front of her.

Anonymous

Ti'Kuhn stood there looking at the catgirl for a while, having never seen such a creature before.  He suddenly snapped back to reality, though, when he noticed that his master had wandered off and was about to tumble headlong into the path of the not-so-careful travelers on horseback that were going down the street.  Without a second thought, he released the catgirl's leash and rushed to his master's aid, not doing much in the way of pulling his master far from the street but succeeding at least in directing the man out of harm's way.  "Sir, please, come inside.  We can go home later.  Please, master, you need to rest."

"I do' nee da wess," the man slurred.  "Gi ow ma way, boy."  He swung his arm clumsily in a sweeping motion to push the boy aside, but Ti'Kuhn managed to duck out of the way.  

"I'm never bringing you elven wine again, you filthy glutton!" Ti'Kuhn shouted.

"Waa?" the drunk said, his anger beginning to boil at the boy's words.  The insolence had its intended effect; the man stepped out of yet another speeding carriage's way just in time.  But he didn't stop coming toward Ti'Kuhn; the boy had only planned to save the man's life, not bother about what to do after the carriage wasn't about to run him over anymore.

Ti'Kuhn backed away from the drunk's advance, but he found that he had backed up against the tavern wall and was cornered between the wall and the empty kegs and other objects piled in the alleyway.  He tried to dart through the remaining space between himself and his master, but he tripped over his own two feet and stumbled just long enough to give the man time to catch up to him.  The drunk lifted the boy to his feet by the  back of the collar and shook him.  "When I ge' thoo wi' you, yur gonna wish yer wernt born!" he declared, beginning to drag the boy off.

Anonymous

Renaki was confused as ever, watching one of the drunks, the one who seemed to be in most control of himself, handed the leash to his pet, Neptune, too the servant boy. Alexander advanced towards her, only raising Ren's right eyebrow. He then proceeded to talk and in the end guided her into the tavern. She blinked and laughed at herself, glancing around as her stomach begged for her to finally have a nice how bowl of soup. Her stomach grumbled loudly and she placed a small, slender hand over it, giving a tilted, wavering smile. At least he was oddly gentleman, which she appreciated. Even if his actions were slightly confusing, well, in a stranger sort of way.

"Thank you," she said kindly.

But something distracted her, drawing her eyes outside. The servant boy was out in the road and there wasn't a catgirl beside him. He seemed to be shouting at the man whose face became redder, and redder as he was 'harrassed'. And Ren felt a mask fall over her face, the one that came so automatically now. It seemed to show her that this was her cue to step it. It told her that her body was getting ready for a fight.

She withdrew from Alexander with a slight nod, watching the man advanced on the boy who tried to retreat. And instantly she was drawn towards it, her feet moving of their own accord as her stomach protested her actions, stressing how hungry she was with a loud grumble.

"Not now," she hissed to herself as she swept through the entrance, turning towards where the drunkard and his boy was.

"Is that necessary?" She growled to the drunkard, who whirled around to face her, staggering, still clutching the boy.

Ren was ready to fight - she didn't find it necessary to suddenly beat the boy when he was being saved, even if he didn't realize it. But fighting violence with violence? The only way which was probably the easiest and the quickest way to stop this madness was to bash him over the head. Too bad she hadn't grabbed Alexander's bottle.. She doubted she could have pried him from it anyway. But as she stared at the man she wanted to vomit at his shoes. It was quite unlike her - maybe because of her deprivation of food.

But Renaki made haste not to draw this out any further, the drunkard's attention wavering constantly. While he had his attention drawn to her she swiftly moved in for the 'kill', before the man even knew what hit him she managed to whack the back of his neck in such a way it knocked him out. She was amazed she made it to reach there, but that was perfectly fine. She glanced to the servant, and her stomach started grumbling again. Her eyes were drawn to the tavern and her feet shuffled her towards it, eyes deadset.

The man lay there, breathing like he was sleeping, simply laying there, unconscious. Somehow, the man had not landed on the boy. Such good luck indeed.

[i'm tired and i wanted to end that part quickly XD]

Anonymous

Ti'Kuhn watched his rescue, wide-eyed, stepping deftly out of the way when his master fell.  But then he paused.  Should he take this lucky opportunity and run, getting as far away from this village as he could?  That would certainly prevent any further mistreatment from this constantly inebriated oaf.  But wasn't a life on the streets the very thing that got him caught by the slavers in the first place?  After all, an orphaned, homeless kid was an easy target without someone to speak for him.  And he wasn't quite old enough to speak for himself; he was still just thirteen.

And even if he did run, Devon in one of his drunken fits might actually come looking for him, and legally he had the right to punish a runaway however he saw fit.  And the slavers had a tendency to be very accommodating when their tagged merchandise got "lost."  Ti'Kuhn already had a pretty good idea of what would happen after that; he had felt Devon's anger on too many occasions to count, and his running away would only bring more of the same, only more severely.  

But if he stuck around, Devon would eventually wake up, and if he didn't remember what Ti'Kuhn had said to him because he was so drunk, he would probably come up with some other excuse to thrash him.  Or if Ti'Kuhn hid until Devon was more sober, the same thing would happen because Devon hated it when Ti'Kuhn didn't come when called.

So Ti'Kuhn just stood there a long moment, not knowing which path to take.  Then he went inside the tavern and retrieved a cool, wet cloth, and came back outside to put it on Devon's face.  While inside, he paused and gave his rescuer a bow of thanks and a look that betrayed the deliberation going on inside his head, then he stepped out the door and took the cloth to the still-unconscious Devon, uncertainty still in his face.

Anonymous

Neptune gasped quietly as the boy released her to fuss with his cruel master.  Her attention suddenly left him and her eyes watched the almost slow motion of her leash falling to the ground.  Her body froze and her heart thumped harder in her chest.  There was no one there...  No one...  She began to hyperventilate lightly as she stared at the end.  Her body tensed up and a single tear ran down her dark tanned cheek, her expression becoming wide-eyed and emotionless.  The thought 'What do I do?! What do I do?!' ran through her mind and her mentality staggered.  

Alex stood in the doorway once more, having followed the young lady who had still not introduced herself even after he asked.  His hands rested on his hips, the bottle still in one of them, and he blinked curiously at her as she walked back toward the entrance, glancing at the boy who zipped past and bowed.  "Now was that really necessary?  I mean cumon, that coulda been settled much more simply." He reprimanded lightly, cracking a grin soon after, unable to fake a straight face at the moment.  Then he chuckled softly.  His attention veered past the girl as a realization hit him.  The boy...oh no...Neptune!  He saw her, frozen and trembling as she stood freaked out on the sidewalk.  "Damnit!"  He dashed past the girl, courteously, and ran to Neptune's side, immediately grabbing her leash.  He knelt down and embraced her deeply with loving concern, rubbing her shoulders as she breathed sharply.  

Neptune's eyes then began to relax and her quivering settled.  She clung to Alex and buried her face in his chest, crying silently.  "I told you not to let go..." he glared at the boy with frustration.  He stood up with her in his arms and she wrapped her legs against his waist and held onto him.  Still staring at the boy with a frown, he walked back over to the girl and draped an arm over her shoulder.  His attention went back to her and he sighed with a smile.  "Sorry about that.  Now lets get ya somethin to eat, miss grumbly tummy." He humored.  He was a strange one all right. But he seemed so gentle inside, his jagged exterior confusing and unusual.

Anonymous

Ti'Kuhn bit his lower lip and looked as if Alex's glare had been an actual blow.  "I--I am sorry, my lord.  I did not mean for her to be frightened."  He turned his eyes toward the ground.  "And I know it is too much to ask, but if I may be so bold, sir, would you help me take my master inside?  He needs to be in a bed."  He bowed his head and added, "I will understand if you are too angry with me, sir."

Anonymous

Renaki felt a sudden, impatient tug to settle this. She disliked leaving loose ends and having it drape around her and strangle her in the darkest of nights. She ignored the carefree tug that willed her to move away - to dance or laugh or roll her eyes. But she pulled from the arm that draped along her shoulders, muttering a quick obscenity at herself before glancing to Alexander.

"My name is Renaki," she said, preferring her name over that silly nickname.

She whirled on the servant just as quickly, her temper flaring to the highest of heavens. What was that kid thinking? Leave the drunk, she was surprised the boy just didn't leave. Then a thought occured to her - had he been.. Bought? She snapped her fingers and continued to hold the servant with fierce hazel eyes. They were intense as she held him fast, not letting any bit of him escape her fixated eyes.

"Don't bother with him. He deserves to lay on the road. Why do you stay with him? Were you bought?" She asked, exasperated at him.

Her patience was wearing thin, and Ren didn't even realize how thin it had begun to wear. Unusual for her, indeed. But then again, this situation was unusual. She didn't make it a habit of going to bars and associating with drunks or getting herself into needless mischeif. It wasn't her style. She was carefree, but in the sense to walk unhindered through a forest, and not worry about anything. Now, she had to worry about the loose ends that made for her bare, slim neck.

Anonymous

Hearing the boy’s words, he too stopped and sighed as the girl finally introduced herself.  Alex smiled at her slightly before also turning to the boy as Renaki escaped his arm.  He frowned slightly at the boy, holding his little Neptune closely, but before he could speak, Renaki openly voiced her own opinion.  After Renaki had finished, Alex broke in before the boy could answer.  Bought?  â€œBoy.  I would also like to know the answers to her questions.  Were you purchased?  And if so, what would have the man paid?â€? he asked straightforward, going on his assumption the boy was purchased.  

Neptune gave another deep breath and peeked her head out slowly from Alex’s chest with a slink from her chain leash, her tear-swollen eyes gazing innocently down at the boy.  Upon making eye contact with him, her ears fell back and her tail lowered.  Her arms wrapped around Alex’s neck tighter and his arm held her bottom, the end of her leash in his hand.  She was held effortlessly, being so small and could move easily without disturbing her Alex.  

After the inquiries, Alex set Neptune down once more and she clung to his pant leg.  His attention fixed to Neptune and he handed her his bottle.  She stared at it momentarily and took it for him.  He then glared back at the boy with natural intimidation, especially when drunk.  He extended his hand with the leash to the boy, still staring at him.  â€œI will take your Master to his room.â€?  He waited for the boy to take the leash with his glare.  He waited to see the boy’s reaction to this second chance and then what his choice would be.  Neptune took her attention from the bottle as Alex spoke again and looked up to see her leash being offered.

Anonymous

Ti'Kuhn timidly received the end of the leash from Alex.  "Thank you, sir," he said in a quiet voice.  "You are very kind to do this."  He wrinkled his brow a bit in thought, again biting his lower lip as he did so.  "I--I do not know how much was given for me, sir.  All I know is that I was shackled among others near my age and that the overseer came into the tent with a man who pointed me out from the group.  The overseer said that the man was my new master.  That is all that I can tell you of how I came to serve him in particular, sir.  And there are many reasons why I do not leave him now."

Anonymous

The swell of anger and at the boy's stolen freedom made her legs react in their own way of expression. She kicked violently at the ground, mumbling random obscenities but rapidly tlaking to herself as she swung the light brown, glossy braid behind her shoulders. She stopped for a moment, tapping her index finger against her lips in thought. She hummed for a moment or two and searched her waist, her fingers fondling the pouch at her hip for a moment. And reluctantly she pulled it off and opened it, gazing into it's contents. She tilted her head back, her eyes on the boy intensely. She wasn't intimadated by the drunk man. She was more afraid of spiders than him. Why should she be afraid of people? She didn't find it useful. It held in many opinions and could cause so much negativity.

"If I left him both a note and money to 'purchase' you, would you be left alone from him? And I have no intentions of using you as servant nor slave. You could go about anything you want," she said, her eyes trailing to fall into her pouch.

Oh dear. All this money going to waste for a person she didn't know. She felt the hollowness in her stomach and a sinking feeling, as if a rock suddenly dropped inside her. But suddenly, she was elated to know, that maybe if he could be purchased he would be free. She didn't want a slave - or a servant for that matter. A person was a person, there choice was their own. And, indeed, it seemed that Neptune wants to be with Alexander. Alex didn't show her any hostility - she wasn't concerned for the catgirl. But she felt a slight rise of annoyance against him.

It had taken her along time. She had 50 Gold coins, 100 Silver, and 33 Bronze. It was heavy, but her hand supported it delicately. She pulled the top closed and clutched it, not a greedy prescence filling her eye, but more of a protective one. This money had purpose - she needed it to live. Not for luxuries, but necessities. And, of course, being a Good Sumaritan.

Damn it all to Hell.

Anonymous

Neptune's eyes widened as the boy had taken hold of her and she remembered what happened the first time.  She stepped back, leaving only a little slack between them on her leash as she gazed at him untrusting.  Her little clawed hands clutched that bottle tensely.  He let her go last time...  Would he do it again?  Neptune was very insecure and it made it hard for her to trust...especially since the boy failed previously.  One of her small hands released the bottle and she wiped her eyes again, looking up at the tall boy compared to her.  She had grown close to Alex and never contradicted his judgment, but she did have her fears that it would happen again.  

Alex gave the boy a second chance had turned toward the man already and lifted his arm over his shoulder with incredible ease.  He then headed back toward the door with the man and came up to Renaki.  "Don worry about it.  Save your money." He said softly, cupping her moneybag and her hand with his free one.  "I'll take care of it." he explained with a smile before turning back to the boy.  "Where to...uhm...say, what's yer name kid?" he asked, not knowing which room and realizing that the boy hadn’t introduced himself either...or he did and Alex didn't remember.

Anonymous

Renaki watched them with a steady, unwavering gaze. She found herself surprised when Alexander told her to save her money.. She pulled the drawstrings tighter and tied them and hung them from her belt. But a sudden, sickening guilt made her stomach churn the empty air inside. Her bright, burning hazel eyes were cast downwards, studying her boots. They were cracked and weathered, and there shape and use was questionable. Her eyes slowly moved up her body, taking in the fairly tattered, loose pants, the worn belt around her, and her tattered old shirt. Her shoulders loosely fell, and she mentally made a list.

1. Eat and drink.
2. Go shopping.
3. Go take a serious bath and change into new clothes.

She also realized she needed a new sack. Her old one had been lost in a flash flood, along with the rest of her clothing and weapons besides the ones which were on her person. So that would deplete her. She decided she would only get some thick, warm soup and water. Then she would go find some decent clothes. Maybe she should get herself a dress? Wait! Why did she need a dress? She inhaled and exhaled sharply, huffing at herself a moment. What was she thinking?

Ren glanced at them and tossed her head lightly.

"If you need me.. I'll be.. around," she said, vaguely.

Renaki continued into the building, ordering herself soup and water. She downed it easily, her hunger sated along with her thirst - her throat felt useable. No dry, dusty feeling. A smile of contentment crossed her lips, if only she hadn't looked down across her rather dirty self. She sighed and paid the bar tender. Even as she got up she was tugging at her clothes self-consciously.

Hazel eyes narrowed down her options, honing in on a clothing shop that looked decet enough and begain to move toward it, still frustrated with how dirty she was. And she would need to go into a weapon shop.. And find some work. If she decided to stay here awhile she needed to earn a living...

An unbidden thought crept into her mind. Where was that.. drunk man? Alexander and Neptune and that servant? She sighed, pausing in the doorway for just a moment.

Anonymous

"My--name is Ti'Kuhn, sir," the boy said as he led the way to the room where the innkeeper usually let his master crash when he was too drunk to do anything else.  "And sir, you needn't worry about me; I'll be all right," he added, trying to sound more confident than he really was.  Still holding on to the leash, he tried to be as gentle as possible in leading Neptune along.  "He's--been like this before.  Sooner or later he'll come out of it.  It's not something new, sir."  Realizing that he was not speaking well of Devon, he quickly added, "Forgive me, sir; I am forgetting my place and should not speak ill of my master.  After all, it is he who has cared for me for well over nine years."  He opened a door and showed Alex an empty bed next to a small table.

Anonymous

Neptune followed Ti'Kuhn dimly.  Her trust grew just a little bit with each second he maintained the leash in his grasp.  She sighed, trailing behind him and next to her own Alex.  She gazed up at him sadly, showing in her eyes, the unsureness about Ti'Kuhn.  Se grasped Alex's bottle still, using it to squeeze her tension against until she completely relaxed.  

Alex just smiled down at her and rubbed the top of her head vigorously with his free hand.  "No worries." He whispered coaxingly and little Neptune couldn’t help but smile.  "It doesn’t matter to me the way you speak of him." He replied to Ti'Kuhn kindly.  "Hmmm, nine years is a long time.  But still...your Master is not fit to care for you." He continued as Ti'Kuhn opened the door and showed him inside.  Alex rested the man down on the bed gently enough for the way he felt about him.  Alex looked at the man and pondered a moment.  "Sure, why not." He smiled again and pulled a small satchel from within his open jacket.  He peaked inside to make sure and then tossed it on the sleeping man's chest.  The small bag contained numerous gems that were very valuable.  There was enough in there to buy at least twenty expensive slaves at least.   "That should do."  He turned back to Ti'Kuhn with his grin and paused for a moment.  "Yer my servant now." He exclaimed happily.  "All right then.  C'mon, lets go find Ren."  Alex then headed off.  He pushed Ti'Kuhn along by his shoulder with Neptune and exited the room, locking it from the inside for the man to be safe and undisturbed.  

Neptune watched and listened to them both quietly, still not speaking a word yet.  She blinked curiously when Alex had purchased Ti'Kuhn.  She then gazed at the boy again.  Now she would have to trust him.  Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.  Now she had a little more company...not that Alex want great himself.  She followed obediently out the door, still staring at Ti'Kuhn without realizing.  

Alex then made his way back down to the first floor and gazed about for Ren as he made his way toward the exit.  He spotted her just then as he reached the door.  She was right there.  He smirked and headed out quietly.  "Hello there!" he sang, draping his arms around her shoulders from behind.  He chuckled and gave her a big friendly hug.  "What'r ya looking for?" he asked, looking out at the stores.  "If there's anything ya need, just ask." He offered kindly, still draped around her.  Unusually, he didn’t smell like a normal drunk.  His scent was actually very clean and refreshing and his cleanly shaved chin brushed against her neck.  

Neptune reached out for her Master as he trotted off.  But she did not move from her spot.  She stayed with Ti'Kuhn obediently until he decided to follow.  She whimpered a little and lowered her arm, scooting closer to Ti'Kuhn's side, leaning against him softly.  She sighed and looked back up at him innocently, her ears flickering.

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The sudden physical contact made her jump, tense and even squeak slightly. But when she heard the oddly familiar voice, and placed it, she slowly relaxed. She let him hug her but made no move to return it. She was a bit dizzy from it. She continued to tolerate him draping himself on her, but became quickly aware of how dirty she was and pulled away from him shyly. Glancing at him she only raised an eyebrow slightly, a pathetic smile dancing across her lips.

"Hello.. Oh.. Just going to the clothing shop," her voice lowered, talking to herself, "then go back to Inn, wash up and then go to the weapons shop..." she finished talking to herself. She glanced back at Alexander. "Uhh.. I don't think I'll need anything. Thank you. though.. And.. uhm, how're you? And Neptune?"

She brushed her light brown bangs towards the sides of her face, a hand dropping to rest on the money pouch again. Renaki's hazel eyes flickered to him, then to the shop. She took a hesitant step towards it, as if debating on whether to start walking towards it and if he wanted to follow he could, or stay here and have a small conversation with him. She managed to stay in one place, her skin crawling, making her feel even more gross then before. Her eyes held fast to the shop.