A Feline's Worst Enemy (Open)

[Hiromasa Mokuzai]

The city of Fang’s Retreat bustles with the usual hustle which earned it its position as the capital of Fallen Brook. Gadeni citizen leaf through the shopping district in search of spices, rice, fish, and other high profit goods. Some of the citizens’ browse art galleries to admire exquisite paintings they may never afford. Fallen Brook is full of different classes –not just species-wise, but economically too. The walks are often brightened by street performers, achieving unbelievable feats to earn their living. Nobody complains about it, Gadeni are hard-working individuals whom seldom place the blame of their circumstance on the governing bodies. One’s simply born into their role and deal with it; some thrive, others fall, as is nature.


“Come one come all and prepare to be amazed!” a man says. He wears a battered top hat over his head with an ear sticking out. The crowd slowly gathers around him to observe. The man smiles charmingly and brings attention to his companion with jazzy hand gestures. His friend is a tall and muscular man with spotted fur, probably a Bengal cat. In his hands, he wielded two long sticks and began to juggle them. The audience quickly became disenchanted until he started blowing FRIKKIN FIRE out his mouth!


They were instantly captivated by the performance as the Bengal was now juggling two torches masterfully without getting burned. Furthermore, the speed at which he turned them was sufficient to prevent his fur from disintegrating. As if that wasn’t surprising enough, his partner started tossing extra sticks; which were promptly torched whilst midair as his hand came into contact with it. The cat with the top hat’s eyes twinkle as they began to toss coin into the bucket set before them on the ground. Not far off, on the other wall joined by a stone bridge, a woman was playing the drums with all her appendages working in tandem. She lured in her own crowd.


Little did they know, their profit was about to be cut short by the only constant in their lives. High above the structured walls of the city, one could observe the Celestial Plains and its vast land that extended as far as the eye could see. The tree branches dance with the blade of grass as a gust of wind rushes over the land. Nature’s harbinger floods down the wide crack that houses Fallen Brook and sweeps the man’s top hat off his head. The man reaches for his hat, but it had already escaped over the heads of his crowd.


Higher still, above the grassland and the trees and the mountains themselves, dark cumulonimbus clouds converge and block whatever piece of sky had been accessible within Fang’s Retreat. More heads start looking up as their surroundings become dark and lanterns are turned on prematurely to illuminate the city. Deep within the clouds, a single drop –the first- makes its way to the bottom and falls down, through the crack, making its way to the nose of a young feline whom had been catching up on sleep while laying beneath a tree. His lion’s tail swerves abruptly and his nose wrinkles to the unwelcomed presence of moisture. The river runs below them, so this could only mean one thing.


Soon after, the breeze kicks in and brushes past his fur, an old top hat lands squarely over his face. His ears twitch, listening intently, he begins to hear the sound of beating drums and haphazardly sounding footsteps. There is only a few things which could make gadeni run so carelessly: free food, a coin on the floor, or…


“Oh no!” The boy exclaims, sitting upright in a jolt. The hat lands on his lap and the boy peers overhead to witness a barrier of rain rolling down Fallen Brook as if it were some kind of invasion. His yellow bloodshot eyes dilate. The drumming he heard resulted from it landing on stone sidewalks and bridges above. In only seconds, the storm washed over him. What was a peaceful afternoon quickly became a cause for distress. There is nothing… NOTHING felines hate more than unrequited moisture. If they want to drink, they will approach a fountain or the river, but having it fall over you is as much a torment as living in mud… unless you’re into that.


The boy jumped on his feet and placed his new hat over his head for protection. With both hands holding the hat down, he squirmed away in search for shelter only to turn back and recover his small bag full of coin. He couldn’t lose that; it was the day’s earnings for delivering his father’s fish to the dealer; some of it was captured by himself too! He still had to purchase some goods his mother had asked of him, but now he’ll have to wait the storm. What a drag, he was having such a nice dream about a pair of blond fighting apes.


The path looked odd, although it was expected. One’s senses are prone to be tampered with when smoking that particular brand. Even his pacing was off balance, what with the floor moving, anyone would trip. Regardless, he was able to catch himself and keep running, albeit not in a terribly straight line. The boy squints his eyes. Damn floor! How is anyone supposed to get anywhere when you stretch like that? It’s like he’s running over a treadmill –whatever that is. Wait, since when do floors stretch?

Oomph! The boy aimed for the door but landed on its hinge. He fell back on his bum and winced. Right on the face!

“Get in boy, wait out the storm in here.” said a gruff sounding man. The boy rubbed his face and glanced at the man, he was a panther. There was no other choice, he was already drenched, and he would catch a cold if he stayed outside any longer. You know what they say, ‘a pound of cure is worth an ounce of prevention’.

[Keiko Kita]

"Oh phoofy...."

The disgruntled words come from the pouting lips of a young woman, her eyes transfixed on the nearby window as droplets of rain thudded against the glass surface creating long stretches of liquid as they clung to its transparent face. The day had started off so lovely, puffy white clouds, a playful breeze and sweet spring flowers whose scent tickled ones nose... and now this! The storm, like a white wolf in the dead of winter, had crept upon Fangs Retreat with little warning before it struck. Where once the droplets had been little fragments that danced off ones cloak they were now fat, soaking deep into a persons clothes in a matter of seconds. Sudden rain storms, much like what was happening right now, were a common site in the plains which the Gadeni called their home and while their people had become accustomed to the sudden down pours it didn't mean they had to like it.

"Surely all the performers will be done for the day if this keeps up."

The woman's pouting face remained unchanged, her glassy eyes mirroring that of the window she sat next to.

The plan for the day had been a simple one, go around and visit shops, talk to a few business owners, maybe have a quick drink or two and then head out to see the performers! Oh how she loved to watch the show! There was always something being thrown or caught on fire, usually an object but some times a person would become ignited; those were the ones you didn't want to miss out on! As luck would have it however the second to last stop had been that of a Inn some where neat the lower part of the city just before the river below and one drink became two, two became six and then... well she was sure six was the minimum consumed at this point. The empty ceramic sake bottle lay nearly empty next to another three which lay on their sides, all empty and with a sudden realization of the fact the woman blushed and then hiccuped abruptly. 

"Tis no reason to be ashamed! It's not as though I can go anywhere."

She spoke to no one in particular, though all nearby could make out her voice and gave a small chuckle at her direction. There was no jest of laughter towards her but rather with the woman, after all everyone in the city knew of Keiko. She was a popular figure, slim, caring, beautiful and with an aura of friendless around her, not to mention she ran the city and all the lands within the Gadeni Kingdom.

"Another one Lady Kita?"

Turning towards the voice Keiko took notice of the large, dark furred man, Illos. Keiko had always liked the man, not for his kind nature or strength but his fur, its purple hue was so deep that in most lighting it was black but when the rays of light caught him just right he shimmered violet.

"Lady...? Come on now, we went over this Illos."

Keiko giggled with a light prodding touch of her finger upon his dark, soft nose. The action caused Illos to straighten slightly and she was sure if he didn't have fur she would have seen him flush in the face.

"A-ah... of course, Keiko. Would you care for-"

While stammering partially through his reply Illos was suddenly stopped mid sentence as all eyes in the Inn turned towards the front door where a deep thud rang out from. With haste Illos left from Keiko's side leaving her head leaning to one side having left abandoned before getting a refill.

"B-but my-"

She got no further before Illos opened the door to reveal a young Gadeni, short, with a bushy set of hair upon his head and the barley made out makings of a mane; he was a lion... or more a cub at this point. Sitting flat on his ass and with a winched look upon his face Keiko wondered if he had simply ran into the door.

"Silly boy, it's not locked."

Keiko giggled to herself as her hand came to rest upon her chin with increasing interest in the new goer.

“Get in boy, wait out the storm in here.”

Illos signaled the boy inside towards the rest of them but it was Keiko who waved the cub over to her direction.

"Hiya! Come sit!"

Keiko shouted as she patted the seat next to her.

While all in the city had seen Keiko at least once in their life time it might not be apparent to the young man who she was for at the moment a warming cloak rested over her head which concealed most of her face from view in its deep cowl.

[Hiromasa Mokuzai]

The boy grabs his bag of coins and climbs to his feet. His legs wobble in place, so he stretches his arms and tail outward to compensate. Once steady, he walks into what appeared to be an Inn with one hand rubbing his nose. Everyone’s attention was focused on him. Hiromasa’s blood-shot dilated yellow eyes study the atmosphere. His blurred vision could only focus on one object at a time while the rest of his surroundings were streaks of faded light. There were many Gadeni whom had come for shelter from the rampant storm. They sat at the dimly lit lounge area, dripping in rain water –but none more than him.

“Hiya! Come sit!”

Hiromasa’s ears perk up to the sound of a woman’s voice. Scanning through the room, he carefully prods for a face to match the gesture. Three stern faces later, his gaze settles on a hooded figure waving at him from the bar. The black panther pats the boy on the shoulder, “Heh” and strolls back to the counter to get the lovely lady what she had asked for. Hiromasa takes the opportunity to shake off all the moisture, starting from the top of his head and all the way down to his tail. He almost stumbled back, but he hopped three times on the one leg before his balance was regained.

“Thank you!” He says with a wide grin as he arrives to talking distance. Before making another move, his eyes set on the chair with a serious tone. The boy carefully reaches for the chair with his hand as if it would move away from him and cause him to fall over. Once the chair was in his hands, he gave off another awkward smile, “got you!” he murmurs, although it was unintentionally loud enough for Keiko and the bartender to hear.

Now that the chair was secured, Hiromasa made his way over it and finally sat. The entire ordeal felt like an eternity to him, but he was glad to get it over with.

The bartender slides another ceramic bottle of sake to the lady. “What can I get for you boss?”

Hiromasa drops his sack of coins on the table and confidently replies, “a cup of milk please!” He smirks.

Illos stares back at the boy for a full two seconds and then chuckled, “a glass of milk it is.” The panther grabs one of his ceramic bottles and serves warm milk with a foamy end at the top. “Do you have a name, boy?”

“Hiromasa!” he replies.

“Hiromasa… that’s a nice name. It means ‘broad minded’,” Illos says as he slides the boy’s beverage across the table. “What brings you to the ‘big city’, Hiromasa?”

The boy pours his milk on a small cup and gulps it down as if it were hard liquor. He licks his lips and exhales satisfyingly. “Ahhh…”

Tapping his bag of coins, he responds, “I deliver fish to the market. I was supposed to get some stuff for my mother, but I took a nap and then this storm kicked in…” He pours himself another glass.

[Keiko Kita]

A warming smile spread through Keiko's face to see that the young lad was alright from his impact upon the door even though his fur was drenched from head to talon in fresh rain. Musing laughter came through Keiko's lips as she witnessed the boy being to shake his body just like that of a dog, a fact most humorous since he was indeed not one, not even closely related in that fact. The rising giggle was quick to be cut off with a furry of droplets that rained from the cubs thin fur coat landing onto Keiko's face. Easy going and a tad silly herself she didn't much mind the water as it slashed across her face. Pulling a small cotton cloth from the confines of her cloak Keiko made quick of cleansing her face of any stray strands of water which had been shed upon her skin. Finding her face dry enough she slipped the cloth back into her cloak.

Mused to herself that in a short time the boy would being to stink with the scent of wet dog in a matter of minutes. She thought it odd that her people, even after many years on this planet, still had the wet fur effect no matter what was tried. From perfumes to shaving a person bare nothing seemed to fix the issue of the pungent scent that wafted from a soaked Gadeni. Keiko held luck in such an aspect. For while she was a Gadeni she lacked the fur which covered most of her peoples bodies, that fact seemed to ward off the unwanted stink whenever it rained. Really it was just another reason, upon an ever growing pile of reasons, Keiko was such a popular figure as she was among her people; a lovely scent went a long way to making others enjoy her company.

Appearing to have some bad experience with bar stools the young lad was cautious when approaching the bamboo crafted seat, as if at any moment it would pounce to life and being dancing across the room. Such a sight would be a grand thing to be hold though might cause quite a panic for most to see. After a quick check of reassurance the boy finally propped himself upon the chairs flat surface with a wet plop. His clothes, just like the rest of his body, where well soaked from the abrupt shower just outside the protective wooden walls of the tavern.

Another smile appeared on the faces of both Keiko and Illos as the boy claimed victory over the stool with a short burst of glee.

"Such a child still."

Keiko snickered to herself, her eyes upon the small cub.

The lad himself appeared young but not so young that one would fully mistake him for a child. His claws, while small, were sharp with years of labor and his mane while a bit shaggy, was growing into that of a mans. He was probably just about to hit adulthood, grow another feet few, put on a few pounds of muscle....

"Hmm... he's quite cute now... another few years...."

Keiko pondered her thoughts, all the while the young boy was served up a fresh cup of milk, drinking it as though it was a shot of whiskey.

For the most part Keiko just watched the banter between the cub and Illos what little there actually was but she did learn that his name was Hiromasa and someone, most likely his father was a fisherman; it would explain the fishy smell she noticed when he walked in.

"Hiromasa... that's a cute name, I suppose it makes sense for a cutie like yourself."

 Keiko giggled before reaching out to brush at Hiromasa's dripping ear; the fur was mattered thick with water but the youth it retained still made it soft to the touch.

"Wont your mother be worried? Her child caught up in this storm. Or are you a brave little lad that can take of himself?"

Keiko teased Hiromasa with her warming tone that seemed to dance through his mind like a poem which entranced its reader. Try as a person might there was just a warming aura about Keiko, even those who might considered themselves enemies of her people couldn't help but smile when she began to talk and Hiromasa would be no different to her alluring charms.

Taking the small sake bottle between her index finger and thumb Keiko takes a small swig of the harsh liquor before placing it back down upon the counter with a satisfying smack of her lips.

[Zara Katarina]

Zara made her way through the streets of Fangs Retreat. She did not know how long she was going to be inside the capital and figured seeing everything one more time was worth it. Passing by many shops, merchants and performers. Zara loved walking through the city, it was enjoyable to see it bursting with life. She would love nothing more then to stay here forever, but she knew staying in one place was not for her, even if it was her favorite place in the world. She pulled her cowl over her head, blocking out the sun for the current moment. Little did or anyone else know that a storm was creeping up on the capital.

Stopping when she heard someone yell something. Looking to her left she noticed a group of people gathered around two performers. She couldn’t believe it herself, the Bengel looking Gadeni was breathing fire. Her eyes widened in amazement. Oh how she would have loved to stay and watch, but sadly she continued on her way. As she walked away she could hear the crowds amazement as the two performers continued their performance. A smile crept across her face, seeing Gadeni having a good time warmed her heart.

Very quickly Zara began to hear something that sounded like drumming. Looking up at the sky it only took a matter of seconds for her to realize what was happening. As soon as she looked up she instantly felt rain beating against her fur. She could hear quick footsteps of people all around her running for cover from the rain, but Zara didn’t move. For a few moments she let the cool rain hit against her face and drip down her body. Zara could tell that others around her hated getting rained on. Not Zara. She found it peaceful, ever since she could remember she would stand in rain storms and let the water wash over her.

She could hear people around her telling her to get inside or to join them as they enter different stalls that surround them, but Zara Ignored them. “Hey miss! You don’t want to stand out in the rain, come on follow us and join us inside.” A fellow tiger Gadeni said grabbing onto her arm. Zara of course did not go anywhere. “I thank you sir for the offer of hospitality, but I will be fine. Please go with your family and get out of this rain.” She said holding onto the mans hand and giving him a smile. The Male Tiger Gadeni gave her a confused look, but released his grasp on her and made his way inside.

Zara smiled as they entered the building, pulled her cowl over her head and continued walking down the street. When the rain didn’t look like it was going to stop soon Zara figured it was time to get inside for a little while. Zara made her way to an inn, the door was shut but she could tell there were people inside. Brining up her hand she knocked on the door. Within a few seconds a panther Gadeni opened the door.

“Come inside and get out of the storm. You are the second person to knock today.” The man said

“Thank you sir.” Zara said giving the man a slight bow as he made his way back to the bar. She made her way inside, removing her cowl at the same time. She noticed that all eyes were on her. She figured it was because she had just knocked. She saw two people at the bar, one of them was wearing a hood and the other was a small lion or a cub, Zara wasn’t entirely sure. Zara took a seat next to the smaller male Lion. The two seemed to be conversing with each other. Little did Zara know that the representative for all the Gadeni was only a few feet away from her. It was one of the people that she would like to meet before she left. Of course she knew that was very unlikely to happen.

She could see a ceramic bottle in front of the hooded patron and a glass of milk in front of the lion. She smiled that a kid was in a tavern and ordered a glass of milk. The barkeep asked what she would like and Zara asked for tea. She wanted something to warm her up after just being out in the storm for the last few minutes.

[Hiromasa Mokuzai]

If it weren't for his fur, Hiromasa would be caught with red cheeks as the cloaked woman caressed his ear. The boy looked steadily at his cup, too nervous to move. Something about her touch made him feel relaxed, and her voice gave him peace -as if that bar was the safest place in all of Fang's Retreat. His eyes steal a glance as she reaches for the sake, but her visage was obscured by the shadows of her cloak. He only caught a glimpse of her lips and that petite fang which stuck out as they pressed against the ceramic bottle. He looks back to his cup.

"I guess she might be worried..." he said in a soft tone. He didn't really think about that, but he soon cheered up. "But it's not my first time going into the city alone, y'know? She'll be fine!" He reassured, although it was mostly to himself. Hiromasa reached for his cup and took another sip. It was at this point that another Gadeni took a seat next to him. He hadn't noticed her right until that moment. She was a tiger from the looks of it, and she didn't look half bad either! Not that appearances are something he cares about -or girls for that matter...

His lips curled disapprovingly as he stuck his tongue out as if he had just tasted rotten fruit. "Tea?" he thought. Hiromasa didn't like tea. He brought his attention back to the space directly in front of him, minding his own business.

"Here you go ma'am!" Illos said as he passed the woman a glass of tea. He then leaned over the table with his arms crossed, "So, what do you call yourself?" he asked the tiger woman. Being a bartender, Illos has met all kinds of people from all over the world. Because of this, he was able to read people and their emotions; although, perhaps not as well as Keiko. He studied the tiger woman. "Judging from your attire, I take it you're a traveler?" he guessed, but he quickly fixed his assumption after closer inspection. "No," he said, looking at her eyes, it said everything. She had the bitter-sweet eyes, almost nostalgic. "You're about to leave, aren't you?"

Hiromasa's ears perked up. He's always wanted to travel. Unfortunately, he's too young and needs to help out with the family business.

[Keiko Kita]

Keiko couldn't help but allow for a light hearted chuckle to part her lips at the boys reaction to her caressing touch. Oh how she loved boys at this age! She loved to toy with them and take witness to their stuttering words and blushing faces. It was a confusing period of their lives and she couldn't help herself but to tease them. Their adorable reactions were just something she lived for and enjoyed every second of it. There was a slight disappointment to not see the lads burning cheeks but his rigged form was enough to inform Keiko of the boys redden flesh.

Having take a large draft from the small bottle Keiko could feel the alcoholic warmth flowing from the back of her mouth towards her stomach. Like a fiery wraith its flames licked at her insides creating a false sense of heat that coaxed her body into a place of comfort. How she loved a good drink, and often, if not every day. Liquor was just so lovely for the young Gadeni leader. Keiko was an energetic person, like a ball of electricity herself but being in the stressful position that she was it created much strain. The bottle was just a way to forget for work and leadership for a few hours. It let the world feel more fuzzy that it really was and let her care a little less than normally yet she never let it slip away completely.

"I'm sure you're right."

Keiko nodded in agreement towards the young lad, a warmth spreading through her eyes as they locked onto him.

"Such a big, strong lad like yourself. I would never worry for your safety, who would dare to face such a fierce thing as yourself?"

 Keiko giggled behind the cusp of her wrist before other hand came to land upon the boys furry head. Playful as before Keiko couldn't help but stroke Hiromasa's ears once more.

"Fuzzy...."

Keiko muttered through giggles at the wet yet still puffy fuzz of youth.

It was a good moment. Good drink. Fine company. What else could she ask for except for more company.

It was at that moment, like having a sixth sense Illos removed himself from the bar and made his way towards the door. It appeared it was going to be a busy day in his small bar. Calling out to another by passer in the street another presence soon filled the room. Eyes were quick to glance up towards the new stranger, few waved a hearty hello while other merely glanced and returned to their own conversations. Keiko herself glanced over her shoulder to soak in the sight of the new person. Through a haze of alcohol and general lack of information it was difficult for Keiko to make out the exact age of the woman. They could have been equal in that aspect or far off. The newcomers lean and highly stream line body could be taking years off what her actual age might have been. 

Always welcoming new company Kekio was thrilled when the woman had decided to reside next to the two of them at the bar. Allowing for the woman to settle in from the bitter condition out side Keiko returned to her still filled bottle, once again it rose to her lips as she swallowed the sweet, harsh drink. Rather than reach out for the newcomer as she had done with the cub Keiko merely listened to her order as Illos began to talk to her some. The fact that she was a traveler was a point of interest to Keiko with a quick flicker of movement under her hood from her ears.

In all her years as acting leader Keiko hadn't traveled much further than the desert lands of the Draconic people and that was for a border dispute between her clans and that of their Empire. The trip itself was a long, hot, boring one with little in the ways of stops or lovely attractions. Her hope had been that the Draconic exotic food would be worth the long trip but the giant bugs they dined upon their nearly made her stomach flip inside out, making the journey an overly disappointing, if not a weight losing one. But finding herself sitting next to another who was about to set off to another country was as exciting as life got for her.

"Really now? Are you really traveling? Where? East ward? Oooooh I loved to see those lands! So many mountains... and food... and men...."

Keiko's words trailed off as she began to twirl a long strand of her snow hair around one of her fingers, as if lost in thought. Controlled by her subconscious Keiko's hand stroked the cubs head a tad harder than it had been before, her fingers parting through the fine hairs as they lightly scratched the lads scalp the way that animals seem to love.

[Zara Katarina]

Zara sat next to the Lion boy and waited for the bartender to bring her cup of tea. As he made his way back over to her. “Here you go Ma’am” he said handing her the glass. Slowly she wrapped her hands around the warm glass, bringing it up to her lips. Giving the glass a slight tip the warm liquid entered her mouth and made its way through her body. Within seconds a warming sensation coursed through her entire body. The bartender then asked what she calls herself. Gently placing the glass down she met the eyes of the male that stood before her. “My name is Zara Katarina and I thank you again for allowing me to enter your establishment.” Zara said with a smile taking another sip of her tea.


“Judging from your attire, I take it you’re a traveler?” the male said. Well he was partially right, but she was not a traveler yet. Then it dawned on the man, he looked her in the eyes. “No, You’re about to leave aren’t you?” the male asked. She smiled was it really that obvious that she was going to leave soon. The bartender was very perceptive as well as good at reading others, good skills to have. Zara took notice that the small lion boy’s ears seemed to perk up when the word traveler was mentioned. She smiled slightly, turning her attention back to the bartender. “Yes, you are correct. I am about to leave. Once the storm passes I believe I will head out then.” Zara said. The only problem was she had no idea where she was going. That was still something she needed to figure out.


It was then that the hooded figure spoke up, also seeming interested in the fact Zara was going to be traveling. “”Really now? Are you really traveling? Where? East ward? Oooooh I loved to see those lands! So many mountains… and food… and men…” The voice trailed off. Zara could tell that it was a female voice and as she looked to her right she saw the hooded figure stroking the lads head. She wondered if the two knew each other before this and what their relationship was. She gave them both a polite smile. “To be honest I do not know where I am going to go first. I am going to travel, just haven’t decided on a first location. Perhaps I will travel East ward. There are just so many places to visit I don’t know where to begin.” Zara explained looking down at her glass of tea.


Her hands were still wrapped around the glass keeping them warm. Once again she brought the glass up to her mouth and let the warm liquid slid down her throat.


“Do any of you know a good place to see first? If you could travel to any city where would you go?” Zara asked. Perhaps one of the places they mentioned she would visit first. It did not matter where she went she wanted to explore more and learn of the lands that surround her home. She hoped that one day any information she gathered could assist her people for the better.

[Hiromasa Mokuzai]

Hiromasa proudly crossed his arms. His lips curl to an involuntary smirk as the mysterious woman continued to praise and acknowledge his valor. He struggled to keep his face dignified and stern, but the effort of suppressing his smug lips contorted his prideful visage he intended to portray. Moreover, his majestic image tarnished as his eyes were closed and he barely noticed the woman’s soft hands reaching over his growing mane. “Yelp!” he cried in surprise. However, the mischievous hand was not yet done, it promptly shifted to his ear and Hiromasa was then thoroughly defeated. A purr escaped his lips as she strokes his ear, though he quickly realized what he had just done and covered his mouth with both hands as if to erase the sound.

The woman’s onslaught did not end there. With the new comer sitting next to them, Hiromasa believed the hooded woman’s attention would shift; then again, he wasn’t sure whether he wanted that. He kind of wanted her to caress his ear again, but he couldn’t tell her that… NEVER!

With that said, the young lion cub was gravely mistaken. The hooded woman became excited when Illos mentioned the new comer was going to travel. Hiromasa was just as excited, but he was promptly attacked by the hand of purrs and doom. The woman dug into his fur and scratched the scalp of his head; chills ran down the boy’s spine, giving him shivers all over.

In response to Zara’s question, the bartender shrugged with a light smile as to say he did not know where he would go. Fang’s Retreat had all the excitement he needed. Illos then moved on to another customer whom was calling for his attention. He, of course, excused himself before doing so.

[Keiko Kita]

Clearly the fates were thoroughly enjoying themselves this day. Not only had Keiko found herself a little play toy that she could tease and pet till the cows came home, but it just so happened this new stranger was going to part from the city just as the clouds did. With a leering glance towards a nearby window a joyful smile spread across the woman's face for it would appear the storm outside would last more than a few hours. Finding the conversation between the three of them could last a while and the fact she could put off work for a while longer Keiko was over filled with a glistening delight. She loved moments like the one which had formed before her so perfectly. Most people in a position of power as she was hardly took notice of the lesser folk that worked in the fields or behind a stall; Keiko differed greatly from other noble counterparts in this aspect. Citizens, travelers, the normal people of the world, who were the backbone of society were her favorite to speak with. They were often rough, frugal, hardy people who always had great stories about their adventures, fishing and hunting which always lit her world up. Being the leader of the Gadeni people Keiko herself was often surrounded by tribal leaders followed by strenuous debates over territories, trade agreements, draft and training requirements. The whole ordeal was a grand bore for the rather outgoing and highly social personality that Keiko possessed.

With the warm smile across her face Keiko came to lean her chin upon her palm as her eblow rested upon the hard wood of the counter top. Her eyes, while hidden in the depths of her hood were trained upon the woman she had come to know as Zara Katarina. The first time she had seen her was a simple glance over the shoulder but now she took a moment to fully soak in her image. It was at that moment which Hiromasa let out an high pitched yelp of surprise at Keiko's touch upon his head causing her heart to flutter at his adorable youth. 

"I could just squeeze him till I was exhausted."

Keiko could help the thought with a warm fluttering inside her chest towards the youth.

She couldn't help but allow a small giggle to break from her lips at the woman's comment of having no real plan, or set destination to were she was going. The laughter was not addressed towards the woman but more at the thought Keiko was very similar when it came to planning. Having a set schedule for meetings and get togethers' with heads of tribes Keiko, more times than not, had no real plan to get there. Her idea was to arrive on time but by her own means. This usually meant finding her way into a bar for two to three hours before remembering she was about to be late, followed by a mad dash across town. The system was highly inefficient but she had never been late to a meeting thus far.

"You don't know where you're going?"

Keiko rolled her head towards one side with question before allowing her lively laughter to return once again.

"Sounds a lot like me honesty."

She gave the lightest shrug at her comment before her hand which had been gliding through the soft tufts of fur upon the cubs head would release from his scalp. Coming to rise she could tap her index finger to her lips in thought for a few moments, only a soft "Tap. Tap. Tap." being her response before light came to her eyes once more.

"Welllllllllllll. I've traveled little beyond these lands. The furthest east I've ever gone is Ember Hills. And... I suppose if you like sand, and heat, it's a nice enough place."

Keiko nodded her head back and forth at the memories of The Nest came flooding back to her.

"Word to the wise. Bring plenty of water and your own food. I don't mean to sound harsh but the Draconic appetite wasn't very friendly to my body. Bleh!"

Keiko mimicked a sound of disgust with her tongue coming to flop freely from her mouth as if to rid it of a terrible taste.

"Anyway! If I could go anywhere... I dunno... I hadn't really thought much on it before. Guess I've been too busy with work here to ever think about going out east."

She noted with a deep sigh with her eyes casting off into the distance as if they could see through the dense wood that made the building up.

"I suppose... I'd like to see Lands End. I've heard it's a city of stone and everything is made of metal. That the sea comes right up to its walls and there are stone towers that stretch high into the clouds like birds. And late after the cold had grasped the world, on certain nights the sinking sun lights up the sea with a red so deep that it can only be the blood of the gods...."

Keiko's words trail off at her last statement leaving a haunting feeling to her short tale.

"At least that's what I've been told."

She spoke with a shrug after a brief pauses to once more take another deep swig from her rapidly depleting bottle. In truth she wasn't very sure about much of what she had just said but the idea of it all was romantic to her.

"How about you? Any idea where you mind find yourself in the coming days?"




 

[Zara Katarina]

Zara watched as the hooded women continued to caress the lion cubs head. She began to think that the two of them knew each other, but she wasn’t going to say anything. Instead she took another sip of her team and looked at the bartender. He merely shrugged at her question and had no answer to her question on where he would want to travel to. She figured that would be his answer, after all he did have to watch over his bar. He then moved onto another customer who had just then called for his attention. Zara looked to her right at the small boy and the hooded women, waiting to hear anything from them. The lion cub seemed to have nothing to say. She looked at the window as the clouds seem to be parting. It looked like the storm was beginning to disappear, perhaps she should take that as her time to leave, but thought better of it for the time being. She was enjoying the conversation with the other two and it may be the last time she speaks to other Gadeni for a while. As the hooded women’s seemed to rest her head in her other hands palm. Zara couldn’t tell if she was staring at her or looking at something else. Zara sat there and politely smiled back anyways.



The women questioned Zara thet she did not know where she was going. Zara shook her head. Then the women stated that it was a lot like her actually, which piqued Zara’s interest. It was at that moment that her hand finally lifted from the lion cubs head. “"Welllllllllllll. I've traveled little beyond these lands. The furthest east I've ever gone is Ember Hills. And... I suppose if you like sand, and heat, it's a nice enough place." She said. Zara thought about it for a moment maybe that would be her first stop on her journey. The women continued to give advice. Telling her to bring plenty of water and her own food. Stating that the Draconic appetite was not the greatest. Zara began to wonder exactly what it was that the Draconic ate.



Zara smiled as the women mimicked a sound of disgust. [color=orange “I will make sure to do that, thank you.”[/color] Zara said taking another sip and continuing to listen to the hooded women. She continued to say that she hadn’t really thought about it too much. That she had been busy with work here to even think about going east. Zara wondered what the women did for work that would keep her from traveling. That is also when she began to wonder what a small boy was doing in a bar with others. I am sure he had his reasons.



Zara continued to listen when Land’s End came up. About how everything there was built with stone and metal. Interesting things to build buildings out of, but then the humans were interesting people. As she continued to describe it, it started to sound a little frightening to go there. Zara did not care to see the sea if it looked like the blood of their gods. Something that she could definitely pass on. The hooded figure finished by asking Zara where she was thinking of going. Zara finished her tea and pondered the question for a moment.



“I haven’t really thought about it myself actually. My father told me to go to Lands End, just like you have said, but I don’t think I am going to go there first. I think I might either just head east or west. See where it might take me. I suppose that is the best option since I don’t really have a set place in mind.” Zara answered giving a polite smile.



Zara looked down at the lion cub “I hope you don’t mind me asking but what is it that you do for work around here?” She asked the hooded figure. She looked at the male lion cub “What are your plans after this? You traveling too?” She asked with a smile. She just wanted to keep the conversation going for as long as she could. After all it would be her last conversation with Gadeni before she left.


(sorry for taking so long)