Xali was never one to do anything by half-measures, and just signing up for the caravan like anyone else was too straightforward for her. No, the cunning leopardess's guiding axiom was<span style="font-style: italic">'Make them come to you.'</span>It held true in business, in intrigue... in the arts of love and the arts of killing. Instead of approaching a caravan to travel with, Xali had dozens of travelers with some weight to their opinion (some<span style="font-style: italic">charm</span>ed, some paid, some just eager to do a favor for a pretty female, and some legitimately impressed) spread word of her competence, courage and loyalty. Eventually, Drir decided to act on these recommendations, and here she was, with the added leverage of being an invited guest. Not that she needed it, really; Drir was quite amiable once you got to know him.<br/><br/>Toying with the male warriors accompanying the caravan was almost too easy. A coy brush against her tail here, a sultry lick of her finger there, and they fell into line immediately. Indeed, she preferred more cynical and willful 'company', against whom she might be forced to employ the<span style="font-style: italic">full</span>range of her... talents. Privately, it amused Xali to compare her more sensual skills to her murderous ones. Together, they were her most potent weapons, and the weapons she most enjoyed using. But she also understood that it was best to use such skills only when necessary, for the more freely a service is offered, the less it is valued.  But still... it was best never to go for<span style="font-style: italic">too</span>long without using such weapons, lest she lose her edge.<br/><br/>And now, Xali observed with pleasure as she elegantly stepped out of the cart, wearing a snug-fitting dark blue dress adorned with opals, giving enticing glances to the travelers who had given her the finest gifts. "Oh yaesss..." she said, in her typical slow, rich high-society tone, "I'm simply starving... Oh!" the leopardess pouts melodramatically. "But this sumptuous meal shall have a bitter aftertaste, for this is the last day I shall spend in such<span style="font-style: italic">mah-velous</span>company... I do so wish we could all get to know one another better."<br/><br/>Xali reclines by the fire as it's being lit, stretching herself out sensually (but not too blatantly so) and slowly swishing her long, muscular tail back and forth. She Her eyes drifted over to Alexei. He was quite fascinating, one of the few other anthros she'd met who seemed to have a touch of class to him. She'd been quite looking forward to playing against such a challenging opponent in the game of flirtation, but alas, another girl had zeroed in on him quite quickly. Disappointing, but there were other games she could engage him in, though perhaps less stimulating...<br/><br/>"Oh Alexei, do you care to continue our earlier round of the Capturing Game<span style="font-style: italic">(OOC: Chess, basically.)</span>? If you could set the board up, I'd be happy to arrange the pieces as they were when we last left off." She had them memorized perfectly, of course... the only question was whether he trusted her not to cheat.<br/><br/>Slowly, she ran a hand across her stomach. had not served herself in 10 years, and she had no intention of starting now. "Mmm, and Kahimori? You will bring me some food and drink, won't you? It would be very kind of you." she purred, meeting the exotic Kitsune's eyes for a teasing moment. He intrigued her as well... as simple as he seemed on the surface, Xali was convinced that he harbored some terrible secret, and she was determined to root it out.