<blockquote class="uncited"><div> “I suppose you are right” a emotionless tone upon her lips “Better to be in good spirits then without” The weight of being a slave for creatures who constantly pushed the fact that she was little more then food becoming quite the burden. A quiet sigh escaped her lips. </div></blockquote><br/><br/>Briefly, Kahmori allows his gaze to shift away from Leon, once more alighting upon his new pet. Perhaps it had been something he said? Sifting through the last few pieces of conversation in his head, he immediently finds the little 'peice' that had likely set her off.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~Hrm....now might be the best time to step in, garner at least a little bit of trust....~</span><br/><br/>Then again, he was not the one who did the ambushing. Nor was he the one that was aiding others in their attempts to kill members of a caravan carting supplies and a few new recruits. In his mind, there was no point in apologizing for the fact that they'd won the battle...and gotten a few meals out of the deal. Dismissing Vendra's attitude, he once more returns his attention to Leon - until, once more, Vendra begins to speak. Both ears perking, he listens wordlessly to her explaination and description of her homeland, a brief little smile creasing his muzzle. Whilst he knew very little about other lands, other than their locations, he had a wonderful imagination - and it was in overdrive, now.<br/><br/>White, sandy shores and blue water...forests, fields...hell, it seemed like paradise itself. Making a mental note to take a trip there one day - perhaps after this war was over and done with - Kahmori murmurs softly "It does sound nice. Wouldn't mind seeing it for myself one day, really...hell, maybe when all this stuff is over. Until then!...well, I guess Imagination will have to do ,eh?"<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div> <br/>Turning to Kahimori, Xali gave him a broad smile as well. "And you, Kahimori, should plan on visiting when the time comes to release her. Though I warn you that you may not want to leave once you have a taste of the good life." </div></blockquote><br/><br/>"The good life? Heck, I wouldn't know what to do with the good life once I got it. I have a feeling that fine food wouldn't quite suit my taste, and expensive clothing would just get ripped when I was having fun. No, Xali..." He gives the Leopardess an equally broad smile, and offers her a friendly little wink "..I don't think the good life is for me. Then again, I guess everyone's definition of the good life differs. Mine...is traveling. Meeting new folks, goofing off...heck, can't get much better than that!" A brief image of him dressed as a king crosses his mind, making him blanch "...Eesh, Wonder what I'd look like in noble's getup. Likely make my butt look big..." He peers over his shoulder, giving his tails a few little swishes to punctuate his statement.<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div> "I know not which is more inappropriate, good Kahimori, your excessive familiarity or your false modesty. Mistake not his boisterous words for the fragile enthusiasm of the novice, sir - this kitsune knows the ways of war. He struck down a fully-armored knight as large as you in a span of three breaths </div></blockquote><br/><br/>Kahmori's chest puffs up the slightest bit at Xali's retelling of his accomplishment. Knowledge in the ways of war? He'd not expected such a compliment from the leopardess who'd served as one of his traveling companions. Still - it was something he happily recieved! "Ahh...struck him down? Nah. Poor guy just tripped and fell on my claws." His smile lessens slightly, but only just. It seemed he was not the only one skilled in the way of words - just she had a far more regal method of going about her explainations. Likely for the better - Kahmori'd been better off telling the story over a mug of ale or in the barracks than to anyone who mattered.<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div> “As for fairness…I don’t believe those the nobles had in captivity were forced to watch as their masters digested another and flaunted the fact to the them. I don’t know what your intent is leopardess. Why do you speak to me as if we were friends after ensuring my fears of you?” </div></blockquote><br/><br/>The kitsune is brought out of his thoughts by the snappy words that he suddenly found flowing from Vendra's lips. For a second, Kahmori stands there...entirely stunned. It was pretty hard to tell if he was angry, or...what, exactly. Finally, his expression just seems to blank, and he responds to the biting comment firmly - and without even the slightest hint of emotion 'You'd be surprized at what humans make you do. You should be happy It's me who's care you are under, rather than someone who'd mistreat you. I, at least, will treat you with some measure of respect. I just ask you treat those I travel with the same way." Surprizingly enough, it didn't sound as though his words were a command. More of a...request.<br/><br/>He eyes Xali and Alexei for a few moments as well, before adding "And I'd ask that Vendra get treated with a bit of respect as well. For the moment, she's not the enemy. She's our traveling companion. Treat her as such! As long as she keeps true to her word, I say she deserves the respect that comes from it."<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div> A grin curved on Leon’s lips with words that Kahmori bested a knight of his size. “Oh? Perhaps when the kitsune finds himself of free time we can spar to test the extend of his abilities in war” </div></blockquote><br/><br/>His good humor only momentarily impunged, Kahmori once more allows a slender smile to creep across his muzzle, leaning casually against the walls surrounding Lakehaven "Oh? Sparring? Hey, I'm always up for that, big guy! Just let me know when and where, eh? Only if you go easy on me, though." A little chuckle escapes Kahmori's lips as he leans forwards and gives Leon a rough little pat on the plated shoulder. He withdraws almost immediently, not entirely sure if that was a breach of...military code or what. Oy - so much to learn here, Kahmori. Then again, he was not officially a part of the army yet, right? Not until he was officially inducted, or however in the hell they went about doing it....<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div> Leon blanked for a few moments “Uh, leave that here and I’ll ensure you are compensated for it later” </div></blockquote><br/><br/>"Oh?" Leon's words draw Kahmori out of his internal reverie, and he nods his head "Righto. Not much, but...better than wagging it around everywhere." Simply tossing the stuff onto the ground by the wall, he unties the items, retrieves his strips of leather, and stuffs them back into one of the pockets of his pack. Straightening back up, he gives Xali, Alexei, and Leon another smile (Of which he seemed to have an endless supply of), and nods his head enthusiastically "Well! Let's get to it, huh?"<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> In the city... </span><br/><br/>Stunned was not even the word for it. It had been ages since Kahmori'd been in such a heavily populated place. Used to travel around the outskirts, tribes, and things of that nature...being inside the city was something new. Not to mention, the place had so much to see. Dwarven craftsmanship, Elven architecture, and the more simple, rustic style of the anthroes.  Everything seemed to have it's place, and it was all woven together so intricately, so marevelously...it was almost breathtaking.<br/><br/>"...Remind me to visit when the war is over..." He breaths softly, following behind everyone as they made their way towards the keep. More than once he turns around as he walks to gaze the sights over (be they of the flesh, or of the stunning architecture), and at least a half dozen times he nearly trips over his own feet, too involved in looking to even pay attention to where he was going. Sheesh, this place was BIG.<br/><br/>Momentarily stopping at the stream to refill his waterskins, Kahmori repacks the water-filled leather, sighing longingly "...You know, a bath sounds really good right now. Wish we had more time..." almost dejectedly, Kahmori turns to follow the party again, nudging Vendra with his tails "Whatcha think? I mean, I'm sure it doesn't quite compare...but not bad for a bunch of tribal-types, eh?"<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Inside the Keep...</span><br/><br/>Kahmori is actually the first to step through the door into Helix's chamber, despite trailing the party the entire way through the city. So, this was the commander, hrm? One hell of a position to be in, that was for sure - with everyone watching you, waiting on you to succeed...or mess up, and kill those under your command.<br/><br/>The look of stunned silence on Kahmori's face was almost comical - he was used to being the 'big guy'...Drir had taken the title from him, but Helix seemed even bigger. The acting general - a big, white-furred tiger? Not a bad looking guy, either. For a moment, Kahmori even found himself mentally comparing, but as soon as he realised what he was doing, he snaps out of it.<br/><br/>"Helix? Nice to meetcha." The big, white-furred Kitsune steps forwards and plants his hand in Helix's shaking enthusiastically "I'm Kahmori. This lovely lady is Xali.." He, with an extravagant motion, sweeps his hand towards Xali "And this...Is Alexei." Another extravagantly overdone wave of his hand towards Alexei. "And this..." He completes the sweep, allowing it to land on Vendra "is Vendra!". Looking up into Helix's eyes, Kahmori quirks a smirk, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. Why does this guy remind him so much of someone he used to know...? "Well, pleasure to meet you, Helix. Hope Drir picked the right folks for whatever you have planned for us. Then again, the big cow didn't seem like he was wrong too often..."