Talons of Mars (Andronica & Sargepepper)
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Andronica on 16-03-2016, 04:05:14</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Talons of Mars (Andronica &amp; Sargepepper)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Andronica</strong> on <strong>16-03-2016, 04:05:14</strong>
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				A lean petite woman sat on a lounging chair. The soft upholstered couch floated silently above the dais in the back centre of the large hall. Facing the massive floor to ceiling window that provided an expansive view of the galaxy controlled by the great Empire, Kythia was able to see the warships approaching from a distance near the twin suns that orbited their sky. Her thickly lashed hazel eyes were glued to the window as she saw the ships and waited for one in particular to break the atmosphere. But it would be another day until she saw her father, as he had to meet with the Emperor and Senate first.<br><br>The warship <em>Mars</em> returned intact from a long campaign against the Nezumi. They were a feral race living on a backwater planet which the Empire longed to conquer for its rich resources - and the natives were known to be of hardy working stock, various sentient beasts from equine to canine and everything in between. Kythia waited for her father with baited breath every time he went on one of his long battles in the name of the glorious Empire that he so loved. Yet he waged war almost every passing year, adding a new class of Citizen and offering variety to the vox populi. <br><br>He wore to his daughter before he left that this campaign would be his last, and she hoped he was not going to lie and slip into another excuse to fight as he did the past two years. Although her father was fit for his age, she preferred if he has designs toward politics and a more sedentary position. Ever since her mother's death the General only wished to think ahead to his next campaign even at the cost of his ailing health.<br><br>One mere day felt like an eternity for the General's daughter, but her patience paid off as she heard a faint sound at the entrance of the grand apartments. Her father's villa was an expansive home on a rustic mountainous hill just overlooking the city proper, though it didn't take long for a speeder chariot to bridge the distance from the Senate and back. <br><br>Immediately Kythia raced forward to meet her father, which proved fairly easy in the loose sheer gown (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/ea/a6/b9/eaa6b9d39e4b60342d66f72fe3ac2dd7.jpg) she wore. A heavily embroidered golden chemise was wrapped around her body and draped over it was a beautiful dark teal layer of cloth. Her tanned skin looked perfectly sun kissed against the hues of cloth that complimented her complexion and made her look all the more regal; like royalty as opposed to the daughter of a General. She could already hear an entourage of guards following her father into the villa. The large automated door softly hissed open and revealed the General Varo Thalcyon still wearing his armour, looking only slightly worse for wear with new tears and smudges on his uniform.<br><br>Kythia smiled broadly as her father walked inside. Not only did his guards flank him, but from behind Kythia the household servants also gathered to greet their master and much beloved General of the Empire. Yet he only had eyes for her.<br><br>Removing the plumed helmet to reveal a lined and handsome face, Varo smiled at his daughter to reveal his row of white teeth and warm brown eyes. His cheeks were stubbly and his previous short hair slightly unkempt, though she didn't care in that moment. She rushed over to greet him with an embrace and gladly took up her lithe form in his arms with a deep sigh.<br><br>"I heard from Lady Iona that you convinced the Nezumi to join the Empire, and that their army would become an extension of yours," Kythia proclaimed, half surprised at her father if this news was true and half surprised with herself because that was the first thing past her lips. Varo merely chuckled and touched her soft cheek with the back of his hand as he released his daughter. Then he clutched his polished, feathered helmet with both hands and strummed the side with his large fingers.<br><br>"You're just like your mother. Straight to business," he mused with a weak smirk. Kythia gave him a bashful apologetic look as she stared back at him. He was right though - she was just like her mother, both in personality and image. Her high cheek bones, small chin, pointed nose and full rosy lips all spoke to her mother's appearance in youth. She even had her mother's mind for politics and gossip. <br><br>"There is truth to Lady Iona's gossip, though. I brought the Nezumi back and negotiated with the Senate to acquire Citizen rights for their race, in return for their loyal service," Varo explained as he began to walk through the marble and pillar lined hall of the foyer. Kythia stepped in place at his side as they spoke and moved through the corridors lined with beautiful décor, shimmering frescoes, and an array of intriguing weapons and other forms of technology from each of Varo's campaigns. When they got to the main hall where Kythia had spied his ship arriving the day before, Varo paused by the door.<br><br>"In fact, there are going to be some new additions to our household," he added, looking over to his daughter in the hope that she would be open minded.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Talons of Mars (Andronica &amp; Sargepepper)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sargepepper</strong> on <strong>17-03-2016, 21:15:55</strong>
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				They had been bested. The campaign had begun with such hope, such earnest hope that the people themselves were moved with the smell of victory. No one believed their prophets and oracles when they’d spoken of barren, furless creatures falling from the sky, setting their world aflame with their chariots of war and apocalypse. They’d laughed, even he had thought them fools. Our winter had been kind, the Pride camp giving up their temporary battle for territory, and the drops had even begun a fruitful growing season. Life had been looking up for his clan.<br><br>Then, strange fire started in the sky, drifting ever close as though it were a star of our ancestors descending to our very plane. But the fire did not bring an ancestor, bound for heroism and rescue, but our inevitable demise, wrapped in linens of the finest quality. They were snakes, not unlike the Hastuk to the west in their love of politics and words, meaning one thing, when they meant another.&nbsp; But on our first meeting, their frames backdropped with a floating monument of steel and fire they called their "Landing Ship". We were enamored, totally blind to their ways as they flashed us showy marvels of science, using their silver tongues to keep us from their true intention.<br><br>Once they’d learned the true intentions of their landing, the Nezumi made it quite clear that our planet, regardless of our tribal divisions, was not for trade, and that escalated. Martuk hung his head in the steel bulkhead of the transfer ship as he remembered looking over the crest of the Council City, watching as the whole city burned. The Imperials made their intentions known powerfully that day. Many lives were lost with just the word of an “ambassador”, his point being that the Imperials were only being polite in asking for our assistance.<br><br>The fighting after that was fierce, the Nezumi far more adept at fighting in their own jungles with spears and swords than the Imperials were with lasers and technology. They fought valiantly, pushing the Imperials back, but eventually, the technological superiority of the Imperial forces exerted itself. The Nezumi, broken and battered from fighting, were ready to give their lives over, driven with a desire to remain free and to protect their homeworld, not ready to be enslaved to the strange invaders.<br><br>But someone came through that day, requesting Parley with Martuk. He’d managed to unite the tribes into something resembling a fighting force, and after the main generals died or were captured, he was the last commander in charge on the final day, the Imperials looming over their last fortification, the bleeding and wounded looking over the battle lines, captured technology and scavenged weapons the last line of defense. The General walked right up, waving a flag, not armed at all, his armor dented and smudged from battle. Martuk immediately respected him. Not many leaders preferred to be in the thick of fighting.<br><br>They brought him in, suspicious eyes cast about as this “Hoo-man” as they called themselves walked to the command center. He gave all respect to us, even offering to be taken as a captive in exchange for a cease in hostilities. Martuk listened as he introduced himself as General Varo Thalcyon of the <em>Mars </em>, and expressed a regret for the battle. He wished for a cease to the fighting and for our race to be spared. He offered that instead of enslavement and manual labor, that in exchange for military service, our race could be part of their society. He said that their fighting was fierce and the Imperial Army could always use people who knew how to fight, and could bring their race out of their primitive ways, into the light of technology. He promised to fight tooth and nail for the rights for the safety of the planet itself, saying that they would need native people to help Imperials settle there, show them how to treat the planet.<br><br>But what sealed the deal for Martuk was we he stepped out of the tent with Varo, motioning to the damage and destruction that had been inflicted on his planet. He looked back, saying that it was far harder to work for something better for the people, than it was to die in the name of a cause. Martuk agreed after some deliberation with his commanders and a cease fire was written immediately.<br><br>It had been weeks since, with the reaction from his people ranging everywhere from relief to excitement to outrage. He’d be called everything from Martuk the Savior, to the Traitor of Neti, the location of the final battle. But here, in this transfer ship, alone in his thoughts, here is where the doubts began to seep in. Was it really better to be alive and serving the very people who’d annihilated his, or would it have been better to join their ancestors in death in an honorable way? Was sending thousands to their certain death even close to honorable?<br><br>These thoughts swirled in his head, a depressive cloud over his head ever since he’d been branded a Traitor to the Nezumi for the first time. His grey fur bristled under the artificial air that circulated on the ship, the mane of jet black on his back raising slightly as his head fell into his hands. <br><br>“Mardi, did I do the right thing?” He asked quietly to himself. Surely his mated would have had kind words, leading him to assurance and peace of mind, but she passed well before the Imperials had arrived. Her beautiful face smiling softly at him as she caressed his face, kissing the white stripe on his muzzle softly. He missed her touch now in this cold berthing space and suddenly became very anxious to meet the General’s Staff.<br><br>As per the agreement, Martuk would be kept close to the General, as an adviser for re-integration and out of respect for his title and leadership. While he wouldn’t hold any titles, his service to Varo’s household would count toward his Citizenship. The tour was quick and short, the original tour having been conducted weeks ago. Martuk had been to the <em>Mars</em> many times already, at least enough times to have the initial shock ware off. There was still much he didn’t know and needed to be trained in, but living in the General’s home would provide much of that training.<br><br>Varo smiled as he bought Martuk into the main study, offering him a drink and requesting a few moments to greet his daughter and staff. Martuk nodded quietly, opting to sit in one of the fluffy chairs offered to him. However, what he did not expect was General Varo coming back with the daughter in question stating there, draped in what Martuk was quickly learning was a very opulent version of the dresses that the commoners wore on their lower levels.<br><br>He quickly stood up, giving deference and respect to the lady of the tribe. “<em>Jestu</em>, my greetings on your house and tribe.” He placed his hand onto his heart, claws spread and wide as through he was going to tear his own heart out, bowing quickly in front of her. It was the traditional greeting for the Nezumi, allowing for the opponent to use their own claws to hurt them if they thought the greeting was insincere. <em>Jestu</em> was also the respectful term for the alpha female of a tribe or house. Martuk did not know her place besides being offspring to Varo, so he figured it was best to stray on the safe side.<br><br>His leather armor sighed softly as he stood back up, the form fitting ceremonial leathers adorned with small designs of curls and leaves, spreading in an intricate pattern across all faces, finally dropping down into a long, tasseled loincloth. Small bands were present, locking bracers and shinguard into place, but he was barefoot under it all, paws silent on the steel and marble of the floor. The dark grey of his fur offset the dark, mahogany brown and black of the leathers, giving even more glitter to his deep blue eyes against such darker colors.<br><br>As he stood back up, Martuk’s shoulders rippled a bit as he realized he was a bit taller than most in the room, his eyes coasting slowly over them all as he took the humans in. He simply folded his hands behind his back, resting very similarly to the way he’d seen the Imperials present themselves.<br><br>“I am Matruk, The Far-Seeing and I am honored to be presented to your home.”
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				Title: <strong>Re: Talons of Mars (Andronica &amp; Sargepepper)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Andronica</strong> on <strong>23-03-2016, 22:36:00</strong>
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				Kythia remained silent as her father's query hung in the air unanswered. She was accustomed to him being hospitable to foreigners who were assimilated into the Empire. It was only fitting in order to make sure they became assets rather than an insidious parasite that wormed its way through the Empire's core in the darkness of mistreatment, breeding thoughts of change and revolution. Such servile uprisings occurred only a twice in Varo's lifetime - the latest claimed the life of his wife, Kythia's mother, and left a gap in the number of labourers and servants which the Nezumi would likely fill.<br><br>Many Generals and politicians saw Varo's little kindnesses to be weak, they longed for the days of raw subjugation and force over amicability. Although Kythia believed herself above servants and inferior species, simply due to her station as a pure blooded Citizen of the Empire, she sided with her father in the forum where his words were met with much interest from listeners. Especially plebs and nobles who profited from their workers. But some of the elite did not take well to Varo's ideas and so Kythia and her father were equally revered and loathed. She knew if her father had been of higher birth he'd make an excellent contender to the Emperor's throne.<br><br>At least in their household, slaves and workers were not mistreated. The servile class were still only half Citizens - sometimes used and abused - but she heard the Nezumi bargained more protection for their savage kin and became an entire auxiliary as repayment. From the look on her father's face as he lead her through their expansive home, Kythia knew Lady Iona's rumours were true.<br><br>He brought her to his spacious study and Kythia looked over to him with a curious brow before the door parted quietly. When she saw the animal standing there her heart skipped a beat. A mixture of surprise and fear crossed her features quickly as she looked to her father for some kind of assurance. Her father had a softness in him but she didn't expect him to allow a former enemy, notorious for being ferocious and base, so readily into their house.<br><br>Kythia swallowed hard as she tried to act calm in the face of uncertainty. Her pride swelled to make up for the doubts and fear which she expressed in front of company, something she considered to be a vulnerability. A stony expression washed over her as she dipped her chin and replied to the creature. He was a savage that she could not trust, not yet. But she would be lying if she didn't find his imposing height and form to be somewhat alluring. She blamed it on naive curiosity.<br><br>Her father, still holding his helmet in hand, motioned vaguely towards the wolf. "<em>Jestu</em> is an honourable greeting for a woman of high status," he said with a smirk, pleased at how things were progressing. So far his daughter hadn't gone into a tirade, at least.<br><br>"I... thank you," she replied shakily with a bit of prodding from her father's eyes. After Martuk made his introduction, Varo nodded firmly.<br><br>"He was the last surviving commander his people and I brokered surrender with him. Now his kin are an extension of my army and a proud addition to the Empire, without complaint or resistance. He is here not as an interloper but as a bodyguard, among other areas where I can utilize his talents," the General happily explained. "I need you to show him around and help him get a feel for the place, our society and culture. The head staff will accompany for the house tour but beyond that you will have to instruct him. Unfortunately, I have business at the Senate so I won't be able to do this myself," added Varo regrettably. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Talons of Mars (Andronica &amp; Sargepepper)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sargepepper</strong> on <strong>27-03-2016, 19:27:04</strong>
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				Martuk's ears laid back just a hair was the General included that his daughter would be giving the tour of his home. His eyes glanced at the diminutive human and back to the General in surprise. He was not told that Varo had other business to attend to, though since this was his return home, there was no doubt that the lauded human was needed elsewhere. But to leave him with his only daughter spoke more of his trust toward the Nezumi. The wolf gave a shallow bow from the waist, received with a smile from Varo as the General glanced to his daughter, mirth on his face as he relished the interaction these two were playing through. Martuk slowly walked over to the woman, bowing again before offering his hand for hers in what had had been told was the traditional acceptance of her hand in greeting, her palm down onto his own. He wasn't sure of the significance of the gesture, but if he was to be a part of this culture, he needed to learn from the basics. Her eyes were clearly guarded with him, maybe this would provide some assurances toward his intent.<br><br>Though, if he was honest with himself, the younger woman was a bit off putting. He hadn't had much experience with Humans yet, but over the past few weeks, he'd learned that their facial expressions had a lot of similarities to the Simian tribes, but their body language was more feline in nature, especially the woman. But the most glaring similarities lay in how their eyes always seemed to reflect what they were feeling, much like Nezumi. And her eyes held a wall that was impenetrable to him as they looked at each other. He saw peeks of interest, fear, confusion, but they were fleeting enough to make him questions if the fleeting moment it was revealed was only a figment of his own imagination. Much like her dress, actually, he noticed as he took a cursory look at her figure.<br><br>Even by Nezumi standards, she was a gorgeous woman, lithe like a huntress, but filled in her hips and chest like a matron, her hair falling softly over one shoulder. She wore fine clothing, compared to his warrior's garb, linen that seemed smooth even to the eyes. But the glimpses of what he saw under the sheer fabric seemed to tease and taunt the eye with small tastes of what she really held, a small breeze over her thigh, a hip peeking out, only brief visions of an olive skinned beauty that lay beneath the clothes. He took a moment to&nbsp; collect himself, shutting his eyes and sighing through his nose, pushing down the intruding thoughts of his commander's daughter and throwing them out of his mind. This was neither the time nor place for such animal feelings. His opened up again, his deep hazel eyes looking back to her as he placed his military persona back into place, his own wall against the strangeness of this culture.<br><br>"It would be a pleasure to have such a lauded woman guide me. If I to protect this house and those in it, I must know it. I will follow your lead, <em>Jestu</em>, unless you prefer to be addressed as something else?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Talons of Mars (Andronica &amp; Sargepepper)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Andronica</strong> on <strong>31-03-2016, 20:32:44</strong>
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				Kythia watched with slight caution as the large wolf walked over towards her. Her father remained quiet and merely smiled in a content, calm manner as Martuk took a knee before her and extended his large paw for her to clasp in a traditional greeting. Slowly she moved her hand forward and placed it onto his, finding the paw to be surprisingly warm and his clawed fingertips far removed from harming her. She only let her hand rest there for a moment before withdrawing it back to her side and summing up her courage again. Kythia's no-nonsense look flooded back onto her features as she nodded to her father and managed to give him a sparing smile of affection.<br><br>"I would be honoured to do this for you," she said. Regardless of her personal opinions on the Nexumi, the Citizen's rights, and the Empire, she knew her father had a good heart. He kept it guarded often and was opinionated but not soft in the Senate, instead preferring to make his decisions for the betterment of all and the benefit of the Empire, unafraid to be a harsh conqueror when it was needed rather than to be a bleeding heart easily trampled on. <br><br>Varo nodded his head as he saw the two getting along well - which was saying a lot for his daughter who was usually a bit more spirited and rebellious than this. He presumed his long awaited return had softened her to such tasks and made her more affectionate. It always happened for a spell before and after he left for war, and in time Kythia would return to her usual fiery self. <br><br>"Very well then. I have to take my leave quickly and I will not be back for a day or two at least, if Quintus has anything to say about it," mused Varo. He referred to one of his friends in the Senate who aided his campaign to allow an increase in Citizen rights, amended of course, for the populations that assimilated into the Galatic Empire. No doubt he was about to go to another type of war in the Senate and the mental battle which would ensue would be far more taxing than the physical beating he had taken while invading the planet of the Nezumi.<br><br>Shortly after he spoke, Varo gave a quick bow to his daughter and Martuk and then quit his study. A few of the servants who came along with Kythia scurried after him to help him prepare as he walked, offering to fetch new clothes and polish his armour in the spare moments he had. Thus Kythia was left with Martuk and some of the head house servants.<br><br>"Call me Kythia, if you like," she finally answered Martuk's earlier question. With it, she gave him a strange look of both wariness and intrigue. His exotic form and manners startled her at first but he was not like the arrogant men of the Empire that she knew. He seemed better for it. Without heeding him though, Kythia turned and walked out of the study with the servants. Down the corridor and connecting all the main rooms and levels was a great hall with open floor to ceiling windows and fine shimmering drapes which allowed the warm breeze of the pleasant habitable atmosphere to pass through. Everything in Varo's home was opulent and simplistic in design, besides the walls lined with vibro-swords, barbed spears, and other trophies from his past victories.<br><br>The first room she took him to was large ventilated area for cooking, which was built in-ground and off the side of the villa. She dismissed the head cook and continued on after a brief explanation of its function. To get to know the geography of the household was important, but to explain such trivial things were useless for a bodyguard - or whatever position her father had placed him in, as it was quite expansive.<br><br>"Some places don't need much of an introduction. I'm sure your... settlements back home had their fair share of similarities," she explained nonchalantly. Kythia then brought them back out into the main open hall and went down the next corridor. It was a pattern she would repeat for the massive library and study, the adjoining 'war room' where her father took much of his council, and various other parlours for lounging and entertainment.<br><br>At the back of the villa overlooking a maintained courtyard and garden were the bed chambers. A few large rooms at opposite ends of the large house, respectively belonging to Kythia and her father. In between were a few other spare rooms kept for guests in high standing. The servants quarters were on another side of the home and a bit smaller and less luxurious than the spare rooms, though Varo never heard any complaints as they did not have many servants in their employ.<br><br>"I believe my father will gift you one of these rooms for the duration of your stay, and introduce you to some of the household guard himself," Kythia said, unsure of how long Martuk would be by her father's side. He had a few advisors and friends in the past who took up such a mantle but they were killed in battle or left his service to pursue a life in the Senate. Training a second in command was a dream her father could not fulfil in a long time until now.<br><br>"Do you have any questions about your duties? Otherwise you may join me for the rest of the day," she concluded.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Talons of Mars (Andronica &amp; Sargepepper)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sargepepper</strong> on <strong>02-04-2016, 05:04:08</strong>
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				Martuk's tail lightly swished behind him as his ears were pert and attentive to the Lady's words, introducing herself before she was suddenly off with a spin of her heel. Martuk had to take a few hurried steps, as he wasn't expecting her to suddenly rear around, but her pace was easily matched by his powerful strides behind her. Her tour brought them through the gigantic main hall of the estate, large and open to the comfortable atmosphere that the <em>Mars</em> sported. The drapes blew inward with a soft breeze that carried the scents of the estate in with it, flooding Martuk with a mental picture that spoke of large, rolling hills and peaceful moments. He relaxed slightly into his stride, closing his eyes and embracing the light, polished smell of the area while his host began her description of the household at large.<br><br>It was quite the whirlwind of information, the geography simple and straightforward, much like the General himself, something that Martuk appreciated. But many of the functions of the house were lost on him. Each location had its secrets, from the cooking pit and it's electronic stabilization of the meats it was presented, to the cauldron that somehow produced flavors and scents of many different types, to the library that held troves of history and literature within a single pane of glass among hundreds. Each room was a mystery to him, and while Kythia was correct in assuming that they'd had many of the same functionary rooms as they did, they only give him the briefest of ideas as to what the machinery in each room did.<br><br>Their tour concluded with the bedchambers, and even as she was speaking, Martuk was trying to deduce what a strange looking device in a corner did, it's paneling sunk into the wall. His ears were pulled back against his head, his eyes narrowed in concentration as his hand found itself on his chin. He'd never interacted with much machinery, so the concept of a button or a switch was still new to him. Tail swishing slightly, he gently pressed a digit to one of the buttons, and nearly jumped back as the whole wall slid open to reveal a storage area for clothing that was hanging inside of it. He curiously peered inside, glancing around it's edges before turning back to Kythia.<br><br>"I'm sorry. It's still not quite apparent what these 'panels' do in many cases. At least to me. I'm sure you are well suited to their use. I'm sure I will learn as time progresses, but for now, it is...difficult to guess the function of the machines around me." He spoke the strange and unknown words as though he was still acquainting himself with their use, when in reality, he was. He hoped that his Lady would be a bit forgiving on his ignorance, but unlike many of his peers, he was at least willing to address the gap and attempt to integrate.<br><br>"I have many questions about my duties here, but judging on your reaction to your father's introduction as a new bodyguard and advisor, I think that you were not aware of my arrival, let alone my new position in your home, which I profusely apologize for the surprise it must have caused.&nbsp; Being as such, I believe that the more appropriate action would be to address the matter with the General upon his return. For the moment, though, I would be happy to follow you through the day. I'm sure you have much to teach me about your life here on the Mars."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Talons of Mars (Andronica &amp; Sargepepper)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Andronica</strong> on <strong>05-04-2016, 19:51:22</strong>
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				Kythia watched with a curious narrowed gaze as the wolf creature became fixated with a clothing panel on the wall of a bedroom. A small chuckle managed to escape her lips when he was startled by the shifting layers of seamless metal that revealed a wardrobe behind it. Whether it was a laugh at his expense for being far from what she considered 'civilized', or if it was merely amusement at the situation, it was difficult to tell. She nodded in response to his accompanying observation when he recovered from the surprise.<br><br>"You will learn quickly, I'm sure. I did not think it would be important to show you the function of every chest and cabinet in my father's home, though I'm sure you understand their functions for the most part. Besides, my father will likely keep you close to train with the household guard when you are not by his side directly, so you won't have to worry about carrying out menial tasks. If you are ever unsure, simply ask one of the servants and they will happily direct you to whatever you need," Kythia explained. Her tone suggested she spoke of Martuk like he was a guest in their house, albeit one with a few restrictions and responsibilities upon his shoulders.<br><br>Varo's daughter brushed past Martuk after she finished speaking, taking her time to get close enough that her smooth skin was tickled by his fur in the process. Casually she leaned forward and touched the open panel with her bare hand. It gently pulled the clothing and other items further into the wall and hissed shut, becoming flush with the wall again save for a slightly raised outline.<br><br>She straightened back up with and sighed softly through her nose as Martuk guessed she was ignorant about his presence. Once more Kythia chuckled, though this time it was in slight embarrassment. <br><br>"You're right. I wasn't aware my father was bringing you here to stay for the foreseeable future. But there is no need to apologize, your arrival hasn't put me off or left me unprepared. In fact, it's broken up my mundane days significantly I'm sure," she replied, trying to show Martuk that he was not imposing even if he was a surprise, to put it mildly. She wondered how quickly the rumors would spread like wildfire through the upper echelons of the Empire when people found out Varo had a Nezumi not as a servant, but as his Second. Living in his own home.<br><br>Then Kythia waved her hands slightly as if to put the topic behind them. She was intrigued by the creature and how well spoken he was, even if he was ignorant of their lifestyle. Without promptly again she began to walk down the hall to the other end of the wing.<br><br>"I am sure you have much to teach my father about your kind, as well. Truth be told I would be far more interested in hearing about you than discussing wall panels and corridors," Kythia admitted with a smirk.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Talons of Mars (Andronica &amp; Sargepepper)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sargepepper</strong> on <strong>11-04-2016, 06:06:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Martuk did notice how close the woman had gotten to him, brushing by him gently ass he closed the panel once more, the invisible machinations rapidly closing and sealing the hidden compartment once more, restoring it's clean lines and open wall space for viewing once more. He had been surprised the first time he had seen them, but with time, they were becoming more commonplace. He wondered how he would adapt to the changes around him, wondering if this world of technology would be outside of his grasp, but everything from the linguisofts, which still functioned strangely every once in a while as it got used to the Nezumi dialects and tongue, to the cooking utensils he had been rapidly adapting to. He had checked in a few times with his trusted tribal leaders and was happy to hear that his people were rapidly adapting to their surroundings as well. There were holdouts, as was to be expected, but by and large the populace was slowly adjusting to their conditions. He could only hope that the General would continue to keep his promise to grant them citizenship.<br><br>"I'm afraid there's not much to say about me, Jar... I mean Lady Kythia." His eyes flicked down from hers in reverence to her position, smoothing his grey fur downward in a slightly out of character nervousness.<br><br>"Your people conquered mine. Who I am no longer matters. Not my title, not my lands. I have yet to discover who I am in this new world, but once I figure it out, I will seek your company to explain it." He said with a small smile, his ears flicking back as her turned around to lean on the window overlooking the estates.<br><br>"However, if you actually asking me for my history leading me here, I would be happy to explain that. I know we are new here, but what have you heard of my people? I see many of the humans looking at us like we are lessers, feral creatures undeserving of respect, but many others look with curiosity and intrigue, wondering how we are different from them, but also where similarities lie. Where do you fall, Lady Kythia? For my answers may reflect your stance." His tail swished a little in the tepid heat of the daytime, gazing over the grass that grew all over. The General's estates really reflected the respect his people had for him. It seemed their culture for respect of their powerful elders carried over between, so maybe that was a good starting point. Martuk remembered the way the sun set over his home in the plains around the Capitol, wild and free lands where his family had felt safe before everything had turned to ash and bitterness.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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