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tampered2007-02-26 01:05 am
henkonasuisho.livejournal.com) wrote in tampered2007-02-26 01:05 am
Log; Complete
When; Sunday Feb 25, Nighttime
Rating; PG for mentioning of blood and angst
Characters; Count D [![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
despairingdream], Zaheela and to a point, Eisen [henkonasuisho]
Summary; She had asked him to help Eisen from unknown fates...
Log;
She staggered into the entryway, door slamming shut loudly as she slid down. Her breath was heavy, laced with blood. Twenty nine minutes of flying, reflecting, of creatures tearing into flesh. Her arm was the worst wound, gashes and blood dripping down, but her mind wasn't focused on that. Pulling herself up, she brushed tired fingers to slow down the blood loss and entered the main room of the shop, only to find herself face to face with what she had been fleeing from. She snarled, eyes almost feral. She did NOT need this right now.
Thankfully, the Count was already seated and waiting within the very room Zaheela then entered. Brows arched upward somewhat at that snarl and he rose from his seat, the small smirk never once falling from his features. "This one will prove no threat to you, Miss Zaheela," he offered, moving forth to lead the creature aside. He was not the only one there. Q-chan--perhaps the only other who vaguely resembled an animal at present--hovered over D's shoulder as he walked, and a number of humanoid figures were draped lithely over the sofas and chairs, some gone so far as to sprawl upon the floor even in their intricate states of dress.
“Is Eisen alright?” Were the first words out of her mouth. The second was a groan as she collasped, the fatigue catching up to her. She sighed and closed her eyes, letting her magic repair the damage done and glanced around at all the 'people' there. She thought to address them but something tickled her nose. Under the heavy scent of incense was the smell of something primal. These were not humans, they did not smell like humans.
“Am I to assume then other then you, everyone else here is not as they seem?” She questioned, slitted eyes darting over the people in front of her, eyes lingering on a certain male, feline of course, for a moment or two.
D's smirk broadened for but a moment as he followed her gaze, fingers linked idly before his own form.
"Eisen is well. He has yet to wake, but remains uninjured. I expect that consciousness will return to him shortly." A subtle nod given before he continued.
"Every creature here is indeed as it seems. Perhaps not as you have come to know them..." but he trailed off. Though she was not human, that did not give him reason to carry on as if there were not still others in this place. It took a faint tug to his hair on Q-chan's part to remind him of this, and he scowled at him only briefly before readopting his usual pleasant facade.
"You must be exhausted. Would you like some tea?"
“Exhasted is not the word i'd use, but I'd rather be with Eisen right now.” She answered, a small, worried smile on her face. Unconciously her hand had brushed her stomach, her secret wish briefly remembered, but she covered it up by using the same hand to rub her arm.
“He's like my own child, I don't think I could relax without seeing him safe for myself.” She continued, her eyes darting to the male which had caught her attention and then focusing on Count D himself.
The cat in question would not go without noticing, of course, and he shifted in his spot upon the sofa--rising up briefly to stretch before lying out again, sprawled. .. D gave him a look, only to be pouted at in return, and then laughed softly.
"I thought as much. Please, then--follow me this way." He already starting toward the back of the shop.
Zaheela coughed before following the Count into the back, only to find herself in a large pasture of sorts. Her mind first though of the dimensional magic that the Goblins used but the moment she saw a dot of red on the horizon, she dashed forward, falling to her knees beside the sleeping Chocobo. She pulled his head into her lap and stiffled a happy sob, curling over so that her head was touching his beak.
“My precious one...” She purred, shoulders shaking, eyes closed and arms tight. Zaheela didn't know what to think if she was to ever loose Eisen.
D was, as expected, rather more calm in his own approach. However, upon reaching the two he knelt down, one knee meeting the soft earth as he reached a delicate hand outward. It was smoothed over Eisen's neck, stilling nearer the base and lingering for but a moment. Soon he drew it back, satisfied.
"He will be perfectly fine, Miss Zaheela." A pause.
"Would you like something clean to wear? I fear that the blood may ultimately agitate the other animals..."
She had forgotten that she was covered in a considerable amount of blood. She smiled sheepishly before nodding, her hand stroking the soft feathers above Eisen's eye.
“I suppose that would be best.” Gentlely lifted the head out of her lap, her purrs dying as she stood. She rubbed her arm once again before turning to the Count.
“I don't think it will be safe for him to head back tonight with me, could I ask that he stay with you until when he wishes to return?” She questioned, the motherly instinct in her surprisingly strong for one so young.
"If it would please you, Miss Zaheela, I have no qualms with permitting you to stay by his side. Such devotion is understandable.." He rose slowly, the movement practically fluid as he turned.
"In either case, I believe it best that you stay here until he wakes. Unfortunatley, I believe that the only garment I have that would fit you is in the form of a Kimono..." he trailed off, obviously considering whether he had anything more suiting.
“I should head back to my apartment later, but at least now I will know he is safe. A Kimono is fine as long as it's not too extravigant.” She answered, once again dropping to her knees, her eyes tired. She felt the agony of the wounds creep up on her, but she didn't give in to the lethargic feeling that accomplanied it. Something told her not to let herself fall asleep, and she listened to that voice.
D noticed. Of course, he always noticed such things.. it was simply a matter of how he chose to react. A moment's thought.
"I will bring you something to ease the pain.. have you a means of mending the wounds yourself, or shall I return with antiseptic, as well?"
"Just something to eat I suppose. Mana may be very abundant, but using it also requires me to have energy. My wounds will heal by themselves." She smiled, her eyes tired. She waited for him to leave before petting Eisen's head again and a memory came to mind. The field reminded her of the great forests of her world, and of something Eisen would always demand. He had been a great coward in his youth, afraid of the dark. Eyes closing, she began to sing a Lullaby.
D was off so soon as she had finished her explanation. Food he could easily accomplish, and so it would be done. However, when he did returned it was with a tray of items that were far from healthy. Tarts and various pastries, cookies, and the like--piled carefully onto the thing along with the customary pot of tea. The cup beside it had a fine powder sprinkled at its bottom--the pain remedy he had spoken of, and balanced carefully beneath one arm was the box containing the kimono.
The Count knelt carefully beside the two, lowering the tray, and then set the box next to it. "I hope that this is all well enough."
Her eyebrows shot up at the amount of sweets offered in front of her. She had heard of sweet tooths, but this certainly must of been one of the most severe cases she had ever seen, but she merely nodded and opened the box. She blinked and sighed. Was she REALLY that appealing in Blue and silver? The kimono was simple yet at the same beautiful, the silver fabric dotted with images of blue Lillies and birds. Not one to complain however, she closed the box, gathering it carefully in her arms and glanced around.
“It's beautiful. Is there a place to for me to change?”
The Count plucked a single cookie from the tray, rising to his feet yet again. "Of course. Back in the shop.." he gestured briefly for her to follow, leading her to the door--so out of place amongst the rest of the natural life. When it was drawn open he gestured outward with one arm.
"Through there. It is rather more private and should suffice, I think--" he pointing to the doorway which would lead to his own bedroom, which wasn't shockingly different from the rest of the shop save for the presence of said bed and the lack of animals.
Nodding, she waited until the Count had left and began to strip, tattered clothing falling around her. She pulled open the box and scowled somewhat. The thing, while flattering, well... It reminded her of a certain bastard. She glanced down at her torso. Her Binding strap had been soaked with blood and would have to be removed, and there was still a wound or two that had not closed up. Hands danced over the wounds, hands glowing, and they sealed, disappearing without a trace. With a scowl, she removed the caked strap and ripped the soft cloth of her shirt, creating a make shift one and tied it securely before cleaning up blood with what remained of her shirt and some water from the washroom. She slipped silver silk over her form and tied the blue Obi securely. Placing the remains of her clothes in the box, she exited the room and sighed. The city owed her a new shirt.
The Count had decided it best to wait for Zaheela within the hall--while he normally would have left on grounds of privacy in itself, having someone in his own quarters left him feeling rather nervous. It wasn't a matter of distrust, so to speak, but it was unusual. And there was the matter of blood... his creatures would not turn against him, but he could say nothing for another. He smiled faintly, any worry falling from his features when the other did return. "It looks lovely," he complimented with a faint nod--and could not help but wonder if she would notice the occasional fluttering of the birds' wings. "Is there anything still bloodied? It would be in your best interest were it put behind closed doors.."
“In the box are the remains of the bloodied clothes. You can burn them if youwish. I'll clean and return the kimono tomorrow.As for on my person, it all remains in my body.” Zaheela responded, her eyes flicking, catching the sound of wings and feathers. Her tail twitched but she tried not to show response to the noise. Somehow the Kimono had been tailored to fit those with tails as well, for which she was grateful, but she couldn't help but wonder who this man really was..
D took it without further hesitation, though said nothing of what would come of the material. "You needn't worry about cleaning the kimono. In fact, it would likely be better that you did not..." he turned, starting down the hallway. "I believe that your friend will wake soon. I will join you with him in a moment."
His response puzzled her, but she would not argue with his request. She carefully tucked the ends of the Kimono under her legs and pulled Eisen's head into her lap once more. His breath was steady, which was good, and he was unharmed. She could feel her body restore what she had damaged, but she was getting hungry and carefully pulled a small fruit tart from the plate and nibbled on it. She was never a heavy eater of sweets.
On her lap, Eisen began to stir, making the noises he usually did when he was waking. A eye opened and he focused on his master. A coo, and then his head was smothered in a hug that was welcomed.
Such was the sight that D would return to after the box had been disposed of, and he couldn't help the sly smile that crept over his features upon catching the embrace.
"It's good to see you rousing and in tact, Eisen-san," he commented airily, coming to kneel nearby yet again. He would not impede upon what had been granted as their personal space, and had no desire to--only really close for the purpose of claiming another tart.
Eisen responded with a snort and pulled himself upright, flapping his wings due to the restored blood flow before settling back down, resting his head back onto his master's lap. Zaheela merely smiled and continued to stroke his neck.
“Thank you for helping me.” She said, her words as true as the air around them. “Eisen, as you know, is important to me. I owe you so much.”
"You owe me nothing," came the murmured response, the Count tracing a finger thoughtlessly beneath his lip before he bit into the thing.
"I understand well enough the bonds which can form.." he nodded once, figuring that it would be enough.
“Still won't stop me from sending a cake in gratitude.” She smiled, scratching Eisen behind the eartuft before he coo'd and leaned his head. Her tail swished before her curiosity caught the better of her.
“If you don't mind me asking, what is the purpose of this shop?”
"The purpose of this shop?" He grinned faintly. "Why, we exist for the purpose of offering forth Love, Hope, and Dreams to those who otherwise could not attain them.." a hand brought to his chest all too dramatically as he spoke. ".. In the form of pets." Simply. The same speech he had been giving for so many years, it seemed, but ah~ It worked.
Coming from a world where Dramatics were part of waking up, his little act didn't do much to phase her. Infact, it almost bored her. He described the shop as a pet shop, but due to her situation, she did not quite enjoy the word he had used.
“Pets sounds belittling, perhaps companion?” She murmured, as she trailed into her thoughts. It was almost garenteed he could not grant HER most wanted dream.
His brows knit, and he loosed a little sigh. "Yes, but unfortunately it is one which caters primarily to humans ... " Though he could not help the return of his usual smirk at the irony of that very statement. "The animals do not seem to mind, in truth ... for they are the ones to decide what purpose they will serve. I am merely here to allow it."
She sighed and finally took a sip of the offered tea. It was sweeter then she normally took it, but she wasn't about to complain.
“As long as they do not mind it.” Her ear twitched as she heard the flapping of wings once again. “Serve? Are they not comforts to the soul?”
Eisen wanted to snort and nuzzled his head further into his master's lap. He didn't QUITE like where this was going, but he always heard his master's whimpering, how she clung to her pillows and wished it was something else. His open eye flicked to the Count before closing and enjoying the petting.
"I never sell a creature that hasn't the desire to leave. Should it be their will to act as a comfort, then it is so ... if to act as a nightmare, it is so. Of course, temperament has quite the effect, and an animal can be persuaded as easily as any other. D directed a small smile to Eisen, and then looked back to Zaheela again.
"Have you a dream, Miss Zaheela?" His tone somewhat softer. "Or do you inquire only for the purpose of conversation ...?" Though his tone suggested that he would be surprised to hear that it were the latter.
Eisen snorted and huffed, his feathers ruffling, but he did not comment. His master needed to talk to the Count anyways. He had enough of her suffering for she did not deserve it.
“I dream of wishes I dare not speak while awake to most. Things I that I selfishly desire, but I know that I am not to have them.” She responded. For some reason, she felt comfortable with this man. “A family, a child of my own, a lover who will love me truely. Not see the beast that I am, but the soul that rests within this vessel. I dream, but I refuse to wish on a star for hopeless things.”
Count D listened wordlessly until she had finished, and all the while painted lips stayed curved, even through the delicate nibbling on one of his sweets.
"And why, Miss Zaheela, are you not to have these things?" He paused. "What is to say that such is a dream that I cannot provide?" Yes, the Count was an man who was easy to trust--perhaps that was what made him so dangerous. Though this one was not human, and he harbored her no ill.
“By the laws of science and instinct, I am unable to bear anything without aide of my own kind, any other seed and I will be as barren as if it never existed. By the rules of my kingdom, I may not marry outside what they consider to be the 'level' of my blood, though they are not of my race. Because I know that such wishes are granted with consequence. I, my friends, the people I care for will suffer in result of wishes.” She responded easily. Her ears had flattened themselves against her skull, her eyes saddened by the weight of her circumstance. She wanted to bear children, to be happy, to have her blood flow even in the smallest amounts. She knew love, comfort, care, but she could not have them.
"Laws can be broken..." he continued, voice somewhat soft. ".. And this is not your kingdom." he lifted his gaze then.
"Ah, but such bounds are so oft encountered in the worlds of humans and animals alike ... and as such remain difficult to break. But what is there to say that blood alone makes a family, Miss Zaheela? You deem Eisen like a child to you, do you not? Would it be so difficult to do with another?" If anything, this sort of advice.. was not the type that D was accustomed to providing. He could hardly understand matters of emotion outside of instinct.
“Eisen is my son. No like involved. I am his mother. Thus saying, I would take in a child, regardless of blood, race, gender, appearance, because a mother does not see their children with normal eyes.” She responded, her tail curled up now. Her eyes closed slightly and placed a hand on her stomach. She could almost imagine the feeling of something growing there, a sign of future love.
“But I most desire one from my own body. It is my most secret of wishes.” She said softly, her voice so low it was almost unheard.
"Even if it were to remain without father? Or is it that a child remains only part of your wish?" D looked on as one of the many birds depicted upon the kimono leapt from a branch--directly out, where it alighted upon Zaheela's hand, tittering softly. He smiled.
“I could do without, but if you talk of my deepish wish, I wish for a family. So, yes, I dream of the child having a father who loves, is loved in return. It is a selfish wish. By the laws of nature, one breeds, bears children who are strong enough to survive. Instinct demands I bear children, my mind says I cannot, my heart screams for love.” Her hands idly stroked down Eisen's neck. She didn't know why she was telling him all of this.
"If I were to say that I could offer it to you?" his tone notably softer at that, something in it rather different though it would be difficult to place precisely what. Fingers coiled about the cup of tea he'd brought along for himself and he lifted it to sip from delicately, gazing at her over the china.
“It would tempt me, yes, but I am not without knowledge. I know that in this worlds things are not the same as I know, but nature is still constant.” She answered, eyes clear. She glanced down at the Kimono. Since when did a bird appear on that sleeve?
“I wish for love, and thus saying, I will never be loved in some ways. I will find no lover, I will adopt children, but I have accepted that. I will love them as if they were my own blood. Nature allows that. But I will never have my true wish.” She answered. Her heart twinged but she ignored it and her thoughts strayed.
"It is unfortunate that I have yet to reclaim a Kirin, or it would be far more possible than you could begin to assume .." he sighed then, however faint, though it was not a sound of displeasure. "You should not lose hope in your wish so soon. I have seen stranger things come to pass."
She smiled and thought back to the man. He reminded her of someone, someone she had unwillingly become entranced with, like a snake entrances a cat with it's movements.
“Stranger things still are to come, but I know that my wish will stay a dream. Because love depends on two, not on one. It cannot be forced or taught.” She said. Eisen took this as a sign to end the conversation. He lifted his head and stared at the count, willing his words to the male. He wanted this to stop. His master had been through enough, tempt her not with things she cannot have.
"But it can be wished." Softly, however, Eisen's protest did not go unnoticed. He bowed his head subtly, sign enough that he would not persue the conversation. There were possibilities, ways.. it would hardly be difficult. But Zaheela was not human, not an enemy--and he had no true desire to do anything potentially harmful.
She sighed and leaned against Eisen, listening to his heartbeat.
“I will not dream or wish. It leads to agony.” She responded, well aware of the pain she suffered. Eisen purred as he wrapped his neck around her shoulder and rested his head against her back, the closest thing he could give to a hug.
“Besides, I am not a human, I won't give in that easily. I won't allow myself to be collared or tamed so easily or for long.” She smiled before getting up, making a motion for Eisen to stay down.
“I think it's time I leave your shop of dreams and face the real world. Eisen, remain here until tomorrow and return when you wish.”
D nodded, but made no move to rise. For a moment there was a faint look of sadness at her words, though it was barely evident through the small smile evident even now. "He will be well taken care of. And the birds seem to have taken a liking to you, Miss Zaheela.." he gestured to the kimono with one hand. "The kimono is yours to keep."
“I am not human, Even though what I am entranced by used to be one. I could smell his weakness, the scent of others on his loins. It will only serve to remind me not to tempt dreams.” She whispered to herself, though it was loud enough for the count to hear. She looked down at the Kimono and blinked. The bird on the sleeve had disappeared. Her eyebrow raised before she turned to look at the count. It must of been enchanted.
“Are there any special instructions on how to keep this piece of art pleased? I would not like to make the birds unhappy.”
"Let them see the sunlight on occasion." Simply. I will never understand such attraction to humans... The Count shook his head. "That will be enough."
"I believe I have a clothing rack in direct position of the window, and I will wear this when I go out to the gardens to play then. I assume they also are ones to enjoy music?" She added, her eyes soft. Perhaps the colors were not displeasing to her afterall.
"They will sing with you." And again he smiled, finally rising from his knees to stand--lifting the tray with him.
"I'd enjoy that even more I'd think. There is no song more lovely then one of a bird. Humans cannot compare to the beauty of their song, or the howl of a wolf, or any song sung naturally, all in my opinion of course." She smiled before kissing Eisen on the top of the head and letting him settle down before waiting for the Count to lead the way.
D nodded once, though whether or not he truly agreed was left up to consideration. He started wordlessly back to the door that would lead them to the main floor of the shop, the tray clutched carefully before him.
Rating; PG for mentioning of blood and angst
Characters; Count D [
despairingdream], Zaheela and to a point, Eisen [henkonasuisho]Summary; She had asked him to help Eisen from unknown fates...
Log;
She staggered into the entryway, door slamming shut loudly as she slid down. Her breath was heavy, laced with blood. Twenty nine minutes of flying, reflecting, of creatures tearing into flesh. Her arm was the worst wound, gashes and blood dripping down, but her mind wasn't focused on that. Pulling herself up, she brushed tired fingers to slow down the blood loss and entered the main room of the shop, only to find herself face to face with what she had been fleeing from. She snarled, eyes almost feral. She did NOT need this right now.
Thankfully, the Count was already seated and waiting within the very room Zaheela then entered. Brows arched upward somewhat at that snarl and he rose from his seat, the small smirk never once falling from his features. "This one will prove no threat to you, Miss Zaheela," he offered, moving forth to lead the creature aside. He was not the only one there. Q-chan--perhaps the only other who vaguely resembled an animal at present--hovered over D's shoulder as he walked, and a number of humanoid figures were draped lithely over the sofas and chairs, some gone so far as to sprawl upon the floor even in their intricate states of dress.
“Is Eisen alright?” Were the first words out of her mouth. The second was a groan as she collasped, the fatigue catching up to her. She sighed and closed her eyes, letting her magic repair the damage done and glanced around at all the 'people' there. She thought to address them but something tickled her nose. Under the heavy scent of incense was the smell of something primal. These were not humans, they did not smell like humans.
“Am I to assume then other then you, everyone else here is not as they seem?” She questioned, slitted eyes darting over the people in front of her, eyes lingering on a certain male, feline of course, for a moment or two.
D's smirk broadened for but a moment as he followed her gaze, fingers linked idly before his own form.
"Eisen is well. He has yet to wake, but remains uninjured. I expect that consciousness will return to him shortly." A subtle nod given before he continued.
"Every creature here is indeed as it seems. Perhaps not as you have come to know them..." but he trailed off. Though she was not human, that did not give him reason to carry on as if there were not still others in this place. It took a faint tug to his hair on Q-chan's part to remind him of this, and he scowled at him only briefly before readopting his usual pleasant facade.
"You must be exhausted. Would you like some tea?"
“Exhasted is not the word i'd use, but I'd rather be with Eisen right now.” She answered, a small, worried smile on her face. Unconciously her hand had brushed her stomach, her secret wish briefly remembered, but she covered it up by using the same hand to rub her arm.
“He's like my own child, I don't think I could relax without seeing him safe for myself.” She continued, her eyes darting to the male which had caught her attention and then focusing on Count D himself.
The cat in question would not go without noticing, of course, and he shifted in his spot upon the sofa--rising up briefly to stretch before lying out again, sprawled. .. D gave him a look, only to be pouted at in return, and then laughed softly.
"I thought as much. Please, then--follow me this way." He already starting toward the back of the shop.
Zaheela coughed before following the Count into the back, only to find herself in a large pasture of sorts. Her mind first though of the dimensional magic that the Goblins used but the moment she saw a dot of red on the horizon, she dashed forward, falling to her knees beside the sleeping Chocobo. She pulled his head into her lap and stiffled a happy sob, curling over so that her head was touching his beak.
“My precious one...” She purred, shoulders shaking, eyes closed and arms tight. Zaheela didn't know what to think if she was to ever loose Eisen.
D was, as expected, rather more calm in his own approach. However, upon reaching the two he knelt down, one knee meeting the soft earth as he reached a delicate hand outward. It was smoothed over Eisen's neck, stilling nearer the base and lingering for but a moment. Soon he drew it back, satisfied.
"He will be perfectly fine, Miss Zaheela." A pause.
"Would you like something clean to wear? I fear that the blood may ultimately agitate the other animals..."
She had forgotten that she was covered in a considerable amount of blood. She smiled sheepishly before nodding, her hand stroking the soft feathers above Eisen's eye.
“I suppose that would be best.” Gentlely lifted the head out of her lap, her purrs dying as she stood. She rubbed her arm once again before turning to the Count.
“I don't think it will be safe for him to head back tonight with me, could I ask that he stay with you until when he wishes to return?” She questioned, the motherly instinct in her surprisingly strong for one so young.
"If it would please you, Miss Zaheela, I have no qualms with permitting you to stay by his side. Such devotion is understandable.." He rose slowly, the movement practically fluid as he turned.
"In either case, I believe it best that you stay here until he wakes. Unfortunatley, I believe that the only garment I have that would fit you is in the form of a Kimono..." he trailed off, obviously considering whether he had anything more suiting.
“I should head back to my apartment later, but at least now I will know he is safe. A Kimono is fine as long as it's not too extravigant.” She answered, once again dropping to her knees, her eyes tired. She felt the agony of the wounds creep up on her, but she didn't give in to the lethargic feeling that accomplanied it. Something told her not to let herself fall asleep, and she listened to that voice.
D noticed. Of course, he always noticed such things.. it was simply a matter of how he chose to react. A moment's thought.
"I will bring you something to ease the pain.. have you a means of mending the wounds yourself, or shall I return with antiseptic, as well?"
"Just something to eat I suppose. Mana may be very abundant, but using it also requires me to have energy. My wounds will heal by themselves." She smiled, her eyes tired. She waited for him to leave before petting Eisen's head again and a memory came to mind. The field reminded her of the great forests of her world, and of something Eisen would always demand. He had been a great coward in his youth, afraid of the dark. Eyes closing, she began to sing a Lullaby.
D was off so soon as she had finished her explanation. Food he could easily accomplish, and so it would be done. However, when he did returned it was with a tray of items that were far from healthy. Tarts and various pastries, cookies, and the like--piled carefully onto the thing along with the customary pot of tea. The cup beside it had a fine powder sprinkled at its bottom--the pain remedy he had spoken of, and balanced carefully beneath one arm was the box containing the kimono.
The Count knelt carefully beside the two, lowering the tray, and then set the box next to it. "I hope that this is all well enough."
Her eyebrows shot up at the amount of sweets offered in front of her. She had heard of sweet tooths, but this certainly must of been one of the most severe cases she had ever seen, but she merely nodded and opened the box. She blinked and sighed. Was she REALLY that appealing in Blue and silver? The kimono was simple yet at the same beautiful, the silver fabric dotted with images of blue Lillies and birds. Not one to complain however, she closed the box, gathering it carefully in her arms and glanced around.
“It's beautiful. Is there a place to for me to change?”
The Count plucked a single cookie from the tray, rising to his feet yet again. "Of course. Back in the shop.." he gestured briefly for her to follow, leading her to the door--so out of place amongst the rest of the natural life. When it was drawn open he gestured outward with one arm.
"Through there. It is rather more private and should suffice, I think--" he pointing to the doorway which would lead to his own bedroom, which wasn't shockingly different from the rest of the shop save for the presence of said bed and the lack of animals.
Nodding, she waited until the Count had left and began to strip, tattered clothing falling around her. She pulled open the box and scowled somewhat. The thing, while flattering, well... It reminded her of a certain bastard. She glanced down at her torso. Her Binding strap had been soaked with blood and would have to be removed, and there was still a wound or two that had not closed up. Hands danced over the wounds, hands glowing, and they sealed, disappearing without a trace. With a scowl, she removed the caked strap and ripped the soft cloth of her shirt, creating a make shift one and tied it securely before cleaning up blood with what remained of her shirt and some water from the washroom. She slipped silver silk over her form and tied the blue Obi securely. Placing the remains of her clothes in the box, she exited the room and sighed. The city owed her a new shirt.
The Count had decided it best to wait for Zaheela within the hall--while he normally would have left on grounds of privacy in itself, having someone in his own quarters left him feeling rather nervous. It wasn't a matter of distrust, so to speak, but it was unusual. And there was the matter of blood... his creatures would not turn against him, but he could say nothing for another. He smiled faintly, any worry falling from his features when the other did return. "It looks lovely," he complimented with a faint nod--and could not help but wonder if she would notice the occasional fluttering of the birds' wings. "Is there anything still bloodied? It would be in your best interest were it put behind closed doors.."
“In the box are the remains of the bloodied clothes. You can burn them if youwish. I'll clean and return the kimono tomorrow.As for on my person, it all remains in my body.” Zaheela responded, her eyes flicking, catching the sound of wings and feathers. Her tail twitched but she tried not to show response to the noise. Somehow the Kimono had been tailored to fit those with tails as well, for which she was grateful, but she couldn't help but wonder who this man really was..
D took it without further hesitation, though said nothing of what would come of the material. "You needn't worry about cleaning the kimono. In fact, it would likely be better that you did not..." he turned, starting down the hallway. "I believe that your friend will wake soon. I will join you with him in a moment."
His response puzzled her, but she would not argue with his request. She carefully tucked the ends of the Kimono under her legs and pulled Eisen's head into her lap once more. His breath was steady, which was good, and he was unharmed. She could feel her body restore what she had damaged, but she was getting hungry and carefully pulled a small fruit tart from the plate and nibbled on it. She was never a heavy eater of sweets.
On her lap, Eisen began to stir, making the noises he usually did when he was waking. A eye opened and he focused on his master. A coo, and then his head was smothered in a hug that was welcomed.
Such was the sight that D would return to after the box had been disposed of, and he couldn't help the sly smile that crept over his features upon catching the embrace.
"It's good to see you rousing and in tact, Eisen-san," he commented airily, coming to kneel nearby yet again. He would not impede upon what had been granted as their personal space, and had no desire to--only really close for the purpose of claiming another tart.
Eisen responded with a snort and pulled himself upright, flapping his wings due to the restored blood flow before settling back down, resting his head back onto his master's lap. Zaheela merely smiled and continued to stroke his neck.
“Thank you for helping me.” She said, her words as true as the air around them. “Eisen, as you know, is important to me. I owe you so much.”
"You owe me nothing," came the murmured response, the Count tracing a finger thoughtlessly beneath his lip before he bit into the thing.
"I understand well enough the bonds which can form.." he nodded once, figuring that it would be enough.
“Still won't stop me from sending a cake in gratitude.” She smiled, scratching Eisen behind the eartuft before he coo'd and leaned his head. Her tail swished before her curiosity caught the better of her.
“If you don't mind me asking, what is the purpose of this shop?”
"The purpose of this shop?" He grinned faintly. "Why, we exist for the purpose of offering forth Love, Hope, and Dreams to those who otherwise could not attain them.." a hand brought to his chest all too dramatically as he spoke. ".. In the form of pets." Simply. The same speech he had been giving for so many years, it seemed, but ah~ It worked.
Coming from a world where Dramatics were part of waking up, his little act didn't do much to phase her. Infact, it almost bored her. He described the shop as a pet shop, but due to her situation, she did not quite enjoy the word he had used.
“Pets sounds belittling, perhaps companion?” She murmured, as she trailed into her thoughts. It was almost garenteed he could not grant HER most wanted dream.
His brows knit, and he loosed a little sigh. "Yes, but unfortunately it is one which caters primarily to humans ... " Though he could not help the return of his usual smirk at the irony of that very statement. "The animals do not seem to mind, in truth ... for they are the ones to decide what purpose they will serve. I am merely here to allow it."
She sighed and finally took a sip of the offered tea. It was sweeter then she normally took it, but she wasn't about to complain.
“As long as they do not mind it.” Her ear twitched as she heard the flapping of wings once again. “Serve? Are they not comforts to the soul?”
Eisen wanted to snort and nuzzled his head further into his master's lap. He didn't QUITE like where this was going, but he always heard his master's whimpering, how she clung to her pillows and wished it was something else. His open eye flicked to the Count before closing and enjoying the petting.
"I never sell a creature that hasn't the desire to leave. Should it be their will to act as a comfort, then it is so ... if to act as a nightmare, it is so. Of course, temperament has quite the effect, and an animal can be persuaded as easily as any other. D directed a small smile to Eisen, and then looked back to Zaheela again.
"Have you a dream, Miss Zaheela?" His tone somewhat softer. "Or do you inquire only for the purpose of conversation ...?" Though his tone suggested that he would be surprised to hear that it were the latter.
Eisen snorted and huffed, his feathers ruffling, but he did not comment. His master needed to talk to the Count anyways. He had enough of her suffering for she did not deserve it.
“I dream of wishes I dare not speak while awake to most. Things I that I selfishly desire, but I know that I am not to have them.” She responded. For some reason, she felt comfortable with this man. “A family, a child of my own, a lover who will love me truely. Not see the beast that I am, but the soul that rests within this vessel. I dream, but I refuse to wish on a star for hopeless things.”
Count D listened wordlessly until she had finished, and all the while painted lips stayed curved, even through the delicate nibbling on one of his sweets.
"And why, Miss Zaheela, are you not to have these things?" He paused. "What is to say that such is a dream that I cannot provide?" Yes, the Count was an man who was easy to trust--perhaps that was what made him so dangerous. Though this one was not human, and he harbored her no ill.
“By the laws of science and instinct, I am unable to bear anything without aide of my own kind, any other seed and I will be as barren as if it never existed. By the rules of my kingdom, I may not marry outside what they consider to be the 'level' of my blood, though they are not of my race. Because I know that such wishes are granted with consequence. I, my friends, the people I care for will suffer in result of wishes.” She responded easily. Her ears had flattened themselves against her skull, her eyes saddened by the weight of her circumstance. She wanted to bear children, to be happy, to have her blood flow even in the smallest amounts. She knew love, comfort, care, but she could not have them.
"Laws can be broken..." he continued, voice somewhat soft. ".. And this is not your kingdom." he lifted his gaze then.
"Ah, but such bounds are so oft encountered in the worlds of humans and animals alike ... and as such remain difficult to break. But what is there to say that blood alone makes a family, Miss Zaheela? You deem Eisen like a child to you, do you not? Would it be so difficult to do with another?" If anything, this sort of advice.. was not the type that D was accustomed to providing. He could hardly understand matters of emotion outside of instinct.
“Eisen is my son. No like involved. I am his mother. Thus saying, I would take in a child, regardless of blood, race, gender, appearance, because a mother does not see their children with normal eyes.” She responded, her tail curled up now. Her eyes closed slightly and placed a hand on her stomach. She could almost imagine the feeling of something growing there, a sign of future love.
“But I most desire one from my own body. It is my most secret of wishes.” She said softly, her voice so low it was almost unheard.
"Even if it were to remain without father? Or is it that a child remains only part of your wish?" D looked on as one of the many birds depicted upon the kimono leapt from a branch--directly out, where it alighted upon Zaheela's hand, tittering softly. He smiled.
“I could do without, but if you talk of my deepish wish, I wish for a family. So, yes, I dream of the child having a father who loves, is loved in return. It is a selfish wish. By the laws of nature, one breeds, bears children who are strong enough to survive. Instinct demands I bear children, my mind says I cannot, my heart screams for love.” Her hands idly stroked down Eisen's neck. She didn't know why she was telling him all of this.
"If I were to say that I could offer it to you?" his tone notably softer at that, something in it rather different though it would be difficult to place precisely what. Fingers coiled about the cup of tea he'd brought along for himself and he lifted it to sip from delicately, gazing at her over the china.
“It would tempt me, yes, but I am not without knowledge. I know that in this worlds things are not the same as I know, but nature is still constant.” She answered, eyes clear. She glanced down at the Kimono. Since when did a bird appear on that sleeve?
“I wish for love, and thus saying, I will never be loved in some ways. I will find no lover, I will adopt children, but I have accepted that. I will love them as if they were my own blood. Nature allows that. But I will never have my true wish.” She answered. Her heart twinged but she ignored it and her thoughts strayed.
"It is unfortunate that I have yet to reclaim a Kirin, or it would be far more possible than you could begin to assume .." he sighed then, however faint, though it was not a sound of displeasure. "You should not lose hope in your wish so soon. I have seen stranger things come to pass."
She smiled and thought back to the man. He reminded her of someone, someone she had unwillingly become entranced with, like a snake entrances a cat with it's movements.
“Stranger things still are to come, but I know that my wish will stay a dream. Because love depends on two, not on one. It cannot be forced or taught.” She said. Eisen took this as a sign to end the conversation. He lifted his head and stared at the count, willing his words to the male. He wanted this to stop. His master had been through enough, tempt her not with things she cannot have.
"But it can be wished." Softly, however, Eisen's protest did not go unnoticed. He bowed his head subtly, sign enough that he would not persue the conversation. There were possibilities, ways.. it would hardly be difficult. But Zaheela was not human, not an enemy--and he had no true desire to do anything potentially harmful.
She sighed and leaned against Eisen, listening to his heartbeat.
“I will not dream or wish. It leads to agony.” She responded, well aware of the pain she suffered. Eisen purred as he wrapped his neck around her shoulder and rested his head against her back, the closest thing he could give to a hug.
“Besides, I am not a human, I won't give in that easily. I won't allow myself to be collared or tamed so easily or for long.” She smiled before getting up, making a motion for Eisen to stay down.
“I think it's time I leave your shop of dreams and face the real world. Eisen, remain here until tomorrow and return when you wish.”
D nodded, but made no move to rise. For a moment there was a faint look of sadness at her words, though it was barely evident through the small smile evident even now. "He will be well taken care of. And the birds seem to have taken a liking to you, Miss Zaheela.." he gestured to the kimono with one hand. "The kimono is yours to keep."
“I am not human, Even though what I am entranced by used to be one. I could smell his weakness, the scent of others on his loins. It will only serve to remind me not to tempt dreams.” She whispered to herself, though it was loud enough for the count to hear. She looked down at the Kimono and blinked. The bird on the sleeve had disappeared. Her eyebrow raised before she turned to look at the count. It must of been enchanted.
“Are there any special instructions on how to keep this piece of art pleased? I would not like to make the birds unhappy.”
"Let them see the sunlight on occasion." Simply. I will never understand such attraction to humans... The Count shook his head. "That will be enough."
"I believe I have a clothing rack in direct position of the window, and I will wear this when I go out to the gardens to play then. I assume they also are ones to enjoy music?" She added, her eyes soft. Perhaps the colors were not displeasing to her afterall.
"They will sing with you." And again he smiled, finally rising from his knees to stand--lifting the tray with him.
"I'd enjoy that even more I'd think. There is no song more lovely then one of a bird. Humans cannot compare to the beauty of their song, or the howl of a wolf, or any song sung naturally, all in my opinion of course." She smiled before kissing Eisen on the top of the head and letting him settle down before waiting for the Count to lead the way.
D nodded once, though whether or not he truly agreed was left up to consideration. He started wordlessly back to the door that would lead them to the main floor of the shop, the tray clutched carefully before him.