OOM All Skate Skellig Dream Magic Weirdness -Part 10

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu has taken a different shape than is usual for her. A dragon, yes, but one of quite different build and coloration!

This shape is more serpentine, although it still has four legs and wings. Her body and her wings are covered in feathers that are all the colors of the rainbow. She fusses with some of her wing feathers, the claws of this shape far smaller, as dexterous as human hands.

"How do I look?" she asks, a little nervous about her appearance.

Comments

[brave_kreyu]

It is only when Skellig mentions Xenophon that his 'owner' even realizes who he is. "Ah, you have a good eye. Came into my keeping via the terms of a contract, very sad." He does not actually sound sad about that at all, quite the opposite."

"Along with that one, as it happens," he says, waving a hand at Kirke absently. "Legally speaking, his contract would have to be paid in full before I could part with him, I'm sure you understand." That is a lie, actually, but he's betting that a foreigner has no idea about the strange ins and outs of local law.

[27_53]

Skellig glances to Kirke's form as she attempts to 'disappear'.

"Yes, her," he smiles faintly, appreciative. "I noticed her fine hands as she poured this wine - most excellent, might I add. I had merely intended to dicuss the boy's contract, but seeing that one...I might wish to discuss the terms of her contract as well."

He turns his attention back to Cylon. "I would see their contacts, when it comes time to discuss. I would easily be able to make payment," he specifically lifts his wine cup with the hand that has several rings on his fingers, gold and silver set with precious stones. "But I would wish to do all things legally, to avoid any later surprises."

[brave_kreyu]

"Ah, wonderful," Cylon replies smiling. "I will have the contracts fetched while we are enjoying this fine wine."

He rings a small bell, summons another slave. Instructions are given to fetch contracts from the vault, and their numbers.

The greed in Cylon is almost palpable. "I would not have expected a gentleman such as yourself to risk travel without guards, especially these days."

[27_53]

"I have come across my share of trials," Skellig replies. "But I have managed to remain unscathed thus far." He shrugs, as if he is not bothered by this fact. Does it make Cylon uncomfortable at all, that Skellig is nonplussed by the threat of violence or robbery?

"I consider some of it good fortune," he reaches up with his free hand and scratches Kreyu between the ears. "Like my reasons for being down at the docks the day the ship carrying this boy came into port."

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu pushes her head into his scratches. The affection helps keep her from doing deeply undiplomatic things!

It does make Cylon uncomfortable, Skellig can tell. He shifts slightly in his seat, drinks more wine than he intended to with his sip.

"I should like to hear that tale," Cylon confesses.

[27_53]

Settling back in his chair, Skellig makes an effort to put Cylon at ease.

"I have a fondness for silks," he 'admits'. "Between my preferences and someone's habit of using her claws whenever she desires...I am constantly having to replenish my stocks."

And from the way he says it, the affection he shows as she rubs her head against his hand - spending money to replace things that Kreyu has clawed to shreds is no concern.

"Which is why I was at the docks, when I spotted the boy," he purposefully does not use Xenophon's name, does not call him a man (he will later once he is freed). "A hard worker as he stacked crates. I am looking to expand my own ranks in my house, so after discussion with the captain, I was told where to inquire after him. The ship is... in need of some repairs, so I was able to get him to accompany me on my journey to speak with you."

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu seems to radiate smugness as she rubs her head against Skellig's hand. Yes, her human doesn't mind at all when she tears the silks to shreds, he can afford to spoil her.

The slave returns with the contracts, but these aren't on parchment. The contracts are on clay tablets that have been baked into ceramic! It makes them QUITE durable, and difficult to amend.

The contracts are placed carefully on the table between them.

Cylon chuckles at the line about Kreyu tearing silks to shred. "Ah yes, those fearsome claws. But a small price to pay for such companionship."

[27_53]

When he sees the ceramic tablets set before them on the table, he does not immediately move to reach for either of them - after all, no rush. There is wine - Skellig could use more of it, actually.

Kirke is quick to notice and bring the pitcher back to the table - she tops off Cylon's cup first, but then moves to that of the guest to refill it, hands steadier this time (though her heart is still beating rapidly in her chest, seeing her contact out on the table - even if she cannot read it herself) as she performs her task.

"Now what exactly..." Skellig leans forward and pulls the tablets closer, for review. "Are the terms we are dealing with?" He is mostly speaking to himself, though Cylon can answer if he wants to.

[brave_kreyu]

The cat on his shoulder leans in, looks at the tablets, just like her owner! Cylon chuckles at the sight, amused.

"It's a fairly simple contract, as you can see," Cylon says, pointing to the opening section. There's a feeling of TEETH under his smile. Most people in this era can't read even their native language, and Cylon is certain that his guest can't actually read what is before him. The inability of his...targets to actually READ the contracts they are signing is something he exploits on a daily basis.

Kreyu would frown as she reads the contract, if this form was capable of making that expression. "Simple wouldn't be the term I would use," she offers, tone desert dry.

Cylon and Kirke both stare at Kreyu open mouthed. The cat TALKS?! Their faces are both pure WTF.

[27_53]

Xenophon at least remembers to appear surprised, though the delay in his reaction is slight - but nobody in the room is paying a lick of attention to HIM at this moment, because...the cat TALKS?!

Skellig's expression - or should we say Sokratis' expression- remains neutral, that of the wealthy eccentric who just happens to travel the lands with a talking cat. Did he forget to mention that part? Oops.

He can't read the inscriptions. That is all Kreyu. "It does seem a bit conflicting," he agrees, putting on a face and pointing at a piece, as if he understands it.

[brave_kreyu]

"Conflicting and not the kind of deal anyone would accept except at sword-point," Kreyu agrees, tail lashing.

"Those clauses point to the signer as being the one subjected to the terms, but going by the date neither of these two could have signed the contract, they wouldn't have been born yet."

"Ah, yes. If you read further down in the seventh section you'll see that upon death of the signer the debt passes to their next of kin." SOMEONE wasn't expecting to actually have to defend the contents of the contracts.

[27_53]

And certainly wasn't expecting to have to defend them against a line of questioning from a TALKING CAT.

Skellig makes a bit of a face at that detail, then glances up at Cylon. "And you have proof of the death of the original debtor, I would imagine?" Because while yes he has heard it from Xenophon, can Cylon prove it? Or perhaps there is another angle further down they can try to take advantage of?

(He does not want to make Cylon too nervous, as it might make negotiations of price risky. They could easily buy these outright, he assumes. But he needs to know what exactly the debt is... and how much has been paid on it so far. Clearly both Kirke and Xenophon HAVE been working towards it.)

[brave_kreyu]

"Not personally," Cylon replies. "Those records are kept in the city archives, and getting access to them is likely to be a bit of a trial."

Kreyu makes a humming noise. "Ah, here we are." The sum she reads out is frankly outrageous, as Skellig can probably tell from how she 'feels'.

"Open to negotiation, of course," Cylon says, recovering just the tiniest bit. "Particularly if the payment is all at once as opposed to over time."

[27_53]

"So long is there is not any debate later, should the original debt holder rise from the grave..." The way he mutters it, it is clear that 'Sokratis' isn't fully impressed by the response.

He brings his bag up from his side and places it on the table - the accompanying thunk and jingle of coins and stones will be one Cylon is quite familiar with. A glance into the bag and he reaches for a few matching stones, placing them into two piles on the table top, equal.

[brave_kreyu]

"The contract will be in your keeping, to do with as you see fit," Cylon assures him.

Kreyu climbs back onto 'Sokratis's shoulder, if only to keep from putting her claws into Cylon.

The bidding is brisk, Cylon's greed pushing him forward, but they do settle on a price for both contracts after a while.

Cylon reaches to clasp Skellig's forearm to seal the deal. "You are a canny bidder my friend, but these two will serve you well, whatever use you would put them to."

[27_53]

"They will be quite useful members of my house," Skellig says. "I am grateful to you for starting them well."

It is very difficult to speak of Xenophon and Kirke's future as if they are livestock. Or a tool to be used and then discarded. It goes against every fiber of what he stands for. And even if it is just a ruse... it must be kept up for at least a short while longer.

[brave_kreyu]

It bothers Kreyu too, Skellig can feel it. "I am inclined to send my eldest brother your way," Kreyu tells Cylon. Her voice sounds sweet, but if you KNOW about her oldest brother... "I'm sure he would be quite interested in your contracts."

"Please, do not not hesitate to send your eldest brother to visit."

"I won't."

Xenophon takes his sister's hand and they walk out of the villa behind Skellig.

"Ugh, I feel SLIMY," she mutters when they are out of earshot, tail lashing.

[27_53]

"Slimy is a very accurate description, my love." Skellig adjusts his posture as they walk clear of the villa; once they have turned a corner and are out of earshot and view, he allows himself to relax just slightly.

"What should be done with these tablets?" He asks Kreyu. They are stored in a bag which Cylon had brought to the table by another slave.

Kirke is quiet, clutching her brother's hand tightly - she thought he was dead! And now they have been bought by this man and he has a talking cat! She is anxious, curious, and grateful all at the same time...

[brave_kreyu]

"Personally, I would break them into tiny little pieces," Kreyu offers. "Slavery is a vile practice that should not exist, and they're not going to be anywhere near here where the lack of the contracts might be an issue."


Xenophon squeezes his sister's hand. "We're free Kirke."

[27_53]

Nodding, he reaches up and scratches beneath Kreyu's chin, speaking quietly as to not interrupt the moment being shared between siblings. "That was my thought as well, but before I destroyed them I did not want it to be a potential issue later."

They will find a place where it is safe to break them soon enough. Skellig might even suggest that Xenophon and Kirke help break them apart - as a therapeutic process?

Kirke is still processing the shock of free when he glances back towards then. To Kreyu, his voice still low: "I plan to offer to outfit them for their travels. And perhaps find a food stall, I can't survive on wine alone...I know you might appreciate a meal as well." Surely he can find a fresh fish somewhere?

[brave_kreyu]

Chin scratches are lovely, and she purrs.

"A meal and some shopping would be therapeutic for all of us, I feel."

The market isn't hard to find, after a few turns. It's leaner than the one they found in Amikaya by far, few luxury items of any kind, but food and basic necessities seem available enough.

[27_53]

Fish is harder to come by than he expects it to be (not that he minds as he is NOT a fan of eating it) but they find a stall selling roasted skewers of game bird (some type of waterfowl) and that will suffice. Initially he gets a weird look when he asks for a piece to only be lightly cooked over the coals and without any of the seasoning, but then the person running the stall sees the cat perched upon his shoulder and it makes sense.

(Something is definitely muttered about 'rich eccentrics' as they take their leave but Skellig pays it no mind as they find a place to sit and eat.)

"So," he says to Xenophon and Kirke, as they settle - and he shreds the chunk of meat for Kreyu into more manageable bites automatically, as if he's done this for her a thousand times before. "We would like to outfit you for your travels, before we take our leave. Have you thought more about where you would like to go?"

The pieces for Kreyu get set beside him on a piece of lightly waxed paper, that was used to wrap the skewer.

[brave_kreyu]

Her husband is SO thoughtful! Clearly, she has the best possible husband. She purrs as she devours her meal.

"Far from here," Kirke says firmly. Xenophon squeezes her hand.

"Yes, we would not wish to see these lands again. The sight of them aches, in our hearts."

"I would worry for them, traveling in this area," Kreyu adds, voice just loud enough for all of them to hear. "With this much unrest, there are bandits and robbers aplenty on the roads. A ship would be safer, if we can find one with a reliable reputation."

[27_53]

Considering something as he works on his own meal, Skellig has an idea but it is not one he is quite finished debating the pros and cons of. Without going into too much (the talking cat is actually my shape-shifting dragon wife) detail, he suggests it to Kreyu:

"They could both travel alongside us for a few days," he says. "Until perhaps we reach a port city that is less ragged as Mycenae? And then they could choose from there where a more reliable ship might be found?"

[brave_kreyu]

"There is a port not too far from here that would serve," Kreyu muses. "I know a ship captain who retired there, as a matter of fact."

"We would be grateful for your company," Kirke says. Xenophon looks between Skellig and his sister. "My sister is very brave, she will not fear your company."