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

[27_53]

Skellig does not yet utter the name as he doesn't want to taste it on his tongue any longer than he has to. "Makes enough sense."

Once it becomes obvious that they are headed in the direction of the doorway of the building, the guards bristle up a bit, looking tough.

"I've come to speak with Cylon of Pergamon," Skellig says, puffing HIMSELF up with all that he can muster. "If granted an audience, I would make it quite worth his time."

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu is doing her very best 'just a fancy cat' act, and it seems to pass muster. The guards never even really LOOK at Xenophon, dismissing him as of no importance whatsoever.

"Of course, Sir," one of the guards says after he glances at the other. The other guard moves aside and the one who spoke moves to escort them into the villa. "He will be pleased to meet with you as soon as possible."

Indeed, a slave is already running to 'fetch' Cylon, Skellig can hear his racing footsteps.

[27_53]

Skellig is listening quite closely to everything he can hear - the hurried footsteps, the hushed conversations - there is someone here to see you Sir, he looks to be important.

It will take a few moments for Cylon to ready himself to 'receive' guests. In the meantime, Skellig does his best to look 'bored and wealthy' as they wait.

Another slave comes out with a pitcher of wine and cups made of fine gold - completely unnecessary for the drink itself, but clearly meant to show off how much 'prowess and wealth' Cylon possess - clearly!

[brave_kreyu]

Xenophon's heart rate SURGES in relief and recognition at the slave pouring the wine, it's his sister Kirke!

She hasn't noticed Xenophon yet, as she sets down the cups, carefully pours the wine. Skellig can hear her heart beating rabbit fast, and Kreyu can smell her fear. She might be afraid of Skellig, or something or someone else close at hand, it's hard to tell for sure.

Her attention is entirely on Skellig and her duties, as if she's VERY afraid of making a mistake of any kind. She offers him the filled golden cup, and the tremor in her hands would be unnoticeable to most. "My Master bids you welcome, good Sir." Her voice doesn't shake, and she's proud of that as well as relieved.

[27_53]

Unnoticeable to MOST, but Skellig notices. As he takes the cup, he smiles warmly.

"Thank you," he replies kindly. "It is most appreciated, my dear."

Scent is not his strongest sense, but even he can smell the fear on her, and that concerns him for a number of reasons. He's also noticed the way Xenophon has reacted to seeing her, so he has his suspicions. He keeps up the air of 'wealthy eccentric' as he brings the cup closer to his lips, but does not drink of it.

(Kreyu would be better suited to scent poison; he doubts it, but it isn't worth it to risk it.)

[brave_kreyu]

Everyone knows cats are nosy, so it is entirely in character for Kreyu to stick her nose into the cup. Not close enough to drink it, but the scents are clear. She makes a rumbling purr. No poison, so far as she can tell!

(And it isn't poisoned, Kirke is just afraid of being punished for a spill or any damage to the drinking vessels.)

Kirke has placed the pitcher back on the table when she catches sight of Xenophon. She goes pale, like she's seen a ghost. "He told me you were dead!" she blurts out to her brother. Then she glances at Skellig, worried about his reaction to her outburst.

[27_53]

Skellig sips from the cup but lifts his eyebrows slightly in Kirke's direction, in a vaguely amused expression. He can't fault her, and he won't - thinking a loved one is dead and then seeing them in the flesh isn't something that happens often!

But her reaction...

Someone has struck her, he thinks. Cylon is still at least a few moments off from making his 'grand' entrance.

"No harm will come to you," he reassures her. "But it will be explained once I finish discussions with Cylon." He specifically does not call him her 'Master', as he refuses.

[brave_kreyu]

Xenophon smiles at her in an encouraging way and some of her fear fades. She WAS about to speak, but hears Cylon's footsteps and scurries back to the table to be in position to serve him and his guest.

"Welcome, welcome," Cylon says as he enters the room. "It is always a pleasure to have guests." He's a man nearing middle age, finely dressed, with enough gold and jewels that they would be considered a bit excessive even by local standards. He is, on the surface, every bit the genial host.

But he is a man obsessed with wealth, with power, a war profiteer, and most of what he has traces back in some way to human suffering. The echoes around him are likely unpleasant.

[27_53]

It would be in poor taste to comment on the way Cylon's energy sounds, so Skellig does not. Instead, he allows him to take a seat first, before he does so in an offered chair, with gratitude.

"You will have to forgive me for not sending prior notice of my arrival to Mycenae," Skellig says. "My visit here was a bit unexpected; a detour, of sorts. I am Sokratis, hailing from Amikaya."

The way he says it does not ASSUME that obviously Cylon should know who he is - but there's a hint of that upper-crust eccentric energy he's putting out with his words.

"I thank you for taking the time to meet with me, and providing such hospitality," he lifts his cup in a bit of a toast. "It is much appreciated."

[brave_kreyu]

"Of course," Cylon replies, all upper crust geniality. "Cylon of Pergamon knows full well that life springs its surprises on one with little warning, and that a wise man takes advantage of them when they come."

Is that flattery toward his visitor, yes it is.

"And such a lovely little lady on your arm, I've never seen so fine a creature." He moves his hand as if he is considering offering Kreyu pets. Kreyu's body language shifts to suggest that pets from HIM are going to result in blood loss, so he gives up on that idea quite quickly.

[27_53]

"Take no offense," Skellig says, shaking his head as if to 'chide' Kreyu. "She has been wild as a lightning bolt since the day she came into my life."

Kreyu 'scratches' her claws into the leather pad and flicks her tail as if in agreement.

"It was in Amikaya that I ran across a ship with fine wares, but it was this boy here," he motions idly towards Xenophon. "That garnered greater attention than the goods upon the vessel."

[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.