"It looks like our friends are going to go poke around  the wizards tower after lunch" Rinaldo commented to Stardancer favoring her wth a smile that was brighter and more  cheerful than was normal for even his cheery disposition. Tasting each dish, and offering her a bite if he enjoyed the flavor. his Bright cheerful and the bright almost but not quite gaudy clothing at odds with the Military proper dress of Anu, and the somber menacing appearance of Azael."I was thinking we could go to the market and pick up few things, and then meet up with them and head over.  Between my interest in catching a killer, and my curiosity. I can not quite come up with a good reason not to tag along. What say you Oh most beautiful lady."

" I try to keep a proper schedule. I am used to rising two hours before first watch, if you wish to join me."Anu replied to Xi, nodding slightly. As usual, there was a slight pause before he spoke as if considering his words before speaking." If you wish I would be quite happy to have someone to train with. A soldier's body and mind need to be properly toned and disciplined. If I wish my own men to be properly fit and disciplined I should set the example."

Sparrow caught the end of her leash and stood quietly, looking down demurely, while he fiddled with her dress. At his words she nodded and quietly padded away towards the kitchen to fetch the food.

It took her a moment to find out where the plates and cups were; but it was not difficult to find bread and cheese, and the cider had been laid out already, presumably by a servant. She filled a cup and two plates, and returned bearing them uncertainly, the two plates in one hand pressed against her body while she head the cup with the other. Somehow she managed to get this all to the table without dropping anything. She laid one plate before Azael, along with the cup, and then padded back, holding her own. She wavered, then knelt on the floor, a bit behind Azael. She held her plate with one hand while she ate with the other.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:54, Tue 08 Nov 2016.

"I would be honored to be at your side" though the last time she was in the market some ignorant children wanted to ride her like a horse, she nearly injured one.  "Perhaps we can pick up some small baubles for the felines, to help aid thier hunting skills.  I know little mama will want some things to to help her"

Having ate and rested in the morning sun Little kitty was content to stay as she was for a bit simply watching the two leggers, and 4 leggers come and go.  She moved only to readjust getting comfortable and laying her head on the black toms shoulders, purring contentedly.

In reply to Stardancer (msg # 172)
"I think we can afford a few little things for the cats." Rinaldo smiled as he patted the purse at his hip, a bit heavier now than he was used to.

Spying the cats, the kneeling slave girl smiles and plucks a tiny bit of sausage from her breakfast plate. This she offers to the felines, holding it up at the end of her extended arm for them to see.

 The Tom jumped down and padded over to the lady offering him sausage. He usually was not allowed sausage but maybe this time it would be ok.

 He daintly takes the bite so his lips don't even touch her fingers.

 "Mreer."

Sparrow smiled as the cat took her offering, and extended her hand again, this time for the cat to smell and hopefully so she could pet him.

 He let her pet his head, then rubbed against her hand before heading out the doors to the outside, as if he had an appointment to keep.

Sparrow petted the cat happily until he walked out. Well, so much for making a friend, but then, he is a cat... She looked to Azael to see if he was finished.

Mama kitty just stretched a bit on her chair and somehow managed to roll into the morning sunbeam exposing her big belly.  She purred lightly in content.

It was a wonderful nap.  With a titanic stretch and yawn Little Kitty woke.  The tom was nowhere about, but that was a problem for later.  Carefully she leapt to the floor.  Servants dashed this way and that.  She made her way through the maze of rooms and doors, hallways and what have you.  Finally she made her way outside and padded lightfootedly through the foliage of the near island.  The sights and scents she took in.  the things to see and explore.  She sniffed and smelled which of her 2 and 4 legged friends went where.  And what hidden areas would be most useful.

 Kitty finds many interesting places to explore, with fantastic scents, cobwebs in places the servants didn't find, little alcoves and nooks where kittens might be safe, even finds a room no one else seems to have been in for years and years, with a tiny narrow staircase leading down into cool blackness with musty scents coming from below.

ooc: Sorta reconning this (hope it is okay)

BIC: The others seemed to have split off as Xi returned. "Well, I would agree save for Stardancer.  You know how impulsive she can be." the island was more like a peninsula with several places on it.  The main house was where they were heading.  "We noticed the animal was not only starving and injured, it was wearing jewels as well.  In this case earring studs and jeweled collar.  Stardancer helped calm and treat the animal as did a young monk like girl.  the cat was fed and healed.  One of the studs Stardancer put in her ear and she could ...well kind of talk to it." she did not know how to explain it really "Stardancer saw images and magic and its owner being killed, that is how we know it was a mage.  Ah here we are, Home away from home for now" she showed them the main manor.  Already in the distance other noises could be heard, such as the faint hoof clips of Stardancers evening dancing or prancing...which ever but it was rhythmic.  At the door she was met by one of the servants that ran about in silence.  She informed him to have a meal prepared for her ponyboy and a suitable place for him to rest.  Like her and the others he was as important as the Empress gestured they be, even without the symbols.  Failure would be a horrible consequence.
Entering to the feast hall most were gone save for the two cats asleep on the chair.  One was obviously known as Stardancers little huntress, the other Bruto was informed was the cat in question.  Food was soon brought out for Bruto.  "Sleep as long as you like tomorrow.  You can join us at the Mages house when you wish. and hopefully the others will be up and about as well" She smiled happy her slave, and friend, was back.  When we get the chance we will check out the other smaller manors to see if one is suitable for us both"
A manor servant would show Bruto to very comfortable quarters for him.

<< From Rutting Dragon

He absorbed everything that Xi told him, noting the servant.  Being served by another was a little disconcerting, but he'd have some experience with it among his own people.  "A hot bath please and some trimming and brushing, before fresh fruit and a place to sleep."

Refocusing on Xi. "Did Stardancer see who or what attacked the mage?"  He was hoping to play with the mystery a little while he rested.  "Don't leave for the Mage's place without me, even if you have to pull my tail."  He gives Xi a smile.

The retcon is perfectly fine, it is the most efficient way to get our Bruto back in the middle of things where he belongs :D

ooc:  okay, thank you.
BIC: "Well you have travelled far.  Still if you would like, I would like you there as well" She nodded to the house servant to draw him a bath.  After all she did not like him to smell of sweat and week old road dirt.  "Bring food and wine for myself as well"

OOC: I take it that I should also post in the Mage's Tower thread?

"Other then the mystery, how have you been?  You're still working for Lady Fairaday, but not in the same capacity as before?"

ooc:  I think we can jump to that

BIC:
She ate her late meal "I am doing well.  The wounds from the dark fae are healing" It is true that her personality had changed slightly.  "Lady Fairaday and her servant has decided to travel with us for a bit.  The realm still stands and the sun still rises and sets.  So we are good"

"lilbug."  It was mostly the fight with the fiddling dark fae that haunted him most.  To see his mistress dancing at the whims of the creatures music, where exhaustion meant death.  "those decisions... were seconds count, still haunt me."  He was convinced that there was a better solution at hand, but he still lacked the knowledge to know what that decision could have been.

He bathed as she ate, eventually drying himself off and joining her.  Eating some fruit while a slave saw to his hooves.  "Knowing what we know now of the dark fae, do you think that there was a better way of finding a victory, then the path we chose?"

She thought about it "No...Even the dark fae had choices they could have made.  The ones they did had consequences.  They chose to overturn order in favor of chaos.  That would have hurt everyone eventually" She could not help but show a bit of an approving grin as Bruto came out of the water.  Though apart only a few months he seemed to have changed a bit.  Instead of the unsure young stallion, stood one filling out into a more solid self assured stallion.  One no doubt he would eventually lead a herd, not just follow in one.

"Part of the trouble seemed to be a love triangle involving the elven maid, but the other half seemed to be a hunger for power by the elven lord."  He licked some apple juice from the edge of his hand.  "I guess we'll never know the whole truth."

"I can understand the love motivation better... if you heart burns for someone, then its hard to see them in the arms of another, even if you wish her all the happiness in the world."

okay gonna speed up this part and go to the mages house.

hope that is okay.

Curiousity made her wonder where the tiny stairs went.  Carefully she would test it.  Her extra width and all making sure she would not get stuck.  Before entering she rubbed her cheeks leaving a gland scent there, if anything to make where she had gone and to find her way back.  Though dark there was still some light to see by.

little kitty carefully goes down the tiny steps.