The Taming of a Hound-Kat

[Linx]

Deep within Hallowton, an evil gathered it's strength. Nicodemus, the Necromancer King and Lord of Outland, was waiting for a certain creature to stumble within the web he'd woven. Long years of arcane research, study and experimentation had given him great patience, and so he waited. His quarry would arrive in due time, and he reclined in a high backed chair in what appeared to be a dilapidated warehouse on the outside. Within, it had been updated to afford every luxury one could desire, provided they gained entry within the lower levels. For beneath it, was an underground complex constructed through long laborious efforts made by Nicodemus, but it was in the upper area he waited. He reclined with a glass of wine on a raised dais set back against the far wall, to make it resemble the throne room of a fortress of old, and while he waited, he partook of the lovely vintage.

The entire area seemed normal to even his magical senses, but he rest easy, knowing that the wards and spells he'd placed were ready to leap up as soon as the hound arrived, when he'd bring it to heel. Suppression spells remained dormant without a trace, spells that would suppress sound and scent from her senses, the gloom would deepen that only Nicodemus would be able to see through clearly as if it weren't there, reducing her visibility. It effectively cut off three of her most potent senses, hearing, scent and sight, but it wasn't enough for him. The area was practically sub zero in temperature, reducing her sense of touch to number her senses even further, making it hard for her to control her movements and hands if she decided to fight against him regardless of her extreme disadvantage. But wait, that still wasn't all.

More spells would automatically leap up, a planar binding that would prevent her from escaping by magical means, and a further spell would slow her own speed. He smiles behind his goblet, taking a sip of his wine. The spells would remain dormant until he commanded them to activate, and were specifically designed to affect this hound he hunted. The only thing she would notice odd about the place, if she was level headed enough, would be to notice the minor spell that drew her here. Most never did, it being minor and subtle magicks that played upon her subconscious, luring her here for a reason she couldn't explain. Other than that, it would seem a perfectly normal place to her. Once she was half way within the warehouse, the spell that would seal it from physical escape would enact silently, not alerting her in the least that her doom lurked within the darkness.

[Katsumiki]

this night was a cold one. which was really odd because cold never seemed to bother her. perhaps it was this world finally growing on her. the female stood atop the building over looking the small town. this world wasn't such a bad place and she really liked it. the few amount of people here that she had met weren't so bad. above the female, the moon shined brightly giving her golden blonde hair an odd glow. brilliant blue eyes seemed to scan everywhere as she looked over the town. there was something she was looking for. something that she needed to find. behind her, dark maroon tails seemed to swish and move like snakes and similar colored ears swiveled atop her head. many people found her appearance to be rather odd, mostly because she wasn't completely human looking. she had ears and nine tails along with a human look, but beneath the outer shell lurked a monster.

a hound that had just finally found out what it meant to be free. little did she know that her freedom would soon be gone. sliding off the roof top, the female dropped to the ground and continued her search. what she was looking for was truly beyond her, but she knew that she had to find it. it was something that seemed to nag at her mind and it wouldn't leave her along. closing her eyes, she took a deep breath letting the scents of the night fill her nose. the musky scent of human tickled at her nose but there was something else. something familiar. eyes fluttering open, the female found herself standing before a building. this was it. there was something inside here she needed to find. as she reached for the handle there was a soft wisp of something and the hound within let out a growl. but before she could place a finger on it, the wisp was gone. weird. pulling the door open, her nose told her there was a person inside.

carefully she entered the building, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness. it seemed just like an empty building with a man sitting in a chair at the other end of it. well now talk about odd. "um hi excuse me where am I? I was kind of wandering and seemed to end up here." the female asked brushing a piece of hair out of her face. when she got no answer the female started forward. perhaps he hadn't heard her. this was a big place after all and it could very well be possible. as the female walked she skin seemed to buzz with something. it was a familiar feeling and her eyes grew wide when she hit the half way point and all hell broke loose. it was almost as if she was wrapped in a blanket. a very cold and very annoying blanket. everything was cut off. her sight, her smell, her hearing, her touch. this was not right. something wasn't right here. frantic, flames jumped up coating her tails as they whipped violently around her. she was so vulnerable and there was nothing she could do. "what in the world is going on here?!" she yelled to the man falling into a defensive stance trying to get herself to focus. what had she fallen into.

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[Linx]

The Necromancer King smiles, a bone chilling effect, because there was no humor to it. It was the smile of a hunter who captured his prey. A snap of his fingers would demand her attention, and guards would step forth from the shadows, thirteen of them, all massive Doom Guards. Ten foot high demons built of pure muscle with ragged wings, the powerful foot soldiers of the Burning Legion. Each held a captive in it's arms, an innocent stolen from this quiet little town. He lit the room enough for the hound to see the circle around her, and another snap, and the victim before her had it's throat slit. Crimson stained the ground, as the body of a young girl, no more than sixteen crumpled to the floor in her death throes, ignored by all. Should the hound launch an attack, she would find it foiled, as the Doom Guards crafted the pentagram needed for Nicodemus to empower a barrier that would keep her contained within. He rises from his throne, and claps slowly for her.

"Ah, at last, I knew you would arrive." he says, his voice deep and tinged with a sadistic humor. "The more you resist, the more innocent blood shall be shed. If you cooperate, they shall be spared and set free with no memory of this night. I can hardly have them coming back to me with authorities after all, and disposing of multiple corpses requires more effort than I care to exert. Now, be a good little dog and this will be settled peaceably. Try my patience, and each shall die." he says, his voice going flat at the end, no emotion, no hint of anything to his thoughts as he walked towards her. He strode into the circle, not the least bit concerned about her, for there were more dormant spells on the stone beneath them that he could summon at will. His hair was midnight black, and he looked in the prime of his life, with deep blue eyes. His body was encased in blackened armour which seemed to absorb what little light was around them, and his hand reached up to gently hold her chin.

"Pretty little thing, aren't you?"" he asks with a smile, releasing her chin and stepping back a single step, one hand resting easily on the pommel of his sword, the other holding a staff seemingly woven of darkness itself. The cloak around his shoulders seemed crafted of the same material, and she would notice by now he gave no scent, close as they were his spell wouldn't have prevented it, nor did he make any sound. "I shall make this offer but once. Serve me, eternally with your full loyalty and devotion, and these people shall be set free. You shall be my weapon, wielded as I see fit and shall obey my every command. Decline, and I shall slaughter them, and you as well, to reclaim you as my own. I know all about you Hellhound, you will find you're sorely outmatched here." he utters coldly, eyes boring into her. The choice was hers, serve willingly and save innocents, or believe that she could save them all, and get them all killed and herself even further enslaved to his will.

[Katsumiki]

it happened so suddenly and she could feel everything being stripped away from her. his words barely reached her ears and the slightly touch of his hand made her jump. she felt almost disconnected really. but she did hear him say there were lives on the line. he had innocents trapped here somehow. a deep snarl came from her as she focused on him. the flames on her tails turning a sinister black. "How dare you! How dare you think you can tame me!" the female roared lashing out at him with her tails. she lunged at the guards but found herself caught by a barrier. what the hell? this man had definitely come prepared. another snarl coming from her she turned to him, her tails lashing and dripping with fire. it hit the stone below them and melted through completely. these black flames were something she loved to use on those that deserved it. "your slave? your servant?! never! I am free now! years upon years of servitude and I am free!" the words echoed around her.

she had no idea who this man was but he was as good as dead. for a brief moment her scent returned and the sick smell of blood filled her nose. eyes glowing with fury, the female's skin rippled. "why? why kill innocents? what have they done to you?!" one of her tails moved and lashed near his head. black flames dripping onto the ground melting it to nothing. fingers flexing, she let out a tremendous roar. the flames seemed to crawl up and coat her entire body now. dropping to all fours, her human form melted away revealing a beast. nine tails whipped violently behind her crashing into the barrier he had made. jaws dripping, she let out a low growl as her fur shimmered a sickly red. the black flames moved to only coat her tails as she lunged for him. but her body didn't move. there was a flash of black light and suddenly chains seemed to wrap around her holding her to the ground. the beast let out a surprised snarl as she fought against the spell he had in place, but it was no use.

her form seemed to shimmer again and the hound disappeared completely leaving the blonde haired female. "no!" she struggled to get some part of her to move but nothing was listening. chains of darkness buried into her flesh dropping her to one knee before the man. what the hell was going on? fear spread across her face like a fire as her tails with frantically behind her. this wasn't right. she shouldn't be bound like this. there wasn't a binding spell alive that could keep her. what was going on?! jaw clenched, the female looked up at the man. the tails moved like they had a mind of their own and they lashed at him. but the chains wrapped around them as well completely extinguishing her flames. this was not going according to plan.

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[Linx]

He frowns sadly, kneeling beside her, banishing the darkness around them for her to witness the terrible demons holding the innocents, now in a line before her. As one, they drew their blades, slitting each of their throats, letting the twelve bodies drop to the floor amidst death throes. "Do you know what a hero is? Someone who get's other people killed." He glances disdainfully at the corpses, ending their throes and moving into the stillness of death. "A pity, such a waste of valuable life." he says, shaking his head as he drew a dagger from his belt, looking into her eyes. "I had hoped you would react differently. Fare the well." he says.

With a single quick puncture, the dagger pierced beneath her left breast, slipping between her ribs to drive straight into her heart, an instantly fatal blow. He gently lowers her to the ground as he dispels his chains that bound her, quick spells held at the ready within the very dagger he'd used to end her life erasing the memories of previous lives she'd had, destroying any sense of morality and conscious she might have for herself once she revived. She would be a blank slate for him to mold as he pleased. The wards around this building would prevent her body from fleeing, and another quick spell placed her body in stasis, preventing it from immediately regenerating as it was liable to do. He dispels the illusions he'd cast as well, revealing that not one innocent had been slain, and that they remained asleep and held by his soldiers. "Return them to their homes unharmed, we have no further need of them." he orders, lifting the body in his arms easily, descending the lower levels to his own palatial room. He dispelled the stasis as he placed her on the bed, sitting beside her with another bottle of win as he waited for her to regenerate.

Everything in here was even more heavily fortified and warded, so even when she would burst into flames, nothing would catch fire, and all would be unharmed within his chambers, the door locked to prevent intrusion upon them. He would need isolation with her to begin conditioning her into his service, and he grew weary of his demonic soldiers, for they remained silent through the years, leaving him with no conversation. What he needed now was a powerful weapon, and a powerful lieutenant. With any luck, he'd found both within the hellhound. Only time would tell.

[Katsumiki]

tears streamed down her face as she looked this man in the eye. she felt broken and beaten. even with the short amount of time it had taken for her to get caught she felt weak. the sounds of the innocents dying tore at her. closing her eyes, the female let her head hang as she looked at the ground. this was it. when the blade plunged into her heart she let out a cry of pain. she could feel the familiar darkness of death crawling over her. slowly her body began shutting down as pieces of her mind seemed to break away. memories and thoughts flashed before her eyes before burning to nothing. she was losing herself just like every time she died. letting a final breath leave her lips, the hound went limp on the ground. the once powerful beast now lay dead at the feet of the man who killed her. but this female wasn't completely dead. frantically her consciousness fought to bring her back together. the basic instincts she was given upon being created.

the man placed her on a bed and the moment he removed the spell the black flames appeared. they leaked from the wound and seemed to burn along the body. it wasn't long before her entire body was coated in the black flames. while her mind repaired itself, her body did the same. usually upon being reborn, she would appear in a random place away from where she was killed. this prevented the enemy from repeatedly killing her, but with all the spells he had in place her body and mind were trapped in this building. the finally pieces of her consciousness seemed to fall into place and the female jerked up in the bed. the flames vanished almost instantly upon her awakening. hand flying to her chest, she searched for a wound but found none. where was she? what was this place? eyes roaming over the unfamiliar room, the female searched for something anything she knew. but there was nothing.

eyes falling on the man next to the bed, she moved back on the bed a bit. "wh....where am I?" the ears atop her head pressed down slightly as she studied him. who was he? what had happened? and more importantly how had she died this time. the female struggled to pull thoughts together but all she could recall was what she was and her name as well as some comment about heroes. the female curled on the bed, tails moving to wrap around her as well for protection. everything she did was purely instinctual. these things were what she was programmed with. upon dying she lost all memory of everything, but what she was originally given. hands going to her head, the female gave up on remembering anything more than what she was. it was all gone. completely and totally wiped. her gaze returned to the man and for a moment she felt hope. hope that he would have the answers and help her. perhaps he could give her the things she needed. this was katsumiki. hound and weapon. she was created for nothing more to serve and protect.

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[Linx]

It wasn't long of a wait for him before the hound burst into flames as expected, and he hid a smile behind his wine glass, and when she questioned him to her locations, he knew he'd been successful. He offers her a glass of water he had waiting beside the bed, "Easy, easy. You've just regenerated, you're bound to be a little unsteady. You're in my home now, secure beneath Hallowton." he says, placing a hand on her shoulder, gently pushing her back down to the bed. "You need to rest, you're safe here, no one is going to hurt you." he says, sitting back in his chair, taking another sip of his wine.

"A group of would be do gooders ambushed you, I had been following them for some time but was unable to prevent their assault. A cleric they had with them somehow detained you, seeking to reform you into a weapon for the light they worship." he says with a slight sound of disgust, rolling his eyes. "I was able however to prevent them from trapping you during your rebirth, redirecting the demonic energies to have you reborn here. Are you suffering any ill effects?" he asks, a slight hint of concern in his voice. He'd hate to think his newest acquisition was damaged in someway from his tempering, he didn't have quite the time for trial and error tampering with her. "Rest for a moment, and I shall return to keep you company and answer all questions that I may." he says, stepping out of the room for a moment. When he returned, he was dressed in fine silk pants, and a loose fitting shirt of deep grey made of silk as well, a dark crimson vest holding it all together and his boots were a knee high black leather with crimson edging around them.

He smiles lightly at her, returning to his seat beside the bed, "Forgive me, my manners seem to have fled. My name is Nicodemus, a pleasure to meet you." he says lightly, crimson eyes alight with an emotion not held on his face for many years, enjoyment. It was a pleasure to finally speak to someone again, and it brought a rush of memories to him that he brushed aside, for they were meaningless at this point. It indeed felt good again to speak with someone though. "If you have any questions, feel free to ask them and I shall answer to the best of my abilities." he says gently, reclining in his chair, glass of wine idly held in his hand, his eyes soft as he watched her, his entire manner that of one concerned with her well being.

[Katsumiki]

the female flinched softly from his touch but didn't lay back. she was attacked by some would be do gooders? what had she been doing to cause her to get attacked? the hound remained sitting up on the bed. "I'm ok really. this kind of thing happens a lot. I think but then again I'm not sure." mumbling the words, she looked at the man and was surprised when he left. a little wave of panic washed over her and she didn't think he was coming back. here she was in an unfamiliar place and she could barely figure out who she was. mind swimming, her ears perked up upon his return and her tails swished behind her. "nicodemus. interesting name and it's a pleasure to meet you as well. my name is katsumiki but please just call me kat. katsumiki is a mouthful." she gave him a soft smile before climbing to the edge of the bed. feet touching the ground, the female shivered. it was cold against her bare feet.

the female took a deep breath and played with one of her tails. the rest swished around behind her on the bed. they were very snake like in their movement and how they acted. it almost seemed like they had a mind of their own. "I want to thank you for saving my life. if you hadn't interfered then I probably would have been captured or killed. not like I can actually die. I regenerate like you have probably seen if you brought me here." she trailed off for a second and stared off into space as she collected her thoughts. this man saved her life and she owed him hers. she also needed a master to survive and keep her power levels up. this nicodemus seemed to be content in his chair, but she wanted to move. getting up off the bed, she paced the room slowly examining everything. the female stopped in front of him and brought herself down to one knee.

her brilliant blue eyes up at him and met his gaze. "I am in debt to you Nicodemus and I want to offer you my services. I am a weapon you see. One designed to serve and protect and I chose you as my master if you'll have me. " the female bowed her head slightly letting her hair fall in her face. ears flattening slightly, she let her tails lay out flat behind her completely still. she was actually nervous. mostly because she didn't know if he would accept her or not and she was probably just making a fool out of herself. but she wanted to serve this man, it was the least she could do for him. letting one hand remain on the ground, she used the other to brush her hair back from her face when she finally looked up at him. "I do have a few questions though. like where is this hallowton? and just who are you? you said you are nicodemus, but who is that? more importantly what should I do about food?" a blush crossed over her as her stomach gave a soft snarl.

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[Linx]

Nicodemus smiles lightly, "I would be happy to accept your service, you seem a very beautiful and capable individual." he says with a smile, a gesture of his hand producing food on a table for her. "Enjoy my pet, I take good care of my own." he says, gesturing for her to take her choice from the kingly spread before her. His wineglass was refilled now as he remained in his seat, watching her contentedly. He waited for her to take some food and settle herself in before he began to gather his thoughts, wondering how best to answer her questions. It was interesting, having a completely blank slate to work with. He'd never gone in big for the mind mojo before, but he was finding it highly useful.

"You're beneath Hallowton, a city on the world of Genesis. How you've come to be here I've only theories. There is a tower, known as the Downward Spiral, which seems to be collecting people from other worlds and bringing them here for some unknown purpose. I myself, and few like me, travel here willingly. It's a delightful little world filled with all sorts of interesting people." he says with a chuckle, taking another sip of his wine. "I suppose who I am is rather important to you now, isn't it? I am Nicodemus Archleon, the Necromancer King and Lord of Outland, former High King of Veruna. I mostly just read books though, not as glamorous as it sounds. I spend most my time acquiring knowledge to further enhance my own power. I'm also fond of exploring the unknown, uncovering ancient treasures and places." he says with a shrug.

[Katsumiki]

a brilliant smile came over her as the female rose to her feet. with a sweep of her arm, kat bowed before her new master. "nicodemus it will be a pleasure to have you as my master. I am at your beck and call." the words were binding as she rose to her full height before him. one of her tails swished and lightly touched his hand. there was a small flash of red light before her tail returned with the others and she went over to the table of food. "and the contract is completely. the terms call for an item to be given but food will suffice." the female grinned tails twitching as she picked up something from the table and munched on it. "former high king of veruna? never heard of it before. and genesis? so many new things." she mumbled the words softly as she settled on a chair near the table. she could probably eat all the food on the entire table if she wanted too, but she was trying to appear normal. mostly because she had company.

finishing whatever she had grabbed, the female grabbed something else. "so master, just so you know I have another form as well as control over fire. oh and there is that small little detail about how I can't die. well I do die but I come back again somewhere else kind of like you saw earlier. my services are pledged to you though so even if I do die you will still be my master." a light blush came over her when she realized she was calling him master without asking him. "eh I hope you don't mind that I am calling you master. it's a force of habit really and I can stop if you want." clearing her throat, the hound turned her attention to what she was eating. rambling when in the presence of her master, nice one. a soft sigh escaped from her as she pulled at her clothing.

they had been a little torn from her regeneration, and had seen better days. she thought about asking him for clothing but she didn't want to be too much of a bother to him. "so what is a person like you doing in the underground of a city? I don't see why you would want to be where you couldn't see the sky or the sun. they are such beautiful things! the stars and the moon! things are dark where I come from and these things are exciting." the female's eyes lit up with the thought of such wonderful things. her tails moved happily behind her, one of them grabbing an apple and rolling it into her hand.

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[Linx]

He stares at her for a few moments before answering her question. Her attitude already irked him. Things would need to be changed. "I choose to be here because those above shun us and our kind." he says, his voice flat and eyes hard, the only indicators of a great rage burning within him. "We are of demonic origins, the world above hates and fears our kind, and they are right to do so! They know not the true power of someone they have shunned and hated! They do not know the wrath of those they have oppressed and tried to kill!" he says in a quiet rage, all but trembling with hatred now. He rises from his chair, hurtling his wine glass aside to shatter against the wall, eyes blazing with a terrible rage as he lectured his newest pet.

"Pining away for sun and sky, moon and stars is ill befitting one of the shadows!" he thunders. With her keen hearing, she'd probably hear the guards outside his door scrambling for cover at the sound of their masters voice. "If you are to serve me, to prove yourself worthy of honor and praise, then you shall forget this foolishness at once. We do not request what we want, we take it! When the time is right, the fools above will have their illusion of peace and tranquility shattered! Their streets will rumble from the army brought to bear against them!" he says, carefully restraining himself. "If you are to be my loyal servant and beloved pet, you shall have to adjust your thinking. From here on out, you serve me and shall go where I do. We live where I choose, your every action is in accordance with my wishes." he says, eyes hard as he glared at her.

If she was to be his, he fully intended to establish his dominance and superiority right here and now. "You no longer have time to be meek and feeble. You serve one of the most feared men on Dominaria, and before long, this world will come to fear me as well. You must be strong, and take what you want." he says, hand rising before him to clench into a fist. "Otherwise..." Here his hand would lash out, striking her with a powerful backhand. His eyes were hard and cold once more, his very aura radiating malic and hatred as he stared down at her from above. "otherwise you are weak. And the weak exist only to be trampled and subjugated. Which will you be then? Hmm? Will you be strong and stand beside me as you should? Or shall you spend your life grovelling on the floor like a common animal, pining for meaningless things? Power is all that matters. Remember this lesson." he says, turning and stalking from the room. The door locked behind him as he left, stalking along the shadowy corridors.

She had riled him up something fierce. He stalks to his spare room, deciding that he would leave her for the night. She would have time to think over his words and decide where she would take her life. Either she would be strong and serve him, or she would be weak and trampled beneath his boots on his march to conquest and dominion. With a second thought, he released the lock on her door, leaving her the path to his room if she so desired to speak with him. He laid himself down on his massive bed, adorned with silken sheets of a deep crimson, set against the far wall from his door. His staff and sword leaned against the wall next to his bed, and the walls were lined with shelves upon shelves of books, with a small desk set in the corner to work from if he chose to. He sighs, passing a hand before his eyes, letting darkness settle into the room as the fires in the candles dimmed, resting in a comfortable darkness, falling into a light sleep, remembering more than dreaming, wondering what the hound would choose.

[Katsumiki]

eyes widening the female watched master's mood suddenly change. it was like the room went from chilly to freezing. ears pressing against her head, the female did nothing more but stare as her master suddenly started yelling at her. why was she thinking such things? was she stupid? those people up there had tried to kill her. HER. a beast from hell. a low growl came from her, not at nicodemus but at herself. the female stared back at her master holding his gaze and not looking away. she could see the rage building in his eyes. see it being carefully restrained. the glass shattering against the wall caused her to jerk a bit and her gaze shifted away from his. he was right. she was his servant now and petty thoughts like that had no use being inside her head. the female kept her eyes on the ground not saying a word as she heard him approach her. when his hand struck her face, she didn't even blink.

he was right. why was she interested in things that hated and feared her? for how long had the name katsumiki been feared among demons. she continued to remain silent as he left the small room and flinched when the lock to the door filled the room. the warmth she felt was completely gone now and a chill ran up her spine. what would she become if she kept her mind on such small things? black flames spread up from the tips of her tails and coated her arms. he had wanted to be the most feared man here as well? well she would help him with that. she had chosen him as her master and it wasn't to see the sky or the stars. it was to fulfill her masters wishes. with a growl, one of her tails lashed out and burned the food on the table. the black flames cast and eerie light in the room and threw dark shadows across her face. what was this feeling? she wanted to hurt something. perhaps those that had killed her?

the locked to the door unlatched and she half expected to see a guard come in to the room, but the door didn't open. this man was her master now and he was right. why did she want the things of those who hated her? the more she thought about it the angrier she got. claws flexing, the black flames seemed to slowly die out leaving her in darkness. for a long moment she just sat there thinking. her mind was swimming as she finally got up and headed towards the door. carefully pulling it open, the female poked her head out and looked around. there were a few guards standing by the door but it seems the remainder of them disappeared. ears against her head, she went out into the corridor and made her way towards his room. as she walked her cheek stung. a deep red mark appearing where he had slapped her and her fingers touched it softly.

upon nearing his room, the female stopped outside the door for a second before actually entering. gently opening the door, she stepped right inside and kept her eyes to the floor. "I want to be strong master. you were once feared in your world and I was feared in mine. I want that returned to me and to you. I gave you my oath and am your willing slave." the hound dropped to one knee keeping her gaze on the floor. "I wasn't thinking when I spoke before and I didn't mean to upset you my master. please accept my sincerest apologizes. I only want what my master wants and that is to take this world by fear." a light grin played at her lips as she spoke the last words. ears pressed against her head, she stayed where she was as to not anger him and further. perhaps this would work after all.

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[Linx]

He wasn't surprised when she entered his room, nor when she spoke. He rose from his bed to stand before her, glaring down at her. His hand clenched at his side, itching to strike her again for her impertinence, but he held back. He sighed mentally, good help was so hard to find these days. "You've made four errors, which any other time I would slay you for. First, you offered only apologies." he says, his voice flat as he stared down at her head, kneeling before him. "When you anger me again, you shan't be offering apologies. I shall be taking it out of your lovely skin." he says, reaching down with his hand to grab her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Second, you presumed to know my desires. Never. Ever. Presume to know my desires. If you do, I shall tear the very skin from your flesh, and believe me my dear, you shall be very much alive." he says softly.

"Third, you smiled whilst trying to speak seriously. That seems to me as if you don't believe what you are saying, and are lieing to me. I do not enjoy being lied to." he continues patiently, staring down at her. "Your fourth mistake was remaining servile and meek. When addressing your wrongs, you must stand tall and defiant, even to your master. Else you seem weak and easily destroyed and worth nothing." he says, staring into her eyes. "You must remain passive and give no hint of your thoughts. There are those that can read them as tells to your next actions, your moods, and even use them to deduce your thoughts. You can never allow your enemy to read you, else you will be dead, and useless to me." he says softly, releasing her chin. He smiles gently down at her, his anger cooling now.

He let his eyes roam her form appreciatively. Truly he was lucky to have captured something so beautiful, but he would never take her without her permission. He reaches his hand down, gently taking hers and pulling her up, turning her to the dresser on the far well. "Change your clothes my pet, I shan't allow you to run loose like a savage. I take care of my things, as you shall come to learn if you earn my praise." he says, returning to his bed, closing his eyes to not stare at her while she changed. It had been a long time since he'd lain with anyone, but some of his old chivalry remained, and he would never take her without her permission. He might have fallen from the light, but that didn't make him a complete monster.

When she was finished and in fresh clothing, he bade her to come kneel before him once more. He smiles lightly as he cups her cheek with one hand, reaching into his pocket with the other. "To show that you are in my service, and because you wish to learn and have already started, I shall award you one small gift." he says, producing a small item from his pocket. It was a midnight black collar made of the highest quality silk, with blood red rubies studding it, with a single tear dropped shape ruby hanging from a small silver chain as a pendant from it. He gently fastens it around her throat, a whispered word activating some of the magic within it. "This will allow me to find you no matter where you are, and to contact me in an emergency. It can be used to arrive at my side immediately if I need you, or to summon me to yours. There are various other spells inlaid within these rubies, but they need not concern you yet. They are dormant until I activate them, which you will earn my pet." he says softly.

"However, as it is a gift to you, you need not keep it if you choose not to. It is yours to wear or dispose of as it pleases you. I freely give you my word that no harm shall befall you from me if you choose to set it aside, and also will tell you that it will come to be of great use to you in the future, if you can earn the other enchantments." he says, sitting on the end of his head, still watching her before him. His word was true, and no ill will would befall her from him if she chose to set it aside, but he didn't think she would. He wasn't sure why, but he felt certain she would keep it, and that it would prove beneficial to her later. "Now, if you wish it, I shall answer any questions you have. I give you my word, that I shall accept any questions you offer and endeavor to explain them fully for you. I shall not harm you for the rest of the night, so ask whatever you desire." he says, waiting patiently for her to speak.

[Katsumiki]

when he moved from his bed, she could feel his anger brush against her skin. as he spoke to her she remained silent, letting his words sink in. his fingers brushed against her chin pulling her chin up so her gaze met his. the words he spoke melted into her skin and she listened to him slowly letting her ears rise up again. his threats against her sent a chill up her spine. the female was scared, though her eyes remained focused on his. while she could not die, she didn't exactly enjoy being killed over and over again. this man seemed to have the means to keep her here and do so. as he continues to point out her mistakes the female made small notes. mostly to refrain from being scolded again in such a manner. "yes master." was all she spoke as he slowed his speech. the anger she once felt lapping at her skin had subsided and she relaxed for the moment. at least she wouldn't be hit again.

though she was truly surprised when he pulled her up and pointed her in the direction of his dresser. was her clothing really that bad? a light blush crossed over her face that he could not see, but she went over to his dresser and searched for something to wear. "thank you master." the female spoke softly turning to find him back at his bed as she grabbed something to wear. the hound chose a shirt of deep maroon and black pants. all his clothes were made of silk and she shivered when they brushed against her skin. it had been a long long time since she wore real silk. after quickly getting dressed, she ran her fingers through her hair combing it straight. at least she didn't look like a vagrant any more. mind swimming yet again, the female returned to her master and knelt before him. his fingers brushed her skin again and that chill returned down her spine. studying his face she took the light smile as a good sign.

eye widening at the gift he presented with her, the female simply stared at it. it was beautiful. the rubies and silk were absolutely gorgeous. gathering up her hair, she let him fasten it around her neck. the magic from the jewels washing of her and her tails bristled slightly at the feeling. it was uncomfortable at first but then the magic started to soak in and her tails smoothed out. "master I am without words. thank you for this gift and I will cherish it. I hope I can prove myself worthy of such a gift." the female dropped her gaze from his for a moment out of respect. fingers going to her neck, she let them brush the rubies gently. they were cold to the touch and she wondered if they would warm up or remain cold from the magic. hands dropping back to her sides, she turned her attention back to her master. this man was an interesting one. she both feared him and liked him at the same time, though why she felt either way was beyond her.

with his permission of questions, kat sat back on the ground wondering what to ask. one of her tails curling around to settle in her lap. "master would you prefer my appearance with the tails or without? because I can appear normal if that is what you wish." she spoke the words softly looking back up at him letting her blue eyes meet his green. "and what would my master like of me?" she questioned again wondering what he wanted her to do. he had mentioned something about making this world fear him, but what that entailed she did not know. perhaps she could get back at those idiots that killed her in the first place. the female ran a hand over her tail focusing back on her master.

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[Linx]

"Do not sit on the ground." he scolds her, rolling his eyes with a sigh of exasperation. Gods above but she was going to be a difficult one. She had her choice from the chair at his writing desk or on the bed beside him, and he felt confident she'd choose the desk. It would give her a better position, distanced from him and allow her to see him better. He shrugged the thought away, an unimportant analysis that meant nothing to the situation. "You're going to have to lose these bad habits. While you are in my service, you represent me. By sitting on the floor, you indicate that I too would sit on the floor, and that is beneath us. When people see you, should they know who you work for, they will try to read from you clues about me. If I am strict or lax, kind or mean, patient or swift to anger. You must not reveal anything, for in doing so could mean both of our deaths. Knowledge is a weapon, and ours is greater than our enemies for the time being. Stealth is our ally, for they know not what we plan my pet." he says.

"As for your appearance, you shall appear as you are most comfortable, or deem fitting for the situation. Well, physically that is. I expect you to always maintain excellent care on your clothing, thought that shouldn't be a problem. They are enchanted to clean and repair themselves, and to regulate your body temperature in any environment. You could travel to a frozen wasteland with nothing but those clothes and you would be perfectly warm." he says with a shrug. It was a minor enchantment he'd picked up from his travels, ones he found useful. Saved him a fortune on clothes when he was an adventuring king, given the strange occurrence of fire in most his adventures. It was a happy coincidence the day he'd stumbled upon that particular enchanting shop. and he'd made good use of the knowledge ever since.

"As for what I want from you, I've not decided yet in which capacity you shall serve me. I've not given it much thought. I know that I shall entrust my special tasks to you, because I believe you are more than capable of carrying them out should the occasion arise. Until then, I wish for you to remain here, that you might learn from me, and I can ensure that you shall be well prepared for all you might face." he says, dropping his chin into his hand, idly tapping a finger against his cheek. Hmm. What would he use her for? He had no interest in using her as a weapon, personal a personal guard? No, better to have people underestimate him and his guard. Besides, he wouldn't want to put her in harms way like that. His Lieutenant? Yes, that seemed to fit rather nicely. He would educate and train her as best he could, and she would carry out his direct orders, report directly to him and over see his forces should he decide to build them. A darker part of his mind noted other things he could use her for, but he brushed them aside. If nothing else, he'd go to hell with his self-respect and dignity intact. "What else do you wish to know?" he says, not quite drawing from his contemplation just yet, planning out how best to fit her into their designs.