RP:Solemn Exchanges

Vailkrin Plaza

Cuki was not much of one to venture in this area of Vailkrin. He rather found the slave trade as despicable. Out of respect for his friend, the leader of this rather dark town, Cuki with held the contempt he felt for the abuse. The weakened masters that stood in shackles begging to be bought in the slim hopes of having at least a decent meal. Few would have more in their stomachs than slop not worth giving to pigs. Leaving the filt behind he walks into the rather pleasant plaza. The redish silver moonlight the lights the area is calming. Cuki had taken a walk to relax. What good that had done.

Satoshi paces a section of the cobblestone, the normally stoic persona of Jelko looking remarkably uneasy at the moment. Normal attire of white winter gear has been traded out for black leathers, sharp bits of metal, hair and fur dyed with splotches of black, and an impish mask, all adopted with the diguise. On the masked feline's heels prances Sawyer, ever the optimist of the duo. And when the monk makes his appearance, the little red dog is immediately aware, and with an excited yap he dashes to greet Cuki. "I assume you got the messages?" the voice is a bit like her usual self, save that it has a flinty edge and a slightly altered pattern of wording--just another careful bit of the outfit. Even with herself and her voice under disguise, she shouldn't be difficult to peg as Satoshi, with her canine companion so familiar with the monk. It's a high display of her trust in Cuki, to let him be privy to this heavily guarded secret. Only two others know she is both Satoshi and Jelko.

Cuki had some sort of familiarity with the person poorly attempting to stealth around him. The fact he was in a somewhat dangerous land and the uncertianty of the situation keeps him on guard. The dog though. That was odd. Why was Sawyer here? Carefully he puts his hand out to the dog and yanks it behind him defensively. The keen tip of his weapon bobbing ever so slightly at the Feline. Cuki takes on a bit of a dangerous look inching closer as he speaks, "What message and why do you have that dog?" Suspicious aside it never hurts to be to careful.

Satoshi's pacing falters at the question and she gives the monk a surprised look. Which is conveniently hidden behind the mask of a grinning imp. What Cuki does get, however, is a light laugh and a momentary shift in voice to her proper one. "Hellfire, Cuk. It's me~," the disguised mage lifts her mask for the briefest of moments to wink at him before replacing it. And with mask back in place, so is that carefully maintained speech pattern. "Does that answer your questions? At least, about the dog?" Sawyer gives a delighted little bark here. "As for the messages, I was referring to the batch sent by the former governor of this dark little city. Did you get those as well?" Her pacing finally comes to a rest, allowing the leather-clad feline to cross her arms and idly tap out a tune against her sleeve with one of her clawed katars.

Cuki really dislikes Imps. For a various number of reasons. However he did not know many Felines. Most certian not many queens. The eventually dead give away makes him blink. Why was the silly mage wearing... "The Mutiny. Oh right. So that is the kind of thing you have been up to?" His voice is somewhat one of disappointment. "You should be careful. A little thing like you will get torn up ever so easily." Cuki's scans Satoshi again. What a silly girl. The topic at hand though, "Yes. I got the letters. Care to enlighten me?"

Satoshi gives a quick flick of sharply pointed ears. "I'm always dancing with death, Cuki. I haven't stepped wrong, yet. I should think that counts as 'being careful'." It's obvious by her voice alone that the feline is smirking devilishly. "As for the letters and enlightenment... It's simple. There's no longer a need to toe lines or twist words. We're not bound by city ties anymore, we can act as we will. Without the city suffering for our choices. Just as he intended with this whole affair. So, suffice to say... you're off the leash, Puppy. Sic 'em~." Sure, the last bit was a slip out of her Jelko-persona, but she had to add that playful tease.

Cuki gets the overwhelming desire to challenge her ability to keep alive, but quickly surpresses it. "I have no doubt in your prowess to slay your enemies, but try to keep out of arms reach. Stick to the back row mage. Leave the skull bashing to the idiots like me that aren't smart enough to how to fling spells. I would rather nothing happen to you. I am sure more than a few people share that feeling." A pause, "Oh you thought I actually cared to do that in the first place? That powerhungry Emperor would be missing a wall of his castle and a rather large number of his men of I had not gotten caught up with more important things."

Satoshi isn't sure if she's glad for her mask or not at that moment, because it hides an affection smile for the monk's words that she might not normally want seen. "I am being careful, I promise. Using this disguise allows me to tend to various affairs without them being connected to a certain ice mage, and so keeps things safe and in order." Dropping her arms to her sides, the feline steps closer if only to fall to a knee beside the monk, and offer Sawyer a scratch behind his ears. "I know that didn't stop you before, of course. But now, you can carry on without the risk of retaliations coming against the city itself. We all can. Which brings me to what I wanted to talk to you about... There are others like you of course, correct? Is there a safe haven?"

Cuki lets out a bit of a sigh. One of the benches becomes his seat. "There use to be. We are scattered to the winds. That is why I failed. Because I went alone into battle. I struck out impulsively without a thought. I know of no others that remain save one. Even that person's loyality is unknown currently. My only true place of safety is the Temple. No one would be foolish enough to strike against War itself."

Satoshi joins the monk in sitting, although she opts for the ground as Sawyer sprawls out beside her. "And you warned me against acting impulsively. As it is, I shall turn your words back on you. Be careful, and stick to who you are, what you know. I can assure you, you would be terribly missed if anything were to happen." Throwing caution to the wind, Satoshi removes the mask to fix Cuki with an uninhibited and perfectly sincere look. "You're family. I may just be learning what that really means, but I understand enough to know that I wouldn't let anything happen to you, or Kasyr, so long as I had power to prevent it." Nodding to herself, the mage grins. "Which brings me to a lighter subject. I'd be grateful et honored if you'd be present when, well," the feline trails off in uncommon bashfulness, finishing her words with a silent gesture of bringing her left hand up to show off a delicate ring of frost around her finger.

Cuki comes to a shocking realization of the irony of his own statements. Indeed he had made stupid mistakes. It was a sort of cockiness inborn in the might of his fist to think he could strike down an army. Even worse did he feel under the realization that he had some plan to die doing so. No. It wasn't in that thought that raddled him. It was the idea that someone actually cared. Cuki had grown far too familiar with the idea of only being used by others. The kitten before him had even done it herself. All of those he had protected over the years since his little twin had done it. Why did she know show loyalty and speak of family--as if the Human knew what that actually meant--to him. Was this a trick? Couldn't be. Not with that pathetic, trusting look. His own was that of surprise and confusion illustrating the thoughts running through his head. Cuki is rather struck speechless.

Satoshi is usually rather good at reading people, but when it comes to the monk... Well, she lets her own thoughts and assumptions get in the way of a simple dissection of expressions. Ears fold back in obvious anxiety and she promptly drops her hand back to her lap, the other moving to cover the frost ring anxiously. "Es that... a no, then?" Obviously, the feline has taken his silence for its own answer, whether he meant it or not. And, perhaps picking up on subtle tensions in the air, Sawyer lifts his head from his paws to voice an unhappy, questioning whimper, liquid brown eyes flicking from mage to monk in silent worry.

Cuki could not help but just stare at the Feline. What kind of thing was she really saying? The Monk had know Satoshi for a great long time. The first time they had meet on the streets of Kelay has been an eventful day. He had always been happy he meet her. Even his heart felt a mild ping of pain upon remembering their shared time on the beach. How could she be serious? What was her angle in all of this? This is Satoshi we are talking about. Cuki could not help but care deeply for the Feline, however he did know her. Kasyr was an old ally. A thought of worry came into his mind. When will her feet hit the path again to take her away from him as well? Cuki had been very upset the day Satoshi had disappeared from his life. Months and months has been spend scouring every inch of the known lands to even catch a glance of her tail. Mountians tall and oceans low. Sand demons to giants he fought to bring her back. He did it though! He won! She had come back...but different. Maybe that was just how she really was though. Fake smiles and a pretty face to get something, he didn't quite understand what, from him. He had left it be. Hell even their relationship had changed. Cuki was just happy to have her back, even if he knew that he couldn't really trust her. Even though he did. A queer joy was his to have when she took the side of the strange man that he had often fought back-to-back. Yet now he finds himself worring. Not for Satoshi, but for Kasyr. One hand goes up to cover a slight scar under his left elbow. Perhaps one he got on that long search as he voices his concern, "Are you kidding?" Well he meant it as concern.

Satoshi looks at the monk for a long moment, her expression impossible to read. But not for its usual careful neutrality, rather it's the myriad of emotions all fighting for a claim upon the feline's features. A flash of annoyance, a heavy lacing of confusion, anxiety, and other such uncommonly helpless looks, with the even more uncommon expressions of guilt and hurt prevailing over the rest. "I-" the mage stops, requiring a moment to gather herself, construct her words and work around the mass of emotions she's still trying to understand. But, in time she's able to master herself into a semblence of her usual self, albeit a hint of a shake to her normally casual voice, "I don't always 'kid', Cuki. I -am- capable of serious moments. You of all people should know that." Granting herself a wavering sigh, the feline brings her knees up to rest her chin against them before continuing. "All this... I'm still trying to make sense of it. Instinct, and something more, tells me it's right. But I can't find the words to explain it. Mdf... he understood it, it's why he..." The mage catches herself there, the typically aloof creature unable to work passed the lump in her throat to finish that thought. It's still an open wound for her, her longtime companion's choice to unweave the magics holding him together after deeming the mage in the care of superior guardians. It's only after Satoshi buries her face against her knees that she bothers to add, "You could have just said 'no' to my question. It would have hurt, but I would have understood, after everything.."

Cuki blinks. Oh. What is this huh? She does have emotions. What a surprise. No. Maybe that was a bit jaded. Cuki just didn't expect this type of reaction out of her. An affliction of emotions. Amusement in her ability to actually care about anyone but herself, pride in her for finding her way herself, and sorrow. The sorrow was for a great many things. He knew better than to voice what he might say. It is far to easy to lose friends over small words said out of place. Satoshi did not need to be judged or questioned at this moment. So instead he puts on a weak smile and moves next to the Feline. One arm goes around her shoulder to comfort her, "I know. I know. It is ok. We all have to sacrifice things we care deeply about in life. Sometimes it has a purpose. Often times it does not." A monkish sort of thing to say. He could only hope he actually meant something at least at some point...or maybe that was her intention of asking him? Who knows. "I care deeply for you, kitten. We have been through a lot. I am glad to see that your path is one leading to something." Because Cuki could not help but word it that way for various reasons, "I would be glad to be there for both of you."

Satoshi adds another emotion to the veritable parade of them with Cuki's words. This one is at least a positive one, as the feline is left giggling to herself at the utterly monk-ish words before looking up at him with a properly sincere smile after giving him a light kiss to his cheek. "Thank you. For more than just saying 'yes'. I've dragged my tail a great deal when it comes to being appreciative, but that's changing now. I wonder when it all started, really..." The mage shrugs to herself, settling into the simple comfort of the monk's hold with another sigh. It's about then that Sawyer butts in, as dogs always do, with a small yap and an abrupt pressing of his cold wet nose to feline and human's cheeks alike. "Nyeh! Mutt!" the mage protests, giving the stubbornly affectionate dog a light shove before surrendering with a whine. "That brings me to what I was going to ask you earlier, actually." With fingers burrowing into the thick fur around Sawyer's neck, Satoshi glances toward Cuki with a half-smile. "Since I frosted your secretary et she wasn't the loyal sort... what do you say to a new friend? The little monster could use someone like you. Following a cat around can't be good for his doggy nature, ne?"

Cuki was glad to see her expression change. Though he takes the moment to place his hand on her head. Perhaps not so gently he pushes down forcing her to lower her head in submission. This is followed by an uncharacteristicly edged to his speech, "You owe me a lot more than a thank you little thing. A great deal more." That being sufficate enough to sate him in the begruding matter he continues, "But it will have to do. I understand. The dog though. Cuki can't help but look nervously at Sawyer. Oh. This wouldn't be good. "It is very appricated. I know how much you enjoy your animals, but that wouldn't be a good idea. The Temple isn't full of those that share my diet. They see it as an awful waste. The price of meat, what it is, when you get it. If you get it. For all those warriors? There is a reason why there are no pet shops in Cenril." A mildly disturbing comment considering Cuki's profession. The doggie is looked at with pity.

Satoshi makes an indignant squeak, even going as far as giving a protesting wave of her arms before the monk relents from bowing her head. And with her release, the feline lifts her head and simply fixes him with a stern look and puffed out cheeks, for all the world looking like a child whose pride has been damaged. At least, until she can't hold the falsified expression any longer and lets it shift into a--what's this?--humble grin. "Oui. I owe you far more. ...Do you have a payment plan?" Of course, she's a cat incapable of remaining somber for long, so the joke simply had to be slipped in there despite the seriousness. Not that the serious air would have lasted anyways as Sawyer gives a particularly high-pitched whine and burrows against the feline's side for comfort, as if he very well understands Cuki's words. And the mage is tolerable enough to provide the poor red dog with a reassuring pat or two. "Sorry, mutt. You're stuck with me it seems~. But you're not alone in that curse, at least." Looking back to the human, she gives a swift wink. "Something I'm glad for, truly~."

Cuki flashes a crude smile to the Feline. "No, but I will get my own from you when the time comes. Be prepared." The dog though. Cuki actually liked Sawyer. Sighing he pets the dog as well. With that Cuki stands up. "We should not have stayed here this long. Valkrin is a city that does not like my kind. Let us part."

Satoshi remains where she is, Sawyer draping himself over her lap for more pets. "I'll be staying. I've still got business to attend to here. Et, most of the folk here seem to think I'm a ghost, so I fit in nicely, non~?" Giving the monk a nod, the feline grins again, "Do take care, yes?"