Legends of Belariath

Sevi and Khristoph Maelese

A Kitten's Introduction

Khristoph Maelese raises his mug once again to his lips, idly wondering why a peanut would have struck him to begin with. Strange. After a sizeable gulp of the pear cider, he sets it back down against the bar and continues leaning on his right arm. His black hair falls loosely to splash over his forehead. The human male is of average height and build, quite obviously not a warrior, but neither is he weak. His manner is easy and comfortable as he relaxes at the bar of the Lonely Inn. His sky-blue tunic a refreshing splash in the sea of dingy grays and browns with the occasional harlot-red or forest green.

A slinky, chocolate-furred catgirl pads into the Inn, slipping through the various patrons, her head bowed as she makes her way to the bar. She moves with a noble grace and appears well kept, aside from the ragged end of a leash that hangs from her collar, slapping against her bottom as she crosses the room. Her vibrant, fiery-red head is all that sets her apart from the crowd. The smooth, silken locks falling down her back over the thin fabric of her chemise.

The cleric crosses his arms, and then leans on the left, giving his right a break from the awkward weight. The sleeves of his gray battle robes do little to cushion the hard bar beneath either arm. He traces the rim of his mug idly, his mind wandering as he stares at the bar, totally unaware of the newest arrival. She looks around with wide, amber eyes. Her hand trembles slightly as she sets in on the bar's top, turning a bit to face the room warily. She lifts her tail in a querying question-mark curve, her wide ears turned back slightly. She doesn't seem to notice anyone working the bar and she's not sure if she should help herself; she doesn't want to do anything wrong.

Khristoph lifts his head; the movements so close catching his attention. He looks to the catgirl beside him, noting the collar with a small frown, but quickly giving a comforting grin when he sees her light tremble and nervous expression. "You want a drink? The keeper's off right now, but I don't think anyone will complain if you get something..."

The kitten starts at the sound of the voice in such close proximity, turning to stare at the man's chest. She doesn't look up to meet his gaze as she processes his words quickly, ears perked forward to listen for cues in his tone, "Oh! Thank you, sir. I did not wish to... misstep." She bobs her head in a little bow, the leash flipping lightly as she does.

The plush girl starts to step away, eyeing the bar as she tears her gaze from his shyly. She glances about to make sure no one is watching her before hopping over neatly to land on the other side. Only Khristoph sees. He slumps down just a little to meet her gaze, keeping that warm grin. "Oh, not a problem. And please, don't call me Sir. I'm Khristoph. Khristoph Maelese." He raises a brow. "So, what do you want? I'm somewhat familiar with the workings of the bar. I've watched Grunt do it quite a few times."

Turning again quickly, the cat-slave blushes. She lets him meet her gaze, though shyly, looking down now and then to break the contact as she speaks, "Oh, I couldn't have you serving me, s... Khri-stoph." She pronounces his name distinctly, as if it's the first time she's said it and is being certain to say it correctly. She looks up, "I will find it, thank you." She gives him a little smile, slightly uncertain in her wording as he clearly wishes not to be addressed as a superior.

He shrugs, "Okay, such is your wish. It wouldn't be a problem. At least let me point it out for you, save you some time." She glances at the row upon row of bottles and slumps slightly, regarding them wide-eyed. She takes a deep breath, straightening up as she turns back to Khristoph with a grateful smile, "Please... Khri-stoph, I admit, I am at a loss..." She bites her bottom lip, "could you point out something... sweet?"

Khristoph nods, his bangs tossing back and forth, free of the green wide-brimmed hat he's accustomed to wearing. "Of course, of course..." He pauses, "...err, may I have your name? It would be much easier than saying 'hey you' I'm sure." He continues to beam warmly to the redhead.

Warmed and relaxing gradually, the shy kitten giggles softly, her chocolate brown tail coiling around her own wrist as she clasps her hands behind the small of her back. "I am sevi." His return nod is matter-of-fact. "Okay, then, sevi." He leans forward slowly, supporting himself on his right arm, his knuckles propping up his chin, richly covered in black hair. She watches. It's not that she's rude, or staring. She's just curious and doesn't fear him. He seems nice... safe... She smiles, "What do you recommend... Khri-stoph?"

Khristoph grins, "Well, there's pear cider. I was turned onto it as a better alternative to ale. And yes, it is much better. Smooth, yet still has it where it counts. It's definitely a creeper, though, they'll fool you into thinking you're not drunk." He chuckles, "That'd be the fifth bottle. Right above your ear there. Nice rings." The tips of her ears are pierced with thick hoops, their metallic shimmer offsetting the density of her fur.

The cleric pounds the remaining bit of cider in his own glass mug. "In fact, if you'd be so kind as to do a refill since you're there, I'd be grateful."

sevi turns up and to the left a little, spotting the bottle with the crude illustration of a robust human girl riding a pear. She blinks, and then reaches up for the battle as she speaks, back turned to Khristoph, "Thank you. It sounds lovely." She turns, her tail finding a mug handle without a glance. She sets the mug on the counter as she's opening the bottle. She fills Khristoph's glass before her own, looking up at him again as her free hand reaches up to touch her hear. "I like them... the weight of them..." She crinkles her nose, blushing softly still.

The friendly grin spreads as Khristoph sees her tail move so dexterously, "Now that's got to be handy." He lightly strokes his chin, turning his hand from fist to open palm. His left hand takes up his own mug, taking a dignified, careful sip before allowing it to set back upon the bar. "They're very pretty. I like silver."

The kitten's smile is soft, her nose wrinkling a little as she nods, "Quite handy. I do not understand how the tail-less races make do." She doesn't bother returning to the opposite side of the bar yet as she takes up the cider, sniffing curiously before she drinks a small sip. Her head is tilted in ponderance a moment before she nods. "It's quite tasty."

He nods. "It is, it is, but quite honestly, don't be fooled." He smiles, "If I had to guess, by your body size, I'd quit at that mug. Then again, I'm not that familiar with alcohol tolerance with catpeople." He nurses his own, knowing he'd better not have anymore than his own current full mug. Three would transform him into something he'd rather not deal with... or have others put up with.

Chewing softly on her lower lip a moment, the girl considers his words of warning. She takes his consideration to heart and her glowing eyes soften a bit as she continues to watch him over the rim of her mug, taking small sips. Setting the mug down again, she asks, "If you like the piercings, why have you none of your own, Khri-stoph?"

Khristoph's eyes give a light roll, as if having to recite some long-forgotten rule in some dusty tome; quite possibly because he is. "Signs of vanity are usually disdained by the clergy. Piercings, tattoos and extreme cases of individuality draw away from one's focus on their dietic masters and instead to themselves." He gives her a little wink. "The clergy hall would complain if they caught me with my current hairstyle. I think they'd faint dead if I came in with a ring of metal through my skin..." '...If they let me in at all,' he finishes mentally, his grin unceasing. "Besides, I don't think they'd flatter me."

Only then does sevi take a moment to give the man a closer look. To do so before would have been impolite. She lets her gaze travel his features quickly before giving a small nod. "Your hair suits you, I think... but no, the rings would look... pretentious, I think." Her speech is clear and precise. Despite her odd mannerisms and naivet?, she appears to be well educated.

The cleric nods, "Yes, well put. No rings for me. However, I can see them on others and how suitable they are there." He takes another sip, closing his eyes as he drinks and afterwards, sets it down. A fast motion of his tongue across his lips catches the residue there. "So, where are you from? I don't believe I've seen you around before."

The question brings a pout to sevi's lips, her brow furrowing as she is remind of her Master. "My Master brought me here. I do not know the place from where we came. I was always at Master's house." Her ears flatten back against her head for a moment before tipping forward again.

Judiciously, Khristoph decides not to dip too much further into her past, to possibly dredge up any painful or unhappy memories. Her place was such, and it was society's way to accept it. "I see. So have you taken in the sights? The Healer's Guild? Unigo? The Baths? There's also some great shops in town as well."

The quick shake of her head tosses her hair against her shoulders. She dips it then, taking a drink of her cider, a bit less mindfully this time. "No, I have been to the baths, but that is all... What... kind of shops?"

Khristoph lets his left hand trail up idly to the back of his neck, scratching lightly, more of something to do with his hand than really getting at an itch, but all the same, the action feels nice to his nape. "There's The General Store, and a weapons and armor shop... Oh, and the Naked Bird Clothing Store as well. Those are the ones I have been to. There might be more, but they elude me at this time."

sevi tilts her head, listening to the short list of shops. She smiles brightly; her eyes alight with eager, childlike glee, "Oh? Do they have all kinds of different fabrics at the clothing store? Is it one of those where everything is all made up already? Or do they make it... custom?"

The kitten's excitement causes Khristoph to grin, "They do have some pre-made, but yes, they do custom work. They're fast, and their work is second to none." HE moves his right hand up from his chin, rolling his wrist to show the blood-red embroidery of the steel gray sleeve. "Isn't that something? Oh, and Caoimhe's blouse, silky and a very pale shade of blue." It's not hard to see his smile growing a bit more at the mention of his love's name, his tone softening as he imagines her in slight article of clothing. "They're great."

The obvious emotion in her newfound friend's eyes brings a warm blush to the girl's cheeks. She smiles softly, "It is good craftsmanship, yes. Perhaps I will have opportunity to see these wonders for myself." Her tail twitches against her calf as she ventures tentatively, "Caoimhe... is your mate?"

It is Khristoph's turn then to blush, his cheeks turn a bit red, her name having been spoken once again and his mind painting a picture of the sweet centauress, one that could never do the real thing justice no matter how hard it tried. "She is my love, my all, and second only to the Gods themselves." He feels his chest warm and swell with pride to know that someone so precious would love him in return. His eyes take on a dreamy sparkle, inadvertently looking upon the cat-slave in this way.

sevi feels a warm rise in her belly and her own blush intensifies. She lowers her gaze quickly, her voice shaky and light, "Oh, I am sure she is quite lovely, Khri-stoph. She is a lucky one." His response is a quick shake of his head, his eyes rolling downward, if just to not look into her amber ones. "Oh, no. I am the lucky one, sevi. Not even lucky. Blessed. It's not every day that one walks in, fresh from the academy and has a beautiful girl appear beside him, offer him a place to live and employment, and then, time passing, her love." His smiles on a bit of a goofy pull, his chuckle soft from behind his clenched teeth as he changes his vision from her lower half to the bar's countertop.

The kitten's little hands are clenched behind her back. "Perhaps... Perhaps one day I could meet her. She sounds very special." She tries to control the slight tremor in her tone.

Looking back up, most of the sparkle is gone from his eyes as his internal demand to control it rises above his emotion. "Yes. She heads the Healer's Guild and is often there." He almost mentions her home, but decides that such a thing would be rude. It is not his residence; despite the fact the he is allowed full access, even to her 'bed'. "Can't miss her... She's the only pony centauress I've seen."

sevi tilts her head at the odd description of this mystery woman. "Pony... centauress, Khri-stoph?" She twines her tail once again around her wrist, her small hand brining the cider to her lips and sipping delicately. Khristoph watches her tail with mild interest, lightly hypnotized by its presence, but does his best not to stare. "Yes, she's got black hair, deep brown eyes with these little flecks of gold, cutest nose..." He realizes he's rambling on her description and being a bit too meticulous. "...then, her equine body bears a coat of chestnut, black feathery fetlocks and a long black tail."

The alert kitten doesn't fail to notice his gaze and its direction. She says nothing about it, but nods at his words. "I will be sure to greet her if chance we meet, thank you. I do hope I will have no need to visit her Guild, though."

Khristoph raises his eyes to her once more. "Agreed. Most don't show up unless they're in serious need." He gives a tilted grin, "but feel free to show up sometime. You know, without having real demand of services." The catgirl's response is a nod and a bright smile, "Thank you, Khri-stoph. I will do that." She drains the remainder of the sweet pear cider down her throat, glancing at her companion's to check for its level. "Would you like some more? I think there's a little left in this bottle."

Khristoph takes a sip of the half-full mug before sliding it closer to her, "Sure, that'd be great." She pours the remainder of the pear cider into his mug before setting it with the other empties behind the counter. She adds her mug to the sink with a deft motion of her tail, and then scampers quickly around the end of the bar to join Khristoph on the other side once again, bouncing lightly on her paw-padded feet.

"Do you work there as well, then? You said she gave you a job." Her question is curious, but not probing and he nods in response. "I'm a scribe. Currently, I take care of notices of services rendered, recopying of contracts, book-keeping, that sort of thing." He shrugs. "Not the epitome of excitement, but someone's got to do it. Besides, I enjoy it."

sevi giggles, "I don't even know how to read... let alone write... Is it... difficult?"

Khristoph gives a wide smile, "All depends on the language. Common, despite the name, is one of the hardest to learn. After I had that down... took about two months... Elven and Dwarven were a snap. The really odd ones, the ones I can't do off the top of my head or even begin to pronounce... the black hand of the Abyssal... those're really difficult."

The little slave blinks, "Wow. Do you... speak these other languages as well?" He nods once more, "Yes, although I do try and keep it reserved to my hand. Many times, it's an insult to speak another's racial language." He muses thoughtfully, rolling his eyes, "although humans are often given slack. We're usually considered stupid just because we don't live hundreds of years like everyone else."

sevi shrugs a little, "I would not be insulted were you to speak the language of my people." She giggles, "Though how you could get some of those sounds... I don't know if you could..." She tilts her head, eyes dancing playfully, "Let me hear your growl."

Always eager to learn and expand his knowledge, the scribe grins. A lesson in language from a native is always better than trying to decipher it from text. He had dealt here and there with the language of the catpeople, but never long enough to pick it up for himself. It was also not often used about him, or perhaps it was, and he'd not noticed? He blushes furiously, remembering the way Caoimhe had coaxed his body to let go a deep rumble from within his chest a time or two. Tapping just slightly into those feelings, he gives forth a growl for the catgirl, teeth clenched behind only partially separated lips. His eyes close, feeling a little embarrassed by the situation, though not enough to deny the request.

A little shiver runs through the catgirl, her tail tip pat-patting against her wrist at the delicious little thrill the growl gives her. She nods, smile a bit less teasing now. "That is very good... for one not cat." She watches him openly now, unabashed and unafraid.

Khristoph opens his eyes, already ready behind the lids to dart down at his mug, seeing the bubbles in the cider rise. "Thank you. I can but try and give my best." He could've done one without the feeling backing it, but felt would've sounded weak and unworthy, falling short before her.

sevi unwinds her tail from her wrist as she moves her hands to balance on the edge of the bar. Her drink is gone, nothing to distract her now as her tail tip sneaks over to his knee. "You're welcome. Do you speak it?" She dares not look at her tail, her ears pitched carefully forward, attentive and alert.

Khristoph shakes his head, "Not actively, no. I've only meandered over the characters and phrases here and there, picking out the basest of words, not even sure what kind of sentence structures would be made." He's either oblivious to the advancing tail tip, or he's doing a very good job of faking it. He makes no outward reaction.

The chocolate kitten leans closer to him as she speaks, her hair falling over her shoulder in a silken glide. It's an almost unconscious movement, her body wanting to be closer to his as her tail creeps up his thigh, like a furry worm. "I would be happy to instruct you, Khri-stoph."

The studious cleric smiles to the native linguist. "Instruction would be greatly appreciated. I, in turn, would be happy to help you to at least read common. Writing will come after; but-" He now visibly becomes a bit more aware of the tail slinking its way up his thigh... "-but it will most certainly... be yours... when you master reading." He swallows, trying to keep a poker face, though his eyes are a bit wider. So far he's doing well, if you don't count the shocked look reflected in his chocolate irises.

A soft rumble sends an almost sub-vocal vibration through the air as sevi purrs deep in her own throat. "Some words may still be beyond your capacity, but you show promise... talent..." That naughty tail pat-pats its tip against the inner side of this thigh, thumping lightly. If Khris had any less willpower, he would've broken into a full body shiver, but his ironclad resolve holds true. He flashes a smile. "I always give my all, sevi. Whether things are beyond my capacity or not does not discourage me."

The catgirl blushes, her tail creeping up to caress along his clothes loins, her hands leaving the bar top as she slips them behind her back again, amber eyes locked to his, "That is very admirable, Khri-stoph. I would like to start very soon... to find your full potential."

Khristoph feels himself begin to grasp at the fringe of thoughts impure, but mentally slaps himself with the hardest thing he can find: logic. She's collared. Where's her Master? And could he be broken in half by him? More important, might she be punished for talking to him? He wouldn't wish anyone to be harmed because of him. What of Caoimhe? Would she approve of him looking at her like this? He averts his eyes, his hand curling about her tail and pulling the tip away from his lap, gentle but firm. "Yes, we'll start soon, sevi."

As his gentle hand moves his tail, she snaps it away quickly, a pained, confused look flashing in her gaze before she looks away quickly, ears laid back against her head. The motion disturbs the tattered of her leash and it bounces once against her side. Her tone is subdued now; tail curled once more about her own wrist. "Soon... of course..."

The look on the kitten's face instantly reminds Khristoph of the way Caoimhe reacted when he pulled away from her, the way her dark, sparkling eyes went from smoldering to crest-fallen. Guilt rends his insides lightly at the comparison, the way she shrinks away. Logic once again tries to play the mediator; he had just met her, that her show of unhappiness was not the same as Caoimhe's. He still can't suppress his sigh, soft, yet easily picked up by her sharp, feline ears. "Again, I thank you for your offer. To know another language is to pull away another curtain of ignorance." He leans forward a little more, closing the gap between them more, his left hand gently cupping her chin. His eyes beckon wordlessly for her own.

The unspoken request causes sevi to lift her chin, meeting his gaze. Her eyes show confusion and the pain of rejection. She's not scarred, merely miffed. But it hurt to have her tenuous advance rebuffed... She was so lonely. She nods a little against his hand, saying only a soft, "You're welcome."

Khristoph lets his fingers trail down and before he can even begin to reverse his decision to stop enticing the catgirl, his hand meets her collar. He withdraws his hand, placing it into his lap. His right hand finds the handle of his mug, draining the contents in three gulps before setting it down and giving a refreshed, "aaahhhh..."

sevi lowers her gaze again slowly, "Thank you... for your time... If you wish I should leave you now... ?" She can't bring herself to address what is really bothering her and pulls back into herself to avoid it. The cleric watches her with a look of almost disbelief. "If I wish? ...No, I do not 'wish', take your leave at anytime you prefer. I would like you to stay, to know you better, provided it doesn't bring you harm or discomfort. Is... is something the matter?" His visage shows genuine concern for the fire-haired catgirl.

The kitten peeks back over to Khristoph, her eyes brightening again at his kind words and obvious care. "I... no... that is... I do not wish to leave, either. I thought you were displeased with me." He shakes his head quickly, "No, no, no. That's not the case at all. I... " He blushes, "I merely thought for your safety first and foremost. I am not one who praises slavery, not just because of my Cloth, but because I believe one cannot own another. You bear a collar, and I would not wish to see you harmed for touching me." 'Nor would I want to stress Caoimhe's trust,' he thinks. No other girl had even remotely teased him since she had raised his self-confidence and to be honest, he liked the attention she was giving him.

A little pout appears at the mention of her Master and her liquid-gold eyes fill with unshed tears. She blinks them back quickly, "I do not know where my Master is."

Khristoph's eyes are quickly downcast. "You don't know? He just... left?" He is glad to hold his tongue now, the earlier thoughts coming to words as they were thought. What a fool her Master was, how lithe and lovely she was, and he would just depart without her! Indeed, she must be lonely... He too knew what it was like to feel lonely. A light frown wrinkles his lips as he looks up again, "My apologies, sevi. I... did not know."

sevi wraps her arms around her own torso in an attempt to comfort herself. She blinks again, this time a fat tear escapes to trail down her creamy cheek. "He has been gone for days... He's never left me for s long before. I don't know how many days it has been... I got hungry..." At the mention of food, her belly growls in protest.

The gentle cleric reaches instinctively for a blotter cloth, knowing he put a brand-new one in his inseam pocket this morning. Indeed, it is stained just lightly at the edges, but the center is perfect, unmarred by the black and blue ink that clings to the fringe. He motions forward, patting away the salty drop as it descends, stopping it before it can go any further. "I'm sorry. You love him, yes?" The question is tentative, a little subdued, hoping to not bring another sorrowful reaction.

As her tear is blotted, sevi looks up with those wide, golden eyes. She sniffs lightly, "Does not every slave love her Master, Khri-stoph?" The question causes him to lower his gaze again, looking down at his breeches and pulling back the blotter cloth, barely damp from her trapped tear. "Yes... I suppose they would." '...or suffer their wrath,' he thinks pessimistically, though the thought never reaches his expression.

sevi tilts her head, letting her gaze lower as well until it is at a level with where his would be should he choose to look up again. "Thank you, Khri-stoph, again. You are too kind to me. I have not found a friend like you before." Her words are sincere, her previous companionship having only been that of fellow slaves, distrustful and competitive at best, outwardly hostile at worst.

Khristoph places his hand upon her shoulder, the cloth tucked between his middle and ring finger, the bronze guild ring contrasts with the whiteness of it. "I'll be friend to you so long as you wish, sevi." At his words, the catgirl dips her head to nuzzle against his hand, her eyes closing softly as she whispers in her rough, kitten voice, "Thank you, Khri-stoph." She sways toward him, her body seeming to have a mind of its own, though she exercises some restraint. She'd wanted to hug him, to feel his body against hers, but she'd held back.

Noticing her reluctance, Khristoph slips his hands around her waist, drawing her to him in a comforting hug. He places his cheek upon her shoulder, giving her middle a gentle squeeze. Startled by the hug, sevi blinks a bit, but quickly accustoms herself to the comfort, nuzzling against this shoulder as her own hands rest against the back of his shoulders. She sighs softly, the close contact easing the itching need inside her.

Khristoph leans in, arching his neck to visit her cheek with a gentle kiss. His voice is warm and soft as his breath on her ear, "Take heart. He'll return. How could he not, for one as lovely as you?" He pulls away gently, not to rush, but not to linger too long. The last thing he wished to do was tease her, or make it seem he was displeased with her.

sevi nods, keeping her eyes closed for a moment, his words bringing a soft blush, "I worry that he might not be able to return. He is nearly as young as I and although he is very strong and skilled for his age, what if..." She trails off there, her rushed words train-wrecking against the idea of his possible endangerment. She heartens herself, holding back the tears that threaten to spill again. "He's never been gone so long..."

Khristoph shakes his head, smiling. "He'll return. There must be a reason behind it. And even if the Faceless Angel has visited him with his sharp scythe, believe me when I say that even death cannot stop true love." He nods, his eyes taking on a most serious and knowing focus. His confidence gives her strength and she smiles a bit herself with a nod. "Your words bring comfort. Though, I doubt that he loves me enough to transcend death. I am his, much in the way that this," she indicates the satchel, "pack is yours. A tool, one that is valued, but not loved."

Such blatant dehumanization brings the curl of a frown to Khristoph's lips. "I'll never understand the world of servitude. I don't think I want to either. The only yoke I drag daily is my unending devotion to the deities which command us all, silently yet with deafening force." He takes her hand into his own, cupping over it lightly. "I do hope that you are one day loved in return, if not by your Master, then by someone. There is no greater feeling one can know, at least not one I've experienced."

The devoted cat-slave slips a little deeper inside herself. She loves Master. Why would she not? But to expect love in return... from anyone, seemed a bit far-fetched. She shrugs lightly, "I only hope to please my Master. It is as it must be." She doesn't make any effort to pull away from his touch; she's enjoying it far too much to do that.

Khristoph shrugs as well, "Yes, I guess it is." His hand absent-mindedly strokes hers, "Do you want another drink? Or something to eat?" He was unsure how to fulfill a food request, as there were no servers this evening, but he would think of something if she needed food.

The kitten nods eagerly, "Oh, yes!" All she's had to eat in the time her Master has been gone was one dry oatcake that had been wrapped and waiting on the dresser for breakfast the day he'd disappeared. She'd not been able to reach it until a few hours previous, when she'd managed to gnaw through the leash. "Food would be lovely."

The nod of Khristoph's head is immediate, "I'm not sure where the food is here..." True, his knowledge only fixated to where the liquors were... and the bottle of Ogre Grease, which Grunt like to chug. "I can go back to the manor and bring something back for you, if you wish to stay here." HE noted the distance and speed traveled in the night over in his head. "It shouldn't take -too- long."

The suggestion seems to worry the catgirl a bit, fearful of being left alone once again, "Is there not a place closer? I have a few coins if food must be purchased..." Khristoph scratches his head, "No, I offered. I'll pay for it. Hmm... I wish someone was on duty." He looks at her and shrugs. "To Abyss with it. I'll dig around in back. I shouldn't encounter trouble. Be back shortly." He slips his hands from around hers and goes behind the bar into the back room in search of something edible.

Suddenly alone in a crowded room, sevi glances about. She clasps her hands together in her lap, resting her round little bottom atop a barstool while she waits for her new friend to return with the much-needed food. It doesn't take long for the helpful cleric to return with a platter of sweet rolls, which have sadly chilled, a small brick of butter and a kitchen knife. He takes his seat beside sevi, placing the platter before her.

"This's all I could find, my apologies. I hope it helps."

sevi smiles, her eyes as wide as saucers as she surveys the feast of sweetbread and butter. She salivates, swallowing reflexively as she watches him set them down. "Thank you, may I butter one for you?"

Khristoph shakes his head. "No, thank you, I am much obliged." He had never been much for sweet rolls and wasn't at all hungry... although he could feel the alcohol's creeping affect he had mentioned earlier beginning to warm him. He was far from falling-down drunk, but his sobriety was slipping.

Taking the table knife up in her small hand as well as one of the sweet rolls, sevi tears off a piece, applying the pale butter liberally. When the food is chewed, her eyes close in bliss and she savors the taste for a long moment before swallowing. Despite her hunger, she eats daintily and at a measured pace, minding her manners. She swallows, looking up as she butters another piece. "Caoimhe is neither your Mistress, nor your slave... but you did not say she was your mate... Is your relationship committed?"

As the kitten chews her sweetbread, so Khristoph chews her words. "I would like to think so, although no words have been said to such a point; no boundaries drawn." He shrugs, both physically and mentally. He had never had a question like that asked of him. "Why?"

The question causes sevi to blush softly, her eyes on her hands as she butters the bread. "You react to my touch... then push me away..." her words are barely audible, they're so soft.

The gentle human looks at his empty mug as he carefully words his response. "Is it wrong to be faithful to one you love with all your being? Without question? Yes, your touch brought reaction, but I need no one else. My apologies." He frowns a little, feeling even guiltier that he let the teasing go as far as it did. His cheeks burn with shame. sevi, too feels shame, blushing softly that she would question his actions. It was not her place to do so, and she knew so little of love and faithfulness. She has a hard time swallowing the half-chewed lump of bread, but she manages. "No... -my- apologies. I am... ignorant, please. Forgive me?"

Khristoph sighs. Now he felt guiltier. First, for having to stop her, after his double-sided words and adoring body language. She missed another touch, feeling lonely... Why him? All he did was show her some kindness. His feelings began to knot in his stomach, unsure of the answers. His words were gentle, bound tight as if by invisible rope. "Don't be sorry, there's no apology needed to be answered." He rises quickly, "I need to take my leave now. Please excuse me, sevi. Take care and may you find your Master soon..."

He starts for the door, not pausing in his exit. He just needed some air and to be alone... badly. Startled by his sudden departure, sevi blinks, and then looks around a bit fearfully. She quickly resumes eating, not making eye contact with anyone and totally unaware that one Dark Elf has been watching her for some time, cloaked and shadowed at a corner table.

The little kitten cleans the plate, and then slips off of the barstool, padding toward the door. The tattered end of her leather leash bounces against her bottom as she ducks between the patrons, then slips out the door. The Dark Elf looks up and watches the cat-slave with the chewed leash leaving alone, convinced that no one is watching either of them as he glides out of the door after her.

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