Arkuss Neflari was definitely having a little trouble getting used to all the noise. In training or an arena was one thing but they really didn't have the best rooms in the House. Thankfully, their intimate session wore them both out enough to sleep after the formal banquet last night. Finishing dressing in a pair of snug leather pants and a top with detached sleeves that ended just below his chest, both parts dyed a deep purple shade. He looks at the amazon still sleeping soundly on the bed, shi desperately needed a good day or two of rest. His ears twitch as that knock comes, then that familiar voice, suddenly very glad Athena was still out cold as he goes to the door. Moving over to open it he looks out and nods. "Hey...yeah, I'm awake." Arkuss Neflari blushes a little as he takes in her form and that outfit, a small nod in response. Yes, it was certainly good the other did not see this. "I see...well, it would be to our advantage to learn about the place. Athena is still resting for now, so I do not have much else to do. He glances back at the amazon, a soft smile as she snoozes away comfortably, the lion slipping out the door and closing it behind him as he looks to the elf again. "Alright, so a tour it is. Lead the way." Arkuss <"You look very, pretty, today." The elf spoke lightly as they walked down the hallway, stepping aside for rushing House servants. She danced around a pair carrying heavy covered serving trays. "The one thing you MUST learn about House Narro is speed and skill are of equal importance. A skillful slave or a quick slave are welcome, but if you can be both you will be rewarded." She pointed to a small building as they passed a window, stopping for a time. "That is where the House Champion and her Chain slaves reside. She is currently traveling with the House Mistress, so it is locked and barred from entry on pain of death. I have only been inside once." She trembled strongly and bit her lower lip. "Anyway, that is where all on the Chain wish to be." Moving down a flight of stairs and out into the courtyard. "We will be going into the city, so some preparations are needed to see we are not stolen, or worse. Of course I could give you a full tour of the villa if you are feeling...hesitant." She spoke that last line in a bit of a challenging tone.> Neflari smiles. "Thank you. I'd have to say the same about you as well." He watches her dance around the pair, though having little trouble slipping out of their way as well. That part she mentioned he shouldn't have too much issue with, at least. He stops with her, blinking as he saw the building and some of what she described. "A separate building? That's something...our quarters were nice but nothing like that. And the Champion has multiple slaves?" Already this place had definite differences. He noted her tremble on mention of the one time she had been inside, something to ask about later. "Hmm, well a tour of the villa would be useful so we are not wandering around lost so much..." He smiles. "Though we will need to know of the city as well." Arkuss Neflari a small nod, following her gestures to the guards as she spoke of other things about the Champion, another look of surprise at just how many slaves she had. "Are you serious? What does she do with so many..." He shakes his head. "Chain Slaves were rare where we came from...only 4 when we left, myself included and nobody had more than one. Are the others of the Chain allowed more than one slave?" He pieces together what she mentions about the challenges, that no doubt would be an important matter at some point. He looks to the elf with a sigh at her warning. "I am not exactly good at not being myself. I fear for Athena's safety when shi reacts to such an interest. And for myself...for what I would do rather than leave hir." He shakes his head a bit. "Hmm...what is available for training, to start. And perhaps where to acquire food." Arkuss Neflari hmms and smiles as she hooks that bit of hair behind an ear. "Well, at this point, mostly for Athena, though I may pick up some training as well before long. This place seems to have plenty of interesting twists that might require it." He nods a little, the lion was feeling kind of hungry. "Food does sound good." As they walked he glanced around at the murals and statues as well as other decorative details, it certainly was more lavish than they had been used to. He smiles and settles down at the table. "Sure, thank you." Arkuss Neflari mmfs and nods a little. More rules. Well, at least they didn't seem to be more complex than the previous House, just different. And a few more of them. "Not much intermingling, huh?" He shrugs a bit finally, just things he would have to adjust to. He did wonder a bit about that last set of tables but had his thoughts pulled away by the elf's question. "Umm...would like some soup and tea. And something along the lines of beef would be good." He nods to her and turns to head for the Chain slave tables, a glance to that last set she had mentioned before he settles himself down at one of the more sparsely populated tables and starting to observe those nearby, something to occupy his mind while waiting. Arkuss <"Ohh, we can intermingle, it is just not seen as proper. There is no real penalty for it, so a few do mingle just not that often. I do not really understand it myself but when I have my own House I won't have that rule." Smirking, the elf walked off, a little sway to her hips as she went. There were only a couple others at the Chain tables, a rather unpleasant looking male cayman and a female porcupine. They sat at separate tables and really did not pay the lion too much mind until Shanna returned to sit across from him. The cayman grunted loudly and just got up and left, while the porcupine just stared for a time before returning to her meal. Sliding over a small bowl of soup and a cup of tea, SHanna lowered a lightly stacked plate of meat in front of him. "Since the Chain is training, this place is quite a bit quieter than usual. Anyway. I hope you like it, the cook says it is fresh from today's market." Leaning forward a bit, the elf rested her elbows on the tabletop, her own small cup of broth placed before her, those eyes watching the lion intently.> Neflari did enjoy that sway of lovely elven hips. It would take time but hopefully Athena could grow to at least tolerate Shanna if not actually enjoy her presence. He did notice the cayman and porcupine, the latter was sort of cute. It was an interesting reaction from the other two as the elf returned, guessing it had to do with her usual role. Shaking his head a bit he looks up to her as she places the food on the table, smiling some. "Thank you." He goes ahead and tries some of it, mrring a bit as he swallows. "Ohh, it is quite good." He happily eats more, several bites before he notices her intent gaze, a slight tilt of his head. "Am I really that interesting to watch?" Arkuss <"I think so. I mean, I do not see many of your kind around here. I mean, I see a few lions, but you are not like the others." The elf bites her lower lip and leans forward a bit. "You are just, interesting." Taking up her broth she took a sip and glances about. She notices a familiar Chain Slave entering now and face drops a bit. The ocelot had every appearance of a female up to and including the thin waft of fabric that hung from the thin platinum cord about his wait. As the feline moved though, the silk would press against something decidedly not female. Upon his neck a thick leather strap supported a silver bell that rang every so often, forcing him to adjust the manner in which he walked. Shanna gave him a nod as he passed by, but the feline only averted his eyes as he walked to the serving counter for his meal> Neflari hmms and smiles some. "I suppose not. It never feels like I'm that special...though I'm told otherwise rather often." He seems to get lost in thought for a few seconds actually remembering a certain songbird who had once said he was dangerous though the statement had never really made sense yet. He returns to his food eventually, the lion apparently having learned better manners than he used to have but still not the most refined. He glances over as he senses the small change in the elf, catching sight of that ocelot and finding him a bit attractive even at first sight. That was disrupted by the faint sounds of the bell every so often, it being obvious he was trying to change how he walked and meant only one of two things, and he hoped it was not the second. As the other slave averts his eyes he waits till he has gone to the counter then looks to Shanna. "Who...is that?" Arkuss <"That is Zebek's Toy. It is all he goes by now, but I think his name was Masani, Masami, Manisami? I actually do not really remember. He WAS the chain slave to one of the gladiators, a beautiful wolf name Calla." the elf looked down, setting her jaw and there was a light suck of air that the lion had heard many times no doubt. This was a topic that was painful for her and the slump of her usually proud shoulders told him more than any words. When she spoke again, the was no hint of her compassion within. "Zebek is a bastard." Wiping her eye, she straightened up and looked about, gesturing for the ocelot to approach their table. His orange eyes shivered a bit, but after moments of hesitation, he walked slowly across the floor, his near barren plate and water cup tight within his hands. "yes, Shanna, how might Toy service you?" the ocelot spoke quietly, trying to hide his eyes from the peeks he gave the lion. The elf shook her head. "Come, sit and join us. There is plenty of room." The elf grinned widely and looked to the lion, who had seen the act she currently was trying to perform many times. There was a look of happiness in all of her face and posture, but the eyes never lied and they were close to tearing again. "This is Neflari, he is the Chain-Slave of the Amazon Athena." Looking now to the lion, the orange eyes studied him and then nodded as he spoke softly. "well met to you, Neflari. I should not impose, my Will means to have need of my use after the spars are completed."> Neflari blinks as the elf begins to recount a tale, and not a pleasant one from the first sentence already. "He 'was' her slave...?" As the elf seems to run into trouble, he sighs softly and shakes his head after that final mention. "Tell me later, then. This Zebek...is clearly a danger." He drinks some of his tea, closing his eyes for a moment and letting himself relax a bit again. His earlier curiosity about the belled collar essentially answered now. A moment later once the ocelot seems to finally break his hesitation he sets his tea down and looks up to meet the gaze of the other feline. He noticed the difficulty Shanna seemed to be having even still and not only had he seen it but knew of it himself. Yes, they would be discussing this matter later on. He offers his own smile, much more genuine though a clear look at his eyes no doubt would reveal some concern lurking as well. "It is nice to meet you. And you would not be imposing upon us, at least." His own brief study of the other this close reveals some concern lurking as well. Arkuss Neflari nods a little, noting the size of his meal, definitely not one that could properly sustain even a slight feline like this one was. One thing he was grateful for, Xian teaching him to deal with situations like this, especially given his own strong emotional tendencies. "Of course. I would not want to distract you from your duties." He returns to his own meal, half-watching the two others as they interact, there was obviously considerable pain on the elf's part for her to change behavior like this. He decides to try a different topic glancing towards the ocelot. "Shanna has been showing me around today. Athena and myself are quite new...and this House is much different from where we came from. It has been...interesting." Arkuss Neflari sees the tactic appearing to work thankfully. He would speak with the elf later, when she could be free to tell whatever tale was behind all this and express the emotion that came with it. "Ah, I'm sure he did mention us...though I do not know if it was in a positive manner." He eats some of the beef before continuing. "Interesting...there are more rules, many more social complexities, yet there is also more freedom in a way than at our previous House." He matches the ocelot's gaze again, a bit surprised at the intensity. "Well, yes that was a rather short battle. Unfortunately, my Amazon's last fight before coming here was nearly fatal...shi was still finishing hir recovery when we arrived and not at hir best. I am sure they will...challenge each other another time. Maybe you will get to watch the next one." He smiles some again. Arkuss Neflari accepts that smile for what it was, this conversation had gone much better than he expected. "You are quite right. Only the small mistakes." As the ocelot finishes he looks over again. "Until the next meeting." He watches as the other slave departs, turning back to what food he had left, the smile fading as he finishes it off before replying to Shanna. "Do not worry, I know very well what the situation is, now. I have been a slave for a long time, Shanna...it is not common, thankfully, but this is not the only case." He sighs a little, sipping his tea. "As inexperienced as I may seem sometimes, I *can* choose my words carefully. And no, I think we have covered plenty for now." He smiles again, this one more relaxed and genuine to match her own. "I do wish to know the...story, you began. Out of public view where you need not worry about appearances. It is best we learn about these things, they tend to prove important sooner or later." Arkuss Neflari lets her collect their dishes, rising once she returns, a small feline sort of stretch. "I think we will be ok, in the end." He walks with her, listening as she continues to speak, taking in the words though much of it he would already be aware of. It was how these places functioned. "It can depend on how danger is defined. We will step carefully as needed...believe it or not, Athena is in many ways smarter than I am, especially about these things." He blinks as she stops in one of the entry arches, feeling her touch against his back. This was a little unexpected. "Unfortunately shi is right about one thing...your position is a risk. Other influences still can affect you, however you may wish to follow a path. I do trust you to a degree already. I believe you mean us well and...where you can help, we would both be grateful. But it will take time and proof for hir to come around. Just be patient." Arkuss Neflari sighs and giggles some. "Everyone keeps saying that..." He blinks as the elf runs into someone, seeing her pushed harshly, ears twitching as his instincts began to all but scream at him. He holds his place, every bit of energy focused into either careful watching or maintaining that calm. "I belong to the warrior named Athena, yes." Hmm, Whisperer, that was an interesting name for the elf. He glances down at Shanna as she tries to help then back to the equine. He knew the likely outcome of this encounter already. "The elf is not a threat, leave her be. I am not certain what interest you may have with either of us so soon after our arrival but go ahead and state your business with me." Arkuss Neflari was finding this encounter not going quite as expected. Helix, was it? Names could be important. He watches as the equine strikes the elf, unable to avoid a small wince at the impact and the blood. He could tell though she was alive after the impact. So long as that was true...as the fighter addresses him, he grasps at his magic, just the tiniest bit of the Flow extended to the elf, stopping the flow of blood before he releases that focus. He retains it at a lower level, focusing the magic now into his body as he responds, hopefully what improved durability he could gain would be enough. "You said your business was with me. She is not the 'pretty kitty', I am. If you would, lets get on with whatever business you have with myself or leave us be." Arkuss Neflari cringes as his mane is grabbed like that, but still he holds his stance, looking at the equine. No surprise on those insults, but he had heard them before plenty of times. Then came that punch...he had planned well. "GAHhhh…!" His body arched back with the force of the blow and looking more painful than it was; it hurt but did no real damage thanks to that bit of magic and what endurance he himself had. He couldn't risk maintaining it for very long though."Mnngg...very...well." Arkuss Neflari glances at the elf as she was kicked once more, the lion training a brief trickle of Flow at the elf, detecting nothing dangerous from that last blow and releases it. He follows along with the equine, as well as he can given the grasp he had, falling to his knees when shoved inside the center of that room. He shakes his head, a look at the other two occupants, unable to prevent a shiver running through him now as the equine speaks. Part had gone according to plan...this was not that part though. "I suppose I do know. But are you sure? This will come back to haunt you later..." Arkuss Neflari yelps as the wolfhound kicks his ankles, falling on all fours, plump, round ass sticking up as he breathes deeply. He certainly didn't expect them to have said yes, but that was their foolishness now. The events were inevitable now and the lion gradually shifted his legs apart some, looking to the lion as he feels those claws brush over his chest. He just had to hold on, he would get through this mess. Arkuss Arkuss Neflari gives a brief hiss as the equine squeezes his shoulder, looking up at the wolfhound as he holds his chin, not really able to do much else. Not without risking himself more. "Y-yes...I understand..." He watches as the wolfhound steps back, eyes growing a bit wider at the heavy sheath and that comment to Helix, it wasn't hard to figure out the meaning. As the wolfhound steps forward again he whimpers slightly before obeying, a paw reaching out to cup his heavy balls as his muzzle moves to the sheath, tongue applying its years of practice to the blunt cockhead. It was degrading, more than being a House slave but it was better than what they'd do if he didn't please them. Arkuss Neflari winces as that hand slaps down on his shoulder, but there was barely a hesitation in his efforts, tongue lapping up the thickening precum as it was coaxed out. He sees the wolfhound jabbing forward, muzzle parting wide and letting the length slide in before his lips close around it, tongue working along the underside of that canine shaft even as the larger lion removes those snug pants, leaving pretty rump and thighs exposed to do as he wishes. A muffled yelp comes as he's slapped back there, eyes going wide and a desperate and quite audible whimper given as he hears those words. That was not supposed to happen! Arkuss Neflari at any other time would probably drink in the praise, love the cock he was working on now but no, not in this. Another small whimper as the wolfhound held him more securely, that cock swelling to fill his muzzle as he sucks and licks at it, trying to keep focused on his experience. His ears twitch a bit as his rapists continue talking, suddenly feeling his head held in place as that thick canine rod pushes at his throat then soon is forced down, gagging at the harsh entry and hardly having time to recover with those rapid thrusts pounding into his maw. He tenses a bit as the lion decides to switch with the equine, that part was not going to feel good but he couldn't do much now. Arkuss Neflari was just managing to recover from the initial assault on his throat when that wolf cock was forced forward, only a second later before the pain hit and made him cough and gag, tears forming in his eyes as so much canine seed was pumped right into his belly, the rest escaping out his muzzle and landing on the floor and wolfhound's balls. He barely had a chance to hear the equine's first words as the cock was finally removed from his mouth, leaving him coughing up some of the leftover cum and even a little blood. He gave a small yelp as he felt strong teeth on his ear, feeling a bit of pull as the equine attempted to shift him and obediently let his body move down to the floor, feeling cold stone against his belly as he was further dominated. Arkuss Neflari feels the tiniest relief at his ear being released, but only the tiniest and it would be useless soon anyway. Another whimper comes as he feels that flare pressing at his tight hole, even the bit of lubrication he kept was not helping much. He yelps again as his head is struck, throat and skull both throbbing from the abuse and these three were only getting started. Only a few quiet seconds allowed before a piercing yowl of pain escapes the lion, feeling that ring stretched wide, a small tear forming from the brutal entry as he feels the heavy cock push into his depths. Tears escaped those eyes now as he whimpers helplessly on the floor, feeling the hard cock forcing itself against inner barriers until he manages to relax his muscles enough, allowing the invader to slide further into his bowels. Arkuss Neflari feels the equine begin pounding into him, delicate inner walls taking his force and sending spikes of pain through his gut though fortunately tough enough to remain intact. He groans as his shoulders are pulled upwards, tension on his spine adding yet another source of discomfort to the multiple sources of pain. He yowls more as the flared cock angles down and ravages his ass even more, slim belly bulging with each hard movement and making sure that stream of tears would continue flowing. As he sees the barbed shaft presented to him and the order of his current assailant he obediently opens that cum-soaked muzzle wide again, tongue extending a little, inviting the next cock to take its pleasure just as a House slut should do. Arkuss Neflari only manages to get some of that length into his throat, the smooth tube too abused even for his willpower though the whole matter was soon taken out of what little control he had, gagging and coughing hard as that length is forced deeper. His throat bulged a little and drew cries from him as barbs rubbed harshly within, the strong scent of another feline only making it more humiliating as he finds some bit of instinct wanting this. A gurgled yowl came as the equine began again, twisting his tail and that first punch which was sure to leave a deep bruise but even that large cock couldn't muffle the piercing scream that came when a punch landed on his cock then the hand forcing its way into his hole again, the tears growing a little and dripping fresh blood. Arkuss Neflari let out a few pathetic whimpers, starting to lose even the energy to emit those cries of pain as his body took the abuse. He yowls as the lion forces himself deeper, feeling that torrent of cum shoot down his throat, the salty heat burning as it flowed to his belly, much less escaping his muzzle compared to the wolfhound's orgasm. Another harsh blow to the head, the abused lion becoming dizzy now, gasping for breath as soon as he feels the cock leave at last, even as those barbs scrape harshly on their way out. "Ahh...p-please..." He coughs again, cum and blood coming out, his face a mess of fluids and tears but even as he feels exhaustion begin to creep in, the lion judging his condition correctly, he was still aware enough to see what they were holding, eyes filling with fear. "N-no..ple-please...don't..." Arkuss shape and pushing his arm deeper. "ROAR FOR HER YOU LITTLE FUCKING WORTHLESS SLUT!" pulling his arm backwards to exit the tight chute, he actually pulled Neflari along the floor before it left his anus with a sickening SLURP, that brand lifted from his back and held out to the canine. And he mounted the lion again, driving his rage engorged cock fulling into that violated hole, using his heavy weight to maximum effect.> Neflari whimpers as his tired body is invaded by that arm again, hardly able to get out words any more. "P..p-please..n..." And he was released, a small cough as the impact jolted him but barely a second before a truly piercing scream of pain and humiliation came forth as that brand made contact, even the force of the fist-fucking was dull compared to the smell and feel of flesh and fur burning, marking him for good with whatever had been carved into the brand. Once the brand was lifted he fell gasping for breath, throat hoarse as be barely managed to keep himself awake. A jolt of renewed pain and unwanted stimulation came as that cock entered him a second time now, a loud but pitiful-sounding howl making it out before a fit of coughing cut it off, sore muscles still instinctively grasping at the invading cock. Arkuss Neflari barely clings to consciousness as the equine pounded into him over and over, not even hearing the words the others spoke clearly at this point. He feels that thick cock pulled from him again, body collapsing on the floor as streams of seed splash over him, small spasms hitting abused muscles here and there. The last thing he really felt was that warmth and strong scent, a small whimper as he was marked in a less permanent but still degrading manner, some that landed on the fresh brand stinging sharply as his body finally went limp, only hearing a mutter when the equine speaks again. He had been beaten, raped, marked and humiliated. A moment later and even his willpower gave out at last, the lion losing consciousness with a last thought of how he should have just stayed in bed with Athena. Arkuss Neflari had no idea how long he had been laying there, only just regaining consciousness as he felt the Flow, though even then his eyes remain closed, hearing only the mutterings of people speaking and the sensation of being lifted and carried. The only pain at the moment was a dull soreness which seemed to gradually sharpen in tiny increments as his body begins to repair itself. Something felt familiar though and comforting, which he badly needed right now. A faint groan escapes him before he dozes off for a few minutes, needing a little more recovery before he could remain awake. Arkuss Neflari remains asleep until after Athena arrives, the sound of hir voice enough to begin drawing him gradually back to consciousness, the bond between them really was strong. He heard another familiar voice, one that tickled a bit of surprise in his slowly focusing mind. It still took many more minutes before he reached any real awareness, a slight gasp as the pain returned stronger than before though there was greater soreness than the sharper pains of earlier. Another long moment and he finally found mental focus though he had to push down a suddenly rising panic, working to keep himself calm as he remains still, listening and sensing his surroundings first. It did not take long to realize he was somewhere else and he felt no threat now, finally daring to open his eyes with a small wince as he adjusted to the light. "Hmmmnn..." Arkuss Neflari blinks a couple times, still a bit out of it but getting himself together. "Fuzzy birdies..." A few seconds as he lets his eyes focus and seeing that cat-eared woman first, just looking at her for a long moment. "Thirty-three...? Been a while..." He sighs a bit, feeling the two different grasps at his hands, glancing towards Shanna first, a small smile forming. "Good...you're ok..." That put him at some further ease, though his mind was collecting random thoughts and questions now as he looks towards the other side, seeing exactly who he expected and making his smile grow a bit more. "Sorry...Athena. Was being...me, again...please don't be...angry." He closes his eyes for a moment before settling in once more, opening them to look at the tall woman in front of him. "How long have I been here...?" Arkuss Neflari mmms and nods a bit to 33. "Yeah...I get told that rather often, too." He exhales, relaxing a bit again, still careful not to overexert himself all at once. He meets the Amazon's gaze, his own eyes softening some as he sees those emotions within, watching as shi moves to kneel, feeling that head rest against his chest. He moves his paw, fingers curling gently into hir hair as he strokes along it, a soft purr coming from him as he finds comfort with his owner, barely noticing as the other two leave. "Athena..." As shi asks those questions again he moves his other arm, gently cradling hir head and shoulders against him. "Because...I dared to defend someone who has shown me kindness." His words felt a little heavy but surprisingly even and clear for someone who had just gone through an experience like he did. "I am not certain who...but I believe we can find out. But first, promise me...set things right the proper way. Challenge them and I will not hold you back, this time..." HIs eyes begin to tear up a little. "Right now...please just hold me, my Amazon. I need you..." Arkuss Neflari gulps as hir anger seems to rise further, he did not need this right now. As those harsh words come out he frowns, gritting his teeth a little as hir rant continues, growing more potentially deadly with every second. As shi says those words following the kisses to his cheeks, a small groan of pain as his arm moves, a loud smack as his paw makes contact with hir cheek, the sound lost in a louder roaring voice. "Stop that! STOP NOW." Being so close he didn't need to use his full force but the rest of the infirmary could hear it quite well. He brought his words back down to a normal though loud and angry voice. "You believe you failed me? Then it is I who can determine restitution!" He coughs a bit, his throat not ready to be subjected to this kind of volume but he had to. "You will CHALLENGE the bastards who did this whether or not they deserve it and you will WIN." Despite the anger and force in his voice, those eyes were welling up with tears. "Throwing away everything we have worked for will not avenge me...it will only take away more! The most important that I have..." Arkuss Neflari coughs a couple more times as he slowly sits up fully, his arm a bit more sore now. He looks to the large warrior, a sigh of relief as shi begins to speak again, hearing what he needed. "Thank you..." He blinks as shi rubs his cheek lightly, mrring softly as a paw comes up to rest against hir hand. "Do not be. It is part of you, I accepted that long ago and I will not fear that darkness, only its misuse." He smiles up to hir, lifting his arm to display that metal band at his wrist. "I am yours, Athena. I warned them and they would not listen. They will learn, now." He nods a bit, giggling. "33 should still be with Shanna...I will watch this challenge but I may need a little help getting there..." Arkuss Neflari that tenderness brought a deep purr from him, all the soreness and pain of his experience melting away, at least for that moment. As shi leaves, he watches that wonderful body until out of sight then sighs and stretches a little, careful not to irritate anything more. He did notice another bit of odd itchiness along his shoulder blades but he could not remember taking an injury there and it faded after a moment. He looks up again when 33 finally reappears, returning her smile. "Yes...this time, it is wise. It has already shown we are not respected...shi must show them, or this will simply happen again." He feels her Flow touching him, throat easing again and his body felt a little more energized. "I know I should not have strained myself...but shi was about to lose hirself again. Now shi is focused and will do things correctly." His smile falls, feeling the bandages wrapped around him just above his tail, little twinges of pain coming when he moved the area. "No...that will be later, when shi has released hir anger and calmed again. I...will need hir support..." Arkuss Neflari nods slowly. "I know, even this course is dangerous. But...we have had few good choices so far. Athena was not yet recovered when we arrived and lost the very first sparring shi was put in and to one of the more brutal and cruel warriors of the Chain no less. Not even a day gone by and we were at the bottom, with the attentions of a powerful enemy upon us. Already the second day they have come after me. Whatever the outcome, we have to make them at least hesitate before causing us further trouble." He sighs deeply, shaking his head before pulling something of a smile again. "Mistress Claudette, huh? I would not doubt her interest in me. We will see what awaits." His own ears twitch a bit as that roar is heard, turning to face 33 when she speaks. "Of course. We should go now." He shifts himself some to make himself easier to lift, smiling as arms reach up to the large woman. Arkuss