A Friendly Cup 'o Tea [Nae, Kris, Augy]

[Jouhnin Takanami]

A soft breeze echoed through the house outside the garden, The building always looked out-of-place in comparison with the palace. But it had always been there, The Takanmi's had owned that piece of land outside the limits of the Palace Garden and The Orchard for as long as the Takanmi's have bee around. Which in an awful long time. The house was only two floors, and it had a very traditional Japanese style castle look to it. But outside the house was a good space of land around it. With a classic Zen garden out front, and a small vegetable and fruit patch on the side of the house.

Standing in only one layer of a kimono was the infamous Jouhnin Takanami, the nearly 7 foot giant was standing in front of a table. He was currently catering to a very large Bonsai Tree, clipping at it lightly with a small pair of sheers. This Bonsai had to have been very old, because it was probably 4 feet tall and stretched out far. hence the need for sheers to trim it into shape. There was a long porch, spanning the length of the house, and on it was a a large Tatami mat, with a tea set still steaming. There were also a few pillows laying on the porch next to a large sliding door leading into a lavish Japanese style bedroom, obviously Jou's.

Sitting on the bed in the room past the porch was a Tanto Sword, a sword used by samurais when in close-combat. Looks identical to it's long Katana cousin, but it shorter. Longer then a standard dagger, but short and sweet for when your enemies get up close and personal. Jouhnin didn't turn his head though as he heard somebody walking down the front pathway towards the front door, he just kept huming and trimming his Bonsai tree.

OOC: Here is the pretty Tanto sword! Clickie

[Naelona Ezel]

Naelona's steps were slow and measured, drifting from one space to another at a leisured pace that contradicted her usually sharp mind. Nearby shadows retained their natural shapes, shades didn't tint by any degree. The only moving stretch of darkness was the normal patch that followed her and every other being - betraying the direction of the sun, moon, and any other source of light. Her hair was pinned up at the back of her head, even her clothing - though still a dress - had migrated from the dark grays she haunted to it's much lighter counterparts. It was different from times past, but in ways it was still Naelona.

Gray eyes took in the decorations, the Zen garden, the colored orbs of growing fruit and vegetables. It was arguably the safest place in Wonderland plant-wise, but land-wise by means of ownership it could easily be a very different story. A lot of families demanded respect, prestige, wealth, perfected slaves.. but by her observance it was probably the Takanami line that was closest to such an achievement. Well, in some respects at least. Kindred spirits in her renewed opinion, but don't believe a boogie to tell you that..

Hearing the shears first Naelona spotted the boogie, saying nothing while she approached him as he seemed preoccupied for the moment. He was a strange individual, and that evoked odd reactions. Briefly recalling one of their last meetings, Naelona was glad her brother, Anolean, wasn't with. She could only imagine how that could end up - in no way favorable to herself, the Ezels, or her sanity either.

Glancing back to Kristopher behind her, she motioned him to wait while she neared, eying the smallish tree strangely. "Have I discovered a hobby of yours?" She asked the strange boogie quietly, folding her hands together. "It's quite the curiosity.." Maybe not so strange given where they lived, but why tend to it so? Tending to plants was like dealing with children, to Naelona. They were best either fried, baked, or burnt.

[Kristopher Roberts]

As normal, Kristopher was hot on his Mistress' trail. He was three steps behind her and moving at an easy pace, well as easy as Naelona would let him. Personally, Kristopher hated it when he was pulled along to these visit with other boogies, especially to Jouhnin's place. He had enough to worry about and being around one of the boogies he hated the most was going to be default to deal with...however, he would act like a loyal dog still.

His hands came to rest behind his back as he came to a stop and was motioned to wait and so he did. More then happy to, but it didn't stop him from pulling on the long gray sleeved button shirt he was wearing that went well with his blank tight jeans. He always had to look nice when they went out together, him and his Boogie Master Naelona. Even Naelona had dont his short curly hair into a nice braid but his curls still bounced out of it to fram around his face.

Sighing softly, he leaned against the side of the Japanese style home, staying out of sight for the time being and making sure his eye patch was still attached. He wasn't used to his new eye still and it was almost completely working but until then, he chose to leave that patch on...especially around Augusta and others for the time being.

He chuckled lightly at the words of his Naelona. This was going to be an interesting visit. Mm, speaking of visits he wondered where his fiancee would be...so far he hadn't seen him since he came in. Oh well, maybe it was for the best.

[Jouhnin Takanami]

Jouhnin placed the sheers down on the table and pushed his long black hair out of his face as he turned his head to see Naelona approaching. A smile crossed his feminine features. The Takanami's were indeed the closest to what every Boogie wished to achieve. Powerful, wealthy, and respected. They owned land, owned many slaves, they even held a festival sometimes in the fall. But the family with four sons and two daughters was run by the most outright, flaming gay Boogie in all of Wonderland. And although Jouhnin would not argue that he was indeed 'flaming,' he'd never use the term himself. Because for most of the time, he was a silent and very evil Boogie. And so were the rest of his cunning family.

"Have I discovered a hobby of yours? It's quite the curiosity..."

Jouhnin smiled softly as the shoulder of his kimono fell down a bit. He adjusted it and gestured towards the small tree. " It's Bonsai, the art of growing miniature trees. It's a very relaxing hobby. One has to grow the tree and maintain it's shape as it grows. But the trees are very small, lots of work... I enjoy it, but the tree itself doesn't grow in a specific pattern, so one has to trim the tree so it doesn't cause havoc..." he said with a soft smile. He then walked past Naelona and up three steps onto the large porch. He beckoned for Naelona to join him as he sat down on the mat and poured her a cup of tea.

"So Little Mistress... What brings your delightful company? Especially on such a sunny day, I've never seen you out when the sun is so bright... Am I influencing you?" he asked in a joking tone and he handed Naelona a small china cup with decorative cranes painted onto it's sides. From inside the room behind Jouhnin came Kit, the small winged fox Jouhnin had following him everywhere. The little red animal waltzed over and crawled up into Jouhnin's lap as the Boogie sat. Jouhnin didn't hesitate to pet the creature as he sipped his tea. He closed his eyes and felt the breeze across his face. He brushed his hair back and sighed.

" Oh! Yes! Your gift!" he said happily and got up, walking into the room, looking for something.

[Naelona Ezel]

There wasn't a doubt in her mind they were a cunning family. In her opinion, anyone with a pair of working eyes and enough years could see that. But even with their accomplishments, the pride that came along with the Ezel name stilled the tongue to saying much about them. Her own blood line strove for power, slaves.. and a much more law-dominated vision of the world. None of this frivolous color of life Jouhnin's family seemed to entertain. But maybe it was that very color that brought them to the place they now possessed.

Naelona listened quietly to the explanation, eying the tree and half expecting it to move suddenly upon command. "I fail to see much purpose beyond the frivolities of foliage, but an enduring task is a worthy one." It was, perhaps, the only aspect she could identify with. In ways it reminded her of Wonderland as a whole, and her own snips at guiding it's progression. It took the boogie a moment to notice Jouhnin was no longer standing by it.

A joke? And then again - there was that little nick-name. The man's memory was a bit sharper than she minded. The woman frowned slightly, but sitting nearby she accepted the tea with a faint nod and fainter fleeting smile of courtesy. "I would say papers keep me occupied at most hours but.. I can only say that I have little reason to venture outside." That and she'd seen what happened to some slaves after being outside too long - especially the fairer ones. Their skin turned red like cherries, and sometimes bubbled and peeled away. Even the sun was a boogie of it's own, it seemed.

"You did offer me to visit you again, Jouhnin." Naelona reminded quietly, accepting the cup of tea, holding it by only her fingers as it was rather warm. "Oh! Yes! Your gift!" He'd started, and Nae silenced the next thought that'd come to her. Raising a slim eyebrow she looked at him a bit confused. "Gift..?" For.. her? That made no sense. There must be something about this that she was missing, and for a moment she glanced about seeing if there was someone else nearby she'd failed to notice.

Placing the cup of tea within one hand, Nae hid the flinch and gently moved the cup to the other hand. With a glance towards where Jouhnin had gone, she looked back down at her palm, and the still-healing mark of her gift to Kristopher. Settling the hand in her lap she wondered if she'd remembered her pipe. She might want that in short order.

[Kristopher Roberts]

Naelona wouldn't have to ponder about her pipe for very long, for the said object of her desire came to appear in her vision. The slender hand that held it out to her belong to that of Kristopher Roberts. He smiled softly down at her and spoke softly. "You forgot it when we left your room, Madam." Ah yes, Kristopher was ever the observant slave and good enough to remember to grab the said object.

He was rather good like that, but now that he delivered her wanted treasure. He took a few steps back to the place he was meant to be, out of site and out of mind. But he didn't go to far. He went far enough back to be out of the conversation but close enough to hear if he was needed.

He had the feeling she didn't want Jouhnin to notice him yet. Call it a gut feeling, so he went with it. But for now, he would make sure everything was in order but he had to wonder as well, what kind of a gift did this boogie want to give to Naelona? It wasn't unheard of for her to get gifts. But getting one from Jouhnin...that was different and it made the blond nervous.

"I'll be here if you need me, Mistress." Came Kristopher's soft voice, waiting for an order to follow. Any kind of order...like say bitch slap Jouhnin across the face...he would love that.

[Augusta Davingoun]

Augusta shifted uncomfortably. He was standing inside the house, in the hall. He shifted again, he looked around nervously. This wasn't the first time Jouhnin had tried to use him as a dress-up doll. But what Jou had chosen really wasn't humiliating at all. In fact, the longer he stood wearing what he was, it actually became really comfortable. He sighed and pulled at the soft fabric and sighed, " damn Jouhnin and his stupid Kimono Fetish..." he said darkly as he stared at the silver shining cloth that made up his men-styled kimono.

The Dark-haired slave pushed up his glasses and proceeded to go outside. He left the front door and started to head around back. He wondered where Kristopher was, the blond had said his Mistress had called him to go do errands. Augy couldn't help but hope there would be some tragic accident were Naelona got hit by a rock or something and died, or fell into a coma and would never awaken to bother them again. But his luck wasn't very good when he saw the two people he really didn't want to see. First is was Naelona, sitting on the porch with Jouhnin, and then it was Kris, who was in front of him at this point.

And he was wearing this stupid thing! He probably looked like an idiot! " Ugh... great... Now you're gonna tell me how retarded I look right?" he said to Kris softly, keeping his voice low enough as to not both his master and his guest. But on the contrary, Augusta looked deathly cute in the kimono, it somehow pronounced his more feminine features, unlike thick jackets and suits and tux's which pronounced the more masculine. He turned his head away from Kristopher in embarrassment.

" Go ahead... tell me I look ridiculous..." he said and put a hand over his face, like he was trying to hide from the world. IF there was any moment that made Augusta look like a Uke, this would have to be the best (and only) moment.

[Jouhnin Takanami]

Unlike the Ezels, the Takanami's were indeed much for colorful. They were very social, kind and polite, they knew how to talk their way in and out of a situation. And could convince a Boogie to do something, even if they didn't want to do it. The Takanami's were much for for playing sweet little mind games to get what they wanted. They found your weak spots, and then hit you were it really hurt. Cunning little bastards, the lot of 'em.

"I would say papers keep me occupied at most hours but.. I can only say that I have little reason to venture outside."

A laugh came from the giant man then. And unlike Nae's belief of getting sunburned, Jouhnin did not. He enjoyed the sunlight, loved it's warmth on his skin. He often spent days just waltzing around outside, with no purpose other then to enjoy the sun's rays. " I was suspecting an answer like that..." he said happily before he suddenly ran off. Kit on the other hand, carefully approached Naelona as Kristopher handed her the pipe. Kit backed up a bit, still cautious. But once the animal knew the pipe was of no danger, the large cat-sized animal started to sniff her knee. Then it slowly put a paw on Naelona, only for a second before looking up at the Boogie a smile crawled onto it's fox face. The creature then, without permission of any kind, crawled into Nae's nap and sat there. The animal gazed up at her with gold eyes, a pleading look, most likely wanted her attention. Kit was always the type of pet that needed constant attention.

Jouhnin let out another chuckle when Naelona asked about a gift for her. Naelona always amused him. He found the object of his concern from on the bed. He grabbed it and walked back outside. Jouhnin then sat down again, he held out the small Tanto sword out to her. " Yes, a gift for the Little Mistress. " and yes... this nickname would followed her for as long as either she or Jou lived. " I figured, since the Rebellion is upon us, that you would need something more then a little metal pipe to protect you..." he said softly, but he didn't let Naelona take the sword yet. First he pulled it from it's scabbard and let the silver blade shine. The sword was perfect, it's balance was perfect, the blade was straighter then wood, and it was beautiful in every aspect. " I had a friend in the other world make this... One of a kind... He named it Kumori Odoriko, means Shadow Dancer. I thought you'd like this... A gift from a friend!" he said softly and slid the sword back into the scabbard. He smiled and handed it over, it was small enough for her to use, unlike a long katana which would be wasteful. " The size is more useful to you, not as a short joke, but if someone is up close, it will be easier for you to maneuver it at a close range. Much easier to wield and easier to kill. It will slice through almost anything like a warm knife through butter! All of my swords are made by the same man, he's practically an artist!" he boasted and then sipped his tea. He would hope Naelona would understand the gesture as one of friendship. " Good friends, often give each other gifts, even if it's unreasonable and there is no compensation... I hope you can accept this, a token of out friendship?" he said and smiled again. Jouhnin looked at his familiar, who was sitting in Naelona's lap and looking very comfy. he chuckled softly and pointed at the small animal.

" Seems that Kit likes you... But he'd be much happier if you gave him some attention..."

[Naelona Ezel]

Jou, like many probably did, knew Nae's habits a bit all too well. She never kept it a secret that records, papers, and imposing order was the lifeblood of this particular Ezel, though it often kept her out of side for measures of time because of it. For years she was the sort of figure you didn't want to see, and if she came to visit - it probably meant something very back was about to happen to the visited's health, happiness, and general well being. At least that's how it went for slaves. Boogies were a bit different.

It befuddled her when they didn't avoid her like the plague too.

Shifting a little where she sat, Naelona tucked the pipe away in a hidden pocket in her dress, by her thigh. It was then the little hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and movement to the side drew her attention. It was that fox creature, Jouhnin's familiar. Her own wasn't present, and if Mar had the monkey probably would've roused quite the fuss over what the fox did next. It hopped into her lap.

Naelona froze a few moments, sitting up very straight, with every little muscle in her body tensing and a sense of chills skittered across her skin. Biting her lip to keep from making a scene, she watched the creature when the fox looked up at her. It's golden eyes staring right up at her - it didn't matter if it were a simple familiar ('harmless' didn't quite fit - for no familiar was quite harmless), or that the fur coloring wasn't the same as those accused beasts - but it was sitting on her lap. The creature was touching her.. looking up with those same haunting eyes. Recollection of their glowing yellow eyes was all too vibrant for that moment, the eyes that - quite literally - would pull away a soul. Biting back a whimper Naelona forced her eyes shut and looked down, and to her side.

Thankfully Jouhnin's return broke the unwanted reverie. Blinking in the light, she folded her hands next to her when he returned carrying something with him. Little Mistress indeed. " I figured, since the Rebellion is upon us, that you would need something more than a little metal pipe to protect you..." Pipes made for horrible defense, her first meeting with Luther made that evident.. and the Black Dogs that had followed them. "Oh..?" Naelona asked, shedding the chilled feeling with a small shiver, focusing more upon her host, and what he was holding in front of him. Listening to the boogie explain the history behind him acquiring the tanto, Naelona actually smiled faintly for a moment until her mind caught up with the expression.

"Kumori.. Odoriko.." Naelona tested the name gently, setting down the cup of tea softly to accept the offered gift. "A gift from a friend.. " she couldn't poke holes in Jou's reasoning for the tanto, and for that she actually did give him a small, but polite smile. "Thank you very much, Jouhnin. I might still not understand all you do, but your reasoning has won my approval." Quite a compliment, coming from an Ezel. Their pride didn't allow much for thanks of any sort, but something about Nae for a while hadn't been the exact same either. The concept of a friend was also strange, but strange things were common in Wonderland.

" Seems that Kit likes you... But he'd be much happier if you gave him some attention..." Setting the gift safely aside, she froze a moment. She'd completely forgot about Kit. "Oh.. I suppose..?" Naelona hesitated a few moments more, looking down to the creature, glancing to Jouhnin, recalling the tanto, and gingerly brushing the fur before gently petting Kit. "He's a lot friendlier than I'm accustomed too.." but after a few moments she didn't seem to mind too much, as she kept petting lightly. "..is your familiar like this with everyone?"

[Kristopher Roberts]

Kristopher was being a well behaved slave for the time being and remained silent as the boogies spoke. However, as soon as Augusta appeared on the scene, he almost busted into laughter. Lucky for Augusta, Kris could control himself...at least for a little bit.

His green eye looked Augy up and down even though the dear boy was utterly embarassed to be seen in a kimono. " Ugh... great... Now you're gonna tell me how retarded I look right? Go ahead... tell me I look ridiculous..."

Oh it was so cute, but Kristopher shook his head lightly and whispered to Augusta, leaning overly slightly to do so, he didn't want the boogies to hear. "Oh, I think you look sexy in it, love." Kristopher then slid his hand over and took a firm hold of Augusta's right ass cheek. Giving it a nice groping squeeze before returning back to his proper standing with hands behind his back.

"You look great...in the dress." However, Kristopher knew very well it was not a dress, but the blond couldn't resist calling it that. It was like a form of pay back and he loved giving Augusta hell when he needed it...and it was one of those times to dish it out to his loved one. He tilted his head to the side then and mouthed, "You should wear that more often, for me." He chuckled darkly.

"And free bird too..." Oh this was far too amusing for him and he suddenly felt so much better then he did earlier. Minus the fact his Madam now owned a weapon and looked like she was about to pee herself over Kit. Yes, yes this day just totally improved with Augusta being near him. In a kimono. Free bird.

[Augusta Davingoun]

"Oh, I think you look sexy in it, love."

Augusta looked over at Kristopher with a look of confusion. He didn't understand. Kris liked him in this stupid thing? He was about to say something in a reply but felt a hand on his rear, and then groped him. It was almost immediately that Augusta let out a high-pitched squeal and his face turned a very dark shade of red. He covered his mouth with his hands so he didn't make any other noises and took a few steps away from the blond. He looked very shocked and very embarrassed, more so then normal. When he knew he wasn't going to make any more noises he moved his hands to his rump. " K--Kristopher!!!" he said in a harsh whisper. He was utterly shocked.

"You look great...in the dress. You should wear that more often, for me. And free bird too..."

Augusta turned an even darker shade of red. " S--shu---shutup!! One, it's NOT a dress. Two, you're supposed to not wear anything under it, stupid!! It's tradition!!" he said, still whispering and stumbling over his words. He held his ass, protecting it from Kris's molesting hands. " I--I cannot b--believe you did that!! " he looked beyond Kristopher at Jouhnin and Naelona. " Jouhnin is right there!!" he said and put his hands over his face again, hiding his blushing face from Kris. Between his fingers he said " I..I...I--I hate you!" and backed away. " You're s--such a jerk!"

[Jouhnin Takanami]

"Kumori.. Odoriko... A gift from a friend... Thank you very much, Jouhnin. I might still not understand all you do, but your reasoning has won my approval."

Another chuckle from the older Boogie. He was Naelona approved of his gift-giving. And nobody really understood Jouhnin and all he did. Not even his sisters understood him sometimes. But it was usual, the only person who really understood what he did was a Boogie he hated as of late. And Jouhnin was very unhappy that the rest of the Elders allowed him to return. But he couldn't stop it. He would just have to deal with the mans presence around again. The tall Boogie then reached over and poured him another cup of tea, sipping the hot beverage lightly. He was very happy when Nae returned his smile, " You should smile more often Little Mistress, it compliments your face so much better then that dull frowning of yours!" he said happily and innocently. He set down his teacup and reached into a small basket, pulling out a cookie and munching on it lightly.

"Oh.. I suppose..? He's a lot friendlier than I'm accustomed too...is your familiar like this with everyone?"

Jouhnin watched as she seemed scared of Kit. Sure he had very odd gold eyes and a nice row of teeth, but he hadn't show her the toothy grin and he wasn't being mean at the moment. JOu smiled softly and took another cookie out of the basket and fed it to Kit. " Oh... Heh, yes he's very friendly. I find that familiars often shadow their owners... Since I raised Kit from a small pup, he took on a gentle and pleasant personality. " he said as Kit took the cookie in it;s mouth and set it down on Naelona and put both paws on either side of the treat and munched on the cookie. Jouhnin smiled again, finding his familiar cute. " Oh... well, he doesn't normally jump into peoples laps without permission, but I think he adores you... He only acts this cuddly around myself... and now you of course!"

Jouhnin sighed and looked over at the garden and the palace in the background. " Ah... I heard about your Father... I cannot believe he crossed a line... damaging your slave like that... I find that absolutely honor-less, personally. " he said and sipped his tea. " I will harm my slaves how I please, but I do not touch another Boogies property... unless the slave starts it of course... But really... Did Kazn really see the need to damage your slave to the point of death?" he asked and took another cookie, offering it to Nae.

[Naelona Ezel]

"Dull? Nothing is dull, but a state of mind. If you cater to those sort of ideas." Dull, bright, interesting, boring. All the same. Sometimes Naelona thought she caught a glimpse of what others meant, a flash of color in life that lives around her seemed so fascinated with, and just as quick it would be gone. "Perhaps when I come by, I will smile a little, now and again." It was a compliment to him an odd way. Perhaps it was his own vibrant nature that poked at the thin cracks, long forming in her oft stoic nature.

Naelona was scared of Kit, to a degree. Years had dulled the experience, but things like light eyes seemed to set off vivid memory again. It was almost funny how one event shaped the younger boogie so much into what she was now. Funnier even, if it hadn't ended so gravely. Resting her healing palm in her lap (palm down and out of sight of course) she pet Kit with the other, feeling the soft fur, and scratching a little behind the familiar's ears while it munched the cookie. Mar would've thrown a fit.

"I suppose he is a bit.. pleasant." The word tasted strange and unused to her tongue. " Oh... well, he doesn't normally jump into peoples laps without permission, but I think he adores you... He only acts this cuddly around myself... and now you of course!" Nae made a small note, betraying her partial amusement. At least until her father was brought into the conversation. It made her wonder what he was up to, she certainly hadn't seen him since.. that little incident.

"It's Kazn. And I happen to be his daughter." The younger boogie stated flatly. "He forgets he does not wield as much power here as he might elsewhere." For the longest time she'd considered that particular title to go to herself. Come to think of it, she didn't fall too far from the tree at all. "He's prideful, and holds slaves to a stricter standard than even I do." Sipping some more of her tea, she accepted the cookie with a slight nod, switching to an older tongue she didn't know as well, but doubted Jouhnin - with his age - would misunderstand. "I do not know what to claim that he thinks. I don't believe he knew anything beyond that Kris belonged to me, and nothing more."

After a moment she offered her mostly empty cup toward him. "Would you?" She asked, switching tongues and glancing to the kettle. She wasn't so presumptuous as to start making herself at home, here. It wasn't a large number of things that she respected, but this situation called on more than one of them. "I.. " Nae halted, pausing to take a bite of the cookie and collect her thoughts first. "I detest roses with a passion, and with reason. The fact is Kristopher is still alive, and there is little that cannot be mended."

[Kristopher Roberts]

" S--shu---shutup!! One, it's NOT a dress. Two, you're supposed to not wear anything under it, stupid!! It's tradition!!"[i/]

Kristopher smiled brightly at the other slave and chuckled under his breath. Wacthing Augusta freak out right now was so funny for him right now. Even when the older male was holding his ass so protectively. "Oh, I know what it is and it doesn't stop the fact I love to mess with you." Kristopher didn't try to pinch or grope the older slave again. Instead he just watched with amusement twinkling in his eye.

"Maybe I am." He mused on that for a moment. Then he turned his attention back to his boogie. He couldn't really hear what was going on but he could get the feel of it all by his Madam's posture.

Slowly, a frown touched his lips, Naelina didn't look as she was having a very good time nor did she looked very comfortable at the moment either. Concerned like the good little slave he was, he turned towards Augusta. "I best check on my Madam, she looks seriously uncomfortable." He reached out and gave Augusta's arm a small pat, then stalked forward.

He went to Naelona's side, however he did not touch her, he merely stood beside her and tilted his head to the side, looking down. He saw the small kitsune sitting there and the golden eyes. Oh dear, well that would be part of the reason why Naelona looked so stiff.

"Excuse me, Madam," Kristopher said carefully as he entered the conversation with only one thought in mind. "Is everything well?" He asked this with concern and pondering if he needed to remove the little fox away from Naelona and what the two had been talking about to make Naelona look like she was about to go into LA LA Land.