Avaline
"Ah-!" How Luna got the fork from her mouth was entirely unknown to her. She liked to think her strength with anything was top notch, even more so than that haughty dragons. Still, she had probably gone a liiiitle overboard as she usually did. She didn't even realize she had still had the fork in her mouth and was about to eat it as well.
Well, as long as Luna didn't mention it she wouldn't bring it up, haha...
So she watched Luna cook the other ham intently, poking her head over the counter and resting her chin on the top of it, peering over the edge just lightly in a mildly child-like fashion, mouth watering as she watched the food being cooked. As the food finally was done after a few more minutes, the Wyrm looked at the juicy food expectantly and in a slightly comical fashion forgot how to use forks, picking up the entire slice of ham and shoving it in her mouth, using her claws instead of a fork.
"Ah..." Her eyes widened in surprise.
This was the best thing she had ever eaten in her life. So much so, she couldn't bring herself to say anything. Totally wasn't because she couldn't open her mouth because she shoved her entire portion of food in there, nope. She turned to Luna, giving her a decidedly blissful look.
Cynthia
Cynthia frowned.
Had...she messed up? She knew Mugi didn't like heat, but for her to be seemingly this...terrified of it. Cynthia pulled Mugi a few feet away from the stove, giving her a concerned look. She didn't look like she was melting or otherwise turning into a puddle of adorableness. She had just wanted Mugi to try it herself...but she didn't want her to get hurt.
"...Are you alright?" She questioned softly.
Livia
"Yes," Livia replied. "If possible I would like you to move in as soon as possible. I have a few more arrangements to make but they shouldn't take exceedingly long." Hmm, was there anything else? She already knew who she was going to ask to be a tutor. Someone she could at least, trust and who knew quite a bit about magic in general. Likely the best person in the entire academy. Aside from that, there was getting Fia to sleep in a room without her, and moving the maids around a bit, but nothing extraordinarily difficult or time consuming.
"If that is all then, you are dismissed Karia." No need to drag things out longer than needed.
Cocoa
Cocoa of course, did as she was told, kneeling in front of Otille and letting the farmer rub her ears, leaning into the pets. Of course, when the farmer asked whether she'd like to still sleep in the stables or with her, the cow gave Otille a pout, making a distressed whine. All previous contentedness she may have been experiencing, disappeared in a matter of seconds.
"Waaah?" Cocoa practically leaped onto the bed, tackling Otille and wrapping her in another full body bone-crushing hug. "Nooooo," That sounded somewhat far too close to a moo. "Otille wouldn't leave meeee! You meanie! Absolute meanie!" It was very obvious the cow didn't want to be separated from Otille if she could help it.
Sorcha & Maoin
Sorcha stopped dead in her tracks, turning to look at Maoin with a look of mild disbelief.
"What?" She asked in a far too serious tone. Ugh, she was too worked up about this whole thing. "No no, I am not so unchivalrous as to let you even suggest such a thing." She grumbled, trudging down the street not making a care for anyone who so much as got in her way. "Tch, if she wanted the treasure she should duel me for it. That's how it's always been done, but nooo, a thief is a thief." She continued to rant and grumble as she walked, leading Maoin to a certain Nordic tavern that she frequented. Thankfully the kitten wouldn't have to put up with it for long.
She led them into the tavern, back into their usual spot near the back and took a seat at the large table that seemed to now at least on some level be solely reserved for her. She motioned for someone to bring her a drink, but didn't seem intent to order any food. Maoin may want to do that herself.
Maoin’s mood brightened as they entered the tavern, her nervous audience to Lady Sorcha’s anger coming to an end. This wasn’t the kitten’s favorite restaurant by any measure, but it was above tolerable and it clearly reminded her owner of home.
The cat looked up at the waitress with as much of a smile as she could muster. ”My mistress is drinking so I’d just like milk. And maybe a special if it has fish for me and … the Pillaged Lamb for my mistress and lots of it!” Maoin looked over at Lady Sorcha for approval.
The dragon gave a wave of her hand in mild confirmation. She didn't seem to mind too much for whatever Maoin ordered for her, likely expecting the kitten to know what she liked and didn't like already. After the event with Otille, she was feeling more than a little irritated and angry making this whole discussion that was about to happen going to be a little harder. Still, it needed to be done. First though…
"I do apologize for my behavior back there…it was quite…unbecoming." She huffed, though it was clear she was still irritated.
Maoin gave her mistress a small smile. ”Lady Sorcha, it’s my job to take care of you no matter how angry you are.” The kitten looked towards the dragoness. ”Besides, she IS just a filthy peasant. No decorum or grace. You can’t really expect them to know any better.”
"Tsk, still…it matters not. I should set examples and not let my emotions get the better of me." She replied, resting her head on her hand. "If such a thing happens again, I expect you to calm me, understand? I cannot allow myself to act on such petty emotions." Moving on though, she was not the reason she had brought them here this evening.
"That aside…I have bought us here for an entirely different reason." Sorcha gave Maoin a studious gaze. "How would you rate your performance, Little one?"
The cat nodded as Lady Sorcha spoke of calming her. She’d try to keep it in mind. ”Yes, Mistress.” She wasn’t sure how exactly to do that. Though the next question came somewhat out of left field for her. ”Ma’am?”
How … how would she rate her performance? Her throat suddenly felt a little dry. Was … was she in trouble? About to get fired? No, Lady Sorcha just gave her a future order - she wouldn’t do that if she was about to get tossed out. ”I … I dunno.” The kitten spoke softly, and it was obvious she was more than a little nervous about answering this question. ”... I … I don’t think that well ma’am. Things could have gone a lot worse if the Chimera wasn’t friendly … and I still think Lady Lightsword would beat me to the ground in a duel.” There was some truth to those statements.
”And our house feels completely mismanaged - I don’t know where everyone is, and sometimes I prepare too little or too much food because of it. Lady Luna gets takeout because of it ... Maoin looked up at the dragon. ”... is … is my cooking that bad?” The cat had always thought she was a good cook, but maybe now that she thought about it she was wrong?
The dragon looked at Maoin for a few seconds before chuckling lightly.
"Bad? Norns no, Little One, your cooking is quite good." She replied, humming thoughtfully to herself. "If anything, I think you are doing fairly well at your duties assigned to you. Of course, there is always room for improvement. What do you currently think of our housing situation?"
Maoin let out a sigh of relief - thank goodness Lady Sorcha wasn’t disappointed with her - she would try harder, of course. She needed to improve. But at LEAST she knew how to cook.
The housing situation though? ”Honestly mistress? The bed is very crowded. With Avaline there, you might want to reconsider letting me sleep on the cabinet. I’m used to sleeping in box-like objects, though I’ll miss being close to you.” For a couple seconds the cat poked the table. ”The amenities are of reasonable quality - similar to what I had with Lady Gwynn - but they simply aren’t meant for two noblewomen, a dragon, a gigantic lizard, and a cat to live off of. The oven isn’t large enough to feed all of us, and I oftentimes find myself cooking meals in parts rather than all at once which is exhausting. The icebox needs to be larger as well - I practically have to run errands every other day, and with Avaline there I’ll probably have to go out daily. And there’s no window sills to take a nap in.” It seemed like Maoin had more to say, but she silenced her rant before she continued. ”Yeah … sorry it’s just … crowded, Lady Sorcha.”
"I see, so you've noticed then." Sorcha commented. It was true, with Avaline and Sol being new additions to their residence, things had gotten rather crowded. She had rather enjoyed sleeping with just Luna and Maoin in the same bed, but as it was things were getting rather…messy. Especially with that uncouth lizard.
"Very good," Sorcha continued, tail thumping on the ground in affirmation. "One of the responsibilities as my servant, means you have the ability to make purchases and buy things in my stead, should you believe I have need of them." She fixed Maoin with a mildly questioning gaze.
The cat blinked a couple times, as if confused. Maoin tilted her head just a bit, trying to make out the meaning of such things. ”... mistress?” The kitten believed she understood what her lady was getting at, but wanted to make sure she was hearing correctly. ”... w-what do you mean …?”
"I mean, you shall have access to both my treasure and money, and be allowed to handle such things as an executor of my treasury, if you will."
Maoin’s eyes widened a bit as she realized that she had in fact been correct. A dragon’s hoard? A GRAND Dragon’s hoard? What she had seen in the dorm had to be a pittance of that amount. The cat’s eyes shifted around a bit nervously as she had to work her head around how utterly massive the entire thing must be. ”M-mistress … isn’t there someone more qualified?” She gulped a bit. ”I haven’t handled or even seen more gold than what those three bags would carry, ma’am. I handled the allowance for Lady Gwynn but … I don’t know anything about large scale finances …” Her entire previous experience amounted to making sure her mistress didn’t blow all her money on drinking in a single night.
The servant seemed pretty uncomfortable at the prospect. This was a lot to think about at once. ”I am just your pet, mistress. Isn’t there someone more trustworthy - and capable - of this than a housecat?” Surely the dragon had other allies better suited than a simple servant?
"As I can see, there is no one better than you, Maoin." Sorcha replied seriously. "You are my servant after all, and there is no one I trust more."
The cat looked over at Lady Sorcha’s eyes, a little surprised at her insistence. Of course, she was happy that her mistress trusted her so much - and a small smile pushed through a still somewhat worried expression. ”Yes mistress …” Maoin looked around the room. ”... I’ll go house shopping tomorrow then, I guess?”
The headmistress probably had some nice suggestions about that. The cat seemed to think for a few moments about what she wanted before returning her eyes to her owner. ”Thank you, mistress. I’ll do my best not to let you down!”
"Excellent." Sorcha smiled. "Now, I realize that there is the issue of…actually getting to my hoard." She commented rather dismissively. "Don't worry about it too much. I was in the process of preparing to have most of it moved to a vault here…when…a certain…peasant intruded. I suppose I should thank her for moving some of it for me." She harrumphed.
Maoin blinked a couple of times. ”Really? How so?” The cat tilted her head a bit. ”I didn’t think you’d be up for that - especially after she started flirting with Lady Lightsword.” The cat frowned a bit. That was her mistress’ love, and no one else was going to take her!
"…I don't quite know what you are insinuating there, little one." Sorcha replied with a mildly incredulous look. "But I'm not talking about that sort of reward. That is not how someone rewards someone properly anyways." The dragon harrumphed. "No, just a small token of thanks in the form of a small…payment." Now that the food was arriving though, she was finding herself less annoyed by the whole turn of events.
Ah, delicious sheep.
Maoin blushed. ”Th-that’s not what I meant at all!” She had just meant that she thought Lady Sorcha would have hated her. The kitten covered her ears with her hands, lowering her face just a bit. One day the highbeams would have mercy on her. ”Y-yeah um.” The cat looked down at her bag of things. This was the perfect opportunity to leave the conversation, if only for a minute. ”You told me to look nice, so I er, brought clothes to change into. I’ll be right back.” The kitten rushed away from the table, and facepalmed as she looked into the bathroom mirror.
She probably just should never bring up romance with Lady Sorcha ever again. For a couple minutes the kitten sat in the restroom before changing and coming out in a black dress that was as revealing as possible while still maintaining an elegant air. She hoped her mistress would like it - or at least not bring up her blunder again.
”So … how’s the food?” The cat took a bite of her own fish mostly as an attempt to silence herself before she said something stupid again.
Clothes to change into? The dragon watched Maoin leave curiously, but said nothing, intent to enjoy her meal. Well, if she wanted to dress up for a more casual event that was entirely on her. She was not expecting Maoin to return wearing something like she was. It certainly was an…interesting article on the girl.
"The food is lovely as always, Little One." Sorcha replied through a mouthful of mutton. She chewed a few moments, blissfully savoring the flavor until she finally managed to return to the moment at hand. "Ahem, right. Now that the main business out of the way," She motioned over to the waitress. "Two drinks! Strongest ones you have!" She turned back to maoin. "Let's celebrate a nice adventure, shall we?"
The cat smiled. ”Sure but umm ….” She looked down at the drink, a little nervous for a couple reasons. Firstly, it probably tasted like sin - certainly smelled like it. Secondly, things had gone badly last time she had gotten tipsy alone with her mistress. ”... are you sure we should both drink? I’ll need to take you home, mistress.”
"Nonsense!" Sorcha replied with a hearty laugh. "Drink and be merry little one!" She picked up the mug, practically shoving it into the kittens hands. "I'm no little hatchling! I can handle myself. No one would dare to touch a dragon anyways!"
Maoin’s eyes widened at the drink in her hands, looking into the soft liquid of what was likely an incredibly strong mead. She guessed something distilled had been poured in there to make it stronger - Vodka, maybe? She could smell the alcohol hanging above it for certain.
Her eyes looked at the drink with a bit of fear.
”Y-yes mistress …” Obediently the cat took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and tilted her head back as she began to chug it.
At least it was sweet, though the burn ran down her throat like the devils of hell themselves. She didn’t stop, though. ... eight, nine, ten … Unable to take it anymore and with her eyes watering just a bit, the kitten slammed the drink back down onto the table as she coughed several times.
Eventually she caught her breath again, cheeks flushed and a small, proud smile running across her face.
"Aha, atta girl!" Sorcha replied, obviously delighted by Maoin's drinking. The dragon gave her servant a bright grin, before taking her own mug and downing half of its contents in almost a single breath. "Whew, nothing better than a nice drink after a long travel and adventure." She laughed heartily. "Ah, ah, too bad I didn't get to fight a giant this time."
The drink would take a bit to hit her system, and she took another sip with an embarrassed smile as she thought about Lady Sorcha congratulating her - though soon her very essence was engaged by the dragon. Maoin’s eyes widened a bit - she was obviously the perfect audience for any of Lady Sorcha’s tales. ”A giant!? You’ve fought one?” The cat’s tail waved back and forth as she leaned forward, clearly interested.
"One?" The dragon laughed. "Have you ever been to Valhalla? Jotunheim? The places are home to many of them. Used too I'd go there for vacation and often ended up in a brawl with one or two." Sorcha downed the rest of her drink, clanging the mug on the table with gusto.
"But aha, sometimes they find their way to midgard - earth. Doesn't happen often, but sometimes they get through." She leaned across the table, giving Maoin an aggressive grin. "This one time when I was traveling over the northern lands I happened to run into one. Nice guy, all things considered. Was a young giant in all senses of the word. Aggressive - and specially seeking out a well-known dragon to beat. Since in more recent years our number has drastically dwindled…I was the one who ran into him." The waitress dropped off another drink at the table, obviously having expected this by now. A few other people had stopped what they were doing and seemed to be listening in curiously.
"So here I was, flying over the northern coast. Nothing by my armor and a warm cloak on me - this was before I had my glaive, mind you. No weapons to speak of. Not that a dragon such as myself has need of one to start with." Come to think of it, this was not long after she had taken to traveling after ending things with Irasa…her reincarnation.
"I was flying low, just above the treetops looking for a quick snack when out of nowhere, this boulder Is launched at me from the horizon. If had had been paying any less attention It might have crushed me! Nearly did! I managed to skirt around the edge of it, rolling through the air as any graceful bird and soaring high into the sky to get a better vantage when I saw him - A giant standing as tall as two stories in the distance hefting another boulder on his shoulders. No weapons or other things at his side - just his fists and simple leather clothing and a bare chest." By now a few other people had gathered around their table, quietly and eagerly listening.
"Well obviously I couldn't back down from such an obvious challenge! I wouldn’t let my name go such tarnished, and I wouldn’t go easy on the whelp either. So I accepted his challenge with a mighty roar, sparks of lightning spewing into the sky, and echoes of thunder in the distance as a storm was called to be the backdrop of our duel." The second drink had now been emptied and she was starting her third.
Maoin hadn’t touched her drink at all however, as she was utterly and completely engaged by the story like the other patrons. Her cat like eyes widened just a bit as she was clearly interested. ”D-Did you win!?” Despite seeing the dragon in front of her, a boulder tossing giant sounded rather dangerous. It was possible her mistress had lost a duel at some point in her past.
"Aha, little one! That's the question, isn't it?" The dragon grinned. "Well, you see…this was when I was at the height of my power and ability. As mighty as a Jotun was, even they are weak compared to a dragon that can summon lightning storms with their breath alone - but even so, it was not an easy fight." She placed a hand on the table, eagerly getting into her story telling. This obviously wasn't something new for the dragon. By now the whole bar had stopped to listen to this old dragons tale, even if It wasn't her most impressive one.
"So as I sped towards him, I struck first. Fast as lightning itself I traveled, my jaws aiming right for the Jotun's neck and my claws aiming for his face and arms. I slammed into him with the force of a thousand bolts of lightning, but the young Jotun didn't waver. He dug his feet into the ground, his hands wrapping around my torso and neck, preventing me from reaching my mark - and I was slammed into the ground hard enough to leave an imprint of me face in it." She laughed.
"Of course, I wouldn't be done in so easily. It's hard to grab something that's covered in enough electricity to fry a sheep well done." She chuckled, grinning eagerly as she continued her tale. "He let me go, unable to keep his grip lest he lose a hand. Our initial exchange over, we decided to exchange words.
'Not bad, for a youngling who hardly knows his place.'
'Hah! An honor, for a dragon as old as you.'
'But foolish, for challenging me as well.'
'Foolish and bravery are the same, they say! Tell me, storm bringer…are you she who Beowulf fought? The very same dragon who earned its place in Valhalla among the gods?
'Indeed, son of Jotunheim…but enough talk. May I know your name before the conclusion of this duel?'
'I am Innar, and I shall take a tale of my victory back to me to Jotunheim!'
A confident thing, he was." Sorcha laughed as another drink had been brought to her. "Our exchange finished, we engaged in our colossal duel. By now my storm had already been brought, dark clouds forming overhead as bolts of lightning danced around us. My claws clashed with his fists, and my fangs tore his flesh. Even with the storm on my side the young jotunn was a tough thing. For every time my claws cleaved his flesh, his fists broke my scales blow for blow." She fell quiet for a moment, letting the gathered crowd breath for a bit as she took a drink of her mead.
"But then!" She loudly began again. "I finally managed to get the upper hand. My tail slammed into his face, my electricity stunning him just as long as I needed to get in the final blow. I lunged at him as thunder crackled above, slamming into him again with the force of my most powerful lightning - and he fell, and I on top of him. I pinned him right to the ground, and our fight was over with. For a time, we both simply rested there. Admittedly, the fight had taken a lot out of me. Fighting a full-blooded giant is always a test of your skill." She exhaled, leaning back in her seat, folding her arms across her chest, smiling confidently. "We parted ways shortly after. We agreed to a rematch whenever we saw each other again…but I have yet to run into the giant even all these years later." Sorcha sighed, finishing her last mug of mead. "It is something to look forward too. I am eager to see how this more agile human form tests his jotun physique."
Maoin continued to be an active listener throughout the tale, unable to resist shaking just a bit as the tale reaching its climax and letting out a small cheer as her mistress won the duel by pinning the mighty giant to the ground. The kitten took a long swig of her drink and smiled at her owner as she spoke excitedly like a child. ”Y-You’re so awesome! You’d certainly win no matter your form, Mistress Sorcha! .... Though I’d love to see you go full dragon some day, it must be incredibly majestic!” Stars practically entered the cat’s eyes as she looked at the dragon with what must have been an incredible amount of admiration.
Any thoughts about the complications of having to bathe such an oversized creature did not enter Maoin’s mind as the drink was starting to get to her. ”I hope I’ll be there to see the rematch, my lady! Maybe I could even help out!?” The cat practically bounced in her seat, imagining that someday she’d fight a beast even half - no, a quarter as strong as that giant, and overcome it. Or maybe that she’d help Lady Sorcha overcome an impressive adversary, no matter the cost!
A slight frown crossed her face after a few seconds. She’d lost in seconds to what amounted to a half-rate myth. How could she hope to help Lady Sorcha, much less defeat on her own, anything that’d be worth telling a story about? As the tavern returned to their original discussions, the cat’s frown deepened a bit as the thought bothered her.
Lady Sorcha had said though that even a human could accomplish such a task - but the kitten had her doubts. Though … as she thought, why not simply ask? Surely someone as impressive as Lady Sorcha wouldn’t have taken her in unless she had some sort of hope, or would at least be useful in some way?
How to broach the subject though ...
… the dragon had taken servants in the past, right? For a couple of seconds Maoin looked down, not wanting to interrupt the dragon’s pride as she finished another one her victorious tales. ”... Mistress … you’ve had servants in the past right?” The cat seemed a little nervous, unsure if this was alright to talk about. But the drink gave her the push of courage that she needed. ”D-did any of them ever do anything worthy of telling a story about?” Lady Sorcha had countless tales about herself, but she never discussed the feats of any others - she hoped the dragoness wouldn’t be angry. Still though, Maoin sipped a bit more of her drink.
"Ah?" The dragon grinned. "Well, that depends on what you define as noteworthy!" She heartily laughed. "Most simply were there to look after me. Take care of things that a dragon such as I have no need of. Admittedly, most were not heroes…" She gave a sad smile, thinking of her most recent one. If there was ever a person who should have been a hero, it was him … and it was painful to think only she would even remember him.
"…though, the last one I had…while not a warrior or fighter in any capacity was someone I would have trusted my life with." She continued. "But that is a story for another time, little one. 'Tis getting late and you are supposed to be enjoying yourself!"
”O-of course mistress.” Maoin frowned a bit - she’d been hoping to hear a story, and had gained a little hope when the most recent one was mentioned, but obviously this wasn’t an issue she was supposed to mention. ”T-that’s fine, I guess.” It was obvious the cat was feeling a little downtrodden, but they were supposed to be enjoying themselves, right?
Maoin lifted up her drink and began to chug once again, forcing a smile on her face as she winced at the burn down her throat. Eventually the cat placed the drink on the table - obviously starting to become a little tipsy as she seemed to be leaning over just a bit when she motioned the waitress over for seconds. She purred slightly before looking over to her dragon with a slightly predatory grin.
”Heeeeyyyyy Ladyyyyy Sorcha!” The kitten smiled at her owner, pushing her chair a bit closer to her mistress. ”A-am I goood kitten?” The cat put on of her hands on the dragon’s, placing it on her head in a way that would likely elicit a few laughs from the fellow patrons of the tavern. As for Maoin, her eyes watered hopefully as she looked the Queen of the Heavens in the eyes, taking a sip from her new drink as it was placed down. ”... if I’m taking care of your finances, I want a raise in terms of pettings. Alright!?”
"Tsk," Sorcha let out a displeased sounding huff as she was spoken to in quite the irreverent way from Maoin. Not that she entirely minded, no. It was fine, in a more casual setting such as this. Everyone was already drunk anyways. "Cheeky little thing," She laughed, petting Maoin on the head. "Fine, fine. If that's all you want as a reward don't come asking for a raise later."
Maoin rubbed her head against the pettings, scotting herself even closer. ”Meooowwwwstress …” Soon Lady Sorcha would find the kitten’s head pressing affectionately against her body as she appreciated her owner’s divine head rubs. The cat reached over for her drink, putting a bit more down her throat as she looked around.
”Meow?” Maoin looked into her owners eyes.
"Okay, okay, that's enough you." Sorcha huffed, stopping the pets and getting up from her chair, letting the cat cling to her if she needed too. "Well, today was a fine evening indeed but we should be heading back. I need to make sure this one gets home without stumbling over herself." The dragon sighed, giving Maoin's ear a little rub. Paying for the drinks and meal, the dragon headed for the door and headed back to Luna's dorm.
Hopefully that Wyrm wouldn't have burned the place down by now.
