It Takes a Thief [Jiina]

[Isette]

Just when she was about to shift, Jiina’s voice cut through the crowd. Isette flinched and her gaze drifted towards the ground. Jiina had seen her fail. Anger and shame flashed in her eyes, though the angle was such that no one could see. Her hair was covering her expression. This was not how things were supposed to go. She wanted another chance. If she tried hard enough, practiced well enough, she was sure she could do it! Isette was stubborn. Already, in her mind, she was determined to prove herself. Not just to Jiina, but to her as well. Isette listened carefully as the other woman spoke her lie. Despite the inner turmoil rolling about in her chest, she was interested. The woman was a good liar. She glanced up cautiously, watching Jiina’s performance. It didn’t take much acting on Isette’s part to play along. She already looked the part. Jiina seemed to be a skilled manipulator and liar, if not a bit on the dramatic side. Isette would have to remember that. The feline waited hesitantly as Jiina made the man an offer. It took a few moments, but eventually he accepted the offer. Isette didn’t feel any better knowing that she had cost Jiina six kino. The man let her go and Isette wished she could flatten herself into the ground. Actually, what she really wanted to do was shift and run away. Her body was tensed. Instead she bowed like a good servant would. “I apologize, Miss Jiina Xi.” She reached out and took the woman’s hand. Holding Jiina’s hand helped her to curb the flight response. It gave her something solid to connect to, a sort of safety net. The nervous cat couldn’t even look at people as they stared at her. She didn’t like the attention. Somehow, Isette decided, she would pay Jiina back for the kino. But she couldn’t tell her that now. They had to get away from people first. Then, she could apologize for real. Isette would make this better. She could steal something else for Jiina. Try again. But this time she would be more careful. This time, she would succeed no matter what. Isette took a deep breath and prepared herself for Jiina’s disappointment, consoling herself with the fact that she would fix everything. Her expression hardened as her fear turned to resolve. She would find away to salvage the situation.

[Jiina]

Jiina waited for a moment, as the man slowly and reluctantly released Isette's arm. She felt as though she was beckoning to a three year old, and in a way, she was. Isette was young and had much to learn if she truly wanted to please Jiina. There was much in her countenance that needed to be worked on. Her back was straight and her arm extended fully, her foot tapping as she waited for Isette to take the appendage so that they could leave the scene. She nodded once, briefly, at the apology. Her glare did not soften in the least. An apology from a Shimobe meant naught. She was only partially acting, for the crowd, to keep up that role of cold mistress. Partially, because in a way, she was a cold mistress and she certainly was displeased in Isette. The only thing that changed when Isette took her hand was that her foot stopped tapping and her eyebrows lowered minutely. She was still very much irritated with the Kelvic. She turned, tugging Isette behind her as she walked away from the scene. The pace was powered by flux, as she opened up the djed pathways leading to her thighs and calves, allowed the strength to propell her strides farther and quicker than her normal pace. Isette would have to jog to keep up with it. She could feel the djed swirling from her body to her legs to keep up the pace, pounding through pathways in much the same way blood pounded. She passed the little corner where she had waited - it was much too close to the scene. Instead, she walked in silence for several minutes, each one dragging, Isette still running behind her as eventually, she reached one of the bridges crossing off the Zintia Peak. As she began to cross the rickety bridge, she sealed off the flux pathways and began to walk normally, giving Isette a chance to breath and stop running. "We are going to the Twilight Tower, my home," she said, imperiously, without looking over her shoulder. Irritation still fumed in her, even as she kept a hold of Isette's hand, her own hand hot and sweaty now. Surely Isette would understand the significance of that sentence. The Twilight Family were known to be quite cold, and rarely let visitors into their own abode. Jiina would not be taking Isette to the vistors section, no, she would be led right into the rooms of Taeto and Jiina herself. The rest of the walk was made in silence, and if Isette chose to chatter to Jiina, she would not respond. After several chimes, perhaps ten or fifteen, the grand tower of the Twilights came into sight. The skyglass tower was tinted a lovely navy blue, and a small smile crept onto Jiina's face - a genuine smile. The tower still managed to incite awe in her everytime she walked through. She pushed open the doors with one hand - her other still clasped on Jiina's, and nodded to the receptionist as they walked through the main foyer. "A friend," she murmured, and the receptionist nodded. She walked through the the left hand side, the side forbidden to visitors. She did not say, but Isette was the first visitor she had brought to her rooms since Taeto had chosen her. She fumbled with her pants, a pocket that housed the key, and she unlocked the door to the residential sector. Pushing open the doors, the residence looked much the same as the rest of the Tower - wide and elaborate - but there were more rooms on either side. She walked down the long hallway, until she reached one several doors down, about midway through. "Mine and Taeto's room," Jiina said. But here she paused and turned to look at Isette. "If you wish to turn back, you may," she murmured, her hand still clasped around Isette's and a fiery look in her eye. "But I would like to talk to you about what happened today, and my rooms are the best place to do so." Her eyes flickered between the door and Isette. "However, it is entirely likely that Taeto - my adopted father - is inside. He is cousin to Weisur Twilight, and requires respect. If you do not wish to meet him, you don't have to." It was implied, however, that if Isette turned away here, Jiina would not come after her. And her wrath, if their paths should cross again, would be swift - for Isette had embarrassed her in front of a crowd. Jiina did not forgive lightly.

[Isette]

The Kelvic followed Jiina obediently, lost among her own thoughts. She could feel Jiina’s disappointment and irritation, but there was very little she could do about it at the present moment. Anyway, Isette was less cowed by the other woman’s bad mood because she had already decided to make things better. This decision gave the ordinarily skittish feline a feeling of optimism. This wasn’t over yet. Just a setback. Hope for the future allowed Isette to handle whatever came her way during her present predicament. Of course, optimism didn’t chase away her shame. The cat’s eyes still stayed firmly rooted on the ground in front of her as she ran to keep up with Jiina’s surprising pace. And then they slowed down. Isette was relieved for the break. She hadn’t known humans could walk that fast! In fact, she knew they couldn’t. Isette tucked that bit of information about Jiina away in her mind. She couldn’t have thought more on it even if she wanted to, for Jiina’s next words shocked her too much to think of much else. Twilight Tower. Isette had been planning on going there to meet Jiina anyhow, but this was sudden. Unplanned. Her gaze shot up towards the other woman and it was filled with intimidation and curiosity. Isette had not been in a fine home since she ran away. And even her family had nothing compared to the Twilights. Truthfully, Isette had always wanted to go inside, but the Twilight Family was not known for being particularly kind towards guests. And she was a Shimobe. Yeah, the idea of going inside was daunting. But it was also exciting. The longer she walked and the closer she got, the more interested she became. Her fear began to dwindle as her curiosity grew. Whatever happened, she could handle it. It was beautiful. The feline gazed around her in wonder. It had been so long since she’d known a home other than her own meager shelters. She scanned the furniture, the decorations, the craftsmanship of the tower itself, everything. And then they stopped and Jiina spoke to her. The Kelvic considered her options as some of her earlier fear stirred. She wished to hear what Jiina had to say. She wished to continue forward. There really wasn’t another choice for her to make. This one was easy. “I will not turn back,” she said simply. It was one of those rare moments where she was feeling confident about facing a fear, and it showed.

[Jiina]

Jiina raised an eyebrow, just a single one, at Isette's words. The simple determination rather surprised her, though she did not let it show. Here was a Kelvic that was about to be chastised, about to meet the cousin of Weisur Twilight when she was merely a Shimobe, and faced the risk of Jiina's disapproval, and yet there was strength. Shaychi was turning out to be a rather unusual Kelvic. She didn't understand this girl, even though her needs seemed to be basic. Where was the desparation for leadership? Where was the whining and immaturity? It was frustrating Jiina that she didn't understand her. She always understood everything. Jiina nodded once sharply before turning to the door. Fumbling with the key, she turned the knob and stepped inside. Her rooms were spacious, connected to Weisur as they were, spacious and light with many windows. The starlight streamed through them and the walls seemed to glitter slightly. The main decorative colour was a deep navy blue, the couches and the two beds decorated with such cloth. The room was just one large one, with a simple connected bathroom. It was a magnificent room. But she did not look back to see Isette's reaction, because her eyes were immediately drawn to a long imposing figure reclining on the bed. His hands behind his head, he watched the two girls with sharp eyes, eyes so focused at odds to his relaxed posture. If Isette was watching, she would notice that as soon as she laid eyes on him, Jiina's entire body stiffened up. Jiina bent immediately, bowing deeply from the waist down and waiting for him to address her. She was a different person around Taeto. She was submissive. She was her very idea of a Kelvic. "Jiina, why on earth have you brought me a Shimobe?" he murmured, as he stood up and wandered over to them. He barely cast a second glance at Isette, his eyes focused on Jiina. He neared Jiina, rather close ... too close for a father and his daughter. A hand came to rest on her cheek lightly, carressing over the cheekbone with his thumb before he used his forefinger to pull her face up. "What did this scum do to you, Jiina love?" Jiina didn't even cast a glance at Isette. She looked into Taeto's eyes, never wavering. "Nothing, Father... nothing drastic, anyway. We simply had a wager that she lost. I am here to talk to her. Do I have your permission to use the room, father?" Jiina's chest was heaving as she spoke, seemingly affected from the simple hand on her cheek. Taeto smiled lightly. "Of course you may, my dear. I must be going to speak with our lovely Kiyona. The room is yours," he murmured, before leaning in and pressing an intimate kiss to her cheek. Taeto turned without another word, passing Isette with a bare "Shimobe," and a nod. He closed the door behind him, with one last wink towards Jiina. Jiina stood in the middle of the room, dazed for a moment with a large, genuine grin on her face. It took her several moments to recover, and rearrange her face into a scowl as her eyes focused on Isette - though the frown was evidently forced. Jiina's cheeks were flushed with pleasure, discrediting the fake emotion on her face. "So, Isette," she said, hastily, trying to get back her control and manipulation. "You failed me. Why?"

[Isette]

Wow! Jiina’s room made Isette’s old room look like a broom closet. And her room had been pretty fine, if not originally intended for an infant. The Kelvic took it all in, analyzing the layout and making note of both beds as well as the impressive man who occupied the room. Isette was very curious about that man. So curious, that it put a muzzle on her instinctive apprehension. Slightly. Isette could sense the power dynamic in the room. Taeto was the sun and Jiina was the moon. Isette was just another fallen star who happened to be allowed into the company of the others. When Jiina bowed, Isette followed suit. Her movements were low and graceful, offering the respect she thought this man deserved. But it wasn’t fear that compelled her. Fear gave her that itchy sensation that made her want to shift and run away. Isette never offered respect out of fear, she simply fled. Although it was true that the Kelvic feared Taeto Twilight, the respect she offered him was a reflection of the respect Jiina showed him and not a reflection of that fear. Isette did not flinch or show any signs of being intimidated. Instead, she was properly deferential and passively fascinated. They had an interesting dynamic, didn’t they? Very intimate. Isette wasn’t sure if their bond should make her smile or blush. It was…strange. Not the sort of relationship one expected between a father and daughter. But he was her adoptive father, so maybe that changed things. Isette didn’t have experience in that area. Perhaps they overcompensated for not having a real father-daughter bond by adding in more affection? She had no idea. Isette wanted to study them, but it was rude to stare so she forced her gaze to the ground. Perhaps there would be time to understand this later. At last, they were alone. Isette looked at Jiina curiously, puzzling over the woman’s flushed appearance. Her head tilted to the side. No, this was certainly not a father-daughter dynamic. Not that Isette was an expert on the subject. She and her own father had been extremely distant. Maybe this was how fathers and daughters were supposed to act. No. Isette was sure she was right about the strangeness. How many families had she observed over the course of her two year life? Countless. And she could feel something off with this one. She would have to revisit this later. For the moment, Jiina was speaking to her. Isette bowed her head, but determination steeled her. “I am not a good thief,” Isette replied honestly, “I failed because I did not properly check the area for other workers. I will not make that mistake again.” Always check the area. Isette was a quick learner. She rarely ever made the same mistake twice. This lesson in particular would stick out to her for the shame it caused. Isette would learn to be a better thief. She would practice. And then she would pay Jiina back for her lost kina.

[Jiina]

oocI am sorry this took me so long and I am sorry it is so short. I have been lacking inspiration. Seriously do whatever you want in this thread, I think it needs some more momentum. <333 Jiina's cheeks flamed red as the Kelvic observed her curiously. Taeto had to go and make a show, didn't he? Not that Jiina was really complaining. But that was more than Taeto had ever done in private. It was almost as if a nudge to the Kelvic, a power over her, a secret that she could not tell lest Taeto's wrath befall her. Jiina knew what he was doing. But she feared Isette did not. She gave the Kelvic extra points as she bowed her head in front of her. That was a good start. The deferential emotion before her was as a good Kelvic should be. Isette was odd, she seemed to fluctuate. She had these moments of pure determination and strength, which quickly transmuted into that demure attitude that Jiina associated with Isette's race. She didn't understand. The girl fluctuated so easily, and seemed to shift and change as often as her form did. She nodded along with the words, though the nod had a certain disdain in its movement. It was as if she were looking down on the girl, which, of course, she was. Of course she failed. But that led to the question - what was she to do with this girl if she couldn't steal? She sighed and muttered aloud. "Shaychi, what am I going to do with you?" Surveying the girl, she began to list off the faults. "You cannot steal, you get caught in tea houses, you are young, you are a Shimobe. What use can I make of you?" It was true. All of that was true. Jiina knew that the girl could be used for spying, small as her animal form was, but she wanted to have the girl know, totally and completely, that she was within her grasp and Jiina held the reins. This was not an equal relationship and never would be. Jiina was in charge, and she wanted Isette to beg and plead her case. Isette needed to be desperate for Jiina, who would ignore her until the very last moment - when she would concede and accept, and then Isette would be fully within her control. Or that was the theory, anyway.

[Isette]

There was a line that should not be crossed with Isette. She wanted to please. She wanted to be helpful. She wanted to be liked. But there was a reason she had left home and this woman was stomping all over that reason. Isette had faults. She knew that. Petch, she had exiled herself from her own family because of it. The last thing she needed was to be brought into another high standing home only to go through the same thing again. For what? Jiina had known most of those things beforehand. Of all the faults she listed, only one of them was new. The Kelvic’s eyes burned into the floor as anger simmered beneath her skin. Her cheeks were flushed, but it wasn’t from embarrassment. Anger, like the rest of her emotions, was something she had difficulty controlling. Slowly, Isette raised her gaze to lock onto Jiina’s. For the first time, Isette looked truly feral. She was not some pampered housecat who had wandered outside. Isette was a stray and had been for well over a year now. Young? Perhaps. But in one year she had managed to learn more than a human did in the first ten years of their lives. “What you should ask,” she hissed angrily, taking a step towards the other woman, “Is what use will I allow you to make of me?” This woman was taking far too many undeserved liberties and Isette had reached a point where she needed to make the other understand how it all worked. “You have no power over me unless I offer it to you as a gift.” At this point, Isette was practically shaking with fury. She wanted to slap the woman, but so far regained enough control to keep her hands clenched at her side. Judging by the expression on her face, it wouldn’t be too hard to provoke her into violence. “Why did you bring me here, Jiina Xi? Did you only wish to taunt me? Insult me? If so, I have heard enough. I did not leave my family only to crawl towards another who was just like them. Lhavitians are not intelligent. Do not underestimate me or my abilities. What were you doing when you were my age? I imagine you were not living on your own learning to thieve. I will pay back the kina you lost today. If you have nothing else to say to me, then I will go now. Because you, Jiina Xi, are beneath me.” That was quite possibly one of the longest speeches Isette had ever given. Her chest was heaving as she glared at Jiina, her feet firmly rooted in place. And then, when nothing happened, Isette left.

[Mercury]

Isette Skill(s) Larceny + 3 XP Acting + 1 XP Lore(s) Instinct is Easy; Thinking is Hard Caught Red Handed Curiosity Killed the Cat A Kelvic's Place A Cornered Animal is A Dangerous Animal Manipulated Saved By The Bell (Te Jiina Bell) Method to my Madness: Lots of character development; Good job. Jiina Skill(s) Observation + 1 XP Intelligence + 1 XP Persuasion + 2 XP Camouflage + 1 XP Lore(s) Thieves Make More Interesting Friends Sociopathic Tendencies Manipulation Only Goes So Far Cruel, but not that Cruel: Isette's Savior Method to my Madness: I had trouble deciding what to give you for manipulating Isette so well: I awarded you Intelligence, if you would prefer a different skill just PM. Great Ending. You can address any questions or concerns to the little voice in your head. A.K.A. PM me.