Lesson One: You are a Slave

Emperor had plucked the little goatish bat from the cages to tag along with him to the monk's first lessons. Mostly as a means of killing two birds with one stone. He hadn't seen much of the little omen lately and he was curious to see in what she'd been up to and how much of the coin she had been able to get back. A test to see just how that trust had been handled. As they walked into the darker parts of the Tether the quiet rustling of the coils of his tail behind his bulky frame. He would rumble out, "So what coin have you made me so far? In all those sultry words of yours...and silken promises. Hm?" As he continued to walk on in a steady stride but cock his head slightly to peer towards her from the corner of his ember lit gaze. Allowing the dull heat of them to linger before the steps drew his attention. Diving slowly ever deeper into the Tether's pits until they come to the gladiatorial quarters. Emperor would stand in wait for the student to arrive. His only garb this day was simple white linen robes. Flowing and allowed for good mobility without the fret of damages to his more expensive fabrics.

Cabra was not too fussed about her time being taken away from the harem pens, and instead accompanying her Master to what business he was attending to. She was rather quiet, as per the norm; a little omnious shadow trailing just a touch behind the imposing canine. Her lips parted, moving against blackened gums as she fixed the faintest smile on her porcelain doll features. "I have made enough," she chirped offhandedly, voice echoing against the enclosing walls around them that led down to the gladiator quarters. Spidery, thin fingers moved to comb through the thick ruff of feathered fur that draped around her neck before plucking a black satchel from it. A jingle was heard from it before she held it up towards him. "Granted, I did not earn it in the most virtuous of manners but none the less, you will find there is enough." The chimera mumbled under her breath about having to hide it, as guards often searched their persons. To proclaim that the imp was morally just in the slightest was a grave overstatement, considering she rivaled the righteous fortitude of the Great Deceiver himself.

Ceowyn had finally gotten word from his mistress that he was to meet with Shèngshàng, and begin his training. Given their last encounter, and how it had gone... as well as what he had glimpsed of the mastiff's nature in his faux pas, he admittedly had some mixed feelings. Clearly, the arts the emperor dabbled in were of a much darker nature than his own. Worse, he had still exhibited a notable reaction to that aura, even if he had fought off the urge from more divine influences to flee, or fight. Time had been spent the night prior, the tabby focusing on centering his mind, body, and spirit, and in the end, he had decided that it was for the best to press forward with what lessons the canine would offer. He'd given his word to serve Allicia, and that entailed protecting her, as well. He wasn't about to go back on that. His mistress didn't have much on hand that was suitable for such training, sadly, so in lieu of his typical uniform, the tomcat opted to leave the jacket back at home. Simple, baggy trousers garbed his legs, fit well enough to his form, but loose enough that they did not restrict his ease of movement. Similar top kept his upper body covered, and shoes were basic slip-ons; something he could remove with ease, if need be. He'd eventually found his way to the gladiator's quarters, and upon seeing that his instructor was tending to other business, he'd elect to wait, and remain silent by the door, until noticed.

Emperor seemed perturbed that she never seemed bothered by his presence and yet the same could not be said the other way around. As she seemed the semblance of indifference as she plucked a bag of coin from her downy breast his brow seemed to sink lower and lower, etching an annoyed line against his arches. Crinkling at his nose bridge. "Slave are not allowed to handle coin..." Frowned jowls sagging more deeply. He snatched the bag from her spindly fingertips with a gruff noise coming from his throat. "This will not count. Next time you will do the work yourself. If you bring my home or its reputation any shame I will kill you." Disappearing the coin pouch into the sleeves of his robe. Disappointment. Utter disappointment. He grabbed for the woman's wrist and aimed to direct her into the middle of the pit. He didn't think she held any defensive trainings but he was going to soon find out either way. His peripherals having caught sight of the monk's entrance and giving him a nod. "Glad to see you have taken my advice on your choice of dress. Let us not dally any further. Show me what you know. There is already a supple target for you to practice on." Speaking of the shorter girl who looked too frail to throw a punch.

Ankha - Although there was still plenty of work to be done, the jackal opted to take a much needed reprieve from the Dynasty's accounts and her own commissions to observe a training session. She would arrive to the gladiator chamber not minutes behind Ceowyn, garbed in a simple two piece with sandals wrapping up her legs to keep her feet from getting dirty on the gritty stone floor. Jade eyes glittering as she regarded the two slaves momentarily before settling on her husband, "Ah, I am not late, good. Do not mind me, I am only curious." Ankha drawled languidly and if one peered closely, in her shadow lurked a familiar dappled mare slave that often accompanied her through out the Tether.

Cabra's thin brows lofted in mild curiosity at the Mastiff's disapproval, which was confusing considering she did what she was told. His casual threat earned a slow blink before dipping her head down in feigned remorse, shielding the twitching of the corners of her mouth-- struggling desperately to not smile. "Duly noted," she commented in response, "Master." Once they arrived and acknowledged the other slave, as well as the Empress herself, she promptly took position in the middle of the pit. Incredulously, she glanced up towards the tabby with her cold, dead eyes. Fight? Her voice, unnervingly soft and cool, spilled from her lips as she addressed the canine. "May I remove my collar? Just during this lesson of course."

Ceowyn's head tilted back slightly, in a nod of acknowledgement, when he was called to, before it was bowed forward respectfully. The comment on his garb, meanwhile, received a dismissive wave of hand. "Even if you had not suggested it, This is what I likely would have worn. That uniform is too stifling." Ankha's arrival close behind him had him glancing to the canine, a bow of head offered to her as well, before he was swiftly given the command to demonstrate what he knew. Green eyes danced to his presumed opponent, and it was only now that he'd notice she was without a single shred of clothing. More so, she certainly did not look like any sort of fighter. Gaze moved speculatively back to the mastiff, as the tabby made his way towards the pit, and as he moved in to ready stance, he couldn't help but show concern. "Shèngshàng, with respect, are you sure she can fight? If you have confidence in her, than I have no objections... but I am not here to dole out punishments on your behalf." There was slight discontent in his voice, even as he noted the imp was not visibly shaken by the prospect.

Emperor heard the quiet slaps of sandals and would look up towards the archways after Ceowyn had entered. Spotting his wife there in that short skirt wrap. He cleared his throat and dipped his head slightly towards her. "Ah my wife. Looking stunning as always." The way the straps of the sandals winded up her leg made the already long limb be emphasized and look all the more longer. Letting his glance to hold for a moment before the annoyance was pulling him back like a mosquito buzzing near one's face. Peering towards the porcelain face. "And you can not even remember how to properly address your own Master. We have spoken about this..It is ShengShang...and no I will not remove your collar. This is a punishment. Acting above your station. You try to weasel yourself out of actual work. And then you feel I ought let you have access to any of your powers?" That was almost laughable. "You will learn to do well and flourish as a proper servant or you will rot, decay, and perish." He grunted. Eyes then canted towards the monk irritated by his hesitations. "Labor is within the contract. I can pull out a copy if you'd like to review it...It is not your job to question the morality of a situation but to proceed as instructed. Should you have need to interrogate a pretty face in the future you will thank me then for having such resolve. Now don't hold back and show me where you are in your training." Arms crossed over his chest as he studied the scene with intensity.

Ankha flashed her mate a salacious smile, fangs glinting in the expression before he reverted back to the two slaves. She came to stand just shy of the ledge surrounding the pit, one hand resting on the crown of her thrall's head to absently scritch the mare's ears. Ceowyn's apparent objection to fighting Cabra is met with a quiet chuff of laughter, "You would do well to remember this is a privilege, my husband has more important tasks to attend to than train a lowly slave not of his House." She remarked lowly, the Arabic curl of her voice laced with contempt.

Cabra remained stoic and steely. She was not one to be perturbed over such comments, and his insistence on her being disobedient only earned a tepid nod of acknowledgement. "Of course, ShengShang," she enunciated for emphasis. "My mistake." There was something that crept in her tone, something that could not be pinpointed. Rows of serrated fangs peeked from her dark, pillowed lips before turning to stare intently at the tabbycat. The petite creature slinked towards the fellow slave, hips rolling in movement with her sinuous form before raising a delicate hand to cradle Ceowyn's cheek. "Do not fret," she reassured the man. The tips of her claws grazed down, leaving subtle knicks in their wake and small rivets of blood but nothing that would scar. Her uneven, eerie tone slithered out like an earworm inching into the slave's head. "You will not harm me." Cabra abruptly broke her touch and moved away to stand across from him, her arms loosely dropped to her sides as she waited.

Ceowyn's eyes narrowed at both the Mastiff's response, as well as his wife's. Tail flicked in his own annoyance, while ears pinned back. "Labor does not demand that I cast away my morals, Shèngshàng." The title was spoken with a noted venom beneath it, this time, as a small jab back at the canine. "Nor is such demanded within the contract." The imp's approach, meanwhile, had casting attention back to her, and while the touch to cheek was not shied away from, hand did come up to brush hers away when he felt those fingers begin to curl. At the same moment, eyes met. "If you are certain, then very well." He'd take his own steps back for distance, and then a breath was drawn in to center himself once again. Feet were placed together, angled to form ninety degrees between them. Hands drew back at waist level and curled in to fists, before he was relaxing the stance enough to move closer. As he approached, he was attempting to size the imp up, before he was bringing a leg up to try and land a kick to the imp's side. Body spun as he did, hips pivoting for consistent force behind his kick. Unless the other slave was sturdier than she looked, the result would likely be some bruising, and a fractured rib.

Emperor nodded his agreements towards his wife. Indeed he did not have to be here. It was by his own generous offerings to the public this rare chance and chi manipulation talents were not very widely distributed. The monk would likely have a hard time trying to find a replacement teacher should he be unwilling to behave. This was as much of a test to Cabra then it was on the monk. He needed to know the student would actually be willing to learn in whichever method he so chose it to be delivered...or else the mastiff would be wasting his time and he did not like to waste time. As the subtle nude figure of the omen approached the monk and laid her claws against Ceowyn's flesh. The mastiff did nothing to prevent the interaction. Commenting to the fact that she scratched the boy. "And you question the insidious nature of this sinful creature? Are you not of the enlightened ilk? Trained to subdue such a dark fiend? And you speak of morals." Of course he wouldn't implement himself of being of a similar nature...but adjusting the thought processes to target what it seemed the man's aura had suggested. That he had some form of blessed training and he wasn't about to put his own body on the line to see just what it was capable of doing. And a curiosity within the beast to learn more about the man and his ways. Analyzing the form and the kick. It was solid but it did not scream of any aura usage. "So is it only basic martial arts that you know? Can you bring up your aura to interact with your external surroundings?" He stroked his obsidian beard. Canting his eyes towards the chimera. Very much unconcerned with how she might handle the brutal blow. Upon their first encounter it had seemed she was simply an unfeeling mass. A hapless ball from the void. Perhaps with no feelings at all. This would also test that theory. "Have you spoken yet with Aiyue? The one who was gifted to the family. I am wanting to know where you think of her standings within the house. I contemplate that her bloodlines are strong enough to conceive some heirs...though I am waiting for your blessings upon such a thing." Speaking towards Ankha. It was something he'd been mulling around now for awhile. "I am having some additions added to the suite to accommodate the possibilities and also a dojo to hoist more lessons."

Ankha scoffed, the cat's stubborn insistence is one that clearly irritates the haughty woman and she does not disguise such. "You may want to reconsider your generosity with this one, husband." She says coldly, even if Ceowyn relents and launches an assault on the chimera. Cabra's wellbeing is not her concern but there is a distinct amount of interest in how the petite thrall would react. Though she did not voluntarily partake in combat anymore, she did remember her military training from another life. Ankha hums as Zhongshi addresses her again, the matter of Aiyue distracting her momentarily. "She is pretty, that is really all she has going for her. Her magic needs cultivating, as does her education, which is no fault of her own, mind you. Given the trauma she has experienced at the hands of her father, she may not be suited quite yet for the duties expected of her as a concubine." Speaking succinctly about the kirin, "I would like to have a Medic look over her as well, not only to ensure she is physically undamaged but capable of healing mentally as well." For all the Empress' stern mannerisms, she was not without a sense of empathy and compassion towards some. "Yes, I did notice some architects lingering about. I already appropriated an amount of funds for the impending work." Always on top of things, wasn't she?

Cabra remained still, staring unmovingly at the monk as he approached. His standoffish behavior and dismissal of her touch was not met with offense, but just pure indifference. As the tabby approached and prepared himself, she merely gazed up with him with a sense of curiosity. The intense, connected kick to her side caused her to crumple. The sound of bone and muscle breaking under taut flesh and fur was audible. The girl toppled to the side and after a moment or two, the dollish creature abruptly got up on her cloven hooves. The inhuman sound of crackling bones followed suit as she stiffened her posture. She glanced at Ceowyn expectantly, her mouth forming a fanged grin for just a moment as she nodded to him in approval. "Continue."

Ceowyn returned to ready stance as he felt his foot connect, and witnessed the imp crumpling to the floor without so much as a cry of pain. Clearly, she could take a hit, but he still wasn't fond of beating on a target that wouldn't even defend herself. The question from the mastiff had him averting his attention from the other thrall for a moment, and Ankha's comment earned her a defiant stare. "I say this as politely as I can. The both of you demand respect from me, so I will thank you to show it to me in kind." Frankly, he didn't care if he cost his mistress gold. Well, maybe a little. Still, he'd endured plenty of punishment in the past for sticking by his beliefs. Eyes glanced back to the imp, now, who was now standing and grinning as if nothing had happened. What in the world...? Posture relaxed a moment. He'd puzzle over that in a moment. For now, Shèngshàng was waiting for an answer. "I spent three months as a monk. In that time I learned the basics ofShaolin Kung Fu, which I incorporate in to my own style, as well as various mantras. I also learned to sense chi, and to see one's chakra, but I did not learn to incorporate chi in to my martial arts, before I left the temple. Which, reminds me." Greens shot straight back to the mastiff, before he was letting his arms fall to his side, and turning to face him. Body bent at waist, his entire torso dipping downward in a respectful bow. "Shèngshàng. After some discussion with my mistress, it occurs to me that I may know the reason you took offense, on our last meeting. I will not delve in to the details, unless asked, but the monks who taught me to see chi did not stress the importance of controlling this sense. As a result, it is not something I consciously utilize. I apologize for looking in to something I should not have, and ask that you guide me in controlling such a sense so as not to offend further."

Emperor kept watch as the scenario played out. He could hold his side conversation and remain attentive towards the actions and what may need correcting. This lesson was simply to gauge where the boy was in his art and style so the mastiff could make up a plan on where the weak points were in order to strengthen and improve. Or if he found that a foundation needed to be changed and started over completely. Skull canted towards his wife. A hidden ear rising above the bushels of straightened mane to show interest. "Yes a pity that she seems rather..dull." Was that the proper word for it? Not sharp or at least that she didn't seem to hold on to any of the cultures ways. Which had surprised him given the fact that the General had served under him and at the time the dragon man had proved a worthy warrior on the field. "She was kept sheltered...it has seemed to have stunted her growth. But I will leave the lady bit of things to you. I trust your judgement in improvements can be made in which to turn her into a suitable example of a fine lady of the courts." He dipped his head towards his wife. "And some etiquette classes perhaps so she knows not to approach me in the middle of a meeting next time." Shifting his gaze to the bone crushing sound as the fiend flew back against the stone walling of the pit and just brushed it off and stood right back up again. The mastiff was not surprised as given his previous deductions...but still there was a subtle shock of being faintly impressed that flicked across his features as his eyes opened slightly more than they had been. "Well don't stand there like a dead doormat...hit him back." Breathing out a lengthy exhale in a way to force out his frustrations over the creature. "And Baiza she has been doing well in her new found position?" He would ask to his wife. Then allowing his focus to settle on the monk who spoke of respect. "If I did not hold any respect towards you or your Mistress I would not have agreed to train you in the first place. I simply need to know that you are teachable and will not fight me on every little subject. I have my reasons and ways for what I ask. It may not seem just or reasonable in first light but you must trust because I am the teacher that it is true and must become your fact. A good soldier does not hesitate in battle or it gets your entire field destroyed. Do you understand? It all has greater meaning then just the here and now." Seeing the bow he would give a nod. "It must be an exhausting use of a skill to have it ever present when not needed to be used. Though such things are private to many people. If you can not turn it off then it is best not to comment on it unless you have asked to make note of such things. It is very similar to looking at one's soul..it is a deeply personal matter. That would mean you are needlessly leeching energy in which is better used elsewhere." Eyes canting to the fiend and then to the monk. "I am also wanting to see these mantras in action. You see...she is quite the enigma. A curious little wonder in which I'd like to explore further. What makes a thing tick is of value to me and can also be valuable to your training. As I will see what it is the monks have instilled." Giving them a nod then to proceed. Very curious if something holy in nature would indeed get a deeper reaction. Then of course he would figure out just how to control and effect her.

Ankha continued to absently scritch behind the ears of her docile thrall, the mare was surprisingly silent through out. But that is probably because she only spoke Arabic and could contribute nothing to the scenario unless directly addressed by her mistress. "I will find her a litany of tutors for her education, though her father's abuse is something that should not be overlooked so carelessly. It is unbecoming and dishonorable of a man to treat his child like a toy." The Egyptian groused, threading her manicured nails through her slave's mane now. The gesture apparently seemed to keep her temper in check, "Baiza is and has always been an excellent companion." She clearly thought quite highly of the albino kirin. Cabra's crippling fall and quick recovery is impressive to behold, it meant she was rather durable. Ankha does not deign to interrupt again when it comes to Ceowyn's training but her displeasure with him remains.

Cabra's ears swiveled at the canine's command. Hit him back? The chimera mulled this over for a brief moment, but she obliged. She dipped her head to signal she understood before peering up at the tabbycat who quickly went on the defense. The creature regarded him in silence, taking inventory of his form and mannerisms before the girl came to an agreement with herself. Delicate as she was, there was something unnatural and animalistic about her. Without an ounce of hesitation, she closed the distance with hoof aimed at the fellow thrall's abdomen-- hoping to collide directly with his solar plexus. She would quickly retract her leg and take a step back, staring blankly at Ceowyn and surely expecting an equally unmitigated attack.

Ceowyn listened with surprising patience as the mastiff spoke. Especially so, given how vocal the tabby had been with his discontent, thus far. He had less qualms about the nature of his demonstration, after seeing how well the imp handled it. "With respect, I was not referring to your choice of opponent for me... I was referring to how your wife is choosing to conduct herself. If she takes issue with my behavior, I ask that she say so to me directly, instead of making some off-hand comment, as if I'm not even here." Gaze shot to Ankha again, just to drive home his point. He wasn't about catty remarks, or talking about others while they were distracted. Brutal honesty. That was his preference. "You are right, regarding my sense of chi, Shèngshàng. Which is why I am requesting guidance. Currently, it is not something I understand how to simply turn off." The mastiff's other notes were valid, of course, but the tomcat felt as though it was better not to comment on them. Simply take them in stride, and learn from them. Eyes wandered back to the imp again, at that mention of his mantras. "I'm afraid the mantras I was taught were not meant for combat, but for healing. If you wish to see their effects, you'll need to put someone in front of me who won't heal immediately from wounds." Attentions turned back to the imp, with that clarification made. As she ran towards the tabby, he'd brace himself and attempt to catch that foot as it aimed for his abdomen, while he brought his own leg up to try and focus another kick to the imp's waist. Only for him to react a hare too late. All of his breath was knocked out of him, his body sent back several feet before he landed hard on his side, and rolled along the floor on to his stomach, where he was quickly pushing himself up to his knees with heavy breath. Unlike the imp, he couldn't recover on the spot. A bit of coughing was his body's reaction to the sudden compression of his innards, before hand came up to wipe away some of the spit that resulted. "I owe you an apology... That was respectable kick."

Emperor chimes in sharply after his wife's comment. "Indeed and such ignorant actions will reap severe consequences. The General is living out his retirement already or I would have had him dishonorably discharged should he have still been under my charge. Though he is not and hasn't for years. I fear the battles have strained his mind. I will pay him a visit at some point and regain her some form of reparations for his actions. Then at least her namesake will have dignity restored upon it." That was his stance on the matter. If the monk was keen on the conversation or picked up anything he would be able to see that yes indeed the mastiff did have a set of morals of his own. He did care strongly about certain things though insisted on not drawing attention towards them when possible. An intense glare threatening to pierce the man's soul as he spoke to his wife so blatantly rude. "She can speak about you as she pleases. You are still a slave and should she like to use this for her own entertainment then that is her right as a free woman. If your ego is so easily bruised then that is something you should look inwards about. Your Mistress made a choice. That you remain a slave and thus respectful requirements are different between these hierarchies. It is the right of a free person to be given such from a slave and for a slave to earn it from a free person. It is a free person's choice whether it is given or not. If your Mistress wished you to be seen in equal light as a free person then she would free you. That is a matter you should then be taking up with your Mistress...or within yourself if you are so unhappy within your position as a slave." Returning his eyes to the action as the delicate woman bucked her hoof out towards the man. Snapping his eyes towards the monk to see how he would receive the blow. Apparently for such a frail little thing she packed quite a punch. As the monk stumbled backwards gasping for air. So the mantras were not an offensive spell as he had hoped to see. He had gathered enough information for now. There was a shift of his weight as he stood there. Lifting his arm to the side in order for the Empress to place her hand above the offered one in which to lead her away. "Lesson is over for today. I'll have some dock work for you to do. Hopefully you will improve on your manners towards free persons. We'll continue next week at the same time." He shook his head and jutted his chin towards Cabra to fall in line as he went to walk off. The mastiff would make sure that the labor was harsh. That the crates were packed doubly heavy and that the man would suffer. That all parts of his body would be worn to exhaustion, sore and achy come next week's lesson.

Ankha made a thoughtful sound when Zhongshi mentioned seeking reparations for Aiyue's abuse and she seemed satisfied, although whose to say the woman wouldn't ensure the General meet an early grave or not? Not that such an idea would ever be voiced aloud. However, it would be Ceowyn's comment that shifted her demeanor. From docile to contemptuous again, her muzzle curling into a sneer and the ivory of her teeth displayed as she peered down at the tabby. "You should consider that even a crumb of my attention is a blessing on your lowly existence, slave." Her hand tangles into the mane of her slave and she gives a brusque tug on the mare, whom flinches but does not protest the rough handling. Ankha regards her mate cooly, "I have work to finish," and setting aside her anger, she blew him a kiss before departing.

Cabra's attention drifted between the three before her, but primarily on the tomcat she had kicked. A brief, but perhaps sympathetic to the untrained eye, look was given before she spoke softly at his remark. "No need," she began. "Under these circumstances, it is only to be expected. Thank you for the compliment, and I hope we do not meet again under such means." The chimera held no emotion in that whispery tone; unfeeling, unmoving, almost monotonous. Once the Emperor took his leave, and the Empress had enough, she gave a curt nod was offered to Ceowyn as a goodbye before practically gliding towards the Mastiff-- just a touch behind his heel no less. "As you wish, Shèngshàng." She was unnervingly robotic-- what goes through that little devil's mind anyway? A slight smile touched her lips, obediently trailing behind the canine with the echoes of clopping hooves marking her departure.

Ceowyn was slowly getting to his feet, once he'd recovered from the initial blow of that hoof. How long had it been since he'd been in a proper fight? At least the two years he'd been at the Tether. He wasn't surprised he needed to shake off some of the rust, and sharpen his reflexes again. As the Emperor made to leave, the tabby would cast a glance back at the mastiff. "It is not about ego. Respect is earned, not given. I care not if I'm a slave, if you are free. I do not take disrespect lying down." Ankha's further response had him glaring daggers at the jackal. He had many things he wanted to say to the woman, but for now, he'd not press his luck. Stubborn. Not stupid. As for the mentioned dock work? He'd be fine. He had a trick up his sleeve to make manual labor far easier, and healing mantras came in quite handy where fatigue was concerned. He'd be nice and limber by their next meeting. With the imp's farewell, he'd allow eyes to follow her with a quirk of brow, before he was shaking his head. Off he'd go to whatever dock work was being demanded of him, before he'd return to his owner's estate.