Triplets Once Again

Emperor was the first day Ankha hadn't harped on him to remain in bed in order to heal up. Though a note came that the triplets...now twins had arrived. And he wouldn't be a good owner if he did not look the part. Dragging himself from the covers each nine layerings of his robe was applied. His obsidian fur groomed, straightened, and oiled. Making his way from his chambers to the tea room. He'd have Cabra brought to him as well. Also an invitation had been sent out to Shichi...though he knew she was a fickle creature often overtly lost in her okiya business. Perhaps she showed up and perhaps not. He'd not get too worked up about it...he'd simply deal with it later if she did in fact ignore his summons. The was a slight shuffle to his step, still the reminder of a limp. A hand scratching at his robes. Underneath it a wrap of bandages that were irritating and itchy from stitches that would soon be taken out. He settled himself onto the low seat and would wait for the others to arrive. Coils of his tail leisurely swaying over the cushion.

Cabra arrived, dutifully on time, with the ominous clipping of hooves marking her entrance. Sleek, endless tumbling of black fell from her crown of heavy, sharpened horns; half pinned neatly away from the stark contrast of pale flesh and the rest nearly pooling around her feet. Thin, delicate frame laid hidden beneath numerous layers of luxurious satin that matched her grim, ghastly appearance. A single claw edged beneath the suppression collar clasped tautly around her neck, adjusting it just a touch and perhaps lamenting about the unwavering distrust the Mastiff had for her still. No matter, her stoic gaze drifted towards him as she quietly situated herself near him without invading any personal space. "Shèngshàng," she kneeled, her unnerving falsetto voice chirping like a unseen spectre haunting the corridors of an abandoned manor. "You rang?"

Dajing made her way into the home of her new owner, her mind uncertain. Memories of her lost sister and the Yellow Emperor weighting heavily on her mind. It had been six years since she'd last seen Shèngshàng, not too long after she and her sisters drained a man of the Yellow Emperor's court, killing him. Memories of it and the events after made her steps falter. She glanced over to her sister, her only other sister now, her lower lips wobbles some and reaches out to hold her hand. She gives it just a squeeze of encouragement before she seals her emotions back and places a light smile on her face before crossing the threshold into the tearoom. As the doors open her eyes drop, walking with careful steps she tries not to look around too much walks up to the Emperor and bows low before gracefully dropping to her knees. "Shèngshàng."

Zhijing made her way along next to her remaining sibling, the sound of their own footfalls making ears flick while thoughts wandered. Unlike her sibling though her expression was lacking in grief with brows curved in just a bit to add to her more serious look. Of course that didn't stop her from sensing the others state as two toned eyes turned her way a moment, catching that wobble of lip as she plastered on a soft smile intending to comfort and reassure while fingers laced with her twins and gave the slightest squeeze. They still had each other at least. Satisfied Dajing would be fine she turned attentions forward again as the entered the tea room, eyes cast down as she neared the Emperor and mimicked her sisters movements to present herself before him, her own voice sounding with Dajings giving the name an echo of duo voices. "Shèngshàng."

Emperor caught the rustle of silk as Cabra entered. Eyes trained towards the delicate frame of her encased in the classy gothic orient ensemble. The floating embroidery about her small chest was a great addition. "I see Kaikoga has been hard at work...I approve." Rolling his vision towards the collar on her neck. Good that had been completed as well. He liked nothing more then when he didn't have to track other's done to get work done. He asked and it was delivered. It was simply as it should be. A tired sigh given as the haunty goat added the last part. What improper phrasing. Thick jowls solemnly sank into a deeper frown. Always frowning and always much darker when Cabra showed her pale face. It was no wonder really he did not remove the suspension from her collar. It was a way to mitigate the poor effects her presence caused to the environment itself. It was just unhealthy not too. "Why not make yourself useful and fetch some tea and finger foods." The narrowing of his eyes only loosening with the next arrival. Studying the glowing plum colored eyes and the slight trembling to her body. As the two sank to her knees before him beside the tea pot. An acknowledging brief nod was all he would was give to them for a time. Allowing Cabra to maneuver to get the food and return...all while in an eerie analytical silence. Looking them both over in turn. They had grown and blossomed with maturity since he had been away. "As you both know...I have heard the rumors that the barriers have grown more and more weakened since the death of your sister." He breathed deeply as his firm bassy rumble would bring with it the weight of his presence. "I have watched it and this year...it seems particularly frail." Eyes narrowed over the delicate twins with a subtle gleam of harshness in his dull ember visage. "It will be a large problem for me if it goes down like your sister's had. We lost an entire province because of that." His fist clenching, the tightening of muscles causing his sore side to radiate pain. He shifted his hand to hold it gingerly. "So...I have found you a new sister." Eyes canting towards the chimera.

Cabra was not phased by the Mastiffs unease or glowering tension towards her. After their initial encounter, what else was to be expected? Still, if she were asked for her candid opinion, she would not lie about how suffocating this all was -- after all, her ownership was purely based on fear and suspicion. Not that it was unfounded of course. His sharp command and disdain was met with a creeping smile, perhaps too jovial considering the circumstances. She simply nodded and rose to her feet, doing exactly as she was told. On an ornate tray, she returned with a beautiful tea kettle and a handful of delicate cups. Beside it was an array of finger foods for him, and their newfound company. Her eyes darted towards the twins before settling the tray before him. She made no sound, aside the pour of piping hot tea into the cups situated on the table. All the while, the unsettling impling smiled from ear to ear.

Dajing was grateful for Zhijing's presence in all this, it helped a whole lot to have her as her side. The silence of the room was broken when the Emperor spoke, telling another salve, a guess by the color she wore around her neck, to bring food and tea. While the hot tea sounded marvelous, she really didn't think she could stomach anything else right now, at least until she learned of the reason for this summons. And when the reason came, the weakening of the barrier and their role in it she was grateful she hadn't had any of the tea just yet either. "Forgive me, Shèngshàng, but we can not hold the barrier with just us two. We could try and push more power into it but." It wouldn't be enough, she left that unsaid. But it would seem the Emperor had already thought of a solution to that little issue, a new sister. Painted lips parted on a silent gap as her eyes swung to the chimera. He couldn't be serious, right?

Zhijing kept her gaze on the floor before them, ears trained forward to give the Emperor her full attention. Tail flicked when he spoke, taping against her siblings as she responded meanwhile Zhi was quiet, teeth gritting at the 'scolding.' She had words about it, many words, but she kept them to herself, peeking to the side at Dajing then closing. "Please forgive our weakened state, we will do better.." her voice as cold and lacking emotion as her expression while head dipped again. "When attentions were pointed to Cabera, claiming she would be their sibling she couldn't help the sudden shift as head snapped up to look her way. Two toned eyes narrowed a bit not in anger but to focus as she silently too the other in.. To call her a sibling just felt.... wrong.. But who was she to voice a complaint against such a decision. no.. she turned forward again and head lowered toward the floor till spiraled horns pointed toward the Emperor. "We will work hard to be the protection you desire."

Emperor was only content that Cabra did do as asked and hadn't made any fuss about anything he had said. Though her presence along often rubbed him the wrong way. Like being groomed in the opposite direction...he couldn't find fault in her actual services. This as well grated on his nerves. That he could not pinpoint anything specific to punish her for...just living...seemed somewhat unfair. There was still the part of her owing him the fee of her purchase in which he refused to consider her previous attempts from her unsavoury way of acquiring coin. He'd have that corrected soon enough. When the tea was poured and placed he would add. "A splash of whiskey in mine." And then go about taking a lengthy sip should it be added. Returning his attention to the twins. He could see they looked skeptical about the arrangements. Heavy sag of his jaws giving a light twitch. "I am glad I will have your efforts. After all remember who it was in which saved you from most certain death." Emperor reminded them. Pulling from his sleeves a narrow wooden box. It opened up into compartments. The mastiff freeing his elaborate pipe. A masterpiece of black metal, with golden dragon spiraling along the shaft. He placed the box on the table before the twins to arrange for him a smoke out of the various sacks of herbs and canister of opium. There was a small lantern for cooking the opium bead. A scale for measuring, and a needle to balance the opium. "It has been sometime you two have been amongst the courts. I will ensure you all." He addresses the twins and Cabra too. "Will be attending proper lessons in which you can offer these skills to others upon your stay here. These funds you gain will go towards the war fund. No coins will pass though into a slave's hands. It should be delivered straight to me or to Jinse as he is my retainer and deals with all financial matters." He explained. "You will be taught how to proper converse with others. The manners needed for this island and the dynasty. Instruments and dance...and many other talents. Are there any questions?" Lifting the cup to his lips to sip.

Cabra remained stone faced and steely, steadfast in her resolve regarding the Twins uncertainty and obvious dislike towards the proposition of the chimera taking their sibling's place. It was palpable, in fact, the creature could practically taste it. The hellish creature retained her queenly expression, only to acknowledge the Mastiff's additional request of alcohol to his cup of tea. The dark omen simply dipped her head into a nod, quick to add a splash into his drink before capping it and placing it away promptly. As she turned her back to the twins, her blackened tongue swept across her pillowed pout; savoring the taste of thick discomfort and unease floating in the air. It was practically orgasmic, but the goatish being stiffened and continued with her cold, cool and almost robotic behavior. Quietly, the waifish girl settled at her owners heel without much of a fuss. She regarded him with interest, listening with attentively perked ears. Nothing he said was especially surprising, perhaps in a way she expected more in terms of what he wanted from her in particular. He seemed to trust the two girls far more than he did her, which amused her somewhat. Interesting, she'd comment internally. Something to take note, or so she imagined.

Dajing felt like she wanted to cry, to curl up into a ball and just let the day and all its events pass over her. Yes, the barrier was weakening, it might even break. An everlasting reminder that her family was no longer whole. Her sister's death. Thank the goddess she still had Zhi, it was that little nugget that bloomed in her heart, kept her going. Dai would do anything for Zhi. She took comfort feeling Zhi's tail brush against her own, her ears flicking back and forth between the Emperor and her sister as they spoke, purple eyes remaining downcast. When Zhi lowered her head, Dai was quick to follow suit, under the shadows of her long platinum hair however she stole another glace at the chimera still curious about her role in all of this. Who was she? Was she powerful? From stolen glances Dai couldn't pick up anything much and it was unsettling. Soon enough the lure of hot tea placed before her was enough to have her perking up a bit, her small dainty hands picking up a cup to curl around its porcelain, it's warmth seeping into her cool hands, a welcome feeling. She took a small sip, noting that it could use a bit more sugar but that was her personal preference. It was hard to tame her sweet tooth. When talk turned to a lighter subject, the courts of all things, she'd nod. "Yes, Shèngshàng." She pauses for a moment unsure but then he did want to know is she had questions. "Shèngshàng, why come to this island? To hide here of all places?"

Emperor assumed that Cabra did not have any objections as she sat quietly...ghostly and unmoving. Except that smirk that laced her features. Eyes catching themselves narrowing. The dull gleam within them threatening to light like a blaze at any given second. It was the purple eyed twin in which seemed to ignite him. "You dare think I hide from anyone?" With a gritt of his teeth as the held porcelain gripped in his hand shattered. The hot tea dribbling down his fingers and dripping off the ends of his fur. "You think I have such cowardice? This is my head quarters...sanctioned by the persistence of the Nine. Insisting it a necessity of protection." He huffed. Opening his hand the pieces falling. A mixture of oolong and blood, staining his fur. His muscles quivering with rage, putting strain upon the bandages underneath his robes. "Have her put into the untrained pens." And a guard standing in the corner would move to carry out the order. "This meeting is adjourned...You will be shown to your rooms." With a whoosh of his silk he was upright and moving off...disappearing behind a door. The slow droplets of blood in his wake.

Cabra's smile, deliberate as it was, remained so as the Mastiff's anger had been fueled into an explosive wildfire before them. The shattering of delicate porcelain, scalding hot tea splashing against her unshielded face with a smattering of his blood caused her to direct her attention onto the twin who happened to incite his fury. The chimera seemed indifferent, feeling a burn bubbling on that otherwise soft, milky skin. His command to his guards and prompt exit earned a slow turn of her head towards the pair, emotionless and perhaps a touch dismissive. Not out of pointed malice, but perhaps out of sheer disassociation. Once their Master left, she quietly went about cleaning up. "A shame," she sighed, airy and perhaps too softly spoken. Spidery fingers moved to trace the ruddy, bubbled flesh on her cheek as it seared hotly. "His anger is fearsome," but it seemed as if not to her? "Surely you are both aware. It is best not to question him."

Dajing flinched as the cup shattered in the Emperor's hand, his blood slipping on the floor because of what she'd asked. "N-no! I didn't mean it like that!" Well she did use the word hide but it wasn't like they were in a hole in the ground either. Fat tears pooled at the corner of her eyes, as she quickly looked between her twin and the Emperor. "I'm sorry, Shèngshàng forgive me I didn't mean it that way." But it was far too late it seemed as his guard were called for and he was quickly walking out the room. Fearful now she stood, tail curling around herself as if to shield what was inevitable. She turned to Zhi, "Sister, help, tell him I will never question him again!" When the guards eventually took hold of her, she didn't fight, more so collapsed into their arm as she was taken away, weary and tired.

Zhijing hadn't even had time to enjoy any tea, having been ready to set to work preparing the pipe when her sister spoke, the words alone had two colored eyes going wide as she glanced over and then came the reaction, his anger had her ears drawing flat as she looked between her sister and her emperor. Torn clearly yet with the loss of one that need to protect the other was much stronger and still more trouble would do them no go. She glanced to her sister regretfully. "Please forgive her, her mind is distraught and we still weep for our sister, she meant nothing by it." her tone pleading as she leaned a little forward as if ready to fend the guards off but she stayed in the end, cringing as claws dug into palms. She would be okay... They would be okay.. "Dajing.. be calm.." She would whisper trying her best to give her sister that reassuring smile.. if she could take her place surely she would. Watching her twin be dragged away was another knife in the heart so to speak, hand even raised to settle against her chest as if the pain really was there. She would be strong. As Cabar spoke when the master had departed she tipped her head to glance her way. "I should have stopped her.." disappointed in herself for not reacting sooner... With a defeated sigh she rose and began to assist with the clean up, unable to stop herself from looking at the Chimeras face. "Will you be alright?"

Cabra could tell that Zhijing was reeling, and in distress from what had unfurled before them. A brief look of sympathy was offered, perhaps in an attempt to not come off too austere. "Ah, I understand the need to be there for your sibling even when they make decisions for themself. I would not be too harsh on yourself." The young Kirin's interest into the burn that spread across her cheek earned a lofting of arched brows, as if she had forgotten its existence. The chimera quietly placed the broken porcelain pieces into a bowl before moving towards Zhi'. "Dear sweet girl," she commented softly, her voice barely a whisper. "Do not worry about me, follow your sister to the pens. She needs help much more than I do." Her delicate touch brushed across the fellow slave's cheek before taking the mess the girl collected and placed it with the rest of the pieces she had collected into a bowl. "I will take care of this mess. You have more important things to tend to."