Tutelage Agreement

Allicia had gone through considerate effort to indulge her slaves wishes and prepare adequately for the arranged meeting with Zhongshi. It wasn't the first time she had met him, though their short interaction over enchanted bracelets was naught more than a little sales-pitch in the chaos of the bustling Tether. Oh, she was prepared for this to be a more formal and respectful interaction - so she was dressed for the task. The top of the gradient dress had her clans emblem covering her chest with both of its feathered wings. Rest of the silken fabric cut wide enough to encompass her heavily pregnant form. Ceowyn wouldn't be far behind in that clear cut uniform that he so abhorred. Their destination, the overlooking balcony on the side of the Tethers gardens, was easily reached, greeting the royalty with a polite smile and an extended, downward casted hand. "I am pleased to meet you again." The purr that escaped her sounded genuinely feline, despite of her apparent species. "Thank you for the invitation. I hope life has been treating you well since the last time we've met?" She was royalty in kind and knew how to keep up proper gestures, even if she did not often refer back to all of those lessons within her clans home.

Ceowyn had been making an effort in the last couple of days to keep his anticipation in check. He was finally going to get a meeting with this Zhongshi he had heard of. More so, it appeared that whatever Ishigami had told the man, he was capable, and willing to give the tabby instruction on controlling his chi, and harnessing it. Hair had been tidied up as best as he could manage, pulled back in that typical ponytail he took so much fancy to. Red coat was fussed with as they made their way to the Tether, that stuffiness getting to him as per usual. Had he enough sense, he would have asked for something a bit more accommodating to the Tether's climate by now. Of course, he had to wonder if his mistress would even grant such a request. Allicia's family crest was just as prominent over breast pocket, and as nice and formal as that uniform looked, one might almost mistake him for a patron himself... If not for that collar around his neck. Ceowyn remained silent for the moment, as they reached the balcony, green eyes taking a moment to fall on Zhongshi, only long enough to seemingly size him up, before he was looking back towards the ground. He had no indication of the man's temperament, and he certainly didn't want to offend in the first five seconds. Posture remained straight, hands down at the tomcat's side, as if a soldier stepping in line for drills. For now, he'd simply let his owner do the talking, until he was spoken to.

Emperor made his way to the specified meeting place. The whisper of his thick silken black robes brushing across stone and then grass as he crossed into the gardens. The mid-day sun fading against the horizon. It was not often he had time to appreciate it nor had much time in the sun itself lately. Constantly within meetings...signing this or that...reading...mostly all indoors. It stung at his dim lit ember eyes for a moment. Giving a silent sneer towards the gleefully glowing orb in the sky. Must have been put there just to be a bane to his existence. But the fresh air was nice he had to admit. Filling his lungs with the crisp rich fragrance of the spring blossoms. The pleasant breeze rustled through his straightened mane. The black tendrils primped and proper laid against on either side of his shoulders and long beard oiled. The embroidery of his robes golden lining the collar and rims of the draping sleeves. Upon the back though an cruel depiction of nine red serpentine dragons coiling about the ninth in which was threaded in yellow. The first thing he seemed to notice was the monk dressed in a blaringly crimson jacket. Sticking out like a war flag in the wind. A bit of tunnel vision as he stared intensely upon it like a predator who was ready to charge...but a dangling wrist caught his attention. Drawing his eyes towards the slave's Mistress. He took the hand. Held it for a moment to acknowledge her. Though it was a greeting meant for another culture. So he simply dipped his head towards it but did not kiss upon it. Dour features unchanged as he drew into the booth to settle on one of the cushion. Large frame weighing down the seat with a sigh and creak of the plush upholstery and wooden supports. "It has been well enough thank you. Shall we speak business then?" Vocals rumbled out in gruff bassy tone.

Allicia would not admonish the emperor for the difference of culture, if anything she found it all too adoring. Her delicate hands brushed down along the sides of her dress, pushing it out of the way before seating herself down next to the man who was intend of molding her slave. "Straight to business, a man after my own heart." A smile tugged at the corners of her lips before one leg crossed over the other and her gaze kitten. A short nod towards the foot that was remaining on the ground was the only command she'd give him. He knew better than to displease her in such important company. Only after Ceowyn was in the proper, well displayed kneel would she continue. And if the kitten failed? A flash of her fangs would hopefully be enough to drive the point home. Allicia turned then to her slaves future mentor. "Truth to be told, i did not expect to receive your note after my kitten has informed me that he has reached out to your associate." Her head gave a light tilt to the side, displaying her curiosity to the man. "I can understand the desire to pass on your knowledge to future generations. It is quite an honorable thing to do in your culture, yes?" Though the chuckle that followed was disarming. "Of course, i do not expect that honor to be enough of a payment for these services. Can you indulge me with your desired terms?"

Ceowyn: While Ceowyn's mistress and the Emperor exchanged pleasantries, the tabby was paying closer attention to that chi. After all, that was the focus of what he was after, right? What he saw was... frightening. This man was probably the furthest thing away from his divine training. The dark nature of his aura was almost enough to suffocate the former monk. Hackles raised in response, his heart rate skyrocketing. If his tension wasn't visible from this alone, then Zhongshi would likely notice as the feline's eyes widened, and he took a moment to wet his suddenly dry lips. It had been the same thing with Allicia's mother. That dark presence was almost like a trigger, the will of the gods he followed singing to him to either destroy it, or flee. To his fortune, he had long since learned to suppress that call. It took a moment for him to notice Allicia's gesture, mind only returning to the here and now when those fangs were bared, in response to which he bowed his head. "Apologies, Mistress..." He'd take that modified kneel at his owner's feet, legs bending to side and being the only noticeable difference from a proper "tower" position most slaves might take. Meanwhile, green eyes were directed specifically at the ground. He was fighting back his body's sudden response to that darker chi... but he didn't want to tempt it further. As for what Zhongshi might see, the tomcat's aura was lighter, almost warm and welcoming. Though, that divine influence on his chi was considerably darkened by his owner's influence... and the orange hue almost seemed to denote fire?

Emperor took him a minute to remember the woman. Truthfully. After he was quite triggered by the man's clothes the blur upon his thought process had been stunted. "Ahh! Also my wife and I enjoyed the bracelets. Ha!" A wide stretch of his muzzle lips in some abomination of an attempt at an uncharacteristic laugh. Wrought and twisted with wicked nuances. Indeed they had a naughty time and it had quite sated his desires of dominance in the moment. When her question was posed he would stroke the length of his lengthy beard. He had never thought to put a price head on this particular service. His time to him would be quite expensive...however it would likely not be fantomable for most. Where was his financial advisor when he needed them anyway? As he thought on this he noticed the feline growing stiff and wide eyed. He could sense that he had been 'read' into and would lean forward slightly. Gaze shifting back to Allicia. "Usually my largest scroll works sell for two hundred gold. As these are private lessons from myself and also with my Generals I believe it should be above that. Within the range of three hundred to five hundred. True though it is...a great thing to be passed on." And since his wimp of a son didn't seem to have the fortitude for it. Pity! "What exactly is he looking to accomplish with the training? Control? Elements? Imbuing?"

Allicia's smile grew into a more sinister smirk when the bracelets had been mentioned. "I had no doubt in my mind that you would. They are wonderful toys, are they not?" The pregnant lady was always proud of her work in enchantments and that particular jewelry had been her most selling merchandise for a very good reason. "I am always happy to sell my goods to customers with a like minded head in the bedroom." The playful bickering then was pushed aside for something way more grave and serious: Business. A sour taste formed on her tongue the moment that price tag escaped the emperors lips. "That's the price of five slaves, a bit hefty, don't you think?" Allicia's arms crossed below her bosom in contemplation and firm willingness to haggle. In truth, she didn't have too much coin to squander, especially this far into her pregnancy. "Your wife had been inquiring for more of my jewellry." She gestured lightly. "I do not ask to lessen the overall value of your services, just for half of it to be paid for with my own once i am able to work again. If that is agreeable." As for Ceowyn's goals? Her gaze wandered over to the kitten in expectation. "I will leave that for him to explain. He is more versed into his requirements for chi manipulation than myself. It is not my specialty." And with that, the slave was free to finally talk for himself.

Ceowyn was slowly coming down from that induced panic, as the two spoke of business. Even he had to admit, the amount Zhongshi was asking seemed... inflated. But then, he had no true idea of the man's skill. His only training had been at the temple, and they didn't exactly tout the names of outsiders. The mention of elements among those options had his ears flickering. His mistress had been making quite the big deal of his potential for magic. Thoughts wandered, for a moment, to the idea of imbuing flame in to his physical attacks, before he shook his head warily. No, perhaps he was being a bit too fanciful with his ideas. Gaze did finally rise to the Mastiff, once the opportunity to speak was presented. Wordlessly, the tomcat rose to his feet, a bit of effort denoted as he groaned in mild pain. Once risen, he bowed respectfully to the emperor. "...If I am honest, that is a good question--" Words paused. Obviously there were honorifics to be respected, in their supposedly shared culture. There was the impression though, that his would-be instructor had spent some time here on the island. "Apologies. Before I answer that, may I ask how you would have me address you?" He was still a slave, after all, and often the names, or titles allowed to patrons were not the same.

Emperor gave a perk of his brow when the amount seemed to rile the woman slightly. "As well..a fine blade from the forge is two hundred. The price of a body varies depending on...well the body." Giving her some time to think it over and allowing her to haggle. Ah she picked a great topic to scratch at. His weakness to appease his wife and shower with her expensive gifts was high on his list. "One hundred gold. One hundred in value of your custom made jewelry. One hundred in labour from the boy. That is my price then." He would give a firm nod to add a weight of finality to the subject. The boy hadn't apologized or spoken about his rude scanning him of his auras though and this ticked the Imperial off. "What are your rules for punishment or bodily harm?" He would question to his Mistress. Surely as in the near future it might become needing to be applied. And also surely there would be corrections needed during training as well. "Should the boy not be obedient during the sessions I will send him back and there will be no refunds." He warned. Now he was asking him about a title and such things. "I am an Emperor thus Shèngshàng is appropriate. Zongshi is reserved for those who are free as respect to this neutral ground." Meaning since they were on Guilderium and not in Taigoria where he technically held rule over. "Now are you going to correct yourself...?" -

Aiyue: The Kirin had been sitting in the garden practicing the summoning of a new flower that she had planned on presenting to the Emperor and Empress the next time she was with the two of them. What she had not planned on was catching the Emperor and two others walk to the tables that overlooked the ocean. Feeling slightly emboldened, the young courtier wandered over to the trio and gently patted Emperor on the shoulder before handing him the single Tigerlily she'd just summoned. While she knew that she was overstepping by just inviting herself into this meeting, but she had longed to spend more time with Emperor since she had come into his household. She was fully aware that she might get a scolding -- either now or later, jut depended on Emperor's mood, she figured. But, she was feeling too ballsy to care at the moment. "Forgive me Shèngshàng, I was hoping that I might sit and watch?" Nervous hands were now picking at an embroidered flower on her dress.

Allicia pondered long and hard the offer that the man was presenting her with. Adding Ceowyn's labour was a reasonable request and one that she was willing to indulge. Still, she made a show of contemplating it. A too eager acceptance would leave her looking desperate and weak, and she was not willing to let her reputation to be tarnished. One deep breath and exhale later, she nodded in agreement. "I am comfortable accepting those terms." Her brows quired when then the rules of handling her slaves were put into question. Of course that was a topic they had to go through in depth, especially because it was Ceowyn they were talking about. Hazel eyes gave her collared feline another glance before she replied. Allicia knew that discussing this in front of her kitten would sting him, but there was no avoiding it - she remained cold. "I will have to warn you. He has a bit of a problem with a cocky attitude at times." No one should be able to blame her that she'd left those issues unmentioned. "But he is obedient and willing to better himself. I believe he has a strong motivation behind his eagerness to seek you out and he will not disappoint you. That - i promise." The weight of those last two words were heavy, reflecting the trust she had in her thrall. "As for punishments." It was then that she let some of the seriousness fall in favour for a smirk. "Do not leave lasting physical marks or injuries on him. He has a bit of nerve damage, so pain is not as effective for him. That said, i do not want his mind to be having any scars, as well." A shrug followed. "I trust you have methods that meets those requirements, if he misbehaves gravely enough." Allicia flickered open eyes at Aiyue's appearance by then, leaving poor Ceowyn to fix the issues he had created himself. He needed to do this in the future with the Emperor, anyway. "My apologies, Zongshi. Is she an acquaintance of yours?" Not having expected for their meeting to be interrupted, she had to made sure that this intrusion was welcomed.

Ceowyn was noting the negotiations inwardly, as he listened. Labor? He could handle that. After all, most of what the Tether had demanded of him, in his time owned by them, was physical labor. It was nothing new. Anyway, he enjoyed work that kept him moving. Allicia's summary of his behavior had him glancing to her, from his bowed position, and while he couldn't argue that he was sometimes a bit too mouthy for his own good, the affirmation that he would meet expectations was appreciated, and it would earn the wolf a smile from her pet. Ears perked up at the mention of that nerve damage, which had him letting out a small chuckle. "Yes... you can thank my old master at the temple, for that one. Bit of an eccentric, when it came to the arts." More important matters, though. "Shèngshàng..." The holy and exalted one, was it? It made the Mastiff sound a bit high and mighty. Much like the nobles who sometimes had come and tried to bully his father in to giving them free labor. Eyes narrowed as he thought back, before shaking his head once more. No. Now was not the time to let himself get sentimental. Gaze lifted, when asked if he would correct some perceived slight, to which he could only cant his head in confusion, before straightening his posture. "I am afraid I do not follow what you mean, Shèngshàng. If I somehow offended, I apologize. That was not my intent." Gaze drifted, if only briefly, to the new arrival, Ceowyn's thought much the same as his owner's.

Emperor was thick into the focus of his business when there was a hand touched upon the back of his shoulder. No one approached him from his backside...and it was for very good reason. The man, highly paranoid about espionage and various attempts on his life. Anyone of the orient should have known better...that it was impolite but for him it was far more then just being rude. In a swift motion he grabbed for the hand. Hooking it through his elbow and twisting with his body to lift the weight of the one who approached him so abruptly and without tact. Meaning to haul them over his shoulder, his other hand at their midsection to carry through and into the table. Likely crashing through the wood of it and shattering into the wine glasses set up on it. A wildness to his eyes and his aura leapt out from his form in an unseen wind which whipped at his silken garments. Hair as well roiling and swept up in it. With a grunt and an aikido styled 'Haa." Reverberating from his vocals. Bulk had also expanded, sinew rippling and tauntening at the threads of his robes. Then as he stilled himself at the notice of Aiyue sprawled out if he had successfully flipped her. The fluttering down of the tigerlily floating down to rest on her body. "You fool..dare approach me in the middle of a meeting?" He snapped. Teeth clicking together. "Excuse yourself and sit over there and be quiet." Eyes hotter then the dim dying of embers they were before. Now like the fury of a volcano. Clearing his throat after the incident. "You will have to excuse her she is new...I will take care of it later you have my promise." Eyes cutting towards the kirin. Once the amount had been agreed though it took some silent moments and probably longer after the incident. He would nod and to her declarations he would again nod. "I will keep those things in mind and not leave long term scars." A hand to his chest as he dipped his head. As for Ceo and what he wanted out of the exchange would have to wait for later. "Very well." He accepted the feeble apology even if the man wasn't clear what it was for. "We will talk more when I call upon you for the first session. If that is it...I will be needing to be dealing with this problem." Obviously he was speaking about his rude consort. He plucked a few coin from the length of his sleeves. "To cover the damage fines." He said towards Allica, dipping his head and maneuvering past them. "You...with me..." And he walked off expecting her to follow. He'd make sure to send a contract along to the group with the appropriate signatures, seals, and agreements.

Aiyue yelped loudly as she was suddenly grabbed and flipped. She was mentally cursing herself for being so brash. When Emperor had finally stopped and realized it was her, she nodded shakily. "I am very sorry, Shèngshàng." She rose to her hooves, turning to the two others and bowed low. "Forgive me for my intrusion. I am most sorry." It was at this moment that she moved over to the other side of the group and sat very still, not drawing any attention to herself, her pelt hot and flush now that she'd just embarrassed herself and the Emperor so badly.

Allicia didn't have the sharpest of senses. That said, her own personal guard was always hiding within the shadows. She knew she didn't have to worry about any inhabitants of the Tether.. It was those from outside Guildeheim that she was concerned about. The sudden display of the emperors martial prowess was not a demonstration she saw coming. Wood splintered, glasses sent flying. It was inevitable that some of the mess landed in her dress. There was no sudden jerk or embarrassing yelp from the woman.. only a long, somewhat depressed sigh that expelled from her lungs. "I'd rather be able to drink it, than bathe in it." A hand brushed over the swell of her stomach in a protective manner. Allicia waited patiently for him to sort out the matter with whom he only considered be his own thrall. Inwardly amused that a man of his posture and position was facing such issues themselves. The offered coin was taken without further comment on the manner, not intend on embarrassing him on it any more. "That will be all. This meeting has been most productive and.." Her eyes lowered to the kneeling Kirin in the corner with a grin. ".. surprising, as well. Please do take good care about my kitten. I care a great deal about him." Those words as much as a plead as they also were a veiled threat. If something would happen to her thrall that was outside the agreed terms - she was very much willing to burn his estate into ashes.

Ceowyn's eyes widened in panic, at the display. Where his body had almost leapt in to action to try and protect the intruding kirin from her impending fall, his mind held him back. Indeed, it was rude to approach anyone from behind, in the middle of important business. Anyone with training in any form of martial arts, meanwhile, would know that you never, never sneak up on a master of their craft. It was a sure way to end up injured, or even dead. Instead, Ceowyn noted the flying glass and wood, quickly moving to step in front of his mistress, and taking the brunt of the stains that would have otherwise ended up on Allicia. Head bowed, eyes falling shut as he shook his head in pity for the kirin, before his apology was noted. Feeble apology? The tabby may have had words, if such a thought had been voiced. He was not above correction, or criticism, and he took it often in stride... but he was not the sort to grovel and kowtow to. Not even someone who claimed to be an emperor. As abruptly as things had escalated, they were soon coming to a close. Brows knitted together, the tabby visibly frustrated, before he calmed his emotions had lowered his head respectfully. "Thank you for speaking with me, Shèngshàng." Once the pair had left, green eyes glanced to his owner, as if hoping she could explain what had just happened... or at least provide some sense of closure to the matter.