Opening her door to check for the morning papers Kuori found an unmarked package resting on her steps. Eyes look up and down the street curiously before she picks it up. Her powerful frame fills the doorway as she shakes the box gently to listen to the contents but doesn't hear a thing, just a faint shifting of what could probably be packaging foam. Her lips purse before moving back inside.

She glides through the entry hall and living room towards the converted dining room and home gym. Girl's gotta keep in shape after all. Kuori sets the box on the table and starts to rip open the brown packaging. Inside is a simple, but polished wooden box. Lips purse as she lifts the lid. Inside is what looks like a mirror, though face down. Her fingers brush over the inscription on the back.

A frown plays over her lips. Who could this be from' And why did they want to talk about good and bad wolves, and feeding them"

It certainly looked beautiful. She admits that much to herself, looking at the black and white spiraling handle in admiration. The wolf head looked especially intricate, whomever made it must have spent hours on the design. She doesn't pick it up just yet, instead she goes and sends a message to Zhu. "Did you send me a mirror" It's lovely if you did."

The mirror didn't seem like Kitty's style...for some reason she figured a gift from Kitty would have come with batteries and a squirt bottle.

(related to this playable ))

Two Days Later

Now, this must be the eye of the storm for Rhydin, peaceful, tranquil, and a great place to kick one's feet out on a table, and to sip a fine cup of homely-brewed English tea, with a hint of lemon to tantilise the pink muscle that lavished itself in the warm liquid. Fingers cupped the porcelain cup, and he occasionally sipped from the rim of the cup, soft lips encasing it as he rested on his chair, clad in a simple, yet appealing garment of tight jeans, dark-blue hat and his taut, white shirt,- the muscles underneath surprisingly thick and firm under the shirt, rolling across each other with each slow lean on his seat.

Eyes of deep blue soon swivel around for the door, focusing onto the large beauty he's familiar with, and a broad grin stretched out on soft lips, dimples on either cheek as a set of digits were wiggled her way, a wink offered to the Goliathess, "Well, lovely seeing you here gorgeous...Getting a cuppa too?" One blonde brow arched into a smooth curve, legs fidgetting as one hand extended to pull out the seat beside him, just for her.

Dressed in what Zhu calls 'Biker Chic' which is head to toe leather starting with supple knee high boots supporting a two inch heel, her leather pants are loose around her thighs, and a corset top shirt fights to keep her largest assets in place. Over that is a tough, if faded leather jacket. Her fingers poke away at a datapad, even out of the office and House Helston, she's still taking work with her where she goes. At the counter she gets a large cup of coffee, granted it's not the shop Kitty advocates, but it's less crowded.

"Hello, Chris." She greets him with a wave, pays for her drink and a bagel, then is moving over to join him. Kuori seats herself on the adjoining cushion with care, long legs stretching out to cross at the ankles. "On my break." she informs him before taking a sip of her coffee. "What are you up to?"

"Being the good little chef that I am, new personal cook for Kitty y'know" Going places..." He'd grin across to her, eyes blatantly absorbing the view of her figure as he gazed at her movements with a sense of admiration, "Been planning a treat for Kitty too, with Khoom, but that's still in the works...You look fantastic by the way, leather suits you lovely..." He'd offer a wink to her, leaning back into his comfy seat.

Her features break into a broad smile as she leans forward a bit to continue looking at the little reports and notes on her tiny screen. The ten inch screen tablet looks like a cell phone in her hands. "What treat?" She looks at him in keen interest in time to see Chris crane his neck trying to look at her tablet.

Both brows rising slowly in intrigue before he nodded to Kuori, smiling, "Something nice, something I can bake, with Khoom's...Special touch, y'know?"

"The heat?" She tilts her head curiously, and then just to nettle him. "Stop trying to look down my top"," giving him a playful push, trying to not send him across the room.

"Something like the heat, gives a little relaxation, nice toastiness like coals before the real fire kicks up," Gives a lopsided smirk across to her as the smile continued to grow, and Chris'd lean back with a wink, "Just peeking at your tablet...If I wanted to look down there, I'd ask politely, offer you a drink too...."

Kuori rolls her eyes a little at his retort. "Should have kept my mouth shut. You know that stuff does not work on her like the rest of us?" She has to ask that one as she looks up at him, her tablet dipping to show camera feeds and a chat window.

He'd blink, and a hand reached back to awkwardly brush the hairs among his neck, smiling apologetically to her, "Sorry for the info and...We know this, it's a special lot we're gonna use, just gonna experiment with it first actually..." Smiling across to her, "Could always let you try some of the first batch if you want?"

She looks at him speculatively, biting her lower lip as a wicked thought comes to her, however she controls herself. "Mmm, I think I will let you and Khoom have your fun." Though she does look at him in interest.

He'd catch sight of the bite, and he'd extend forward, a hand placed softly on her knee, calloused with hard work form constant years of job-shifts, but still soft and subtle when needed be, "You're welcome to help out, wouldn't mind seeing your pretty face around more hmm?"

"I am just one of Kitty's hired muscles" she says softly with a shake of her red head. "Thank you though, it is sweet." She leans to him then, putting a kiss on his forehead, nevermind it lets him see into the grand tetons.

Oh he'd gather a long look, but as she kissed his forehead, he'd tilt his head, offering her a light trace of lips along her jawline, a gentle stroke along her knee, "You're more than some muscle Kuori, you're a lovely woman...Beautiful even, I'd be honoured to have you help out...I'll even take you out for a meal, you and I."

She shivers a bit at the trace to her jaw. "Chris..." she says uncertainly before taking the plunge. "There is...something you should know before you perhaps get your hopes up...about me..."

He'd glance up, holding that hand upon her knee with tender care, despite her looming size, "Something wrong Kuori" Go a little far there for you? I get a little ahead I admit..." He'd smile, though parted lips for a long sigh, "Is it the size difference" Seriously, not daunting at all unlike other guys might think...." Oh, how close, yet so far he thought then.

"Something like size difference..." she reaches down to put her hand on his with a herculean grip...and slowly guide it two inches further up her thigh. She tightens her grip in case he freaks out, it's better to get this awkwardness out of the way now, than him run for the hills later on and make her feel just awful for leading him on.

At first, curiosity drove him forward to explore with her hand, fingers gliding over the textured leather till there was a bump, and he blinked. Eyes gazed down, but he neither gripped too hard, or turned tail and ran, he's remained there, softly his hand remained upon her thight and he'd turn his head up, and smile. The smile could say alot, warm, welcoming, accepting, teeth exposed in the lamplight with a soothing glow, "I don't mind at all...Think I'd freak out hmm?" Now the eyes just sparkled with a mischievous glimmer, and he'd part lips for a thick, amused chuckle, "Kuori, I've seen some weird-arse stuff round here, you? You're normal, and fantastic, just as good as any woman y'know" I ain't the prejudicing sort..."

"You'd be surprised...I have to be...careful." She nods slowly and exhales a breath she didn't know was held before letting go of his hand to let him pull it away or leave it there.

The Big Date

Hmm. It was around that time now, and he was still waiting, thankfully a patient minded man himself. He was leaned comfortably against the rough, brick surface of a corner wall, eyes glancing side to side along the road as he awaited Kuori's sight, which in his opinion, wouldn't be difficult at all! He had opted to dress himself up considerably for this dinner date, sleek black suit pants accompanying a similarly black jacket, white buttoned shirt hanging untucked around his toned torso whilst the collar dangled carelessly in the wind, the tie forgotten. Never would catch him looking like some offiice tweeb! Tap tap tap went the leather boots, waiting as arms folded up against his chest.

She'd taken a transport for hire to get to the address. She sits looking out the window for the longest time before opening the door. The first thing Chris would see is a white heeled and then a long, toned, dark leg as she comes to stand up. It's a slow reveal as she closes the door. A plunging neckline offers a teasing sight of hard abs below her enormous chest. The lower part of the dress is free flowing around her waist and hips as it stops a few inches beyond her knees. She waves to him with a smile, her long red hair left to hang free around her shoulders.

Well....Hot damn. His eyes instantly caught sight of the legs, and he'd move over swiftly to aid her up, if she ever needed it, smiles galore for the goliathess, "Hi there Kuori....You look....Well, magnificent...."

His hat, somehow, perhaps after a tough moment of self-interrogation, managed to be pulled off, revealing the smooth, thick locks of blonde hair that was curled back over his ears, a glossy sheen to the well-tended strands. He'd take the first steps, moving up close so to pass a soft kiss to her cheek, toes propelling him up before he extended on arm out so she could hook her own around his elbow, "You gonna love this Kuori...Got ourselves seats at a real fancy restaurant!" And by fancy, he means top-end, and not just the joint where it says 'Best Burgers in Rhydin!'

She stops a bit to help him, bending her knees. "You're sweet." Kuori accepts his arm, holding it close to hers with the side of her bust pressing against his elbow and tricep.

He wouldn't complain about the contact, not at all, and as he escorted her around one corner, she'd receive a feast for her eyes. Glowing, neon lights spelled out the name of the restaurant, a high-quality Italian that he miraculously managed to gain entry into. Possibly since he said his boss was Kitty. Lucky to be a cook huh' He'd guide her forward, leaning closer so he could speak softly to her, "I'm glad you could come, seriously, feels good to be out and about, no?"

"It does." She can admit that much, letting him lead the way. She's never...been on a date before. This is all sorts of new for her.

"Good, good!" Well, he'll teach her the yes' and no's of one! First, the gentleman would hold out the door, like he did now, flashing a bright grin and a wink for Kuori, before quickly returning to her side as the cool breeze ended, and a welcoming warmth enveloped the pair. Waiters smiled, nodded, and one would lead them to a table...There were a few. Glistening under the glowing ember of candlelight were silverware and fine china, the rich aroma of fresh food: Pasta, fish, wine...It all tantalised the taste buds and teased the nostrils. "Ever been to a restaurant like this then?"

Their table was set, a rose between them, napkins, cutlery, the real deal. The table center of the restaurant, open for a full 360 view. The chair was quickly pulled out first for her, an appreciative nod to Kuori. "Never," she says with a soft smile as she lowers herself down onto the chair carefully. Hands smooth down the front of her dress demurely before looking at him. "Thank you, Chris."

Like a child at Yule her eyes look around in wonder at all of the different sights. She didn't know where to look before turning back to Chris. "It's very lovely." She nods in approval, certainly the scents made her start to salivate.

A finger traced around her large shoulders and neck as he drifted away, a sly smile as he watched her already become excited before taking his rear onto the chair, eyeing her from the opposite end, menus suddenly before each of them, "Best for you...You still feel awkward now" Or hungry?" Winking to her with a snicker.

"A little of both." she responds with chagrine, fingers resting on the table before being handed a strange book. She looks at what?s written on it in new confusion. Her legs adjust for comfort, not realizing they've stretched to Chris' side of the table.

He'd have room to kick his legs out, the smooth texture of the legs brushing against her own as he lifted his own menu up, "You just see what you want, and order it...Simple really!" In case she didn't know, and he busied himself with the menu, "I gotta ask by the way...How long you and Kitty been working together then?"

"I don't know any of this.." she frowns, biting her lip slightly. At his question she looks up and blushes. "She took me in when I found Rhydin, gave me a job working at the docks moving crates, then..last year, she made me head of her guards. She's been very good to me, a good friend, I owe a lot to her. Just don't know how to ever repay all of her kindness." Not to mention how far she's come in understanding Common, though slang is still a difficult thing for the goliathess.

"Ah, right...Sorry...." He'd move forward, and lean close so he could peer at her own menu....Most of the lists had some images of food, steaks, pizzas or pasta. All tasty too! "Seriously' Well, moving crates to being head of guard" You must make a killing!" Possibly even literally too! He'd smile, nodding, "We all owe Kitty a lot, gave me a job actually, first I was a bar-tender, now head-cook, seems she knows a great person when she sees one hmm?" A playful wink sent t Kuori, finger pointed to the various images, "Any catch your eye?"

She nods a bit and goes back to looking over the menu, actually winds up with her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth as she chews on it thoughtfully. Eyes bounce around at the different photos, several heaving breaths battling indecision. "I don' know. All look good."

"Any! I'll buy you anything you pick, your night out, your choice," flashing her a smile as he skimmed over his menu. Already done though! And lo' behold, there was a waiter with red wine, the expensive kind too...Certainly making her feel special wasn't he" Resting in a bucket of ice, the cork was popped and two wine glasses were filled, the scent of the wine drifting around, tickling the senses as they passed. Fingers curled around the fragile neck of his glass, and he lifted it up towards Kuori, "Cheers!" Maybe fragile glasses weren't the best idea right now...

"I think I'll have the...chicken cack of tori" she butchers the name horribly before looking up at the waiter and the wine, one more thing she's not had before. That glass did look fragile, and she is in white...this could be bad. With infinite care, she curls her fingers around the stem. "I don't hear any cheering.." blinks and looks around.

He'd laugh, shaking his head quickly as he moved the glass forward, gently nudging the rim with his own, "You say cheers when you knock your glass with someone else's, before a meal sometimes! Like now...Cheers!" He uttered as the glass chimed softly, and he nodded, turning his eyes to the waiter, who just peered at Kuori, before figuring out what she decided, "I'll have the spinach and ricotta cannelloni m'man!" Another scribble of words and he was gone! "So...I'm surprised no one else has took a looker like you out for more meals Kuori...."

"Oh," she blushes at the cheers explanation then gives him a deer int he headlights look. "Not many actually talk to me. I can go anywhere and am left completley alone." Sad but true, she just shrugs a bit, moving past it. "I intimidate the weak ones."

With a hefty sigh, he'd lean forward, and one hand softly patted her own, a smile gracing his features to her, "I'm sorry to hear that...But no need to be alone now hmm' Need the company, give me a call, sure I can cheer you up!" And no surprise she intimidated them..."So what? You never been on dates and such?" "I find ways to busy myself." she nods then thinks about his words. "No, I have not, Kitty works me very hard, and then I train some of the sisters at the Temple of Skyach, Then I make time to train every day.." Like she said, she finds ways to keep busy, mostly pushing her physical limits.

"Sheesh, bet you make gym-goers blush eh?" He'd smirk, the calls of chefs around and the rising steam of kitchen received a brief look and a smile, "Kitty works us all hard, let me tell you that, she wants me to cook her huge portions of food...Nothing like this either, hamburgers, pizza, hotdogs...." He couldn't help but snerk at the last part.

"Gym-goers?" Blinks at that. "What's a...gym-go er?" Another strange tilting of her head. "All of her favorite foods. She does have a large appetite, but she needs to." She wasn't about to get into how much food she needed to eat a day herself.

He wasn't going to cook for the pair of them, he'll state that! "Y'know, guys who go to the gym, workout place, bunch of sweaty big-heads," he'd shrug, "Large is an understatement, but I guess how she pays me is fine enough!" Cheeky smile for Kuori, and he'd nod to her dress, "Must say, dress makes you look even more gorgeous! Suits y'know."

"Kitty helped me go shopping a while ago, first time I got dresses. She likes my red one with these sequins and some long purple gloves." She blushes at admitting this. "I like how she looks at me when I show it off." Quickly takes a drink of her wine. MMm, actually a yummy wine.

Lips twisted for a grin, and he'd nod, "I like how you look too, you're certainly the envy of the room..." There were the odd glances from the surrounding tables, eyeing the dress, the large demeanour, and her....Assets. "Maybe you should show me the dress on our next time together at dinner no?"

Oh that blush, goes straight to her neckline as she looks down, hair falling forward trying to hide behind the red curtain. "Flattery will get you everywhere..." she quotes.

"Famously quoted from Kitty," He'd smile encouragingly to Kuori, "But only as much as the one being flattered allows..." He'd wink to her, "Come on, no need to hide the pretty face! Foods here anyhow!" Indeed it was, great steaming plates of the hot food, a variety of scents that could force you to almost taste the full air.

Looking at the food she grins and claps happily, almost giddily and bounces on her seat a few times. "Looks good." Then she feels self conscious as a few women at the surrounding tables suddenly slap their men. Tries pulling her top a bit closer together.

He snickered as he too caught wind of the slaps, wincing as he could feel half a dozen groans of displeasure and the gentle rub of reddened flesh, "Made the impression hmm?" He'd too dig in, but with every mouthful, eyes flicked up to Kuori, a smile behind the occasional slurp of pasta, or the sip of wine. To be honest, he wasn't made to be fancy like these fellows..."Enjoying your meal?"

Her ability to be refined goes out the window when the food came, she's cutting, chewing and slurping noisily. Spicy pastas sauce is smeared on her lips and a drop has fallen onto part of her dress. "MMhmm" she purrs happily.

Well, looks like modesty can be tossed out of the window! He'd tug at his pasta, grinding it between teeth as the odd leg brushed against her own, a snicker as pasta fell onto her dress, "Looks like you'll need to clean up later..." The wine was thick, yet smooth and strong, a good kick to the tongue. He grins broadly watching as she makes more happy noises, eyes rolling towards the back of her head. The large woman is actually swaying on her seat it's so good.

Hopefully she doesn't fall! A hand reached out to carefully hold her arm, sweet smile sent to her, "Now...No need to go overboard hmm' Damn good I know..." Had she ever eaten fancy food before"

Having grown up on a hunter-gatherer diet, it tends to be what she sticks to along with fresh fruits and vegetables. At his touch on her arm she blushes again but stills. "So good..."

"First time?" A light tease as fingers squeezed her arm affectionately, "I'm glad you enjoy it...Know what you like for next time," flashy show of teeth and a wink. His meal as near done, and they had gone through most of the wine. "You wanna head back to mine or yours after this, if you wish to at least?" It was a serious question behind blue eyes, aimed ahead at Kuori with a soft smile.

She coughs a little bit at his words then blinks. "Why' Is there something you want me to see or see yourself?" She picks up her little napkin and wipes her lips, the edges of her mouth opening into a seductive oval as she uses a finger to wipe along the corners. Though she's oblivious to how this looks along with her statement.

"Just if you wanted to, company, that's all," Chris chuckled quietly, dabbing his own lips with a napkin to clean the mess of a spinach and ricotta massacre whilst eyes watched her intently, "Glad you came tonight then?"

She nods again with a happy smile. "Working for Kitty has a downside though, I start thinking some things are okay when they are not."

"Hmm, what do you think is okay then?" He'd smile across, though obviously intrigued as he leans closer to the Goliathess, daring not to peek down the alluring dress.

"I actually don't know.." she says with a laugh and covers her face again, hair falling forward. "What do you think is okay after a good dinner and date?"

He'd snicker, but a hand reached across, placed on her shoulder, "Well, some head back to one of their rooms together, or they split ways and head back home alone...I like to escort the lady back home, and see what their choice is..." He was respectful to offer the choice to any and all, "If you permit this?"

She fidgets a little bit before nodding. "We can see what comes of you escorting me home. Usually I am doing the escorting.."

"Good! Trying more new things then...Like how the roles switch?" The waiters arrived, one stealing away their dirty dishes, the other holding out the credit card machine. With one fell swipe, the machine bleeped, the waiter bowed, and with a quick, secretive pass of some notes, did he push up from his seat with a hefty sigh, "We ready m'dear?"

Another nod. "I think so, take me home Chris." She starts to get up then, once more towering above the room.

He wasn't the last bit daunted by her height, standing before her until he turned to one side, and an arm hooked around Kuori's wide waists, fingers dancing around the hip of her form, brushing over the silky fabric of her dress before escorting her out with some brief farewells to the staff. The door was held open to the brisk outdoors, and he tightened his hold, "I enjoyed being with you then by the way...Did you feel as embarrassed then?"

"No" another head shake as she puts an arm around his shoulders, her large hand resting on part of his opposing arm. "So tell me, why did you do all this" Just to make me feel good?"

"Somewhat yes, and that you really are a fine woman, that I enjoy being around thoroughly...I grew up to be polite to women, treat 'em nice, no exceptions..." He tugged her close, a warm smile to the goliathess, "Seeing a woman smile 'cause she's happy' Makes me smile to know that she's happy." Nevermind tugging her closer puts his head right into her side boob.

"You got all that from talking to me for five minutes at the bar, and then earlier today?" She playfully ruffles his hair as they progress along.

He'd accept the ruffle with a light laugh not minding where his head is at the moment. So soft, and cushiony! "Sure, you can make a woman smile easily, but to make her feel special, feel great, best feeling you can get Kuori...How did you feel then" How 'bout now?" Eyes gazed up, expectant.

"You succeeded." she smiles. "I did feel special. Not sure what I'm supposed to do though, you were so sweet tonight." She crosses one leg in front of the other walking a swaying line. "What...would you like as a reward?"

"That's the thing, I don't ask for any reward, just make sure the woman, or you, have had a great time but....If you're willing, I'll accept what you have you have to offer...." A wide grin, and he'd brush back some of the blonde locks of hair.

"Accept what I have to offer?" The phrasing makes her do a double take and look down at him with a raise of her dark brow. "Which would be?" Wanting to hear his own mind on this.

Three Days Later

It's been near a week since the mirror came and Kuori still has yet to actually pick it up. Part of her wanted to wait and see whom it was from before actually removing the object from it's cushioned box. The other knew a thing like that was for show, not use. Too pretty for the everyday.

Each night before bed she's sat down on her davenport, legs resting under her all comfy like, just running her fingers over the polished backing. The greater wolf is the one we feed" What did that mean' How do you feed a wolf that's inside of you? Just doesn't make any sense to her. She's just closed the lid on the box as Kora and Tora jumped beside her. Their furry little bodies pawing at her for attention as they settle in for a little cuddle fest.

The front door opening makes her head lift, watching the door carefully. While it's true only one person has carte blanche to come and go from her home freely, doesn't hurt to be careful. Not at all. "Zhu?" she calls out softly, holding her puppies close to her breasts.

"Yeah, it's me." She replied. She looked like she was dressed to hunt, down to having those glasses in place. She let herself into the house. A place she could get away for a little bit. She spent most of her nights working, fighting and free time with Kuori....When the daimons allowed. She looked around letting the door close with just enough sound to announce her entrance.

"Have a good hunt?" Kuori smiles as Zhu comes into her sight, lower lip caught between her teeth at the hugging leather the smaller woman wears.

"Well, a few more daimons off the street." She smiled and leanin in the doorway.

Kora whines happily at the gentle scritches behind his head, eyes looking between the two as he pants softly. "This is good?" While Kuori knows the story of the daimons, she has yet to meet any of them, or see them.

"Yes, it is. Less creatures hunting innocent souls." She lifted the glasses and set on her head.

Kuori nods with a grin and pats the cushion beside her. "Come, tell me of your battle. Every detail." She adjusts herself to make room before setting back against the cushions. Watching the other woman come close, draping it over the arm. She molds her in close to Kuori, trying to find space with the dogs.

"You ever tire of hunting daimons alone?" She looks upon Zhu with an intimate fondness and drapes an arm around the smaller woman's shoulders. "Ever want something else?"

The question makes Zhu pause and scrub her hands over her face. "All the time, beautiful....I just have very few choices in that regard while the goddess holds my soul." She admitted quietly, a wealth of emotion in that voice.

"You want Kuori to have a talk with her?" She lowers her voice to just above a purr and leaning close to Zhu, stiffening as the other woman nipped at her earlobe.

Zhu nuzzled close to Kuori, "I appreciate the sentiment, but I doubt the greek huntress would listen."

"I'll ask with my mace.." she murmurs back with a gentle, but rumbling laugh. "I do not know your world, but how can she hold power in this one?" Kuori thinks this is a valid question to ask.

"There are enough people that believe. That is the key to the power. But then she is also the moon as well as the goddess of childbirth." She shook her head. "That and we hunters are cleaning up her brother's messes."

"So she doesn't have the spine to do her own lifting." Kuori sniffs a bit at that clarification. "Sounds weak." She's never been one to understand such things. Life was about strength, right"

"You could say that until you look at what would happen if she was destroyed." She curled into Kuori, "Strength of character, no...she does not have it."

"How can she be the moon and a bitch at the same time?" Celestial bodies are not a concept she does well with at all.

She shrugged, "Power corrupts." She stated plainly.

Zhu gets a blank look. Zoom, right over the goliath's head. "I, guess." Nods a little bit. "Wish I could get your soul for you. Though, you've lived without it for so long, does getting it back do anything for you?"

"I would be allowed to end my term as a hunter....be mortal again."

"Is that good" What do you lose?" As the questions became more serious, Kuori bends forward to put Tora down, watching the puppy trot off towards the kitchen and his food. A slow nibble on her lower lip, both listening and thinking. Something Kuori has been working on. Normally she listens and then thinks her words through to the very end. Sure, that habit has led some to think of her as slow witted, but she was content to let them think what they would. Her friends knew the truth of it. "Would ...being more vulnerable be okay for you? What if the Daimons come after you?"

"I can still fight and still have my family and allies." She ran a hand along her arm gently as she also was in thought.

"That's good." Another little nod before turning a little on her seat to look more fully at Zhu. "I have..a confession." She takes a deep breath before looking at the smaller woman with a smile. "A man asked me out on a date a few days ago. And I went. We had dinner. He works for Kitty like I do, her personal chef. Like me, she took him from the street and gave him a job and place."

She did school her face to stay neutral at the news. "Is he...someone you would like to get to know?" She was proud that her voice was neutral as well.

"He's nice, and was polite. After dinner, we came back here and he was so sweet. You should have heard the way he spoke, Zhu. It was everything you, Kitty, Khoom, and Chryrie have ever said to me. That others should accept me as I am, and if they don't like it, 'screw'em" she finger quotes the screw part.

"He is right there, Kuori." She nodded and kept it light for her sake. Then something dawned on her, "Chris was it?"

She hadn't said his name but at Zhu's words she nods. "Yes, that's his name. He never gave me his last name." She just realized that too, he never gave his last name. How odd, then again she never gave her own and he never asked her.

"I met him. He said you spoke of me rather fondly." She replied.

"I always do." she says with a warm smile. "You've been very good to me, helping me be better at accepting myself and, letting others in."

"I am glad to do so, Kuori." She smiled letting go of that other feeling. "You have been a light to me. Someone I can open up to."

"I went on the date to see how he is. We ran into each other at the tea shop, got to talking and he put his hand on my knee." she shrugs a bit. "I took a risk and moved his hand to feel...me.." she motions to her lap. "He didn't run away screaming."

She nods at that. That honesty hurt but she still smiled. "Well, not many men would stick around."

"No, many would not. But I don't think I'll be on another date with him." she shakes her head with a light laugh. "He is sweet, but too...." she scrunches up her features trying to think of the right words.

"Excitable?" She murmured thinking of the man she met a few days ago.

"That works." Nods again and smiles. "Excitable. Just have a lot, Zhu. Working with Valkyrie at the temple, she's been making promise and told me she is an avatar for her goddess, which could someday kill her. So, I told her that when she can't carry herself any more, I will carry her."

"Oh boy..." She murmured again in an ancient language too. "You would think with being able to take their own form, they would not put people through this."

"Apparently Skyach was injured in a fight, she lives through her follows her now to survive." There's a little shrug as she lets it go. "I am just...." she trails a bit. "trying to see what I want. I want to be more like Kitty, to have her confidence."

"Confidence is good. But don't let people define your destiny. If you don't want to accept that *honor* then don't." Zhu tries to assuage Kuori's conflicted self. This isn't the first time the pair have had a conversation along these lines. She really just wants her love to be happy with herself.

"I want to be me..." she murmurs, almost whining. "But...I want to be....me." she puts emphasis on the second declaration while looking at Zhu, hoping she caught the meaning. Her shoulders hunch forward with a pout as she rests her chin on the knuckles of her left hand.

"Then don't let them change you. You are beautiful just the way you are, Kuori." It felt like she repeated this a few times.

"But I want to change..." she finally says. "I want Kitty's confidence, to be upfront with people about what I am." She pushes forward and puts hands on her knees, red mane hanging forward. "And, I don't want to be ashamed for being...born as I am. It's hard."

She leaned up on her knees to kiss Kuori's sculpted cheek. "Not that you want to change. You are just afraid of getting hurt because a lot of people can't accept you for who you are."

"I have people who do.." she nods, biting her lip and turns to kiss Zhu fully. "And, I want to be open with myself, and each of you. My village cast me out, so I no longer have a connection to them. You, Kitty, Khoom, Chris, Chyrie, Valkyrie, Issy, Delphinea...are my village now. I do love you all."

She pressed into that kiss tenderly, "(vq) Kuori, you do know you live in a place within me that few can touch." She admitted softly.

Kuori eases from the kiss enough to say. "There are many places within you few beyond me can touch..." She's definitely been working for the Helston's too long.

"More like allowed to." She smiled at that. "Allowed to, yes." Kuori teases and presses another kiss to Zhu's lips. It lingers there as the larger woman feels her heart began to thump heavily. "Let's go to bed...."

She returned that kiss softly, "Yes, let's, lover"

Kuori slowly gets to her feet, the kimono from Zhu sliding down to the floor before she holds a large hand out to help her stand. "I want slow tonight..."

She takes that hand and rises to her feet, "We've got all night." She grinned as she moved with Kuori.

(thanks for an awesome scene Zhu! ))

"By IceFang's heaving sack...a bath' So weak?"

Jerked upright, Kuori catches a flash of red in her peripheral vision before a large hand shoves her down below the water. Gasping and flailing, she clamps both hands on the edge of the wash basin, trying to force herself back up. Her feet slide against the smooth edges of the basin, fighting against her attacker.

She twists and jerks her body against the side of the basic trying to topple it, but the hand holding her under doesn't budge in her grip. The power in that hand equal to her own, nearly more. The seconds elongate as she feels water slipping into her lungs. Her vision dims at the edges. All fighting stops".

"Twenty-eight...twenty-nine...thirty.." the intruder whispers before lifting Kuori from the bath by one black hand.

The goliathess takes one heaving gasp as her vision swims for the last time, she can only see herself like being held before the mirror. "Pathetic?" the word echoes against her ears..in her own voice when consciousness fails. She's out, never feeling her body crumple to the hard flooring.

"Now to have some real fun?" a sinful tongue slithers out across full lips in a tempting way. Turning to look at the mirror, Kuori looks at herself with a grin. "Loads of fun, and this time, we won't have anything restraining us, will we?" She looks down to the floor at her double with a lewd laugh.

Striding barefoot from the room she heads to the bedroom. Time to get some clothes".

"I did what?" Kuori's stomach was a pit of quicksand as she listened to Natalia give her the blow by blow.

"Yeah hon, Ren was being a complete ass to Jesimine because she fainted when that big blue Ular came in to audition for some of the video's made by the company." She relays with a growing smile. "Wham, you shoved him face first into a table, cracked it. Knocked him out cold. Went on about showing more respect for someone who's clearly his better. Was both frightening and awesome."

The normally stoic goliathess falls into her seat with a pained expression as the possible implications of it hit her squarely between the eyes. I could lose my job for that. The pit is replaced by a ball of ice where she looks to her datapad, dreading a message from Kitty. None. Yet. "He was a jerk, yes, but he was good at his job. I could send him to deal with something, that'd require two others. Who knows what he'll do now, quit, or worse"."

"Look, I'd be worried too," Natalia continues, sensing her friend and superior's distress. "However, it's documented the man is a misogynistic ass. No one blames you for taking the guy down a peg. Though, the way you were pressing against his butt as you bent him over the desk, I thought you wanted to do more than just open his head."

"Wait, what blue Ular?" Her head lifts up, but she's distracted by Nat's follow up. The imagery making her glad she's sitting down. For good reason. Ren had a very nice bottom.

"I think he was blue, just real dark. But it wasn't a black or a brown. Just took a guess." Natalia shrugs unapologetic. "You really don't remember any of it do you? I can say something to Kitty, if you think it will help..."

Kuori looks up, all but tasting the emotion in the other woman's voice. All she could do is shake her head. No, she didn't have the faintest idea. "I do not know what will help. Kitty will laugh at it, probably. As to the rest' I think she'd send me to Chryrie and have my head examined."

"That's a real shame...you should go and talk to someone about it. Make sure you're not losing your mind." She did the unexpected, and leaned in close, wrapping her arms around Kuori's neck. The lithe woman holds the red haired goliath to her chest with a soothing purr before slowly releasing her. "I meant what I said in that message. Your junk, is the only one I want. Anything else'll be hand service."

Her eyes widen in shock and embarrassment. Kuori's cheeks flush the color of pitch where she looks at Natalia as if the woman sprouted two heads. Stammering, she pushes back to her feet in time to feel the other woman's lips brush her own. There's a gentle pause. Soft, but full. She feels the lower tier conform to her own in a playful nibble.

"It's all right, sweety. Clearly someone is trying to get you in trouble. I'll help if you want, but go and see someone about your black out. That's a serious thing. Especially when it's someone like you. I've watched you train, Kuori. Someone could get really hurt, even though it wouldn't be you." Natalia strokes her hands down her dark skinned superior's face before making a quiet exit.

With Natalia gone, Kuori slumps over her desk and just buries her face in her arms.

Up with a startled gasp, Kuori looks around herself. Her chest heaves with every shaky breath. All around her is stillness. The rented room at the Inn is dark as when she went to sleep, her puppies are all cuddled into a massive ball on the left side of the bed. She's not in that hallway, not with that man".

"Just a nightmare?" she whispers to herself despite feeling the very real aches upon her body. Ghost sensations from the dream she tells herself.

Easing the covers back, Kuori swings her legs off the bed and walks towards the little stand with a bowl of water and soap. Her hands fumble around the little candles for the book of matches as she settles onto her knees, sitting on her heels. She blinks against the small point of light for a second then lights the two candles around the mirror. Her broad shoulders ripple as she grips the sides of the stand.

The attack at her home.

No memory of bedding Natalia...or those others,

Emasculating one of her best guards for being a jerk to women,

Now this dream.

"I'm going mad?" she whispers to herself and scrubs her face with the waters of the bowl.

"And I'm loving it!"

Startled, Kuori whirls around to face the room behind her, eyes darting everywhere. "Who's there?"

She waits for several breaths, tensed to spring. The silence drags on as she waits, but nothing else happens. "What in the hells is going on?? Kuori mumbles to herself feeling slightly shaken. I need to talk to someone about all of this, maybe I'll go and see Thea or Jak tomorrow

Their trek takes the majority of the day and carries the pair to the foothills of the Thunderkrag mountains. In the distance, the tall peaks are clouded in fog and dark clouds. Thunder season. Even so many miles away, the heavy rumble echoing off the Kilgor pass can be heard. Behind them the sun is falling out of sight.

"We've got maybe an hour until dusk..." Kuori announces with a look to Jak. They've covered thirty miles on foot with only three stops for privy use. Passing one bewildered dwarf who watched them stand side by side to relieve themselves into some roadside bushes. Poor dwarf was likely going to have nightmares about that one.

"S-So we....camp yes?" As with nighttime approaching, a little rest would be fine, and they had walked SO much! Leather made the body beneath be coated in a thin sheen of sweat, adding a glossy coat to his skin as he tracks after Kuori. Shoulders rolling as he shifts the weight of his rucksack and shield between them, muscles aching under their strain.

"Yes, in the cave ahead." Kuori returns the map to it's scroll case and trails after Jak. Even now she's making mental notes on his decisions. "You're faced with five opponents, Jak. What's your first action?" she calls out to him while watching him move ahead of her She listens as Visk rambles about everything he could do. Kuori slowly rubs the bridge of her nose feeling a headache coming on. Not the first time for this trip, but she's becoming convinced it's not Jak. The pounding in her skull spreads to just behind her eyes which makes her clamp hands around her head like it wants to explode.

"Y-you okay?"

Kuori hears Visk from someplace distant, miles away...and then the whisper"

I'm going to enjoy breaking this one. Pin him to the ground beneath me...with that delightful backsi-

"You will not touch him!" The words are bellowed from a place within Kuori she didn't know about. A primal place. Where instinct and survival are the only ways of life.

Visk stares in stunned horror. Watching his teacher draw her giant morningstar and drive it into the side of the cave. Stone cracks then shatters as the entrance caves in. Kuori outside...and Jak inside. Alone.

"Forgive me Jak"." is muffled through the lone two-inch hole letting the last sunlight through. Then all he can hear is heavy retreating footsteps.

The Temple of Chryrie looms like a beacon for the disenfranchised women of Rhydin. The abused, the lost, the scorned, and the wounded are all welcome. That isn't the case for some. Especially not when they've been branded for a truly heinous act. There are some bridges that once they've been burned, are just broken chasms.

A figure moves through the halls quietly, especially for one so large. It times every darting movement with the guttering nuances of torch light. Stealth is something the figure is not a stranger too. If anything, rather adept at moving quickly and quietly.

This night is planned, she needed to see Thea. To speak with her. Two days of observing from a far, just to speak with someone she was so close to. More than a friend, sister, even lover. Thea was family.

She pulls up short to a corner and listens closely. it wouldn't do to be caught unawares in this of all places. She holds her cloak close to her chest. The garment is torn and stained from where she found it in the gutters of an alley. Stained. Much like her reputation. Years of work, broken, for what"

Eventually Kuori reaches the door to Thea's chambers. With one final look about herself, she slips inside. The heavy door creaking gently.

It had been a few weeks since Thea had come to the Temple, bruised inside and out, shaken to the core by what had happened. Most of that time had been spent here in these chambers; she was too shaken to trust the world beyond the walls just yet. Visitors came and went, well-wishes arrived, and she still struggled.

It wasn't the injuries that had done so much damage - indeed, she'd been lucky to escape with a few bruises and cuts. No, it was the biting shock of being betrayed by someone she had trusted, someone she had opened up to in a way she had done with very few others. The violation of that trust would be with her for a very long time to come.

As the heavy door creaked softly, alerting her to the arrival of someone else into what had become her safe place, she sighed, rolling onto her back on the bed to look over at the door. A moment later, she was up on her feet, her eyes wide and wild with genuine fear as her hand groped for something, anything, she might be able to use as a weapon.

That look. Like a dagger, twisting into her soul.Gazing upon Thea, the powerfully built Kuori couldn't have felt smaller. Hands up, palms out, she looks upon Thea in utter anguish. "I just want to talk..."

Kuori's voice is a rushed whisper across the space. She doesn't move from her spot near the door, if anything, fully ready to run the way she came. "I need to talk..." she pleads.

"It was you." Spoken softly, but with conviction, those words were painful enough to say, let alone to hear. "Two people knew where my apartment was. You, and Emer. But it wasn't Emer who broke in, who trashed my bedroom, who knocked me out, and ..." She shuddered, shaking her head, taking a firmer grip on the candlestick in her hands. "Why?" Kuori shakes her head in defiance of Thea's accusation. Gripping her head in her scalp, she combs strong fingers through her hair as if to straighten out her own thoughts. "It wasn't me, I wouldn't, ever..."

Her thick accent cracks and breaks. Furiously she shakes her head at how broken her world has gotten. The cloak slips, gapes, revealing a tattered and torn white dress beneath. Her bare feet are muddied with filfth from hiding. The hem of the dress about her calves is gray and wet from stooping. "I know how this all looks, but I need you to beleive me. It wasn't me...."

Electricity crackled along the shaken masseuse's skin as she shuddered again, taking a step further back. "Who was it, then?" she demanded to know. "How could someone else possibly know so much about me - enough to take advantage of me without even a hint of danger to themselves?"

"I don't know..." she says. Her words barely above a whisper, almost inaudible.

"First at home, someone attacked me in the bathroom." She goes back to the beginning. "Woke up, my bedroom trashed, the puppies scared. Messages on my phone saying I bedded coworkers.." She shakes her head, shuddering.

"I don't know...nothing makes sense. I knew what was being done to you, could feel it. Seeing myself on top of you..." another shudder, Kuori looks as if she's about to completely wretch.

Kuori wasn't the only one sickened by that memory. Thea's stomach turned over, the color draining from her face. "Don't ..." she whispered, not wanting to go back to that moment, even in her mind. The moment when someone she had considered to be her best friend broke every bond of trust in seeking out her own desires without a care for the consequences. "What is going on?"

For what feels like the hundreth time, she can only whisper. "I don't know...."

Then a shuddering breath as she stands just a little taller. "But I'm trying to find out. I needed to know you were.." what could she say' Safe" All right?

"I should go. Vyska's very skilled at hunting..." She stands there, looking at Thea in utter defeat.

A part of Thea wanted to reach out to her, to help the woman who had been her friend through whatever was happening. But that part was tiny when compared to the rest of her; the rest that remembered pain and torment of a sort under familiar hands, deeply afraid of inviting more of the same if she showed even a hint of weakening. She shook her head violently, swallowing hard as she looked away from Kuori. "Just go," she whispered, hot tears already splashing onto her cheeks. "Please, just go."

Just go. Two words that hurt the most. "Thea...I..." she starts to protest, a hand reaching out to her friend. A hand that falls short.

The door is left open in her retreat from the room. For a long moment, there was silence in her wake. Then quiet, heart wrenching sobs, barely muffled, reaching out to touch the goliathess' ears in her retreat. The damage had already been done.