FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

<I do hope you're being figurative Serena... since well, I'm a human. I told you how easy it would be for me to acquire meat and pelt, but Anana doesn't need to know that. Supply and demand. First law of understanding business. If the supply is too high, demand is created by limiting the supply. Sometimes crooked businesspeople will even hire bandits or thieves to raid their OWN shipments. The thieves then get a cut of the profit a bit.> Kyn walked out of the carriage and headed for the café. He casually kept a careful eye on the exchange that was going on between Anana and Serena, even though he wasn't able to hear it.

<The FIRST rule of business is don't tell someone you're NEW in the business world. Ugh, this Kecleon...Yes, I did, somewhat anyway, if you were above her in the scale you would own this city, you could even get PK on your side, she would love to see Anana out of business.> Terra took the opportunity to try to headbutt Serena, which she dodged by rolling back onto her heels, and grabbed the girl by her headplates to keep her from falling flat on her face, then continued walking as if nothing had happened.

Anana hadn't noticed anything going on behind her, it seemed she was happy being oblivious, even if she did keep rubbing her tail tip further down her tail to spread and dry the spittle on her tail, and she lead them over to a table, where there were already papers spread out. "This way please~ *Giggle* I hope you don't mind that I left all the papers here while going to pick you up."

"It will be faster this way, won't it? I don't mind at all." <Rule something about the Art of War, can be applied to business. Deception is involved. It was a lie, Serena. She think she might be able to screw me over, but I will be the one doing the screwing. Oh god, that... taken literally, ugh. Anyway, just watch.>

<Referencing a book?> She only got that far because there was a reference mark on the thought that she recognized as a book. <Right, well, whatever, I'll watch...just don't let her use odd wording in the contracts, things that have double meanings are common.> She slipped up into the booth between Kyn and Anana, unsurprisingly the tail traveled up her leg and tried to access her slit, and was greeted with the rough guard scales, that If anything, closed tighter instead of parting even in the slightest. She was safe to do so due to a frilly white tablecloth that kept everything from prying eyes. <Thankfully tonight will be the last favor that I ever have to do for her.> She added.

Anana nodded and smiled somewhat of an innocent smile, sipping some tea as her cup was refilled. "Don't mind any misspellings, I had to rush to get them done before the meeting this morning, after seeing you at Nibble's last night~"

<Ha, misspellings. I just barely learned footprint runes yesterday, and I'm having to deal with possible misspellings. Great. Also, double great that not only can HUMANS doublespeak, but Pokémon as well. Ugh.> "It's understandable, that situation. I wasn't really expecting you there at that current time," he said, looking carefully over the entire contract. Not a lot of humans bothered to go over entire contracts but it was one thing he always made sure to do.

<Yeah, misspellings my ass, she never misspells anything, you don't have to worry about that, anything that's misspelled in there, is Misspelled PURPOSELY.> Serena ignored the tail, ordering Oran juice instead of tea, and eventually did drag her claws lazily down to the Kec's leg to rub and massage the scales there.

Anana cleared her throat to catch Kyn's attention from reading it. "Oh, no need to read that, all it says is that you agree to work under me and gather whatever I send your way in a timely manner, or you void your contract with me." Anana waved off any concerns he might have had, of course, the smaller lines of print told what exactly voiding the contract entailed, including staying a month with her at her disposal to ensure that that was truly time to end the contract before the actual end of the contract itself.

"I'm not accepting anything without reading it. Personal policy. This would be a great partnership Anana, I'd hate for us to end it so abruptly. I doubt you'll find someone as.... skilled as we are. Time will not be an issue." Kyn said firmly. Then he promptly shut up. If he said anything else, he would lose this business contest. He picked up the quill and waited.

Serena waited for the Kec sister's response, taking a sip of her Oran juice once it had arrived. She, like the 'mon at the saloon in Gambitville, was quite good at stealing glances at the Golden girl on the left of her, and slid her claws up higher so that she was teasing the Kec with her claw, pricking at the guard scales, and she felt the tail slide away, even felt the hand move her own to the cushion beside her. <Well, that killed her buzz.> She mentally chuckled, glad to have her hand moved AWAY from Anana.

"Of course, of course, if you want to read it, go ahead, verify that there's nothing funny going on with it if you must, take all the time in the world, consult with your partners if you wish." She motioned to Tensa and Lacu, but avoided pointing at Serena, as far as she knew, Serena was on HER side of all this, she was the one who was going to be 'rewarded' for this favor after all.

"Everything appears to be satisfactory. Though perhaps you could explain this small detail to me?" He pointed to in the most literal sense, a small detail. About what happened if he happen to void the contract. She was at least telling most of the truth about the contract, and as per most exchanges, since it wasn't initially asked, it wouldn't be told. The sin of omission. But he asked her about it, so she SHOULD probably tell him. Of course he knew what voiding the contract meant, but another business practice was making sure your opponent knew that you were aware of it, which is what he did by asking HER to explain to HIM what HE already knew. "I also have another question. Even though it won't be an issue I think... what exactly do you consider a timely manner?"

Anana looked at the contract, briefly to assure where he was pointing, and didn't even flinch when she saw it was the fine print. "Well, just simply that If the contract is voided out, you'll spend a month in my shop and we'll see if something can be worked out, or if I need to let you go~" She tilted her head to the side at the second question. "Within a month, or tighter constraints if the customer asks for it, you'll always have the option to not take a job at the beginning, though any letters that I send to Serena here will have a two week period before they have the opportunity to be filled by someone else as well."

Serena might have snorted anywhere else, but for now, she was content with behaving like she didn't get much sleep the night before, seeming disinterested with everything. <You do know that that clause would essentially make you her slave without a will if your contract voids, I hope.>

"Well, that seems like a rather interesting termination clause. Any particular reason why a month is specifically stipulated in the contract?" Kyn said, once again having that 'first-time' curiosity. Serena should realize that he was completely taking in her mental advice, in a way that gave no indication that she was talking to him. <Almost done here.>

"A month's time is enough to get to know you personally and see if your...tardiness is common enough to warrant your dismissal, if it's not, then you can go back to work without my constant supervision~" the smile was the same as before. "It MIGHT be shortened, if I find your work to be of proper quality while I'm overseeing your performance."

"Usually those under employ start to show their inconstancy within a week. Though, I thank you for clearing up that little issue." He knew that at this point he was allowed to crack a minor smile, but it quickly faded. <That is complete and utter bull-or in a Pokémon case, Tauros-shit. Are you paying close attention to what I am doing Serena?>

"I am a giver of chances, Kyn, I don't judge, you can even ask Gunpowder, he was in my employment a while ago, All of the rogues work under me, I've not had a problem with them often, but having a problem with me usually means that they have a problem with their guild leaders as well." Anana said. "With me being as lenient as I am, it's unlikely that you'll even see the inside of my shop, at least under those pretenses."

<I see, yes...wait, Gunpowder? I suppose I should have known, the only way he'll do any work for Anana is if Devonshire looks at it first and makes sure there's nothing funny about it.> She did snap her head to look at the golden lizard at the mention of the news, it was to be expected of her, since she wasn't supposed to have any inkling of what went on with her guild leaders, but she didn't speak.

"Intriguing." Kyn dipped the quill in the ink, and signed his name, but not in footprint runes. <Now that everything has been cleared up, there will probably be no more surprises.>

<Haa, I can translate everything she said into what she meant, but I can tell you, surprises are still around the corner.> She didn't get the chance to reach for her drink again, as that tail appeared again, of course, this time she used her hind claws to grab, rather roughly, and pull it away, letting her claws sink into the skin beneath the lizard scales. <...And she thinks that she's won...too bad later I'm going to ruin her good mood again.> She mused.

"There we are, see, nothing to worry about~" Anana reached for the contract. "Now then, breakfast. Do you happen to see something that appeals to you?" She motioned to the menu, then glanced at Serena, and she grabbed her clawed hand that was working her over previously and put it back on her legs, the tail wrapping around one of the ankles of her hind limbs, and the tip tickled the guard scales again. Terra had, at some point as well, slipped under the long tablecloth, and was occupying Serena's other foot, more with her head than either of her hands, which were too short to do anything intrusive.

"Before I do choose though... I was wondering if you would be able to provide me with another copy of this contract. I have decided what I would like to try though." He said, putting the menu down.

Serena sighed, both mentally and physically, then turned her head to Anana. "Just...one.." She said softly, the tail stopped, which she was thankful for, and she slipped her fingers up against the lizard's slit and coaxed her slowly with her claws, of course the smell that accompanied it couldn't be hidden, but since it was coming from under the table, most of those in the cafe wouldn't be able to pinpoint the scent.

Anana handed him an unsigned copy of the contract, and took the signed copy, rolling it into a scroll. "Good, I'm glad you have~" She smiled sweetly, she was finally getting her way, Serena had submitted, at least a little, and only then did she notice that Terra had slid under the table.

<Alright Serena. At first, this is how it's gonna go down. You might appreciate this but, literally, I'm going to be visiting you at least once every month. Bad news for me is, if the time distortion is kept like it is, then I'll have to literally go back and forth every single day. It will temporarily be adjusted.> "Hmm, this is completely off topic Anana but, where do the lilies you have come from?"

<A month and I'll have the energy to evolve again. At least, if I'm as strong as you say I am.> She was virtually ignoring the fact that Anana was quivering, if only slightly. <She might not be able to answer you Kyn...Just letting you know...and no, I wouldn't mind you visiting every month.>

"Ah...they come from the windswept woods, My family has a......." She trailed off as another shiver overtook her. "A friend that lives there with his brother, and he sends them to me...."

"I think I may have passed the Windswept Woods on my journey here." <Dear me. That will also be a rather interesting sight to behold as well. I wonder if your plates will be completely golden, or if you'll start out grey and work your way back to gold? Serena... tell me what type of berries Anana likes, ... besides Enigma berries, or help me find out so I can try out some PokéBlock on her. If you think about it though, there might be some risk to doing it but... I think it will be an interesting investment.>

<I would really prefer not to have to spend enough time with her to figure out what type of berries she likes, but with her liking Enigma berries I would say Spicy flavors...Why would my headplates grey out? I'm eating fine...> Proof that she was GOOD at what she had been forced to learn, it was only a short while later that she pulled her hand from the other girl's snatch, and wiped it clean on a napkin. "We did, yes."

Anana trembled as she hit her peak, her tail lashed under the table, and shuddered with the after shocks of such a high. It was probably the taboo of it, the fact that Serena wasn't gay, since she did actively do this with others, but Serena was the only one who seemed to be able to get her off so quickly. "So, we were talking about food."

"Well... I think I'd like to try the same scone that Kyn is having, though without the tea." Tensa commented.

"I haven't looked, but if there is oolong tea, I would like that." Lacu commented.

"Ah... speaking of food, when I get back, there is a specific specialty food that I would like you to try." Kyn said, not really giving much more information than that.

"Alrighty, I'm going to go...freshen up, Serena be a dear and flag down the waiter and let all of them order if you don't mind~ The meal's on me boys." She slid beneath the table and walked out the other side, heading for the restroom.

"Right..." She spoke as Anana's tail faded from view, and did, indeed, flash her claws up to attract the Vespiquen that was acting as their waitress. " Two scones, Oolong Tea, A cranberry muffin and a wet wipe, Anana's usual and Terra's usual." She said off in order, and then the bee left, Serena could only sigh again. <And that, is why I don't talk about sex openly.>

<Doesn't seem to be that much of a problem, Serena. If she doesn't mind answering, I do have a few questions for her.> "What... IS Anana's usual though? Now I'm curious." Kyn said, putting his hand on his chin.

She looked at him, almost curiously. <If EVERYTHING YOU knew about sex came from someone like her, would YOU want to talk about it?> "Nanab and black Apricorn muffin." She answered almost immediately. "Terra's is a warm slice of Pecha pie with a scoop of ice cream on top." The wet cloth came before the food, and Serena wiped off her hand and the seat, then handed it back to the Waitress, waiting until she was a sufficient distance away before letting the muscles in her leg coil, and pushed the young Bagon away from her foot. "Stop it Terra. I know you don't like me being around Anana, to tell the truth I'm not crazy about it either, but if you don't stop trying to blatantly attack me, you're going to get hurt."

<I don't know. What exactly do you know about it Serena?> "That's a rather interesting choice. I think she'd like a banana poppy seed muffin from...," he almost slipped up, "my homeland."

What came from Terra were almost growls like Serena had made earlier in that day, things her mind could translate, but she doubted any of the others could, and she snorted as a response, baring her fangs at the younger Bagon. "Sit down." She pointed at the chair that she had vacated. <Of all the things to tell her, no wonder she hates me...Oh, erm...I know enough to get a girl off in about five minutes, as you saw...if only I was attracted to them at all...Well, I guess I can't say all of it came from her now...since Heji did a bit more than teach me...> "Possibly." She answered, her eyes still locked on the younger Bagon until she had dropped her gaze and moved to her place at the table.

Anana walked out of the bathroom and took back her seat as well, finding it damp and cold, Serena's work no doubt. "You ordered for us?" At a nod from Serena she continued. "My usual?" Another nod. "Good~ So we're all situated."

<Hm. She's back Now, I have to say, that WAS a rather strange sight to be witnessing. Why would she so blatantly do that here?> "Soooo Anana. Do you have favorite type of berry that you like... or maybe a taste preference?" Kyn asked, trying to do his berry thing.

"Nanab, of course." She answered, half looking between Terra and Serena, it was clear from the way her pet was acting that she had just been put in her place, and that just wouldn't do, that would have to be fixed later tonight, indeed.

<Hell if I know why she wanted it done, perhaps she hadn't gotten off in a while, I don't know, I don't really care, tonight's my last night in her service of ANY form. Ugh, it doesn't help that I can still smell her beneath my claws either, and I know I just cleaned them.> The food was delivered, and Serena admittedly only picked at it with her right claws, keeping those of her left as far away from her food as possible.

"Hm. Well that does narrow things down a bit..." Kyn muttered to himself, though not really caring if she heard or not. He then took a bite of his scone, and was delighted.

Serena picked at her muffin a bit more before she finally asked. "Anana, do you have my contract on hand? If so, I'd like to look it over again real quick." She was, of course, handed the piece of paper a moment later, and unlike Kyn's, it had had several things crossed out and reworked, and reworked again. She passed it to Kyn absently so that he could see as her claws trailed over it, until she reached a line that said 'This contract will be null when proof can be provided that the Pokémon that signs below truly is not interested in females, and has given it it's best shot.'

Anana took a bite of her muffin, and smiled at him. "Why do you ask?" She didn't seem bothered by the fact that Serena was looking over her contract again.

<Ah, so that's rather interesting Serena. Now the fun begins. I think I'll play with Anana a bit. She's getting rather fun it seems.> "Oh, just that, well, it's easier to give you gifts if I sort of know in advance that you might like them! Now, I know we switched to talking about food, but something reminded me of our earlier discussion regarding terms and such." In actuality it was him looking over Serena's contract that did it, but he wanted to make it look like it didn't appear that way.

<To be honest.......I would have given myself to Heji that night that we were talking in Gambitville...probably better that I didn't anyway.> Serena said as she rolled it back up and handed it back to Anana, who put it away.

"It's too late to change your terms now, you've already signed the contract. Before it could have been reworked, but now it's signed in blood, so to speak." She answered. "Much like little Serena's here, she'll be in my service for a while yet...at least until she develops interest in more civil things than hunting." There was, perhaps an undertone of distaste there, even as she sipped her tea.

"Ah, no, what I meant was, that this is a contract. There is always a penalty for breaking a contract early. I am not merely speaking of voiding it. Since it is not directly stipulated in the contract, perhaps you would be able explain it to me. Though the fact that you have NOT stipulated it in the contract means you can literally make up anything you wanted, and it would still be valid. Though I'm certain that you would try to avoid deception like that, wouldn't you?" He said with a grin that was equal to hers, though a voice without the same almost sickening sweetness. <Obviously, I haven't asked 'too many' questions. Either that or she's willing to play the game with me.>

"I never have to worry about my workers breaking the contract early, if they do, usually as soon as Royce learns that they have, he picks them up before I could do anything anyway, I never exactly know what happens when they're with him, I don't ask, he doesn't tell...though a couple of them have ended up in Nibble's sushi Resturant, and not on the good side of the bar, if you understand me." Anana looked sincere enough. "I've not met someone who's escaped punishment with the Slowking...but you've be dragging Serena into it as well, considering she's the one who brought you to me with her /favor./"

Serena had cleared off the muffin top while the two spoke, her eye ridge raised as her name was mentioned, and then her eye twitched. <Liar...flat out, straight to my face AND yours. Ugh.>

"Then perhaps it is best that Royce does not know that I have broken my contract." Kyn said flat out. <I really so wish she would understand how intelligent humans and dragons are, but humans don't exist in your world. She should have realized by all the questions that I was asking what I was doing.>

"Royce always knows when someone has broken a contract, and no, I don't report it to him."

Serena snorted a little. <She's a lizard, she considers -me- to be a lizard even, stupid woman, yes...and yet somehow this Ditz became the 'economical organizer' of the bay. I'm sure if I asked PK, she would say that she fucked to the top...and well...from what I've seen, it might be true...but she is telling the truth about Royce, a little bit anyway...he does always know when Anana's protection has run out over someone.>

"So I take it you don't want to know how I've broken my contract with you then?" Kyn asking in a false sweet voice. <Serena, how long do you think I'd be hunted in the Bay, if I were to kill Royce? This is only hypothetical of course!>

"Unless sitting there and eating a scone is against your contract I don't see how you would have, since you haven't moved since signing it with your mark. Words and thoughts do not void contracts." She pointed out.

<The last one to try managed to hide for four days before they caught him, most don't know what happened to him, I do...he was put in Royce's room on display, kept in a wanting state, and the guards easily took turns with him in whatever way they pleased, when they were done he looked like ground Tauros patties...before they're shaped, that is.>

"Two months from now, a deal was set up by me in which I made more profit by selling to various sources in the Bay, leaving you with the least amount in the picture. Though since this technically hasn't happened yet, I am still perfectly contracted." The way he went about this was was rather roundabout and he was sure that not even Serena would know what he was doing. <You know that I can disappear for months, even years a time, Serena. I doubt they'd find me since you know that I can go to a place where they cannot reach me, even if they searched the entire globe several hundred times.>

<Yes, and they would try to pin it on those closest to you, any one you made friends with would then have become suspect.> Serena finished off her muffin.

"Everything comes back to me one way or another, whether you trade with me, or ANYONE in the bay, you're still trading with me. If you have clearance to trade here, I still get my cut." She leaned forward now, her food long gone. "That wont get you out of a contract with me, and I have no jurisdiction outside of the bay, nor does your contract cover anything outside the bay, so whatever you do outside has no effect on the contract either."

"Speaking of Royce... I haven't met him yet. In the... good way, that is." Kyn said, changing the subject. He hadn't outright expected her to just say it like that, so he was caught slightly offguard. <That would be YOU, Serena. Are you capable of that type of murder? With the way Anana treats Terra and you, I can't imagine what would happen.>

<It wouldn't be murder exactly, self preservation, but YES. I am, actually. He cut off his tail when he put the dusk stone in the foundation, he can't use any psychic attacks, but I on the other hand, am still free to use ALL of mine.> She slowly drained the rest of her Oran juice.

"Few do meet him in the good light, but you're signed up, and I assume that Serena has already stuck her nose where it doesn't belong on that account and set up an appointment with him in her own special way~ What was it this time? A cute little kid that got lost and wandered downstairs to see Vendetta? A card shark that somehow managed to read all of the cards and /guess/ what the hands would be? Serena you get in so much trouble, Royce would have your head on a pike if you weren't one of MY rogues.~"

<Ahahaha.... She just described exactly what I did in the fucking casino. My god, at this rate, I'll meet Royce twice in one session here if I'm not careful. What I do is called card counting. Since there are 52 cards in a deck, unless they have a hidden method for pulling cards, like humans do, then I doubt they'll be able to cheat me when it comes to that.> "Hm, I had a few dabblings into the casino a while ago. Perhaps I should go back and see if I get can get lucky."

"I haven't set one up yet." She admitted. "My mind has been occupied with other things lately and...well, it's not really that hard, Vendetta likes me, its easy to get her to let me hit the jackpot three times in a row." Her claw rang over the rim of the glass. <Yes, I know...of course there are games that require partners as well, how easy would it be to play a game of spades between the two of us as partners?> She didn't look interested at all. <I would very much like this meeting to be done so I can go back to the casino and scrub every bit of the memory off of my claws.>

Anana looked surprised, if nothing else today, that thought had surprised her. "Tsk tsk~ all that praise and you have nothing set up to get yourself into trouble?"

"Miss Anana... I've been thinking... there seems to be a pattern to the way the games are played out, when it comes to cards. I may just be imagining things though." Kyn said, trying to change the subject yet again! <Your mind has been occupied with ME, Heji, and Marlow. Oh, I also lied about it being from the Bay.>

<Digging yourself a hole Kyn...Yes, my mind has been on, what can simplified into BOY PROBLEMS.> she paused a little, then smiled. <Haa, boy problems...Yet I gave up my evolutionary energy to protect you, I growled at Marlow for thinking that I would abandon him, and he tried to push me towards Heji--who almost completely stops my coherent thought process-- or he used to.>

Anana looked at him skeptically. "I think...that you've got somethin' special, and I want some...but it seems as if we're all finished with our meals, I think it's time to draw this meeting to a close before Serena's lion starts to think that I'm an undecent 'mon and am doing unspeakable things to her."

"Thank you for the meal Miss Anana. I do think you'll enjoy my gift though, once I give it to you." Kyn said, folding his napkin into a triangle. <Digging a hole you say? Am I not supposed to be saying things like that Serena?>

Serena flushed a little at the idea of 'her' lion, and promptly slipped out of the booth by way of being under the table. <Not in public...it's as bad as her saying that I cheat at cards, not ALL of them are as dumb as her here...bother, I thought I was past this...I have no claim on Heji...I wouldn't keep him from having sex with anyone if the want or need struck him.> "I'm going to make a run of it back to the Casino...clear my head...Kyn you have your key still, yes?"

"You're quite welcome Kyn, and I do so enjoy gifts~, even if I don't care for what they are, the thought is what's important." She too slid out of the booth, but by way of actually sliding out of the booth instead of going under the table. "Perhaps next time we meet you'll be able to give me a different kind of gift as well, hm?~" A giggle passed her lips.

<Waaaait a minute Serena. DO you actually cheat at cards, I am wondering?> Kyn now slid out of the booth, and Tensa did the same. "Uh...." Kyn wasn't sure if it was exactly what he was thinking that she was suggesting, but considering her behavior with Serena, and Serena's description of her... it might as well have been.

<.....I do when money is involved.> was her answer, of course, she was stretching out on all fours just outside the door. <Well, I cheat about as much as you cheat, I can't exactly hide anything up my sleeves now can I?...Just tell her you like guys, Kyn, it'll throw her through the loop that she wont expect, and it'll put you and Tensa in a position where it explains why your scents are still on one another.>

"Hesitant are we? Well, so was Serena, at first, she still is in some regards. Are you riding back with me, or running back with her?" Anana asked as she helped Terra into the carriage with her papers.

"It's not that... it's just that well... I was rather attracted to you when we first met, and now you suddenly spring this on me. Though, I happen to prefer males more so than females. I... think I might ride in back with you." Kyn stated clearly. <Dunno if she'll make anything of his scent being on me though. Perhaps she will.>

<The plus side is that she will think that she's tripping out when she sees your true self, I suppose. I would say don't do anything stupid, but I've been in your head well enough to know that that's not necessary...How does it feel not to have all the voices come at you unbidden, by the way?> She was stalling, she knew she was stalling, but there was a reason for that, even now she was walking over to the Rapidash that pulled it and whispering in their ears. Anyone who knew her right about now would be wondering what she was doing, if not absolutely freaking out and going to be hanging on for their lives.

Anana sat down in the carriage in her usual spot, if he was going, then that probably meant the other two would be too, Serena...well, Serena had always needed time to clear her mind after getting her off, she was amazed that the girl hadn't run out on them moments after that event...that meant that Kyn was something special in himself. "Ah, hehe~ well, I suppose I was a little forward, after all that business talk.~ We'll have plenty of time to get to know one another, even if I have to drag Serena into it by sending her the letters~"

<Hm, say. You think I could pass for a strange Infernape with no fire and a missing tail and... everything?> "Hm, well getting to know you would be a bit beneficial." Kyn said. He hopped into the carriage, next to Anana, then Tensa and Lacu climbed in behind him.

<I'm not gonna touch that one. By the way, I could turn your stomach by giving you second hand experiences...but I don't think that you would appreciate that.> Serena had taken up a runner's position, neck and neck with the Rapidash who were now facing the proper direction. "Hang onto your accessories, folks. Here we go, Three, two...One...BOLT" She was off like a lightning strike, and of course, the Rapidash were keeping up with her, she let them, with the carriage, get a bit ahead of her, and then stretched out her legs to regain the lead, and skidded to a halt in front of the casino, kicking up rocks that had been laid in what was once molten rock, leaving claw marks in the stone.

Inside, Anana had only enough time to give the warning. "You might want to hang onto something." before the Rapidash took off, and the bumpy ride started. She looked absolutely content, regardless of the ride, she had a new prey, and could hardly wait to...court him, but still, she needed to keep up the pretense of being a lady, if only for now.

"Gotten used to it by now, and now THIS happens? I'm glad I wasn't carrying anything breakable!" He had been on several Roller Coaster rides before, so this type of G force, however he didn't expect to be able to experience it HERE in this place. He held on to the back of his seat with two hands, obviously realizing that there would not a be roller coaster bar, but it was the closest that he could come. "Interesting..." he said once the stop was made.

Serena actually had positioned herself to assist the carriage with stopping, and it was a good thing that she had, or the carriage would have bumped into the Rapidash themselves. They seemed a bit put out that she had beaten them, but they WERE pulling something rather heavy, at least, if the fact that took several steps to slow it down completely. She dusted her claws off and saluted the Rapidash, then walked into the Casino rather quite alone. <You realize now she's going to take everything you do as part of a would be relationship, right?> It was faint, growing fainter with every step she took, but still able to be heard. <Even Tensa may feel threatened by her eventually...she doesn't exactly do things...half way.>

Anana used her tail to open the carriage door, then retracted it. "Well, wasn't that fun~ So glad to have you all in our -family- Take care now, buh-bye.~"

<That might be a problem if I go through with the gift, but other than that, I don't really think it will be that bad. I don't exactly know what Kecleon mating rituals are like, but I can sure as hell guess that Anana is something far different than the standard green Kec.> "Hm...? Uh... yeah. See ya later Anana." Kyn waved to her, and then headed back up into the casino.

<None of her family are green.> She answered, as they walked towards the elevators it would get stronger, her blue coat standing out against the pale yellow walls. <Going up or staying down here?> She asked, her green eyes looking up at them as they came nearer, then pushed the button to call the elevator regardless of his answer.

<Going up, to get more... Poké, and to, against my better judgment send the gift to Anana. I talked about the gift before it initiated, so, if she calls me out on it, I'll refer to that. Why ain't you talking verbally as much?> Every time Kyn stood near the elevator, it made him feel relatively tall again. Though if he were wearing a 3 inch top hat, then he'd have the same vertical height as Royce, but a Sceptile in a top hat didn't exactly suit him at this time.

She put her foot between the door so that he wouldn't have to wait to join in. "It's easier to speak through the mind when you're a long distance apart, it also ensures that one can not lie to my face like Anana did in the shop." She added verbally. <Yes, I still remember that you did as well, unintentionally or not.> "Besides, we can confuse them now...and I'm sure that Striker would like out."

"Sometimes I need to lie, Serena. But only in very grave situations. Soooo yeah. I think I need to talk with him anyway." Kyn said, waiting for the moment when he could let them out.

Once they had stepped in, she removed her foot and let the door close in front of her, her eyes closing. "By the way...Kecs mate for life...Anana is...well, a well developed slut, but betting that you're not the one that her maternal instinct slips in on? It's not the best thing in the world...and you shouldn't need to lie to your friends....Not when we're the ones holding you together." Of course, that SHOULD have been enough information right there to let Lacu know that she had been in Kyn's head, which would likely open up a can of worms.

"Mating for life eh? Well, that's essentially what Tensa and I are currently working on. I guess I've found another Pokémon to add to the list of, 'mates for life'. SO Serena, what about Salamence then... You knew this question was coming."

"I do not know....I well....I haven't exactly..." She sputtered. "Probably, mating seasons happen once every 10 to 25 years...and at that point then if they like a male they settle down and have a family? That's what the instinct center of my brain says...but that would be for the wilds...I don't know about sentients..." She squirmed a little "You missed the point there Kyn...If you and Tensa are going with the 'mated for life' status there, then if you're unlucky enough to be picked by Anana...well...she's...possessive, as you might have gathered."

"Well Serena... you only know part of the story. This is a lot more complicated that you can imagine, and if what you're saying about Anana comes to pass, then, there might be some problems... not because of me, but because of where we're from." Tensa said, folding his arms.

She turned in the elevator, she almost laughed at him. "Tensa...Having gone through what I did this morning while you were sitting in the room, and yes, I WILL elaborate on that unless Kyn tells me not to, I say try me." the ding of the elevator saved him from listening to all of what she had done that day. "Not to mention that act in the restaurant, nor what's going to happen tonight." the last bit came out as a snort.

Well, first of all, I wasn't the only one of my species to choose Kyn. He also, for completely unrelated reasons, happened to be a male as well. As it turns out, we both wanted him to be ours. That Sceptile also happened to be the first Treecko that he raised. How's that so far?" Tensa explained.

"Logical, if you leave out the genders, which my mind has rendered irrelevant." Boy, she really HAD grown, hadn't she? She flashed her keycard and opened the door, setting it down on the table. "You can either accompany me into the bathroom to clean this filth from my claws, or you can stay here and wait for me to get back to continue. I don't care which."

"I think I'll wait out here for you. It is YOUR bathroom After all." Tensa said, thinking about what to say next.

"It's a communal bathroom that connects four bedrooms." She said, but didn't argue, slipping through one of the doors and taking that cherry smelling soap to her hands, lathering them both out of habit, and scrubbing vigorously over the left one in particular, then rinsed them off, dried, and applied a thin layer of the oil over them. She then returned to the common room and, at least for the moment, put her scarf back on.

"So! The next part is that Kyn chose me, but suggested a rather interesting concept to me at the time, though now that I see it more and more, it's not that odd to me. Do you know what an open relationship is yet?" Tensa said. Kyn looked on with interest in Serena's reaction. How she answered would make a whole world of difference to his approach.

"I can piece together the meaning from what I have been told by you two, and Heji." She was taking the utmost care in straightening the scarf and making it perfect, and when she sat down you could almost see what tenseness had joined since Anana had hugged her, melt away.

"Well, Kyn suggested that we have an open relationship, and I agreed under the condition that... when it came down to it, I would be of the highest priority. He agreed." Tensa said.

"This why I'm allowed to mate with others, and he is allowed to as well. We both know that regardless, both of us will be together. Anana might not understand our relationship." Kyn added.

"I wouldn't be able to do it. Not at this given point in time anyway." She looked away a bit. "I mean...I'm too protective...the only one I don't, to this date, feel the need to protect, is Heji...and that's causing a collision because my brain still associates protecting as caring, and not wanting to protect translates into not caring..." She found herself biting her tongue until the coppery smell of blood filled her nose, and she swallowed the (admittedly minor) amount of blood that had gathered in her mouth. "No, I don't think she will...from what I've observed with her, she likes to lure them in like a Lanturn, then throw them away when they're broken...and she tastes like a trashcan."

"So, anyway, regarding Striker... that is one thing that I helped him with. See... I don't know if you can picture it but, while Striker exiled himself, he was of course, without a mate, and simply relieving himself... wasn't enough. So, you can fill in the rest of the blanks." Kyn said.

"Kyn...I've been in your head, you don't exactly want to know WHAT I saw when I was silencing those...shadows." She answered back... "Some of them made me adapt, yes, I can fill in the blanks well enough to understand." She also realized that this was essentially what she had used Heji for, though the circumstances were a bit different.

"Well, anyway, that's why I don't think that this will be a problem. Though, knowing Anana, if I try to explain to her that I'm not interested, she might try to alter the contract that I have in order to MAKE me or something. Serena, you do realize that Anana literally does have the right to change your contract, and mine at any time, even though it's already signed by us?" Kyn said, changing the subject to that of which his thoughts had deviated, as evidenced by his statement.

"She doesn't have that ability with mine, and she if she puts anything about sex directly in a contract she loses all credibility, the whole reason the line in there on mine about it was even there is because of Non-judgmental situations. Yes, any time you ask for a favor from her, you can expect a sexual advance, where she'll push you a little further, and then a little further back into a corner, until you end up in a position where you can't say no."

"Well, then it comes down to a few things Serena like... what do you think I would need a favor from Anana for? Secondly once again.. since things are so loose here... what exactly do you believe qualifies as a favors from Anana?" Kyn asked, trying to think of things himself.

"You probably won't." She spoke, honestly. "Except for staying out of trouble with Royce, you probably will not need to use any favors...as for what qualifies as a favor...getting you out of a tight spot that you find yourself in...like exposing yourself to be...how did you put it? A bob-tailed shaven Infernape? Anana could get you out of that even if it was spread massively."

"I do so hope that she doesn't find out what I am Serena. I'm sure you can imagine what Anana would do if she found out I was technically the only one of my species..." He sat down on the ground finally, giving Serena the opportunity to not have to look up to him as much.

Serena lowered her neck, thankful for not having to look up at him as far. She licked her nose with a tilt of her head. "If she does...well, she won't be that hard to subdue or kill...if she can't adapt as I have...Of course I was put in a unique situation...I probably wouldn't trust her to do the same...So did you still want to play Poker?"

"Yes. Though, I would prefer it if the whole killing thing was avoidable... Ergh. I never thought being human would be such a curse in this world." Kyn said with a huge sigh. He reached in his pack and pulled out a brand new deck of cards, showing the different version of the face cards.

"I did." she observed, and eventually pressed her sharp fangs into her mouth, letting them fold back much like a snake's would when they weren't being used, and she ran her tongue over them, not that it could be seen. She wasn't used to speaking like this, and so she tried to do as little as possible. "Clean game then?"

"Heh. I suppose it will be. No funny business now! Of course you wouldn't. Besides, card magic tricks are for Alakazam and Kadabra shows." Kyn said, cutting the deck in half, then doing a bridge shuffle, then repeating it two more times.

"Only with money, is there any funny business, I did say thiss...." She let the s hiss for a moment, then let her fangs return to their usual positioning. She wasn't exactly sure why she bothered showing them that that could even happen, but she did it anyway. With Kyn on the ground, she avoided his arms and sniffed at the Poké Balls until she found one that smelled of Striker, and pushed the button to release him, since Kyn hadn't bothered to do it yet. She couldn't exactly explain it...but it felt...wrong somehow, not to have all of them out in the open...like a puzzle with one piece missing.

After Striker emerged from his Premier Ball with the signature white sparkles that reminded most people of a Shiny Pokémon, he stood up, stretched his wings and then greeted Serena.

"Ah, Serena, I got too distracted... dear me..." He set the shuffled cards down and went over to Striker and did the Warrior's greeting with his swords and sat back down. "That was a bit of an interesting exchange you witnessed, I guess." He commented.

Serena did feel her cheeks flush as Kyn mentioned Striker seeing an exchange, right...he could see under the table...it made things a tiny bit awkward. "Yes...you did. Actually...I did as well...what with our conversation..." /Not to mention the fact that I'm sure Lacu is wracking his brain trying to figure out how I even got into your head.../ and then she directed her thoughts to Marlow, essentially a knock on the door to his mind, though she didn't enter. Two at once, she supposed it would be like when Lacu had been in her mind before, a sort of group call.

[Serena, it is best not to ask questions. After all these years with Kyn, I've just sort of learned to go with the flow.] Lacu finally revealed that he was STILL capable of speech, albeit mental speech.

"Serena, Kyn.... I wish to learn to play Poker." Striker said unexpectedly.

Serena laughed at the interception of her thoughts. "haa...remind me to keep things on a low resonance wave if I'm saying something important, there's getting to be too many that can feel the webs of thought...we may as well just finish connecting the group together completely." She was taken aback by Striker requesting to learn to play, her head tilting as she tried to think of a way that he could even hold the cards without chopping them to bits.

"Yes Serena, obviously you are thinking about how one such as myself would be able to hold the cards, and no I am not reading you mind, as this is an obvious issue that comes up. Lacu is the answer to that." Striker said walking closer to the group and sitting down.

She raised an eye ridge at him. "Actually I was thinking of different ways or you to be able to hold them on your own without having them get sliced through, the most obvious answer would be to have you hold the cards on the flat of your blade and use the blunt side of the tip from the other. I do not think in 'can this be done's' I think only in 'find a way to do its'."

"Oh boy, then I'm not asking you to think differently Serena. That will work, but it will be highly ineffective. I also don't think Striker plans on gambling in the Casino so, using Lacu would be the easiest solution and the most immediate." Kyn said. It wasn't often that Striker managed to hold a height advantage over him, so looking UP to Striker for the first time in a while was another interesting experience.

She chuckled mildly. "At first, doing many things in a way that they can be done on your own is highly ineffective...like using chopsticks when you only have three digits to work them with. Until you learn and teach yourself, then it is more of a hindrance to even try to use them, you would be better off using your fingers. It's only through WANTING to learn, that you can become proficient at something Kyn."

"I can understand that Serena, though, doing that will serve me no practical purpose that I can think of yet. Though, maybe you can think of something that I can work towards." Striker said. It was almost as if Kyn and Striker were back and forthing.

Serena cracked a smile. "Are you two having fun yet? Actually, there's a lot of things that it 'could' be useful for old bug, for one...you yourself said that Scyther can't give hugs...that's not exactly true. How many times have you avoided contact with someone because you thought that you were going to hurt them?" [Lacu...later I would like to borrow your connectivity to the others, granted, you wont even know I'm doing it, but it's only courteous to ask if you mind.]

"Not very often, really. You do remember that I haven't BEEN in contact with very many. As for the manner of hugging... If I turn my blades around, it can sort of be like one. That's one of the way I can think of." Striker said.

[You certainly have an interesting way of going about things like this Serena. I'm gonna crown you as an honorary Dragon Psychic type.] Lacu grinned.

[It is, in some ways, the coward's way out, I can send a thought easier than I can talk, and I only know this much about it because of my link with Marlow, it was how he broke through to me...I suppose that you could say that thought is my native language...] "Turn your blades out at an angle, you'd have no worries about cutting them then, yes..." she stood on the cushion so that she was about at the height that she could extend her claws out. "but if you don't mind, I'd like to test something while we wait for Kyn to stop being distracted and deal."

"Oh, how nice, you were waiting for me? Well then... Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh." Kyn said, and then he actually did deal out five cards to everyone. "It'll be a simple Draw Poker. No fancy things yet. We'll get to that rather later."

"Hm, go ahead and run your test then." Striker commented. "It's not like I'm going anywhere."