The Ultimate Choice [Cheshire Smirk x TakodaVega]

Vallios felt somebody enter the room, and so he looked over, straight into Tatjana's eyes. She'd caught him in the middle of washing his hair, and so he was standing at his full height, arms up over his head, fingers working through his long raven locks. Such a stance hid nothing, his entire body on display for Tatjana's eyes to roam over. But, Vallios took it all in stride and spoke out, a sly smirk curving his lips.

"You know, it's rude to stare. The least you could do is join me."

An invitation, and a joke to break the tension. In all realities, Vallios knew she'd scurry away shyly; However, Vallios felt that he had to open the door for her, to challenge her bold side. Besides, nothing broke the ice like a shower together! That, and it was a little unfair that Tatjana got to see the whole package, and yet all he was allowed to view was her in her night gown. Totally not a fair trade.

Vallios' voice snapped her from her staring ways. Shaking her head she looked away from him, a blush staining her cheeks completely scarlet. "I'm sorry..." She said softly rubbing her arm shyly. The strap that had fallen from her shoulder sliding further down, stopping above her nipple, revealing the curve of breast, small lighter leopard spots danced along her skin on her chest, moving up to her neck and over her shoulders.

She turned away completely away from then. Her inner curiosity was not going to win. No...yes? She looked at him over her shoulder, it wasn't like he was going to bite or anything. And nobody would know about it...right? She flicked her tail at the thought. It was a war against curiosity versus her morals. She didn't know him other than the fact he ensnared her curious nature in a vice that would not release.

"Fine." She said softly before moving slowly towards the shower, carefully using her tail to shut the door. "On the condition that it stays a shower, no...handling." She blushed again at that, carefully sliding off the nightgown from her shoulders to the floor, panties following in tow. The leopard spots danced along her sides and to her hips ending just past there. Ivory skin danced everywhere else, not a tan line in sight. She nervously tugged on her ivory tresses, au natural by the looks of things.

"Promise?"

"Of course."

Through impressive self control Vallios managed to stop himself from growing stiff at the sight of her unclothed body. The shower was small, and so there'd be enough contact to cause tension just by the two trying to share the furnishing. Almost like puzzle pieces the two would have to fit together, Vallios behind Tatjana, the curve of her rear nearly pressing into his hips, the heat of the water relaxing their muscles, the heat of their bodies spreading sparks. If Tatjana moved too much she'd find herself rubbing against Vallios.

This situation had sexual disaster written all over it, just as Vallios had planned. Primal instinct could only be delayed for so long, and for Vallios it'd been far too long since he'd taken the pleasure of enjoying another...And he'd never had one of his own kind. So, he was finding that his appetite for Tatjana was growing steadily, silently beneath the surface of his thoughts. It was like a magnetic pull, drawing his focus to her and her beauty.

But, that was something he wouldn't act on until the time was right. Though, this time definitely had the potential to be the right time. Perhaps not for things to finish, but there was definitely a chance for some 'exploration' and 'fun.'

Didn't quite believe him though she slid into the shower in front of him, her body slowly relaxing beneath the jet of water that slid over both of them. The lack of movement did provide sorts of cliffhangers to move about in. However the female wasn't about to loose this one. The fellow felis looked over her shoulder at him.

"If this is going to be a start of a...routine." She said slowly, "Do you mind washing my back?" She asked slowly. She was still a bit intimidated, simply because for one she had never been this close to a naked male before, let alone another felis, and another he was a good almost foot taller than she was, if not more than. She was shy of course, and what woman wouldn't with a male who could easily overpower her in a heartbeat. She was trusting him to keep his word to be...'polite' well as polite as a felis can be.

Asking is always a good way of getting easy about it, as she reached behind her to pull her hair away from her back. leaving it bare as the leopard spots showed up against her skin. She was definitely different than any normal felis, then again who had seen a female felis in so long?

"Not at all..." Vallios purred.

As he spoke he leaned closer, his lips just an inch from her ear. Vallios retrieved some of the mildly scented soap, worked it over his hands and then began to massage it into Tatjana's back, hiding his almost hungry explorations quite well behind the facade of co-operation towards cleanliness. His hands slipped lower, and lower, then stopped respectfully just above her waist before they worked slowly up her spine.

Those long, strong fingers danced and teased across all the hot-spots, with enough teasing pressure to definitely throw Tatjana off guard. Sparks would definitely start flying soon, one's will power could only last so long against such a cosmically perfect set-up. All Vallios had to do was remain calm and allow nature to take it's course; Tatjana would boil over all by herself if Vallios just took things slowly.

Perking her ears, Tatjana flicked one of her ears back towards Vallios. His breath tickling in her ear as a shiver ran straight down her spine. Damn it, the male was having an effect on her and he hadn't even touched her yet. She pushed her hands against the shower wall in front of her, keeping steady beneath his strong hands as they moved slowly along her back. Tense muscles from stress or her restless night seemed apparent though they slowly loosened under his fingers.

It wasn't long before Tatjana's purrs could be heard in his ears, her feline tail slowly moving to hook around his waist out of a relaxed, trusting habit that the felis had. Her hands lightly kneading against the tiles beneath her palms. "You're good at this..." She said softly, her purrs making the voice husky, far more feline than she had intended, but his fingers were doing wonders to her, an occasional shiver moving along her spine when he hit a particular sweet spot.

"Glad to hear it..." Vallios purred.


It was hard to keep control as Tatjana curled her tail around her waist, knowing it was a subtle non-verbal go ahead. But Vallios kept himself in check, continuing the massage. Vallios leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her neck, a gesture of comfort, meant to help further relax her. Though, he knew in this situation it would also serve to further excite her. If all went well, Tatjana would be presenting herself for Vallios in just a few moments.


And even with the incredible tension in the air, Vallios had managed to keep himself from going completely hard. His length was slowly stiffening; The fact that he wasn't sporting a throbbing erection was rather impressive given the circumstances. But of course such strong self control was always on the edge of failure; One wrong movement from Tatjana and Vallios would more than likely find himself overwhelmed.

Tatjana's body slowly arched into his chest, her head tilting to one side to offer more of her neck. The soft kiss sent her body into an electric shock, her scent lingering in the air as she closed her silver hues. Her body was flaring to life, her nipples growing hard as the heat slowly started to fade out of the water. Steam seemed to linger in the air. Opening her eyes into slits, she lightly dug her nails into the tile. "Vallios...." She said softly, her body curving into his was like puzzle pieces matched.

Her body was certainly responding to his touches with appreciation, and well stored tension. The Don's daughter was still a woman, albeit a felis one, and she had her own needs that needed tending to. Perhaps the felis who had willed her to this point, if only by curiosity at first, could help her with such tension. Though the hot water fading would probably dampen their arousals soon enough at this rate.

Tatjana's breath hitched as she felt the nibbling along her throat, a purr deepening in the back of her throat, his hot body on top of hers, feline tail slick from the water sliding along her hips. It felt good, it felt right. His hands were sending those electric shocks through her system. Her ears perked as she heard the water cut off. Despite her pleasure, and the desire to let what was happening go take it's course she had to get back part of her rational mind.

Her thoughts were shattered again though when he knocked her hand back to lightly stroke along the hard shaft. She was surprised, something so steely hard could feel so hot and soft. Hesitantly she slid her fingers lower towards the base and slid it back up, fingertips stroking along the tip. "Vallios...please." She whimpered softly, her ears slowly flicking backwards. She didn't know him, despite how her more primal, her more 'free', side wanted this. It burned her to the core. She didn't want him to continue, but she didn't want him to stop either.

"Of course..." Vallios whispered.

The hesitance in her body language was telling enough. Vallios pulled her close and snared her lips in a brief, but deep kiss; a promise of more to come. Then, he detached from her and retrieved a towel from the waiting towel rod, drying himself off. Now the seeds of desire were planted and proper patience would be rewarded in due time. So, with that Vallios resumed his daily activities as if nothing had transpired...But he made sure to make his body easily visible as he dried, and dressed, knowing Tatjana would find it hard not to let her eyes linger.

And then Vallios exited the bathroom, closing the door behind him to allow her proper privacy as she did whatever else was part of her morning cleansing rituals. With a wicked smirk Vallios settled down on his bed, idly running the fingers of his right hand through his raven mane, straightening out a few twisted stray strands.

But as he lay there in pensive silence he found himself unable to banish her scent, her feel from his mind. Somewhere, deep down he was hungry for her, burning for Tatjana in the most primal way. She was his...That much could not be denied. Which, was fortunate seeing as the Don expected him to guard her with his life. Such a heavy task would definitely be made easier if Vallios developed a solid attachment to her.

Tatjana was a mass of shivers by the time the kiss was over. The hot male felis against her was heaven and hell at the same time. Her fingers touching her lips as she watched him dress, they still tingled from the heated deep kiss he had left there. Promises, promises...she wasn't sure she could take showers with him if they were going to end up like another wave of heated tension.

Left alone in the bathroom, she leaned back against the shower tile, trying to calm her breath, and still her body. It would do her no good to be flustered. When was Tatjana flustered? She sighed and finally pulled away from the shower, still tingling and warm from his kisses and touches. Reaching for another towel, she took her time to dry herself off, taking it, and her nightclothes, with her back to her own room.

In no time it seemed, she was pulling her pants over her slender hips, carefully pulling her buttoned blue shirt as she heard the door creak behind her.

"Miss?" Came the soft voice as Tatjana looked over her shoulder, "Yes?"

"The Master wishes for you to join him for breakfast. He would like to introduce you to someone he said," the maid looked away from the mistress as the female felis chuckled. "I'll be down in a minute. Thank you."

She finished buttoning up her shirt, carefully pulling her long hair back into a bun, out of the way from everything as she looked herself over in the mirror, wondering what Vallios would think. She blinked, did it matter what he thought of her? True he was one of the first male encounters she had but she shouldn't feel like this about it, should she? She twitched her feline tail at that one. She had taken a bit of time to brush out the fur after she had dried it so it didn't tangle easily. In her mind this was her version of..well...pretty.

The maid would move to Vallios' room as well and knock on the door leaving essentially the same message, though Tatjana would leave before he would. Her heels barely making a sound as she went down the stairs to the dining room, the normal hussle and bussle seemed a bit hushed about something.

"Ah, Vallios!" Came the Don's voice, Tatjana sat to the right of him. Her ears perking as she heard her father's calling to her partner. Wait, partner? That wasn't what he was. Yes he had been able to make her shiver and squirm but in all honesty he was still the only male she had gotten that close to. Her silver hues looked up as was expected at the 'guest' as the Don stood up, and made his way towards Vallios, patting the Felis on the back.

"I would like you to meet your charge, Tatjana." He turned to his daughter as she carefully stood up, tucking some stray hair away from her face. "Pleased to meet you..." Came her soft voice, though her eyes remained away from his before looking up briefly, those silver hues locking onto his topaz ones before she turned to her father, "Charge, sir?" She asked, with the same amount of calm. Obedience had been taught, "I'm not a child anymore." However there was that freedom streak in her. There was obviously only so much more that the female could take from being put in the stables. She was a feline, she needed her spaces, she need her freedom.

However the Don had other ideas for her as he cleared his throat. "I am aware of that Tatjana. Vallios is going to serve as your bodyguard I doubt anything would get by the male so long as he breathes. I am well aware also young lady of your antics."

Her ears perked at that one, "Antics sir?"

"Yes, antics, you sneaking out in the middle of the night and not returning for hours later. It's going to be put to a stop. Vallios will not leave your side unless it involves privacy matters. Do I make myself clear?"

She flicked her ears back looking down, "Yes sir..." She would never be able to feel free again, as she slowly moved back to her seat.

"Good girl, Vallios please, sit, and eat. You'll be dining with us from now on." He waved over to the seat across from Tatjana, who probably at that moment would rather wish he was on the other side of the world than across from her.

"The pleasure is all mine, Tatjana. And thank you sir for your kindness."
Vallios settled into the seat that he was obviously supposed to fill, making sure to keep the gracious facade up. When he settled down next to Tatjana he gave her knee a bracing squeeze under the table, his tail brushing playfully against her side. The gesture was meant to show that he wouldn't interfere with her nightly outings...Merely accompany her.

The tension between them was remarkable, Vallios finding himself inexplicably drawn to Tatjana. It was as if she'd imprinted herself in his mind, a strong connection immediately forming. Silently Vallios ate his meal, keeping his eyes respectfully on the table. Most in his position would have very submissive body language; While Vallios kept his more passive. It was obvious he would not be the kind to jump on the Don's command. However, it was also apparent that he would be the most watchful bodyguard possible.

While settled at the table the others dug into their 'feast' of breakfast though Tatjana looked over towards Vallios when his tail reached along her side. The reassurance of the midnight walkings were safe for her. Not that she went too far anyway, 'less she got caught like she had almost done the first night she had met Vallios. Her feline senses were articulate as she slipped a hand into her pocket and slid a note from her hand to rest it in his lap. Not likely the Don would notice as Tatjana kept the appearance of rapt attention. Attention that usually was only halfway there. Afterall her ears had come quite in handy.

One flicked towards Vallios and another perked once more to the Don. Felines had advantages when it came down to it. And this was one of those times. Carefully she slid her own tail next to his own and squeezed it gently before pulling it away before it caught his attention too much. The note was simple enough showing what she did normally during the day however there was a surprise simple stroking of a pen along the bottom.

After sunset, if you wish to come with me, meet me in my room, and wear the darkest clothes you own. I do not wish for Father to have eyes and ears when I want to speak with you...to...learn who you are. And why you make me feel like this.

It was becoming apparent since the shower incident this morning, that the two were forming a rapid bond. Her own shyness of the matter is what got her tangled into this mess to begin with, as did her curious nature. However there was a reason he was there was it not? Hadn't one of her teachers always said that there is no casual acquaintances if you meet someone you are strongly attached to. That there is no coincidences? She was going to find out if it undid her.

Vallios allowed his tail to brush affectionately against Tatjana's side as he slipped the note into his pocket after glancing down to read it. Vallios had finished his meal quickly, and now he was waiting in patient silence for her to finish her meal. That sharp mind of his was already several paces ahead, plotting where they could go should the need to leave the manor arose.

(GAH BLOCK SORRY)

Tatjana finished her breakfast, and in all honesty this would be the only time she would see her father throughout the day. Her constant silent shadow throughout her day however was the very male that distracted her studies. Studies which she was already so far ahead that the buzzing of human words went into one ear and right out the other.

She kept being antsy, until the sun finally set, she finally disappeared into her room, shutting the door to her room. Hey he had his own room right? She had yet to think straight since the night before. And it was starting to drive her crazy. She shifted her weight, leaning against the door, head leaning against the wood as she took in a deep breath.

'You can do this, Tatjana...' she thought to herself as she pushed herself off the door to the closet. Carefully, pulling off her clothes, tossing them to the floor till she was almost nude. Flicking her tail from side to side she eyed the door that connected the two rooms. Her curious nature still remembered the shower, and the irresistible pull to the male. Was it really because it was another feline like herself? Pulling out the coat from the hanger, she reached for her old black jeans.

The jeans themselves had a few holes and torn at the knees, pulling them over her feet, she carefully slid them over her curves, zipping and buttoning them in place before she smoothed them over. They clung to her almost like a second skin as she reached for the hooded coat. The very coat she had met the male in down in the lower levels on her return home. If he peeked, he would have seen beneath that coat all that was underneath that coat was a sheer white bra which soon disappeared when she pulled the coat over her shoulders. Hands in front of her carefully closing the velvet buttons, the black velvet making her blend in, as the coat hovered along the floor.

Her feline ears perked as she listened to the sounds below. While the servants seldom stirred after dark, the Mobs did. Her father would again be too busy to truly notice when she had left the building. However there was one male she needed to show where exactly she was going. Her secret freedom. Well until now.

Vallios retrieved his own dark leather longcoat, and the black wool face mask he found himself wearing frequently on his outings away from the clubs. It hid any part of his face below his eyes completely from view, his raven hair helping to hide most of what was above those topaz orbs. Black leather leggings clung tight to Vallios' legs, drawing attention to the corded quality of his muscles.

Vallios crept forward, opening the door silently to move in behind Tatjana. He pressed his hips against her rear, and curled his arms around her, lips resting lightly against her earlobe. He let out a low purr of greeting and then spoke, the tone of his voice helping to further display his playful demeanor.

"Where are we going?" He asked.

Flicking her ear back towards the male behind her as she did the last button. Her body seemed to almost melt into his hold however the feline wouldn't be so easy to melt this time as she turned around to face him, fingers trailing along his chest.

"You'll see..." Was all she said as she pulled herself out of his hold and bolted to the balcony moving to the edge of the railing to perch ever so carefully, "Unless of course you're scared." She gave him a Cheshire smirk before turning on the railing and jumping. Her hands grabbed the pole that plants lingered along, and had at one point held flags of some sort, though it lay horizontal versus the vertical poles of the norm. Pulling herself up, she walked carefully along it before reaching the roof. Her feline sense of balance was her saving grace a normal human would have fallen to his death by now as she raced across the roof top, her thick leopard tail flowing behind her before she reached the far edge of the roof facing towards the back, crouching once more behind the outcropping of a window roof.

Glancing over her shoulder, she curled her tail over her hip before she dropped herself down to a set of crates that had lingered from her father's drinking stores before bolting for the tree line. Most of the Felis were faster on foot than humans, and it came in handy as she darted into the trees. If Vallios had lost sight of her, her scent would draw him deeper in until it opened up to a nearby glade of sorts. Tatjana standing in the middle.

"This is my secret - I come here looking for freedom. Something in my blood burns with the need to just...run, and be free like the animals here. Not caged in that house all day like a doll." She said softly, her fingers moving along her tail. "Is it just me? And you..." She looked at him carefully, her silver hues over bright thanks to the moon. "Why are you so different from the others? You are like me, but not. Even my father doesn't smell the same way you do, it's like you are a completely different species..."

Little did she know of course that she had been adopted and she herself was one. She had been raised otherwise and it would take awhile for her to get used to that idea. "And what am I to you?"

"We both are different, Tatjana. You should know this. Our kind is nearly a memory..."

With a low sigh Vallios looked up at the moon, wondering why Tatjana asked him such odd, but basic questions. Of course he felt his blood boil and his body in a constant state of unease in the world of humans. He longed to run free, to allow his conscious mind to fall away into the peaceful oblivion of animalistic nature. But, of course such a concept was not but an idealistic dream.

"But, it is that difference that let me survive the pits. When I was younger, I certainly wasn't the largest man in the ring...But I was the only one who had the true spark of ferocity..."

Then Vallios chose to answer her other question. With a hard shove he forced her up against one of the trees, catching her lovingly before she could make impact with the trunk. He stole a forceful kiss from her, before leaning back enough to look into her eyes. His voice was a low purr, soothing and honest.

"Tempting, beautiful...Intriguing. That's what you are to me."

And with that Vallios turned, walking away from Tatjana slowly. He peered up once again at the sky, watching the stars pensively as he tried to match words to his thoughts. After a few moments of silence he resumed speaking, eyes still fixed upon the heavens. Now it was his turn to ask questions.

"I wonder what goes through your mind; to have what most see as the ultimate vehicle for freedom, and yet still be such a prisoner. Money, more than most people can ever imagine, a powerful father who can make anything happen...But, you're truly no more free than a cockatiel. A pretty little bird, on display forever in your cage. So tell me, what do you think about, what do you want?"

At first she thought he was joking, her upbringing had never mentioned her kind. However after seeing the conviction in Vallios she was almost certain he was speaking the truth. The truth which had alluded her for so long behind those manor walls. Her feline tail flicked in thought though the process of thought would soon be obliterated by a shove from the grown feline male, her mind instantly going defensive. The defense wouldn't hold a candle to the passionate kiss he brought to her lips, her form submitting beneath his.

Breathless, she looked up at him slightly wide-eyed with those silver hues of hers, innocence lingered along her gaze though there was an echo of the intoxicating pleasure. Why did he make her feel like this? Every time he kissed her it was an exquisite burst from heaven and at the same time that wild edge of freedom that she craved for.

"Money..." she said softly, "Can never buy you happiness." She pushed herself off from the tree trunk before stepping carefully towards him, her feline tail slowly slinking to hook around his in a gentle tug. "I long to be free. You're right, I'm a bit like a 'show' animal within a cage. Father treats me as his prized possession and I cannot leave within the confines of day. Outside of studies, the only man I have met so...personally was you."

She tilted her head. "Perhaps we were meant to teach each other something hmm?" She still bore a blush from the kiss earlier however it gave her more courage to be more open. "What can you tell me about our people? Why are there so few of us? Are they all different?" She was as curious as a kitten, though her body gave way to the woman felis beneath.

"As long as the world has spun, humans and our kind have been at war. Long, long ago our people lost the last true war..And we've been enslaved ever since. Fortunately in modern times the true shackles have been cast away, but we are still less free than animals. Our kind have been hunted, murdered, or starved almost into non-existence. After all, nobody ever batted an eyelash when one of our people was found dead in the gutters. The homocides were always deemed no motive, no suspect and filed away, never to be looked at again. Employers won't hire us, banks won't lend...We have nothing. I could only find myself a living fighting in the ring."


Vallios sighed quietly and reached out, curling his arms around Tatjana. He pulled her in front of him, holding onto her hips as he kept her close. He rested his chin on her shoulder and closed his eyes, waiting for her next question. The truth of their people's reality was grim and depressing, to know that one's blood was slowly being weeded away.

But Vallios found solace in Tatjana. He inhaled her scent and then allowed a low rumbling purr to escape from her throat as he pressed a few light kisses to her neck. She was irresistible for him, a constant calling. Somewhere, deep down in the core of his being he'd found himself burning for her since they'd met, no matter how hard he tried to banish such thoughts.

"That is said that humans have little regard for us." She said softly, leaning into his warm form. The memory of that morning still very fresh in her mind. Her body much less stiff than it had been that morning. Instinct allowed her to fully relax, her head tilting to one side to let him kiss further along her neck as he chose. His deep purr was respond with a softer, sweeter one of her own.

She could get used to this, he understood her need of freedom at least in more senses than one to be unable to truly express herself outside of what her 'Father' deemed as 'Ladylike' or 'Acceptable' had made her feel more like manikin until she came out here. Her feline tail slowly coiled around his hips as she closed her silver hues. If something were to attack her out here she had no doubts to her very soul that he would guard her with all he had.

That was comforting to know, and all her instincts told her to trust the fellow felis with everything. It wasn't like he was out to hurt her from what she had figured out just by his brief time with her. Her constant shadow. How was this going to work? Wait...what was she thinking? What was what going to work? Her mind registered the gentle male behind her as a companion, a male one at that, her mind not having yet caught up with what the instincts and 'free' self was looking for completely.