A Tale Of Tails And Trades (Starring TaintedRose and Erit of Eastcris)

The summer sun hammered down relentlessly on the undeserving dirt track of a road that lead through Nis, a small farming town barely of a size to hold the title found slightly to the west of East Jesus Nowhere, better known as clinging to the border of the Crown's authority. Beyond that authority lay land little-explored but greatly feared, for few who delved without a fully armed expedition force ever returned alive and in a timely fashion, and those that did told stories that could make veteran soldiers hide under their beds at times. Of course, out of those excursions also came considerable wealth in the form of rare and exotic herbs and seeds, as well as creatures previously known only from fairy tales, if at all. A most profitable business had sprung up around these "nekos", as they came to be known, domesticated, bread and trained as adorable pets and companions for those with money to spare or friends in high places. They were cute in appearance and mannerism, bearing a feline's ears, tails, fangs, and sometimes other traits, as well as having a kittenish enthusiasm and curiosity. But they were also smart, able to speak as well as any normal human, read and write with the proper education. It was in that dauntless midsummer heat that the owner of one such neko, a merchant named Alistair Creed, stood with his normally tight-laced shirt hanging loose and his coat unbuttoned as he haggled relentlessly with an old business associate named Martial.

"Ten silver marks a barrel would be more than this entire town sees in a year," the trader said, his voice a slightly gravelly baritone that tended to drop to a rocky growl when he was trying to intimidate someone, "and more than I can pay, and you know it. Five each, Martial." Alistair tugged at the collar of his unstained cotton shirt with a slim, dextrous hand and sighed. A problem with your most reliable reliable partner also being a good friend is that the liked to mix business with private affairs when it might net them a bit more money. At least, in Alistair's experience. "That's more than twice already what I'd give anyone else, and it's as high as I'll go."

The other man sighed, shaking his head and throwing up his hands. "Fine, fine. Five a barrel it is. No need to be so serious with me, Alistair." The farmer's slightly pudgy face cracked into a familiar smile as his large and calloused hand extended out to seal the bargain. Alistair's own, equally as large but more wiry, shook it, and the merchant counted out the coins to pay for the liquor he'd just bought. Nis was a town with few visitors and no geographical significance, but everyone knew about it because their exported alcohol was just that damn good. The four barrels Alistair now possessed would easily earn him back much more than what he'd paid. "If you were a sane man, Martial," the merchant grumbled, "you would understand why I would be in an unjovial temper with this heat. It's hot as the hinges of Hell out here."

The two talked for a while more while they oversaw Alistair's cart being loaded with his goods; the liquor as well as sacks of grains and bolts of cloth all tightly packed and arranged. Once that was done, they parted and Alistair made his way to the small inn, really a large house, where he had arranged his lodgings. He barely got through the door without ducking, being a good head and a half taller than the average man and broader in the shoulders than most, but lacking the apparent brawn to make him seem truly massive. The dark-haired man with hard, iron-gray eyes was wiry, however, with a lithe strength hinted at by his lean, toned appearance hidden beneath his clothes. A few years as a soldier in the expeditions had that kind of effect on the body. He sat down in the small chair by the window of his room and watched as the burning sun slowly began to dip behind the great white-capped mountains he'd once helped explore and plunder, waiting for his collared cat to return. He'd let her run around the last few hours of the day, with a few silver pennies to occupy herself with, and the instruction to be in their room by dusk, while he dealt with the boring business; Alistair was a stern owner, to be sure, but caring. If she came back before dark, that was; else he'd have to track her down and make her regret disobeying.

With these heat there wasn't much Mia could find herself doing. She really didn't like the heat and wished the weather would just cool down even a bit. It made her uncomfortable, especially when traveling was involved. But of course, she never showed that discomfort when she was around her master. Slowing him down was the last thing she ever wanted to do along with disobeying him.
So when she was able to go out and leave the inn for the last few hours of daylight, all she did was lay beneath a tree she managed to find. The shade from it was enough to cool her off some as she was curled beneath it.

Mia didn't really intend to fall asleep, but ended up doing so as her head rested on her slender arms. Despite the amount of sun she gets from traveling, her skin was still fair. She's traveled for quite awhile now, more than when she was on her own. It helped with keeping her slender figure.
As great as the nap was however, it did not last very long. Which was actually a rather good thing. It's probably been a good hour or two that she napped, and it was getting close to night fall. She needed to get back. The Inn wasn't all that close to the tree she had gone to though, so hoped to make it in time.

Getting up from the grass, Mia dusted off the white knee-length dress she wore as well as fixed the top of it so her chest wouldn't get much attention. Her brown tail wrapped itself around waist as she then started walking, fixing her shoulder length light brown hair along the way. The air was getting cool at the sun was starting to set, made walking outside more bearable. Though she did pick up the pace a bit just to be on the safe side to reach the Inn, which, she luckily managed to do. She got inside as the sun just about finished setting, and made her way up to their room. Alistair was there, and waiting in a chair.
Mia closed the door behind her, getting the small feeling she may have been a bit late. The moon was rising when she got back. "S-sorry...if I'm a bit late." she said quietly as she entered the room.

A small frown crossed Alistair's almost-handsome face, matching his sigh as Mia finally returned. She'd been cutting it a bit close, for certain. "I was about to start looking for you. But you came back on your own," he smiled a little and stood, stroking his pet's hair and giving her a light kiss on her forehead, "so good girl." Mia had cost a pretty penny, for certain, but so far as the merchant was concerned she was worth the cost. Another soul to keep him company on the road and a warm body to huddle with when things got cold. There were other benefits, of course; housework, mostly, but the neko being around seemed to make men a bit more malleable. And that was discounting her ability to please a man; he'd yet to try it, but Alistair was rather certain that the slave's pretty mouth and admirable figure could arrange for him to never pay for lodgings again. Of course, he was a very possessive man when it came to his property, and so it was more likely that anyone who laid a finger on her would find himself well-versed in a new dimension of pain.

Closing the door, he turned around and began to undress, changing into some lighter nightwear, gesturing towards his coin purse. "Take a few silver and go fetch us some food, little one. You should be happy, we're leaving tomorrow and heading north." He stretched, feeling his shoulders creak as he did so. The northern provinces of the country would be having a festival in a few week's time, and his alcohol would fetch a good price if he was there in time for it. Of course, it would also be less infernally hot; Alistair had a dislike for temperatures that made him sweat, as he had a limited wardrobe with which to regularly change clothes and was of a mindset where that regular changing was a waste of good time.

Mia was greatly relieved. She glanced up and saw Alistair stand from his chair. He was not displeased with her, and that was a wonderful thing. He may be kind to her, but she knew she would be punished or scolded in some way if she did something wrong. So she tried her best to do good.

She couldn't help but to smile, when he pet her hair and kissed her forehead. She was slightly shorter than him and so she hand to glance up to look at him. And when he stepped away though, her eyes went to the pouch he pointed at. "Very well." She said with a small nod. Nothing more was mentioned while he was changing and Mia took out a reasonable amouny of coins. Seeing it would be enough to afford them a warm meal. When that was done, Mia left the room.

On her way down, Mia hummed softly until she reached the lobby area of the inn. Trying to avoid looking around too much, she simply went to the small bar area. There was no doubt she would be getting certain looks. It was late, and there were many men drinking. Of course they would have their eyes set on her. And Mia new better than to let anyone get too close to her. She just simply ordered a bit of food, paid and was on her way as quick as possible. They always made her uncomfortable with their lustful stares at her.

The men would, however, do no more than stare. The law was very clear that nekos, as property, were under the jurisdiction of their owners; assaulting one is treated as assaulting it's master as far as the law was concerned, and these men knew it even in their drunken stupors. Laying a finger on Mia without Alistair's express permission, or to spare her, gave him free range to teach them why it was a bad idea. Mia would return to find her master sitting on the bed in a pair of light trousers and naught else, pouring over his journal and map while he planned their voyage. He waved her over without looking up, patting the space next to him as a gesture for her to sit down.

"So," he said simply, "We have two options. We can take the west road to the city of Windcrest to do a bit of business and stock up for the long trip, or the north to the fields of Areille and get a head start before stocking up in Mirynth." It wasn't exactly an important decision; unless disaster struck them they'd be able to make it to the festival in time, but Windcrest would mean they could travel farther without stopping, while Areille let them make some progress before resting. "Which do you suppose will be the less eventful route, little one? To the big city or the trade outpost?"

Mia wasn't entirely quiet when she entered the room. Of course she wasn't too loud, in case her master was in the middle of something.
When she entered the room with the food, she used her foot to close the door behind her. Looking over towards her master, she frowned a little. Being with him for as long as she has, she has grown rather attached to him. He attractive, and kind. But she couldn't get any closer. It was a shame really.

When he spoke to her, she nodded. He did not look up and she just walked over towards him. Setting the warm food down on the nightstand closest to him, she then moved over and sat on the bed. Sitting beside him, her tail uncurled itself, stretched and then went around her waist again. He was looking at a map, no doubt getting started on planning their next move.
Two options were presented, and he had asked for her opinion. Personaly, she did not care what route they went. As long as she was with him, she went anywhere. And it wasn't solely because she was his 'property'. "Perhaps we can head out to Areille." She simply suggested.