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 Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:33 pm
((Anyone who wants to jump in feel free!)) It has been almost two moons since Layla had struck out on her own. Without any friends, she had started on this journey south bound to the ocean. Walking when she wanted, or paying for a taxi cart to be driven. She was accustomed to a simple aristocratic life, but now she had a business to run. She had begun her own business, and knew the fruits of her labor would show themselves soon. She meandered through the streets of Babylon. It was noon, in the heat of the day, but thankfully the busy market place was well shaded. She looked from stand to stand. She was serching for items for her business. Cloth,flowers, stones, candles... anything she might be able to use. At her side was a small, thin, slave- her first personal servant. He wore the chains around his legs as a symbol of his servitude. Kijibwa was thankful to his master that he had been saved from the hell hole known as Zanzibar, but he had yet to learn about Layla. The chains were thick and heavy on his legs, and he knew running away was not an option. The market place was crawling with hounds. At that thought Layla glared down toward Kiji, and he shrunk, his eyes darting away.
"Keep focused, servant," she barked- unused to having to dominate her own slaves... usually daddy did it for her.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:42 pm
 The bar had come with slaves, but Aki had booted them out the door and straight back to Zanzibar. She loved her father, but his slaves were impudent, and she did not feel as though she should have to whip them into shape so late in the game. The Stumble Inn had not yet reopened since her father's death, and Aki still had not the heart to go find slaves of her own to work for her, so, for now, the young hound wove her way through the streets of Babylon where she had lived all her life. Maybe some shopping would make her feel better? The smells of street cartels were tempting, as were the pretty bits and bobs in store windows, begging to be bought - but for now, she needed to focus on things that would be fit for the business she was to keep. As she continued on, she took notice of a lightly marked hound and her slave, and stopped to watch how a real master kept his or her slave in line.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:44 pm
 Anpu had found himself in Babylon on one of his trips to sell some of his goods. Not that he was too fond of leaving Capsia. But not to many people frequented his shop because it was so far out of the way. So he choose Babylon over Zanzibar because he figured it would smell less. And being upperclass his nose was very sensitive to the disgusting.
Anpu had a fine leather sack over his side with all his wheres and goods to sell. He should have had his slaves carrying it but he just didn't trust either of them yet. They were just too new to him to trust his livelyhood. And if it all broke his dreams of having a clay hut for his mates return would be broken. He sighed sad and wondered when she would return. She had been gone for awhile. Some part of him was worried that she had left him for good because of how unclean he left the hut. That was why he needed a bigger place. Anpu could work without spraying blood and guts all over the place.
"Ah Babylon." He put his nose up into the air and took a whiff quickly wrinkling it again. "Not as bad as Zanzibar but I'm not making a perminate home here."
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 8:54 pm
 Mei had her snout to the ground, not to look for food but rather rocks. Yes, rocks. To Mei, each one had a particular and distinct scent, as different as the various metals did to her sensitive nose. It wasn't a skill she was willing to teach even her slaves yet, not when they still needed to accomodate to their rather . . . delicate surroundings. Leave it to her to know what the exact difference was between the subclasses of precious stones but not be able to tell that she had chosen two clumsy cats to serve her.
The heat was putting her in a foul mood as well, and after a while Mei became tired of finding nothing but dust up her nose - soon she would have to pause in her search and be forced to take shelter inside a stand or business hut. "My apologies," she murmured upon accidentally bumping into a blue-collared female, for the first time in several minutes looking up. Her eye twitched slightly upon realizing how stiff her neck was becoming from the constant searching, and even her beloved jewels were beginning to grow hot against her fur. She was . . . ah, the center of Babylon, the very heart of Syria. Many stands, many hounds, the nearest being a rather cool-faced female out with one of her slaves, opposite being a bone-decoured male. The skull made her believe for a moment that once more Kangara had stalked her, visibly relaxing when she realized he was a different hound.
"The heat is getting to me . . ."
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 9:11 pm
Layla passed by many booths, each selling a different ware. Plates, ribbon, necklaces... but none in this are had nothing for her. Her nose wrinkled in impatience. Her feet were becoming hot and dusty. A bath would be in order as soon as she got home. Around her there were many others taking a stroll. A dark brindled lady, who peculiarity looked like one of Layla's family members from back home, a male adorned with bones, and another hounds bejeweled with a stunning necklace. As Layla peered around, Kijibwa slunk beside his master. This was the fist time he had been to Babylon and the smells were sooo good. Forget the plates and hides! He could smell the caramelized beetles, and the roasting birds... His mouth drooled as he peeked up at a roadside vendor, wishful he could have a morsel to eat. He was so hungry, and so very weak from Zanzibar. It was then he noticed a hound smelling the ground. It was quite unusual... "Have you lost something?" He chirped, calling out to her. Layla froze where she stood, her eyes wide as she glared down at her newly purchased slave. Clearly this cat did not know society's rules... for a slave one must never speak until spoken too! She hissed between her teeth, "slave!!!" Layla looked at the hounds around her, to the females and to the male, nervous she might come off as lenient with a disorderly servant. She raised a dainty paw, and struck Kijibwa across the muzzle. He yelped, and coward beneath her. "Learn your place!" She snapped... but her voice was shaky. She wanted to make a good impression on the locals.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 9:15 pm
Caspia was beautiful, serene, simple, quiet, no troubles there...which was why Chuma had to get away from there. He had retired to find peace, only to discover that for a veteran of raging war and constant battles peace was like a punishment. He walked with a slightly stiff back leg but otherwise his posture was perfect his steps sure and true. Despite his ravaged eye few could really tell he had lost some of his once eagle like vision. He had decided to follow his brother in law this day into the hot crowded city of Babylon. He was annoyed because his sister was still off probably picking flowers in some far off place unknown, and Anpu hadn't seen fit to go with her. Chuma adored his baby sister and had acted like an overprotective guard for her everywhere and all the time until she had settled down with her beloved. Chuma still didn't think Anpu was good enough for his baby sister, but short of killing the other male there was little he could do.
Despite his years at war he was not a cruel male or even a cold blooded killer. Indeed behind his often snarling and harsh facade he was compassionate. He had a soft spot for pups and practiced a charm and courtesy towards females that had nothing to do with how beautiful they were. No he had found love and lost it and he had no desires to entangle himself ever again. Still he had an eye for inner beauty and respected it as much as battle prowess or intellect. His nose twitched and he grumbled softly as he walked through the city. The sun beat down on his black coat and he sighed at the intense burning along his back. Might as well be back out patrolling in the hot sand and killing traitors. Except today he would just be patrolling market stands and killing his funds purchasing who knew what foolish baubles to make his new house a home.
He glanced over curiously as he heard a sharp female voice, Ahh another slave who probably needed a firmer paw. Well he didn't want to interfere, undermining another's control was hardly his style. He simply decided to watch curious if the female would be able to handle things alone, she looked young, but even the young could surprise him still.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 9:24 pm
Aki drew closer, watching the bunch of hounds who seemed to congregate around the one female with her slave, the unruly slave. The petite female peered on through the small throng of an audience, intent on seeing how others dealt with slaves who did not know their place. She murmured her appreciation of the hound's control of the situation as she stood, captivated by what would happen next. She took these things in, knowing that soon she might deal with a slave who had no clue how to behave. The masters she noticed around her were very different from each other, and she smiled in appreciation of the varied styles and coats of each, trying to guess where each of them might be from. It must be exciting for these hounds to come to her city to peruse the markets, much more exciting than living here every day.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 9:39 pm
Anpu noticed the small crowd forming and he decided that this would be the best chance he had to unload some of his better items. He paraded towards the group with a bound in his step trying to be as 'salesmanly' as possible. It was a skill he learned from his upper crust parents. How to be polite and come off so that others would remember you the best way possible. And he needed the business badly so he could surprise his mate with a clay house when she returned.
"Good afternoon." He tipped his nose to the ladies then to Layla not at all noticing his brother in law snooping off in the distance. He watched as Layla disciplined her slave. He hadn't had to do that to either of his yet- which was a good thing for them in reality because he had a nasty temper when something he wanted done got screwed up. Eventully something would happen that would push him over the edge thought and he knew it.
"Isn't today a lovely day to shop?" He tried to interject a pleasant conversation to get them situated about himself. It wouldn't be worth his trouble to sell items one at at time. It would tire him out in this heat plus with his anti-social behavior he really wanted to get back to Caspia with his money as soon as possible.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 10:51 pm
By the time she turned to find the source of the weak voice asking about her search, the source - a slave - had already been cowed by his master. Being a hound from strict upbringings and certain teachings, Mei noted the quiver in the she-hound's voice - either new to the slave-owning business as she was herself or anxious of something. Or perhaps both? Her severe and quick reaction pointed to the new owner theory. Finding no need to answer the slave, Mei merely nodded slightly to the light gray female - a little rough on the command, but who knew: perhaps that specimen of felidae needed the harsh words. Even the other female was watching, learning from example.
"More lovely to stay in," she answered the male's words, shifting the bangles upon her left paw so that they at least didn't catch the light so and perhaps annoy someone's eyes. "Whoever named these "the dog days" must have had a very different idea of what a good day is. I may even resort to finding a . . . tavern." "Bar" was a filthy word with filthier connotations as far as she was concerned. Rounding the corner behind the skull-fitted male Mei saw an intimidating hound approaching, half-blind and with a strangely dangerous-looking collar fitted about his neck. Instinctually she found her limbs tensing, glancing for an escape route. One never knew.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:31 pm
Kijibwa's face stung with the sharpness of Layla's hit. His eyes swelled with tears, and he bit his lip to hold back a choked sob. He was still young and small for a slave. His large blue eyes squinted as his ears pinned against his back. He wrapped his tail around himself. What a cruel world this was. Layla was suddenly stricken with guilt as she watched her new slave whimper like a pup. This feline had a kind soul, and had always been amiable from the start- even during the long journey home he had been obedient. She felt her chest become tight, and forced herself to look away. Her tail twitched uncomfortably. It seemed she had attracted quite a crowd. She tried to put Kijibwa in the back of her mind as she addressed the market hounds. She would handle him later. She then nodded politely to the dark brindled hound politely. She listened as the white male approached. "Afternoon," she said politely. But before she could answer, the bejeweled female piped in. "I agree," Layla laughed softly, "what I wouldn't give for a refreshing drink." She smiled gently. "I can't seem to find anything I need here... this place it so big! Compared to Cairo at least..." Layla thought to herself for a moment, "Where do all of you hail from?" she addressed the three hounds. Out of the corner of her eye Layla could see a battle torn male in the distance. She turned her eyes away, as a lady should. These hounds seemed friendly. Babylon had so many diverse types of hounds, as well as other species inhabiting its market place. Kijibwa remained silent, as he had learned his lesson. He peeked up for only a moment. It seemed like he was the only slave traveling with his master today. He shuddered as the feeling of loneliness overwhelmed him.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:39 pm
Chuma was trained to notice things, he quickly picked up on Mei's sudden tense posture, on Layla's nervousness, his brother in laws foolish attempt to hawk wares among these ladies, and Aki's curiosity. He judged that both Layla and Aki had to be the younger females both learning still about the ways of the world. Mei was probably slightly more street savvy but he had a suspicion her taut nerves were because of him. Well no need to act as a shadowy savage, in his youth he had been quite the romeo, he might be older now and dismissive of love but his old world chivalry hadn't died on the battlefield.
"Ladies, good morning..." He swept in among the other hounds and tipped his muzzle to the three females each in turn. He glanced back at Anpu and raised a brow. "Anpu...my sister still isn't back home?" He asked softly his voice held the edge of a threat, but was still able to pass for civil. He didn't need the other male to answer though, he already knew his sister hadn't returned.
His eyes moved down to the shuddering slave and then back to Layla. He could tell she felt something, guilt perhaps for being heavy handed? She had to know how to accept her actions, she hadn't done anything wrong. He smiled at her trying to offer both her and the slave some consolation. "My lady if you would forgive my impudence...but the day is indeed rather hot..why not have your slave fetch you some water...and I'm sure the scrap can find some food for himself as well on the way. It would be a pity to see such pretty desert flowers wither in the sun." He smiled at Aki and dipped his muzzle. "I am General Chuma'Bomani, at your service." Well...he had been a general, now he was just a retired old veteran who longed for action in his life again.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 12:09 am
Anpu at first didn't notice Chuma. Or at least he didn't make it obvious that he had. Anpu didn't like his brother in law one bit and the only reason he tolerated him was because of his mate Chione. But he gave the slightest tip of his maw then grumbled at him, "No your sister isn't back yet. I don't know when she's returning." Then furthered on without much changing his distrustful voice at the male. "But she's old enough to care for herself don't you think?"
He loved Chione to death but he wasn't going to push himself on her as her chaperon. Plus he was rather worried that the feuding between Anpu and Chuma had driven her off to find these rare flowers. Perhaps if the two made up she would come back, but he wasn't going to be the one to make the offer as prideful as he was. Instead he turned back towards the ladies with a plesent smile. "A bar to get out of this heat sounds like quite the right idea." Perhaps he could situate himself so far between the group that he might avoid Chuma for the night, instead he just buried the hatchet deeper.
"And my friend Chuma here will pay for the lovely ladies drinks!" Since it seamed he wanted to please them all anyway. "Because he's such a such a..." a**? No there were better words in this situation. "Because he's such a gentleman around ladies!" He gave a cocky chuckle and glared at Chuma.
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 11:36 am
Ah, she had been wary of a general? She could see it in his bearing, retired or not, but did not feel any less guilty for her instinctual reaction. A hound was not always honorable because of their job, and one of her first lessons form Father was this: the world was not to be trusted at face value. Nevertheless, Mei bowed her head slightly to the short-tailed hound. "Afternoon, General. While your friend's offered courtesy is appreciated, I can very well pay for my own drink. But I would not mind socializing with you all as I do so."
Let it not be Kangara's bar, she prayed silently. The last thing she wanted to do was situate herself near him purposefully. "Preferably not here, if we can make suggestions? It may be hot enough to melt metal, but I am willing to walk to a more pleasurable tribe in this instance."  Run run run run run run run run . . . Run run run run run! That's all he had been telling himself ever since he got the message. The Master had explicitly stated to be notified of any incoming packages, so . . . So that meant even if he was out of the house, right? Adham didn't want to misinterpret the order, so he went with the safe bet in finding Chuma. Thankfully he remembered that the hound had said he wanted to get some action in the heart of Syria, and so run run run went the little slave!
Tiredness would have to catch up to him, the way he was moving!
Practically fishtailing around a corner and nearly crashing into a fruit stand, he spotted the master's back ahead and breathed a sigh of relief - and then quickly went back to panting. His poor paws throbbed with the effort it had taken him to get there in the time that he did, but anything to not upset the master! "M-Master Chuma sir sir!" Adham called, forcing himself to trot the last few yards over, sides heaving. "Master sir, message I has!"
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 6:36 pm
"Hmmm~" the hound thought to herself as events went down around her. She tipped her muzzle as she drew nearer to the hounds. As the possibility of retreating to a tavern was offered, she wished that she had her establishment set up and stocked for all of them. A gathering like this was certain to turn a pretty penny, but Aki didn't even have the slaves bought yet to run her bar. "Wonderful day for shopping." she smiled and answered the question asked of her, before going back to silence and observation once more. If she could scout out the types of patrons who might visit the Stumble Inn, she could get a better idea of how best to decorate and stock it. As yet another male approached, Aki took the time to let her eyes fall over him, inspecting him. He was interestingly scarred, and she wondered where he had got into such quarrels as to look like he did. "Morning" she answered him in kind.
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