[I]Niobe and Zeke's Not So Snowy Igloo

[Shiori Tonbo]

Sephiroth made his way into the shop, followed by ShoeBandit's eldest son, Jak. Obviously the blonde boy had no idea what to expect from Count D's...but he would abide by his Mother's wishes and make sure the Sephiroth was brought to the shop while she was off on vacation.

"So.....Seph," mumbled Jak as he turned to look at the fox. Only to find that a man was in his place. "What the?!?!" he exclaimed stumbling backwards and tripping over a wayward cushion.

"Breath Jak," said Seph simply as he picked up the teen and placed him on the couch. "You of all people should know that your Mother can find the oddest of places."

"True," mumbled Jak. Far to shaken and in shock to think of anything else to say.

Zeke entered the petshop with Niobe close behind.

The girl seemed almost to fit the image of a pet perfectly. She was docile, quiet, followed a few steps behind him with her eyes towards the floor. She looked...scared, more than anything else, and unsure.

The man settled himself on the couch, observing the other two who also seemed to have made their appearance for whatever reason.

Niobe sat down at his side, seeming almost engulfed by the couch itself as her pale hair spread against the back of it.

Sephiroth for the most part ignored the new comers. Finding the ceiling far more interesting as he lounged in a chair off to the side of where Jak sat on the couch.

Trying to be polite, Jak smiled at Zeke and Niobe. Extending his hand to Zeke, he said, "Hello, my name is Jak Bandit. And the arctic fox over there is Sephiroth."

Zeke eyed the boy curiously. He had never seen a creature of his sort before-- not with such long ears and other strange appearances. Still, he had seen elves, and was himself part Djinn, so he could accept it, to a degree.

But the Arctic Fox comment took him offguard.
"A fox?" he asked, peering at Sephiroth. He hoped the creature would not take it in his mind to hurt Niobe...he'd have to get violent at that...though, he was not certain a creature as small as a fox would have a chance against a seal, even if such a young one.

Niobe watched Sephiroth, sensing something of a kindred spirit in the other. It was not much, but they were both from colder climes, and Niobe was willing to latch onto anything familiar at this point.
"...Hello." her voice was soft, quiet enough to be missed, really.

"He was a fox when I woke up this morning. My Mom asked me to bring him here, she's his caregiver and said that he needed to be brought by the shop. Now that I'm here, I'm not so sure he's a fox," he turned in his seat slightly to eye Seph.

Ignoring both Jak and Zeke, Seph tilted his head back over the armrest to look at Niobe. He blinked a couple of times at her. "You're awfull small arn't you?" he asked casualy. Righting himself and adjusting so he could look at her better.

Zeke nodded thoughtfully,
"I've been told that Niobe is a harp seal, though she has ever looked as you see her now, as far as I can see."

He was aware that the few others who had seen her (as Niobe was not allowed to venture out on her own, and Zeke not particularly inclined to take her many places) had seen a seal and thought him odd for having such an odd pet. He didn't care, though. She was his little porcelain doll...

The seal nodded,
"Zeke says that the coat makes me look smaller too," she whispered, adjusting the fur at its collar. Indeed, it seemed that the coat might make her actual body look smaller for how large it was. But it did nothing for her height or petite features.

Seph smirked as he watched her adjust her coat. "Looks like it could swallow you right up," he observed casualy.

Jak reached into his pocket and pulled out a packet of gummy worms and tossed them at the fox. "Mom loves him...though now that I see what she sees I'm not so sure I like him sleeping in her room," he grumbled. Obviously not liking the notion of males going near his Mom.

Zeke shook his head. He wasn't sure -he- liked the idea of Sephiroth being too friendly with his Niobe...but, he hadn't done much so far and Zeke was willing to let it slide. For now, at least.

"I see..." he bit his lip thoughtfully,
"I suppose that would make things a bit different. Still, I don't think you would have to worry about. As much as I love my Niobe, it is difficult for me to forget that the Count insisted she was a seal and not a woman."

Niobe shrank back, Sephiroth's smirk making her a little nervous. She recognized him as a predator, though a fox would likely be too small to take down a seal-- even one so small as herself.
"I like it, though..." of course, sometimes she could do without it. times like now, when the environment was warm already and only made more so by the extra layer of fur..

Picking up the gummy bag in his lap, Seph carefully opened it and began to casualy eat them. "Don't worry little seal. My tastes aren't so outrageous as to go after you at this time." His eyes glinted dangerously for a second as the predatore in him responeded to her nervousness.

"If Mom says he is harmless than I'm inclined to believe her. She may be a bit out there, but she'd never place her family in danger," said Jak firmly. "I never met the Count. What's he like?"

Zeke was watching Sephiroth more avidly as Niobe became more uncomfortable,
"You trust him, eh?" he asked, not sure that he would offer the fox the same. Afterall, foxes were known for their slyness and ingenuity. He could easily trick his precious little Niobe.

Niobe stared at him for a moment. Being of the trusting variety, however, she soon smiled and came away from the back of the couch a bit despite her misgivings,
"I am Niobe," she said softly, in case he hadn't caught it yet and because it was polite to introduce yourself properly.

"Sephiroth. A pleasure Niobe," he said as he stood and moved to a table that was covered in sweets. "Hungry?" he asked, gesturing at the assortment of foods.

"I personaly don't trust anyone that has to potential of hurting my Mother. She's been through to much to be hurt again. But he is just a fox, albite a little diffrent than most foxes. So until he gives me a reason, I'll grudgingly trust him."

Zeke nodded thoughtfully at this. At Niobe's relaxing, he too relaxed and watched Jak once more,
"Tell me, where are you from?" he asked. He was pretty sure Jak was not of any elven species he had encountered before.

Niobe blushed lightly,
"Oh..no, thank you...." she whispered, "I...only eat crustaceans..."

"Me?" asked Jak, making sure he heard right. "I'm from a place called Traverse Town. At least, that's where I live. Mom said that Miss Selona brought me from another land, sealed inside an orb for protection. Why, I don't know. But Traverse is the only home I know. And it's the only home I care to know."

Seph shrugged. "Fair enough. I normaly only eat poultry. But I have been known to make a few exceptions. Especialy when there are tasty gummies about," he said as he returned to his chair. Not liking the spread and deciding that his own bag of gummies was better.

Zeke nodded at this,
"What manner of people live in this town, however? Are they all like you?" he hadn't heard of the place before, himself. He wondered if it were far away...the story Jak told of his coming into being was more than a little odd as well, but, well, afterall, he did have a pet seal that looked like a young woman.

Niobe was no longer against the back of the couch, but sitting on the edge of her seat. This Sephiroth was certainly an interesting character...
"Do you...what do you do? For fun?" she asked. She wasn't much good at conversation yet, having not been exposed to many people...but she could try.

"All manner of people live there. My younger sister is a spotless dalmation. My girl...best.....my friend is from what I can tell human. I met a young girl who was a were-duck. Not entierly sure how that works. I've also met a man who is draconic. He was really cool and fixed the skateboard I had then for me," he explained carefully. He didn't realize that someone hadn't of heard of Traverse before. But then again, most who come to Traverse have a reason to be there. He hadn't heard of anyone being there who didn't have a reason for being there.

"I don't really do anyting for 'fun' in the normal sence. I'm usualy to busy trying to keep my mistress out of trouble. She has heart problems and tends to get herself into over stimulating situations. Or she's just plain nutty. Haven't quite figured out which yet," mused Seph as he ate another gummy.  

[Shiori Tonbo]

Niobe sat on the chair...knitting. She didn't really have much else to do at the moment. Zeke had left her at the petshop while he was at work, hoping that maybe some time out of the house would do her good. Not that he trusted anyone there, of course. He had made sure to explain to her how to use her cell phone and when it was appropriate to do so (IE: Any time she felt like it)

She was slow about it, and whatever it was that she was making didn't look particularly well done...but it was something, anyway.

"Stay here, okay Rose? I'm going shopping for mom. Dad's still not feeling well..." Sileust patted her sister on the head with one white, articulated hand. "Maybe Hamel will be in there?"

"I haven't seen him in a long time," Rosalie responded, pouting. "Cause mom never lets us come here anymore. Cause of your stupid scary boyfriend!" Her demeanor seemed different than when last she had stopped by. Younger. More childlike.

"... you'd better take that back when I come to pick you up!" Sileust shot back, and hurried out of the store. Stupid chores. Stupid sister.

Rosalie pouted a little more, than tromped down into the store proper, arms folded petulantly over her chest. "Stupid boyfriend. Stupid stupid stupid. Who has STRAW for hair, anyway!? Weirdo."

About then, the red-head caught sight of Niobe. New person! She hurried over, skirts rustling. "Hi! Are you new? I don't remember you. My name's Rosalie! What's yours?"


Niobe looked up from her work, eyeing the red-head curiously,
"Er...I'm Niobe," she said softly. Niobe hardly ever spoke above a whisper,
"It's..." she blinked, remembering what the girl had been talking about, "boyfriends...? straw...?"

Grandmother said I should get out more, so I am out. However, she never said it was going to be so hot!

Vittoria tugged gently at the brim of her hat, head bowing against the arid heat. The bustling crowds of people didn't help the situation much at all, and the sheer amounts both astonished and frightened her. She wasn't an outdoorsy type - at all, really - and she wasn't one to talk back or complain, so when Granmama told her 'out', well golly, she went 'out'!

In the Baron's company, of course.

"Aren't you hot?" she asked, pressing closer to his side as they reached the shop. He was, after all, suited up and covered in fur.

"A bit," he responded, a very small smiling gracing his furry features. "But if you don't pay attention to it, it won't bother you as much."

Leaning forward, he grasped the knob of the door and pulled it open, allowing a blast of cool air to tumble over his keeper (though for the day, she was really HIS charge. Poor girl couldn't do a thing by herself!). Even the bell sounded tired as it tinkled; the young girl stepped in and undid the ribbon of her hat, pulling it from her head. Baron tapped her briefly with his cane on the backside, urging her forward.

"Looks like we're not the only ones here," he pointed out; Vittoria's sun-reddened skin seemed to pale.

Rosalie was about to say something when Vittoria and the Baron came in. Instantly, she took off at a tripping, skipping run over to the two.

"Hi! Oh, it's going to be like a party, or something! A whole bunch of people. Too bad sis went off to get groceries and stuff. That's not fun at all." She smiled and then, stumbling a bit, remembered to curtsy. "Oh. My name's Rosalie! Who are you?"

Niobe flushed a little as the newcomers came in and hoped they closed the door quickly-- it was already much warmer than she liked in here, and they were letting the cold air out! She didn't say anything, though, and instead looked at the knitted thing in her hands for the first time since she'd started.

Making a face, she went about tearing it up in hopes of making it again into something more recognizable.

After taking several more steps into the room (though the young girl lingered behind the cat), the door fell shut with a quiet hiss behind them. Vittoria had partially hoped that the two others would remain occupied with eachother - just long enough for her to slip out again. Unfortunately, Baron thought otherwise; his hand was firmly placed upon her small shoulder.

Tucking his cane under his arm, the tall cat bowed with an exaggerated flourish, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rosalie. I am Baron Humbert von Gikkingen" - always one for theatrics, wasn't he? - "and this is...Miss Vittoria?"

She hadn't meant to wander off in the middle of introductions, but it seemed Baron had control of things, and there HAD been two in the room at the time, hadn't there? Unless Rosalie had been talking to herself; somehow, she wouldn't hold it over her...

But the girl's attention was focused on Niobe, her curiosity getting the better of her. Baron didn't bother chasing after her...it wasn't often she went off on her own.

"What's that?" she leaned over and blinked at the thing in Niobe's hands, arms folded neatly behind her back.

For the time being, Rosalie was focusing on the Baron. Niobe could meet Vittoria, and she....

Could try and pet the man. Well, he was furry, and she liked soft furry things. So she walked over as nonchalantly as possible and attempted to pet his head. "It's a pleasure to meet you, too!"

Niobe looked up at the new girl, her cheeks tingeing red,
"Er...well...It was supposed to be a scarf," she whispered, "But it doesn't look much like one, does it?"

Her voice was just a bit sorrowful, and she pushed a strand of white hair behind her ear-- even the seal clips could not keep her hair from falling into her eyes a bit.
"Miss..Vittoria, is it?" she'd been listening as the Baron introduced the two of them, though she hadn't meant to intrude,
"I...I'm Niobe. Niobe Anoue.." She was sort of an adopted member of Zeke's family, afterall. she supposed she ought to use his name as well.

Her attempts to pet him took him completely off guard; perhaps a second too late did he lean back, large ears giving a brief twitch.

"Wouldn't you say it's a bit too early in our meeting for you to be petting me," he offered, amused, diverting her hand with his cane. It was unsettling and would no doubt be embarrassing to be...well, pet like a cat!

Vittoria tilted her head. She scuttled closer and kneeled beside Niobe's chair, sweeping her skirts beneath her knees.

"It's nice to meet you, Niobe. I like your clips," she said, a bit happier than she was earlier. Her own shyness was put on hold for the other girl, since she seemed so...she couldn't exactly put her finger on it.

"No need to give up," she said. "That's what Baron tells me, anyway. He's all about that sort of stuff. 'Believe in yourself', you know?" She giggled and stuck her tongue out.

Niobe giggled a bit watching the Baron's reaction to Rosalie,
"Oh, but he seems very nice," she said softly, though a little above the whisper she'd started out with. Vittoria was easy enough to talk to, at least. And didn't give her the feeling that she was about to be eaten the way that Sephiroth had the day before.

"I think that he must be right. Though, if you've no talent for the thing...." she pointed the the quickly unraveling mess of yarn in her lap, "Perhaps there comes a time when you ought to call it a day."


"But... but..." Rosalie pouted. Still, she remembered her mother's constant reminders to keep her hands to herself. "... but your ears are so fluffy," she finished, quietly.

She stared up at the Baron, blinking. "So what can I do this early in our meeting? Curtsy? But that's so boring. There's no music, so there's no dancing. Then... what?"

"Oh, he is! Maybe a bit too nice at times," she nodded, glancing over at him; oh, she'd have such fun poking at him once they got home! Bouncing on the balls of her feet, she fixed Niobe with a curious stare.

"You shouldn't just give up!" She plucked at the yarn, trying to remember how exactly knitting worked. "I think talent is grown, really. So if you don't try, you don't get anywhere. I'm sure you could do it! Positive."

Baron had to chuckle; of all the things he had been called, 'fluffy' had never been one of them. He was just glad Muta wasn't around to make it worse than it already was.

"A bit of music would liven the place up. It's very quiet...well, save for you, of course." He smiled - what HAD they come to the shop for, exactly? Other than to get out of the sun, of course. Was there even a record player in here - he found himself looking for one.

Rosalie opened her mouth to chirp something back, then stopped, mouth hanging open and an odd, puzzled look on her face.

"... was that an insult?" she asked, after a moment, voice small and cute. "Cause if it was, that's not nice... I mean... I'm not that loud, and those two are talking, anyway...

"... But yeah, music would be nice. There's never enough of it. Mom doesn't play much music, so there isn't much dancing. And I always have to dance by myself."

Niobe smiled,
"Well, I suppose there isn't any harm in it. It keeps my hands busy anyways." She liked having something to do. Besides, if she managed it afterall, she'd have a nice fluffy scarf-- not that she needed one with it being so hot everywhere all the time.

"Don't you think it's warm in here?" she asked, noting absently that the girl would probably point out her fur-lined coat as being the source of her own problems. Still, Niobe would never take -that- off.

Baron didn't readily respond, but his eyes did have the barest of wicked twinkles.

His furry brows rose upwards, "Really? Our home always has something playing. I couldn't imagine having a lack of music!"

Tapping his cane against the floor, he came to a resolution, "Well, if we can find something to play, I will dance with you. The idea of dancing alone..." He clucked his tongue and shook his head.

Warm?

Vittoria stared. Well, of course it would be warm if you wearing a winter coat! She twiddled her thumbs and tried her hardest not to point that out.

"It's much better than being outside," she said, eyeing Niobe's coat. "It's unbearable."

Unable to keep it to herself much longer, she asked bashfully, "Aren't you...well, hot?"

"Mom says she can't concentrate. And now that dad's sick, she says it hurts his head."

Rosalie began bouncing up and down at the Baron's decision. "Ooo! That sounds fun! If only we could find something..." She began looking, ducking around chairs and searching through all the lovely antiques. She wasn't having much luck, especially since her petticoats made it so hard to squeeze into small places.

"Uh... hm..."

"Your father's sick?" he echoed. "I'm sorry."

He began his search as well, but it wasn't so exhuberant as Rosalie's. She seemed to be an endless bundle of energy; he half wondered how her family coped. Or rather, how she coped - she obviously needed a lot of room to spread her wings, so to speak.

Of course, he hadn't meant it literally.

Stepping away from a set of old cabinets, he made his way over to Rosalie's side and offered a hand, "Are you stuck? Perhaps I should look."

It was hard to tell whether or not there was a smile somewhere under that fur. If so, he was an expert at hiding his amusement.

Rosalie nearly tripped as she bounded back to him and latched onto his hand. "That might be better, yes," she said, hurriedly, laughing sheepishly as her foot caught on something and dragged it across the floor. "I'm only used to looking for books and papers among STACKS of books and papers.

"But yeah," she said, getting out of the thick of things and sitting down on the floor. "Dad's sick. Something about poison..."

Niobe blushed,
"Well, I'm almost always hot. Zeke keeps my room cold, though, so I can use it as a sanctuary."

She buried her nose against the fur,
"It's warmer in here, though, than in the apartment even out of my room."