Private The Fox meets a Snake

[Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae]

Planet: Jutrand
Location: Some inconspicuous streets surrounded by massive buildings.
Time of day: Around Noon, maybe before, maybe after.
Darth Malum of House Marr

It has been a rather rough time for the fox. Aeizori losing the man who had given her everything she had desired. That man was everything to the maid. She felt broken, defeated and lost. She didn't have the strength to muster any sort of desire to live. Of course, she could've always serviced his children, but one vanished without a trace, and the others. Well. She couldn't bring herself to continue her service with them. So she ran, unannounced, and fled.

And now here we are present day. She had found, or well, someone had found, the servant girl and gave her a new purpose. A-bit, not as kind as her former one was, but maybe a new change of scenery was needed. Still, she listens and obeys to their demands with hardly any sort of dismay from the fox. Yet it was this day, that the new ownership of this fox began to have a dispute. The dispute started to get rather heated, as the man and woman being's to argue, with Aeizori merely following behind them.

"Really Harold? Spending our credits on our newest member? Without consulting me, your wife?!" This older woman exclaims. Well it is true, Aeizori has been given a few gifts here and there, but nothing too extraordinary.

"Oh not this again." Harold calls out. Harold, being a middle aged man with a receding hairline, looks over at his wife. "Jane, for the last damn time. These gifts, are a sign of respect for what she does. How come every time I go to give someone, something, anything, to appreciate their work and value, you go off on me!"

"Because you aren't informing me where all of our credits are going to! Do you even know how much it takes to live here?" Jane states, gritting her teeth as she raises her voice ever so slightly.

And the two continue to speak about such words, all throughout their, slightly peaceful, walk. Aeizori, however, pays no mind to this infighting that they are having. This, has started to become a regular occurrence with these two, with Aeizori on the sidelines. Of course, this walk will soon end, as the servant moves her hand upwards to point at where the trio were headed.

"Pardon my intrusion, but we have arrived at the cafe."

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Malum to put it simply.

Was bored.

How exactly he could feel bored as he walked through the streets of the world, in which he was certainly persona non grata, perhaps currently the second, or at the very least, the third most wanted traitor of the Sith Empire, he had no idea. Certainly, if anyone called out for his name, his blood would freeze, and he would need to make a very quick escape, certainly, if any of the guards stopped to speak to him, the stress he would feel would be truly immense, certainly, the thought of even being on Jutrand had once filled him with such fear to make him nauseous.

How that had turned now to boredom was an open question.

Might have it been that since Alvaria, the powers that be at least knew that he was no traitor... or at the very least not a traitor to the Empire. Might have it been that once having tea with the Empress herself and her... goddaughter, of all people, one essentially reached a plateau of how stressed they could be. Might it have been that in this public space, none had approached him, for after all, none could see or sense him, Force Cloak and Stealth proved themselves once again, as he settled on that, as to why he felt so secure... and in that security... bored.

He probably should have been training, Bogan knew he was not ready for what was coming next.

He probably should have been strategising and considering how to take what every advantage he had and translate them to victory.

He probably should have been conferring with his fellow apprentice, for this entire enterprise would no doubt fall apart without him.

Instead here he was, walking, invisible to the world. Picking out idle conversation amongst the crowds, it was no exaggeration to say that they provided him some small amount of entertainment. Being able to see how the other side lived, living day-to-day lives, without needing to stake their own lives, or their loved ones for survival.

It would be one particular couple which caught his notice, an arguing pair talking about some trinket the male had bought without the woman's knowledge. Heh... well he did avoid sleeping with married women... but he had been awfully stressed as of late... perhaps some experienced stress relief was exactly what the doctor ordered.

But where his eyes were actually drawn to, was not the feuding couple, but the servant that trailed them both. A woman of rather average height, though, that was not exactly what caught his attention.

She was a fox.

Not a silver fox, she seemed rather young after all, and had the youthful attractiveness and beauty about her.

No, what Malum meant was that she was quite literally a fox.

Her ears perked up atop her head, while her... seven tails, swayed in the wind, as they all entered the cafe.

Alright, maybe there was a chance to end his boredom.

He followed them in quick order.

Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae

 

[Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae]

The arguing family begins to stop their chat as the fox speaks out of where they are at. Harold looks up and stares at the sign. Afterword's, he gives out a faint shrug. "So we are." He then looks over towards his wife and stares at her. "Try to not make a scene this time Jane. I'd rather not have the authorities arrive. Again. Because the nice lady didn't mix the appropriate amount of sugar in your tea."

Jane, did not enjoy this one bit and gives Harold a rather rude stare, followed by another careless complaint. "Ooooh, don't you dare change the subject. We aren't done discussing this financial deficient you are bringing us into! We might be in a more private, public place, but that does not mean this conversation is over."

"Damnit Jane, can you give it a rest already? We have plenty of credits already, and my business has never been any better. So please, quit your complaining and lets just enjoy our day." The man speaks out, before entering the café, and looking around for a place to stop by and sit down at. After finding a spot, he looks over at the fox.

"Why don't you find us a server, and be quick about it. I doubt her patience is going to last any more."

Jane scoffs at his remark and merely looks elsewhere.

"Yes, Of course Master Vrith." The fox states, before heading away from the rather dismayed couple, and heading over to find what he requested. Of course, usually a server comes to you. Not the other way around. Strange, but no request is too strange for this fox to fulfill.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Malum hid by an alcove amongst the halls and ways of the cafe, equidistant from where the patrons were both growing annoyed at the presence of the feuding couple, and bewildered by the presence of a fox-human made manifest, and to the kitchen where no doubt the staff would have a rough service coming ahead. Amongst the various alien species that one would commonly encounter in one's lifetime, of strange and well... alien, Malum thought he would be right in contending that a creature as both majestic and well frankly... cute as the fox was perhaps as rarity amongst rarities. He had certainly not seen one in his travels, though he had seen other half-human, half-animal creatures in the past, not even counting those who seemed to warp between forms.

As he was lost in thought, he continued to listen to the couple fighting. Most of it meaningless drivel in its importance but one instruction, a simple phrase of words that might allow him to gain the entertainment that he so sorely needed.

As the fox passed the alcove, in search of some server who no doubt were doing their utmost to stay far, far, from the middle of a conflict of finances between the couple, an invisible hand shot out. Within a second, grasping hers, he pulled her into the alcove, and extended the cover of his cloak onto her, as another hand shot out to cover her mouth.

"These would be far from the circumstances in which I would have sought to speak with you, unfortunately, considering some... recent events, this is the only option. Promise me you will not scream, and no harm will come to you, you are hidden as I am, and I only wish to talk." Malum whispered, as gently as he could, realising how this could come across, and hoping beyond hope that his words might be able to convince her.

Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae

 

[Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae]

Aeizori aimlessly started to wander about rather focused on fulfilling her masters request. The servers she did manage to meet and bump into were all busy and tending to other beings in this café. Yet, as she walked by a particular alcove, something did feel amiss. Without a second to understand the situation, her hand was grabbed by some unknown force, and whoosh, she was gone in and instant. Being taken by others isn't foreign to her, but out in a public space? Unheard of.

Though at the sudden hand grab had caused to to admit a sound from her lips, merely one of pure shock. Then the hand comes around her mouth and lips, and she tries to turn her head to look at the man in question. The person who stole her and hidden her away from the world.

Hearing him whisper out those few words, an ear does twitch and flicker about and given her own situation, all she could do is silently nod. Seems she is content, for now.

Meanwhile, at the couples table.

Jane and Harold continue to have their little argument, as Jane doesn't seem to want to give it up and Harold is trying to dismiss it and not embarrass himself. The servers are definitely not going to this couple anytime soon.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

It was difficult to ignore the guilt of the situation pressing in on him. He was fast realising that though he had no real objective in what he was doing, there was really only one way this could possibly come across for one sane and sound of mind. So it was no surprise to him that he quickly let his hands go from her mouth, and turned her frontwise, so he no longer held her at a complete disadvantage, instead they faced each other, and facing her...

...Well simply put she was more attractive, nay beautiful, up close than at a distance.

Which only furthered the guilt of why exactly he was doing this because Malum knew for a fact for all the evils that the Sith had done across the galaxy, what others might have imagined here... well, there would be no cause, no reason, for he was not even sure why or what he was doing.

Well at the very least, he could provide her some funds and tell her to go, whatever his anomalous cause, he knew few desired to be servants willingly.

That was when something wafted over the air, a presence which had been constant, but had almost become white noise, and thus beyond his recognition.

He raised his eyebrow at her, it was a familiar presence, one which he had felt many a time before... mainly with those of his creed.

"You're... Sith," He drawled out, in both accusation and confusion, why would a Sith be serving as a servant to what he was sure was a random civilian family? Did they have some importance he was missing? It was possible, but he knew the ones of influence and the powermakers on Jutrand, and he could confidently say these two civilians of names he had already forgotten were not that.

So why?

Had they somehow gained influence over a Sith? That was simply not possible...

Was this some long con or her part?

The guilt washed away in the face of curiousity.

Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae

 

[Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae]

Aeizori quickly found herself turned around, and her eyes move to scan the man. No words escape her lips. Instead, she takes these moments to gaze and simply stare at this man, gathering his appearance and all. He looks rather familiar, but from where? Just why does this man spark such thoughts in her mind? Was he wanted? Could explain why he hid himself. But for what reasons? Perhaps time will tell as she speaks to this man. After all, he picked her, instead of her current master or mistress for that matter. The calmer of the trio really. Jane would've screamed, Harold would've outright accused and got her assistance.

Yet it wasn't money this man seemed to be after. No. If it was that. Harold would've been taken. It wasn't power. Otherwise Jane would've. Just why a servant?

Then this unknown assailant spoke words, which she gave a confused look in response. She almost looks offended. Though questions do begin to rise up in her little head furthering her own confusion. Why would he call her such? Was it the eyes? Her own trained sensitivity? However, something had to be said to break the silence.

"No?" She repeats in a rather equally confused tone. "Why would you say such a thing?" Yet, as she spoke, the woman spoke in a rather quiet manner, to not arouse any wandering eyes to where the two might be.

She doesn't know this man. He hid for a reason. Best to just play along for now.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

"I-" he tilted his head, his maw snapping shut at the words that flowed from her lips, her expression held an emotion that he recognised clearly, but for the life of him, he could not understand why she was displaying it. Was she some actress, or at least held the skills of one? Possibly, but that curve in her eye, that tone in her voice.

It seemed altogether too genuine for it to be an act.

"You... I can sense the darkness within you," Malum spoke both quietly and quickly, his ears fluttering awake, picking up every minute sound in the restaurant, lest they be interrupted, as his eyes left her and scanned above, for the moment contenting themselves that they had not been discovered.

"Are you... not Sith?" He spoke carefully, her presence was dark, that much he could feel with certainty, even her eyes were a dead giveaway, something he had not fully internalised. Yet as his breath slowed, and his eyes returned to look at hers, it was a red not too dissimilar to the many of his Order, the redness of their lightsabres, to the eyes of Marr which he had inherited from birth.

And her eyes were too, beautiful.

She was of the Darkside that was certain, and on Jutrand that almost certainly meant she was a Sith.

But almost certain, was not entirely certain.

A Dark Jedi then? Some disciple of the Darkness parallel yet independent of the Sith? Some Mawite relic? Yet, even that last would have accepted the term Sith, he supposed.

The earlier curiosity which had brought him here returned in full force, boredom had long since given away to concern, and now even that too was fading. She could be a dangerous foe, but for now, it seemed she was more than willing to accept her current position, rather than resist. Still, if that could change, it would make things very difficult for him.

Especially if anyone saw him here.

Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae

 

[Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae]

As the two continue to go back and forth with these questions and answers, the sly fox begins to try to put pieces together. The man clearly has eyes similar to hers, taken her and placed them both in an invisible shroud, and questioned her to see if she was a Sith. And yet the questions still come forth with more questions? Why is this man hidden? Why did he simply pick her? His own confusion matches her own as these thoughts race inside her mind.

"Why yes, my race tends to be affiliated with that gift, but it is our choice on how to proceed with it. Or so I, believe. I've only met one another."

----

As he scans the area once more, the sound of patrons getting their afternoon teas, biscuits and general cafe items are heard all around. Servers rushing back and forth to please the masses that area here. Harold and Jane continue to have their argument, as Jane raises her voice. Seems she is once more, causing a scene in public.

"Where is that fox at." Harold complains, starting to get rather impatient. Both of the server not arriving, and his servant returning.

"Oh, maybe she grew some damned sense and fled with that, oh so expensive, necklace you just had to buy her." Jane retorted.

"Jane, can you give it a rest?"

"Can you stop spending our credits on people neither of us care about?!"

"Without her, you'd be struggling to remember your damned medical appointments."

"Without that whore, you'd be appreciating your wife more!" Jane stated with some heated jealousy.

This conversation is definitely getting more and more heated by the moment.

----

There he goes with asking if she was Sith or not. Is this man a fugitive? No, why would someone with eyes similar to hers be attempting to hide from them, on their own planet even! In response to this, the fox-woman asks him another question. "Before I answer that, are you trying to hide from someone? Like, ah, someone or something. You are starting to look oddly familiar, I can't place where."

Something about this man doesn't add up and her own curiosity is getting the better of her.

----

A server watched the man and wife get at it, and moved towards one of the doors in the back.


Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Her race had an affinity for the dark side of the Force? That was rare, rare indeed, he could perhaps count two species that he knew with any true knowledge who had such affinities, the pureblood Sith and the Dathomirians, and from what he could tell already this woman was from neither caste or creed.

Her explanation left much to be desired in itself, but he had an inkling that she was no more knowledgeable about the topic than he was.

"And you have proceeded with it by choosing to serve the unworthy?" Malum hissed a feigned hiss out of his lips, looking to catch the woman off-guard, to return the balance of power to him, as he turned inwards, considered what all this meant, without himself being confused.

He stopped a moment as his ears perked up at the sound of fighting at the periphery, not fighting of blades or blasters mind you, that would have been enough for him to rapidly extricate himself from the premises, whatever curiosity of his be damned, was arrogant, he was overconfident, and he was a fool, but he was not ever going to let his family come to risk due to his idle curiosities.

At least... not too much.

No the fight was a verbal one, and considering he had heard the loud voices not too long ago, he knew exactly who it belonged to. That couple, which the beautiful woman before him called master and mistress. He could not see them in the hidden alcove, but he would imagine they were making quite the scene. He could not quite make out what they were arguing about, but considering he held the fox woman so near to him, he could imagine the cause of their argument. On one hand, it was a good thing, a distraction for the entire cafe, on the other hand, if the cause of their argument was the fox, they might actually try to find her, which would blow his cover.

Either way, he gave himself a time limit, he needed to get this done quickly.

As soon as he figured out what exactly he wanted.

That question was put on pause, as his crimson eyes flashed darkly, widening at the question she posed him. Was... she toying with him? His face had been plastered across both Eternalist and Tsis'Kaar propaganda networks for quite some time, for the Eternalists he was the most visible subordinate of the Queen of Shadows, while for the Tsis'Kaar he was their newly risen commander, who would lead them to victory. Both descriptions gave him far more credit than he truly was worth by his estimation, but the point was, that his face had been plastered in far too many places than he truly felt comfortable about.

And it seemed that was about to bite him.

"I- yes, I am a vigilante of sorts, making certain those of force-sensitive nature are not being exploited by their lessers," That... was not entirely a lie at least, even if he had come up with the lie so quickly that he realised it was almost entirely too coincidental that the claim aligned so well with the fact she seemed to be some maid of the couple still arguing.

He only hoped she would take him at his word.

"Please, if this is not what you desire tell me, and I can get you out of here, what is your name?" What the fuck was coming out of his mouth? He was in the heart of enemy territory and his bleeding heart was thinking of saving others when the only one who needed saving was himself.

Ali was going to kill him if he ever heard about this.

Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae

 

[Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae]

She seemed to be at a loss of words. Was that an insult? Should it have been? She answered him with what knowledge she, herself, had but from the sound of his tone and voice clearly states she should be doing something else with her life. Especially with how she is affiliated with the sinister side of things. Yet, from her upbringing, this is all she ever known. Ever will be. A servant. An ear flickers, twitches.

Once she has gathered her thoughts together, she finally spoke about. "W-Well, no. This is all I've ever known."

----

Meanwhile, the married couple continues to have their dispute. Much to the man trying to dismiss the entire ordeal, them being in a public space and what not, and the woman continuing to make a scene. Even a few of the customers were starting to look their way, then back to what they were doing, but from how loud the pair was getting, the scene almost looked planned out. At least by one of the two.

----

"A vigilante?" She questions. "Well, I can assure you that I very much enjoy my position. Not that some reprieve at times is needed, but I can assure you that I am rather happy here."

----

The server returns with the owner of this place, or at least someone of a bit of higher authority then them. The pair moves towards Harold and Jane, and the group begins to speak to one another. The conversation simmered down, slightly, Harold trying to convince that this will stop, while Jane persists that it might not actually stop. With an ultimatum given, the manager did in fact demand that they stop this dispute, or they will be forced to leave. Harold insists that they should at least get something before they need to leave, and calls out their companions name.

"Aeizori, we're leaving." He shouted.

"Oh-do we really need her?"

Harold rolls his eyes. "We can't just leave her here."

"Oh we must certainly can."

"We aren't leaving without her."

The manager simply rubs their forehead now and simply departs.

----

At the mention of her name being called, the girl immediately turns her head to the sound. An ear twitching, and her mouth moves open to speak with the intention of calling out to them as if on instinct, after all, she is just a simple maid.

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

All she had known was bondage? Slavery? Subservience? The horror grew in him at every word, yet what horrified him the most.

Was how easily she accepted her station. Theirs was a power that had existed as long as the universe itself, theirs was a position to be unrivalled and feared, theirs was a station to be superior to all others, to only consider their peers their equals, to only consider those crowned and recognised as Dark Lord or Emperor, as their only superior.

An ugly emotion flowed through him, but an emotion that was far too human to ever truly resist.

Without realising, his grip over the fox had strengthened, pressing down with enough pressure to cause pain, as his crimson eyes glowed in fire and brimstone.

The emotion flooded his ears, feeling like blood coursing through, leaving him numb and blind to the sounds erupting nearby.

All he cared about now.

Was setting this woman straight.

"How can you so willingly and readily serve your inferiors?" He stepped forward into her personal space, as anger trumped propriety, "Do you not see how your very being compounds greatness that they could not even hope to fathom?" He was too close now, hot, heavy breaths too near to her features, as his grip grew tighter still, "Tell me, how can you possibly be happy?"

It was the sounding of a name, that broke him out of the red haze.

"Aeizori"

It was a beautiful name, but he had long since found that seemingly every part of this woman was beautiful... apart from her self-imposed serfdom. Ali would never forgive him if he simply allowed this woman back into her chains, he had told him some time ago, of the slaves who would grow to love their masters, even as they were beaten, abused, and treated as lesser.

And Malum apparently found it now the time to care about his battle-brother's vehement anti-slavery stance.

Realising what was about to happen, as the woman turned away from him, pure survival instinct took over, he could not be revealed. A hand came to cup her mouth shut, as the anger, rather than boiling over, reached a calmer simmer.

Crimson eyes shared both anger and apologetics in equal measure, as he stared down upon the fox lady.

Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae

 

[Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae]

Serfdom. Servitude. Slavery. No matter what you call it, is all this girl has ever known. Of course, there is more then that, but she has just met this man, they are in a public setting and it was simply unwise to reveal just everything about her. Once his grip against her had tightened up, a yelp did escape her lips. Did she infuriate this man? She had answered his questions, his inquiries. Or well, most of them, and this is how he repays her? With anger and hate?

She didn't make much time to even answer him proper, with how he walked closer to her, how his grip tightened against her. To make matters worse, fear started to take hold upon the woman. Was the purpose of this talk to simply take her? Not that it hasn't happened before, but still. Her mouth is covered and not a sound escapes.

----

"Aeizori!" He called out again, a bit louder this time. "This isn't like her."

Yet, Jane seemed to be approving this action. "As I said, she might've finally had sense and simply left. As all the other servants you hire."

He grumbles at Jane's response, before calling out the fox-girls name once more, before stating. "I'll go find her. She probably got distracted by a shiny again." And he would go to leave.

----

Once she heard her name not once, but twice, she tried to call out. However, she finds her lips and mouth covered up once more and from how close this man is towards her, the ruff is once more at the mercy of the man in front of her. Muffled sounds escape her lips. "Jfust wah dew Ou whant whith meh." Her fur spikes up. She is not happy about this at all.

----

As Harold searches for the fox, he bumps into the manager again. The pair seems to have another dispute, in which the manager reaches for his phone and simply calls some form of authority towards this café, forcing Harold to make a choice. Stubborn in his ways, he tries to explain that he won't leave without his prize, yet the manager isn't having any of it.

Within moments, a siren is heard flying over there, landing, and two officers of the law, as well as a droid specifically made for such jobs, arrives at the scene and goes around and investigates on what is going on here.


Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

The anger left him as soon as it came, yet it was not only guilt that had taken hold of his consciousness, it had been initially, certainly, gazing into her red eyes, so similar to his, and seeing fear, where his had been filled with malice. Feeling her hair spike up against him, in resistance to this compromising position he had forced them to take.

Yet where guilt for a moment had taken dominion.

Fear was not too far behind.

As the blood rushed out of his ear, one of his core senses restored to him, the sound of sirens made it very clear that his time limit was up. He needed to get out of here, yet now involved with the fox woman, doing so would be as difficult as he knew it would be when he had begun this.

It had not stopped him then.

Now past Malum's curiosity would make present Malum pay for it dearly.

An all too common occurrence.

Still to whine and sulk about his circumstance had never been his way... well, it was, but not at the immediate moment. What he would do now, was get them both out of the mess, that he had wilfully walked them into.

"I want you to be free," He whispered, despite his far from great introduction to the woman, and his initial desire to just satiate curiosity, it was genuinely all he wished for, but how to convince her of that would certainly be an uphill battle, especially with an audience.

"But if that is not what you desire, I understand," Malum did not, would not, could not, but it was the Tsis'Kaar way to act within the shifting tide, to move and flow as easily as the situation demanded, to make use of anything retain the advantage.

Even if it required using people.

"Help me get out of here, unseen, and I will deliver you back to those who you call master and mistress if that is what you desire, or you can use this moment of freedom to realise how great it is. Yet if freedom still is not to your taste, but you realise you are beyond two fools, I can take you to those who would better be worthy of your service." He did not know how the woman thought, or what made her tick, but considering the time limit they had, he needed to find out quickly.

"It is the best deal you will get, if they see you with me, they will believe you an accomplice," A threat, not from him at least not directly from him, and not even entirely a lie, but hopefully it would push her over the finish line.

Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae

 

[Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae]

The cities authorities begin to wander around the place, specifically towards the man who called them. Of course, Harold is around there and the two begins to speak with the cops. Harold having the wrong side of this dispute. Meanwhile, Jane over there just simply seems to be smiling and enjoying this mess they have gotten into. Just what was going on in her mind?

----

He wants her to be free? Why though? Freedom, that's what another wished. Someone who she held dear to her heart, and couldn't say it. That same someone who tried to break her out of this shell, and somewhat succeeded. That man isn't here with her though. Died on Kesh, his body was perhaps found, but that isn't what this woman knows. If only he was here, to assist in this dilemma she is having. The sole reason she returned to this lifestyle.

And she misses him dearly.

Thoughts roam around her head and mind. Her living conditions here isn't as grand as her previous owners, and they don't seem to care much about her well-being. Well, Harold does, but still. An ear flickers. Is this truly how she wants to live her life? Serving some pompous rich family that lacks any care in the world, besides what fills their coffers? Even more, the pair is making an outburst in public, something she is used to by now. Is this the people she wants to spend the rest of her life with?

And her race does live a very long one.

Would he approve of her life choices? She needs time to think. Time she lacks.

----

The group begins to have an argument, the officers trying to calm the man down, while both the manager and Harold speak out their opinion on the matter. As the talking continues and the discussion is made, Harold, in his stubborn ways, states that he won't leave without his servant, and describes who she is and what she looks like. The officers are not pleased by this as it goes from a dispute to a missing persons case. They assure him that the girl will be found, but that he is required by law, to leave.

Harold grumbles at this and leaves his contact information to give him hints and clues, and leaves to find Jane.

Once nearby her, he calls out. "Jane, we're leaving."

"Oh, finally stopped looking for that-"

"I don't want to hear it." He pauses. "By the way, we're banned from visiting this place. Thanks a lot for that."

"What do you mean banned?" As Jane stands up glaring at him. "Is that the owner right there?"

Awh shet here we go again.

----

Aeizori slowly nods her head, but agreeing to what?

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

She thought about it for a while, with every second passing, Malum, more and more tempted to force her into a decision, as the voices outside their little alcove grew louder and louder, uncertain if it was only because of the temperature of the argument, or because they were growing closer and closer. Yet he could not force her, he could not tell her to choose freedom only to force her into it, such was antithetical, such was hypocritical, such was not his way.

Yet he was sorely tempted as the voices nearby quietened, his time had run out, whatever had been decided, they were likely coming for him next.

However, he could breathe a sigh of relief, as he looked down upon the fox woman and received the slightest of nods.

The closest thing to acceptance he would likely receive then, but it was all he needed.

Letting go out of his grip on her mouth, he loosened the grip he held on her person, as he confirmed that his cloak and concealment were active. He led her out of the alcove, breathing silently as there was always the tell-tale moment of fear that the Force had betrayed him to their senses, yet as he always known, as he had been trained for nearly half a decade, he was invisible to all, to the unseen eye and the seen. Passing by authorities and the arguing couple alike, he feared the entire way that this might be a ruse, that the fox might let their presence be known.

But he had to trust, as he made for the door, to leave by some back alley, and then consider this situation that was far too complex and difficult than he had ever intended it to be.

Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae

 

[Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae]

Aeizori found relief in how he willingly released her. All she had to do was to agree on his terms, and get him out of there safely. But why does this man wish to see her set free? She isn't enslaved, and she enjoys her work. She'll find out these answers later. She is sure of it. This man also hasn't done anything wrong to her. All he did was ask her questions, nothing wrong with that. Once freed and led out of the alcove, the girl takes a brief look around to assess the situation now.

-----

"Jane, don't do it."

"Harold, this is my favorite cafe. I will not stand to get removed from it and unable to return."

"And we aren't in a position to bargain, and the authorities are here. I can't have you slander my name, and get us removed from this establishment at the same time!" Harold then motions towards the officers. "Its either we leave willingly, or get thrown out, and by how much you enjoy flaunting about our finances, I doubt you'd want your rather expensive dress torn."

Jane scoffs at this and gets up out of her chair. "Harold."

"Jane."

-----

The Officers do remain alert and speak to themselves. Though as one of them speaks, they manage to spot the kitsune exiting the alcove, but just her. For now. They begin to walk towards the kitsune and heads over to speak with her. The conversation is all but brief, Aeizori looking rather confused as to why an officer of the law is speaking to her. The conversation is brief though, and Malum could easesdrop if he was still around.

"Excuse me miss."

"Y-Yes officer?"

"Are you in the company of Harold Smithinton?"

"Why yes. Is something a matter?"

"No, though he reported someone similar to your description went missing." The officer continues. He does briefly look back at the disputing family. "Though I can see why you would wish to have a moment to yourself."

"A moment-" She pauses. "Ah-yes, Right. They can be a bit of a hassle. But if that's everything you need, I'll head right away towards them."

"Of course. Though I need to escort you to them."

"That's fine." Aeizori states, being led along by the officer.

Hopefully this would give Malum time to leave the alcove himself, and depart from this madness.

-----

As Jane went towards the Manager, she had stopped as the man's words were understood. "But Harold. You know I can't stand for this."

"Jane, there is a time and place for everything, and this isn't the time, nor the place for it."

"Fine!" She states angerly at him. "At least that wh-" And her angered look becomes rather defeated as she spots the fox girl coming back with one of the officers. "-ore... isn't here."

Harold seems puzzled, before turning his head and noticing the approaching pair. "There you are. Now, we can properly leave."

Jane merely scoffs and begins to head towards the exit then rather annoyed at this predicament.

"Where did you run off to now? Finding a server shouldn't have been hard."

"I, uhh, found a shiny." She lied, obviously.

----

Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

His heart was beating a mile a minute, yet he truly had not needed to worry apparently. His presence both from the naked and the unnaked eye remained hidden, he was well trained, he had practiced it more than enough times.

But still, simply walking out into a public location, a wanted man, and not having all the eyes, and especially the eyes of the authorities turn toward him, shifting through the differing emotions of shock, then surprise, then anger, and duty, knowing that they would do what they must, and he would do what he had to...

...Well suffice it to say, he was glad to avoid such a thing.

What was much more risky, were the matters outside of his direct control. While in the background the couple continued to fight, Jane and Harold, as they kept reminding him, necessary whether he liked it or not, for their dispute had drawn his attention to Aeizori in the first place. Though of course the initial reason, of taking advantage of the dispute to... relieve his boredom and stress, had all but been forgotten, as this Jane had revealed herself to be a rather shrill shrew.

He breathed a sigh of absolute relief, when the fox woman, did not reveal his presence.

It seemed their compact held.

Even as he... had technically kidnapped her.

He knew he should have left, the door remained open to him, and he could have left this entire risky situation with none of them the wiser.

But he had promised her.

And well, if there was one thing that could be said about Malum, it was that he could be incredibly foolish.

So he remained, simply watching, as she returned to her... owner's... side.

Clearly, one who was incompetent, and the other a carper.

He would get her out of their control, as he stood nearby, watching as they prepared to leave.

Far from the authorities' eye, back to even perhaps their home, it would be much easier for him to fulfil his purpose.

Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae

 

[Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae]

As the trio reunited, the authorities remain by their side to escort them out if the misses had decided to do something rash. However, one of the police officers stayed behind to make sure that the place seemed secure and no one else was making a fuss or a mess of the place. They are also seen speaking to the manager mostly to get more details on the issue at hand.

Once outside of the café, the trio begins to walk away towards their place of residence. This trip was not quiet at all, however. Jane continues to speak in her usual manner, this time demeaning the manager for forcing them to leave. Harold, trying to be collective and calm, attempts to calm down his wife. Behind the pair, Aeizori remains. Tails swaying. Ears twitching. Though on occasion she turns her head behind her to check and see if anyone else was following them.

Of course, Aeizori cannot sense if Malum was there or watching. She is just merely paranoid right now.

--------------------------

The trip back home was rather uneventful. The trio did make a few more stops. A perfume store. Jewelry store. Clothing store. Though it took Harold some convincing to get Aeizori to even leave the jewelry store. Soo many shinnies. Soo many distractions. Nothing was purchased, as this was a way for Harold to try to get his wife to stop nagging at him. However, she wasn't buying any of it and it has been such a waste of an afternoon, but they are home now and that's all that matters.

The Smithinton residence isn't all that impressive. Just a modest household, with modest things. As much as Harold and Jane have talked about their wealth, they sure seem to live like a middle-classman.

"Aeizori. Be a dear and cook something?" Harold states, as he begins to head

The fox simply nods her head and begins to wander towards the kitchen area. "Of course Master Harold."

Jane, on the other hand, moves to sit down in the living room area and casually picks up a book.



Darth Malum of House Marr

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Bogan, he was so tempted to simply abandon this entire pursuit and be back to... well... be back to what? Even more boredom? Between boredom and boredom, he had very few options when it came to leisure. Of course, he did have tasks he could be doing, there was much to do, this... war against Darth Empyrean and Darth Carnifex was already off to a bad start, and though for the most part, it seemed the latter was still in the stage of mobilising, the former was not letting up.

He could be organising the defences of the Tsis'Kaar worlds.

He could be at Alvaria securing his rule.

He could be at Fiviune receiving last-minute instruction, from the only woman in the galaxy to make a move as... bold as this.

The only one who gave them any chance of toppling the current leadership.

He could be speaking to Ali, gaining all his thoughts about this, soon they were apparently to go on a trip to see... the Shaper of all people, so at least there was a chance to converse there... but still.

Instead here he was, Sith Lord he might have been, allowing him to do whatever he wished that was within his power.

But that did not mean he needed to be a slave to his random thoughts and ideas.

Yet, was that not the true irony, he was here to save one from slavery, one who did not know any better.

Whether this was a waste of time or not, whether he could have been doing something far more important, how could he simply stand, and allow someone else, allow a Sith... a force sensitive at least, to remain in bondage?

Still, such principles were being desperately grated, as they walked store by store, as he wasted more and more time on this effort, that she herself did not even seem to appreciate, gazing back around to him, unable to see him, but still clearly fearing he was around.

Was she worth this?

He had no way to tell, but the sunk cost fallacy had certainly sunk in by the time of the jewellery store.

Thankfully such was their last destination before home it seemed, as he followed them still, noting quickly the exits of this rather bourgeoise home, able to slide in with the family none the wiser.

And thankfully the group immediately split apart, as he made his way to the kitchen, following behind.

Now how to alert her without alerting everyone else...

"Aeizori," He whispered, slowly, still unseen, hoping such would not surprise her, as he closed the door to the kitchen behind him.

"I'm here as promised, let us get out of here."

Please, let this be simple.

Aeizori-Mei Kaeirosae