Balthier

She noted the way he looked at her. Respectful, bit there was a little desire there as well. Good Just the way she wanted it. She stood and led the way to his room, hips swaying with every step to highlight her feminine form. Looking over her shoulder with a teasing look, she let her shoulder strap fall down her arm, the front of her dress creeping a little lower, showing more cleavage. "Here is your room, Lord Zorn. Rest well." She gave him a small bow, and a smile before she left for her own room to sleep.

Great, next morning should be good I think. I was contemplating having Exzel talk or somerhing to Zorn in his room, but I can keep it short if you're itching to get back in?

Cool, I want to get to the next day eventually, so Hellhound can be up and around, though if you want her still a little injured or not I'll leave to you.

*** Fortress *** "I think it likely your companion will need a whole to heal before she feels like getting up and around." The night was wearing on as it was. "I thought she might be one of yours, but I did not wish to implicate you as a father. I hardly know you, and it would have been impolite of me." She considered her words "A partnership suits me." She raised the fine saké again. "To us," and downed the whole of the liquid in her drinking vessel. "If you wish it, I have a guest room you are welcome to use for the night. Then perhaps we can question your companion on the marrow?" The mazone eyed one another wordlessly in the background as they heard their mistress offer a room.

Fujiko wanted to see what she got. The necklace she gave Daimond was quite beautiful, very eye catching with the gem stones, and she was curious to see what she might get. However, she didn't want to get emotional in public if it was something touching, and if she suppressed her emotional response, it might give Elie the wrong idea, like Fujiko was heartless or uncaring. "Can I have mine later please?" She looked back and forth at both girls, feeling ready to take them on. She stood by Daimond and grabbed her arm with hers purring it between hers and her body as she leaned over for a closer look at the necklace. "A truly beautiful gift. I think the purple will bring out your eyes." She made a point to press the side of her ample chest against Daimond's arm as she looked at her necklace, brushing down Daimond's arm with her other hand, before she released her. Hoping her touch would enflame her interest even more. "Shalll we?"

Fujiko walked along with the girls. When she walked by a stand and did a double take. Someone was selling plush lions that looked like they were from voltron, the show Elie had first mentioned to her, and she had been "binging" recently. They weren't large but they were adorable, and they caught her eye immediately. She fell back from the 2 girls a moment, and went over to the stand, purchasing the most adorable blue lion plushy she could find. She had a nagging feeling that there was some earth ritual about reciprocating gifts, so picked it up while the girls were looking at other things, in case it might come in handy later. At least she wouldn't be empty handed. She caught up quickly with the girls. She was getting a vibe from Daimond she wanted the alone time with someone, and her hand brushed Daimond's as she walked by. She smiled at Daimond and held her hand out in such a way that if she reciprocated, she would hold her hand as they walked. If not, it was a subtle gesture, and no harm done.

The work gods have been usually kind to me today, to check back this much. Weekends are usually horrendous.

Again, Fujiko felt a a twinge of emotion at Elie's out pouring. Why did she care what this toy thought? Why was her empathy returning after so many ages. It annoyed her, after centuries of being a, rather ruthless at times, covert operative for Gyumao. But that was more about survival. Not used to such kindness of heart, Elie's words meant more to Fujiko than Exzel would ever admit. But she was also playing a part, and let the emotion through, that Exzel in her true form might consider a weakness. Fujiko's eyes watered, just the slightest bit. She blinked a few tines quickly to clear it. "Let's go together." She said as she stood up and straightened her clingy white dress. She suddenly wondered what they were getting, and if there was some earth ritual she should be aware of. Did she need to get a gift?

This is how I've been playing it (I'm open to discussion on this, BTW); It lets Exzel sense where her marked person is. It allows her to sense strong emotions of the marked, as well sense if her mark is in grave danger. It causes the marked one to get horny, and crave Exzel, when she is close. That's pretty much what I've been going with up to now. It's possible I suppose we could add other effects if wanted. But I think people are apt to want, more or less, full control of their characters, most of the time at least. I'm totally open to discussion on this, just the loose idea I had so far.

There it was. An invitation to a more secluded room with the Daimond Sorceress. Fujiko wore a gentle smile, "I would very much like that. I think a private venue would much better suited, for deep conversations." Her body was still keyed up in anticipation, she could feel a moistness building. She wanted her marked girl, Elie, had such an elegant look. She was also eager to see if she could make Daimond hers. Or at least get her on the right path. Besides, she was cute too. It was also exciting to think how much energy she potentially had to tap. And she would be sure to tap her, eventually. Enjoying one's self, with a dangerous enemy. It was something Exzel had always found thrilling, and that always heightened the experience. Sometimes, she had revealed her true form in the middle of sex. The look on their faces was always delicious. "Shall we go with you?" Fujiko asked as she made to stand.

@SataiRolePlayingGuy Fujiko will accept, I intend to wait for Elie to respond first, in case she wanted to add anything about the cards/fate conversation before I respond. Of course that conversation could also be continued in private rooms. I was planning on having her stay as Fujiko initially. Did you want her to reveal herself as Exzel? It would seem very risky from her point of view, I won't rule it out however, especially if Elie I there. I suppose if the feeling is right, and she feels like she may be able to have her way with her. Just wondering what you are wanting here.

That sounded quite workable. If things got too restrictive here, she could always find somewhere new, a different area, a new world, though starting over was a pain. She liked it here. He wanted an empire, she just wanted survival and to play her games with mortals. "I believe we should have a harmonious existence then. A mutual beneficial defense arrangement, shall we call it?" She crossed her long, shapely legs as she relaxed her impeccable posture slightly, sitting back a little. "I intend to feed on the energy of the mortals. Use them as my toys, perhaps infiltrate some of their lives and cause some mayhem. I may have my fun hopefully, without distrupting your schemes." She regarded him, as he seemed like the cautious planning type. "How will you investigate the bunny girl? If I may ask? Did you plan to capture her?"

Fujiko sat, listening intently and paying attention in case there was any slight if hand going on here. One could never be to careful with cards. She found it interesting her first card seemed to be spot on. She made a slight nod in agreement as she listened to the explanation, it made sense. She definitely carried scars from Gyumao's service. Next she listened to the explanation of the present. She thought she knew what she wanted... did she? She felt that weird pang of emotion welling up deep inside her as she looked at Elie. She felt sone kind of connection, and had to look away. Except her vision landed on Daimond, and she felt conflicted immediately. How close should she get to her potential enemy, she was looking good though, and Exzel would love to experience having fun with this leader of Magical girls. She undressed Daimond with her eyes, and shot her a look that said she wanted her, before turning her attention back to Elie, and a little emotional connection coming back as soon as she did, surpress it as she tried to. As judgement was revealed, she took a deep breath, and listened. She fully believed there were going to be big choices in her future, the question was what, and when. "No, in fact. It is as I suspected so far. The pieces are falling I to place. By all means, please continue." The next card, focus inward? Interesting. Did she have information within her hidden or... suppressed. She suddenly had a worried feeling about the emotions she had started feeling at this table again, between Elie and Daimond. Would inner contemplation help. If she didn't sort herself out, would she continue to be conflicted? There was a look of utter surprise on her face as the lovers card was revealed and the card itself seemed to have an effect at all on the table. Her body was already keyed up, in expectation of a sexual encounter, the feeling of warm love mixed with that, made her take a hard few breaths as she looked at both girls. She may very well secretly desire someone to love her, but she couldn't quite admit it to herself yet. She started to feel it, but tried to surpress it again. Swallowing hard. She was tough. Independent. Wasn't she? Her mind was coulded with doubt. Did she desire more? She didn't want to admit it right now. The two of cups, who was it talking about? Her new marked human property, or Daimond, with who she fulling intended to bed and develop some kind of... friendship? Seeking power over people through relationships, would they end up friends? Would Elie end up forgiving Exzel for taking her so forcefully, and that be the one it meant? "Has actually given me mush to consider." Her brow furrowed in contemplation. "Some seem immediately clear to me, others I feel like I may have to discover as life unfolds. It gives me ideas... of what to watch for." The cards my actually have revealed truths to Fujiko, the last one, made the 'independent' yokai worry what fate had in store for her. But also, ignited a fierce curiosity in what the future would bring. "There is a lot here I must consider. Thank you, for this."

A lot going on in the reading at the con. Will need to go o er it a second time and digest before I get a reply out for it. (Hopefully tomorrow, though I work 12 hours).

"By all means let us commence the reading. I've been looking forward to this, let's see what fate has in store, shall we?" Her eyes flicked down, noticed her erect nipples. Exzel put a finger to her lips, gently biting it, then trailed it down her face, her neck lightly, and felt down her own chest before putting her hand on the table. Her other hand rest on Daimond's leg, slowly inching higher towards her thigh, discreetly, under the table. She breathed a little deeper, causing her chest to heave slightly in her dress, the excitement plain on her face. "Show me what lies in store for me."

Exzel smiled at Elie, "Sometimes you just have to endure a harsh mistress." The way her eyes overtly looked down Elie, then back up to her eyes, they said, she wanted to take her. "Mmmmm. Yes, I would very much like a reading from you. The 5 card reading seems to suit me best. Will it show all my desires?" She threw a playful glance at Daimond Sorceress. Under the table, Fujiko grazed Daimond's knee with a light touch, then she did the same with Elie, delighting in teasing them. She could feel the lust building in Elie from the mark, and Daimond was looking more distracted by the moment. She started to get more excited about the possibilities by the minute herself.

I do not see her trying to mark Alexandrine at this time. Nor did I think it we would wise to reveal her true form to her just yet. Unless you wanted it to go that way now. Alexandrine seems to have fairly strong feelings about fighting the bad guys, and Exzel is a bad girl, for the time being. Now getting her to come back for more, that sounds exactly like what she would want. Zef would be all about taking Daimond if he ever got the chance. I do think that would be a good direction to go, but I get the feeling Alexandrine should get comfortable with Fujiko before she tries to turn her over to Zef. Do you really think she should try and corrupt her so soon? I didn't think Alexandrine would be up for sex with an Oni just yet. Is she getting to that point? Aside from that, Fujiko is definitely down for fun with both. Down the road, I had imagined being a shape-shifter, Exzel would try being a futa at times with certain characters, but probably not when she's masquerading as Fujiko.

***** Exzel did like to look good, she felt most at home, in a good dress. So she did dress like this often. She did, however wear this one, for her guest. Not because she was trying anything per se, but just to see if there was any interest in his eyes. She didn't like to match power for power with strong beings, she did like to use soft power, if she could find an advantage however. "About that girl..." She looked at him, his features. Recalled the girl. "Is she... related somehow?" If he had claimed some of the Diamond Witches old team, for had some fun with a girl back then, that little bunny girl appeared to be around the right age. It was only a suspicion, wild speculation for the moment, but the pieces fit enough to spark her curiosity of the possibility. A magical girl-demon hybrid, that would be challenging, but interesting, if that's what she was. It would explain her aura though. If she could be turned and used as a weapon, Exzel thought that would be delightful. "Investigating further, sounds like a good plan. Perhaps we can work together? All I want is dominion around this fortress, a city of humans near ripe to explore and exploit, and feed on their energy. I should see no reason I would interfere with your plans. In fact, perhaps we my join strengths when necessary?

The cold stare was not expected, was it judgement? "Please do not misunderstand me. I seek to understand the nature of fate, not to challenge it. For I am no expert. My questions were genuine." Fujiko looked back at Elie with a warm look in her eyes that could melt an iceberg, "I do not doubt your powers in the slightest." She had zero doubts there, it was true, and she had witnessed her power first hand. What she didn't understand was if she was fated to fight Elie and Daimond endlessly because of what she was. "What I seek to know, is if fate can take different paths. Can different paths lead to the same place, in other words? Do the little details make a difference? Or is it absolute? I wish to understand. I have often felt an unseen hand guiding my choices at key moments, is this fate?" Which was true, she had never really given deep thought to fate before, but wanted to understand as much as she could from someone knowledgeable. She felt by achieving a deeper understanding, she might understand Elie better herself. Also keen to unlock any advantage she could gain.

"Fate is a powerful thing. I do believe in cosmic forces wanting us to dance to their tune. I also believe in free will, so I tend to think one can bend fate, even if not escape it. But my understanding may not be as expert as yours. I have only my personal observations. But fate may have some chance, much like the drawing of a card no? Or have I misunderstood?" There was something exotic and wild in Fujiko's eyes as she looked into Elie's then Daimond's, talking about fate. Something... a little bit dangerous. She uncrossed, then crossed her legs the other way, letting her foot lightly brush up Daimond Sorceress' leg as she did, though made no excuse or reference to it this time. It was only their little shared moment. "How about you Daimond Sorceress, if one is born with magical gifts, are they fated to fight demons? Is there no choice for you?" She looked back to Elie, "Or is it we just can't see it?" There was a mischievous look in her eye now, "Until it hits us?"

Exzel indicated Hellhound with a nod, "Quite an addition to just come wandering in. Chance? Or fate? Either way, a useful addition perhaps, though she seems to have a strong wild streak." "I could sense power, I believe you." Exzel was pretty sure she did not want direct confrontation with the Daimond Witch. There were other ways, she might have fun with that one. But that was a private thought. "There is no denying the witch has strength. The question then, what are her weaknesses? You are right to investigate before attacking. My compliments to a wise choice." Exzel watched Hellhound begin to rest, the healing would likely take a day if not days, from such wounds, depending on her natural healing abilities, amplified as they were now. "Please join me for a little before you go." Exzel gestured for him to follow her deeper into the fortress, a small Japanese style castle. She offered a seat to Zorn at a table, and walked into the next room. The sound of clothing hitting the floor coming out of the room as she dropped her dress and undergarments, and emerged minutes later in a translucent, V-neck gossamer gown, that hugged her waist, and stopped just short of her knees. A mazone servant pouring unfiltered saké into wide drinking dishes before the two demons. "A local drink, I've become quite fond of. If it suits your tastes, Lord General? To new beginnings, Kompai! Exzel raised her drink in a toast, not taking her eyes off Zorn, mostly because he was an unknown element for now. She hoped for an ally but that remained to be seen.

On the off chance that happened some day, that would mean she's Exzel's and not Zorn's, so I don't think he'd get his way. Exzel would certainly be possessive of her marked conquests, I would imagine. This is all hypothetical anyway. She probably wouldn't overtly want any conflict with the local powers that be anyway. Was just wondering "what if."

Just for the sake of argument. If demon's had the power to mark more than one conquest, and Exzel somehow managed to mark Alexandrine some day, I imagine that would cause a lot of drama with Zorn if he found out?

Fujiko carefully sat down with the women, crossing her legs under the table, as was careful in her delicate white dress. There was something in her body language, more relaxed, sexy, she was putting out a vibe after her meeting with Jumi. Addressing Daimond S first, "I thought you would enjoy some time with your friends, and we had talked about a lot, I needed to process all of it. Besides, I wasn't sure if a new acquaintance tagging along would be proper. As it turns out, I am sometimes affected with a curious wander lust, and I needed to check some things out." Her eyes were subtly on Daimond with veiled desire as she said 'lust,' and 'check some things out.' But soon she turned to look at Elie in the eyes, feeling a desire for her building as well. She had thought often of the night she had taken and marked Elie. It had been extremely enjoyable, the intrusive emotions aside. "I would love to see a demonstration of your abilities. But I do wonder, can one change one's fate if the direction is bad? With a dedicated effort and free will, or is it all written for us, no matter who, or what we really want to be? Does chance figure in?" Fujiko was intrigued by Elie's powers, she had witnessed them manifest first hand, and wondered how powerful her astral divining powers were. She touched her chest, and briefly adjusted her dress, sitting between the two women, a small tell of the excitement she was internalizing. A slight pursing of moist lips, an elegant bat of eye lashes, her attention on her pet. The mark on Elie, the strongest she coupd make, as she had marked her while taking her virginity.

"I welcome you here as well, General Zorn." Exzel executed a polite, short bow, not taking her eyes Zorn in case he was up to something. "Ulburnus, the name was unknown to me until recently, but I have heard rumor of some great exploits, which is what brought me here." She listened to his explanation, "I would likely have done the same in an unknown circumstance. That is wise. The Daimond Witch is quite formidable. I would like to hear more, if you would indulge me some time, perhaps? Let us attend now to your..." She paused searching for the right word, as she did not know their relationship, "retainer. This way, if you please." Exzel nodded and the beautiful Mazone approached, lifting the beast-girl and carring her to the fortress. Once there, in a back room by the garden, there was a tub, filled with a warm green liquid, which had a rather pleasant smell. The mazone lowered Hellhound into the liquid bath, the girl would be feeling an immediate warm, and slightly pain numbing effect, as the mixtures and potions began their work. "Please rest here as long as you'd like. It heals, and boosts greatly your natural healing. Curtesy of the shadow elves."