#ccsemberclub

"neither did i, so I talked to her."

"There's a... a bond between them. That much I could tell from such a short visit, a bond beyond conscious agreement. There -is- a known understanding between them, and something deeper."

"What was your experience, then?"

"She and I danced around a bit. She did get me talking, I gave her what she wanted as far as news of Zara's visits...so many times, the last time, etc. But I also gauged her, and... darling? The girl is not newly freed from gentility and maidenhood as Zara is. Vashti knows seduction... but what caught me was the way she learned it. A woman can learn seduction for many reasons. For Fun. For Love. For Advancement. Hers skills of seduction ? They're born of a need for survival. They're born of desperation. We flirted, and she kept her guard up at certain motions. Motions that could corner her, capture her, or at allow me to physically abuse her. Vashti has been broken, dear, and she's had to put herself together again. How broken she still is inside? I can't tell"

"Hm." He purses his lips. "Was she put out, do you think? Forced into sex work?"

"Nothing so direct, nothing so...crude. Certainly nothing so simple as service for coin."

"Something -beyond- that?" Asked for clarification, with some startlement.

"I think, spy, seductress if need be, agent, but agent for who I can't say? And the seduction? was that what she was trained for by means of abuse? or was that something she learned to find a way to escape the abuse? I don't know. I think she cares for Kitten in her way."

Now he frowns. "And she brought -Zara- here for one of your potions. A sex potion."

"Is your Kitten in danger, Dearest? Could this girl be trying to turn her into what she is?"

"Yes. She did. But, no. This..this was a prank, did you see how she fled? It wasn't joybuzzer level sillyniness, but weirdly? It IS a sign of affection. She knew Zara would like it, yet be a bit agahst. Zara therefore gets something nice, the pooka gets the sly smirk. When pooka do that, it's a sign they like you. They help you and have a chuckle at your expense all at the same time"

"True."

"Hm."

"I've known pooka sex workers before." He observes.

"Yes, did she strike you as the sort? You watched the three of us together. The interaction... I don't think it was sexual there."

"Despite the subject matter" Wry

"She -left.-" He points out.

"What? You can't pick up on things instantly in short times? Hurmph. I shall have to find myself a new boggan"

"She flirted not a jot with you, that I saw, despite her previous behaviors."

"Yes. She was here for Zara, an she didn't flirt with Zara either, that I saw anyway. Now, there's a bond, friendship, maybe more?"

He shakes his head. "I got nothing romantic or sexual between them."

"mmm " She taps her nails, "Unless you have concerns, I think we'll have to trust kitten to handle this on her own for now."

"Oh, I -do,- but nothing actionable."

"what are your theories anyway?"

"Hmmm.... what is a deep bond that is not based on romance or sex, but includes friendship?"

He frowns, thinking. "Family?"

"they do bear some resembles, kkiths aside, their mortal.. dark eyes, pale skin"

"Her people are nockers, and her mother is boggan-blooded....."

".... a mix of Kiths, there."

"Mmm" She nods

"Well, I say 'mother,' of course, she was adopted as an infant...."

"Yes, yes..."

His gaze is distant as he puzzled it out. "She was adopted. Mother was, is, a nocker. The girls could be family, considering what we've noted. Blood, or law?"

"Zara and Vashti? Blood I think but on what side?"

"Hm. And, what degree? Cousins? Or closer?"

"I can't tell, blood is hard to measure"

He gives her a fond look. "Nonsense. About a gallon and a half, depending on size."

She stares at him, then breaks out into laughter

He chuckles, grinning.

"I knew you were a bad man, I didn't know you could be funny" She kisses him, "Okay.Somethin to keep an eye on. Now, come on... we've plotted and schemed enough for now. Let's go to bed. Want me to wear that little french revolution outfit?"

Amused. "Bed here, or at home? Hmm... I -do- like that revolutionary side of you. Will you tell me more about what the twisted soil of your brain sees?"

She laughs, "Home. And we are wonderfully good at being bad for each other." She pulls him by his tie (or lapels ) away

(End Scene)