Longtails Lay Back - RPLOG
Participants
Date
15/9/478
Log
It is quiet in the old manor house. There is only the ticking of an elaborate grandfather clock to mar the silence. And a muted conversation beyond an almost closed door leading off of the main entry hall into some sort of parlor. It might be possible to listen in, if one were so inclined.
"Then what do -you- suggest, Hugo? Need I remind you that every single member of our family has committed enough crimes to be hanged three times over, of not more?" the voice of Katrina sounds, her tail flitting behind her agitatedly, before she sighs softly. "I know you'd like us to return to the light, but I doubt the -false Lady- has the power to pardon the family for its deeds."
A soft sigh, and a shake of the head. "If you want out, tell me. But if that's the case, remember that if we find out you've told -anyone- about the Hand, you know the price."
Terry steps up to the door, pausing just before he knocks. He notices the door is slightly ajar, just enough that it lets sound and a crack of light filter through. His ears perk as he recognizes Katrina's voice, and stops to just listen for now.
"I dislike working in the dark, Kitten," Hugo says, "I have never made a secret of that. And as far as crimes go, that all stems from your father's. . . friends. But I will not speak ill of him. He was my mentor and a good friend. I am only saying that this 'false Lady' as you call her could be our way back into the light of day! I am tired of strong arming fools who are too stupid to use the family's money." The white lion reclines in a large, overstuffed chair beside an unlit fireplace. "You know how distasteful I find all that business," he says, "And now I will really have to break the poor fool's other arm if he does not deliver. It is no game for a gentleman. That is all I am saying."
"I understand. And she is. But not in the way you are thinking. But rest asured. Our Lady needs her sister alive, at least for the time being. As for a gentleman's game... If you prefer, the Hand can find another job for you? One that you will find more... Suitable?" she rumbles with a smile, before perking her ears and looking to the door. "More on that later, though... I believe our visitor has arrived."
Terry blinks as he overhears that last sentence. He stands up straight and proper, then knocks before pushing the door open. He steps through, but there is something rather different about him today. The young ocelot is wearing not his usual suit, or in fact any kind of male outfit, but instead a lavishly ornate yellow sundress. The outfit clings tightly to his effeminate curves, and thanks to the padding that was added to the front of the dress it makes for quite the convincing illusion - at least for someone who did not already know him. He steps into the room, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Good afternoon, Lord Hugo."
Hugo frowns at Terry. "What in Hell are you wearing, boy?" he asks, then turns his frown on Katrina, "What, exactly do you have the boy doing? What is it you are expecting from me? I do not like these little games, Kitten. I was quite comfortable with my work up North, and I am getting tired of waiting on the Lady's whims after she called me here." The lion waves a thick hand at Terry and his feminine garb. "And THIS is what you are raising up the next generation to do?" he asks, then looks to Terry, "Please, explain yourself."
"Terry here is, as you may've noticed, quite effeminate. A true thief knows how to use everything in his or her arsenal. I am teaching Terry everything I know, which includes the art of seduction... Male -and- female. Besides... I didn't give him any dress code for today. He's wearing that on his own volition," Katrina notes, before shaking her head. "I will see what I can do about the Lady's orders, but hers is a long game."
Terry shrinks as Hugo's reaction. He nibbles on his lip as Katrina explains, nodding at her words. "I.. figured I'd try the dress again. Try and build up confidence. Last time it did not go very well." He can't bear to look at Hugo in the eye, keeping his own downcast. "I can go change, I brought the other clothes as well. I'm sorry Uncle Hugo."
The stormclouds in Hugo's eyes do not abate. "And you teach thieves. . ." he growls, "I do not understand what your father was thinking when he raised you. Seduction, fine, intrigue, fine, even hand to hand combat is a courtly art, but picking pockets?" The lion shakes his mane and sips at the wide mouthed goblet in his hand. Then he looks at Terry. "No," he says firmly, "You want to be a woman? Fine. But you will learn to be a lady." He points at an empty chair across from himself, beside Katrina. "Please, be seated, Miss Terry," he says in civil, if cool tones.
Katrina simply sighs and shakes her head, before looking to Terry. "As Hugo says," she simply notes, smiling lightly under her mask, while her tail continues flicking back and forth. "Theft, Hugo, is one of the few crimes we can aim at those that hardly feel it. And at those that truly deserve it. The crown will not miss a crate of money more or less. A warlord can be parted from his money just as well as a regular being can," she notes, before shaking her head. "I understand your aversion, but I disagree none the less."
Terry keeps his eyes downcast as he nods, stepping forward into the room and towards the empty chair he was told to take. He sits down straight, trying to mimic Katrina's stance and mannerisms. He definitely lacks her confidence, especially after the scolding he just receieved. He ponders speaking up on the current subject but.. he'd rather not anger Hugo further.
Hugo does not respond to Katrina except with a grunt. He lifts his cane from where it sits beside his chair and reaches across the table to rap on Terry's elbow and knee, guiding them into more appropriate, feminine positions. "Do not imitate Katrina," he says, "She is my laziest pupil. Now, pour the tea." The lion waves his hand at the tea setting on the table. "And do it gracefully," he orders, "A young lady must be graceful. Katrina was never graceful. Always too busy thinking about what was in her guest's pockets and not about what was in their cups!" This is obviously a tender point for the gentlemanly lion.
A sigh, a shake of the head. "I know how to behave, Hugo. It's simply that many of those lessons are... Not at all that useful in my daily life... But they do come in handy when mingling with the rich for information or other things," she rumbles, before seating herself in a far, far more ladylike fashion. "I simply have no wish to keep up the charade when it is not required."
Terry follows Hugo's instructions, adjusting his stance and tucking in his arm as it is tapped. He reaches over the table to take the tea pot, struggling to do the motion gracefully and efficiently while maintaining his ladylike stance. He grips the pot by the handle and tries to fill Hugo's cup from where he's sitting, his hand trembling slightly.
"That is the problem!" Hugo growls, a bit of a northern accent showing through, "It should not be an act! You should be a lady in your own right! Not a thief! It should not be a charade!" The storming white lion waves Terry back to his seat. "Very good, Miss Terry," he says, "Perhaps between the two of you, we can manage ONE lady of good breeding." He puts his can back against his chair and reaches out to take a cup of tea.
A smile, a shake of her head, and a soft rumble. "You realize the False Lady doesn't even bother making it an act, yes? She's as common as the road," the she-cat notes, before shaking her head. "Tell you what, Hugo... The Lady still has some things she wants from the Manor. If you make sure to remain undetected, I can convince her to let you see for yourself," she notes, before shaking her head.
"I know I don't behave very ladylike throughout the day. But I have to lead the Hand. Everything else is secondary."
Terry smiles briefly as he's praised, but deep down he realizes Hugo is still very upset at him. Still, he's already getting in character so he continues what he's doing. He pours himself and Katrina a cup of tea in the same way, then goes back to his elegant sitting position like Hugh 'taught' him. He takes a gentle sip from his tea and puts the cup back down on the saucer as he continues to listen in.
Hugo frowns at Katrina. "Fine," he finally says, "I will see for myself. But I am no sneak thief! See to it that I have the money to purchase these artifacts and I will retrieve them legitimately. I am a businessman, Kitten, and a gentleman." He looks back at Terry and gives a nod, though his frown does not slip. "Perhaps Miss Terry will accompany me?"
"I will see what I can do," the she-cat rumbles softly, before looking back to Terry. "You'll have to let me know in advance. Terry's training is far from over... But I'm sure the experience will be... Enlightening. Just keep in mind that Terry's my pupil, not yours."
Terry looks between the two of them, nodding at Hugo's words. "I would love to accompany you, Uncle Hugo." He looks at Katrina, blinking at her last sentence, but nodding in agreement. "Of course. Only if you allow it and desire it."
Hugo nods once. "I shall make the arrangements then," he says, that northern accent fading as he relaxes, "Only let me know what it is I a meant to procure." He looks at Terry in his sun dress. "And get Miss Terry a decent dress," he says, "I will not have an escort dressed for a summer festival."
"Terry has one. A proper ballgown. If you prefer anything else, we can go back to the tailors' tomorrow. Just be aware she'll be terribly overdressed for meeting with the false 'Lady', no matter what you two pick," she notes, shaking her head lightly.
Terry nods quickly. "It's a beautiful ballgown, Uncle Hugo. I haven't worn it since we first bought it, but it was specifically tailored for me. I'm sure it won't disappoint." He looks at Katrina briefly, then back to Hugo. "Is there anything else I should bring, Uncle Hugo? As in.. anything lady would bring with her.. "
Hugo frowns again at Terry. "A young lady speaks when spoken to, Miss Terry," the lion says, "Otherwise, prudent silence is recommended." He shakes out his pristine, white mane. "I am certain that my neice will see to it that you have all and more than you need," he says, turning his frown on Katrina, "Overdressed is always preferable to the alternative, my dear Kitten." The large cat sighs and sinks into his chair, his overly long tail draped over the arm and swaying lightly. "Now you've gone and upset me," he says to the room in general, "It may be time for a bit of meditation."
"Suit yourself, Hugo... You'll see what I mean soon enough," Katrina rumbles, before shaking her head lightly. "The same holds, if I remember, for a young lord," the she-cat notes, shaking her head just lightly as she looks to Hugo. "As you wish. I will convene with the lady to procure a list of the items she wants."
Terry looks down as he's scolded by Hugo. The poor boy has not recieved that many lessons in etiquette, much less etiquette aimed at a lhigh society lady. He sips from his tea delicately once more, and straightens himself back up. Slouching, that's a bad thing, he reminds himself. Ladies don't slouch.
Hugo sighs and stands. "Very good," he says, then walks to the empty fireplace. The lion reaches down and takes hold on a wrought iron post that is part of the fireplace and pulls it down hard. The back of the fireplace slides open with the sound of stone on stone. "Come along," he says, ducking down and stepping through the fireplace, "As long as you are here you can help me unwind, I suppose."
Katrina smiles and flicks her ears, before standing up and following after Hugo, gesturing for Terry to join the two. "Come now. Don't keep Hugo waiting, Terry. It's... Unladylike."
Terry quickly stands up. "Yes 'maam." He adds quickly. Hopefully that did not break the rule he was given. He was spoke to after all. He moves towards Hugo, constantly reminding himself to keep his back straight, and to walk briskly without actually running. Thanks to his size he doesn't have to duck through the fireplace as he follows Hugo inside.
The scene beyond the secret fireplace entrance is certainly interesting! While other parts of the manor are decorated with finery and tapestries and all the comforts one could ask for, here the stone walls are bare aside from weapon racks and suits of various kinds of armor. There is a wide, open area with a painted circle on the stone floor. Light filters down from a skylight in the high ceiling. "Welcome to the training grounds," Hugo says, the frown leaving his face for a time, "This used to be part of a larger compound, but times have changed."
"What'd you have in mind, Hugo?" the she-cat rumbles with a smile, tapping her cane on the ground once, before shaking her head. "I'd hate to use the Rose. You know what it's coated in, after all. Besides, the Rose is for... Special occasions."
Terry keeps his hands clasped to his front as he regards the room around him. He's not much of a fighter, despite Donovan's lessons. He'd wield a weapon for Katrina, but wouldn't be the best at it by any extent. He regards the circle warily. It looks like some training or sparring area.
"Don't be vulgar, Katrina," Hugo chides, "This is a place with History! This is a temple to our heritage! Not just an arena for brawling." The white lion carefully removes his coat and hangs it on a weapon rack, placing his silk cravat and dark hat on top, leaving him in his shirt sleeves, with a pair of red suspenders holding his trousers and framing his slight paunch and burly frame. He tucks his overly long tail through a belt loop and swaggers out to the ring. "Do you remember the seven steps, little neice?" he asks, "You may join me."
