The hand running through her fur was comforting relaxing her, up until the point that the woman squeezed under the table with her, then she didn't like it. It was getting crowded under here as well, she was about to growl at the woman her fur raising a warning growl already ready in her throat when she saw the girls face. It looked terrified all the people, she must not have liked them either or was it something else? Now it just wasn't the woman comforting her, but Kiya feeling a need to comfort her, it was cramped under the table the girl looked a little bunched up but there was still enough room on her lap for the little fox to squeeze in. It was warm, comforting she felt enclosed but it wasn't bad, it was a perfect spot for her. Turning around a few times she laid down cuddling down onto the woman's lap. Somehow she didn't feel so frightened by the people anymore.

Suddenly Vex was jolted, someone had run into her, this was it, she couldn't compose herself, she was going to fall over.... But the woman grabbed onto her, keeping her stable. I'm fine she said Just a little hungry. She had given her last bit of bread to an orphan she'd seen on the street two days ago. She wasn't one for giving, she was for stealing and conning, but the orphan had reminded her of herself when she was an orphan living on the streets. She managed a smile at the womans joke, the bartender was an attractive man indeed, but she'd never intentionally show weakness around anyone. This though, wasn't the first time she'd been sick from lack of nutrition. She had woken up in the hospital after a man had found her laying in an alley. She was thankful to be here, but feeling foolish. These people were being so kind to her, when she had only come to deceive them. She feared Yuuichi was right, she needed to change her ways before she ended up dead.

Sofia tensed slightly hearing the first low beginnings a of a growl coming form her new companion. Exhaling shakily she flashed the enraged fox an apologetic smile. ”I’m sorry, I’ll be out of your fur in just a moment. I j-just need a moment to collect myself..” she whispered softly as she moved away from the fox to put some distance between them. She didn’t make it far though before she stopped her trembling body to move any further. Talk about irony, earlier she’d thought she was ready to confront her fear and actually become friends with a male earlier and now she was hiding under a table and talking to a fox. As much as she thought she was ready..she wasn’t. She couldn’t get over this fear not yet. [i]’You’re pathetic. A pathetic, sniveling waste of my time..’[/i[ a dark thought slithered through her mind and she shook her head trying to dislodge the terrible taunting voice and ignore her mounting terror her chest tightening painfully. He wasn’t here so why was it that no matter where she went he always seemed to be following her? Blinking she bit her lip and roughly wiped at her teary eyes. Maybe that voice was right..she was pathetic. She couldn’t even stand up for herself…she started slightly jarred out of her morose thoughts as the fox climbed into her lap and settled down. Sofia’s eyes widened a stray tear creeping down her face as she looked down at the seemingly content fox. It was almost like it was comforting her..”Thank you..” she whispered softly letting her hand stroke over the fox’s wonderfully soft fur.

Rue caught Desmond’s smirk and rolled her eyes softly. She allowed an amused chuckle to escape and stuck her tongue out immaturely at him for a moment before looking back at the girl.”Just a little? There’s no such thing as just being a little hungry. You’re either hungry or you’re not hungry. And you look extremely hungry in my opinion.” she pointed out. ”Now when was the last time you ate? What can I get you? I think Jaden’s got a few cookies stashed away somewhere. He thinks he’s so slick and cunning just because he’s a cat…” she muttered the last part not bothering to keep her dislike for the neko underwraps as she looked through several cupboards in search of the aforementioned cookie stash.

Two days ago, she replied. She could sense a certain annoyance in the woman's voice when she spoke of this Jaden, she wondered who he was. Nevermind it, cookies sounded phenomenal at this point. Do you mind if I sit down at the bar, I don't think I can stand much longer. She wondered where Yuuichi was. She had a small roll of cash in her bag that she kept in case she ended up in detainment. Usually she could conn a guard into letting her out for a small fee and a personal favor. She didn't know what it was about this place that made her want to do the right thing, but she wasn't going to skip out this time. She hoped one of the staff had grabbed her bag after she had passed out earlier, because she was going to give Yuuichi what she owed them before she left. Do you know where Yuuichi is?

Rue ‘hmmphed’ softly in disapproval as she opened another cabinet. Bingo! She’d hit the motherload! Chuckling Rue stood on tip toe pulling out the cookies. ”Found em! You’d think he’d be more creative with his with hiding spots. I might not have a keen sense of smell or supersonic hearing but I do have my uses. Honestly you can’t hide cookies from a girl who loves food.” she explained with a grin. Hearing the girl ask about sitting down she nodded walking towards her with the well deserved cookies in hand. She set the cookies down on the bar and pulled out two bar stool motioning for the girl to take a seat. ”Yea, I know where he’s at. I think he’s busy though. Is there something I could help you with?”

Thanks, said Vex. I left my bag by the bar earlier, have you seen it? She asked.

((Are you refering to a bar in the kitchen?))

(Yea, I said bar but I meant counter. Sorry ^^)

After settling herself into her seat Rue looked at the girl frowning softly in thought before something clicked. Was this the girl that Yuuichi had stuck in the 'Room of Doom'? Shaking her head she turned her attention to the girl. "I don't think I did. Would you mind telling me what it looks like?"

(Agh! Short! Sorry about that.)

Well, it's a small leather bag, enough to hold a change of clothes and few other small items. It's brown, I left it by a stool at the bar. She took a cookie and handed one to the woman. Thank you for your kindness she said. I'm not used to people caring for me in such ways. She felt embarrassed again. She cleared her throat feeling akward. I'll go look for it. She stood up and exited the kitchen into the bar area.

If the fox had been a cat she would have purred, but she wasn't a cat she was a fox and couldn't purr, so she just had to settle for a contented little bark that she hopped the girl would not misinterpret as anything other then it was. The scent in so short a time had become familiar comforting, she felt oddly safe with this young woman, but she had this feeling the woman wasn't comforted as much by her presence as she was by hers lifting her head out of her paws she fixed her eyes on the woman's face, a mixture of both pain and fear. Fear of what though? There was no one at the tavern who was going to hurt her, maybe it was something more, some memory the tavern, or one of its occupants provoked. I'm probably going to scare the hell out of this woman if I try to talk to her, lets just hope she won't throw me across the room Kiya thought an image of that very thought flashing through her mind, if she had been human the thought would have made her chuckle. As it was a very human like smile came to the little fox face. "What's wrong? Why do you look so sad?" she used a power common, at least she thought common Yuuichi could do it, Harken had been able to do it, and so could she, she projected her thoughts straight into the woman's mind.

Shaking his head a bit from the power of the two double shots, Yuuichi looks around the common room, starting to wonder where Kiya had gotten off to. I take my eyes off of her for two seconds and poof....she is gone. He sighs as he pours himself a couple more double shots of Blue Label, wondering if what he is doing is a wise decision or not. He nods to Rue as he looks off after her retreating form back into the kitchen. "Rue, I'm serious when I tell you guys to keep Angil away from sharp objects. I really don't want to deal with that right now." He calls out after her, unsure of whether or not she would hear him, but sure Angil definitely would.

The Tavern had filled by this time and was loud. She searched through the people and there it was, her pack still right where she had set it earlier when Yuuichi had locked her inside. She walked over and picked it up, everything was still inside. The people here must all be saints, I would have snatched this bag long ago if it were someone elses. She dug to the bottom. In a little roll was the only money she had. It probably wasn't enough, but she wanted Yuuichi to have it. Maybe she would pay him back one day... She was thinking of her future, picturing herself working, an honest woman... kind. She blinked and snapped out of it. Too bad for her the bounty on her head was large and she'd been running from town to town for years. No one would hire her, they would rather turn her in for money than have her around taking theirs. This is the only way for me she thought sadly. She looked around and saw Yuuichi at the bar. She walked up beside him and set the money down. She couldn't look at him. Here is all of the money I have, it's not a lot, but it's yours. And she turned to leave the Tavern.

Sofia swallowed softly as her gaze met the fox’s. Uh oh…she’d heard somewhere that it wasn’t good to show animals that you were afraid that it scared them. The last thing she wanted to do was scare off the fox so she quickly wiped the look of utter sadness and lingering off her face and tried to give the sweet creature a gentle smile. She didn’t need a mirror to see that her smile fell short though. It wasn’t a smile so much as a grimace. She was going to scare it off, she didn’t want to lose her new friend…ok so technically the fox wasn’t a friend but it was someone-or something- that was willing to interact with her. That didn’t send terror racing through her or make her lungs stop working. It was just a cute cuddly little creature that wanted to be paid attention to or even loved. Almost as much as Sofia herself wanted to be loved, not that she saw herself ever getting a chance like that again…

Biting back a sigh, Sofia gently shook her head to help rid herself of any further thoughts. Only it didn’t work…Her head jerked up as an unfamiliar thought flitted through her head. Was it odd that she wasn’t worried about the thought so much as the thoughts voice? Not that thoughts had voice but honestly, she’d been dealing with that dark creepy voice drifting through her thoughts criticizing her, judging her ,out and out despising her and promising that the real owner of the voice would soon come to retrieve her. And yet in all the time she’d been hearing that voice…she’d never heard this voice. And while it was trying to offer her comfort or something it clearly wasn’t doing that. It was a voice she’d never heard and she had no clue who it belonged to and..well all of those things pointed to a very bad thing. The unknown was bad…to be honest even the familiar things were bad! The wavering smile that had temporarily been gracing her features faded as she looked around her eyes wide with terror as she struggled to place the owner of the voice. No one in the room was looking at her….so that left..The fox?! Her gaze whipped back down the fox in her lap her tense posture seeming to tense up even more as she looked down at the fox. ”W-was that you?” she asked her distinctive stammer entering her voice as she looked down at the smiling fox. Ok clearly this wasn’t a normal fox, but then again why was she so surprised? She’d though Naoki was a normal fox but that had turned out to be Yuuichi tricking her into trusting him. What if this fox was one of Yuuichi’s friends? Or worse what if it was a friend but a foe?

Rue stayed quiet listening attentively as the girl explained what her bag looked like. ”I’m sorry but I don’t recall seeing a bag like that. Someone else might have picked it up before I got here. I’ll keep an eye out for it though in case it turns up.” she explained with an apologetic smile on her lips. That smile blossomed into a warm friendly smile as the girl thanked her. ”You’re very welcome…” she agreed taking a delicate bite out of her cookie before she promptly set it down seeing her charge trying to leave. Before she’d eaten anything, after not eating anything for a while. How was this girl not keeling over and begging for food before now? It had to be self control that was it. Rue didn’t bother hiding her open admiration of the girl, could you blame her? She had a hefty little stack of Jaden’s treasure cookies here and the girl had left without eating even one and she was sitting here practically drooling..Sighing she shook her head in silent amazement before she looked back at Angil and Desmond bustling about the kitchen before she heard Yuuichi calling out to her. She didn’t bother holding her bold brazen laughter in as she left her seat and opened the door to look at Yuuichi.”You’re not the only one whose capable of handling a little here and there. Second, do I really look like the type that would let a kid-although Angil’s hardly a child- get hurt under my watch?” she asked with one eyebrow arched in question before she spoke a soft smile on her lips. ”Just relax boss. I’ll make sure the kitchen remains whole and unmarred. You can trust me more than you can trust that lazy cat.” she muttered softly before disappearing back into the kitchen to keep a close watch on Angil.

Clearly she had terrified the girl, it was odd seeing it from an outside perspective, she had grown up thinking it was normal to project her thoughts into someones mind. But obviously it wasn't this woman must think she was going crazy or something. If she hadn't already started she would have stopped but there was no way she could stop now, the damage was already done. Besides once she explained who and what she was things would be okay right? The woman had already meet Naoki so that meant she was at least a little used to strange foxes. Attempting to put as much comfort in her voice thought, well if that's what you could call it, as she could she projected her thoughts into the girls mind once again. "Yes that was me, no you aren't going crazy. I'm a kitsune like Yuu-kun. My name is Kiya I'm sorry if I scared you, but you seemed so sad I just had to say something" she explained hoping she didn't freak the girl out anymore then she already had

Yuuichi looks up at Rue as she peeks her head around the corner telling him not to worry. "If you say so Rue... Since you have that covered do this for me, keep Desmond from making advances at Angil, I don't think she quite gets that kind of stuff yet. I haven't exactly been patient enough to teach her anything of that manner. Hell, I was hoping one of you girls would be nice enough to do that for me. Might help the awkwardness." He laughs a bit towards the end then looks down to see Vexaline placing money before him. Directing his thoughts at Rue for a moment he decides to give her a little bit of information he heard while upstairs. "By lazy cat, you wouldn't happen to mean Jaden, would you? The same cat that we have not seen for a bit because he was busy frolicking...wait that's not a good enough word. He was busy showing special services to one of our guests? But alas, I'm sure he never thought about the fact that I am fairly attuned to nearly everything around here. Not that they were very quiet to begin with."

Sighing heavily he turns and grabs the girl by the wrist before she can walk away, and places the money back in her hand. "You are yet to understand me, aren't you? You walk in fear of getting caught, yet you stay on the run. Doesn't that strike you as making it easier for you to be caught? I may never have said this before to you, young lady, probably because I was irritated with how close-minded most of your kind are, but listen to me carefully now, ok?" Taking his free hand he places his index finger under her chin and lifts her head so she may look at him. "This tavern is a safe-haven for all. No matter the race, creed, gender, what have you. Second is this, I can help you change your ways. I have been doing such things for a while now. The Elvish girl that was in the kitchen, I'm sure you saw her, she is my ward. I have been teaching her for a long time. The other Kitsune running around this tavern is also someone I care for and teach. So why is it you are so determined that I can not help one such as you? All I'm asking is you give this life a chance. That you open your eyes and learn there are things around you that you can learn from." Reluctantly, he lets go of her wrist and turns his head away from her. "But by the same token, I will not force you to do as you do not want. So if you really feel that you must leave, then do so, but keep in mind you will always be welcomed here as a friend. Do you understand?"

Vex felt Yuuichi grab her wrist. She turned to face him as he placed something in her hand. She looked down, it was the money she had tried to leave with him. She listened as he spoke. Could he really help me? Something about him made her feel safe, a feeling she hadn't felt in many long years. She could trust Yuuichi, couldn't she? Truthfully, she had proven herself weaker upon staying here than she had originally fooled herself into believing she was. The people here were different from others she'd crossed paths with. Truth was, she was scared to leave, she didn't want to live in the streets, or beds of strange men, she didn't want to wonder when her next meal would be, and she didn't want to end up captured and beaten again, or worse, locked away forever, or dead. Still, though she wanted to change, she wasn't sure it was possible. How can you help someone like me? She asked softly and nervously, half expecting him to admit he couldn't.

Smiling at her, half expecting such a question, Yuuichi nods his head to her and motions for her to sit down at a table. "Because by being around those unlike you, you have two choices, learn from their example, or run away. I can look at you and tell, if you ran now, you would not make it very far. Your body is weak from starvation, your eyes show that to me more than anything. Also, over the past few years, I have grown accustomed to helping others. If you want someone to blame, blame Angil and her brother. You see, I told you this before you passed out when we first spoke. I have a much larger bounty on my head than you will ever have to worry about. There are several places in this world I can no longer travel in my human form. I was a mercenary, I committed crimes that make petty theft such as you have done pale in comparison. But I met some people that changed me, and I would hope that this meeting may pan out the same for you. I'm not going to tell you I can absolutely get you to change, but I can tell you that I can help you along in that respect."

She stared at him. A mercenary? Yes, she recalled the page in the book now, she had been too worried about herself and her own problems to realize what she was looking at. Still, she'd met many people like him in her years, hadn't she? No. The people she met were not this kind. But how will I repay you? She asked.

"There are ways to repay people without money. I don't much care for the stuff, but do accept it when it is needed. In your case though, you will figure out the repayment soon enough. Now go get yourself something to eat. I would really hate to have to carry you upstairs again." He turns and walks away from her to sit back down at the bar by EJ. "Miss me, oh shirtless one?"

Vex watched him walk away. She didn't say anything more, as she was at a loss for words. It had been an entirely too long day and she really needed some rest to process everything that had happened. She would grab a bite at the bar and contemplate how she could repay Yuuichi, and then retire to her bed. Now who did she need to talk to about food around here? And it occurd to her, maybe she could help out at the Tavern, a waitress, or maid of sorts! Would Yuuichi trust her for that? She would talk to him about it another time, she wasn't much in the mood to bother him anymore today. Rue appeared busy, she wondered where Desmond had dissapeared to...

EJ backed both of the double shots and cringed a little. He knew that he would end up a little more than buzzed. He just sat there and watched the events unfolding around him, becoming curious about the Elvin girl, the strange human under the table with the other fox, the shady human, and frankly everyone else in the place. His mind now far from the events earlier. Well for now at least. He had hardly noticed Yuuichi get up for a moment. He looked at his bare chest and laughed. Maybe? and I like my shirtlessness. It makes me smexy. He laghed lightly and gave Yuuichi a flirty smile. Alcohol had a tendancy to do that to him. He looked around again, this time looking at everyone in a different way.

Angil scurried to and fro in the kitchen. Rue had brought a rather shady woman into the kitchen but she did not judge. It was wrong. She was sure the woman was just a good person in a bad situation. After knowing Yuu-kun, she learned not to judge people by the situations they were in, not that she did so to begin with. She cut her eyes at the door when Yuuichi spoke again about her cutting herself. See, they dont trust you. You should teach them a lesson. The voice spoke again. Get out of my head. She felt a frusterated presence leave her again. Angil took a deep breath and continued her tasks. She gave Rue and Desmond a strange look when Yuuichi gave his warning. W-why would Desmond make a pass at me? She blinked and looked at Rue with a doe eyed expression.

Rolling his eyes at EJ's remark, Yuuichi pours them both another double shot. "And here I was thinking that alcohol didn't affect vampires as badly as others. Apparently I was wrong." He glances at EJ a bit closer, taking in the fact that he was shirtless and decided he wanted to play a little game. "Aye, you do look quite, how do I put it....ripped. Not bad. Not bad at all." Smiling back just as flirtatiously as EJ had, Yuuichi winks as well before throing back his shot.

EJ grinned back. He looked at the shot and debated if he could take the shot. Alcohol usually doesnt bother me much, but Blue is my weakness. Too much and I end up waking up in a bed next to someone I dont know. He ran a finger down Yuuichi's chest, stopped about level with the bar and picked up the shot to take the shot sitting on the counter. His judgement was starting to waver, but he was having a good time. I wonder how you would look with a little less on?

Smiling as if nothing is going on, Yuuichi reaches across the bar and grabs a knife, hiding it behind the bottle of Blue Label as he pulls it across as well. He pours another double shot for the both of them and slowly runs the index and middle fingers of his free hand up EJ's bare arm. "Oh I bet you would so dearly wish to know. Maybe if you can get me drunk enough, you might very well find out." He leans forward to whisper into EJ's ear. "After all, I have been told that it is the best when between two demons, full or half." He grins mischievously as he blows a little against EJ's ear, before leaning back to sit straight in his bar stool. Winking playfully, Yuuichi throws back his shot and glances at EJ's wondering if he will be able to take much more.

Virsat blinked when Jaden tugged him back a bit before they reached the end of the hallway and shrugged slightly. "It..It's not important really...He wanted to know what my blood tasted like.." Virsat shrugged again. Casting a nervous glance around. Not even down there and he could already smell the humans. A shiver raced down his spine. It was now or never. If he hesitated too long, the courage he had mustered up would disappear and he'd run back into the bedroom and lock himself in.

He clutched Jaden's hand tightly, not painfully tight. Virsat had started walking again, tugging at Jaden to get him to follow. Of course, Virsat wouldn't literally drag Jaden along behind him if the cat decided to plant his feet and not start moving again. Honestly though, Virsat hoped he wouldn't do that. He really wanted to get this done and over with. It wouldn't be a problem if there weren't so many scary humans down there.

A shiver ran down EJ's spine. Its been a while since he has been like this. He grinned and eyed that last shot. He shacked his head choosing not to take it, at least not right away. You run a bar. I'm sure I would go broke before I got you drunk. He laughed lightly and leaned in close to Yuuichi. I have a feeling even then it wouldnt be that easy. You dont seem like the type that wouldnt put up some kind of fight. He tilted his head and eyed his neck for just a moment. He shacked his head and withdrew. It had been too long since he has had a little and the urge was hitting him. A serious look came to his face, but he was able to bring a smile back to his lips.