Rainblade-Ryalors Private The Bilge In The Bucket Completed The Belle of the Bilge

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose stopped twitching as Kaii asked directly about her condition. She felt her face blush a bright red. "Yeah, I.... I'm fine," she deflected, not meeting his gaze. Her mind conjured up a few ways she could soothe her needs, and that only made her blush even redder. "I jus' like listenin' to ya, 'at's all. Ye got a very nice voice," she mumbled. "Makes me feel all warm an' such." Her voice trailed off into nearly inaudibility as she confessed to what his words were doing to her.

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii processed what was said and blushed himself upon both realisation what was consuming Mina as well as what he just had suggested. splendid. At least she didn't seem too bothered with his faux pas. But realistically he had now two options. And either felt horrible and disastrous in the long run. He could 'help her' and his primal part yearned for it so badly he felt it physically. The issue? He wanted to just talk with her more than act upon those needs. But just talking with her more? That would potentially show her he is cold. Unwilling to help.

So Kaii decided to do then the smartest thing he could think of. Ask.

"Well... If you want me to keep talking I sure can. But I will say now... I am not great with reading beasts. Directly telling me things will help." A short pause before he spoke again. "I am not a beast to judge. Speak your mind freely."

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose felt tears of frustration start to come to her eyes as the sweet, gentle, fallen noble offered her space for her to figure out what she wanted. That was exactly the problem. "I don' know what I want," she confessed, almost in a sob. "I wanna be loved, be held an' pampered, an' told it'll all be alrigh', but ih' won't. My Ma an' Pa are gone, and worse, they weren' even my ma an' pa! Bu' my real ma an' pa are gone anyway, so it feels twice as bad!" She sunk her face into her paws, letting herself cry. It was certainly calming her raging libido, at least.

"An' I wanna be held an' loved an' touched, bu' that's jus' th' loneliness talkin'. E'eryone in this city is so mean an' rude an' pushy 'cept fer you, an' it's got me all twisted abou' so th' firs' nice todd I meet's got me wantin' ta drop my knickers. I ain' that kinda gal, I swear I ain'! Ma didn' raise me like 'at, an' I don' wantcha lookin' at me like I'm some cheap floozy. I wanna be a princess ta someone, nah just a tumble in th' hay." Her eyes were burning, her nose was runny, and she was starting to get a headache as what she'd been tamping down for weeks came pouring out of her.

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii moved closer and covered the poor vixen, shielding her from the other patrons in the bilge as soon as she started crying. Especially with what she was saying, it was an attempt to protect her, just like he did before. Her words were... sad. Kaii was numb to various tragedies after experiencing a lot of them himself, but it didn't mean he was not empathetic. He could very much relate to pain of losing whole family. As for the second part? He couldn't deny that he too sometimes had to let his primal needs be sated and it was not always easy.

He sat close, with open arms, ready to take her in should she desire as he spoke calmly. "A lot of us do Mina. I personally know the pain of losing family. Losing the ones that loved me." He tried to show her she is not alone in that suffering at least. But also there was one more thing to add. "I believe you, who wouldn't want to be pampered and loved after all and just loved. But... well. I got to find a new family here. Beasts who showed me that I need not to be alone nor... seek closeness in that primal way, even if pleasurable."

He took out his silver watch, the only thing he had after his mother, beautifully engraved with coat of arms of his family among the depictions of starry sky. Trying to ground himself for the next words to come. "And well. I am treating beasts justly. And those who treat me well are treated well by me." Then he asked her gently. "Do you wish for that? To be loved and have someone to love?"

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose looked up at Kaii, blinking through the tears. She hesitated before nodding slowly. "I don' wantcha ta pity me," she sniffed, rubbing at her eyes and leaving a small smear of her mascara on her lower eyelid. "Ya don' have ta indulge me if ya don' wanna. I know I ain' much o' a find. No money, no family wot cares... Well," she amended, "Auntie Tanya is nice, an' I 'eard Unca Jesh is a good todd too, bu' I ain' talked ta my cousins yet, an' ya saw what a bitch my Auntie Dusk can be." She muted the word, either not wanting to be heard swearing on the job or, more likely, uncomfortable with swearing at someone loudly.

She shrugged before adding, "E'en wiv'out money, ya gotta 'ave rich, classy vixens throwin' 'emselves atcha left an' righ'. I mean," she gestured at herself, at the apron stained with old spills of various alcohols, "ya gotta admit you can do better 'an me, righ'? If yer Ma an' Pa saw me ya take me 'ome ta meet 'em, they'd prob'ly throw a fit."

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii moved his paws to clear the mascara smear and tears from her fur while giving her a smile that was wider than any he did so far. His smile wasn't pitying her, it was one of understanding and compassion. There was nothing but assurance in his voice now. "Well, not that I am any better. I am in massive debts, my family is all dead; I act the way I was raised to, but my position isn't much better than yours... and well," He paused for a moment before showing her contents of her bag, it being tools of his trade with a glaive being the only truly outstanding item within it. "I am a bore to most of my pedigree. I sure can adjust and act the way, but I dislike the act. I would much rather be with someone who listens, nay, who wants to listen. And from what I know of my ancestors, I am assured none would bat an eye." It stung that he had to omit the fact she was de facto of higher social standing than him, but his words to Duchess Dusk were set in steel.

He wasn't sure if his logic would suffice, so he tried to add something more direct. "Besides, even setting aside my physical attraction to you, I still wish to know you better. Curious, kind and soft souls are much more endearing to me and my nature... meaning I find you way more interesting than most."

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose blinked, desire to accept his kindness still warring with the voice of her own self-doubt. "Really?" she asked. She blinked, and looked down at the table, suddenly bashful. "So, ya don' mind 'at I ain' smart an' articulate like you?" She mispronounced articulate, placing an oo sound rather than a yeu sound in the middle. "I don' fully understan' all whatcha were sayin'," she admitted. "I like hearin' it, though, an' I wish I understood. Ya wouldn' rather 'ave a smart an' inventive vixen 'oo can be yer equal? I ain' invented nothin' in my life 'cept a mixed drink."

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii shook his head, and seeing as Mina didn't mind being touched, placed his paw on hers. "Problem with smart beasts is their arrogance. Few are there that are humble enough in their intelligence and knowledge to be pleasant to converse with, especially as their equal. I myself, sometimes struggle with that, gladly my friends keep me in check." He admitted before looking directly into her eyes. "I care little for how much one knows or how intelligent they are. What I care for is curiosity. Desire to learn and explore. You said you wanted to see the world. You said you wanted to hear more of my words. In that regard, you are better than most." Kaii paused for a moment. "And no matter what, you are my equal. I have horrible time cooking or making things without recipe. So you being able to mix drinks would put you above now, wouldn't it?"

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose's tears were drying slowly, her eyes sparkling as she listened to Kaii's gentle affirmations. He didn't try to butter her up and make her believe she was a genius; she knew that she'd never be on his level that way, at least in the kind of intelligence that he was gifted with. She blushed at his comment about her mixology skills, looking down at her paws bashfully. "Well, I ain' much of a cook or bartender yet," she admitted. "That was allus Pa's thing. I wanna learn, though - an' I'm gettin' better," she added. "I flipped an omelet the other day, righ' in the pan. Got most o' it landin' in the pan too."

She looked up at him, smiling with genuine happiness. "If ya don' mind me bein' a bit o' a mess of a beas'," she remarked, "then I'd like ta try gettin' better at it wiv' ya. Maybe ye can teach me summa yer book smarts, or at leas' let me lean on yer shoulder an' watch while ya draw. An' I can get better at cookin', maybe put a plate o' somethin' hearty in front o' ya. If Ma saw ya lookin' so skinny, she'd a' sat ya down in front o' a big ol' fish-an'-taters dinner an' no' letcha leave 'til the plate was clean." She poked at his side playfully to emphasize his thinness.

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii smirked at her playfulness. Enjoying what she was doing and saying. Really, having someone to care for while they care for him, as well as having someone to grow with, even if in totally different ways? Kaii couldn't ask for more. To him that was definition of loving relationship. Well at least one he figured out himself after discarding what romance books shown.

"Well, maybe that is what I myself need. To have some beast being a mess with me." He joked leisurely and leaned closer to her. "Just not in the same way, so we can support one another... And well, I will never say no to a homemade dish. It's been too long since I had one." He mused, realising his insecurities stemming from rational thinking went away for some time. Peculiar.

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose brightened up at his comment. "Oh, now I wanna go shoppin' an' get some proper ingredients," she enthused, her tail wagging. "I wonder if I can get some ackee an' saltfish - ooh, an' maybe some plantains. Fry 'em up an' eat 'em like crisps, an' they're so good," she groaned at the memory of her parents' cooking. "I can try summat a little fancier if ya got any favorite dishes," she offered, looking to him with clear eagerness to please.

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii nodded approvingly as Mina again spoke of food for him. He was still somewhat lost in his mind, trying to figure out why his objections to the matter dissipated. Not enough though to not respond to her. "Well, I grew with dishes native to Fyador. But honestly, I can eat anything. In fact... I came to the Bilge with intention of getting something to eat. I have to say, I am quite famished." Kaii explained as he felt another pang of hunger.

He sighed and considered one thing. That Mina and him alike were working beasts. He didn't want to waste more of their working time. "Well. I would love you to get me some... Although, a shame you probably do not cook at this establishment, unless you do?"

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina shook her head. "Nah, 'ey got a cook here," she confirmed, "though it seems like 'e only knows 'ow ta make slop in a bowl, slop on a bun, or slop in a cup. 'E keeps tryin' ta market th latter as 'protein shakes'." She shook her head. "Dunno who'd be crazy 'nough ta drink 'at stuff. I can go on back an' try ta make ya a proper sandwich," she offered him with a smile and a wag of the tail.

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Now that was an offer Kaii wouldn't refuse. "I would love to try your work. Definitely better than what is served here based on what you are describing." He spoke and let go of her paw. "Well, if you would be so kind then to make me one Mina, that would be most splendid."

As she departed, Kaii prepared coins to pay for food and also a bit extra for Mina time. He did after all make her not work for a good moment and didn't want her to be in loss just from having a nice chat. In doing so he finally realised why his issues were gone for now. He stated them all and Mina still didn't care. He just... was accepted. That put his own tail to wag as he sat there with small smile, uncharacteristic to the beast known for their forever stoic expression.

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina Rose's tail, if properly harness by one of Kaii's inventions, could probably have generated the turbine power necessary to run his experiments for a year. She positively ran to the kitchen, ignoring the grumpy voice of the cook and focusing on gathering the ingredients she needed. Bread, roasted gull meat, cheese; she even found bits of lettuce and tomato left over from the morning's stew. Investigation of a few pots yielded gull's egg mayonnaise and spicy mustard sauce. Wielding spoon and knife like instruments of war, she dove in, furiously working on her creation.

It wasn't beautiful; the lettuce was too thin in some parts, folded too thick in others. There wasn't enough sliced tomato to go around, and she'd definitely gone overboard with the sauces, now soaking into the bread. She'd seen enough of her father's masterful creations to know that hers couldn't compare. She had to find a pair of toothpicks to hold the slices together. Briefly she worried about Kaii missing the toothpicks and eating them, then choking to death on the wood; then she had an idea. She carried the sandwich out through the crowd, ignoring a few raucous and angry calls from the patrons about when their food or next drink would be coming, and went up to the bar. Fortunately the owner had stepped away for a moment, allowing her to rifle through the jars. She found what she was looking for: pickled green olives stuffed with pimento, the red and green making it look like a lizard's eye. Mina shoved one atop each of the toothpicks, then laughed at the result. It looked like the two triangular cuts each had an eye poking out.

Cheerfully Mina Rose carried the sandwich over to Kaii's table, tail a-wagging as she set it down. "One Mina Special Sandwich," she announced, beaming at him. "Can I getcha a refill as well?"

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii wasn't hesitating for too long when Mina delivered him a sandwich made for him. He wasn't too picky about the looks, it still looked nicer than what lots of places offered after all. What mattered to him was that she made them for him with dedication. It felt well to actually have something done for him in mind. He bowed his head to thank her and put the coins on the table. "For the food and drinks. As well as for your time. Since your work here suffered by me, I want to make sure you are not going to struggle because of me."

He then bit into the sandwich. It wasn't precisely his preferable combination of flavours, but it was a decent one. Most importantly, it was made for him. Kaii as such ate with gusto, both from hunger and from the fact it was better than what he had for food in the past few days.

Between the bites, after making sure his maw is clean, he simply shook his head. "No, thank you. I mostly drink water and well, at least that is something I have access to in abundance. However, I could still use some time with you, if you can spare it."

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina watched him devour the sandwich, her eyes wide as he indicated his approval wordlessly with his mouth. At his invitation, she hesitated, glancing about to make sure the owner wouldn't come tell her off, before she sat herself down again. "Ya really don' gotta tip me so gen'rously," she remarked, not touching the coins yet. "See, a todd gives a lady extra money, she gets ta feelin' she owes him somethin' back," she explained. "That makes things a li'l awkward if she does wanna, well, give 'im certain favors later on. I know ya don' mean it that way, but, well." She blushed a bit. Part of the problem was that she enjoyed his company and was strongly weighing the merits of doing that 'something' with him, but the imbalance of those extra coins threatened to ruin it. After all, how could she respect herself if she thought she was doing it for coin?

Real progressive there, Mina, she chided herself. Still, her mother's voice in her head, criticizing her dress and warning her against being a 'loose' vixen kept that fear and shame alive within her, leaving her looking for any way to justify to herself such an exercise of her own bodily autonomy.

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii set the remaining half of the half of the sandwich and a thoughtful hum to Mina. She was right, it might've looked as an attempt to buy her time and attention. He decided that safe approach was again, the best one. "Well, at least you should take the coins for the food and drinks and give them to Bilge so that they won't make you pay for things you've brought... especially that sake. It isn't cheap I assure you. As for the coins I left to make up for your time... I will just reassure you that I will hold no expectations of you for them. However, I can see how uncomfortable it makes you so I will just say that I will hold onto them to buy you something nice if you won't take them now. Maybe a meal for you should we meet again, how does it sound?"

 

[Mina Rose Brewer]

Mina smiled brightly at his suggestion. "Oh, sure," she enthused. "I mean, it's a li'l awkward if yer treatin' me by spendin' lotsa money, bu' not near as awkward as coin itself, ya know? I reckon I can live wiv' 'at." She carefully counted out the coin for the food and drink, returning the rest to Kaii. "There ya go," she remarked, giving him a coy smile that, for a moment, was entirely Dusk Rainblade. "I'm lookin' forward ta seein' how ya treat a lady," she remarked. "After all, ain' jus' any ol' date can get a girl scamperin' outta her dress, ya know." She couldn't keep a small smirk off her face as she teased, her tail giving away her pleasure at trying to impart back upon him a small share of the flustered state he so effortlessly inflicted upon her.

 

[Kaii Nashirou]

Kaii caught the coy smile and the words like a net. If he wasn't so sure before, now Kaii would be certain Mina was Dusk's daughter. He only had hoped she would learn the truth one day and that she will forgive him from not telling her. And well, what's in blood stays in blood. Mina for sure was doing a good job to affect his primal self. Once more, his white fur was not the best when it came to hiding a blush. Kaii was not shy however and decided to not be left behind in this little game.

"As long as you are getting me out of my suits, I think that's only fair to see what happens next time we meet. Though... " He considered for a second the next words, all while his face was showing two contrasts. White fur and black markings as well as blue eyes and red blush. "I recon there is no harm in speculating." He giggled slightly, yet kept his eyes on her muzzle. Kaii was a gentlebeast after all.