(( lol no problem XD ))

Raul stood and faced Shiki who was curiously observing the spot Namir had perched like it offered some clues. Shiki was sharp and Raul respected him for that, but he still disliked elves and therefore Raul would never trust him. He trusted very few anyways. He spun the story that was all truth, but didn't give any part of the whole truth away. It was quite a feat of years of saying it over and over again to curious people.

"Ah my Namir... She is as loyal as they come. I picked her up from some market, beaten, starved, and half dead. But I could see her beauty and cleverness -for an elf- beneath the grime." His eyes were distant as if seeing the elven women again for the first time in his memory. "I told her simply that if she was only loyal to me and did everything I asked of her, she would have a life of luxury unkown to any elf. It took two days of her being pampered like a princess for her to lay down before me and vow that she would never serve another being other than me. She is quite wickedly clever my slave, and has uncovered quite a few spies in my household. She brings in more money than I ever will spend on her and is very good at catching clues the I would have otherwise not seen when concentrating on business."

He looked directly back at Shiki with a smile. "She is a hard specimen to find." There was not once ounce of falsehood other than the single word of 'slave' in that whole explanation. Not even one who was a master at seeking falsehoods could find a way around that because it simply was all true.

Namir gave a cool smile. "I just simply wish to help..." She paused. "If you are ever in a need of a place to hide, or need something vital don't hesitate to come to my household. I can provide you with many things including advice, healing, shelter, or some simple training on anything if you need it. I offer this to any girl in your situation because once I was in need of it. If you do not know where to go simply ask for the "Wolf Lord" to any market vendors and they will tell you the way. It is my Master's nickname in the business world." She always chuckled at the name for it was quite fitting... "And simply go to the back of our townhouse and tell whomever answers that you have a urgent message for Namir. They will let you in."

She readjusted her skirts and once again the fake look sprang up on her face and she smiled at Vanna. The girl had no idea Raul was anything other than a unusually nice but complete slave master and she intended to keep it that way for now. "Now shall we go see what our oh so beloved masters are doing and if they need our assistance?" The sarcasm was so heavy it almost dripped off the word beloved.

Namir and Vanna quickly excited the powder room and made their way back to where the rest were still talking. But Raul and Shiki stood alone in the room when they entered. She curtsied silently with a smile and went to stand on the side of the room, near to the pair of men. Namir was ready to be gone and get out of all her "finery" which felt like more of a costume to her than a luxurious outfit. Plus she hated caking the makeup on her face, it felt almost like a mask. But she did it, for it was a necessity...

Raul shook Shiki's hand. "I would be honored to have dinner with you Shiki. Do you mind if Namir joines us at dinner or would you prefer her to eat with your slaves? I do not mind either way." The girls entered. Namir would be annoyed at him for making them stay till dinner but sometimes it was good to eat away from his own cooks or food on the trail.

With their money they were bound to have a fine spread, and Raul never said no to someone else using their food stores to impress him. Even if it was vile he had probably eaten worse at some point... Some of his men he traveled with were the worst cooks!

Namir kept an eye on Vanna out of the corner of her vision. Good, the girl was actually thinking about what she had said. The girl had better things to do than focus her passion in a negative way. Namir found it almost a focus for when she was forced to be kind to those she hated it made her all that more cunning and quick when she was able to do things that were for the rebellion and against those who enslaved her kind. She almost hoped the girl would come visit her soon, for she obviously was anything but stupid. Directed right, she could become a very useful spy...

Raul chuckled. "Ah hes one of those. I love traveling, thats why I always go on the longest of trips!" He stepped back though as the two twins collded with each other, keeping a amused snort from erupting. "That is very kind of you Raun, you are kind to your slaves." He raised an eyebrow at Shiki. "Quite different the two of you are, cause many arguments? Not that it would be unusual between siblings!" He followed Shiki out, and kept beside him as they walked through the hallways towards what he assumed would be the dining room. Namir ghosted silently behind him next to the other slave. Oh yes she was quite a unusal elf... But without him she'd probably be dead by now, and she knew it.

Raul gazed around the room with simple interest. "Fine house your Uncle sports Shiki and me and my slave will have the simple fare of water. I do not partake in spirits outside of my own home, I find it makes me rather loud and judgmental." And he liked to pick fights when he was drunk. He remembered one time about two years ago a party at his house had gotten quite out of hand, him knocking some lesser noble out cold with one punch, and Namir half dragging him to his room while he yelled profanities for all to hear... Boy, Namir had been furious with him the next morning, throwing open the curtains, and purposely yelling to torture his pounding head. He had deserved it he guessed.

In many ways Namir was closer than a friend. Many thought they were lovers but it had never come to that so far. They acted like a couple sometimes, but true attraction on either side had ever surfaced, or if it did for her she had never let it slip to him. He pushed his thoughts back to the present and turned to Vanna. "Such a beautiful young elf! You are lucky to have her Shiki, many are hard to find unspoiled or ones that cower at just a slight movement." He inspected the girl critically, acting no different than most true slave owners would. He reached up and turned Vanna's face gently, inspecting the marks on her cheek. "Better be careful Shiki, she could loose her value if you scar her face. You could probably fetch a pretty little price for her if you parade her around the right people in court!"

He dropped his hand and with his back to Shiki, facing Vanna he dropped one lid in a obvious wink. Raul was a handsome man, and had quite a reputation among the ladies, elven and human alike. But at this point he was just trying to make Vanna feel more comfortable. He turned to Wyn to inspect him. "You and your brother chose wisely... Wyn is it?" He raised an eyebrow at the elf. "He shows promise of being a fine slave and bodyguard in the future..." Hmm.. 'He would make a fine soldier for the rebellion once you got some muscle and hearty food in him. But he is young yet!'

Namir almost rolled her eyes. The elf girl wasn't stupid enough to fall for Raul's devilish looks and charm. He did it to every female the crossed his path by habit and she was long immune to it. His blue eyes had never made her swoon and probably never would. She kept her mask of a perfect slave on and took her place by the table, one hand delicately on the back of a chair. She smiled, looking at Shiki properly and not straight in the eyes. She had a feeling he would disprove of that.

Raul patted Wyn firmly on the shoulder before he sat down at his chair. "As it should be young one, you should be proud that you are here and not somewhere far worse. And lucky!" He took his seat next to Shiki, across the table, one seat over was Vanna. He assumed Raun would sit across from him. Oh young girls flushed so prettily! Too bad she was already spoken for. Had he seen her in a market he probably would have whisked her away for a few nights of fun then had her "disappear" like the rest of the very few elven women he entertained. They usually went out of the country where no slavery was allowed or if they wished they went to someone who was like him, who would treat with them respect and allow their freedom if they so chose. But it was always made clear that they were nothing but some fun for a few days, and if they caused trouble for him they would not like the result.

Though he might wait a few more years if it were Vanna... Their times permitted a quite large gap in age difference for couplings, but he never approved of ones too young to even really be able to understand the concept. He was a wolf in many courts and everyone knew it. Older men knew to keep their young daughters away from the dashing young nobleman who always was rumored to be on such "grand adventures". Namir had always seemed amused by it, always commenting that he stuck to elves because they couldn't really come openly pleading for him to stay with them forever.

He flashed Vanna another dashing smile.

In any other situation Namir would have given Raul a perturbed look that always clearly stated. 'You, are trouble dressed up and with too much money!'  But for now she kept her face blank as she sat next to him. She dimpled at Raun's comment, flashing him a genuine smile. "Oh! Thank you master Raun you are too kind..." 'I wonder what he would think of me out of this getup. I am quite different.. It would be interesting to see his reaction.'

No one had ever been able to tell she was the same person after her disguise was off. She had perfected the makeup over the years. The walk, the voice, every movement was acted out. One of her friends had commented that she turned from a prancing pony into a lithe wildcat when she was truly herself. But it was only practice that did this. Plus she didn't know anyone who changed their eye color or knew they could, and hers were a quite startling ice-white blue when she de-colored them. Raul had paid prettily for that little serum!

The man of her money leaned forward and gave Shiki a firm pat on the back. "Water is better not breathed in." He joked, making light of Shiki's reaction.

Namir kept her eyes on Raun, her interest piqued.