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You leave the castle and wander out into the vast courtyard. The enormous stone structure is sitting on a bit of an incline allowing you a look at the vast realm beyond the glass walls. It's amazing that it's not an actual planet but just a floating isle. You gaze up at the sky. The red-white orb, resembling the sun you know, blinds the star-like rifts from view. The eternal darkness in this realm between realms is interrupted by the orb. You shake your head, not really fully understanding all of it. "Enjoying yourself, traveller?" A familiar voice purrs. You look back to see Lady Reaper sauntering towards you. You still can't get over the feline-human hybrid. Her features are distinctively human and yet distinctively feline all the same. She smiles revealing sharp incisors. You reply and she smirks. Offering her hand to you, she leads you to an ornate bench where the two of you take a seat. "You know every realm you travel to has different rules. We all have our own definitions. Not everything was created the same way by the same entities. It's remarkable don't you think? I've been travelling for awhile, the parts of my realm that you see here are filled with numerous creatures I was allowed to bring home. The magick here allows them to live peacefully without disturbing the realm's ecosystem just as it keeps you from seeing anything else." Lady Reaper pokes at the crest attached to your shirt which she gave you when you came through the traveller's gate. 
A long, melodic meow-like sound interrupts the two of you. It didn't sound like Shyen, the oddly-possessed sphynx cat haunting the castle rooms. It was deeper, still delicate, but more feral than his call. Before you can blink, what looks to be a sabertooth tiger saunters up and leaps up on the bench next to Lady Reaper. You look at the feline hesitantly. Your hostess smiles."Don't be afraid. Unlike their ancestors, these mini Sabercats are very docile. Though many are bred for show, I acquired this queen and two kings for pets. They're all under fixing charms and only Mistress Tigerbraid, the woman I got them from, can remove it." Lady Reaper strokes the coal black Sabercat. "Prevents random breeding but it's virtually harmless." She shrugs lightly. 
"This," she admires the black queen beside her, "Is Kisaki, a Japanese name meaning 'Empress'. And that gentleman coming to visit is Kokuou, meaning 'King'." Lady Reaper motions to the copper colored Sabercat padding over to you. He butts his head against your leg a little forcefully and you pet him without hesitation. He sits down heavily, not as graceful as Kisaki, and purrs... though it sounds more like a growl. You notice Kokuou's fangs are much longer than the queen's... how lovely."Kokuou has a wild color, the same his ancestors would have worn. Kisaki is solid black, of course." The ink colored queen fixes her fiery eyes on you and her tail starts to fan rhythmically. You notice Lady Reaper's striped tail moving to the same beat behind the bench. You smile absently and she doesn't seem to notice but goes on. "Ryoku is also of the same ticked color as Kokuou. The lighter undercoat is dotted with darker spots, better for camouflage in the wild." 
You look up to see the much larger, triumphant male circle around the four of you. He's much bigger than Kokuou. His gray coat and vibrant green eyes add to his regal power."Ryoku's name translates into 'strength' or 'power'. He's several years older than Kokuou. The three of them get along rather well though." The two males proceed to wrestle with each other while Kisaki lounges about on the bench. You and Lady Reaper sneak off along the castle wall. "Would you like to continue your tour of the courtyard?" Follow Lady Reaper A Darker Side
Back to the Castle Lady Reaper |
