Standing quietly to one side is a tall, elegantly coiffured Kiriga in a fine kimono of sunset colors that hides her toes and matches her carefully burnished coppery scales. Her face and eyelids are accented with finely drawn strokes of a deep wine color.

After obtaining some darker attire for doing later night sneaking around Hakuu's estate, Umeko went back to Lilac. After a bit of discussion, the dragon decided that she also wanted to go into town and learn more about her husband to be before they go to the estate (perhaps to meet people who have been there to get interior details?) Umeko left word with the family servants that she was escorting their foreign guest, Lilac, down to one of the local Houses of Comfort to obtain more proper attire and appearance while she is within their service. While she has Lilac made up to look more Jadaian, she fully intends to learn as much as she can about Hakuu before they invade his home. For herself, Umeko dresses in one of her finer kimonos, this time one that is made of black Zolk and dyed with intricate purple flowers, which makes a striking contrast with her shining gold scales. Her mane has also been neatly combed and pinned to the back of her head as well; no strand is misplaced.

"Remember what I instructed you, Lilac," Umeko notes quietly as they walk into the The Blushed Pala, "Do not look nobles directly in their eyes. Step out of their way if they wish to pass, and always bow politely as they pass. Also, unless they speak to you, do not speak to them. And, since you are my servant, always remain two paces behind me when we are walking. And, if I give you any orders, you bow and obey them immediately."

Lilac seemed steadily more morose as Umeko explained her duties, routinely explaining she is a traveling bard, not a servant. Finally, after an hour of talking, the woman gave in. She let Umeko's servants restyle and pin her hair, and has since readied herself for a night on the town – as a servant. Along the way, she made sure to note, "I expect to be paid for this!"

Lilac enters The Blushed Pala just behind Umeko, trying to stay two steps behind her and, for the most part, managing that. She seems to instinctively dodge out of the way of nobles, anyway, although she's a bit slow to bow and obey.

The woman who was standing so still earlier seems to come to life, and she approaches the pair with short, measured steps that seem to make her glide across the floor, toes never appearing from beneath the hem of her robe. "Welcome to The Blushed Pala, my lady," she says smoothly, hands folded away in her sleeves. She bows formally. "How may we serve you this evening?"

Umeko bows her head to the woman and smiles slightly. "I am Lady Umeko Tsuguri, daughter of Lord Tsuguri," she replies in a formal and even tone. With a wave of her hand, she motions towards Lilac, then adds, "My father has employed this unusual foreigner to be an entertainer for the next few days in celebration of the honored Hakuu's visit to our estate. But … as you can see, her appearance may displease the honored artist … she is most barbaric. I have heard your House excels in all things of beauty, so I would ask of you if there is anything you might be able to do to make her appear more Jadaian and pleasing? For myself, of course, I would appreciate some tea, conversation, and perhaps some work on my own appearance, if you believe something may be done to make me more pleasing to him as well. I do not wish to dishonor my family by angering the artist."

The mostly human woman's nose begins to twitch the minute she steps inside. If her previous comments about the strength of her olfactory sense are to be believed, she must be getting a real treat for the nose. When gestured at, she blinks in puzzlement.

"Your beauty is flawless, Lady Tsuguri," purrs the house Madame. She gestures toward one of the hallways leading further in. "We cannot improve on perfection, but if it pleases you, we will endeavor to remove outside influences that could mar it. Your servant will be attended to as you wish. Please, follow me." She smiles at the pair, waiting a beat for them, then begins gliding down the hall, coppery tail undulating behind her.

When smiled at, Lilac bows after a moment. It's not as if she can understand what the two were saying, and, as such, has no idea whom the attendant is.

"Of course," Umeko answers with a dip of her own in appreciation of the compliment. With a look back to Lilac, she whispers in standard, "Follow. She is the head of the house." The dragon then slips her hands into her sleeves and walks after the Madame. Her pace isn't as gliding, but her own tail snakes along behind her, mere inches from the floor but never touching.

Lilac nods slowly, shrugging once Umeko turns and begins to walk away. She folds her own hands in her kimono robes, and follows along, her tail wagging slowly behind her.

The corridor is long, regularly spaced with art objects and sliding screen doors, most closed, some with sinuous shadows cast on them, and a few opening into private gardens or chambers where the occupants don't seem to care who sees them. One has a bath surrounded by fragrant plants in which a large diamondback Naga luxuriates. The room after that contains a somewhat portly Skeek receiving a backrub with scented oils that tickle Lilac's nose. The third seems to be the source of the laughter that was heard earlier, a motley assortment of rough-looking sorts, oddly out of place for such a high-class establishment, surrounded by empty bottles and several house ladies whose grace and composure are being put to the test.

Umeko glances into each room as they pass with moderate curiosity as to who is in the house. When they pass the room full of the coarser patrons, she whispers back to Lilac, "Are they from the ships, Lilac?" Returning her attention forward, she asks the Madame, "May I be graced with your name? I expect to be attended to by only the best, of course. So, I must know who to call upon."

Umeko's unwitting servant takes a moment to look at, as well as sniff at, the course individuals. "Oh. Them. They're mercenaries from the ship I arrived on," she explains once she has caught up with Umeko. Then she bows hesitantly, as if uncertain she should do so after a quick report.

The house Madame looks over her shoulder, and though she isn't smiling, her posture and tail are held in such a way as to suggest it. It erases a brief shadow that had clouded her face when she had looked into the rowdier room. "It is our specialty to be ready to provide what you desire before you ask for it, or at the least to provide what you wish at the moment you speak it. However, if my lady pleases, she may refer to me as Mitsuko." After turning a bend in the corridor, she slides a screen away to admit the pair into a well-appointed room of plump cushions and stately dark hardwood furniture.

Thank you, Mitsuko, you bring much honor to your House," Umeko replies to the woman as she passes and enters the plush room. After a look around, then a small nod of her head to indicate approval, she asks, "Will you be our attendant this evening?" The Kiriga then motions for Lilac to join her in the room.

Lilac looks at the room with interest, brows and ears perking. When invited in, she hurries on inside and almost sits down. "Oops," she murmurs, before stepping back behind Umeko and refolding her arms under her kimono. Her ears splay, her tail tucks, and she studies the floor with interest.

"Should you wish it, my Lady Tsuguri," purrs Mitsuko. "It is not often we see one such as you come here." Another pair of women appear from behind dressing screens. One is a Kiriga with black scales, and her kimono is a deep-sea green, not quite as resplendent as Mitsuko's but very fine indeed. The other is a smallish Naga… no, she must be a Shiga: a pair of vestigial-looking wings extend from her back, the membranes painted with pala blossoms. She wears a tunic with an open robe over it that allows her coils to move freely. They bow deeply, then usher the pair toward cushions laid out near the dressers.

After being ushered, Lilac plops down on one of the seats and folds her arms about herself, clutching high at her upper arms. It gives her the appearance of one nervous, which, by the way her ears play out, and how she sniffs at the new attendants, she must be. Her mouth opens, as if to ask a question, but she shuts it quickly. Instead, she flops all the way back on the cushion and sighs.

"Please join us. You must know much and I would be honored if you would share that wisdom with me," Umeko says in her formal and pleasant tone to Mitsuko. She then turns her attention to the two that just entered and walks over to the cushions. In a quiet voice in standard, she says to Lilac, "Just follow what they motion for you to do. If you do not understand, ask me." The Kiriga then kneels down gracefully on one of the cushions and folds her hands into her lap. And then with a glance to Lilac and then to Mitsuko, she adds, "And please forgive my servant. She is ignorant of our ways."

The house matron bows again, tail curling. "Of course, my lady. Do not concern yourself with your servant – we are not a royal court. We are here to welcome and comfort, even your servant unless you do not wish it." True to her word, the black Kiriga has knelt by Lilac in a dignified perch, and gives the human a warm but not overdone smile. She says something in Imperial, and when nothing registers she says, "Bosch?" She continues, "Standard?" The Shiga, meanwhile, has coiled neatly by Umeko, a tray of scented oils and bright pigments balanced on one hand.

Lilac blinks once when addressed directly, bowing in response, then she seems confused when the women keeps addressing her. Finally, when she understands, she chuckles lightly. "Oh. Standard, yes," she replies, smiling back a little. Behind her, her tail wags in a friendly fashion.

Umeko bows her head to the Shiga, then takes a moment to look over the scented oils and pigments. After selecting and inhaling lightly from each of the vials, the Kiriga selects a light mint scent. She replaces it on the tray and taps it with her clawtip to indicate to the servant. As for the pigments, she tells the Shiga, "I leave the colors up to your expertise." Her attention then shifts back to the house Madame, saying, "Thank you once again. As I had said, we have been honored by a visit from the artist Hakuu. I assume that you know of him?"

And as an afterthought, she says to the black Kiriga, "Ah, please make my servant look more … Jadaian, if you will? It is a pity she lacks beautiful scales, but I am most certain you can make her look more proper."

"We do," purrs Mitsuko, still stationed by the door. Somewhere along the way, she must have signaled somebody because someone hands a tray off to her, and she moves to sit between the pair without being in the way. Steam curls from the spout of an elegant ceramic kettle with a crackle glaze, and two matching cups are soon filled. "Master Hakuu is highly regarded, his works reserved for the royal families and the Emperor-Potentate himself. Truly, he is a genius. His visit must have been very auspicious."

The black Kiriga nods quietly at Umeko, then smiles at Lilac, speaking faintly accented Standard. "Please remain still. I will beautify your pretty pale skin. Please let me know if you tire, and I will rub the stiffness out of your muscles."

"He is working an arrangement with Lord Tsuguri," Umeko answers as she reaches out and takes her cup in both hands. She lifts it up and sniffs it lightly, then takes a small sip. "We are most honored by his presence. I must admit I know little about him, save for what is mentioned in passing between visitors to our estate. Have you ever seen his works of art? I understand he works with the living, as well as with objects."

Lilac looks doubtful. She eyes the black Kiriga suspiciously for a moment, sniffing. Something in the woman's scent, or perhaps in her smile, seems to ease the human woman, and Lilac simply shrugs a little and relaxes. "Please be careful of your claws," Lilac requests.

The snake-like attendant undoes the binding to Umeko's mane, and begins brushing it out with a tortoiseshell comb anointed with the mint oil, soon giving the Lady's already gleaming mane an opalescent sheen, like mother of pearl. The matron murmurs, "Oh, we are not deserving of the honor of witnessing one of Master Hakuu's artworks. However, he has deigned to visit the opera houses from time to time, and his accompaniment is always dazzling to behold. He would only be escorted by women he has beautified himself."

Lilac's attendant nods, still smiling. "I would not dream of marring your prissstine skin, miss," she murmurs. She begins setting to work with her own pigments using a thin brush, working too quickly for it to tickle, though the ink is cool on her face.

Remaining quiet through part of the brushing, Umeko sips from her teacup. "What does he do to them?" Umeko inquires as she suppresses a shudder of revulsion at the thought of the artist touching her. "And, have you heard of anything special he may be planning? Lord Tsuguri has not mentioned to me all the particulars of the arrangement he is working out with the Honored Hakuu."

Having never been painted before, either by accident or on purpose, Lilac finds the new experience fascinating. She tries to watch the brush, but as it's so close to her face she can only strain, or cross her eyes, to see. "Oh, well, thank you," she tells the black reptile, sounding genuinely appreciative. "Do you happen to play any music, lady … Lady?" She seems to resist bowing on reflex, body momentarily twitching.

"He is a very private man," purrs Mitsuko, setting aside her kettle. The tea smells faintly of pala, though the taste is very subtle, mostly hinted at rather than overt. "But curiously, there have been many people coming and going from his estate."

Umeko's brow ridge goes up. "May I ask what sort of people have been visiting the honorable artist?" the Kiriga inquires. She takes another sip from her cup, then says to the Shiga behind her, "You do wonderful mane-work. Thank you."

The black Kiriga's reflexes seem quite sharp indeed, the brush pulling away like a startled bee, hovering back down and alighting only when Lilac holds still again. The fidgeting doesn't seem to bother her, and she murmurs, quietly so as not to intrude on the other conversation, "I am versed in many classical arts, miss. I sing mostly."

"I never could sing very well," Lilac admits, sounding glum. "I used to do okay, but after … " She bites her lip, frowning, then smiles nervously. "After traveling some, my voice became worn. Out. Worn out. Strained, yes. I keep to wind instruments, these days."

"It is a pleasure to work with hair so fine," hisses the Shiga, her brush strokes long and even. Once the oil has been distributed evenly, she expertly separates the locks to rebind them as they were before. Mitsuko, meanwhile, looks thoughtful. "We passed by some of them, Lady Tsuguri," she says. "They are… curious outsiders. Usually they are not so… well-heeled as to be entertained at establishments such as ours."

"They are … like those in the room out there?" Umeko asks as if it is just idle gossip. Carefully, she turns the cup she holds in her hands. "Most curious that the Honored Hakuu would associate with such as those."

Lilac's attendant favors her with a whimsical tilt of the head, eyes warm. "No? But your voice is pleasant." She touches the end of her brush to her the tip of her snout, then applies a few more strokes. "Wind instruments are a fine choice. To mimic the breeze through canyons, or to proclaim with bold notes, it is beautiful."

Mitsuko folds her hands in her lap. "We assume Master Hakuu employs many lesser peoples to tend to purposes beneath his concern, though it is unusual he would choose these sorts specifically."

"Oh, well, thank you," says the human woman. She smiles more genuinely, now. "It's nice that someone likes my voice. Maybe I'll start singing again. I've had some time to … Well, to adjust to the … road. Yes, the road." Relaxing a bit more, Lilac lets her arms flop out and sighs contentedly before adding, "I learned to play in my village. A lot of what I play is from my homeland, but not all."

"It is of no serious concern," Umeko says and then nods, "I would presume that he may simply be trying to expand his art to the outside world and that they are traders. It may also be why he is seeking out Lord Tsuguri to join in these endeavors. Do you know if those in the other room are here to see him? While it would be beneath me to converse with them, it would settle things in my mind. I want to be sure that I am an asset to Lord Tsuguri's efforts."

The house matron bows her head. "Oh, I would have no inkling what the plans of nobles would be. However, I do know those men have already been to the estate. If it would please my Lady, I would suppose they have already been paid, and paid well. Whether they have yet rendered their… services, I do not know."

The black Kiriga tilts her head the other way now, taking the moment to pause and dip her brush. "You must have traveled much, miss, and seen many things." The Shiga, meanwhile, has begun her painting as well, though the designs she creates are rather more abstract, as Umeko already has scales.

"Oh, I travel a lot. It is the life of a bard, after all! Adventure and travel," Lilac insists. "You never know where you might end up!" The woman laughs, if just a bit uneasily.

Umeko sets her cup down and nods at that. "Well, I may speak with them later, perhaps," she muses. Then with a short shake of her head, she smiles slightly and says to Mitsuko, "Thank you. I now know how far a reach the artist Hakuu has, and that it can only mean good things for my family." Once the painting starts, Umeko grows still for the Shiga. "You must get all sorts of interesting travelers in here. Do they generally treat your ladies well?" she asks Mitsuko, changing the subject.

"We are always treated as we are meant to be treated," Mitsuko says a bit cryptically.

Lilac's attendant applies a few final strokes, then sits back and takes up the unclaimed teacup, offering it to the human. "I have finished, miss. If you would like, please refresh yourself, and I will have a mirror brought."

"Please forgive my curiosity, but I so rarely leave the estate. Do you enjoy working here?" Umeko asks next. She tries to spare a glance towards Lilac without moving her head and disrupting the Shiga.

Lilac sits up, working her face muscles a little to get used to being painted. "Thank you," she says, taking the tea with one hand and bowing. Her eyes dart to Umeko's as she seems to notice her faux paw, causing her to quickly hold the tea cup with both hands. "I'd like to see your work," she insists, quickly, to cover for her mistake.

The matron bobs her head toward Umeko, half nod and half bow. "My work brings me great satisfaction, my lady."

"As should it for all who embrace their position in life," Umeko says and bows to the other Kiriga in return. She picks up her cup again in both hands and takes another light sip … perhaps to mask her own discomfort at that statement she just made and her current feelings on her own life.

The black Kiriga turns away momentarily, taking something from the dresser with great care. When she shows it to Lilac, it's apparent why… though small, the mirror is not the ordinary polished stone that produces imperfect reflections. Rather it is glass backed with polished metal, and Lilac's face looks back at her, clear to Umeko as well. Rather than cover Lilac's face with paint, the house girl has suggested pale scales the color of the human's skin by adding a fine webbing of lines to suggest shading. The pattern is nearly symmetrical.

Lilac blinks at herself. It occurs to her that she's never seen herself so clearly, even despite the web-work. "Wooooow," she breathes, leaning closer. "They almost look real." She lifts a hand, but resists the urge to touch the paint.

After taking a moment to look at the work on Lilac's skin, Umeko says in standard, "That is definitely an improvement. You look almost draconian." Then with her usual polite smile, Umeko adds to her in standard, "When your time is up here as the servant of House Tsuguri, you may need to seek other work, is that not true? Perhaps you can ask those next door if there would be room for you in their work. Since they are working with the honored Hakuu, it must be good work. I would be most curious as to what their job is with the honored artist."

"No," Lilac says flatly.

"You are disobeying me?" Umeko inquires, brow raised.

If the ladies of the Blushed Pala think anything of the response, they don't show it, the black Kiriga setting her mirror aside, the Shiga tending to her inks, and Mitsuko quietly stirring her hair with a folding fan.

"That was more of a suggestion," Lilac insists, defensively, ears splaying. "Are you ordering me to go over there and talk to those men? You know what sort of men those are, right? I mean," she waves vaguely in their direction, " … bleh!"

"I am sorry, but will you leave us for a moment?" Umeko says apologetically to the other women present.

Mitsuko and her girls stand and bow, the latter filing out and the matron departing with, "Ring the gong when you wish us to return, my lady," and indicating a hollowed piece of lacquered wood suspended from a framework near the door.

"Of course," Umeko says with a bow to Mitsuko. She then waits patiently for the ladies to leave. Once they are gone, her attention returns to Lilac. "Do you realize what you have done?" she asks in a quiet tone.

"Saved myself from being pawed and pinched by a company of mercenaries?" Lilac replies, her eyes wide but ears back. "I know what you think of your husband-to-be! And I know those men!" She drops her voice, leaning forward. "I'm willing to help you escape, but you are being very reckless with my person. You may not care for my person, but I like it very much. It's the only one I have."

"That is not the point. The point is, you directly objected to me in front of them. You could have simply said you would consider it, but not tonight. You cost me respect in their eyes, which jeopardizes everything," Umeko replies and folds her hands in her lap. "Do you think I would allow you be in any real danger with them? Do you think I could not handle a few loud drunks if they dared lay a hand on you? They are a safer chance to find out what is going on in his manor without sneaking into it."

Ears flattening, Lilac looks down as she's lectured on what she did. Still, when she looks back up again, there's an edge to her eyes – a hint of defiance. "How was I supposed to know that? You nobles may plot and plan and poke about, but I usually stay out of this sort of thing. If I didn't need the money, I'd … " She sighs, then reaches over and pats Umeko's knee a little. "I'm sorry, it's just I spent several days with them. They know me. And they're … " she gestures, unable to find the words, " … ugh."

A raucous round of laughter echoes down the halls.

"If they know you, they would also know that you're no threat and speak openly to you. It is a shame they didn't speak on why they were coming here," Umeko says with a small sigh and a shake of her head. "And if all this is, is money, then … just go. This isn't money to me. This is my life; this is the possible life of my family. Hakuu is up to something and regardless of the battle between my father and myself … I cannot allow him to harm my father. I will go deal with them," the dragon notes, and then stands up and starts towards the door.

"Well, fine, then, if that's how you feel," Lilac replies, standing up. "And I was going to help you, you high-nosed- … fine." She tosses her hands in the air, and walks right out with Umeko. "Nobles," she grumbles under her breath, walking down the isle.

"Walk back with me and I will make sure you get paid, then," Umeko says quietly, trying to keep up with the human as well as see where the rougher group is.

"You weren't going to pay me, anyway," Lilac replies in a quiet growl. "And here I thought I'd help out the glorious lady and her, her … tragic tragedy!" The woman's tail arches behind her, and her ears remain back against her head as she nears the door where the mercenaries are.

"Yes, I was," Umeko replies quietly. "In both a place to stay and what money I could manage without raising suspicion."

As the pair emerges in the hall, they're greeted with the sight of the mercenary group in question. A few still have bottles in their hands, and a couple look rather unsteady, but several gathered around the hall look quite steady indeed, looming over the beleaguered house girls the two had seen on their way in. "C'mon, pala-lips," says the largest, a burly Jupani, reaching out to tickle one of the girls' chins, who shields herself with her serving tray. "I thought this was a house of comfort. Aren't you going to tend to all our needs?"

"May I ask one favor of you?" Umeko says quietly to Lilac, stopping when she sees the men.

Stopping a few feet from the door, Lilac opens her mouth to say something – and by the look on her face, something angry – then seems to lose her focus when she catches sight of the men inside. "See?" She says softly, pointing at the men. "I went through enough of that on the ship." She sighs, and nods. "Yes, Lady Umeko?"

"Please help the girls sneak out if I can distract the men. I may be a noble … but I won't let them treat them like that," Umeko replies quietly, then fixes her jaw. "I would … suggest you may not wish to look back, either."

Lilac blinks, turning around to peer at Umeko as if she just said she was from another planet. "Don't you people have guards?" She adds a belated, "Lady Umeko," a few seconds later.

"If you wish to look for some guards, or Mitsuko, then you are welcome to. I just didn't want to involve you any further," Umeko admits.

The house girl backs up until her back bumps a screen, the paper bending slightly, her eyes wide. The Jupani leans close, his leather-clad body blocking hers out while the others hoot and laugh, a couple clinking bottles together.

"Oh," Lilac breathes. "You're going to help them?" She glances over her shoulder, watching the man encroach upon the woman's space, "Are you sure? They're not from Jadai, I don't think. They may not go easy on you … " Despite the anger in her voice earlier, Lilac sounds worried now. "I don't think they'll kill you, but … "

"It doesn't matter that they are not from Jadai. But if I just walk out … I can't. I asked you for help, how could I turn my back on someone else who now needs it? What sort of person would I be?" Umeko then draws in a breath and starts towards the men. "Excuse me," she says in a polite, but firm tone in standard.

Lilac scoots out of the way, edging around the paper wall and peering in after Umeko. "Be careful," she whispers.

The Jupani puts a paw on the screen by the house girl's head, tearing it slightly, the bluish Kiriga quailing. Her partner stands nearby, looking equally as frightened as a bulldog Gallah and biped Shiga leer at her. At Umeko's words, they pause, looking up and glancing over at her. "Eh?" says the wolf, pausing and then lolling his tongue at Umeko. "Well hello there. Come to join the fun?"

"Actually, I came to warn you," Umeko says with a polite smile as she looks amongst the group and tries to size them up. "You are obviously all important men, yes?"

Only Lilac's ears, hair, and eyes can be seen as she peeks inside, watching Umeko work.

Some of the men exchange looks, and the Jupani takes his hand off the wall, resting his thumbs in his belt. "What's it to ya?"

"Well, only important men would come here. Or men who are under the employ of someone with much influence and power," Umeko says, never losing that calm smile. "If this is your first time to Jadai, then you may not understand that if you are in the employ of someone, your actions will reflect on them. If you anger someone powerful, then … that person may seek out to recover his honor by dealing with you harshly. I am saying this for your own safety, good sirs. Your one night of fun could cost you more than money in the future if you persist in your current actions."

The wolf barks a laugh, prompting the rest to laugh with him, even if a couple don't look like the get the joke. "Who says we're employed by anybody, goldie? We're gamblers, we won big, and we're celebrating. We paid good coin for some entertainment, and what happens in Jashin stays in Jashin. Right, boys?" The other mercenaries roar agreement and bottles crash together again, a couple breaking and spilling wine on the floor. The bulldog adds to it by scooping up the other girl and giving her a sloppy kiss… then he suddenly roars in pain, clutching his mouth and prompting the other mercs to glance at him. His lip is bloody. "She bit me!" exclaims the Gallah, and he raises the back of his hand to the girl, who is midway through stammering an apology. "Jadai whore!" he snarls.

"I did warn you," Umeko says with finality and just darts in. The gold dragon heads right for the Jupani, brow furrowed and eyes cold. And the first thing Umeko goes for … is the Jupani's knee with a rather nasty kick, intent on hyper-extending it … or just flat breaking it. Joints are always good weak points, as Master Long Tooth taught.

"Oh gods," Lilac breathes, cowering behind the paper wall as if it could keep the men away from her. "Umeko, be careful," she repeats, in a yell.

A brief look of surprise crosses the Jupani's face. He takes a step back as Umeko rushes him, his leg turning. The kick takes him in the side of the leg, just a bit below the knee. It's enough to make the wolf bellow in pain as his leg flies out from beneath him, and he crashes to the polished wooden floor. The other men shout with surprise, dropping their bottles.

Lilac's grip on the wall suddenly tightens, causing her to rip the delicate paper. She frowns, ears laying back, looking a little ill at the combat.

Umeko doesn't stop, taking the moment of surprise as best she can. Propelling herself off the collapsing Jupani's leg, the dragon soars towards the bulldog this time. She strikes with her claws at the bulldog's raised hand, and even attempts to do the sweep that Master Long Tooth had her practicing for hours the other day.

Their initial shock fading, the bulldog steps to meet Umeko, his raised hand balling into a fist. "Hrrr!"

Umeko ducks the punch when it comes as she strikes out. Claws sink into the bulldog's hand, leaving some nasty gouges in its wake. The whirlwind whipping of her leg then sweeps out the bulldog's own feet as well, sending him unceremoniously to the ground with a crashing thud.

Lilac continues to watch, eyes wide, hand wrapped so tightly around the paper screen support she's ripped it clean through. She continues to grimace, but seemingly from more than distaste over the fighting. She looks a bit sick, as if the violence was making her nauseous.

Claws come away bloody, and the flailing canid barely has time to yelp and clutch the gashes before he's flung onto his side hard, his breath being knocked out of him. The Jupani is getting up with a snarl on his muzzle and a limp in his step, while the Shiga and a pair of Skreeks charge the fighting golden whirlwind!

One of the drunken ones, a Khatta, is evidently too confused to join the fray yet, and one of the liquored-up Skreeks swings so wide he topples over. The Shiga seems capable, but Umeko's natural agility makes the lizard's punch an easy dodge… but the other Skreek is a bit too much added to the mix, one of his big rodent feet kicking Umeko in the abdomen hard enough to push her through one of the screen walls.

"Umeko!" Lilac suddenly jerks forward, but, upon quickly realizing she can't fight at all, skids to a halt. That leaves her a few steps in to the room, staring at where Umeko fell through and looking uncertain if she wants to move forward or back away. Her ears splay, and her fingers tap nervously at her sides.

Umeko goes back through the wall with half a grunt, half a growl. Not wanting to give the Skreek time to recover, and knowing the longer the fight goes, the worse it will get, the dragon launches herself back into the fray. This time using a fist and aiming right for his nose

"Ahh," Lilac cries weakly, as if she, too, had suddenly been kicked in the stomach. She staggers woozily, clutching for, and missing, the wall support. The miss sends her to her knees, where she doubles over and groans, ears flattening to her head.

The Skreek is grinning, his long incisors glinting in The Blushed Pala's candlelight. He's the first to rush to meet Umeko, the other two close behind him.

Umeko's long sessions with Master Tooth have taught the dragon well. The strike is solid, the first two knuckles on her fist in perfect line with her forearm. It hits like a hammer square into the nose and front teeth of the Skreek. There's a sickening cracking sound as one of the teeth promptly breaks under the pressure of the blow.

The rodent's eyes have a split second chance to widen as he registers a golden fist rocketing at his face, and suddenly his head snaps back, blood spraying from his snout and one of those yellowed incisors falling away. His feet scramble beneath him as he tries to keep his balance, staggering backward and clutching his face.

As Umeko fights, something happens to Lilac. After she doubles over, she continues to groan, and then: rip. The sound of kimono tearing rips through the room, joining the sounds of violence. Smaller, lesser rips continue, until Lilac suddenly looks up – and her face has changed. Her face has elongated, and her usually startled-looking eyes glow with a baleful luminescence …

With a graceful dip … and accounting for one who is really drunk, the next blow misses. Then the Shiga sweeps out with roundhouse. This time Umeko blocks it with the back of her forearm. Her eyes narrow and her mind races to take in the situation and determine fight order.

Lilac's eyes seem to darken, despite their glow. It's as if her pupils retract in to an abyssal sea, swallowing the light in her eyes, and replacing it with shadows touched by twilight. The rest happens very quickly: her bones crack, her human skin is buried beneath fur as black as night, and she shrugs off her kimono leaving only a beast to climb from the tatters.

The Shiga's thick arm thwacks solidly against Umeko's deft block… she can feel some force behind it. The Jupani is on his feet and stalking towards the fight with a slight limp and murder in his eye, joined by his other drunken comrade who seems to have finally realized he's supposed to be doing something. The Gallah has just about regained his feet, and the sober Skreek has dropped his blood-covered hands, snarling gap-toothedly. The mercenaries are all quite focused on the fierce dragon in their midst, and it's the Kiriga house girls that notice Lilac… they stand more petrified than ever.

The dragon realizes she needs to keep the odds down. It was unlikely she was going to win this in the first place and she knew it. But … it didn't stop her from trying, since she couldn't stand there and allow the girls to be beaten. So, she steps back and makes a hard kick towards the center of the chest of the Shiga who just threw the punch, hoping to send him down and use him as an obstacle between herself and the others to buy herself more time to deal with them one on one.

Lady Tsuguri is quick, but her Shiga assailant seems to be on to her, and he stays close, stifling the kick's power, though his own attack is foiled in fending off that flying foot. Another drunk goes wide, staggering off to the side, while the other's fist comes dangerously close… the Jupani's connects, however, knuckles landing a glancing to the side of Umeko's head. She manages to deflect most of the impact off the dome of her skull, but it's enough to rattle her a bit.

The bloodied Skreek, meanwhile, turns just in time to see Lilac coming at him. With a squeal, he backpedals, the monster's claws closing on thin air, but no attack is returned. The Gallah has the presence of mind to see what his friend is yelping about, and his squinty eyes widen, wrinkled brow shooting up at the sight of the transformed bardess.

Umeko shakes her head quickly, trying to clear off the blow from the Jupani. Growling, her attention shifts back to the Jupani … and her mind goes to the place she was told would usually drop a mammal. So, up goes the Kiriga into a kick … targeted right at the Jupani's groin.

Landing amidst the scattered pillows and shattered glass, 'Lilac' snarls. Her teeth have definitely changed. Rows of triangle-shaped razors line her mouth, revealed as she pulls back her lips. Her nose twitches, scenting something about the Skreek that gets her attention, and like black lighting she speeds forward and rushes to bite at his leg tendons.

Time momentarily seems to stand still for Umeko. Tooth spoke of such moments of clarity, when certain things seem to snap into focus, if only briefly. The wolf steps forward to aim a punch, and slips on some blood, splaying his feet apart…

Through that moment, Umeko strikes hard and fast. Her leg comes up squarely between the Jupani's legs. The curved back clawed toes slam into his groin with a sickening thud. And for a moment, Umeko could swear the force of the blow actually picks the Jupani up and off his feet. That may just be her imagination, though, inspired by the raw power behind that kick. She prays Tooth was right, and such a blow will drop a mammal.

The black blur arrives at the Skreek's feet, stumbling on some of the misplaced pillows before her tooth-lined maw sinks in to the man's leg. Immediately, she jerks her head back and forth, shaking his leg violently.

Two screams pierce the din, and it's difficult to say which one is higher.

The Jupani's eyes cross, and then roll back into his head as he falls backward, thighs clamped over his hands. He collapses to the floor, shuddering and curling into a fetal position, heaving as he does so, some of his evening's wine coming back up in a puddle beneath his jaws.

The bloodied Skreek gets bloodier, crimson gushing from around Lilac's jaws as she ruptures the hamstring, making the rat fall to the floor. He clutches his leg and frantically flails at the beast's head, with little result.

Time seems to come rushing back all too fast for Umeko, however, as the Shiga's knee lifts up to thump her solidly in the side.

Apparently satisfied, the beast jumps back and away from the Skreek. It then turns its bloody-mouthed snarl to the Gallah, grinning with blades of white. After a second snarl, the beast suddenly breaks for the hole Umeko made when she was kicked through the wall.

Umeko jerks to the side and one arm comes down to grip at her now painfully throbbing side. "Run," she hisses at the two serving girls and wincing. Quickly, her attention once again returns to the Shiga and her claws flex. Growling, she strikes out after the Shiga, this time with her claws right at his neck.

The claws find their mark, but the Shiga flinches away, three red slashes dragged across his collarbone and ripping his tunic, his own elbowed attack being fended off. The soused Skreek manages a swing that doesn't spin him off into the fight, but it deflects harmlessly off Umeko's shoulder… the other drunk is more fortunate, however, simply throwing himself at the young woman and wrapping his arms around her in a clumsy clinch.

Crouching down as best she can, Umeko folds her arms up and crosses them over so that she can grip and dig in her claws into the Khatta's arms, hoping that it'll be enough to get the drunk to loosen his grip. She then steps back her left leg and twists while bowing … as she tries to throw the drunk onto the Shiga.

Although she fled, the beast's speed must be immense. A black shadow coalesces on the paper wall behind the Gallah before the beast rips through in a leaping tackle, blood trailing through the air from its opened jaws.

"Huaaagh!" The Khatta's grip slips and Umeko's hip digs into him. She's able to carry his momentum into a shoulder toss, using his weight to send him on his way, crashing to his back on the floorboards, where he lies with a groan. Unfortunately, the Shiga slips past the bulky projectile, and his right cross meets Umeko's cheek, whipping her head to the side.

Umeko goes down this time dazed and hurting badly. On her hands and kneels, she tries to sweep up some of the ceramic debris from the broken jugs into her hand and attempts to just roll herself back and get distance from the Shiga.

The Gallah yelps, a black blur of fangs and claws barreling into him and knocking him to the floor. He's able to roll with it enough that it doesn't hurt him much, but he's flat on his back. "What in the-… !"

With her prey down, Lilac doesn't relent for a second. She bites and claws, a flurry of black talons and white teeth.

The Khatta squirms on the floor, not looking inclined to get back up, and the drunken Skreek just looks confused. The lizard mercenary looks satisfied with his handiwork for now, giving Umeko a glance and then rushing over to where the Gallah is pinned, the dog yipping, "Get it off me! Get it off!"

Not finding anything she can use to disable the Shiga, the dragon waits until he's fully turned away and tries to land a hard fist on the point where the base of his skull meets his spine.

Blood and fur fly as Lilac furiously mauls her quarry, cuts opening on the bulldog here and there, until finally he cries, "S-stop! I give! Aagh! Stop!" and throws her arms over his head, trying to curl into a ball. So intent is she that the Shiga gets close enough to bring his foot back for a savage kick at Lilac's midsection… until the Kiriga he thought he'd put down punches him in the back, making him trip over the tangled combatants instead. He doesn't look hurt, but when he comes back up on the other side, he doesn't look inclined to fight anymore either, with his only backup a bewildered Skreek still stumbling around on the other side of the room.

Using what strength Umeko has left, she moves herself so that she's between Lilac and the two servants. "You won't harm them," she whispers, trying to sound strong when it's taking everything she has to just remain standing.

Knocked off her quarry, Lilac rolls to her feet a few steps away. She stands there, growling. Hackles raised, tail high, and black bat wings arched. She snarls at everyone and everything that's still moving. When Umeko addresses her directly, she whips around and bares her teeth at the Kiriga.

The dragoness doesn't move from where she stands before the two other Kiriga. Realization finally hits her just who, or what she's currently looking at. "If you can even understand me … you better go, Lilac," she says in standard, sounding exhausted. "I will … try to buy you time."

The Shiga casts one last look at the women, takes a few steps back, and then turns tail, disappearing down the corridor. The drunken Skreek, alone now, just sits down with a bump, while the rest of the men lie on the floor, clutching their wounds and groaning, the hardwood floor liberally streaked with red. The house girls quail behind Umeko, shivering, and Mitsuko's face appears in one of the holes torn through one of the screen walls, the matron looking stunned.

Lilac's ears flick forward when Umeko speaks, and, although she snarls for all she's worth, she doesn't attack. When the woman finishes, the beast stares … and then suddenly cocks its head. "Rrr?" It stands straight up, tail lowering, slightly, and then it's off. Like a black bullet, it races for the hole it created in the wall and vanishes in to the complex.

"I am … sorry about your room," Umeko manages out, "I hope your girls are unharmed." And with that, her legs buckle out from beneath her and the young Kiriga drops down to her knees. Wavering there for a moment, she slumps forward onto the floor and grows still.

"Lady Tsuguri!" the matron exclaims, and the other two girls hiss, startled, and quickly drop to pick the fallen noblewoman up. Mitsuko wrings her paws, and as the various house ladies timidly peek out, she begins hustling them around. "Get this mess cleaned up and take Lady Tsuguri to my chamber! Asaka, get Cedric from the gambling hall and have him drag these thugs out, there's never a guardsman around when you need one. And… and have him stay close, please."

Umeko is awake, but only barely. All the fury from the fighting has left her, leaving her feeling drained, weak, and hurting all over. "I did not wish for violence, but … they were going to hurt your girls," she murmurs. "I … could not stand for that. As a noble, I could not permit it. I believe in the old ways, where Jadai would defend its people. I just … I wasn't good enough. I am sorry."

"You were amazing, Lady Tsuguri!" says the bluish Kiriga supporting her on the left. Her partner on the other side nods avidly as the two begin hurrying her further into the sanctum. "Six trained fighters! I know they knew how to fight, they were soldiers and you beat them all! Well… there was your… your servant too… ?" Mitsuko bustles after them so fast that she can't even manage her customary glide, a worried look on her face. They quickly reach the matron's chamber, a plush affair where Umeko is quickly laid on a down-stuffed bed. The matron claps and one of the girls scurries off to retrieve water.

"I … do not know what that was, but I am thankful it was there," Umeko admits weakly as they travel. The young Kiriga focuses on her breathing with each step. When the bed rushes up to meet her back she lets out a sigh of relief, grateful to not be moving any more. For a brief moment the young woman wants to protest, but then decides right now she needs help, so lets the girls tend to her. "Can … can you clean my kimono?" she asks Mitsuko, "I do not wish to return home with it soiled."

The matron shushes Umeko, putting a soothingly cool, damp rag to the young noblewoman's head. "Shhh, Lady Tsuguri… don't worry about that now. Just rest for now, please. Thank you for helping my girls. You're safe with us."

As if the request was magic, the world fades away from the young dragoness as sleep takes her. Perhaps it's just in her dreams, or perhaps she actually says it, but weakly, Umeko hears in her own voice, "Lilac … I am so sorry, I did not know the curse you bore. Please, be safe." And for at least a little while, sleep frees the Kiriga from the aches that wrack her body.