The rest of the evening was a blur. Umeko and Lilac sneaked back into the Tsuguri estates without being seen. From there they hurried into Umeko's room. Concerned for the human's safety, Umeko insisted that Lilac stay with her tonight. In fact, Umeko insisted that she share her bed. The Zolk was, of course, exquisite to sleep in. Now, sleeping against a reptile … that's another story. From Lilac's perspective, she was against something cool and slick to the touch all night. It didn't feel slimy, per se, but it definitely felt odd. Consciousness comes slowly now for Lilac. The odd coolness of the reptile is gone, so Umeko must already be up. This leaves Lilac resting peacefully in the Zolk, with only a cool and heavy sensation resting against her neck.

Despite her insistence that she didn't want to be a bother, and was too worried to sleep, Lilac both accepted sharing Umeko's bed and fell asleep almost instantly. She rests in the fetal position, curled up in a ball with her tail tucked and ears back. She looks comfortable, having slept soundless and apparently in a deep sleep. From what Umeko knows of the woman, she probably hasn't had a bed in a year or more.

The room is eerily quiet, really. In the corner sits a small stone lamp. Its soft amber glow illuminates the room. Every now and then one of the sliding doors moves slightly as one of the servants looks in on the sleeping woman.

Uninterrupted, Lilac has slept a long time. She sleeps mostly buried under covers, as if hiding from the world, with only her ears and top of head peeking out. Only the dead sleep forever, so in time even someone as tired as Lilac seems to be must awaken. Her ears twitch, her tail flickers, and she suddenly yawns.

Lilac is indeed alone in the room as she slowly comes to. When the reptile left is unknown, but it may have been some time ago. Her spot in the bed has grown cold. Again, someone peeks in, but no one comes in and disturbs her.

Lilac, about as comfortable as she has ever been, rolls over on all fours and stretches her arms, mouth smacking her lips together as she fights the bleariness of just awakening.

Something solid and with a bit of weight slips and rolls loosely about Lilac's neck as she stretches. It also bumps lightly against the underside of her chin.

"Wha-nnn … mph?" The sudden bump startles Lilac so much she falls over on her side with her tail between her legs. She holds up her hands, as if to ward off a blow, then blinks in the light. After a moment of catching her breath, and realizing this isn't a dream, she hesitantly pokes at her neck.

And that finger encounters something very solid and cool encircling her neck loosely. Whatever it is, it seems to be finely crafted with some sort of pattern in it.

"Wha … ?" Lilac sits up, tail in her lap, taking a moment to feel with both hands the strange object around her neck. Searching her memories, she doesn't remember buying a necklace. She does remember stealing from a noble, which makes her frown in worry, but she definitely doesn't think prison cells in Jadai are this nice.

The object feels like she has a small serpentine dragon wrapping around her neck. Its jaws bite around the tail on one side, and the other side is a small hinge. She can't be certain without seeing it, bit there feels like there's a keyhole set into the maw of the head. It feels like a rather ornate slave or pet collar, really.

"Hey," the woman complains, sounding both surprised and tired. She runs a finger along the collar, and then frowns as she runs through all that it may be. After a moment, she just suddenly pouts. Her ears flatten, she slumps back until she falls back in to the bed, and she gives a long sigh. "Laaady Umeeeko," she calls out, quietly.

The door slides back, only it's not Umeko to greet her. This Kiriga is smaller, pure black and dressed in a blue kimono. This might be Xiao, a servant of the household that Umeko had asked to look after the human earlier. She bows towards the bed, saying, "Lady Umeko is not in the house right now, Lilac-chan. She told me to see to your needs once you waken and escort you to her when you are ready."

Lilac blinks at the woman after she sits up, her legs akimbo and her hands folded between them. "Oh? Oh. Um, is there something on my neck? Because there feels like something on my neck," she says. Head tilting, and ears splaying she adds, "Oh, my name is just Lilac – Lilac the Flower of Sylvania! – not Lilac Chan."

"Oh, yes, you mean the Tsuguri collar? Lady Umeko was most adamant that you be fitted with it. She must have taken fancy to your presence and decided you were to be part of the family staff. I do not know if she intends you to be trained as one of the staff, or … as a pet of the family, since you are a most unusual creature," Xiao answers, remaining bowed before the human. She looks up and asks, "Is it not to your liking, Lilac-chan? It is quite an honor to earn the interest of one of the nobles." She then says as an afterthought, "Chan is an honorific, Lilac-chan. It is used to show household ranking. Chan is … it indicates you are not of rank."

"Oh," Lilac replies, her ears shooting up. It seems to take her a moment to digest what the servant says. "A collar for … Staff? Pet? … What?" She yawns again, ears splaying out. Apparently she needs more time to digest.

"Of course. If you are staff, you will serve the family as I do. If you are a pet, your purpose is to entertain them, of course. Like the koi do in the ponds outside, Lilac-chan. A creature of beauty and interest to make the days more interesting," Xiao answers and stands up. She goes over to a bundle on the floor and retrieves a kimono. Going to stand beside the bed, she says, "When you are ready, I will dress you."

"I'm Lady Umeko's … pet?" The concept makes Lilac whine, which only serves to make her sound more like a pet. Her ears flatten and she "hrumps" loudly. "Oh, it's a joke! I remember now. Lady Umeko is trying to cheer me up. Very well, I will play along." Lilac rolls over, then hops off the edge of the bead with surprising grace. "Did she ask you to dress me like a pet, too? Will you put a bow in my tail?" The woman wags her tail, then lolls her tongue out melodramatically.

Xiao holds up a small length of Zolk from a clawtip. "That was anticipated," the servant says with an absolutely straight face, "Later, she expects you to get your mane trimmed, but for now it will do.". The small dragon then goes about fitting the human with another kimono. "The one you were loaned last night has been sent back," she explains.

"Oh, I did lose that, didn't I? I … I don't remember what happened to it, actually. Yesterday was, well, a chore of a day," Lilac says. She stands still for the fitting, looking vaguely amused – and definitely a lot happier than she was yesterday. "Am I to get a tag, too? Shaped as a heart or, oh, I know, a dragon's head? Maybe a sword? Am I to be trained in fetch?" She smirks; definitely amused.

"You will have to speak with Lady Umeko as to what your duties and education will be," Xiao says quietly as she ties the obi around Lilac's waist. "As for a nametag? Perhaps; I am just a servant. I would not dare guess what she may be thinking." And then … the dragon takes a firm grip on Lilac's tail and does tie a little bow on it … in, well, lilac.

Lilac's brows, and ears, shoot up when her tail is grabbed and tied with a bow. She looks at the servant incredulously, then suddenly laughs. "Lady Umeko is funnier than she lets on. Very well." She wags her tail. "I think I like it." She smiles, then asks, "What more does Lady Umeko need of me?"

"Need? I do not know if she needs anything other than company," Xiao answers and goes back over to the small pile. She retrieves a small wooden thing. It couldn't be a stick, could it? No, it's not. It's just Lilac's flute. The dragon presents it to the human, asking, "Do you wish to attend to her?"

"Oh, sure." Lilac takes the flute and, after sniffing at it a moment, tucks it in her obi. "Will I get a bed like that, too? I'll roll over and do tricks for a bed like that. It's so comfortable."

"Again, you will have to speak with the Lady. Perhaps she can include it in your kennel," the smaller dragon deadpans. Then with a graceful roll of her hand, followed by a curl of a clawtip, Xiao indicates to follow her.

"Oh, my kennel! I almost forgot about the kennel," Lilac replies, trying to sound serious but failing miserably. She follows along, wagging her tail. "No leash? I might run away, you know! I could chew on your furniture or, I don't know, slobber."

"If you do, we will then request that an artisan craft a muzzle that will fit a human," Ziao says quietly as she leads the human out onto the state grounds. "But, as for running, this is an island. You would be found quickly enough."

"Of coooourse," Lilac agrees. "So, I s'pose I'll just have to be good!" As she follows, she idly reaches up and tugs at her collar, testing the fit now that she's awake.

The collar fits pretty loosely, really. It's a complete circle of iron, though, and has no real give to it (and would likely be very hard to break). The weight also makes it rather noticeable at all times. The walk through the estate is quiet and peaceful, with the various sounds of wildlife breaking in. Up ahead is a small, somber looking building; it might be shrine of some sort, actually. The inside is dark, only the small light from a few candles cutting through the gloom.

Lilac reaches to try and undo the collar, but stops when she spots the approaching shrine. Curious, she abandons the heavy circle to focus on what's ahead. "Is this a temple?" she asks interestedly.

"That is the Tsuguri shrine, Lilac-chan. The remains and souls of all the family that have gone before rest there, granting their protection to the estate. Lady Umeko is inside giving her respects," Xiao answers. She stops at the entrance and motions for Lilac to proceed inside. "You have been invited in, but I cannot attend. No servant is allowed within the shrine without one of the family inviting them."

"Oh. I, um, well … I'll be good." She smiles uncertainly at the servant. Other servant, she reminds herself, then turns to walk into the shrine. Growing up in Sylvania has given Lilac a well justified discomfort with the dead, being as they tend to rise or haunt unless burned, so she can't help but feel uneasy here. This isn't Sylvania, she tells herself. Still, she tucks her tail and shrinks down a bit – just in case.

The inside is dark, the wood covered in the soot of centuries of candles. On the far back wall rests row after row of elaborate urns, each painted with different characters; perhaps their names. The air is heavy with the scent of ash and incense, so it is likely that the dead are cremated. In the center of the floor rests Umeko. She's kneeling down, body stretched forward in some sort of a bow. Her hands rest on the floor together, palms down, and her chin rests upon those; eyes closed. Not a position a non-reptile could likely do easily.

Like an oddly dressed shadow, Lilac approaches Umeko with silent footfalls. There, behind the reptile woman, the human tilts her head and frowns sadly. All of these urns must be her ancestors. I wonder if Lady Umeko is praying for help? After a moment of staring, Lilac kneels, then puts her hands to the floor and bows forward to pray, too.

Silence reigns for some time in this dark and somber temple. But then, Umeko slowly rises up. "It is humbling to go see how many lives had to be so that you may now exist in this world. Family means so much to us because of this knowledge; each of us carries the weight and hopes of our ancestors in these lands. Is it the same for your lands?" she asks quietly, never looking back at Lilac.

"I don't know, Lady Umeko; I never really thought about it," the human replies. "We, my family that is, doesn't have anything like this. We cremate our dead, so that they don't rise again."

"You do nothing to honor those who have left this world? I … feel sorry for you. There is much that can be found in the past," Umeko says, then turns so she can face the human. "But, our lands are very different, and I should not judge. Can you forgive me?" she asks, her tone that of sincerity.

"What?" The human sounds surprised at the lady's question, perhaps not expecting an apology. "Oh, of course. I mean, no, it's all right. I understand, I think." She sits up, wagging her tail a little. "The past of Sylvania is fraught with horrors. We look to the future, but we do try and make the dead happy. Otherwise, they come back."

Umeko shakes her head. "Not about this. About involving you in my problems. The Artist Hakuu is my nightmare to deal with, not yours," she says. "I came here hoping my ancestors would grant me the wisdom to understand what I must do. But, all I find myself feeling is that I must somehow stop him. Not just for my sake, but for those whose lives he now controls."

Lilac looks down, twiddling her hands in her lap. "Oh, well, that's okay. My lady, I mean. I know I said I needed the money – I do need the money – but, I'm, well, I like you. You tried to help those servants, and you've been nice to me. Plus, you're very interesting, and I'd like to know your story. I am a bard, too, it's an exciting life. Very exciting." After a moment, she adds, "Yep," in a worn-sounding voice.

"My story may not have a happy ending. I am one woman against him. I do not know if I can so easily stop him as I might some ruffian," Umeko admits as her brow ridge furrows down. "I need to learn why he wishes to wed me. My instincts tell me it is not so simple as a family binding. But, what? That is why I must go to him and learn what I can. I must also return the seal you took before its disappearance causes too much commotion at his estate. While you were sleeping I asked the servant who cares for the house pottery to allow me the use of some of their clay. I made an impression of the seal and it is being fired now. If it took, then I can make a duplicate of his seal and return the original. Who knows what uses his seal may have."

Lady Umeko … Please don't be mad when I say this, but … why don't you just … Well, just flee him? He is a very powerful man, and he is very cruel," the human woman asks, ears laying back. "I'm worried about you."

"And leave those women to bear his wrath? Or leave whatever he may have over my father?" Umeko asks, and doesn't sound mad by the question. "I am not sure if I could face myself if I did not at least try to learn his reasons, and perhaps a way to stop him someday for their sakes. I have no intentions of letting him have me, ever. I would end my own life before I allowed him to defile my body. But, I do hope and believe neither should be necessary. I just need to understand what his plans are … and perhaps in the larger world find allies there who can help me stop him."

"This sounds like a long quest, Lady Umeko. A dangerous quest. I know I say my life is very interesting, but, it's never been this interesting, if you know what I mean? Still," Lilac shrugs, her collar sliding on her neck, "if you succeed, it will make a wonderful tale. And, well, no one has ever hired me on so long. I feel obligated to help you, but I'm not sure what I can do. I've never fought, and that was my first robbery."

"I cannot ask you to attend me on this. That would not be right. It must be your choice alone to come with me," the dragon says, then looks over her shoulder. "Life is hard, but the path of true nobility is to do what is right, not what is easy. And right now, I believe the world needs to be freed of that Kiriga's grip." Her attention then returns to the human and she tilts her head. Actually looking a bit sheepish, the dragon the says, "And I hope my little joke with the collar did not offend. I am not good at humor."

"Poor Lady Umeko," Lilac says. Her tail lifts, and she leans forward to take the Kiriga's hands. "I … " She frowns, shifting her gaze away from the noble's eyes, " … I've never really been much of a success at anything, Lady Umeko. Despite what I say, I'm not a famous bard. I know, I know. I make myself sound exciting and adventurous, but … " she shakes her head. "Lady Umeko, you are a real hero. You're the kind of person the songs I play sing about!" She looks up, and smiles. "I know I'm sort of … useless … but please Lady Umeko, I want to help you, even if all I can do is play my flute." Then she smiles a bit more, reaching to tug at her collar. "I thought it was funny, once I got the joke. How about this:" leaning forward again, Lilac takes Umeko's hands and holds them to her heart. "I'll be your pet. I'll wear your collar, until you are safe."

The Kiriga blinks repeatedly at the human. "Lilac … the collar was just a joke. I have the key right here. I was going to remove it," she says, looking extremely confused by the sudden declaration. "And you're not useless. If you still have enough courage in your heart, I was going to ask if you wished to return the seal where you found it, once we complete the copy. I can use my visit to the Artist as a distraction to his household while you sneak back in, return it, and sneak out."

"Nope, it's mine now. If you try and take it, I'll bite you," Lilac insists. She wags her tail, adding, "I'm going to keep the bow, too." Then she grins toothily – she really does have sizeable canine teeth for a human – and leans forward to hug the lizard. "I'll do it! I, well, I'll be scared. I might need a drink or two, first, but I'll do it. I'll show you." And them, and everyone, Lilac adds in thought.

Umeko accepts the hug. After releasing the human, she says, "You are a strange creature. I was expecting you to demand I remove it. Now you want to keep it. Do you at least want the key? Or do you wish me to keep it?" The dragon shakes her head as if baffled by the oddness of it all. "I will have to craft an appropriate poem for Master Hakuu, declaring that once I understood more of his greatness, I realized the honor that has been bestowed upon me to be his wife. And in showing the sincerity of the honor I feel, humbly request that he does design my wedding gown and ask if I can come model for it and bask in his presence, as I want to be a true symbol of art and beauty, befitting his greatness. Or something along those lines," Umeko notes, looking as if she wants to be ill while saying it. "I will work on the poem while the mold finishes firing. If all goes well, we should have a copy by evening. Once we have that, we can return the original, and perhaps I will learn more about just what he intends."

"You can keep the key, Lady Umeko. When you are safe, and they are free, you can take it off. I can't go home until I've succeeded in my own quest, so it will be a good reminder," Lilac insists. She nods about the plan, then begins to stand up, offering her hand to the lady. "I'll play for you, to help you think. Oh, and," she leans down a little, whispering, a little worriedly, "Your servant, she was kidding about the kennel … Right?"