The ongoing lesson

Topaz stood, staring wide eyed in shock. Yaniff was making a coughing sound, his version of a laugh. Her eyes narrowed as she registered the implications of Yaniff's reaction to Strife's revelation.
She snaps out a hand and catches hold of Yaniff's tail. Having grabbed the tiger by the tail she gives it a yank. "You are in so much trouble Yaniff..." She then proceeds to berate him in a mixtture of Draconian and Elvish, about keeping secrets from her. "You know that last time you kept a secret from me I singed your tail for you, maybe I should aim for more tender parts this time!"
She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, looking to Strife, she appologizes. "I'm sorry about that, I only recently learned that I can shift, and I'm new enough to it that surprises can cause one...I nearly cooked Yaniff by accident when I shifted the first time..." She colors a little and offers a weak smile. "We would be honored to join you, if you will still have us that is."

He laughs some watching them "Well that was not the reaction I was going for but it will have to do, and the cook stays my friend. She chased you because you took the pie nothing more, and unless you plan on changing back to your cat form while in the castle then you won't have a thing to worry about" he says then turns to topaz bowing slightly "I am sorry for the deception but if I told you who I was from the beginning you would not have acted like yourself I again express my apolige you and Yaniff may stay as long as you like" he says holding out a hand to her.

He bursts out laughing, clutching a hand to his belly. "Just what reaction where you hoping for Strife? I had an inkling of what you would say, and the lovely lady here had quite a wonderful reaction." He keeps chuckling, shaking his head. "And you know very well I won't be able to resist your cook."

She smiles and shrugs her shoulder. 'I am fairly good about being myself, no matter what. I learned that it is easier that way, even if others disapprove." She has a puzzled expression, as she extends her hand to meet his. "What do you mean, about us being welcome to stay?" She lays her hand in Strife's, her eyes studying his face. Then Rejar laughs and makes his comments. She smiles and laughs as well. "I think you have just invited trouble into your house."

He brings her hand to his lips and places a soft kiss on her knuckles "it's just as I said, you may stay as long as you like" he says as he looks back up at her then over to rejar "then I ask you friend...wait till she is asleep. That will get her even better" he tells him with a slight grin

She blushes just a bit, the color bringing out the pearlescent sheen of her skin along her high cheek bones. "Thank you, your offer is very kind." She lowers her eyes, and blushes harder, since he hadn't released her hand yet before he addressed Rejar. She smiles and looks back up at the playful plotting of his words to the other man though.
Yaniff flicks his tail, amused by his charges reaction, and even more so by the young Kings words. {I pity your cook, with you two miscreants conspiring against her, the poor woman doesn't stand a chance.}

He quirks an eyebrow, watching Strife turning on the charm, and how the young woman reacts. He laughs wickedly in responsee to his remark about future mischief to work on the castle cook. "Oh my friend, great minds think alike! I adore women in general, but fiesty females like your cook hold a special place in my heart..."
He grins unrepentantly at Yaniff. "A little fun is good for the soul." From the corner of his eye, he looks over at where Topaz stands next to Strife, who still hadn't dropped the girl's hand. "I for one, believe that you should seize whatever enjoyment this life offers you, and hold onto it for as long as you can, because you never know when it will cease to be there."

He laughs again and shakes his head some "my friend I am king...and a lonely one at that and I have had time to come up with many things to do but won't for it would go against my better judgement" he then relizes he had not released her hand and very slowly let's it work it's way out.

She is slightly confused by Strife's actions toward her. She reluctantly lets her hand slip from his, the gentle rasp of his skin against hers, before her fingertips have a final lingering touch as the contact ends. She closes her hand as she brings it back to her side, holding on to the sensory memory of his hand around her perhaps.
Sensing his students emotional turmoil Yaniff chimes in. {You should probably warn the soon to be tormented cook that you will be having extra company for dinner, especially since you invited a five hundred pound tiger. It won't be easy finding something to feed me.} He gives his coughing roar of a laugh.

He chuckles. "Too true my friend, it would be bad for a King to be deemed a trickster in his own kingdom unless of course you want to have a rebellion."
He watches the non verbal exchange between Strife and Topaz. Fasinating. It would definately bear watching in the future.
Yaniff's comment did what it was supposed to, and distracted him for a moment. He explodes with laughter, throwing his head back for a moment before he looks back at the group. His mismatched eyes twinkling with mirth. 'Yes, she should be warned. we wouldn't want her upset...yet"

He laughs again "do not worry all will be ok. You will all get to rest and clean up before dinner is ready." he says looking off towards the city and smiles. "I will have you three meet me at the palace I have some things to take care of and work to complete" he give a slight bow and then is gone.

He eyes the spot that Strife had vanished from, before turning back to Topaz. "It would appear that our new friend is very trusting, leaving me all alone with such a lovely lady." He gives her a devilish smile and winks.
"Please allow me to escort you to the palace, since I know the way." He sweeps her a bow and then offers his arm to her. "It would be an honor to have such a beautiful lady to keep me company."

She smiles, sensing somehow that Rejar was only teasing her, and not seriously flirting. She reaches out and lays her hand on his extended arm. "It would be an honor to be escorted by such a charming fellow. Please lead the way."
She walks along with her hand on his arm as he leads the way. Yaniff follows close behind, grumbling to himself about impudent kittens and lamenting that they aren't very filling.