This city reeked with integrity and honor, something that Gabriel believed was quite laughable at first for two reasons. The first being that a place populated by humans that lived free from much of the corruption that eclipsed over many of its brother cities. The second reason was the exact one for why he would even show up to a place like Nosshoki. From the gift of gab from sailors in  Vilpamolan, he learned of the Ainochi district and of its specialty. Oh how he would licked have his chows greatly if he had lesser restraint, but the werewolf was able to keep his composure as he learned more of the wonderful tales of beautiful and talented women that performed as companions and courtesans. For the right amount of coin, they say that they would do anything as long as it was safe and as long as they would agree to it. For Gabe, he didn’t believe that he would have a problem getting what he wanted out of them. The hours grew late as he listened to tale after tale before deciding to come here, regardless of the high moral status that irked him.

It was rather easy for him to recognize that he was an outsider to these people, the astonish stares from some spoke it in volumes. They wouldn’t last too long for they were smart and likely knew why he was here. That came from the other cities and regions mainly came for trade, or for the services of their Tayuu. Seeing how he wasn’t dressed as a merchant and had a crooked smile across his face, they likely assumed the latter for all he knew. It didn’t take too long before he found himself out in Ainochi and immediate he fell in love with the area. He could see why the sailors had been smitten by their heavenly appearances of white faces and their silk dresses. They moved down the streets like the wind, covering their faces halfway with foldable fans, leaving their eyes to be revealed and make it seem as though they could mesmerize any man in their path. They certainly had his utmost attention it wasn’t long before the wolf found himself at one of the finer establishments that specialized in catering to the new faces in the city. Gabriel entered gleely towards the front desk.

From there, the procedure had been quick and easy and the exchange of money and promises between customer and provider were done and before he knew it, he was led into some sort of lounging area where some of the women were perform graceful dance routines while the other costumes at their tables; no chairs were around as far as he could see, only mats for them to sit on the floor. Before he was allowed in, his hostess stopped him and pointed to his boots and then to those to the side of the wall. “Fair enough, he nodded before removing them from his feet. With the sort of activities he was planning on doing, he wouldn’t need them anyway. From there, he was led to a table of his own and he kneeled down before being presented with a drink as he was to wait until he could get his private session. Being the drink to his lips, he could tell that it was a specialty in these parts, for it was something he hadn’t had ever before and it was a bit weak for his taste. Other than that, it was fine for him while it helped to pass the time before the real fun began.

For centuries their courtesan establishment, Kakusareta Jōnetsu no Ie, had opened its doors to any and all that could afford the pleasures within.  But a much darker, yet more noble reason for its existence, resided in the minds and training of each young woman and girl that worked here and called this place home.  While their services were genuine, all of it was at the same time an elaborate illusion constructed during times of great desperation and war.  When women were seen as weak and never once suspected of holding the capability to forever silence a man. 

At its birth it had come out of necessity for women whose husbands had been lost to war.  With no other way to support themselves during such ruthless times of their history, these women started the house merely for prostitution, never knowing how great and renowned it would someday become.  But after a few short years survival had turned to bitterness.  Even in holding their own house for the delights of men, they were still seen as lower, objects to be played with and tossed aside.  All of it, funny enough, came to fruition from a mere accident: a man taking his payment too far, resulting in the poor woman’s act of self-defense which resulted in ending his life. 

Death by a woman would have been disgraceful enough, but death at the hands of a paid woman of pleasure would have been so much worse.  Much less admitting that he had been there in the first place.  Some would call it luck, others would call it fate, but for whatever reason the quick disposing of his body showed them what could be their true calling.   

What started as a two room house that would easier be called a shack, grew larger and more grand on its mountain perch into one of the loveliest and most sought after tayuu houses in all of Nisshoki.  No longer a mere place of prostitution, but now a strong and noble place for women to show their true and hidden strength. 

It stood proudly in its forest tuck away, surrounded by sakura trees, supported by the stone of the mountain and accessed by a charming foot bridge over a gentle stream.  Its coloring of deep crimson and delicate white promised passion and mystery to any that passed through its doors.  It was at this very place that Hiromi had been taken to at age eight to begin her training as an assassin in the guise of a tayuu.

Each woman was just as deadly as the next, all of them more than capable of handling themselves and any target that might have been sent to them, be they man or woman.  Unfortunately, the young werewolf had decided to come on the same day as her target’s weekly appointment.  Now a seasoned tayuu, forever frozen in the physical age of twenty three despite her true age, Hiromi had her own kamuro girl to raise and train.  This little one was finishing the wrappings of Hiromi’s robes as she stood in front of a tall mirror. 

The white dusting on her face was not as heavy as it normally was, and the black liner brushed delicately from her eyes to accentuate their slender shape as well as highlight on the bright emerald shade of her eyes.  Her hair: a bright pink to compliment the sakura blossoms, despite rumors of being false in color was in truth her natural hair color thanks to her demonic heritage.  “Very good Haru, thank you.”   She spoke to the young girl in their native tongue and rested her hand gently atop her head, offering a warm smile. 

Her own trainer, Izumi, was a kind woman but she had wished there was more of a motherly touch now and then when she had been growing up with her.  She vowed that when she had her own kamuro to look after that she would be gentle and affectionate towards her.  So many of these young girls were without mothers now that her heart went out for them.  Her own mother was also gone, and she didn’t wish that pain on anyone.

As she turned towards the entrance to the room she would be entertaining in until her target came for his time, she smelled the first whiff.  Her hand went up to her mouth, but she was careful not to smudge any of the dark pink tinting on her lips with her fingers or the bell sleeve of her robe.  Oh no…   A low growl formed in her chest and she felt her fangs start to elongate at the scent of a werewolf.  It wasn’t too often they came here, and more often than not she was able to excuse herself, but today she had a target and it simply wasn’t an option. 

Eyes closing, she centered herself, urging her fangs to shorten back to normal size, and as that happened so too did the growl in her chest lessen.  Haru gently touched her hip, and when Hiromi’s eyes opened they were a calm emerald rather than the blood red they usually turned when angered.  She smiled, brushing her fingers through the girl’s hair, “Just a troublemaker in our midst…”   Her eyes grew distant in thought, her maternal protective nature surrounding her thoughts for Haru stronger than usual knowing there was a werewolf here.  “Why don’t you go get us some treats in town…?  Anything you want, bring it back and we’ll have it together tonight.”  

She leaned down, letting her eyelashes brush quickly against the girl’s cheek, the closest she could give her to a kiss while donned in make-up.  She eased at hearing the innocent giggle of her kamuro and watched as she hurried out of this section of the house.  When she could no longer see her, her eyes moved to a fellow lady of the house with a stiff nod, instructing her silently to follow after her and make sure she was safe.  With Hiromi’s rank she had no choice but to listen.

Here we go…don’t pick me.   Even though as a tayuu in rank she could deny him, she didn’t want to have any special attention brought to herself.  Werewolves were trouble, trouble she always preferred to avoid.  The lights dimmed, a subtle signal that it was time for her to move out into the room, but only noticeable to those trained to recognize it.  A scroll unrolled itself on the wall outside of the door she would enter through, revealing the name given to her as a tayuu: Hanakumo, so that anyone that might want her attention would be able to address her properly.  No patron ever learned their birth names.

She gently pushed the sliding door opened, her features softening despite the growing scent of the wolf, and even without staring she knew which one he was by that smell alone.  None of it was on her features as she moved gracefully, as if floating, into the room.  Being a vampire aided in more smooth movements and she always used that to her advantage: trying each day to see that curse as a blessing.
The lights in the room reflected softly off of the designs on her silk robing: accentuating each stitching that swirled around her body, made custom to her to bring special attention to the curves of her body while keeping the mysterious and alluring modesty of a tayuu.  Designs of stars in the night sky brushed up her sides and along the bell like sleeves that stopped just short of her wrist.  Always there was a hidden splash of pink in the design, the color being not only her signature due to her hair, but to forever showcase how very important the sakura blossoms were to their house. 

Despite the delicate curve of her lips in an alluring yet innocent smile for the men here, the thought was screaming just as loudly in her head as it had before coming out here: Don’t.  Pick me.

Did Gabriel die and go to a most beautiful afterlife in the image of these beautifully exotic women and atmosphere? He certainly had seemed to think so, and he was very much tempted to pinch himself a few times to see if he was still awake and alive. Very seemed so surreal for him as he continued to watch in awe at the lovely dancers as they kept on with their performance. Every movement produced by their bodies was fluid and subtle, their rhythm with one another was perfect and precise. He watched on, not hiding his inner most thoughts in his hungry glances. As more of the saki was poured onto his cup, he drank more and more and started to get a taste for the stuff. Was it because of the tayuu that the drink seemed to be getting better, or was the other way around? Either way, he wasn’t complaining at all.

The only question now was which one would he wish to be his companion for a while?

There were so many choices from where he sat, he felt like a children having his choice of a treat. Licking his lips a little, Gabe observed every woman around him.

Oh it was too hard for him to decide. If only he was the world’s richest man, then he would have them all. Damn his luck.

Resting his head on the back of his hand, he sipped at his drink in thought while making one of the most difficult decisions in his life. And then the smell hit him; a strange and unearthly scent came to him, sticking out from the scents of perfume and alcohol. It made him rise slightly and sit up straight as the hair on his arms rose up and he could feel his inner beast stirred. Blue eyes were on high alert, shifting left and right until he came up with what he was sensing. “This oughta be intriguing”, he said with a smirk. The undead was the last things he expected from this place, but considering how such things normally wouldn’t fit in such scenery like this unless they were quite fetching to the eye, he suppose that it shouldn’t have been a complete surprise to smell a vampire in their ranks. Was there only one though? That he couldn’t be certain of, but regardless he didn’t think he ever been with one before. Likely because of the whole hatred between the two afflicted races. Such copulations were few and far as much as he knew and they typically didn’t end well. But such a forbidden act was extremely tempting to him, so he harbored no such grudge. In fact he had every single intention of seeking out this one and so he rose up from his table and downed the last of his saki before placing the cup down and started to stalk around as quietly and carefully as possible around the rest of the patrons. There was no way he was going to let some other riffraff get a hold of his little vampire.

Stopping only to sniff at the air at times to pinpoint her, his eyes came across one woman in particular from a distance. An exceptional beauty in her own right in a sea of them, she definitely stood out from the rest by just her appearance alone. Her unique colored hair, along with her finely shaped form and bells and whistles (literally) caught his attention and her scent…oh he was sure he found the right one. From her, his eyes ran over to the scroll nearby and his smile grew more devilishly.

Now there you are!
Approaching her, his eyes glowed brighter and he placed his hands to his side and bowed before her. It was a custom around these parts that he quickly picked on, along with a few others. “Hanakumo, is it?” Rising back up, his demeanor became more friendly despite the ulterior motives in his mind right about now. “I’m Gabriel. How about you come and join me at my table? Looks like you could use a drink.”

I choose you, my little Hanakumo

Every curse she’d ever heard growing up ran through her head at lightning speed as his scent grew stronger until he was standing in front of her.  Instantly she felt her fangs begin to elongate and had to still her breathing to ensure she wouldn’t take in his scent more and make the instincts that much worse.  It helped, but her eyes still turned to angry red the next time they blinked.  That was something she couldn’t help, but at least her fangs returned back to a safe length…though their points stayed sharp.  At least the former was easier to keep from going noticed.  

That look, she’d seen that look before, and not usually from clients.  He knew what she was, and she wouldn’t have been surprised if he knew that she knew that very fact.  So this is how this afternoon would go.  Right then she wanted to refuse him, but werewolves weren’t exactly known for their well-kept tempers and rather than have an ongoing problem she decided to nod: it was the best decision in the long run.  Though her eyes did ever so briefly flicker around the room, hoping to see her target so that there was an easier excuse for refusing him, but unfortunately he had not yet arrived.

Her lips turned up in a smile, though she showed no teeth with it to keep their points from being seen…they’d probably remain that way for a while.  Bastard.  Her daemon chuckled in her head, amused by the discomfort of her host, but that was all that managed to break through the wards that had been put up against her.  

Normally she would have done more, touched him, moved differently, but they both knew what this was and she wasn’t about to let him have that over her so instead she let her smile widen just enough for the whites to show through, “Truer words have never been spoken…”  She made sure to speak in the common tongue, though her accent still shone through and her tone was as soft as falling sakura blossoms.  I need the hardest damned drink we have.  Her inner tone?  Not so much.

Heart beating rapidly, she forced herself to move her fingers to touch near the crook of his elbow so that he could lead her, and while her urge was to rip out his throat, her touch was so gentle that you’d think the two had known one another their whole lives.  The years of training and balance hadn’t been for nothing, but she made sure to never let her skin brush his.  That was a step too far.  Maybe with some spirits in her she would fare better but right now she was horribly sober.  It was about to turn into quite the day.

People could be a hard read, if he had ever put such thought into actually caring about their opinions. It was a rarity if anything he would allow himself to feel what another felt in moments like these. The woman appeared to be not threatened by his approach, though the briefest changes to her eyes spoke otherwise. Gabriel kept his face as well; the hungry wolf was watching with politeness and patience. Patience that kept getting slowly eaten up as the seconds went by. Control of others was easy enough for him- control over himself proved to be a far more difficult task at times. Still, he had to see how this would play out; after all, a murder most foul could be in the makings beneath a sweet smile. His eyes twinkled a bit and his grin grew as she accepted his invitation. Whether she had planned on doing so or was reluctantly obliged was irrelevant to the wolf.

All that mattered was that he got his little Hanakumo right where he wanted her.

Or at least so he thought.

But Gabe enjoyed hearing her reply greatly enough to second guess. As a gentlemen in this fine establishment, he would play the part of a humble customer and appease her whims. All of this was not unlike that of a hunt for him in his lupine skin- He had already sought her out and their chase looked to only begin. As he smile and led her back to his table, his devious mind began to work out the kinks of his plan of delivering the killing blow. Figuratively speaking, of course. Perhaps he should have been more insightful of his companion, but he didn’t see any real clues to hostility, so he placed it into the back of his head as they were seated. He sat opposite of Hanakumo and beckoning one of the other workers to come.

“Whatever is your best drink, I would like a bottle, if you may.” His eyes slithered over to her, and for a moment, they narrowed softly and bore into her almost as if he could reach into her soul and yank it out. “And whatever the lady would like as well. I believe through some drinks we will become better acquaintance with one another. His own tone was sickeningly sweet and thick like honey, it was a much better way to captivate others than to be crude. Once the lady had left them, Gabe straightened his posture and rested his chin on top of the back of his hands. His lips continued to curl up and remained silent for a while, almost as if he was trying to guess at what she was thinking about. “So, how long have you worked here, my fair lady?”, he asked, mustering up as much politeness as he could stomach. “I have to admit, you seemed to have a different style about you from the other women here. I speak of more than just your appearance. His blue orbs shined a few tints brighter as each word slipped from his tongue. Still, he remained in his calm composure despite his mind eagering yearning to dream about what was to come. “And that style has you stand out quite a bit, no? Not saying it’s a terrible thing. No, on the contrany, I think it's a most allure thing. It is safe to say that you don’t entertain a lot of costumers like me?”

She sat with him at the table, eyes never leaving his face now that they were across from one another.  It would be easier to keep a watch on him like this anyways, and perhaps with enough spirits running through his blood it’d be easier for her to…persuade him towards another girl.  If he wasn’t what he was she might have thought him handsome, but that stench he had was a constant reminder.  Her eyes stayed on him for a heartbeat before looking up to the girl taking their drinks and ordered her own in their native tongue.  It was a strong brew, only privy to the women that entertained for the house.  When the girl left to get their drinks she turned her attention back to him, eyebrows raising as she listened.

One corner of her lips turned up ever so briefly before she spoke, her tone staying as soft and calm as ever, “I have been here since I was seven, raised as a kamuro to another tayuu here before I could earn my own place…”  Her head tilted to the side, continuing in their game of faux naiveté as her hands folded delicately on the table top, “As for my allure I can only assume you mean my seemingly unnatural coloring.”

No, she knew exactly what he meant and it had nothing to do with her hair or eyes.  But she smiled nonetheless and when the girl came back with his bottle and her own, along with two small cups she dipped her head lightly in thanks to her.  Her own bottle was heated, the liquid inside clear as water yet tinged with the slightest color of honey.  Though if you were to look inside you’d see a coiled snake, its venom leeching into the alcohol and having done so since it was put into it.  It had been long since killed before then, its blood and organs removed, but those venomous fangs still proved useful for spiking an otherwise ordinary drink. 

She opened the bottle with ease, letting it breathe briefly before pouring some of the drink into her cup.  The average man would be intoxicated after one cup full, even from a cup this small, but it took nearly an entire bottle and sometimes more for her to feel the effects: her vampiric and demonic blood filtered it out too quickly.  Aside from that, it was also a silent threat, though her smile showed no indication, 

“Have you ever tried habushu…?  Many people are intimidated to try it, but it is a drink many of the women here are accustomed to.”  It came in handy for building up a tolerance, as well as learning how to act when intoxicated…Though a good tayuu knew to never let herself become so compromised, especially not in their line of work: their true line of work.  She took the cup to her lips and slowly drank it down completely before resting it down and refilling it again, speaking to him as she did, 

“Now then, tell me more about this ‘style’ you seem to think I have…”  Tolerance or not, there was still a long burn lingering on her tongue and down her throat: the venom alone was enough to do that, but it was a pain she enjoyed; one that she associated with happy times passing the bottle around their common area when there was freedom to do so.

“Seven? My my, you must have learned quite a lot here since then.” Gabriel genuinely looked at her and thought about the amount of training she had, thought he would be left unaware of any other talents that Hanakumo held up her sleeve. Perhaps he could get the alcohol to loosen her lips a bit more as the time flew by. The question at the top of his head was just how much would he have to give to his lovely hostess until then? Only time would tell once they received their drinks. “I’m hurt”, he said, flashing her a smile. “I do find that very intriguing but I do mean beyond your appearance. I’m not that fickle.” The smile only widened a bit more since he was telling the truth- he knew what she was and he wondered how sincere she truly was. Even in this time and age, it wasn’t too uncommon to find that old feud between the two races still alive in those that existed today. Perhaps he was overthinking it, but regardless such a coupling was taboo and that was something that excited him. Gabriel was not known for playing by another’s rules, unless it benefited him in some sort. The drinks and glasses were received and as he reached over for his own bottle, his eyes were captivated by Hanakumo’s bottle and its contents. Something was definitely out of place and he leaned in slightly to take notice of the snake inside. Was it for decoration? If so, then that would explain why it was dead, but something else was going on with it.  

“N…no…I haven’t had that before.” His voice trailed off as his attention was still on bottle. Never had he came across a delicacy like habushu before. “So what is special about it, aside from our little friend in there?” She downed it with ease and the lycan was taken back a bit and it was a moment before he recovered from the reaction and poured his own drink. “I’ll have to try some of that in a little bit. Surely you don’t mind? I have a habit of wanting to try new things, at least once.” With that, he held up his glass and gave a nod right before he downed his own. “I’m sure that you’ve heard such comments before about your beauty, but what I refer to is beneath the skin.” Reaching over, he didn’t hesitate to take her bottle for a moment and fill his glass with the habushu, carefully pouring before returning it. He lifted it to his nose, which he was taken back slightly by the strong odor before lowering it away from his face. Heaven knew how she had been able to drink this, but he wasn’t about to back down from the challenge.

“Beneath it all, I could see something more in you. Call it a sixth sense, if you’d like. I knew from the moment we met, I would enjoy your company greatly.” He winked before bringing the rim to his lips and slowly downed it into his mouth and throat. His eyes grew a bit once he was done, feeling the burning sensation of the alcohol and the added ingredient scorching his insides. It had been unlike anything he’s ever drank before. He could feel it going all the way done to his stomach and he coughed for a bit into a closed hand. “My dear, how long have you drinking that until you got used to it?”, he said, letting out a wheezy laugh before he went to pour some more. Already he could feel his head lighting up some; whoever had made this brew had exceptional skill. “To a night of wonders and adventure”, he said, almost giggling as he rose it up in cheers before downing it.  

[OOC: he's starting to get distracted now, so we can move onto the next phase of the thread if you'd like.]