Piano Room

@♕ Wong Yukhei Ten looked to the prince, a little more intrigued at the idea of picking a bouquet of flowers. That was something he was good at, he loved arranging flowers. “I-I can help with that, I’m really good at it,” he shared with the other before the other started retreating down the stairs. Ten hadn’t budged from his spot until the other looked back at him. “O-oh…” Ten blinked softly, “that’s.. that’s okay. You don’t have to treat me.” Ten shook his head softly as he began to follow the other down the stairs, though cautiously.

@♘ Ten yukhei felt a bit of empathy for the pet. he really did seem like a kind person, and he hoped eventually he would find another friend he could be comfortable with. but it was a good thing that ten seemed at least mildly interested in venturing to the garden. he smiled slightly at him, "i need to pick a bouquet actually, and need some help picking the flowers and wrapping it after. a friend of mine's anniversary is coming up, and he does /not/ like store bought flowers. talk about high maintenance." yukhei signed with a brief huff, beginning to descend downstairs thought stopping at a the first few steps down to look over his shoulder. "i'll treat you after if you help me."

@♕ Wong Yukhei Ten looked to the other, almost expecing the prince to agree with the cat much like the others. Agreeing with the cat was the quickest way to get him to leave, but when the prince didn't simply agree, Ten was surprised. Ten lightly shook his head side to side, his hair tickling the bridge of his nose, causing Ten to instinctually wrinkle his nose before speaking, "Uh.. No. I don't. I-I keep to myself." Ten flinched ever so slightly at the prince straightening up his position. "The gardens?" Ten looked to the other, his tail pressed against the back of his leg. "..I could probably help..." he said softly, curious as to what the prince could possibly want to do in the garden.

@Ten "skittish, yes, but...i think people just need to be patient with you then. if they aren't then maybe they aren't worth your time. do you have one person here you can comfortably talk with? another pet maybe?" yukhei paused when ten seemed doubtful of his words which he isn't surprised about. he figured his actions would count more than his words, so he let the matter slide with a nod of his head. he straightened from his position from where he was leaning against the stair banister, "fair enough." he twisted his wrist to face him so he could check the time with a slight hum, "i need to head to the gardens actually..." yukhei glanced back at ten with a tilt of his head, "i might need a hand with something. do you want to help me or will you stay here in the piano room?"

@♕ Wong Yukhei Ten had looked down at his feet, rubbing them together as the other stood in front of him. “Everyone thinks it, that I’m too skittish, or that it’s better to not have me around,” Ten sighed but then looked to the other when he had said that he understood. “No you don’t,” he shook his head before continuing, “you might have an idea.” Ten looked away, down the long hallway as the other promised not to scare him anymore. “Promises hurt, don’t make them unless you are sure you can keep it…”

@Ten yukhei only hums as he leans against the banister, standing in front of ten with crossed arms and a curious expression. "crappy company? hm...well, i just met you but i don't think that's true. usually i don't let people hand around me if they're that miserable to be with, but your presence is just...different. so don't worry about it too much. though i understand if people are scary." yukhei added with a slight nod of his head, he knew some people around the mansion weren't the friendliest and even less so toward lower ranks. nevermind the general public ten must have encountered. "but i promise not to scary you like that anymore. you're a sensitive cat, so better not to frazzle your nerves."

@♕ Wong Yukhei (oh no, poor ten D: keep spare hearts around~)

"Th-that was mean!" Ten had snapped at the other, moving slowly around the couch to plant himself on the cushions, away from the prince. He had brought his legs up to him and his tail laid protectively around his feet. He sat, almost silently though all that could be heard was him trying to catch his breath. He looked to the prince as he asked the question that not even Ten had thought of. "U-Um... W-Well, you probably.. Probably got used to my shadow. I wouldn't be good company..." Ten shook his head lightly, "P-People kind of scare me... So... I would probably be crappy company. So it was probably just my shadow you got used to." Ten didn't realize that he had been repeating himself as he usually did when he was nervous.

@Ten [ en will not have a moment of peace with yukhei cx ]

yukhei spotted him then. his tail poking out, and giving away his location once again. he sure liked to hide, but ten wasn't very good at it apparently. but he had to admit, he was an elegant and pretty looking cat. he waited patiently for the other to come out, and offered a small smile in return when he saw his dejected expression, "i'm sorry, i didn't mean to startle you so much. i acted on mostly instinct...i like to tease sometimes." he shrugged as if he couldn't help it. he had more questions on the tip of his tongue about ten's previous owner, wondering if he was really so similar to the person. but he held back for now. he grew more thoughtfully about something else, his hand reaching out to hold the banner of the stairs. long fingers tapping lightly against the wood. "i wonder...will you still shadow me now that you figured out i'm not your previous owner? i grew used to your presence...but i will say, i'd rather you just accompany me instead. at least then i won't feel like i'm being watched."

@♕ Wong Yukhei (All good! XD poor Ten's heart may burst out of his chest LOL)

Ten continued to scramble up the stairs, looking back when he heard the laugh. He couldn't figure out if the other was frustrated or enjoying seeing such a scared cat. The cat made it to the top of the steps and looked around briefly scanned the room before sliding under the table as his tail stuck out yet again. He listened to the prince apologize and slowly crawled out from under the table, his heart still pounding against his chest. He hid behind the couch briefly before shifting into his half human form. His ears and tail were drooped, he didn't have the energy to possibly hold them up. "That was m-mean!" he frowned, "You know, you could cause me to go deaf because of that!"

@Ten [ i'm sorry, yukhei is so mean XD ]

it was a flurry of activity. ten was certainly one jumpy cat, graceful yet awfully clumsy at the same time. yukhei watched with his hands tucked in the slacks as the cat darted back to the couch and then tripping up the stairs to seek better refuge. a rich laugh finally escaping him, ". that was a little too mean i think." he murmured to himself as he walked up the stairs, and followed the direction that ten went. "ten, i'm sorry. i didn't mean to scare you like that. i won't do it again. i forgot how jittery cats can be." yukhei called out to him while he walked the hallway, glancing around for the familiar orange and black fur that stood in such a bright white room.

@♕ Wong Yukhei Ten had trembled lightly in the piano, hoping he was hidden well enough. He kept his eyes closed tightly as he waited for complete silence. As the the key responated throughout the piano, Ten jolted out of the piano and scurried to the couch again, trying to hide under the pillow. Once he had secured himself under the pillow, it tipped over and he took off scurrying to the stairs, stumbling over each step as he hurried up them.

@Ten "you don't have to say the entire story, but-" before yukhei could even finish his sentence, the hybrid had already transformed and was skittering across the floor to find somewhere new to hide. in the piano no less, and yukhei can spot his fluffy black tail easily enough. he nearly chuckled to himself. a lot of the pets and slaves could be a bit on the edge around those in higher ranks, but this was his first time meeting a kitty so skittish. yukhei soundlessly got up from the couch, and headed towards the piano. his finger reached to hover over a key, and wondered maybe if this was a bit too mean, but easily shrugged it off. he hit the key hard enough for the low note to reverberate, hoping to flush out the kitty and follow him around for a bit. it was only right now?

@♕ Wong Yukhei (apparently!)

Ten had glimpsed up to the other, trying to gauge his response. He seemed to believe him, at least, he didn’t flat out call him a liar. As he heard the question, he hugged his pillow a little tighter, shaking his head a little. “I-I don’t want to say. C-can I go? I told you why I was following you.” He didn’t know the other well enough to talk about himself, especially about that topic. He shook his head and closed his eyes, before shifting into his animal form and trying to scurry away yet again. He looked around the room and darted into the piano, hoping this time the “fluff of fur” hadn’t been seen.

@Ten [ welp i was in the middle of this reply when rpr went down so XD the internet is against us akjss ]

Yukhei patiently waited while Ten formulated his answer. Clearly, this was an important issue with him which only heightened his curiosity even more. Yukhei observed how the hybrid had the same habit of his when deep in thought, and he wondered what else the two had in common. When ten finally spoke, Yukhei’s eyes sharpened again in scrutiny but a look of surprise flashed in his eyes before quickly returning to his neutral expression. Previous owner? The plot thickened. “What happened to your previous owner, ten? Did they…leave?” It was common enough that when owners left the mansion, they sometimes didn’t always take their pets with them.

@♕ Wong Yukhei (i'm gonna cry, i had my response all typed up and i hit refresh. ;-;)

Ten had stayed sat on the edge of the couch, hugging the small throw pillow. He had been in thought about about how he was going to tell the man why he was following him that he hadn't heard the other mention speaking a few languages. He continued to chew on his cheek as the other had been observing him. Ten had begun to lightly pick at his fingers as he grew anxious for the question. He was being stared at, observed, and ironically, it was making him anxious. Ten had ever-so-slightly jumped when he finally heard the question. He opened his mouth to answer before closing it. How would it sound if he admitted to needing several days to figure out if he had been an owner. Would the other believe him? He sighed softly and decided to just answer with the truth. "I.. I thought you were my owner. M-My last owner. I-I had to find out."

@Ten a small huff left him, relaxing his arms and opting to sit down next to ten. an arm spread over the back of the couch and other on the armrest of it while he spoke, "i speak a few languages." he crossed his legs and leaned his cheek into his hand where his elbow rest on the couch, curiously observing the nervous hybrid who looked like he was thinking a little too hard about something. he stared at him for many moments, wondering what the ten was going to say to him about following him around for the past several days. would he try to skirt around the issue? or maybe actually say the truth in hopes of not being punished? yukhei wasn't going to punish him either way, but he was going to keep an eye on him now with his curiosity peaked. finally, he spoke. "so, ten, the million dollar question. why are you lurking around me lately?"

@♕ Wong Yukhei Ten instantly looked up as he heard the other, taken aback by the language. "Y-You speak Thai?!" His eyes were wide as he stood up, nearly dropping the pillow. His face reddened just slightly as he sat back down after the outburst and hugged the pillow again. "E-everyone calls me Ten, Chittaphon is fine though." He nodded softly to the question, before speaking. "Thai is easier for me to understand sometimes." He looked over the man, convinced this was not his previous owner, and definitely no one he had known. He nibbled on the inside of his lip when he realized the question he was sure he'd soon be asked. He grew more nervous as he tried to figure out how he would explain.

@Ten yukhei only hummed in response to his soft grumble, noticing how the male was on clearly uncomfortable with this interaction but he wasn't too concerned about it. at least the other was willing to talk to him. yukhei's brows quirked up when he heard his name, and felt a small feeling of empathy for him. yukhei switched over to one of his native tongues, hopefully to ease some of the pet's nerves in regards to his given name. "ah, i see we're kindred spirits of sorts. i can call you chittaphon if you like, unless you have another preferred name. do you like speaking in thai more?"

@♕ Wong Yukhei Ten hadn't looked up from the floor, still trying to clean off his clothes. "B-But you weren't supposed to see me," he said softly, instantly sitting on the edge of the couch. He picked up the throw pillow behind him and hugged it, still not looking up. It was his habit to hide behind anything, especially around humans. "M-my name?" His eye brows furrowed just slightly as he slowly peaked up. He was thrown off, he had expected to get in trouble, he'd been practically stalking the other, and he obviously was upset. "Y-You're gonna laugh..." He muttered, looking down and closing his eyes. "Chittaphon Leechaiyakul.."

@Ten yukhei's lips twitched in amusement when he saw how the pet was trying to squeeze himself under the couch. at least he was determined in his own way. "hard to miss a fluff of fur flying across the floor." he replied easily, and stepped back to allow him space to come out. yukhei itched to pat down his clothes to rid him of the dust. he didn't like clothes to be untidy. he gestured towards the couch, "sit down." he said and crossed his arms against his chest, expecting for his request to be obeyed. yukhei tilted his head slightly at the man, curiosity leaking into his voice. "you're very persistent you know. to be following me for the last several days. i'm a little impressed, but also mildly concerned. but first, what's your name?"

@♕ Wong Yukhei Ten's heart began to thump in his chest as he heard the echoing of the others shoes. He had been spotted, and he couldn't hide any longer. As he in his half-human form, he tried to shuffle under the couch. He didn't realize the other had peered over the back of the couch to watch him. "D-Damn it," he muttered quietly under his breath. His ears pressed to his head, he slowly turned to the voice. "H-How could you see me? I-I was hidden." He slowly came out from behind the couch and stood in front of the male, his hair a mess, tail and ears disheveled. He tried to flatten his hair, then clean off his clothes that had gotten dusty from trying to squeeze under the couch. "Y-Yes sir.."

@Ten yukhei saw a small furball dart across the room, and hid behind the couch. the man's brows furrowed slightly, his frown only deepening. he hadn't realized he was dealing with a pet. yukhei sighed when it seemed evident the pet wasn't going to come out willingly, so he lifted himself from the bench and slowly approached the pristine couch. his dress shoes echoed against the marble floors when he finally stopped at the side of the couch, leaning slightly to the side to peek behind the couch to see the pet crouched there. yukhei's gaze sharpened slightly as he observed the man, eyes lingering on those twitching ears and puffy tail. a cat, he thought to himself. he spoke in a calm voice after, a contrast to the smooth and cold expression he held. "can you come out please? i think we need to have a talk, kitty."

@♕ Wong Yukhei Ten, in full animal form, watched the young man play the piano from the stairs, just a step or two from the top. He pressed his body to the carpet of the stairs. He was sure the man he had followed was his previous owner. He placed his head on the carpet, just slightly poking over the the stair. He had been following him for a while, though by this point he had lost track of the days. The difference with this person, he smelled different. He didn't have the same woodsy scent. He had thought about approaching him, but every time he had finally groan confident enough to ask, the person would do something to make him stop.

He had taken slowly slinked down the stairs, now sitting at the bottom on the steps, totally sure he had been completely hidden by the stair baluster that had been right next to him. Once he no longer heard the piano, he looked up quickly and to the man. The cat's ears were down, and he scurried to try and hide behind the couch before shifting into his half-human form.

@Ten yukhei felt the stares digging into his back while his fingers flowed over the bright white keys of the grand piano. he pursed his lips, wondering what he should do about the situation of the new...shadow he acquired. he didn't know the man who had been following his steps around the mansion for the last couple of weeks. he thought the other would approach him by now, but no...he only gazed from a far. it was slightly irking but also intriguing. yukhei wasn't afraid of confrontation, hostile or not. yukhei knew the other wasn't doing it out of malice, so it left him wondering more than anything. he didn't like not knowing his intentions. yukhei signed heavily, stopping his playing abruptly, but kept his gaze on the keys before him as he spoke. "i've grown a bit tired of this...are you going to approach any time soon or will i have to hunt you down?"