Like A Fish Out Of Water

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These two women were odd, he wasn't quite used to humans being so. Well, he would hate to say it, but intriguing. They made him puzzled but at the same time curious about what was going around in their skulls. How peculiar. He also can't help but be a little impressed by the girl's boldness.

In the past, it would have grated his nerves quickly but it might of help that he didn't associate Alice with Mowgli, she seemed to have a brain about her instead of stubborn 'bravery' that was bound to get the boy killed. Not only that she seemed to acknowledge the fact she was going against a tiger and not some house cat.

He turned his head slightly to get the best view of the two that he could before a soft tsk left the elder of the two. "Perhaps your right," There was a small pause as he focused his singular gaze on the 'pirate'. "I have never found the right company. Maybe that will change." He chuckled softly though it almost had a dark tone to it. He shook his head before he moved passed the young girl. "We should take this conversation somewhere more warm. My joints ache against all this cold stone."

[Alice]

  "Oh, that sounds lovely!" Alice was quick to fall into step beside the tiger, her fears ebbing away once the old cat had shown signs of an amiable nature. "Why, just the other day I walked past the most delightful courtyard, Mister Khan. I'm sure you'd love it." She gave a small pause, a finger reaching for her chin in thought. "At least, I would certainly like to think you would. There are a great many patches of grass where the sun shines all day long, and would make excellent places for a nap."

  This was, of course, assuming that a large cat like a tiger would still appreciate the same things a small cat would. Alice's brows furrowed in thought. It wouldn't do to assume, Alice thought, especially when one wants to be polite. She had her dear cat Dinah as a point of reference, but a tiger she was not. Best not to make further assumptions, at any rate. More than anything, Alice wished to remain on Shere Khan's good side. Her hands clasped together as she turned back to look at the pirate woman.

  "Captain Shanty," She began, as this felt to be the way one must address an esteemed pirate of the Rogues' Court, "would you please tell me more of your stories about the Usurper?" There was nothing short of a pleading glimmer in those eyes. Ever since Alice had learned of Shanty's seafaring, no, skyfaring days, the young lady had been enraptured by the pirate's tales of swashbuckling adventure.

[Shanty]

As Alice followed Shere Khan, Shanty followed Alice, keeping a chipper pace behind the girl. This had turned out much better than expected, admittedly. She had less hope about Shenzi, but... that was a thought for another time. For now, Shere Khan seemed pleased enough to let her keep his company, and even included Alice in the soirée.


It was turning into a good, old fashioned garden party.


The Captain's drawn from her thoughts when Alice brings up the Usurper, causing Shanty to crack a smile, "Hm? Ah, I suppose I've got a story or two up these old sleeves, if our friend here is also interested." It's here she motions to Khan, but then tilts her head back in thought, gloved hand tapping at her chin, "Mm... What sort of story would be good for a courtyard party... Danger and adventure, or exploration and new sights? Ha, listen to me, I sound like I'm trying to pair wines-- Miss Liddell, have you eaten today?"


It was an instinct, really, to ask such a question. Alice was more on the responsible side than Varian was, and Shanty had to keep personal alarms to make sure the boy ate and slept a decent amount. But it didn't hurt to ask. Lunch time had just recently passed, after all.

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Khan had mostly minded himself as the two girls in tote followed him down the seeming never-ending corridor of the building. Every once in a while he would catch a word that would pull him from his thoughts but he was quick to slide back down them. As they came to a set of stairs he let the pair go first before he followed. His steps edged on near cautious as he was careful and tender on his lame back foot though it hardly seemed to stop him as he made his way down the steps successfully. Once on level ground with them, he raised a brow at Shanty's question. A puzzled look on his jaw.

"I am not sure if it would interest me, but I am curious for whatever that is worth." Came a reply he did not expect from himself. His brows knitted together at his tone before a tut left him accompanied by a brief shake of his head. Without much else he started his walk toward the outside of the Court of Miracles only to slow his pace as Shanty questioned if the girl had eaten.

It made him think back himself, had he eaten lunch himself? Or had he missed it again to lurk away in the shadows where it was quiet and less busy.

[Alice]

  Alice's hands were clasped together, already hanging onto the captain's every word. It had been exciting enough when she had learned the woman was a pirate, but even moreso when Shanty's old ship had flown! Alice tried to imagine it. Did it have wings? Propellors? Or perhaps extra large sails that caught the wind like a kite, lifting it high into the air on a warm summer day. When they had reached the staircase Alice descended the first few properly, but her excitement and energy quickly overcame her, and she leapt the latter half of the flight, skipping a full six steps as she landed perfectly on the floor. Alice grinned. She had beaten her record.

"Miss Liddell, have you eaten today?"

  "Oh!" Alice was quick to compose herself, smoothing out her skirt. "Oh, I had a light snack earlier, Captain, thank you." She added a curtsy, as if to redeem herself as a proper young lady. Upon the tiger's admission of curiosity, Alice was beaming again.  "I think you'll quite like the Captain's stories, Mister Khan." It was hard to believe she had been petrified of him just moments ago, her smile radiating with warmth.

  "And should it please you, I would very much like to hear any stories you might have too!"

[Shanty]

Shanty can't help but laugh jovially as Alice skips down the stairs, almost wishing she could do the same. Being as heavy as she was nowadays, it'd only be disastrous for the architecture.

"Hm.. Well, I think I'll feel more inclined to share stories once I'm positive you've eaten more than just 'a light snack'. To learn and explore with such enthusiasm, you'll need more energy than just that..." A snap of the fingers here, as the Captain comes out of a short thought, "How about a bit of a picnic, then? We'll make a short stop by the kitchen, grab the fixings for a proper meal, both for a tiger and a young lady, and we'll enjoy it out in the courtyard?"

After the offer, she turns to Khan. With a smile, she adds, "I promise I won't make you eat off a plate~!" as if it'd help sway the tiger.

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This child was quickly becoming more and more endearing for him. She was nothing like Mowgli and almost seemed to glimmer like the sun, it was off-putting to feel any sort of kinship to man for him. Especially due to his past but it simply could not be helped. Her joyous behavior had melted away some of that ice that clung to his predator's heart quite rapidly.

Even the appearance of a genuine smile graced the feline's face. Though it quickly fled at the mention of a picnic. Now, what in the gods name was that?

Confusion twisted his expression and his muzzle crinkled. "What in my mother's whiskers is a picnic?" He had unfortunately missed the soft playful jab that Shanty had directed at him. Much more concerned on what this new and strange word was. Perhaps it was due to his want to learn more, that or maybe he had just been so baffled by the idea of something new.