Beautiful Stranger [for Vynluff!][Done]

[Tigeress]

Twilight had begun to set in, and the city square buzzed with the activity of those who wanted to be inside before night fell upon them and made it considerably more difficult to get home. She, however, had nowhere to be, so she was content to watch the beautiful scene unravel, the making of a ghost town before her very eyes. The fountain she sat on created a constant drip of almost annoying background sound, but at the same time it was strangely peaceful. Everything about this quiet, serene, and creepy setting was strangely peaceful. Perhaps she hadn't had enough time to herself lately, well, that was more than true.

But it wasn't company she disliked so much as bad company. Some pesky little bat had gone off on her earlier about, strangely enough, her breasts. It had been peculiar, and almost hilarious, but she had had enough over the past month of people pointlessly going off on her because of their own personal problems. This time, she'd handled the situation much better, and more amusingly. Instead of telling the woman to sod off, like her hormones were yelling at her too, she'd been so compliant and apologetic it had left the bat- literally- speechless! She'd tried so hard not to laugh, but it had pulled her out of the bad mood she'd been in. Now she just craved strange deserts she didn't even know how to pronounce.

Weird. She hummed a slight tune under her breath, not having been as content and calm as she was now for quite some time. It raised her mood significantly, and made her decide to get up and begin to walk around through the abandoned streets. One might ask- isn't this dangerous? But Sekhmet's funk had made her regard for her own life slip dramatically. If she died, she died, and if she lived, she lived. At this point she didn't know what the bad side of either would be, she was almost eerily neutral, which might have explained her unusual visit with a particular feline she hadn't wanted to see in the first place. Oh well. Now she had another day to chance her luck and enjoy herself while she did it. It wasn't so much thrill seeking as... well... maybe it was. Maybe her life had become so hectic she'd grown Used to thrills of the good and bad kind being a constant companion. It would make sense.

[Vyn]

Even from a distance one could tell that the man clad in green pinstripes wasn't your usual stranger. Whether it was because of the actual colors he wore or because of the very aura he exuded as he strolled through the relatively empty night was hard to tell, but there was undeniably something off about him. He wore a dreamy smile and basked in a lazy sort of content as he toyed with the large silver pocket watch in his hand.

With great care and some skillful flourish, an A was etched into the surface of the watch and it glistened with pristine care in the rising moonlight. It was his treasure, although he didn't often let people in on that little secret, and even more rarely did he ever open the watch for others to peer upon. Even now he failed to consult the time and instead idled along until a faint sound caught his attention.

It was the mixture of approaching hooves and humming that brought the watch down from eye level and returned it to his breast pocket so that a pair of brilliant two-toned eyes could focus on the owner of the soft voice instead. Ah! Company! It was a strange first thought for most, but for the unusual gentleman who abruptly picked up his pace it was just everyday life.

Hatter enjoyed company. It was always best to have company for tea time and, he had almost feared he'd have no one to join him this evening. That is, until this lovely lady crossed his path. And such interesting company she'd be too! All brilliant like the sun, she was.

"Good evening, ma'am! How are you this fine night, 'm?"[/b][/color]

[Tigeress]

She heard him sneaking up behind and ignored the chill that ran down her spine. She was only now considering the penalties of her carelessness. How unlike her. In fact, ever since this darn pregnancy, she'd been generally very unlike her. Oh well, whoever it was was not trying to sneak up on her, as she could see him out of the corner of her eye to her left. He had some shiny bauble that quickly was put away at her approach. Interesting, a human out at night with a shiny bauble all alone in plain sight. Perhaps he was even more desperate for something to happen than she was.

Boredom didn't normally come so easily, but as he smiled and seemed to become generally approachable, she found herself stopping and considering veering her course a little. His call out to her was hard to ignore, and she found herself moving his way without even really realizing it. As soon as she was closer, she noticed he had a... unique appearance, but something about him... his general 'vibe' if you will, was off. Cocking one ear curiously, she tried not to appear rude with her inquisitive glance.

"I've been better, but I've also been worse. So on the grand scale of things? I am not bad. It is a good evening though, I'll give you that." She chuckled and wondered why it was this male seemed to be so... approachable. It was probably the way he presented himself. Helpless, harmless really. But she knew better than to trust that, time and general life experiences had taught her that much. At least she was smartening up in her own mind, the... muddlings of her pregnant mood swings no longer interfering with her decision making skills for the time being.

"And yourself?" She wondered idly what it was that had caused such an attractive man to come out into the streets calling out to strangers, but it was none of her business really. Yet.

[Vyn]

As he approached he had studied her bipedal state with an eye far more keen than his casual smile would ever allow to be noted. That hint that something was off with him remained quite strong, perhaps even grew stronger as he approached, but that friendly aura had yet to falter.

"'Tis a grand evening, if I may say so!"[/b] [/color]

It had been a while since he'd come to the capital, and he had to admit he was enjoying the scenery quite a bit. Something about big cities always thrilled him so and this area of town was especially nice. Or, perhaps, the company he had just recently parted with was so nice that their effect lingered on his every step.

Has Sekhmet been a mind reader, that would've been the definite truth to the matter.

Something, however, had finally clicked with the handsome human and he peered down upon himself as if to note that he was indeed still in human form and the lady before him was Bipedal. No manners. His usual company rarely minded, but he didn't know about this one. Smoothly he shifted shape, turning fluidly from human to midform before speaking up again. His brilliant colors had to have been quite distracting upon his first transforming, for very rarely did one see a Corvistownian sporting not one but two blazing neon hues across his jetblack feathers.

"I myself am quite good, especially now that I've found myself a spot of company. I believe its quite nearly tea-time and I had no one to accompany me!" He said this as if speaking of a terrible tragedy but his grinning features never demurred in the least, even with his recent shift to bipedal. "With that in mind, m'dear, would you like to accompany me? A lady shouldn't be without company on such a fine night and what better way to make acquaintances than over a warm cup of tea, 'm?"

It wouldn't take all too long for one to figure out what exactly was off about him. That lingering smile was a bit eerie and, if one look at him too long, he was honestly a bit dizzying. Again, though, whether this was purely physical or something more it was quite hard to tell. Such an odd one he was, but at least he seemed friendly enough for now.

[Tigeress]

She didn't mind his human form, she'd become forcibly used to it by being around those higher ranked than herself who had human forms. Not that she would have asked if they had of been lower ranked, it didn't bother her either way. It had never occured to her that holding one's form proudly should be deemed unaccepable, or, flaunting. She was quite confident that given time, she'd have a similar form, so why be upset because all of her goals weren't happening spontaneously on the spot? She noticed him shifting anyway, and almost told him not to bother, but if he was going to be courteous and polite, well... it was a welcomed surprise. She wasn't used to men being so... masculine.

Tea? What was it with everyone around here and their tea? Artemis had taken an interest in the stuff recently, though Sekhmet couldn't say why, as to her knowledge, they'd never had it before so surely she wouldn't know that she liked it so much, or in so many flavours. But really.. if she was hooked so easily, maybe it was worthwhile? "Oh really? That would be a shame, wouldn't it?" She responded playfully, perhaps, admittedly, a little flirtaciously. It would have been slutty to flirt with another man while holding someone else's children... if it wasn't under her... special circumstances. Despite the appearance, she was still Very in the market, so to say.

Before she could even bat her eyes to coax out an invitation, one was delivered to her. She found herself a little bewildered though she didn't quite know why, and had to blink her eyes a few times. Wait, did he have...? Huh, two colours, red and blue... what did he specialize in exactly? Whatever it was, or whatever they were, he must have been Damn good. "I would love to, but manners tell me I should at least ask your name first before stepping into your household." She smiled as she said this, her eyes squinting a little as she tried to figure out what seemed... off about him. She had almost admitted out loud that she had nowehere else to be tonight, and nobody else to be with, but there was no need to get pushy. If he wanted to know her relationship status, for whatever reason, she'd kindly offer it up.

"I am Sekhmet." She offered, reaching her hand out to see if he would shake it, or do the gentlemanly thing and kiss it. He was a rare breed of male thus far, with his manners and sophistication, and... that thing she couldn't quite place.

[Vyn]

The charmingly unusual avian grinned freely at the lovely winged doe, almost inclined to touch her wings. For now, however, he would remain politely formal. Once he knew her better, however, that might change. Those wings were so bright and quite fetching, how had a common doe gained herself a pair?

A birthright, perhaps, but his curiousity remained nevertheless.

Her flirtatious words soon distracted his attention from her wings to her rounded belly, an eyebrow arching over one blazing red eye before it settled and he smiled widely once more. Not that his smile ever truly seemed to fade.

"Quite a shame..." He agreed with a voice so smooth it could've been a purr, his split gaze seemed to linger on her pregnancy for quite a bit before his gaze rose and he smiled. Allowing, for a moment, the roundness of her impending birth to slide from his thoughts, he happily took up the need for introductions by lightly grasping her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, miss Sekhmet, and you are quite right. Introductions must be had!"

Quite as she expected, the odd stranger placed his beak to her hand in a gesture of a kiss before straightening and announcing himself with what could only be called dramatic flare.

"I am the Mad Hatter. Though you, my fine lady, may call me 'Hatter'."

And she thought he was strange before?

[Tigeress]

She seemed a little squirmish as he looked at her stomach, for the look lingered quite a while. She was due very soon indeed, so there was really no hiding it. Had he really not noticed until now? Hm... strange. Her wings fluttered in closer to shield herself, and probably him accidetnally, from the cool night air. It was like having a constant winter coat with her, it was nice. When finally she'd managed to distract him, she seemed to let out a breath she didn't remember taking.

His upbeat nature made her smile in spite of herself, and strangely enough she felt very... ladylike in his presence. Something she never had really felt before. This beautiful stranger, was certainly... different. His touch was light but insistant, he had probably fully intended to initiate such a gesture had she not offered her hand up first. Strange gentleman, with a strange hat and strange colours, and... should she really be coming into his house without even barely knowing him? He barely knew her, yet for some reason he was inviting her in.

Perhaps he had intended for a little... private action, which would explain why he stared so thoughtfully at her pregnant stomach. Darn. Oh well. The kiss made her blush slightly, though the intensity of his eyes still made her try very hard to hold back a chill. It was then that she noticed something, he was wearing a checkered jacket over his chest... which was unusual, because most creatures she'd met liked to display their rank, and if they did hide it, it was usually only because they were well established royalty and shouldn't need a mark for others to identify themselves. Oh dear, was he royalty from another court? Best to tread lightly here.

No official title. No nothing. And that name, how unusual was that? He was becomming stranger by the minute. "A pleasure to meet you as well, Hatter. Shall we be going for that tea, now that I know your name at least?" She truly would have normally exercised more caution, but there was this aura about himself that seemed to... draw her in.

"May I ask, kind Hatter, why it is you wear a vest over your rank?" It was a bold question, but it allowed her to snap out of the strange romantic reverie he'd put her into.

[Vyn]

Most pawned his odd name off onto the fact that he was Corvistownian, so full of mad scientists as it was...but there was something in her eyes that told Hatter she was thinking more. Perhaps, it was the way they fell upon his covered breast in such thought. It was the same thing so many thought but which so many were distracted from thanks to the sheer eccentricity of the rest of his appearance.

She, of course, would be one to notice, wouldn't she? It was just his luck, really.

The offer to head off for tea was relieving, for it gave him the momentary hope that she had cast off any speculation of his rank or, perhaps, that she had never noticed in the first place. Boy, how wrong was he? At least for a moment he had the cheerful safety of oblivion. Pushing his concerns from his mind, he bobbed his head and began toward the cozy apartment he owned here in the Capital. His proper home was, of course, in Corvistowne but with all his traveling he found it easiest to simply have a home in his most heavily frequented regions.

"Of course, of course!" He piped happily, smiling casually as he pressed on in his own curiousities. Or, at least, attempted to. "What sort of --" He got no further before she spoke up again and, of all things, with that question.

If she was paying close attention, she would see his smile falter for the briefest of moments but he recovered quickly and offered a jovial laugh accompanied by a cryptic reply.

"Why shouldn't I? After all, what importance is rank in the end when it usually does little more than complicate things?"

Despite his casual-sounding approach, Hatter was one of the people that rank complicated the most. So many people froze up when at last they realized the truth of his rank and of his abilities. It was honestly quite bothersome and then, on top of it all, they might spread the truth of his rank about.

[Tigeress]

She realized that he was worried about her prying, the way his eyes seemed to become colder and harder for the moment, obviously considering what she was trying to get at by asking such a question, and she found herself glancing to the side nervously while she awaited his reply. Perhaps she'd been too intrusive? Well, obviously, but as he grinned she wondered if he would actually respond. Perhaps it was just that he wasn't that high a rank, and didn't have any aspirations for the courts, and therefore just didn't give a crap.

But no, there was something else. However, she'd done enough prying to let it go, for now. "That is... truly a good point. I should not have asked such a personal question anyway, please, pardon my rudeness." She displayed the discomfort in her eyes that she felt at having caused such a moment of awkwardness for them both. Especially after he'd been so kind! Was this his... strange sense of... whatever it was washing over her again, or did she really feel like her asking of the question had been incredibly bothersome and rude? It wasn't like her to be so... conscious of what she said or did. Well, at least, it hadn't been a few months ago at all.

"Please, go on. I think I interrupted your question. We could start to walk while we talk, perhaps?" She asked, moving forwards as she spoke to see if he would move with her. She hoped she could make up for her little blunder by temporarily forgetting it. Or rather, just... not aknowledging that it was still on her mind. He probably would know, but at least if she didn't directly say anything, he could try and... charm her over, as she was sure he would. For being a 'mad' Hatter, he sure was... unusually calm and kind.

[Vyn]

It was not her fault. He shouldn't have gotten upset, and yet...he had. After so many occasions for prospective company were spoiled by the mere acknowledgment of the lack of a simple birthmark, well, one tended to grow a little wary of it. It did truly serve to do little more that complicate a situation... Mostly his situation, but a situation nonetheless. So, in good humor, he smiled brilliantly at her as he shook his head and allowed that jovial charm to once again begin to flow.

"O! No need to apologize now! It's not a conventional way of thinking; I'm used to it being questioned." He said it because it needed to be said, not entirely because he felt that way. But ah well. Tea time was drawing near and he wasn't going to waste time arguing! Taking up her lead of walking and talking, he happily headed them in the direction of his apartment. "As for my prior question, I was merely curious as to what your preference in tea was! Or, if you are a tea sort at all. After all, some prefer coffee."

Despite himself, Hatter felt a budding note of displeasure in his mind. She had asked him a question he did not want to hear at the moment, so what should stop him from doing the same?

"How far along are you, miss Sekhmet?"

Perhaps it was a little rude, but she had opened up the ability to use 'personal comments' and he was making good on getting his two bits in.