Opening Act

The Madame squinted at her, “Ho, a little ahead of yourself, but at least I will give you the pleasure of discovery.”

A moment later, the Madame’s red dress shifted to a sheen of green, and she suddenly disappeared from sight. There was the sound of whirling wind as the locks on the exiting doors clicked into place, and before it would be realized, the woman had reappeared before the kitsune.

However, two antlers had grown from the temples of her head, her crimson eyes carried a glowing essence, and on each her shoulders were three claws, connected to wings that draped elegantly down her back like a cape. Her dress was gone, replaced with scales that covered her body from her dragon-like feet to the pit of her neck.

“I will be honest, dear,” said the Madame with a deeper, yet distorted voice, “This form is far more comfortable for me.”

---

Lulu Aurelis

"Ho, thank you, dear," the Madame uttered as she flipped her hair, "It makes me happy that you appreciate my common appearance." She paced past Lulu, her lizard-like tail sliding across the ground, "Telling anyone my age is rather off-putting, darling, but I'll have you know that I'm rather ancient." A turn of her heel, and she faced the kitsune again. "I've been around long enough to experiment with magic and make it possible to turn my scales into clothing. You can't imagine how hard that was!" The claws upon her shoulders shifted, and her wing arms moved down to hug around her waist, forming a type of membrane skirt. "That said, I never had to buy any new clothes. Convenient, no?"

---

Lulu Aurelis

The Madame leaned forward so that her face was mere inches from Lulu's.

"You'd better," she said with a grin and a slight hiss in her voice, "The last thing I need is a liability, what with you guessing a manakete as if it's an occupation. You certainly weren't the first, dear, and I'd hope to the heavens that you are the last." She pulled away and began examining the talons at the ends of her fingers, "It's happened once or twice where I had to defend myself against poachers with my own claws and teeth, simply because someone spilled the beans. It was such an terrible affair! I couldn't bare for it to happen again."

In the next instant, her dress reappeared on her body as she assumed her more human appearance. "Now, Lulu, I don't say any of this to scare you, but I want you to know that swearing on your life means that I am inclined to come after you--for questioning purposes, naturally, if some fool does come my way to kidnap me for monetary value. Capiche?"

---

Lulu Aurelis

“Ohoho! Good girl,” the Madame laughed while rubbing the girl endearingly on the top of her head, “I’ll do my best to protect you, too, although I’d think you’re already protected by some of your, ah, fan base... and that in itself is rather advantageous.”

She suddenly slapped her hands together, “Alright, now that we got that out of the way, shall we get you on the stage? I think the boys outside have been waiting long enough for a mini performance.”

---

Lulu Aurelis

The Madame followed astride Lulu, but just before she would appear before the small audience, the manakete’s hand stopped the kitsune.

“Indulge me in a small announcement, my dear,” spoke the Madame with a curled grin, “It would be horrendously awkward if I were to send you out without the anticipation of the masses. I’ll call you up there, just be ready to do your thing, yes?” A quick glance out to the tavern told her that the mercenaries had already assembled themselves in front of the stage.

The proprietor cleared her throat and immediately proceeded onto the stage, causing the gazes of the patrons to fall upon her. With a voice with passion and vigor, she announced thus:

“My lovely ladies and darling debonairs, today we have us a wonderful treat! Hailing from the city of Markarth, this aspiring artiste has won the hearts of critics and curmudgeonly oafs! Without further ado, I give you Lulu the Kitsune, Dancing Extraordinaire!” At the close of her announcement, she raised both her arms and bowed in Lulu’s direction, whilst withdrawing herself toward the side of the stage.

---

Lulu Aurelis

Well, that seemed to be a success if she ever heard one. Just how much bundled up energy did that little girl have?

Ah, maybe I’m just getting old.

As the performance closed, Lulu had returned backstage where the Madame and a gangly elderly man with a heavy a la Souvarov mustache had awaited her.

“Brava, my sweet,” the Madame greeted with a warm hug, “It seems you’ve earned your stay here at the Wyvern’s Rest! Why, if you performed every week, we would be a rather popular place!”

---

Lulu Aurelis

The Madame’s smiling eyes had not left her face as she pulled away.

“Oh... that’s right,” she nodded as she placed a hand on her hip and another to her lips, a mopey look appeared on her face, “Well, I’ll still have you here until you need to leave, but as per your request, my mercenaries are always prepped to serve at a reasonable price.”

“Aye,” the gaffer chimed in, “But ye better choose wisely, lass. Mercs are only as good as the gold ya give ‘em, so ya’d better be ready ta’ sustain.”

“Hmm, yes,” the Madame nodded, “Any merc who is worth his salt is paid well. I’m already giving you a performer’s deal, so you’re already saving a bit of coin.”

---

Lulu Aurelis