3.20.2007

Where it all began...

I was born to Neko Teisei, unknown to Ravenstorm my dadda. But that is another story...

My momma died giving birth to me before she could name me. Pun'isher's mom - Har'lotta - snatched me soon after my mother died. See Pun'isher is my half sister and another one of Ravenstorm's daughters, another part of the story...

Har'lotta being jealous and spiteful about her loss of Ravenstorm to Neko, named me Inu. She did that in the vain hope I would grow up to look like one and never be as pretty as my mother Neko (and therefore competition for Har'lotta's illicit business). For Har'lotta was a paid mistress to many of Shan Deral's most prominent males. She plied her trade all under the benign ignorance of the mad Emperor Mobius.

From the time I was able to walk, Har'lotta put me to work alongside my sister Pun'isher. At first we were merely Har'lotta's personal valets. Then later as soon as we were able, Har'lotta put us to work cleaning, cooking and all maner of stuff such that we were her servants. Har'lotta would scury to hide us in the basement whenever one of her male clients came by. Pun'isher being Har'lotta's true daughter soon grew weary of that game and escaped to Puddleby years before I did. Pun'isher was also more aware of what Har'lotta did than I ever was -- until recently.

During the years that I lived with Har'lotta alone, after Pun'isher left, I endured many a night in the basement. Although Har'lotta was most cruel to me, she was still the only mother I knew. I took any attention she gave me as a good thing, having never known a real mother's love. As I grew older and Har'lotta lazier, I was allowed to venture to the market in a heavy cloak to purchase items Har'lotta needed. I was not allowed to speak to anyone, except to conduct transactions, for Har'lotta had many spies who would report any of my transgressions. Somehow, I managed to make a sole friend at the market, who taught me how to read over a season and secretly gave me scrolls to study. I used my reading skills to teach myself whatever the scrolls contained. Unhappily one day Har'lotta learned of my friend and the next day he was banished to Puddleby - or so I hope he was.

One night, Har'lotta had a guest arrive rather abruptly before I could make it to the basement. He saw me, and insisted that I be his companion that evening. He offered Har'lotta a million coins for me, saying he wanted something fresh and untouched. Har'lotta would have none of that. Instead her jealousy of my mother Neko came back in all it's fury that day as she threw me in the basement and dismissed the would be client. In her rage, Har'lotta summoned the Emperor's guards who tossed me into a bag of some manner. I was then transported to the shores of Puddleby, arriving in the coldest and darkest hours of the morning. Dazed and confused I somehow found my way to the temple and then to town center, where I was reunited with my sister and met my dadda for the first time....

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