Kita & Star (Malik & Cara)

[Startedraining]

The sun was bright and blazing, the day was oddly warm for the beginning of Spring, but that mattered little. Cara swept up her long, downy hair and pushed it over her shoulder. The pink feathers shone in the morning light. Her satin dress was bunched around her waist and tied there in a flattering manner, exposing long legs.

A slightly shifty-looking Avian came to her side and offered her a glass of water, and she waved him away with a thank you after taking it gently from his tray. She gazed at herself fondly in the mirror as she sipped the water, admiring how her shimmering wings fell back at just the right length, and her soft and fluffy body-feathers were neat and tidy. Momentarily Cara pushed her wings out behind her and then tucked them together again.

"Susila... can you lead me to my griffin transport?" Cara turned to the butler who had offered a drink to her, "I'd like to be on my way."

The chicken avian nodded, his feathery mustache bounced slightly. He left the room swiftly, beckoning her to follow. She stepped gracefully after him, glass in hand, a smile upon her face. Susila led her to the door of her large if not luxurious home, and opened it. A pristine looking griffin sat perched, a satin harness strapped to its back. Susila let out a low whistle, and offered her a hand to get onto the griffin.

Cara smiled warmly and took his hand, then gently lifted herself onto the large creature. She pat its neck feathers. "I'll see you in a few hours, Susila, the modeling arts will need me until the sun is almost set. Take care." She adjusted slightly on the griffin and gave it a signal to fly, and she was off. She thought about what she might encounter at the institute, and who she would have the luck to meet. Perhaps someone will recognize her beauty for once.

[KittyCatKita]

"Malik, move a little more to the left, lean against the fountain maybe? Yes, perfect just like that!" the man's voice ran out across the courtyard that lay sprawled out before the modelling agency.

"As always," replied Malik as he waited patiently, hip cocked back against the edge of the polished granite fountain. One of his long slender legs were crossed before the other, a warm, crooked lazy smile graced his face. His dark wings stretched out slightly behind him for balance, the tips of the primary flight feathers brushed over the surface of the water and created faint ripples.

His mind was focused on the job at hand, ensuring that the shoot's director was pleased and that, as always, he looked fabulous in every shot. However, as they went to end the shoot and he stood speaking with the crew, a bright flash of pink in the corner of his eye caught Malik's attention. A woman, flamingo he would guess by the vibrancy of the colour, was arriving on her gryphon mount. Interesting.. he mused, a faint smile flickered over his face. He turned back to his crew, gave a flourished bow and excused himself. "I must go and see the new arrival and welcome her," he explained to the questions, turned away without another word, and crossed the courtyard toward the gates.

[Startedraining]

The skillfully crafted architecture of the courtyard caught Cara's attention first. A labyrinth of low-cut shrubs and cobblestone walkways... several small gazebos and fountains, all centered around a large statue of a nondescript Avian.

The griffon made short work of a landing, plopping down almost aggressively onto the stone before the gate. Cara slid off of it, "Thank you, friend," she pat it soft feathers once more and turned away, examining her surroundings. A tall, dark, and handsome Avian was striding toward her, and she smiled shyly. The wrought iron gate was poised open. She lifted her chin and stepped delicately past it, into the yard, looking the man coming toward her in the eye. She hoped she looked friendly, and that her feathers weren't disheveled in any unflattering way.

[KittyCatKita]

Malik flashed her a warm smile and brushed a hand back through his hair to shove it out of his eyes and behind his ear. His gaze flicked down over her curiously, tilted his head and said, "Hello, welcome, I have not seen you around here before, have I?" He offered a hand, wings ruffled with his slight amusement, "My name is Malik, and you are?"

[Startedraining]

The flamingo avian smiled as she was greeted, her nervousness vanishing at his kind welcome. For a moment though, panic coursed through her, was she in the wrong place, is that why he was being so kind? Is that why he looks so amused? She pushed the thoughts away. Now wasn't the time to be worrying over that.

"Cara-Stratus Roseus," she placed her hand in his, "I was summoned here anonymously perhaps a day ago. Is this the correct place?" She didn't elaborate further, oh how she enjoyed being vague. She used her other hand to sweep her hair and feathers away from her neck seductively.

[KittyCatKita]

"Likely so if you are here to model," Malik chuckled faintly and leaned down to kiss her fingers before straightening, "I just finished up with my shoot, so I can always show you in to the big boss if you would like? A lovely lady such as yourself should not be wandering around unescorted. The men here are all kind but still, they are men." he gave a wink and laugh as he offered his arm.

[Startedraining]

Cara smiled coyly, "Ah, but aren't you a man?" She winked before linking arms with him, "I'd very much like to meet the head of this shoot, thank you for offering." She adjusted her wings slightly, moving herself closer to Malik's embrace.

She liked his laugh. It suited him. She looked on at the courtyard as they walked together, admiring the beautifully trimmed topiary shrubs.

[KittyCatKita]

He blinked startled before he began laughing, nodded slightly and began to walk her toward the main offices, "That is very true Madam Cara, I certainly am, however I am of a different caliber than those others, just don't tell them," he teased. "So you were called in for a modelling contract you mentioned?" he tilted his head as he looked to her, "Have you ever modelled before?"

[Startedraining]

"For modeling yes, though I'm unfamiliar with the process I'm eager to figure it out. I received a letter willing me to be here, and of course, how can I turn die the opportunity? Here I am," Cara lifted her free arm dramatically and laid it across her forehead, feigning drama.

She slyly glanced at him before resting her arm, "A different caliber? Do tell."

[KittyCatKita]

"I am not some sweaty grunt hauling around equipment and doing others dirty work, darling. As for the modelling job, I hope that you enjoy it," he flashed her a grin and pushed open the door for her to pass through, "the boss always gets ideas for the perfect advertisement and seeks out the most perfect individual for the job, previous modelling experience or not. He really does have a brilliant mind but it gets troublesome for others so I do hope it has not been that way for you."