(OOC) Thu Apr 9 -->

It was a fairly normal day in the Bazaar, until there was a bit of a buzz as a large barbaric-looking Tigress-Khatta (about Titanian-sized and just as loud) was chasing a hapless black Khatta through the crowds. As fate would have it, they raced right past where Envoy was playing, just outside the ceramics shop that the Khatta fled into.

Sounds of very expensive chaos soon followed.

Envoy picks up her hat, cutting short the performance. That looked like Jynx being chased!

*CRASH* "MY BETROTHED! COME TO ME!" *SMASH*

The Aeolun pushes through the crowd of gawkers, and peeks into the doorway… since all of the windows are taken up by Bazaar-goers looking forentertainment.

Inside the shop, that cat that looks like Jynx, since it is Jynx, dodges behind display cases and piece racks for dear life, "I'm not your betrothed!! Goway!"

"Stop! What are you DOING? Feli! Stop running! Madam! Don't – *YOWL!*" The elder Kurai ducks as a piece of pottery flies by. Apparently the large Tigress has taken to the tactic of hoping to knock her 'beloved' senseless with well-aimed pieces of ceramic.

(First a Magenta Lancer, and now a Tigress. Is there something about Feli that I'm not noticing?) the Exile thinks, as she calls into the shop, "Feli, are you alright in there?"

Jynx dives under one of the display racks, crawling across the floor to an adjacent aisle, "See Dad? What did I *ACK!* tell you?!?!"

"Do something, Feli!" Dominic yowls. He looks about, then points at a bin marked "clearance". "Hide over THERE! It's CHEAPER over there!"

The Black Khatta looks around at the familiar voice, and spies Envoy wide-eyed. He darts from under the display shelf and over behind Envoy, "Help! She's crazy!"

A bowl sails through an open window, pegging an innocent bystander. Some of the more meek of the crowd slip away, now that a hazard presents itself. But more gawkers take their places.

Envoy hmms, and looks up at the giant Khatta. "She certainly seems crazy about you, Feli."

"CRAZY FOR YOU, MY SWEET DARLING!" the Tigress bellows!

A cheap-looking statue of a five-tailed fox soars through the air, impacting a wooden support near Envoy's head, attesting to the Tigress' bad aim with artificial vulpines.

Figuring that Feli doesn't return the tigress' affections, Envoy wonders what Chi Maria would do in this situation while she ducks bits of flying crockery.

Jynx just gives Envoy an annoyed, ear-flattened stare, then dives to the ground as the statue sails close, "I'm not your darling!!"

Standing up straight and puffing out her chest, Envoy holds one hand up in a 'stop' gesture towards the tigress. "STOP! Just what are your intentions towards… MY BOYFRIEND!"

"ARE TOO!" the Tigress wails, hurling a Bromthen-hog-shaped flowerpot at Jynx's general location.

And then … the Tigress stops in mid-throw of a ceramic model of the Intimidator. "Boyfriend?" she mews.

The black Khatta freezes, and stares at Envoy, "W-what?!"

"Ooo! This is GOOD!" comments an anonymous Kavi.

Dominic raises an eyebrow, looking at Jynx with an unreadable expression.

Envoy nods, "Yes! Feli and I have been very close for… over a year now!"

The Tigress crushes the painted airship in her claws and then clenches her fists. "You STEAL my Jynx?!"

Jynx feels like he's going to faint, "I-I… I… " The cat looks around for someplace to bolt, it seems all the females on this planet must be insane!

Eve's white-furred face pops out from underneath a table next to Jynx. "Hey! This is MY hiding place!" she mews.

Envoy hmms. This isn't turning out like the opera, so she hauls up Jynx next to her, and hugs him close to her side before he can escape. "You are the one trying to steal him!" she shoots back at the tigress.

The Tigress looks like she's taken aback by this. It may take a few seconds for her to come up with a retort.

"GACK!" The Khatta is pulled close, finding it hard to breathe since Envoy doesn't seem to know her own strength.

The Aeolun spots Eve under the table, and points her out. "See, you've upset our daughter!"

The Tigress' eyes go wide. She yowl-roars in anger.

Eve's eyes go wide, too, as the kitten looks askance to Jynx.

Envoy turns Jynx to face her now, "Have you been out flirting again? Did you mislead this poor woman?"

Jynx stops breathing on his own now, "Wh-what?!!?" He stares at Envoy for a long, silent, while, then starts pushing away, "You're just as crazy as she is!"

Dominic makes a snorting sound, and turns as he covers his face.

Envoy can't let Jynx ruin the act, so grabs his head and kisses him before he can say anything more.

The Tigress wails pitifully. "THE GREAT HAMMER MASHES MY HEAD! I GO JUMP OFF SKY ISLAND NOW! WAH!"

"Mmph!" The black Khatta's words are muffled at the smooch, and a look of utter confusion crosses his face as he stares cross-eyed at Envoy.

Envoy breaks the kiss and drops Jynx, having (hopefully) impressed upon him the need to play along.

Eve covers her eyes, giggling.

The Tigress dashes out of the shop, bawling … smashing through a window, and bowling over several spectators who fail to get out of the way in time.

Jynx wipes at his mouth, he was just kissed by a horse- er, dragon- er, whatever she is! He just sits stone still, then watches the tigress bolt out, "Jump off the sky island?"

Envoy blinks. "Oh dear, that wouldn't be good."

Pushing Jynx towards the door, Envoy says, "You'll have to go stop her! Apologize profusely about seducing her, explain you are an incurable lothario that has left a swath of broken hearts across Sinai, and not worth her love!"

Eve falls on the floor, giggling kittenishly, and kicking her feet, apparently completely missing the life-and-death stakes involved here.

The Black Khatta stands up, "What were you thinking?" He says to Envoy as he wipes his mouth a few more times, then is roughly pushed towards the door, "Huh, wha? ME?! You're the one who got her to do this, you come with me!" He glares at his little sister.

Envoy says, "Fine fine, I'll come along. That way I can catch you if she throws you off of the island as well."

Eve stops, and does her best to put on an innocently repentant kitten look.

Jynx's eyes bug out at Envoy.

Envoy looks for the path of knocked-over citizens. "I think she went that way. What's her name?"

The black Khatta starts off toward in the direction of the path of destruction, "Her name? Well it's … it's… " He stops and thinks, "… I don't know!"

The path of mayhem leads away from the Bazaar, toward … the Docks!

Envoy keeps to Feli's heels. "Well, why not? You should find these things out, Feli! How long did it take you to learn Blossom's name after all?"

The Khatta keeps running along, his heart sinking at the prospect of heading towards the docks, "As a matter of fact, I DON'T know her name. Blossom is just her title." Jynx runs along faster, getting annoyed at this whole situation.

An exhausting race through the not-quite-so-pristine streets of Rephidim City and the Docks later, Envoy and Jynx (and a little white kitten who tagged along) come to a stop when they see a large Tigress standing on one of the docks, loudly proclaiming to everyone how heartbroken she is, and how she's going to end it all. Some unsympathetic dockworkers are jeering her, telling her to shut up and get on with it. Not exactly a heartwarming display of public affection.

"There she is!" Envoy pants, and points over Jynx's shoulder. "Go save her!"

"How romantic!" Eve mews!

"Go save her?" Jynx looks with annoyance at the aeolun, "What am I supposed to do? Get a net and catch her?"

Envoy calls out loudly, "Wait! Wait!" Oddly, her voice sounds just like Jynx's! To the black Khatta she whispers, "She loves you, so it should be easy! Just tell her not to jump."

"YES, MY LOVE?" the Tigress yowls. Then, she frowns, and amends, "I MEAN, YOU HEARTSQUISHER!"

Eve mews, "Who am I supposed to pretend is my mommy again?"

Jynx frowns at Envoy, then sighs, "Don't jump! I'm sorry!" The Khatta grits his teeth, "I'm scum, I shouldn't have done what I did to you!"

"Quiet Eve!" Jynx hisses.

Envoy blinks at Eve, "Me I think. Maybe… we'll see what your brother… father… Feli says."

Eve nods solemnly, and looks to Jynx for her cue.

The Tigress howls back, "YOU MEAN AWFUL FLATHEAD! YOU ATE THE BETROTHAL PASTRY!"

Envoy whisper-suggests to Jynx, "Try telling her you were too embarrassed to marry her, because of a wound you received from an irate Bromthen hog or something."

Jynx sets his ears back, the tigress' voice could give claws on a chalkboard a run for its shekels, "I didn't know it was special! You didn't tell me, so I thought it was just food!" He sighs, "Besides, a good, er, looking gal like you, you'll find someone else! You don't want me!"

Envoy blinks, and asks Jynx, "Did you really eat her pastry?"

The Tigress bawls! "BUT I'M SO SHORT! EVERYONE CALLS ME 'TINY'!"

The black Khatta tail-swats at the little white Khatta.

Eve YEEPS! "Yes!" she mews loudly. "You'll find someone else!"

( Tiny?! ) "B-but most guys like, er, smaller women! I promise!" Jynx is quickly running out of things to say.

Envoy adds in, "Petite is pretty!"

The Tigress yowls pitifully. "GOOD BYE NASTY WORLD!" She adopts a melodramatic pose, teetering over the edge of the dock.

Eve mews, "She's not REALLY going to jump, is she? That's DANGEROUS!"

Envoy eeps, "Grab her Feli!!"

Some enterprising Kavis nearby start taking bets on whether or not the Tigress jumps…

The black Khatta sighs, and runs as fast as he can towards the dock, "Wait! Don'

The black Khatta sighs, and runs as fast as he can towards the dock, "Wait! Don't jump! We were just making it all up!" He grabs at the tigress' tail and tugs.

Jynx's strength is not sufficient to hold the Tigress back…

… and with a jerk, suddenly both Tigress and black Khatta are hurtling over the eeeeeee – eeeee – dd-g-e!

"Stay here, Eve!" Envoy says, and runs to the end of the dock… then jumps off as well.

Eve lets out a loud kittenish SHRIEK as she sees everyone go falling off. "JYYYYYYYYYYNX!"

"AAIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" goes the rather-falling-fast cat. ( He does this a lot it seems.)

Below, the sparsely vegetated plains of the Savan spread out below Rephidim and the hurtling bodies falling from it.

Envoy tries to use her wings to catch up. "That's it, empty your lungs before you drop out of the pressure envelope!"

The words are lost on the Khatta however, since he is more concerned with the very hard ground that wants oh so much to meet him!

Soon, the winged alien has caught up with the plummeting felines. The Tigress has stopped shrieking, and seems to have a nearly blissful expression (or perhaps dumbstruck awe … or awestruck dumb … ) as she regards the ground coming up below. It's still so far away…

Envoy keeps trying to catch up to the pair, while also looking for something big and soft to land on. Maybe trees are soft?

Jynx just digs his claws into the tigress' tail, for all the good it does.

Envoy grabs onto Jynx's tail, and starts to spread her wings.

The air is growing colder now … and Rephidim has drifted further to the west … or perhaps the plummeting bodies have drifted further eastward. Their path is taking them toward a larger cluster of trees and tangled vegetation on an otherwise flat plain, filled with mists.

Envoy's attempt slows Jynx's ascent … but there's no way her wings can support herself, Jynx … AND the large Tigress.

The Aeolun tries to aim for the clump of plants, using her wings to steer instead of lift.

"EEK!" Jynx screams as his tail, which is part of his spine, is pulled tight! He still clings onto the tigress instinctively, claws and paws holding tight.

Envoy tries to yell over the wind and Jynx's own wails, "Feli! When we're over the trees, you have to let go when I tell you!"

The air is getting colder … and darker … as Envoy steers the threesome toward the trees. There's a rumble … and a few sparkles of light appear in the distance … somewhere above the trees.

Hand over hand, Envoy tries to pull herself down Jynx's tail so she can get a better grip around his waist.

Some large somethings can be seen roaming the plains below. That they can be seen moving from here hints that, whatever they are … they must be pretty big!

Jynx just barely hears Envoys words before they are drowned out by the fall and the rumble. He winces as Envoy climbs down his tail.

Envoy gets her arms around the small Khatta's hips, and tries to use her wings like a parachute to bleed off as much speed as possible, at least laterally.

The group is now clearly over the jumbled vegetation, and the air around them has gotten progressively more obscured by mists.

This isn't good, as Envoy can't see what's below them to tell Jynx when to let go of 'Tiny'.

The Khatta continues to cling onto the tiger tail, happier ( as he can be ) that at least his tail isn't being pulled now.

"Flap your arms, Tiny!!" Envoy calls in desperation.

Something whips by, fish-like, on bat-like wings, with large bulbous eyes, and a glint of sharp, nasty teeth and a bull-dog-like underbite, its body about the size of one of Jynx's fists. A few more are sent spinning about by the passage of the group.

Jynx shakes his head, did he just see what he thought he saw?

Envoy blinks at the strange avians, but has to focus her attention on falling… or rather, plummeting. She tries flapping her wings now.

For a moment, the clouds part just a bit, and there can be seen lots of the little beasties … SWARMS of them … flying around and attacking a giant, nearly-translucent creature. A couple of others can be faintly seen drifting nearby, before the mists obscure sight again.

The Khatta's eyes go wide, "Steer us somewhere else! STEER US SOMEWHERE ELSE!" He yells wildly.

Envoy blinks. Could that be a waashu?? She flaps harder, trying to aim for it.

Against Jynx's loudly-professed wishes, Envoy succeeds in steering over one of the translucent beings. A few small winged-things smash into the threesome … but the Tigress hits them first, shielding Jynx and Envoy from the blows.

Envoy calls out, "Look out below!!" and stops flapping.

The mists clear again … Here it comes!

Jynx rolls up into a little ball, as if it would help.

Suddenly, the group smacks into the giant, gas-filled form of a besieged waashu. Nearby, swollen bubbles formed in weakened sections of the flying jelly-fish-like creature's hide burst, letting off noxious fumes and rude noises. All about, the bat-winged fish-creatures furiously throw themselves against the waashu, chewing on its rubbery hide in a seemingly vain fashion … except that the evidence shows that they must be eventually making some progress against the gargantuan beast.

Envoy oofs and loses her grip on Feli!

While those busy chewing at the hide or dodging swinging tentacle-stingers may have their hands (or, that is, fangs and wings) full, a few seem to be coming in toward the large Khatta, little Khatta and winged alien! The Tigress makes no noise except for a grunt.

Jynx goes tumbling into the jellyish beast!

A couple of frenzied flying little monsters flap toward Jynx, gnashing their fangs in anticipation of chewing on a feline!

Envoy calls out, "Is everyone okay?" as she untangles herself from her wings.

The black feline lets out a loud screeching yowl, and begins to bat wildly at the little beasts, "No I'm not okay!!!"

The Tigress slowly gets up, and crushes a beast that has started chewing on her arm. "AH! I AM IN AFTERLIFE!" She looks at Envoy and Jynx and growls, "BUT YOU FOLLOW ME!"

"We're still alive you crazy furball!" Jynx yells out as he swats insanely at the little flying fish.

Struggling to her feet on the flexing surface, Envoy tries to wave to the tigress. "Sorry, but we're not dead yet. This sort of things just happens around Feli."

The flying fish seem impervious to Jynx's batting attacks. While they aren't fast enough to dodge his swings, he hasn't the strength to do more than knock them a few feet through the air before they come right back. They nip at him, doing negligible damage … but promising a Death of a Million Mosquito Bites if they can keep at it long enough.

Envoy crawls towards one of the burst blisters on the waashu's back. "We might be safe inside! How long can you hold your breath??"

"Ack!" Jynx tries to scurry away, but to no avail. He finally rolls into a little furry ball, "Help!!"

The Tigress, on the other hand, seems to be having a wonderful time, smashing lots of little flying fishies, most of the time simply by clapping her sizeable hands together.

Envoy tries screeching loudly at the piranha-birds while trying to get a look inside one of the holes in the rubbery skin of the waashu.

The holes are translucent … and where they've been gnawed away, an inner membrane – possibly originally serving some purpose to patch holes – has been stretched beyond its capacity, to a nearly film-like consistency, easily ruptured, and nearly transparent. Inside, the creature seems to be nearly hollow, though spots of color hint at what passes for its innards swaying about, so far escaping the attacks of the flying monsters.

Using her small claws, Envoy tries to break the inner membrane, reasoning that if enough gas escapes, the waashu will float to the ground.

From every gap in the membrane, jets of invisible but foul-smelling gas shoot out, typically accompanied by raspberry noises as flaps of membrane vibrate against each other. It takes little effort to coax the tears into expanding … letting out an even GREATER stink. It appears that the ferocious winged fish are egging the waashu toward this fate as well. The air is no longer noticeably cold, and – aside from all the high concentrations of methane and other, unidentified gases – nearly breathable.

The Tigress, however, is looking fairly woozy and exhausted, and soon collapses against the membrane.

Envoy quickly crawls towards the balled-up Jynx, and tries to roll him into the hole.

Jynx feels the prodding of the aeolun, and looks up. As he sees her, he leaps over and clings on tight.

Envoy urps, and tries to get into the hole with the Khatta stuck to her.

With another disagreeable noise, the two fall into the hole … plummet a fair distance … and then plunge into wet, sticky, stinky WAASHU GUTS!

Envoy tries to tell Jynx to let go now, but the gasses have caused her vocal chords to constrict.

The gas is overpowering … consciousness … is elusive for the black Khatta … Everything goes …

*WHUMPH*

The next thing the black Khatta is able to discern is the sensation of being in the middle of a collapsing, disintegrating gas bag that used to be a waashu.

Apparently, it has reached the ground, and not entirely intact. However, Jynx and Envoy have fared much better.

Envoy blearily tries to figure out what the surrounding guts are for, but otherwise is content to wait until the oxygen levels rise a bit more.

The black Khatta woozily comes to, looking around and trying to get his bearings. As he remembers where he is, a thought comes back to him, "Where's Tiny?" He wobbles a bit more as he says this, maybe it's notso safe to breath just yet.

As the shreds of the waashu body fall apart, torn even worse by the twisted, spiky vegetation that rises from the cracked ground, the oxygen level does improve … though the smell does not.

While there is plenty of greenery blanketing the ground, the 'trees' around here look dead and barren, consisting of twisted, bent spires of wood that seem to be woven together, stabbing upward at the sky. Definitely NOT something to land on to cushion one's landing…

A wind blows through the 'forest', filling the air with an unearthly moan and a chattering sound, as the twined 'branches' of the trees vibrate against each other.

Slipping and sliding through slimy sludge, Envoy tries to find a way to solid ground.

Jynx hold on to the Aeolun's tail, trying hard not to lose his lunch due to his surroundings.

Much slipping, sliding and trudging later, Envoy and Jynx manage to get onto solid ground. Alas, there is no sign of the large Tigress. Several dead or maimed formerly-flying fish thrash about on the ground, or simply lie with their fangs locked in death-grips on chunks of the waashu's outer, rubbery hide.

Envoy looks up, trying to spot Rephidim through the mists.

It takes a few seconds, but, yes, there's a spot far above that just might be the sky island several thousand feet above.

The Black Khatta looks around, "Where'd she go? Dagh blast it, she got us all into the mess!"

As Jynx looks about, his searching is rewarded only by a light that gleams on what looks at first like a broken piece of ceramic … but then appears to be a feline skull!

It lies amidst a scattering of bones at the base of one of the trees.

Envoy blinks at Feli, but doesn't say anything. Instead, she goes to examine the object he's found.

Jynx's jaw drops! No way, they couldn't have… He slowly walks over, then stops and stares wide-eyed…

The skull is evidently feline … but not large enough to belong to a Titanian. In fact, it's a little small to belong to Jynx, either. The braincase looks smaller, not indicating that the owner was particularly intelligent, though the rest of the bones suggest a once-humanoid bone structure.

The Khatta looks down, and heaves a double sigh. He then looks around some more. If that's not Tiny, then where is she? ( Perhaps he doesn't wanna know ) He gives up the search and goes over to the skull. "Who could have had this?"

Envoy pokes at the bones. "I think it might have been something the waashu ate," she croaks, as her vocal chords are still recovering.

The forest of barren trees screams an anguished cry as the wind picks up for a moment … and then dies down to a pained moan.

Jynx looks up at Envoy in puzzlement, then sets his ears back at the moan, "What in the name of the Star… ?"

Envoy says, "Wind. We should look in the trees, Tiny might have gone there."

The Cat nods after another look around, "Where should we start? And for that matter, how are we going to get back home?"

Amidst the moans, there are sounds of shuffling in the undergrowth … scraping of claws on wood and dirt.

Perking an ear at the scratching, Envoy walks towards the sounds. "Let's find Tiny first, then worry about getting out of here."

Well, that answers that question! Jynx heads off towards the sounds, "I think she's over here."

Jynx and Envoy are faced with a chorus of growls and hisses … as they discover not a barbarian Tigress, but a random cluster of feral feline humanoids, weaponless, but with large, sharp claws, and countless scars. They perch amidst the trees, in tangles of underbrush, or peering from behind rocks.

Envoy smiles and says, "Hello," to the creatures. "Have you seen a really big striped Khatta?"

Jynx freezes, then backs away slowly, "Uhhh… I d-don't think they wanna chat E-Envoy… "

Several have bits of fish-bat sticking out of their mouths or dangling from their muzzles. The feline tendency toward cleanliness doesn't seem to apply to these savages. Nor Envoy's language, as she is answered with more hisses and flattened-back ears.

"I agree," Envoy says, "let's look back near the waashu remains."

"We're really sorry to interrupt s-sirs," Jynx stammers as he pulls on Envoy's tail, "We'll l-let you get back to what you were doing… "

A couple of the felines leap from their perches, claws extended, roaring and hissing at Envoy and Jynx, and showing most unfriendly intent!

Envoy looks to Jynx, and suggests, "Run," in a very calm sounding voice.

Reflexively, Jynx tries to dodge his attackers, before taking Envoy's advice and trying to bolt in the opposite direction of the cats.

Envoy tries flapping her wings and making horrible squawking noises as she retreats.

The attackers, despite their feral nature, don't display Jynx's talent for making fast tracks on the ground … and haven't a chance of catching the flying alien Envoy.

Taking advantage of the warm air still rising from the waashu remains, Envoy tries to make a quick search for the tigress before her fatigued wings force her back to the ground.

A bit of exhausting running (and flying) later, it appears that the feral felines have given up the chase. Alas, there is no sign of the Tigress, alive or dead, to be found.

Jynx dodges behind a tree and attempts to hide. He peeks out and looks back in the direction of his attackers.

The attackers seem to have developed a squabble amongst themselves and appear to be quite absorbed with tearing into each other – a fight primarily between the two largest males – rather than continuing pursuit.

Envoy lands near Jynx. "I didn't see her. Maybe she wandered off?"

The Khatta blinks, he's never known a cat type to give up the chase so easily as that. He watches the scene some more, then jumps with fur standing on end as Envoy surprises him. "Don't sneak up on me!" He steadies a bit, "Sorry. Yeah, I haven't seen her either." He turns back to the squabble again, "but these guys are weird."

Envoy watches the feral cats for a bit. "Maybe they don't like being out in the open. I wonder if they're a degenerate form of a sentient race?"

Turning back to Jynx, the Exile says, "I can't catch up to Rephidim without eating and resting first, Feli. I think we'll have to stay the night here if a rescue party doesn't come for us."

Jynx turns his attention back to the aeolun with ears flat, "Oh fun, we get to spend the night with these guys… " The cat shudders, he can deal with the forest, but not those strange feline-types. "I guess we also need to find Tiny, even if she is annoying." The Khatta sighs, and turns back to watch the squabble.

The details of the result of the squabble are a bit unpleasant to describe, but suffice it to say that there is only one large male there now of the former two, and he's having a snack, while the others are fighting over scraps.

Envoy smiles, "Look on the bright side. At least these felines don't find you attractive or want to kill you."

The black Khatta winces at the sight, "They might not find me attractive, but I don't know about that killing part… " Jynx starts wishing Tiny were here after all, for protection.

Envoy says, "Find some sticks. We can use them to push the waashu tentacles into a perimeter. Maybe they have enough sting left to keep the wildcats away."

There ARE plenty of sticks. Plenty of sharp, pointed ones, too. They'd make TERRIBLY easy weapons to make. Apparently the feral felines have either not caught on to this or have felt no need for them.

"Where you a Temple Scout, Feli?" Envoy asks as she starts collecting sticks. "Do you know how to make a fire?"

Jynx gathers up as many of the sticks as he can, wishing he had a good dagger at the moment. After his arms are full, he hands a few to Envoy, "Temple scout? Heck no," He smiles, "but I do know a thing or two about living on my own!" He helps push the tentacles into a circle around the duo, then piles up the sticks to make a fire.

The tree nearest Jynx has a canopy of sorts formed by a large piece of waashu hide draped over it, and punctured in several places by the barbed sticks of wood. The edges flap in the wind.

There is a cracking noise, as some of the branches start to fracture. And then the canopy drops…

Envoy turns and looks up at the noise.

The black cat dodges out of the way!

Oh no! Jynx zigged when he should have zagged! He runs right into part of the falling canopy! It falls more heavily than it ought to. There's an annoyed growl from amidst the waashu stuff.

"OOF!" The Khatta falls flat on his stomach! "Ouch! Get off!!"

Envoy approaches more cautiously. "Tiny? Is that you?"

A Tigress yowls angrily, and rips her way out of the shredded waashu hide … then gingerly picks pieces of waashu guts and bat-fish parts out of her fur and leather garb. She hisses, and starts to lick her shoulder, then hisses again, and sticks out her tongue in pain and displeasure.

Jynx catches his breath and stands back up. "Tiny… you're *huff* alive!*gasp!*"

"I AM NOT TINY!" the Tigress roars!

A distance away, the felines yowl in fear and scamper off in all directions.

The black Khatta hits the dirt, ears back at the yell, "Okay okay! What, er, should we call you then?"

Envoy blinks, then smiles, "Oh, good! You realize how silly all this insecurity about your size is now, don't you?"

The Tigress growls, "Titania. Very pretty name."

And, as far as female Titanians go, a very common one, too.

"Okay, Titania it is then," the cat once again regains his feet, then looks back to the waashu hide. "Well, Tin-, er, Titania, could you help me with this hide? We can make a tent from it."

Envoy smiles, happy to see Jynx warming up to Titania. They do make a striking couple…

With some effort later, a makeshift (and very stinky) campsite is erected. And, speaking of warming up, Jynx's efforts to start a fire prove to be QUITE impressive. Fortunately no fur is lost in the process. As distant yowls and bellows at the moment hint, they are not to be bothered any further by attackers that night, as they wait for rescue to come in the morning…