The sun is sinking to the horizon by the time Kin Ryuu and the fire mage Xander see motes of orangy light ahead, as well as wispy plumes of smoke. The Burning Sands tribe quickly left the pair, along with their rattly wagon and its cranky old cargo, in the dust, all except the tall and lanky one known as Long-Shadow. The long-limbed cheetah has slowed to guide the outlanders along, and in that time has shown them the sign for his name, as well as gestures to indicate theirs.

"Would you like to ride?" Xander asks the Savanite from atop the lead Dromodon. Although really, he's just wondering if the cheetah's feet would still touch the ground even if he was sitting in the saddle.

During the trip, Kin remained focused on their escort. Perhaps its his patience with them, or perhaps it's simply that he's 'exotic' to her; Savanites were not common to Jadai. Outside of learning his name, Kin tried to pick up the signs for 'thank you' and 'Do not understand', as well. When the village appears on the horizon, she asks, "How large is your village? Do you have a family there?"

Long-Shadow glances over his shoulder, grinning at Xander and shaking his head. He seems quite comfortable on the ground, trotting along at an easy pace with long strides. Turning his attention to Kin, he shrugs a little. Holding up a paw with fingers outstretched, he taps the side of his palm ten times. At the second question, he nods again, smiling, but doesn't make the answer any more clear than that. On coming closer to the camp, more can be made out by the reddening light of the setting sun. Bonfires dot the place liberally, spaced between lean-tos of hide, wood posts where meat is drying, woven baskets, and more. The tribal folk, while few approach Long-Shadow in height, are built much like him, lean and light. Curious cubs stare from the sides of their mothers, dressed in scraps of hide or smears of paint, if at all. The older folk wear tanned leather at their waists, and some have simple drapes over their shoulders and chests, free flowing and easy to move in.

"It looks almost nomadic," Xander comments, then asks Long-Shadow if the tribe has to move around often.

Figuring each tap must mean add, Kin reasons out the tribe must be at least fifty strong; a good size for such a wild land. When the cubs come into view, the Kiriga's expression brightens. She smiles towards them and waves, saying, "Hello." The the parents with them, she dips her head in a polite bow as her greeting. To Xander she says, "By the standards of my land, these people would be considered primitive. But … there is an elegance and nobility to them. Calling them primitive is an unfair judgment."

"I'd call them 'unburdened'," Xander says. "I can see the attraction of being able to move quickly, and… well, I like to run as much as the next Lapi."

"My kind do not run like yours. To us, such exertion is … tiring," Kin notes to Xander. "What is it like for yours?"

Kin is met with reactions from wary to quizzical, but the natives don't seem hostile at all. At Xander's question, Long-Shadow nods again, and the Lapi's guess seems likely on the mark. The structures are quite simple and basic, built from slender pieces of wood and staked down securely against the wind. Their hide walls are painted with scenes of hunting, of plains and trees, and very often of fire. As the wagon rumbles closer to the center of the makeshift village, a larger bonfire casts the clearing around it in a warm, yellow glow, making the eyes of the Savanites around it shine. Glowing Coal sits near it, staring into the flames, while around him tribesmen and women bring baskets and bowls laden with food. Cubs that aren't helping play with each other… and fire. They handle and twirl sticks with burning ends, tossing them at each other and catching them again. On the rare occasion that one misses and gets his fur tagged, the cub almost instantly douses himself with a handful of dust and goes on as if nothing happened. One might wonder how many of the cheetah's spots are scorch marks.

Thinking of something, Kin glances to Xander. "Are we burdening them with our presence? Will our dining with them affect their food supply? I just realized that if they must hunt and gather everything they have; offering it to outsiders is … serious," she says quietly. Her attention then shifts back to those gathered around the fire and she slides off from the Dromodon she was riding so that she may walk amongst the people.

"Ummm, we do have our own food," Xander notes. "And running is like… flying."

The Lapi hops down to the ground as well, keeping hold of the dray's reigns so it doesn't wander off.

"I do not fly, so I don't know what that is like, either," Kin points out. She then shrugs, adding, "But never mind, it is not important."

Long-Shadow draws a short stone knife at his waist, and taps the side of his spear, the wood making a knocking noise that gets Glowing Coal to look up. On spying his guests, the older Savanite picks himself up and spreads his hands, palms open in a gesture of welcome. As before, flames play over his shoulders and neck, and lick at his ears, seeming to no effect.

To the elder, Kin bows. "Thank you for welcoming us in your village. You honor us," she says politely and with a smile. "If you will permit it, I would like to ask you a few more questions. I will most certainly answer any you wish to ask of us. After dinner, I would like to spend some time meeting your people and perhaps getting to know them. I do not know what I can offer in return for payment, unless your tribe would be interested in seeing dances from my homeland?"

Xander checks in quickly on Tooth, and ponders making sure he stays awake – he doesn't want some cub disturbing the old Kiriga and getting his jaw broken.

The old Kiriga is in fact not awake. The wagon's jarring bumps have caused its contents to move about and settle, including the old master. He's now lying on his back, his feet sticking up where they fell on a box, and a water barrel has rolled onto his tail, adding what looks to be another permanent kink to it.

The Lapi does what he can to move things off of the Master, and only thinks to check that he's still breathing on the way back out of the wagon.

Glowing Coal nods agreeably, and holds out his hand, palm up. He puts his fingertip on the center pad and draws it around, as if doodling or writing.

Kin nods and goes back to the wagon to obtain the paper, quill, and inkwell. When she spots Xander dealing with Master Longtooth, she says, "It is best to let him sleep. He is quite ancient."

"I just don't want there to be any accidents if a kid comes in," Xander notes, but bites back his suggestion of tying Tooth up just to be on the safe side. "I can't believe we didn't bring any candy with us."

"Snnnkkkggxx… " snores Tooth. He does seem to be breathing, if noisily.

"They may not like candy, anyway. We can offer them some of the dried fruit instead," Kin suggests as she also collects the lid of one of the boxes so that the elder has a good writing surface. Before heading back to the elder, she says, "I am going to speak with the elder, then dance for them later. You are welcome to watch the dance if you wish."

"Of course!" Xander says, and decides to leave his outer robe in the wagon, given all the bonfires. He does take a swig from a blue bottle before stashing back into a pocket though, just in case, before following Kin out of the wagon.

Glowing Coal is waiting patiently when Kin and Xander returns, his hands clasped in front of him. Mats have been laid in a rough circle around the central bonfire, with some space between them and the fire itself, and around them have been set jugs of drink, and bowls of meat, spiced and roasted over open flame. Closer to where the shaman was sitting, some of the bowls have a bit more vegetable matter in them, but it's hard to tell from here.

Seeing the vegetables as an invitation, Xander sits on a mat next to Glowing Coal. If there's one thing the Lapi has learned as a mage, it's how to be comfortable sitting on just about anything for an arbitrarily long period of time.

Kin makes her way back to the bonfire, albeit a bit slowly because she's continuing to look around the makeshift village. When she finally reaches the shaman, she places a small stack of paper, the quill, and the closed inkwell upon the box top, then offers it to elder before she settles down on a mat near Xander. "Honored Glowing Coal," she says as she folds her hands into her lap. "Your tribe has been most kind and helpful. The crashed ship is not the only reason we are coming through these lands; we are searching for clues and knowledge of the Beast Lands and what artifacts may be found there. We have reason to believe that those who mean the world harm are seeking something there as well. We wish to stop them from obtaining whatever it is that they seek. Do you know anything of the Beast Lands and what may be found there?"

Glowing Coal ponders this, and nods, but when he writes, the message reads, "Questions later, over mealtime. We dance first. Embercrown knows the ways of the flame, he will join us. You too, Sunscale. Do not worry about knowing our ways. You will feel what to do, and it will help us."

Making sure to focus his attention on Kin and Glowing Coal, Xander waits for his Cold Shower to kick in before risking a good look around at the camp. Afterwards, he can at least glance at some of the girls, maybe.

"Wait… dance?" the Lapi asks. He knows some ballroom dancing, but the only other thing that comes close is the leaping about during a ritual that Fire Mages are prone to do.

"As you wish, honored Glowing Coal," Kin replies to the elder. She taps Xander's shoulder, telling him, "You are expected to dance with them, as am I, before we eat." The Kiriga then reaches down to her side and slides out the twin swords that make up the Autumn harvest and lays then with ceremonial precision before her, then stands.

After taking a deep breath, Xander gets up and strips to the waist, not wanting to overheat and pass out, or something equally embarrassing. "I hope they don't leap over the bonfires. I mean, I can jump… but they're a lot taller and these flames are high… "

"Should I strip for this?" Kin asks Xander. "I am not sure what is expected… "

"Only if you think you're going to have trouble keeping cool," the Lapi notes. "You may or may not have an issue with overheating."

If the shaman doesn't seem inclined to explain himself further, tossing the sheet of parchment he was using to write into the bonfire, where it's consumed almost instantly. He sets the box lid and inkwell with its quill aside, and takes up a heavily decorated spear that had been resting by his mat. Claws, teeth, feathers, and beads dangle below the spearhead, and they rattle together as Glowing Coal walks a slow circuit around the bonfire. The activity in the camp seems to slow, the bright eyes of the tribe watching their elder intently, man, woman, and cub.

"My kind do not easily overheat," Kin notes with a small nod, "I will remain as I am." Her attention then quickly goes to the elder, whom she watches with fascination.

Xander watches as well, looking for a cue to join in.

Thump. The butt of the shaman's spear hits the dirt, leaving a small indentation. Thump. Thump. He keeps doing it as he walks around the fire, a rhythm forming. He makes another circuit around, and this time the thumps are accompanied by a scrape, digging a line in the dirt between each indentation. Somewhere among the Savanites, a hollowed bit of wood is beaten in time to the elder's motions. The third pass around has the elder swinging the spear, and he begins to move to a rhythm. Near the two guests, a grinning Long-Shadow nudges Kin and Xander, urging them forward.

The Lapi picks up the rhythm and starts to follow Glowing Coal. He doesn't have a spear to spin, so jumps up and spins around with his body instead, letting his ears splay out.

To Long-Shadow Kin smiles and dips her head. The Kiriga then steps forward and after letting Xander start in. She reaches up and pulls the pin that holds her white mane tight. It falls free and floats in the breeze. She reptile doesn't spin, simply letting the flow of her hair act as the spear does for Glowing Coal and the ears do for Xander. As she follows, she tries to match the sway and movement of her body to the motions of Glowing Coal.

The tap of a gourd joins the rhythm, offset with the others but still in time. Slowly but surely, more music comes from the tribe crowded around, crowing in complexity. The shaman leads the way, sweeping his spear in front of himself, his eyes distant but intent. His movements are quick, but purposeful, and Kin's natural grace soon has her dancing matching up. From this close, the bonfire is warm, but the heat isn't uncomfortable. The light is dazzling, the flames seeming to leap higher.

Xander grins as he senses something familiar. He starts to chant as he moves, helping to build up the power. It shouldn't be too different from his Landing Day performance… but he doubts there will be ice cream afterwards to help him cool down.

Kin's eyes flick to the fire as she slides and moves … and something seems to register in the mind of the reptile. She adjusts her movements ever so slightly as to give her a chance to roll back her sleeves, letting the glint of her polished scales catch the firelight. Once they are up, her scales send a rainbow of diffracted and reflected light from the surface of her body.

Light plays over Kin's scales, becoming brighter as the last of Primus disappears below the horizon, the sky seeming to become a fading ember while the bonfire blazes all the stronger. There's a certain giddy energy that seems to flow through Kin's body, a strange sensation, though not uncomfortable. There's also a brush of fur briefly where some of her scales are exposed… a Savanite dancing near her twisting and flowing along with the shaman's dance. A few more filter themselves into the growing ring of dancers circling around."

The Lapi has to start wiping at his nose pad every so often now, as he starts to perspire. He hasn't really noticed the other dancers yet; the magic has his full attention. He wants to see what Glowing Coal is going to do with it.

The sensation almost makes the Kiriga stop … almost. Her long hours of training in dance and arts and how to ignore all else, even pain and stiffness in her body give her the focus to not allow the feeling of energy to distract her from the flow of the dance. The Kiriga doesn't realize it, but her body shifts into its more endothermic mode as the dance grows in its intensity, allowing her to move with the same speed as the Savanites and the Lapi in the circle. The light from the fire continues to star burst off her form, lighting the area and the Savanites next to her.

Soon spotted bodies are occupying much of the space around the bonfire, mingling and dancing around one another. Many of them dance closer and closer to the flames, which should be uncomfortable, but they seem to pay no head. Some even whirl through the edge, the fire licking at them before they dance away. The music and rhythm sweep through the tribe, scintillating points of light cast from Kin's scales and sliding across the dancers around her. Every so often, another Savanite brushes past her, and Xander too… any and all of them seem inclined to make contact every so often, male or female, the fur of a hip touching hip, or tail brushing around waist, chest touching back, arm brushing arm. The bonfire crackles and flecks of glowing ash swirl into the darkened sky, seeming almost to mimic the Procession.

Losing himself more to the dance, Xander tries to get the flames to mimic the moves of the dance as well as he chants louder – and seems almost on the verge of laughing!

The contact from the Savanites doesn't bother the Kiriga in the least. In fact, she falls into the same pattern and as she moves, brushes up against them as well. The backs of her fingers sliding across a cheek, her serpentine tail slipping and gliding against Xander's side now and then, to that of a nearby Savanite dancer. Yes, the dragon is caught up in the moment and enjoying every new sensation of it.

The towering flames weave with Xander agreeably as he feeds the fire. The ritual is alien in technique, but strikes a harmony with him, building up and flaring brightly. As they spin and whirl, things seem to blur around them, golden fur and spots flashing past, tongues of flame curling upward. From somewhere comes the sound of a flute, halting at first but soon matching the music of the Burning Sands.

For his part, Xander appears to be having a ball. He actually does laugh a bit as he's bounced around between the dancers, but mostly his dance partner is the bonfire itself.

The dragon is lost in the dance itself. The differences between her 'world' and the world of the Savanites forgotten. For the moment she feels as if she is part of their tribe.

Having inserted herself in the dance without apparent detection, playing her flute as if she knew the song, Lilac dances around the fire. The dance consumes her attention, as does her playing, leaving her greetings to wait.

Faces and fire, spots and tails, hide and… wing? A flash of violet hair tinged with the golden light of the flames flashes past Kin, and then again. The bonfire has now burnt its wooden fuel down to coals, and the shaman is suddenly standing among them, untouched by the flames as he drives the butt of his spear down into the ashes. The fire seems to flash outward, flaring and washing over everyone assembled but leaving nobody singed. The bonfire suddenly calms, flickering low over the orange coals now, bright but now seemingly tame. Black ears go a-wiggling around the whole of the tribe, the quiet of Savanite laughter made up for with the noisy roll of their drums. Many embrace, and Kin finds herself folded in Long-Shadow's arms, while someone else hugs the Lapi from behind. A few cubs still caught up in the dance tug at Lilac's cloak, pulling it around her.

"Oof," Xander replies to the hug, but is still light headed and giddy from the magic, which makes him giggle. "Oh… is that you Lilac?" he asks the blurry purplish-topped figure he spots through teary eyes. "Come over closer so I can kiss you!"

All sense of propriety lost for the moment, the embrace of Long-Shadow is returned in kind; the normally cool touch of the Kiriga is warm, almost hot. She even buries her face into the chest fur of the Savanite. Her senses do slowly return, though … long enough to hear Lilac's name and for it to register exactly what she's doing. If a reptile could blush … Kin would be several shades darker than her father right now!

Lilac, caught off guard, staggers and falls on her butt amidst the children. "Aiiee!" she cries, lowering her flute from her mouth and leaning over to scoop up on of the smaller kids. "You're so cute and fuzzy!" And, she laughers merrily. Then looks around for the source of Xander's voice, "You stay over there, Xander! I'm on to you!" Lucky for Kin, Lilac's buried in children and probably can't see.

The Lapi laughs, and tries to turn around to see who is hugging him.

The cubs are silent, unlike most children, but their expressions seem quite gleeful, little paws feeling at Lilac's fuzzy ears and tail, or curiously touching her wings without pulling on them. Deep brown eyes find Xander's when he looks over his shoulder, the delicate form of a smiling cheetah woman's tear-marked face highlighted by the glow of the fire. She gives the Lapi one more squeeze about the middle, letting him feel soft fur press to his bare back before she twirls away to lose herself in the ring of tribes cats around the edge of the firelight. Long-Shadow gives Kin a nuzzle on the top of the head, and lets go, his ears wiggling as he steps backward so Kin can see him signing something.

Kin lets out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding. When Long-Shadow legs go, she looks disappointed for a brief moment and looks up at him … before instinct kicks in and her more emotionless expression falls back into place. Straightening up, she looks over her shoulder; she swears she heard Xander say Lilac's name…

"He says you dance well." Glowing Coal stands in the center of the bonfire, and wisps of flame spell out words he doesn't need to sign or write.

The glimpse of golden beauty snaps Xander out of his light-headed state, and reminds him that more her exerts himself, the sooner the Cold Shower effects will wear off. He looks around to locate Kin and Lilac… and the wagon.

The wagon stands amidst some of the lean-tos, a familiar pair of bony feet sticking out of the opening in the wagon's cover. The Dromodon have been secured a little further away so the fires didn't spook them.

Buried in children as she is, Lilac isn't readily visible until a wing, or an ear, or a tail pops out. "Kiiiinnny, I'm covered in adorable chiiildren," she mock-whines. "Can I keep them?"

"Oh, well, I was expected to learn how to dance; it is expected of all Jadaian women," Kin tells Glowing Coal. Forgetting Lilac again for the moment, she looks back to Long-Shadow and bows to him. "Thank you again, I … you, " she says and starts to reach for the tall cheetah, looking as if she's fighting to try and say something. Lilac's calling out breaks her attention away from the Savanite again and she looks around for that voice. "Lilac? When did you get here? I thought you were waiting for Anisa and Gibson?" she calls out.

Something nibbles at the back of Xander's mind as he spots his companions. Something about Lilac… oh! The Lapi starts to make his way around to the human, dancing between cheetahs as best he can.

"Oh, I'm everywhere, didn't you know that, Kinny?" Lilac grins out, framed by Savanite cubs. "As for Gibson and Anisa, they're still not here. I was getting impatient and thought you'd need me, so I came. All that flying is boring, too, but not as boring as waiting!"

Xander spins over next to Lilac, and whispers into her ear, "Please tell me you aren't wearing your special collar right now."

Lilac leans closer to Xander, replying, "I am, why wouldn't I be? I don't even have the key."

"Why wouldn't… take a look around you!" Xander whispers back. "Savanites. You're wearing a locked collar… never mind, does Kin have the key?"

Kin just shakes her head. "You are impossible," she tells the human woman as she tries to make her way over to the human and still trying to shake off the effects of that ritual. "And you," she says, pointing at Xander, "I have something to ask you."

"Anything Kin, but first; do you have the key to Lilac's collar on you?" the Lapi says quickly to the Kiriga.

"Hey, I'm not taking it off," Lilac protests. She hugs the child in her lap defensively.

The Burning Sands people, for the time being, doesn't seem to be paying much attention, signing to each other, 'laughing' in that quiet manner they do, and beginning to settle onto mats and pass bowls of food about, beginning to dig in. Glowing Coal smiles from where he stands in the center of the bonfire, wearing a look of satisfaction as he looks over his tribe. Long-Shadow returns with a bowl of spiced and seared meat, still a bit pink, but seeing Kin is in a conversation, he courteously stands aside.

"Yes, I do," Kin replies and produces it in short order and offers it to the Lapi.

The cub on Lilac's lap points to Lilac's violet eyes, showing it to another cub who signs excitedly.

Turning to Lilac, Xander tries to explain. "These people like us Lilac and it would be a shame to ruin that goodwill by giving the mistaken impression that Kin here keeps slaves – specifically you – because what else could that collar represent to a Savanite you see? So here's the key, please just for a few days can you take off the collar?"

Kin realizes now why Xander asked. "Xander is right. Excuse yourself to go check on Master Longtooth and remove it. We do not want to give the wrong impression, please?" the Kiriga says. With a glance back to Long-Shadow, she notices him waiting for her. "And one of our hosts is waiting, I do not wish to offend him by making him wait long. Please join us when you are done?"

"Um, no?" Lilac scoots away, shaking her head. "I made a promise that I'd wear it until Kinny was safe. Not because she asked me to, but because I wanted to. I reminds me of why I'm here, and that I have friends, and that … I'm not alone. So, no." She glances between Xander and Kin and, frowning, puts the child down. Standing, she dusts herself off again, then walks right towards Long-Shadow.

Xander tugs his ears down (never mind that the cubs will probably see that as a sign that it's okay to pull on them) and mutters, "Bards."

Kin shakes her head and tells Xander, "I am sorry. If anything happens, I will not allow the fallout to affect you. Maybe they'll just see it as jewelry, given how ornate it is." Trying to cheer herself up, she reaches down and ruffles the top of one of the cub's heads before starting her way back to Long-Shadow.

The tots scurry off, already chasing each other again with burning sticks they snatched up. Long-Shadow simply stands there, eying Lilac quizzically, a bowl of meat held in his hands. The Savanite must cast a long shadow indeed… he's closer to seven feet tall than he is six, though all of his frame is quite lean and lanky. He bends a little at the waist to look down at the human woman approaching him.

"M-maybe the Slavers never came this way," Xander quietly prays. But then, Glowing Coal learned how to write Standard from someone. They obviously aren't completely isolated out here…

"Are you the leader here, Mr. Savanite," Lilac inquires, looking, up … and up. Her ears lay back as her heads does, and she blinks.

"I believe their elder, Glowing Coal, is their leader. But … I honestly do not know what position Long-Shadow holds in the tribe," Kin says as she gets closer to Lilac and the Savanite. "Sorry that I kept you waiting. That is, if you were waiting for me," she tells the cheetah.

With his hands full, Long-Shadow can't sign, so he simply shakes his head. He palms the bowl in one hand, and points to the bonfire, where the shaman stands, an older Savanite with his bare feet in the embers, signing and gesturing at the tribe around him, flames leaping up to mimic his gestures. The shaman wears a hide loincloth richly decorated with beads, and a sort of shawl decorated similarly lays over his shoulders, where small flames also seem to perch.

Lilac follows the pointing, then heads off the way determinedly. When she nears, she's given a pause. "Wow, are those actual flames dancing? My act seems to weak compared … No, concentrate Lilac." She keeps walking, until she stands near the elder, ears perked up expectantly.

Kin looks up to Long-Shadow. "We are an unusual group," she offers in the way of explanation for Lilac, "Lilac is a bard; a storyteller. She tends to be eccentric." The Kiriga then looks to the bowl, asking, "Were you intending this for me?"

Xander hurries after Lilac, unsure of what to do if she causes a fuss.

Long-Shadow nods at Kin with a smile, proffering the bowl, but the smile is somewhat distracted, the tall Savanite looking quizzically after Lilac as she walks purposefully toward the elder. Glowing Coal himself is still signing to the tribe, the fiery hands above him moving with him. They falter as the shaman notices his visitor.

"It's not a good time to interrupt," Xander hisses to Lilac.

Feeling a bit of her steam fade in the face of the elder, Lilac holds up her hands, "Oh, um, don't mind me! I can wait!" She then plops herself right down where she is, sitting like the rest of the Savanites and smiling, tail wagging hopefully.

Kin gently lifts the bowl out of Long-Shadow's hands. Her head cranes back so she can watch Lilac; her expression betraying a hint of worry. "Lilac, please do not upset them," she whispers to herself. "I … really like them." When she sits, Kin actually looks grateful. Looking back up to Long-Shadow, she asks with a nod towards the bowl, "Would you like to share this with me?"

The Lapi sits down next to Lilac, and tries not to look worried. Or nervous. But he can't help vibrating a little bit.

Lilac glances at Xander, then reaches over and pushes him on the shoulder.

The Lapi actually squeaks in alarm at the push.

Glowing Coal smiles indulgently, and finishes his signing. The tribesmen rattle their bowls and drums enthusiastically, and when they've settled down, more familiar things begin to appear in the fires above the shaman, words in Standard. "I have spoken to the Burning Sands as I have in this ritual many times. I have told them how the flame lives in each of us, burns brightly. We are the inferno, and sweep where we will, ever moving, eating as we will but also leaving new life behind us. We are wild and free. They who try to hold us are burned, and those at are side are warmed. We bend our knee to no one, and we are our own keepers."

Lilac's ears twitch while the Savanite signs in flame, then reaches in to her pouch and pulls our her sheet of notes. Using her leg as a table, she begins jotting down the elder's words.

Xander nods at the elder's 'words', and feels torn between making sure Lilac doesn't offend him and dashing back to the wagon for another dose of Cold Shower.

Kin reads the words as they write themselves in the air above the elder, the bowl in her hands momentarily forgotten. "You are an amazing people," she says to the tall Savanite next to her. "My people, the people of Jadai, are nothing like this. We develop art, we focus on philosophy and trying to unravel the great questions of existence. Your people live."

The words continue to shape themselves. "Tonight, outlanders have come to visit. They did not seek our goods or our lives. They came forward and watched our hands, sought to learn our names. They bore gifts, and regarded us as equals. They danced with us, shared our ways, were touched by the fire. We shall feed their flames, and their fires will spread to their fellow outlanders. We will warm them by our coals."

"Awwww," Lilac murmurs at the Glowing Coal's words, before returning to writing. "They're really sweet."

Long-Shadow smiles down at Kin, his hands on the bowl as well. He nods, and takes up a morsel of spiced meat, holding it in front of Kin's muzzle.

"And proud," Xander notes to Lilac. "I know that collar is a source of pride for you, Lil, but… be delicate in explaining it to Glowing Coal, okay? Tell him about being lost and alone."

"I can handle it. He's a story teller. It's like we're on the same team. He'll understand," Lilac insist to Xander.

"His stories aren't for entertainment though," Xander points out. "He's their shaman. He dispenses wisdom and power."

Kin briefly looks confused as she tries to understand if there is meaning behind the gesture. And then she seems to decide something, she decides to not look for a deeper meaning in actions tonight. Carefully she leans forward and takes the morsel into her muzzle. The Kiriga then reaches into the bowl with her free hand and lifts out a morsel that she offers to Long-Shadow in a fashion similar to Long-Shadow's presentation.

Thinking of an analogy Lilac might grasp better, "He's like a Sylvanian town's witch."

The shaman lets his hands fall, smiling. He kneels down in the embers, and the tribes cats around busily tuck into their feasting, enjoying food, drink, and each other's company. They seem all too happy to have a reason to enjoy such an evening, and the fiery words spell out an invitation. "Come sit close, travelers. I am through boring everyone. Fill your bellies and speak your minds. Tonight we feast, and we welcome you."

"I'll introduce you," the Lapi says to the bard, and heads for the coals.

Long-Shadow has to crane his head down a little, but cheerfully accepts the scrap, lipping the Kiriga's fingers when he takes it. The food is quite thoroughly spiced, a little hot even, but still tender.

"Well, now he seems kind of scary. You know my luck with witches and magic and curses," Lilac tells Xander as she follows along.

Kneeling down next to Glowing Coal, Xander gestures to Lilac, and explains, "This is Lilac of Sylvania. She has had a hard and often lonely life, but travels with us now out of hope and purpose. The Beast Lands may hold the secret of the curse she suffers, and she has pledged herself to help Kin defeat a great menace, as symbolized by the collar she chooses to wear. She is a story teller also, a bard. If you would have us spread your fire, she is the one best suited to do so."

Kin's fingers lightly curl, fingertips brushing Long-Shadow's cheek just before she draws her hand back. "We should sit by the fire with them," she says once she swallows the piece she was given. The Kiriga even looks down for some reason, "I would be honored if you would sit beside me."

"Have you ever heard of stealing the stage, Xander? I was already to give an impassioned speech," Lilac says she sits down beside the Lapi. "You be quiet – this is my story and my vow. It's for me to say."

Glowing Coal raises an eyebrow, but turns his gaze on Lilac, studying her and noting the collar at last. Still, his hands rest in his lap, and his ears perk forward expectantly.

Long-Shadow seems all too happy to join Kin, and he shortens his strides to keep pace with her, drawn along to where the shaman kneels amidst the flames.

"I was just giving the introduction," Xander mumbles. Spotting Kin with Long-Shadow (and not blaming her one bit for being with him), the Lapi listens to Lilac with half an ear, while he starts softly chanting a fireworks spell to settle his nerves and burn off some excess energy.

Kin settles down by the fire with the others and smiles as Long-Shadow joins her. She kneels down beside the fire and places the bowl between her seat and the one soon to be occupied by Long-Shadow. To Lilac, she asks, "Have you been introduced, Lilac?"

"Oh, yeah, Kinny. This is the village shaman – he's like a witch." Lilac smiles to Kin, then turns back to the elder. "Okay, see, this," she reaches up and tugs her blouse down around the collar, "is my collar. It's not a slave collar, I'm not a slave. It's a … promise. It's like, um … " she looks around the camp, trying to find some symbol of devotion, " … a symbol. Symbolism. Kinny gave it to me. It's the only thing that really stays with me, when I, um … well … I have special problems, and I need it. I helps me remember, when I'm alone."

Long-Shadow folds his legs to sit close by Kin, helping himself to a bit more of the supper in the bowl, and is passed a jug of something sweet-smelling by a tribeswoman. He pours a helping into half a wooden cup, taking a sip and then offering it to the golden Kiriga.

Kin takes the offered up and sips from it without hesitation. "Thank you again," she tells Long-Shadow, "You are a gentleman." She holds the cup in one hand now and uses her free hand to offer another morsel of the meat to the Savanite. She can't help but glance towards Lilac as she tries to explain her situation.

The shaman seems to consider this, touching his fingertips together thoughtfully. "And what drove you to bind yourself into this promise, little one?" spells Glowing Coal.

"Because … " Lilac swallows, finding the matter harder to say when surrounded by so many people listening, " … Kinny was the only one, who seemed to care? Kinny needs me, she … " Lilac looks down, shrugging a little, and laying her ears back. "She needs someone to watch out for her, and … I don't know. When I follow her, it feels like … I have a purpose. No, it's like I stop … dreaming. It's hard to explain, I don't know if I can."

Somewhere on the edge of the circle of light, the fire's glow makes an orangy Kiriga even more orange. He squints around, and sniffs, his white whiskers lifting as he zeros in on Kin's meal and begins shuffling over.

"I protected her when she found herself stranded on my island home," Kin adds to Lilac's story. "And I think she wishes to protect me in kind from the evil that hunts for me. I have asked her to not endanger herself because of me … but she is very stubborn."

"Protecting someone means protecting them when they day they don't need it," Lilac murmurs.

Xander pauses in his chanting to comment, "Kin inspires others to follow her, just as I imagine Long-Shadow does."

Glowing Coal nods. The letters flicker into being again. "The collar and the shackle are symbols of our old life in bonds. Still, a fire that is absolutely free either rages out of control or finds itself away from everything that would feed it. We choose where we burn… and for whom. Wear your collar if you must, we will take no offense to it."

"Thank you," Lilac breathes, bowing her head to the Savanite. "Sometimes, it's all I have in the dark." She looks, up, ears going askew, "and my fire … it sometimes likes to go its own way."

As Lilac's 'story' starts getting a bit more personal, Xander points upwards and launches his first firework. It's a simple burst of color and noise, but hopefully it will be enough to distract the bulk of the tribe from scrutinizing Lilac.

"I spoke to you earlier about the beast lands and those who seek to recover something from it. The curse that rests upon my friend Lilac is similar to what may be in the beast lands here. Not only do we wish to stop those who would use its power for evil, we are hoping to find an answer for Lilac and free her from the dark that is trying to consume her," Kin explains a bit further before returning her attention to Long-Shadow. It's also about then she sees Master Longtooth shuffling towards her. "And honored Glowing Coal, here is my mentor in the ancient arts of defense, Master Longtooth. He is eccentric, but a legendary warrior."

Lilac takes a deep breath, then nods. "That's it, I'm cursed. Following Kinny is like following a lantern in the dark; I think I need to follow something, or I get lost … and wander." Licking her lips, Lilac adds, "I wandered for a long time, it feels like."

The firework wiggles up into the sky with a whistle and a pop, colored sparks spreading away from the air burst and fading. Ears go up around the camp, but nobody seems especially startled… perhaps they're used to a certain amount of pyrotechnics. Some point at the sky, ears wiggling, and Glowing Coal smiles knowingly at Xander, nodding appreciatively at the show of skill. He regards Kin and Lilac again thoughtfully, and the embers flare to life again. "I see. You had questions about the Beast Lands. Would that I could tell you more. The Burning Sands do not venture there by choice. There is foul magic there, I do not know a Savanite who can dance it away, not even the Twelve."

"But, you do watch these lands. Have others traveled there recently?" Kin asks the elder.

"The twelve? Is that a dance troupe?" Lilac inquires, ears perked.

The burning letters rearrange themselves again. "We have not followed the herds north, but we are aware of conflict to the west. The scaled people fight amongst themselves. The sky houses that fell to the southeast are not the first, and while we have seen fewer trade caravans, we have seen armed men that did not belong to your serpent king."

"The Twelve are the legendary mages of the old Priest King," Xander whispers to Lilac. "They helped rule this whole landmass, if you believe some of the stories."

Kin perks a bit at that. "You have seen other armed men? Do you know much about them or where they lair? Or were they just passing through the Savan? Do you know where they went?" the Kiriga asks as she unknowingly leans a bit against Long-Shadow.

"Wow. Old legendary mages … twelve … priest king … " Lilac jots that all down, nodding as she does. When she's done, she looks up and asks the elder, "Does the Beast Lands really have giant beasts, and men with the heads of beasts and a feral glint in their eye? I heard the whole region is cursed."

The Lapi sends up another firework, this one meant to look like a Creen wiggling into the sky. He isn't sure how many of the tribe are following the conversation, but at least there's no reason for cubs to have to listen (and read) about such things.

The tall cheetah easily props Kin up, his sinewy frame softened a bit by his spotted coat. If he can read the letters, he makes no indication, and happily sits where he is. Long Tooth grunts, rather mistimed after his introduction, but he seems much too interested in Xander's dinner, putting a bony hand in the bowl.

Kin takes another sip from the cup she's holding and offers it back to Long-Shadow. Or rather, she actually holds it up for him to sip from.

"The Beast Lands are well named," read Glowing Coal's fiery words. "Beasts do indeed prowl there, misshapen things. But also men with the minds of beasts, and savage ones at that. There are people, foolish, crazed, or both, that lair there to stay beyond the reach of their foes. This has long been the case, sometimes even the slavers that preyed on my people. Those venturing into the conflict to the west may be going there, but I cannot say for certain. It is a twisted and foul place with nothing good in it. I urge you to stay away."

"We have to go; at least, one of us does. There's something more important at stake than any of us, and we mean to do what we can," insists Lilac. "And, if it's so bad, then it'll be bad for them, too!"

The tall cheetah at Kin's side dips his head down, smiling. His tongue darts out to lap at the sweet drink.

Kin smiles to Long-Shadow, then looks over her shoulder. "We do not want to go, but we must. Much is at stake. A man known as Vandringar seeks something in the Beast Lands. He sought something before in a similar place called the Pearl. Have you ever heard of the Pearl?" she asks the elder.

The elder Savanite shakes his head.

Kin nods at that. "It is another cursed and warped land. If Vandringar succeeds, then the warp that is the Beast Lands will spread. That is something we are trying to prevent," the Kiriga explains. And thinking of something, she asks, "And are you certain that Long-Shadow can be spared to escort us to the downed ships? We greatly appreciate the honor of having him show us the way and gladly accept him, but what of his duties to the tribe and his family? I do not wish us to have a negative effect on your people."

"He's coming with u- … " Lilac's words fall off as she notices Kin leaning against the Savanite, and her ears suddenly shoot up. "Ohhhhh. I see. Don't mind me, Kinny, I just follow along!" She looks off, covering her mouth – as she suddenly giggles.

The burning letters flare up again, even while Long-Shadow's fingers rapidly flick and crook in sign. Glowing Coal's message reads, "We are all family, we are one tribe. All of us are cherished by all of us, and yet all of us recognize that the Savan will claim us one day. We will not go near the serpent king's machinations, but Long-Shadow's flame is his own to carry. He may do as he wishes, but he does so with our blessing. He is a capable hunter."

Xander elbows Lilac lightly. "His wife could be watching you know," he whispers.

"I'm not the one leaning on him," Lilac whispers back. "I think Kin has discovered boys," she adds in a conspiratorial whisper.

Kin bows her head. "I wanted to be certain. I am honored he wishes to help us," she says politely, then casts Lilac a strange look for the giggle. "Have I done something funny or wrong?" she ends up asking.

The Lapi sends up another firework, trying for a rain of flowers this time – one he's practiced often.

The flashes light up faces gathered around the camp, and ears wiggle again. Several of the cubs running about toss their burning sticks into the night sky, and catch them again expertly.

Xander rubs at his throat a bit after the last burst, realizing that in all of the excitement he's forgotten to eat or drink anything. He casts his gaze about for that bowl with the veggies in it.

"Nope!" Lilac wags her tail, then stands up and stretches.

"Okay," Kin says as she watches Lilac, not entirely believing her. Looking back to Long-Shadow, she asks, "Have I done something funny or wrong?" Apparently, this is really bothering the Kiriga.

The bowl isn't far behind Xander. It sits empty. Long Tooth is midway through emptying Kin's.

Long ears droop at the sight of the greedy orange lizard and the empty bowl. Xander turns to Kin, and asks, "Do we want to set up our tents or sleep in with the tribe?"

The younger cheetah shrugs, not seeming to think so. Glowing Coal stands, and dusts some still-glowing embers off his knees. "If you intend to continue your travel to the sky houses in the morning, you should rest. We hope you will be comfortable among us. In the morning, we will fill your water skins."

"I am fine with either, Mage Xander," Kin tells the Lapi. To Glowing Coal, she asks, "Do you have place you wish us to sleep, or is it all right if we set up tents on the outskirts of your village?"

"Well, in that case," Xander says, and stands up. He stretches out his legs and shakes his feet, grinning. "I suppose I'll bed down with whoever is able to catch me!" And with that, he's dashing off and running in a circle around the settlement.

"Xander is such a Lapi guy, Lilac sighs aloud, shaking her head. She stretches her wings towards the sky, extending her arms and arching her back. "Well, I'm not tired, so I think I'll wander around a while. The Savan really is comfortable, isn't it, Kinny? Warm air and warm soil; it's not damp like Sylvania."

The shaman's ears wiggle, and he signs something, the fiery hands appearing once more above him. At this, many more black ears flutter amusedly, and a few long-legged cheetahs take up the challenge. Savanite women bound easily along after Xander, gesturing at each other and playfully shoving one another. Some of the men get to their feet too, though they seem to simply enjoy the thrill of running, and run they can. Long-Shadow reaches out to squeeze Kin's hand, then puts his together and rests his head on them, smiling. Glowing Coal doesn't seem to feel the need to translate, stepping out of the fire and leaving smoking paw prints.

"Yes, it is. I will finish my meal with Long-Shadow, then, Lilac. But do not let your guard down, we do not know what hunts at night." Kin tells the human. She turns to Long-Shadow when he squeezes her hand and starts to say something … then stops at his offer. She looks quite suddenly at a loss for words and ends up playing with the cup in her hands as she stares down into the remains of the liquid in it. But finally, she looks up to the tall and lanky cheetah, giving him her answer. The cup is set aside and she reaches up to gently brush a fingertip along his jaw, saying with an uncharacteristic smile, "I would be honored."