The morning. Early morning. Too early for most Khattas. Especially this one, but nevertheless, Feli is out and about, searching ship to ship for the claw-bird vessel the crazy old Kiriga spoke of. A tired calico face yawns, courtesy of Jynx's new disguise – which also includes a bright white shirt, brown trousers, and simple cap.

"All morning and nothing," mutters the Khatta to himself.

Indeed, this must be the last port. All these ships, and not a single one with an emblem that resembles a 'clawbird'.

Jynx makes his way onto this final port, hoping against everything that this morning isn't wasted. Tiredly, he looks up at the docked ship, not expecting to yield results.

A big shaggy Titanian – a lupine with a towering, blue-dyed mohawk-mane that runs down his back – looks up at the feline. He appears to be working on the ship, hammering something in place. The ship looks like a fairly standard – but rickety – airship, with lots of tubes of chitin (and some metal) running about its form. The Titanian must be needed to discourage would-be thieves … but removing bits of the metal would be some task regardless.

Oh great, one of these guys. Sighing, the cat makes his way reluctantly to the shaggy lupine. "Um, excuse me sir, but your ship isn't called a 'claw-bird' or anything like that, is it?"

The lupine shakes his head. "Nuh. It be WIND-SMASHER!" He grins proudly, thrashing at empty air with his hammer as he declares the ship's name. "Very fast!" he adds. "You want ride?"

The next ship over is pretty exotic as well: It appears that the undercarriage has been fashioned from the carapace of a giant beetle, with supports fashioned of chitin and wood – shaped to look as if natural extensions of the insectoid frame. The envelope that supports the ship looks as common as any other airship, though, and its heraldry indicates that it is a vessel from Saskanar – part of the Ashdod Territories.

Jynx urks! "Uh… uh… n-no thanks! I'm short on time as it is, but, uh, thanks for the offer." The calico cat spins on his heel – definitely not the right ship. This next ship, on the other paw, looks like it may have some promise. Putting some distance between himself and the Titanian, Jynx heads towards the carapaced ship.

Another ship is much smaller – A quad-hot-air-balloon (currently deflated) with the carriage resting upon a solid platform. Its markings identify it as being from the faraway land of Aelfhem. (Jynx can tell because he has been on the ship in question before, a long time ago.)

Several bats look up at Jynx's approach. The Savanites on board the ship take longer to notice the feline. A high-pitched voice calls out, "Hoy there, Patches! Pleasant day, eh?"

The patchwork cat takes a long look at the familar Aelfin ship, remembering it just in case he needs information. Startledly, Jynx looks up at the Eeee sailors. "Hoy back at you! Say there, could you mates help a cat out?"

A bat with gunmetal-grey fur and hair of moonstone white tied back in a ponytail nods to the Khatta. "Sure, Patches! What kind of help need you?"

Patches… yeesh, glad this is just a disguise, now Jynx knows why calicos always have that stigma. "Have you heard of a ship called the 'claw-bird', or a ship that looks like one or such? I'm searching for someone."

The Eeee rubs his chin, then turns to some of his fellows, exchanging some high-pitched screeches. Then, he looks back to Jynx, shaking his head. "I know no 'Claw-Bird' by name, but many ships rest here. Mayhaps you mean a ship flying a claw-bird flag? If so, one left the other day."

Jynx's heart stops, left the other day? Sighing he nods, ears drooping. "Oh. Well, thank you, thanks alot. Sorry to bother you mates." The cat slowly walks away from the Eeee ship, then remembers something: The Aelfin ship!

A short fellow with four doe-like ears, and wearing an overdecorated uniform, walks up to the gondola of the hot-air-balloon craft. A similarly short lady comes out of the craft, and starts chattering with him, looking over the groceries he has procured – no doubt from the Bazaar, given the variety.

The bats wave at the departing Khatta. "Fair travels, Patches!"

With a final wave to the Eeee crew, the calico cat dashes down the dock to the small ship. Now what was the captain's name? Gardenspade? Marmolade? Oh yeah, Mountainglade! "Ahoy, Aelfin ship!" calls out Feli, "hold up!"

The Aelfin captain looks up, smiles and waves … then looks a bit surprised as he sees the calico approach. "Ah … Hello there! Captain Mountainglade, at your service."

The lady Aelfin curtseys, as the captain adds, "And my wife, Springwillow. How may we help you, sir?"

Jynx runs to the side of the ship, doubling over and panting from his sudden sprint. "Its… good… *pant*… to see you… *wheeze*… again… " Clearly, the cat could do good to work out more.

"My apologies," Mountainglade says, his ears blushing just the slightest bit, "but I seem to have missed your name? I'm terribly sorry."

Catching his breath, the feline replies, "Its me! Feli Kurai! Don't you remem- oh yeah, the disguise." The cat looks about to wipe off the makeup, but then thinks the better of it. "Sorry, forgot what I looked like. Anyways, I'm Feli Kurai! Remember, you took me to Titania?"

"Oh!" exclaims the captain – and his wife gives a nervous chitter. "I'm terribly sorry. I thought your voice sounded familiar. Yes … yes, I'll never forget our little … adventure." He manages a smile. "So, good to see you are back safely in Rephidim again!"

Jynx nods, smiling like a kitten, "It good to see you too!" He tries to be discreet, not wanting to be asking too much. "Um, I don't suppose you still do travelling work, do you?"

"Yes, we most certainly do," the captain nods, "though business is a little slow right now."

"Well, did you see a ship flying the flag of the 'claw-bird' the other day, and where it was going?" Asks the cat hopefully, crossing his fingers and twitching his tail wildly.

The Aelfin nods, rubbing his chin in much the same way the Eeee did. "Claw-bird … claw-bird … ah … let's see … That's from a country south of Nordika … ah … near Half-Valley, I think? Hmm."

Jynx's heart starts to beat wildly, and if possible, his tail speeds up. "Half-Valley? H-how much would you charge to go there?"

Springwillow chimes in, "Oh! It was such a beautiful ship! I saw a couple of priests from the Temple who were admiring it. Historians, I think. They were chatting about how well preserved it was, and some saint of a lady who funded its restoration … Most of it flew right over my head. Which isn't saying much!" She giggles. "Oh! Charge?" She nudges her husband.

The captain oofs, then says, "Well, we're actually headed that direction soon anyway. I could always step up my schedule for … hmmm… " He looks to be deep in thought, wets a finger, and holds it up to the wind as if that is an essential part of his calculations.

"Lady?!" The cat looks like he might go in to cardiac arrest, "Did they mention her name? Oh yes, and the cost!"

Springwillow shakes her head. "No, sorry, dear. Or perhaps they did, but they were throwing names and terms back and forth, and I haven't that good of a memory. All I know is that the country that ship was from doesn't exist anymore. Or something to that effect. I'm not into politics."

The captain ventures, "I estimate it will be about a week's journey, maybe a little less, if we set aloft this day… "

"B-but was the ship theaded that way? I need to find it!" the excited feline jitters.

Mountainglade says, "For one copper, I would take a passenger as far as Half-Valley. That includes a guarantee of a full belly for the entire trip – and that's even taking into account that your belly would require more than the average Aelfin. You'll have to make your own arrangements for a return trip."

Jynx nods wildly to the Aelfin, "Yes! Yes, I can manage that!" The calico furred cat seems as though he is about to jump for joy, but he refrains. "Can you wait here for a bit? I just need to go get some provisions."

The captain smiles. "Certainly. Just hurry back before I get too many more passengers and get filled to capacity!"

Jynx nods again, tail looking as though it were having a seizure. Without a word, he turns and sprints off back towards the bazzar and home.

Feli, still in calico disguise, dashes through the front doors of the shop, past the (thankfully) caged fuff'nars, and around a counter to the entrance to the Kurai household, making a bee-line for his room.

Eve lets out an 'eep' as Jynx heads past. "Jynxie!" She dashes after him. "No running in the house!"

Jynx says, "Not now, Eve! I'm in a hurry!" He runs up the stairs, patchwork tail flicking, straight for his personal domicile. "I'm gonna be gone for a while and I need to get some things."

Eve shadows Jynx as he gathers his belongings, ignoring the "No kittens allowed in Jynx's room" rule. "Where you going?"

"To look for Grandma," replies the disguised feline, while grabbing various clothes and feline grooming tools and throwing them into his travel bag.

Eve raises a kittenish eyebrow in an expression that looks more appropriate on her father. "Should I tell Mama you're dead again?"

Jynx rolls his eyes, "Of course not! Out of the way!" The Khatta pushes his little sister sideways as he raids his closet for any last minute items, "Just tell em I'm gone for a while."

Eve hmphs, and dashes out of the room.

The kitten gone from the room, the house is amazingly quiet.

Tossing a large fur-brush into his now bulging travel bag, the Khatta buttons it up. Hefting the weighty luggage onto his arm, Jynx lopsidedly makes his way from his room, passing Dominic's study and down the stairs.

A white kitten follows Jynx, a bulging handbag slung over one shoulder, and a ringed tail of one of her stuffed animals poking out of the back.

Jynx halts, and freezes. Did he just see what he thinks he saw? "Eve! You are not going! It's too dangerous!" He drops his bag and crosses his arms, looking down at his little sibling. "Besides, mom and dad would flip!"

Eve mews, "If I go with you, I won't be here to tell Mama and Papa that you've gone." She smiles, batting her eyelashes.

The calico Khatta gives a long suffering look, "That's not the point! I can't let you go; I mean, I barely know where I'm going!" He picks up his bag and heads for the stairs once more, "Now unpack and quit acting silly."

Eve pouts, and gives Jynx those last-resort sad kitten eyes. She mews, "But … you need my good luck! Without me, you'll NEVER find Grandmama! … And … I wanna see her TOO!"

Jynx looks unmoved, giving Eve the apathetic stare instinctive to his kind. "No."

Eve sniffles … and then the dam breaks. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

The white kitten dashes off to the kitchen, clutching her handbag to her chest. "Mamaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Jynx sighs; here we go again! Not wanting to let Lylia know, he calls out to his sister, "Wait! Eve! Okay, fine! You win!!"

In the kitchen can be heard, "Oh! Eve, what is it now?" "Oh, nothing, Mama! Just wanted to say how much I LOVE you! *smak*" "Oh, that's sweet, darling!"

And then the white kitten comes padding back, completely free of tears, grinning from ear to ear. "You're my favorite big brother, Jynxie!"

"I'm your only big brother," Jynx sighs. "Now grab your bag and keep quiet, and make sure you bring what you need." The young cat creeps into his study and scribbles down a message for his parents: Dear Dom, Me and Eve left for Half-Valley, gone for two weeks or such. See you soon, don't wait up. Love, Feli and Eve

One hundred and fifty credits lighter in the load, Jynx rides the Aelfin airship away from Rephidim, a little white kitten bouncing beside him. This time, there's no Titanian towering over him, so he's the tallest passenger on the deck by far.

Jynx looks down at his hyper sister, ears back in frustration. "Eve! Quit fooling around like that, you might get thrown overboard!"

Eve mews, "But that's what YOU do, Jynxie!"

The calico Khatta swats at Eve, making sure to keep his claws in no matter how frustrated he is. He looks down at his patchwork fur, "Yeesh, I need to wash this stuff off. The lady at the costume shop said it takes a while to wear off though."

Eve giggles. "You look silly, Jynxie!"

Jynx flattens his ears, "Quiet, you. Besides, you always look silly, no matter what!" Turning from the railing, the cat goes over to Mountainglade. "Are we making good time?"

Springwillow watches Rephidim recede and disappear into a vaporous shroud, singing a lilting and barely audible melody in the exotic Aelfin tongue. Mountainglade turns from listening to his wife's singing, and smiles to Jynx. "Yes, sir. And three passengers, too! Best flight yet!"

Jynx nods, "That's good! I was hoping to be able to – Three passengers?" The cat looks puzzled, "What do you mean?"

The Aelfin nods. "A nice old man who came right after you did. Once he paid and got aboard, he fell right asleep, and I haven't heard a peep from him since."

The calico feline blinks, then shrugs, "Oh well, I guess that's a good thing then. The more the merrier!"

Eve mews, "I'm going to go take a nappypoo and feed Pooky. Have fun, Jynxie!" She skips off to one of the mini-cabins at one corner of the triangular deck.

"Okay, you do that. Anything to keep you quiet. Wait… " Jynx's fur stands on end, "Eve! You did NOT bring one of those little fuzzy horrors on board, did you?!"

Eve has already slipped off to her cabin, and doesn't return to give Jynx a reply.

Jynx shudders, and turns to Mountainglade. "I hope this thing is insured." He sighs. "Anyways, when do we meet our traveling companion? I guess I should get to know him if we're going to be spending two weeks together."

The captain, apparently missing the 'insurance' remark, says, "Well, I suppose that depends upon when he wakes up. It's been quite a while, though. Unless he's gone into hibernation, I'm sure you'll meet him soon enough. In any case, it's a week's journey. I'd suggest settling yourself in. There's one cabin left – the one over there." He points to the cylindrical "cabin" at the corner of the triangular deck just to Jynx's right.

"Yeah, I guess I should." The cat slings his bag back over his shoulder, and makes his way to the cabin. "Thanks for all your help by the way; I really appreciate it."

Just as Jynx opens the door, the captain says, "Oop! My mistake. It's the other cabin." He points at the one that is immediately opposite this leg of the deck … requiring one to pass through Eve's cabin, or this cabin, or else climb across the rope ladders to reach it.

Jynx's ears droop at the thought of climbing accross the rope ladders. "It's okay, I'll just go through my sister's room." He starts to step inside, looking for the way to his cabin.

There's a number of sharp snapping and popping noises from one of the stations, followed by a contented sigh. A wheezy voice rises from it. "Ahh… good nap always finish with good stretch. Missah Springuwillow? Jou haffa more firewood? Bones get coldah fast when jou been alife for dis long."

Springwillow breaks off from her trilling, and says, "Oh! Yes, sir! Certainly… " She scampers over to pick up some bundled sticks, and carries them over to the third passenger's stove. "Here you are… "

The calico Khatta pauses at the door… that voice… sounds familiar… He waits to see who his fellow passenger might be.

A brownish heap near the stove stretches out again – an orangy Kiriga with a shock of white hair on his head hobbling to the door. He scratches his side idly with gnarled fingers. "Ahh, thanka jou. It take-ah me a while to warm up." The reptile rubs bleary, bloodshot eyes, and squints in the light blindly.

Jynx's jaw drops… not him! Of all people to get stuck on an airship with! Quickly, the cat ducks into Eve's cabin and shuts the door, tail poofed out nervously. Last time the old Kiriga saw him, it thought he was Shikouju, and he gulps as he remembers the old lunatic's fighting force. Jynx looks down at his patchwork paw and sighs; looks like the disguise'll have to last for a while.

Eve squeals as Jynx barges in! "Eek! JYNXIE! Don't do that! You'll scare POOKY!"

There's a lump under the cabin's bedroll blanket that shakes nervously, a ringed tail poking out the opposite side.

The teenage feline freezes, forgetting Old Master Tooth for the moment, "That little terror is LOOSE?" he says in a whisper, "Put him up, Eve! We can't have it free on the ship!" Slowly, Jynx inches to his door.

Outside, Master Tooth ambles along the ropework, then slithers down the ropes to the 'bridge'. "Ahh, hello… kap-u-tin? I not ride-ah many of teez things befoh. Jou haffa nice ship. How far we go so far?"

Eve pouts. "Pooky will be good! Won't he?" She scoops up the fluffy creature – still wrapped up in the blanket – into her arms, snuggling it close. It says something in a muffled voice, at which point Eve says, "No! Not dead!" and bonks it on what might be the head.

Captain Mountainglade says, "Not far at all, truth be told. We've just set out from Rephidim … just far enough that you can't see it for the Shroud anymore." He points in the direction of what looks like – from here – to just be an especially large cloud … from which airships occasionally appear. "A week's journey, possibly less, if the winds stay favorable."

Jynx shudders, the sound of the old lizard's voice and of the thought of this furry abomination in the same room with him is almost too much. "It doesn't matter, put him up right now! You can let him loose when we get to Half-Valley." Finally reaching the other door, Jynx creaks it open, going outside towards his own cabin.

The old master nods slowly, his wispy mustache and beard fluttering in the air currents, and the long ends of his eyebrows flipping over his shoulders. "Ahh… good. Much time-ah to sleep, meditate… eat. When dinner? Jou wife, she cook good?"

Mountainglade puts out his chest with pride. "Best Aelfin cook to ever sail the skies!"

Springwillow blushes in all four ears.

Closing the door to his little sister's cabin, Jynx lets a sigh of relief. He then pads to his own cabin, and heads inside, dropping his bag, and plopping down on the bed. Its gonna be a loooong trip.

The trip, at first, goes fairly uneventfully. The hot air balloon, being a relatively short-range craft, stops here and there along the way to replenish supplies – and to give the passengers a chance to freshen up on the surface. Springwillow's cooking would be well-suited for starting up her own restaurant, though she relies upon methods of food procurement that just wouldn't work in the big city – Namely, Mountainglade shows a knack for locating the occasional sky-garden and snaring it to provide vegetables for the evening's dinner, or fruits for breakfast and snacks.

Somehow, Eve manages to keep 'Pooky' out of sight. Only the occasional whisper of 'Dead?' on the wind gives any hint to the little creature's presence, and even that can be explained away as a quirk.

About halfway into the journey, it's evening, and Springwillow makes her rounds about the triangular deck, bearing pots of steaming food, much of it procured earlier in the day on the surface in a small villa along the way. "Here's dindin!" she merrily calls out. Eve's room, as usual, gets visited first … then the eldest passenger … then Jynx. The food is still piping hot – a meat and vegetable stew, with a few spices, along with a bread roll, and a broad-based and covered mug of some sort of local tea. The mug seems specially designed to thwart most attempts to knock it over or otherwise spill its contents accidentally.

Jynx thanks the matron for the food, then nibbles half-heartedly on it. Bored bored bored, the old feline nemisis. Taking a few more bites and twitching his tail idly, the cat decides to take his food above decks. Might as well eat under the stars tonight.

Clapping noises reach Jynx's ears, in rhythm … "I have a Savanite, you have two *clap*; how many spots do I share with you? *clap*"

The Khatta's ears perk up as he reaches the deck. "What in the name of Dagh… ?" Gulping a spoonfull of the delicious stew, he looks for the source of the childish-sounding song.

Eve giggles as she sing-songs kittenishly, alternately clapping her knees, the wooden deck she sits on … and the much bigger hands of the orangy Kiriga sitting across from her.

The stew goes down slow. Great, now Eve's taking a liking to the wacko! Hoping that his calico disguise is convincing, Jynx makes his way towards the duo. "Uh, hello. Nice night for songs?"

"Wanna, *clap* two-ah, *clap* chree black spot! *clap* Wigga jou eahs an' skip-skip-rock!" The ancient Kiriga taps a smooth pebble on the deck between him and the kitten.

Tattered fins on the sides of Master Tooth's head waggle slightly, and a smile makes the creases of his face wrinkle up like a semi-scaley prune.

Eve breaks into a giggling fit, then mews, "You're pretty GOOD!" She looks at the 'calico', and mews, "Hewwo, Jynxie!"

Jynx sits a small distance away from Eve and the Kiriga, sipping his stew. What would happen if the old coot knew that was the grandaughter of his appearant nemesis? He pushes the thought out of his mind, and watches. "Hello Eve, having fun?"

"Yes!" squeaks Eve. She turns to the Kiriga. "This is my big brother, Jynxie! He has really bad luck, but he's doing really good, since he's gone this far without falling off the airship yet!"

The old master squints as he looks up at Jynx from where he sits cross-legged. "Ahh… jou say thissah wan that fall in sewer? Thissah wan Exile say she burn into red goo? Hah, hah!" Tooth utters a hoarse laugh that quickly turns into a coughing fit.

Eve mews, "He's really brave, too! He killed a giant Bugbringer with his bare HANDS!" She wiggles her fingers for effect.

Jynx shrinks down embarassedly, "Well, I've done a thing or two." He tries to change the subject, "What's your name sir? I haven't had the pleasure?"

Tooth clambers to his feet with a minimum of popping joints, and peers at the 'calico' appraisingly. "Wiffa bare hands, jou say, kitten? He a fightah, den? He lookah soft an' pulpy." The scaley old reptile stands as upright as he can, and taps his sunken chest with a boney knuckle. "I be old Mastah Long Tooth, from farthest reach of Empire."

The calico blinks at the impossibly wiry frame of the old fossil. This guy beat up those Eeee guards? "Feli, Feli Kurai of Rephidim, and I guess you already met Eve." Taking another slurp of his stew, he tries to keep the conversation going, "So… what takes you to Half-Valley? Just visiting?"

Eve smiles. "Jynxie is a HERO. He got an award from the queen of the Spotties!"

"I seekah old foe," wheezes the orangy reptile. "Years and years, he always stay ahead of Mastah Tooth… he and Compassu Rose, they wassa sneaky, nevah fightah me straight on." He gathers his baggy robes around him, a grim set to his face. "But I can tink too… andah I finally find out where one of Rose live… well, almost."

Eve says, "We're going to Half-Valley, too! We're off to see our gr – "

Quickly, Jynx cuts his little sister off, "Our grandfather Calvin!" The Khatta's heart beats wildly, "Th-they say it's where I got my fur pattern, from him… " He glares at Eve, making a mental note to scold her later. It seems this guy is after Martinette too, not a good turn of events. "Wh-who is this person? And what did they do to you?"

Eve sulks, and leans against the railing, her tail swishing back and forth over the edge.

Tooth's face creases into a wrinkly smile at Eve again. "Jou sayah so? He lucky to haffa jou share trip with. You keepah softie from get into too much trouble, ah?" His face smooths out a bit again. "Sable Palm. Silvah Knife. Dey call him all sorts things, but 'Shikouju' what heard most. He… beenah rival lonk time, but nevah settled. I know he still aroun'… and when I findah heem… it be settle once and for all! Kya!" Master Tooth makes a few quick punching motions, then smacks his fist into one palm.

Eve giggles at Tooth's flattery … then goes quiet at the talk about Shikouju.

The black Khatta gulps. Okay, so he's not after Martinette after all; he's after what he thinks is Shikouju – that is, Jynx. "W-well, I wish you luck then." He slurps down some more of the stew, finishing it, then goes quiet.

Eve looks back and forth between Jynx and Master Tooth. "Jynxie … can you tell me a good night story? I'm sleepy."

Jynx picks up Eve, and heads off for her cabin. "S-sure, I'm getting tired too. Nice to uh, meet you sir." The calico walks to Eve's cabin, tail twitching in agitation at the irony of his situation.

Minutes later, Jynx finds himself tucking in and telling a bedtime story to a sleepy white kitten, and an obnoxious little creature who sleepily asks, "Dead?" every once in a while (but doesn't, thankfully, press the issue further than that).

After tucking Eve in, and avoiding the living chainsaw, Jynx paces back to his own cabin. Once inside, he flops down on his bed, the rocking of the ship making him even more fatigued than before. He looks at his calico colored tail with a sigh, hoping the coloring lasts, even if he does look a bit like his mother. "Grandpa made a few enemies," he muses to himself, "Now I get to deal with them. How fun… " The thought trails off as the cat drifts uneasily into dreamland.