Olivia's room
Inside this room are several pieces of well-worn furniture, inherited from past occupants: a bed, a long, squat dresser with a slice of mirror hung above it, and a small desk and chair. The rest of the room is decorated in what can best be described as "controlled chaos." Canvases cover most of the wall space, on which have been glued odd assortments of buttons, twine, bits of colored cloth, autumn leaves, pebbles of varying sizes, etc. Some of this "art" represents recognizable figures but most are unlike anything ever seen before. Overflowing bags stuffed with cloth scraps sit near the doorway, while more cloth, bobbins of thread, yarn, and ribbons cover the surface of the desk. Located next the bed is something that might be a nightstand (judging from the trinkets resting on it), but it too is built from a mishmash of smaller elements, twisting around and around like a corkscrew and then widening and flattening at the top.

It's a good thing Olivia has been set with a task or she might be worried about what Inaya and Natasha are discussing behind closed doors. Soon after leaving, she and Bravil parted ways. She headed back towards her cabin and the large Jupani headed towards his home in the gypsy camp. At least along the way home no doom tracked her down … no kissy Eee's and no crazy squirrels jumping out and scaring the crud out of her. So here she is, back home. She has to plan a party, you see … and what better way to start than to go through decorations!

As soon as Olivia arrives, she immediately starts digging through various bags and dresser drawers, trying to find what would make the best party decorations. After fifteen minutes or so, there is a growing pile beside the door of large remnants of cloth, strings of colored ribbons and lace, and other shiny baubles that seem to fit what she has in mind. Still, she digs around a while longer, now searching under her bed and desk, making sure that she hasn't missed anything she could possibly use.

As Olivia digs around, it occurs to her that Natasha didn't give her much in the way of guidelines for the party … such as who should know and who to invite. So, it must be completely up to the Skeek to decide that. Hopefully that doesn't make the Skeek feel any pressure. And also while she digs, something feels amiss. This is usually the time Olivia gets jumped by Gunther in some manner, be it from inside a crate, barrel, bush, or even a muck pile. But maybe things have turned around: no Gunther in sight!

Finally, Olivia packs up all the trinkets into two overstuffed bags and draws their strings closed. It looks to be an interesting walk all the way over to the gypsy camp, lugging her gear, but she sighs resignedly and throws the two bags over her shoulders and heads out.

The trek through town is not as peaceful as the one she had going back to her cabin. A small Skeek carrying two large bags tends to draw a lot of attention from those milling about. More than once is Olivia stopped and asked if she's leaving town, moving in with Djivan, or just really likes to carry around heavy things. And yet once again, Olivia gets stopped, and this time it's by Curiel, Aiken's wife. From the basket she's carrying under her arm, she must be out shopping today. "Heavens, Olivia," the Kadie says as she watches her waddle down the street, "You're going to throw your back out carrying all that. Is that all your flowers? Why, I didn't know they had become so popular!"

Behind Olivia, a certain Akwavi exits the bakery with a 'free' cookie (because it fell on the floor) and does a double-take at the sight of the two heavy bags. Emmett scarfs down the rest of his cookie first though, before sidling over for a closer look.

Olivia puts down her burdens for a minute and catches her breath. "Oh no, these aren't flowers – these are decorations for a party! Well, things to make into decorations, anyway. Madame Natasha asked me to organize one in the gypsy camp for Lady Inaya, who will come there to visit her soon. So that's where I'm off to!"

"Need some help carryin' that stuff, Lovely 'Livia?" Emmett says from behind the Skeek. "Artists shouldn't be luggin' loads, you know. Bad for the muse, or sumtin'"

"Oh, a party? Why, I hadn't heard. Lady Inaya certainly gets invited to a lot of places. Even Erik threw her a party not so long ago," Curiel says. The Kadie's tail flicks, then she looks to the Oggton, then adds, "But Artists are wise to know that an Oggton offering help is an Oggton that wants something. I've been friends with Silas long enough to know all about you Emmett."

Olivia quickly turns around at the sound of Emmett's voice and eyes the otter. "Yeah, I agree with Curiel – the only reason you offer to do any work is because you want something out of it. So, what's on your mind? Might as well come out with it now!"

"You 'urt me with them arrows of allusion, Mrs. Briar," Emmett says, clutching at his chest. "I'm just tryin' to be helpful, and bring my immensitude of partyin' experience to Olivia here, on account of her not gettin' invited to parties very often and all. It's community outreach, it is!"

"And hoping you will be invited, I imagine," Curiel counters with a small grin. "Where there's a party, otters are sure to appear. That's a certified law of nature."

Olivia thinks about whether to be outraged or not by the otter's comment about not getting invited to many parties, but soon decides it wouldn't be worth it. "What kind of 'help' are you planning on giving me, then? I'd like to know what I'm getting into before I even consider saying 'yes' to it."

"I'll carry yer swag where'ver you're lugging it to," Emmett offers, "in exchange for all the details of the when and where and what sort o' snacks t' bring."

"Fear the otter offering snacks. Last time Silas offered to bring snacks to our place, he brought fish. Aiken and Silas may be the best of friends … but he never has developed a taste for fish," Curiel warns Olivia. "Well, I'd best get back to shopping. Be careful, Olivia! Remember, you're supposed to babysit for Kiona sometime; can't have you kidnapped by an otter."

Olivia looks at Emmett in horror at his last words. "You… cook?! Errr – I mean, no, thank you! How about you just carry one of my bags for me and possibly help plan some of the entertainments or something like that? I may just want the other gypsies to handle the making of the food."

Olivia then smiles at Curiel and answers, "I'll do my best not to be otter-napped! And I would still love to look after Kiona sometime. Just let me know!"

"So, the party is for the gypsies then?" Emmett asks after swinging one of the sacks over his shoulder. "Djivan propose then? I always knew you had a thing for the bad boys, Liv. Bet you even peeked in on me now and then, aye?" He winks and twitches his whiskers at the Skeek, but at least refrains from elbowing her.

Curiel shakes her head and heads back into the marketplace. "That does remind me, we should invite Silas over again soon," she says to herself as she goes.

Olivia sighs loud and long and swings the second bag back over her shoulder. "No, Djivan did not propose. No, I have not looked in on you at any time. Besides, you have enough girlfriends without me hanging around, anyway!" Then, in a much lower voice, she adds, "Not that I would want to… "

"Awww, you're trying to make me play 'ard to get, issatit?" the otter asks, leaning over to wuffle into one of Olivia's ears. "What's the occasion of the celebratin' then?"

Olivia acks and rubs at her ear before walking a few good paces to one side of the otter. "Madame Natasha wanted to throw a little party in the gypsy camp for Lady Inaya and her daughter… and I suppose if you get yourself invited as Curiel suspected you wanted, then you just might find out why!" She twitches her whiskers mysteriously at Emmett, wanting to tease him a little in turn for flirting with her.

"Oooo, the fine lady-cat, Natasha?" Emmett says, rubbing his chin with his free hand. "I hear the feline sorts have bristles on their tongues. What a snogging that would be. I think I shall have her invite me! I can bring the band… "

Olivia snorts as she leads the way out of town and towards the camp. "The day Natasha kisses you is same day that you'll probably get all your fur singed off by one of her spells." Then she muses over Emmett's other more plausible suggestion. "Weeeellll… bringing the band might work out. Do you actually know any songs that would be fit for someone like Lady Inaya, though?"

"Errr, hurrr," Emmett says, thinking hard. "Don't know her very well. Them bodyguards make it hard to do a proper peeping. Does she like mud? Or fish? How about mudfish?"

Grinning hugely now, Olivia says, "If you want to keep all your body parts in their correct places, I wouldn't go nosing about trying to catch Lady Inaya in her underclothes. Those tiger guards she has are much, much bigger than you… plus, they have too many sharp, pointy things at their disposal. But what I mean about the songs is, does your band know any that wouldn't offend a titled lady like her? You know, something a little more genteel?"

"Errr, like a lulalalaby?" Emmett asks. "Or that chamber pot music stuff? We ain't got any to make instruments out of any more, on account that time Atricia followed that dare… "

Olivia shudders and says, aghast, "Chamber… pot music?! Ewww, that's awful, Emmett – even by your standards! Well then, how about this – just play songs that won't offend her too much. Like nice love songs that don't end with fourteen choruses of how the lovely couple spent the next two weeks in bed together. I think she'd be used to music that's a little more tame, anyway."

"Gah, might as well do that intra-mental music then," Emmett says. "The type with the squiggles on paper. You trying to make this party dull on purpose?"

Olivia takes her virtue in her hands and steps close to the otter again so she can pat him on the back – quickly. "C'mon, Emmett – you know if all these high-born people weren't involved we could make this party like all the others we have here. We just have to make some concessions for this one, that's all. So cheer up – it might not turn out to be so bad, once you get into it."

"Well, alright," the otter grouses. "It's just not so much fun dancing in me cummerbund. Chafes after a bit."

"Then you can get one of your girlfriends to put some ointment on you once the party is over," Olivia teases, then thinks for a second and quickly adds, "… and don't even think of asking me to do that, because the answer is no!"

"You've got those naked fingers though," Emmett notes. "No fur to get squidgy from the grease!"

Olivia shakes her head and gives Emmett a little push on the shoulder. "Get along with you – you've gotta save all that energy for getting the party together!"

Emmett barks in laughter. "Oi, oi, I got's plenty to go around, you just wait and see!" he promises.

The remaining walk to the camp involves several more sharp comments from both the Skeek and otter. They almost act like a married couple … almost. But in short order the two are walking into camp. As with most days the camp has some mild activity during the day. On one side of the camp, it looks like some of Liliana's dance troupe is practicing; a Rath'ani and two does. On the other sits Liliana's wagon from which the muffled sounds of music can be heard. Straight ahead is Djivan's wagon. No sooner tdo they set foot in  the camp than they can hear him exclaim from within his wagon, "Oh, bloody Dagh, dat is de stink!" A moment later his arm juts through a window and several pairs of green(?) socks dangle from his hand. And sure enough when the wind changes direction, it does stink. It's like someone left out the cheese … in a Rughrat dropping … on a hot day … with fish entrails.

"Oi, 'ow's your fella do that, when I ain't ever seen him even wear no socks?" Emmett asks. Then he whispers, "I could use those socks. Make good bait for stink-eye gopher-trout, they would."

"Welcome to the Loony Bin," Olivia mutters to herself, watching her boyfriend streak by with those awful-smelling socks in his hand. Then she waves over to Emmett and says, "Let's go see Lili and her dance troupe first. They'll be able to provide some of the entertainment, too."

The otter seems torn between following Olivia to the wagon, and going over to chat up the dancers. Eventually he gives in and follows the mouse, figuring the chances of Liliana being more entertaining are rather good.

As the two get closer to the wagon, they can make out the sounds of a violin. Odd, Liliana has never shown any aptitude with musical instruments. The curtains are drawn and the door closed, so whatever is going on inside can't be seen.

Olivia exchanges a quizzical look with Emmett, then hurries up and knocks on the door of Liliana's wagon. "Hello Lili, it's Olivia! May I come in? I even brought a guest with me."

The music stops. Liliana can then be heard to call out, "Do I gets t' snog vou?" She never really changes, does she?

Emmett takes the opportunity to spit into his paw and slick back his headfur.

Olivia grins as Emmett primps for his big entrance. "Noooo, but if you're very, very good, I might let you snog my guest… " she replies, winking at the otter.

"Had t'ask," Liliana calls back and the door opens. Inside sits Miranda, violin resting lightly in her lap. "C'mon in an close de door behind ya. She don' like too many peoples watchin'," the Eee explains.

Liliana's Wagon
Colorful, lacy, and feminine would be the best way to describe Liliana's wagon. Swathes of multicolored translucent fabric hang from the ceiling. At the far end is both a ceiling perch as well as a pile of pillows for lounging. Along the walls are a few shallow cabinets that probably contain her various bits of jewelry and trinkets she's collected. A trunk on one side contains her clothing - what little she has, anyway.

"Ooo, I likes to watch!" Emmett says eagerly, only to be disappointed by what he sees.

Olivia rolls her eyes heavenward and mutters, "Why does that not surprise me!" before shoving the otter into the wagon ahead of her and closing the door.

Miranda gives Olivia a smile and a small wave as the door opens, but the expression shifts slightly as she blinks at Emmett, ears twitching, part of herself seems to withdraw slightly.

Liliana saunters over and settles herself down by Miranda and drapes an arm over the Lapi's shoulder. "Me girl's just been helping write some new music fer the dance shows," Liliana explains to the new guests. She leans over and noses Miranda's cheek lightly, adding, "Been very helpful, she has! So, what brings ya here an with all de bags? Movin' in?"

The otter sets down his sack and bows deeply to Miranda and Lili.

Olivia gratefully puts down the bag she was carrying as well, then turns to the other two girls. "Well, I have some good news first. Natasha's meeting with Lady Inaya went very well – so well, in fact, that she invited Inaya and her daughter to the camp for a party! And I'm supposed to organize it, but I could use some help. D'you think you and your troupe could perform for them?"

The gray Lapi blushes slightly at her ears at the nosing from Liliana, but seems much more comfortable in the Eee's presence, relaxing a bit as she fiddles with her violins bow. She even smiles a little at the otter, eventually.

"Weeeell, I coul' be talked into it. I though dat Lady Inaya was too high brow t' be interested in anyt'ing ve might do, though," Liliana says with a small shrug. She also can't help but peer a bit at Emmett.

At this, Olivia merely smiles mysteriously and says, "It seems Natasha was able to talk her into giving us 'lowbrows' a chance to show her how we enjoy ourselves. Oh, and this is Emmett Oggton, if you haven't met before. He also has a band in town that he plays with, and has graciously offered to help with the entertainments!"

"Y'all will need to wear petticoats," Emmett explains. "Iff'n you don't have any, I can git you some slightly used ones for a bargain!"

"I t'ink ve have met briefly at some swamp barn t'ing," Liliana notes and makes a 'come here' gesture with a claw towards the otter. "An dere be no vay I be wearin' a long dress. Never, no, no happenin'. I be allergic to lots of fabric," the Eee claims.

Olivia laughs a little as she says, "Well, you might have to cover up a bit more than you're used to, since we are entertaining some genteel folks. But I won't ask you to wear a long dress, anyway!"

"Aha! Vou came here t'day t' torture me, then!" Liliana says and makes a face at Olivia. "Bleah!"

"Oi, that's a fine allergy to have," Emmett says as he scoots over to the bat. "Is it contagious?"

At the mention of the Eee possibly wearing anything with as much cloth to it as a petticoat, Miranda cant help but snicker slightly herself. The picture that comes to mind is just unstoppably amusing. "Don't look at me either, I'm perfectly happy in my regular clotheth… "

Liliana cups a hand under Emmett's chin and peers at him curiously, tilting his head this way and that. "Only iffin I bite," she assures the otter. "Miranda here won let me bite her, either. Piffle."

Olivia goes and sits down across from the Eee, swatting her playfully on the arm. "C'mon, Lili, enough with the drama already! I could really use your help here! And besides, as I just finished explaining to Emmett, you'll only have to do it for this one party. Please? It's for Natasha, you know!"

"Okay, okay," Liliana relents, "So vhat vou haf in mind for dis party, anyway? I guess dat be vhy vou brought de sacks? Plannin' a sack race?"

Olivia smiles again and says, "Not unless you think people would enjoy that. Actually, I've got lots of cloth remnants and ribbons and lace and things in there to make up some decorations to hang around the camp."

"Snogging for apples!" Emmett suggests. "Everyone likes that game! And spin the fish!"

Miranda looks down at her violin and mumbles something almost unintelligible about not wanting earrings right now at Lili's mention of biting while blushing yet again. Looking up at Olivia, she asks, "Ith there a particular reathon Natatha wantth to throw a party? Do you need help with moothhic?"

"How do vou snog for an apple?" Liliana has to ask as she continues to examine the otter. "An vhat is spin de fish?"

"You never snogged for apples?" Emmett asks, looking shocked. "It's great! You get an apple, see, and a Skeek or a Kadie girl stuffs it into one of their cheeks like, and then the bloke what can fish it out while kissing wins!"

"And spin the fish is a classic!" the otter enthuses. "See, you get everyone in a circle, like, and then one person spins the fish, and the person it's tail points to jumps on it, and the person what gets splattered with goo from the mouth has to take their clothes off. I mean, they wouldn't want to wear them after that anyway… "

Olivia looks to Miranda now as she replies, "There is a reason, but I think Natasha ought to be the one to tell you what it is, if she chooses to. I hope she might make an announcement at the party. Anyway, d'you think you might like to play your violin as part of the entertainment, too? From what I heard outside, you sound pretty good!"

"No, can' say dat I have. Sounds kinna fun, must admit," Liliana says with a grin. "So, vhat are vou gonna vear to dis party, Mr. Otter?" At the comment of fish goo, though, she says, "Now, de fish game just sounds gross. Geh. Vhat a vaste of blood an stuff. It be just easier t' ask someone t' take off dere clothes."

Ears going cock-eyed at Emmett's explanation of the particular… games, the Lapi just shakes her head and decides to turn her attention more fully on the Skeek, scratching one of her ears and looking a bit shy at the question. "Well… I geuthh I could Olivia, I been practithing alot with Lili, thinthe I wath going to help write thome muthhic for her new danthe."

"Yup! Ve be practicin' a lot, an some of it has even been music!" Liliana declares and playfully nudges the Lapi.

"Well, only if you feel comfortable doing that, of course," Olivia says kindly to Miranda. "Maybe just one or two songs, if you feel nervous about it?"

"Oh, I heard you do like body art stuff," Emmett comments to Liliana. "Can you make me look more catty?"

That particular question causes Liliana to blink a few times. "Vell, maybe. I haf t' see ya vithout clothin' an do an inspection of vour fur and such," Liliana notes as she switches into an oddly more businesslike demeanor (must be the question about art). "But on a guess from lookin' at vour head, I kin probably do some shadevork an get a feline effect on vour face. It voul require us t' spend time t'gether an work on it. Vhy do vou vant to look more feline?"

Miranda looks between Liliana and Olivia while scratching at the back of one of her ears… "Well, I'd definitely be nervous but… I think… " She looks over at the Eee again and abruptly kisses her on the cheek, totally forgetting the otter's presence for a minute. "I think it would be a good idea if I tried at leatht," she finishes with a bit more confidence.
Lili grins when Miranda kisses her cheek. "Good for vou," she says, "It'll help vour confidence. I keep tellin' vou dat vou are great; just let others see it."

"All right, sounds good to me!" Olivia agrees cheerfully. "Just let me know when exactly in the festivities you'd like to perform. If it would help you to be less nervous by arranging a time you like better, we can do that."

"To better woo the lanky feline spinsters, Natasha and Inaya," Emmett says proudly. "And find out if they've got barbs on their tongues or not. It's research!"

"Vou like t' play dangerously, vou do," Lili warns the otter, then grins. "'Course, I like dat. Y' better just save a dance fer me, though, as payment. Or, vou coul' allow me t' bite yas for m' dinner some night." With that grin, she might be kidding, she might not.

Olivia leans over and whispers to Liliana, "I keep telling him that Natasha would sooner whack him than kiss him, but he doesn't seem to believe me… "

Miranda looks at Emmett, tilting her head this way, and then the other at his suggestion… and then abruptly bursts into a fit of laughter, hiding the giggles behind one hand.

The otter is already trying to get his pants off. "'Ere now, no giggling until afters I've dropped me drawers! Don't you know proper etti-croquet?"

"If vou two vant t' go talk about vhat songs t' perform, I kin look over de otter here," Liliana suggests. She then leans over and whispers to Olivia, adding, "And keepin' 'im out of vour hair so y' kin properly plan. Go see me girls an tell em I told you dat dey are supposed to listen to you and help decorate. Also get dat lazy boyfrien' of vours to help."

"Uh… I'll come with you thhall I Olivia?" Miranda exclaims hurriedly when the otter proceeds to drop his pants, picking up a bit of the whispers. Giving the Eee another quick kiss on the cheek, a hug, and a thank you for the practice time, the gray Lapi hurries over to the door to the wagon.

Olivia nods to the Eee and whispers back, "Thanks a bunch, Lili. I owe you one… and no, not a snog, just an innocent favor!" Then she stands up and walks with Miranda to the door, saying more loudly, "Why don't you and I go over and talk to Lili's dance troupe while Emmett gets… errr… cat-ified. Would you mind helping me carry one of these sacks over, too?"

"Jus' takin' one for de team, so t' speak," Liliana whispers with a grin, "I'll claim a favor later!" She waves her fingers to the departing two girls. "G'luck vith de planning!"

"No problem, Olivia!" Miranda exclaims, almost in relief as she hefts one of the bags the Skeek had brought with her, balancing it and her violin carefully in her hands.

"Thanks, Lili!" Olivia says again, grabbing the other bag and whisking out the door, motioning for Miranda to follow.

"Bet you never seen anythin' so long and thick, eh?" Emmett says from within the wagon (showing off his tail to Lili).

"No, a dat be part' o de problem wit making vou more catlike. Dey don' have dat sorta thickness dere. So, we gots to deemphasize dat," comes the reply from Liliana (as she inspects the tail). "I t'ink ve kin manage dat by darkenin' de fur at de base some. An … vou do know de dyework is generally permanent, ves? It has t' grow out, doesn't vash."

"Eh, otters don't wash, luv," Emmett explains. "We just skinny-dip… "