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.

Liliana has been occupying much of Morgan's time since the others ventured off to the infamous castle of Doctor Pike. It seems like Liliana tries her best to embarrass Morgan lately … which she then makes up to him in various ways. Currently, though, they're just in Liliana's wagon after a fairly long day. Liliana has been 'helping' Morgan out with his wardrobe. As in … she's fitting him into a seductive dress … just for fun.

Morgan's had 'the talk' with Liliana about this more than once. In the talk, Morgan explains that his dressing as a woman is more of a uniform than a wardrobe choice; it's part of what makes him properly a witch. Of course, Liliana never listens, and Morgan never really expects her to, anyway. It's just something he does, because he feels he has to. "I don't see how I'm supposed to seduce anyone in this, Lily. I don't really have the curves for it," Morgan insists.

Liliana leans around and over Morgan's shoulder and murmurs in his ear. "Vou seduce me, no?" she inquires teasingly, then nips his ear-ridge. "Besides, vou look good in it. Plus, I kin' find a corset to help wit' de curves, vou know."

Morgan leans back and kisses Liliana under then chin, then says, "I know, I just feel a little … silly. I may have grown up a girl, but I'm not actually a girl. It's just part of being a witch – you have to be a woman to be a witch, so I have to 'be a woman.'" He looks down, then pushes at his chest, frowning thoughtfully. "I do look good, but still."

"Dat's da spirit," Liliana notes with a playful grin. She slinks back around to the front and rubs her chin thoughtfully. "Bet vou coul' make a potion to fix de chest issues," she jokes. "Or … mebbe all de issues… "

Morgan raises an eyebrow at that. "I don't even think that's possible. I mean, it's not like I've never considered the idea, but, I mean, um … Not possible." Morgan clears his throat. "Not that I know, anyway. I looked – out of curiosity!"

The Eeee breaks down into a fit of giggles. "Vou looked, did vou?" she asks between the fits of giggles. "My, next t'ing vou're gon' tell me is dat vou tried some types of makeup."

"I don't need makeup," Morgan insists. "I look just fine as I am."

"No' even lipstick?" the Eeee inquires.

"And don't laugh! I grew up in dresses, you know? It seemed like a good idea, and, um … " Morgan looks down at his dress-covered self, and seems to run out of arguments on the matter. Instead, he answers with, "I had one of the village girls put lipstick on me. It was a bit odd for some of them to accept, but others just thought of me as another girl."

Liliana composes herself and slinks in, then kisses the Kadie's cheek. "Vou vould haf made a fine girl. I voul' have still grabbed ya," she notes in a quiet voice. "An don' look so surprised abou' dat. Eeee don usually care, vou know?"

Morgan leans against Liliana, nodding. "I know. I mean, who am I to object? I dress as a woman half the time, and that's unusual, I hear." He tilts his head, pursing his lips. "I never really thought about it until you came along, though. You know, you'd kind of scare me if I was a woman." He grins.

Liliana grins very fangily. "Me? I no' scary. It no like I bite … often," she says.

"I noticed," Morgan says. he rubs his neck, then twists around to look at Liliana fully. "You know, I don't know how I'd be if I were actually a woman. I mean, I grew up with a childhood a lot like any other girl in this village – I know, because I was a part of their lives, too. But I always knew the truth, you know? I was different, and I liked some of the girls more than as  just friends. Sometimes I'm surprised I'm the witch and not Amy."

"Vou vould haf wider hips if vou vere a girl," Liliana observes, then goes to sit on a pile of pillows. "If vou liked dem, vhy didn' vou say anything?"

Morgan looks down at his hips, picking at the skirt of his dress until it sits out enough to mimic hips. "Oh, well, I was obligated to maintain a kind of witch neutrality, for one. Women and girls are supposed to feel comfortable around me, not think I'm ogling them. Second, it was just easier that way. I didn't want to lose my friends. With Amy, I always just assumed we'd be together," he explains.

"An' vou don't t'ink vou vill be now?" Liliana inquires, apparently not bothered by the discussion of Morgan being with someone else.

Morgan nods slowly. "I think Amy and Zahn are a good match, actually. They're both adventurous and daring. Amy likes to beat things up and Zahn likes to blow them up. Me, I just put things together, and I'm quiet about my fights. Besides, it would be a poor witch that got jealous and ruined the happiness of two people in her – his – village." Morgan floofs his skirt a bit, head tilting. "Amy wants to have my children, though. I'm not sure how to feel about that, but I'm willing."

"Vell, de process is fun. An if she vant vour children, it soun' like vou vill end up together," Liliana notes with a grin. "Vou can change out of dat if vou like," she adds absently, then tilts her head. "I t'ink someone is coming. Soun' like somone walking dis way."

"Change out of … Oh! Um, the laces and well … I'll just scoot over here – no time," Morgan says hurriedly. The squirrel rises up and edges away from the door.

And it's right about then a rather loud knocking is head on the door. "See? I vas righ," Liliana says and gets up then heads over to the door. She can't help herself and pinches Morgan as she passes.

"And Amy is as odd a woman as I'm a man! I wouldn't put it past her to just want m-" The Kadie suddenly squeaks when pinched.

Liliana grins sweetly and opens the door. And in stalks, of all people, Gunther Kettenrad. "I hear you kidnapped our witch," he grunts, then looks over and right at Morgan. "Hey, nice dress! You need to stuff the top, though," he remarks.

"I usually d-" Morgan blinks, then puts his hands on his hips in that 'don't give me lip Gunther Kettenrad' way. "Gunther Kettenrad! Kidnapped! Has your mother never told you to ask before barging into someone's home?"

"She opened the door. You might be in danger," Gunther retorts. "Looks like I got here just in time, too! She didn't, uhm, remove anything, did she?" he asks and glares at Liliana. The Eeee … well, she's trying very hard not to giggle.

Morgan sighs, having dealt with this brand of Kettenrad behavior entirely too many times to count. "No, Gunther, I'm just fine – thank you for caring about me. I'm not in any danger," he says.

"Good. You're needed. We're being invaded," Gunther says calmly. Liliana just arches her eyebrows, then asks, "Vou get invaded often?"

"ALL the time," Morgan tells Liliana, rolling his eyes. "Sometimes, rarely, it's even mildly dangerous." He takes a brief glance around, then shrugs. "Still, I have to look. Gunther? I'm going to get dressed. Undressed, that is," he picks at his dress to indicate it, " … then dressed."

"Okay," Gunther remarks and continues looking at Morgan. Apparently, he intends to watch Morgan dress … or something. Liliana, standing behind Gunther, points at the young Kadie, then the door, and looks at Morgan questioningly.

Beginning to pull off his dress, Morgan simply says, "If you'd like to stay, Gunther, I'm sure Liliana can find a nice dress for you."

Gunther squeaks and darts out the door! Liliana shuts it behind him and just grins. "I coul' too," she notes and shakes her head. "Dat was bad of vou. very mean."

"What's mean about a dress?" asks a now naked Morgan as he looks for his clothes. "I wear them all the time, and they're quite comfortable."

"Most guys don' want to be caught dead in one. Though … I got Djivan in one once … tol' him he coul' sneak in a place if he pretended to be a girl. He believed me," she notes with a wink and heads over to a pile, returning with Morgan's clothes a moment later.

Morgan laughs as he walks over and takes his clothes. "That would be priceless, and far more mean. What a bad influence you are," he says before kissing Liliana's cheek and starting to dress. "I guess I'm not very manly, in that I don't mind being seen as a woman or a man. Woman or man, being a witch means more."

"Vhat I vant vou as vill depend on my mood," Liliana notes and noses his cheek, then gets out of the way so he can dress easily. "So, vhat do you t'ink he's goin' on about? Bein' invaded? T'ink it's just visitors or somesuch?"

"If anything happens, we're being invaded. Zhanrad builds machines; Gunther builds disasters," Morgan explains. Once dressed in his dark clothes, pants, blousey shirt, and witch's accessories, the Kadie takes Liliana's hand and leads her towards the door. "Sometimes they're real, usually they're not, but they're always amusing."

"I see. So, do vou vant me coming vith vou, or is dis official stuff an I just be in de way?" Liliana inquires, brow raised.

Morgan opens the door and looks back. "That depends, how much does Gunther annoy you?"

"I don' really know him. So, he don' annoy me," Liliana notes. "Plus, I kin always just threaten to bite him to get him to shut up." Outside, a few feet away, stands Gunther. He seems to be eying the gypsy camp suspiciously.

"Threaten the dress. If you threaten to bite him he'll think you're a real vampire until the end of time," Morgan warns. Once outside, Morgan walks over to Gunther and asks, "Well, what's all this about then?"

"Invasion scouts back in town, at the inn," Gunther notes and motions towards the town. "This is just the first of a larger group, I'm certain. Strange group. Big people," he notes.

Liliana looks at the smaller Kadie dubiously. She then twirls her finger next to her head and mouths 'Loony'.

Morgan simply nods slowly, as if he took Gunther perfectly seriously. "Very well, Gunther, lead me to these 'scouts.'" Then, when Gunther isn't looking, he winks at Lily.

---

Stonebarrow Village
Nestled between the mangroves of the swamp on the south and the thickening forests and hills to the north, this small out-of-the-way hamlet is preparing for one of its many annual festivals. Ropes of spring flowers adorn the awnings of the small shops and cottages that squat around the bubbling fountain of the town square, and various colorful banners proclaim 'Happy Frog Festival'. There is a certain fairy-tale atmosphere to the community, given that none of its denizens appear to stand taller than five feet: Stonebarrow is populated almost entirely by Skeeks and Kadies, with a small smattering of Lapis.

Gunther leads the group back into town. It takes a bit of time because Gunther insists on ducking behind every barrel, wagon, and building they come across just in case they might get attacked on the way. But, at long last they arrive back in town. Apparently, Gunther is right, there is someone at the Inn. Outside is a wagon and standing next to it have to be two of the largest felines Morgan has ever seen. They must be some kind of Khatta called 'tigers', from what stories Morgan has heard over the years. They look … bored. "See! Huge invaders!" Gunther hisses.

"Yes, quite huge indeed," Morgan agrees. The older Kadie rubs his chin as he looks at the tigers from a distance. After a moment he nods, as if having decided on something. "I'll 'parlay' with them, I think, Lily. Gunther, best hide yourself in case they're out for trouble."

"Right. If they kill you I'll get your mother," Gunther notes and gives Morgan a thumbs up. Liliana just rolls her eyes and says, "Okay. I keep an ear ou' for anyt'ing in de area, then. Vou be careful, no?"

"I'm a guy with a dress, what can't I handle?" Striding forward, Morgan raises a hand in greeting. "Hail, travelers. I'm Morgan Nightshade, one of the town leaders. Can I help you fine gentlemen with anything?"

The tigers peer around for a bit … then finally look down and see Morgan. One of then offers a stiff bow and says, "Ah, a most humble greetings to you, Morgan of the Nightshade. We were worried your town had fallen upon bad times … no one seemed around," he says in Standard with a gruff, but somewhat musical, way of pronunciation. And he's right … the streets are clear. Most likely the huge tigers just scared people.

Morgan glances around, noting the lack of people, before looking back. "Ah, we're a busy people – always some work to be done, and never enough time," Morgan insists. Carefully, Morgan returns the stiff bow, thinking it appropriate. "Never the less, I'm here now; how can I help you all?"

"We are just escorts and guards of the Mistress, good … sir?" the tiger replies and glances towards the inn. "She has not explained to us fully why we are here; just that there was something she had to see and something about thanks."

"Ah, then I shall speak to your mistress?" The Kadie raises his brow questioningly, tail curled in the vague approximation of a question mark. As for his sex, well, he leaves that alone.

"She is inside and I believe trying to obtain lodgings for the night," the tiger says and motions toward the inn with his head. Behind Morgan, a small girl's voice asks, "You won't hurt my mother, will you?"

"Hurting women has never been my policy," Morgan replies before he turns around. Curious, he searches for the origin of the voice.

Behind Morgan stands a small Khatta girl, dark gray in fur and with piercing blue eyes … and at a guess, maybe seven or eight years old. She's a foot shorter than Morgan and is dressed in the brightest garb Morgan has ever seen outside of what the gypsies wear. The dress is all reds and golds and shimmers; the material probably pure zolk. Over her muzzle hangs a gauzy veil. "Lady Kalila, you were supposed to remain in the wagon!" one of the tigers declares and takes a protective step towards her.

Morgan, rather than towering over the girl, kneels down where he is. He places his elbow on his knee, then rests his head on the back of his hand. "I know that voice; that is the voice of an angry caretaker. Lady Kalila, have you upset your caretakers?" he asks.

"They wouldn't answer me, so I went out the door on the other side. Mother has been inside for a long time, I got worried," the child replies and glares at the tigers. The tigers just look at each other, expressions a mix of embarrassment and shame; they were probably supposed to guard both sides.

Morgan tsks, then offers the little girl his hand. "Come, let's see what your mother's about. You know, I like answers too," he offers.

Kalila takes Morgan's hand. One of the tiger clears his throat and says, "We're not supposed to leave Lady Kalila; our apologies, but these lands are not civilized… " Kalila sniffs at them and waves her free hand, "Oh, continue guarding the wagon; I'll be safe with this one. I'm almost as tall! We're just going inside."

"Well you're not exactly leaving her, as you are right there, after all," says Morgan, as if it were quite obvious. "And. clearly, we will be right inside. If you follow to the door, you will still be with her." Without waiting for them to process that, Morgan begins walking for the door to the inn. "We Kadie are a small people," he confides to the girl.

"So, you remain children forever?" the Khatta asks Morgan. The door opens to the usual Frog and Peach inn, and Morgan finds himself looking across the room and at the back of a tall Khatta woman dressed in an immaculate, and probably expensive, dress. "Please, will no one speak with me?" she calls out behind the bar. No sign of the Lapi barkeep or any of the owners. Perhaps the tigers made them hide.

"Not all people grow as you, child," Morgan says, patiently. After spotting the girl's mother, the Kadie begins forward again.

"That stinks. I hate being short," the child tells Morgan. The Khatta woman, upon hearing the voice of Kalila, turns around abruptly. "Kalila," she admonishes, "You were told to wait in the wagon. You are not supposed to talk to strangers!" The woman is tall, thin, and dressed very well. Her ears are adorned with jewelry and her clothing is the finest zolk. Her fur pattern, from what can be seen, is much like the child's; dark gray fur with sky blue eyes.

"Lady Kalila and I are not strangers. The Lady knows me as Morgan Nightshade, a town leader, and I know her as Lady Kalila, your daughter." Morgan offers the girl's mother a copy of the same bow the guards gave him. "And now you know, though I do not know your name."

"She is too young to be out in these dangerous lands," the Khatta woman says, her voice soft and melodic. She walks across the floor and curtsies before Morgan, saying, "I am Lady Inaya Al Nadia and we have been on a very long journey. Please, can you tell me … have we reached a town called 'Stonebarrow'?"

Morgan begins to curtsy but, remembering he's not wearing a dress, quickly turns the movement in to one of reaching to dust off his pants. "You have. Please, have a seat," answers Morgan before he gestures to a nearby table. "It seems the innkeep is indisposed, so I will pour you a drink, if you like."

Inaya spends a moment looking at the diminutive tables, then pulls out a chair and sits down, folding her hands in her lap. "Please, Kalila, join me," she tells the little girl. Kalila says a quick apology to Morgan then slips her hand from his and goes to sit by her mother. "If you have a nice aged red wine, or a light, dry, white wine, that would be most welcome," Lady Inaya tells Morgan.

"I think I can find that," Morgan replies. Ducking behind the counter, Morgan snaps up one of the innkeep's whites and brings it over. It's not the inn's best, but Morgan knew it when he picked it. It's a polite gesture, he thinks, but not overly giving, and it helps show the town may not have much to take. "We are a humble village," he explains as he returns with several glasses, "so I hope this does not offend."

"I am sure it is fine," Inaya replies with a smile. Kalila drums her fingers on the table, looking rather bored; typical child. Abruptly, the woman says, "There was a battle here a few weeks ago, a fight with a necromancer … called Valicross, I believe?"

"Yes, he has been dealt with. A sad affair. Alas, it is to be expected from those who shroud themselves in death and misery," answers the Kadie. After pouring, Morgan takes a seat opposite the woman. "I'm surprised news of our conflict has traveled so far."

"I heard of it from Justininople. Or rather, word was sent from there to me. A group from this village came there with, ah, a gypsy band is it? To seek information on claiming a reward from his death," Inaya says, then takes the glass. She sniffs it lightly, then takes a small sip.

Morgan leaves his glass where it is, instead folding his hands together in his lap. "I see. You have an interest in such matters, then? I should think, a serious interest. Rarely do people carry their children so far to the site of a battle. " He frowns. "Most chose to avoid necromancy; a wise choice, to be sure."

"Only to this one," Inaya says and sets the glass down. Her blue eyes peer at Morgan intently. "Were there any personal affects recovered from his body? Items that did not seem that they should belong to him?" Kalila speaks up, adding, "Mother has been trying to find him for a long time." That elicits a rather stern glare from Inaya.

"Necromancers are often accompanied by 'items' that don't belong to them, typically of the shambling variety," Morgan answers seriously. He smiles kindly to the girl, nodding, then asks her mother, "Can you describe what you are looking for? Perhaps I have seen it."

The Khatta woman reaches up to her ears and removes a few of the items. She sets them on the table and says, "Jewelry similar to these. Unusual robes. Journals. Small things, but they mean a great deal to me."

"I'm afraid I didn't see anything of that sort on the body." Morgan's brows narrow as he thinks a moment, then he asks, "Can you describe the items more carefully, such as the robes? Perhaps I have forgotten, we do try and put such affairs behind us as quickly as possible."

"Not … not well. I never paid much attention to clothing when I was younger. They would have been white, I believe. With writing along the hem," Inaya tries to explain. She reaches down and retrieves her jewelry. With a quiet sigh she asks, "Could you arrange a room for myself, my daughter, and my guards, please? I feel tired and would like to rest before talking about this more. Forgive me."

"I see." Morgan pushes himself up, then offers his hand to the woman. "I'll arrange everything. Please, if you need anything, ask for Morgan or my mother. I'll see if I can find anything about your missing items, as well."

"Thank you, Mister Nightshade," Inaya says and stands. Motioning to her daughter, she says, "Come along Kalila." And with that, she heads to the door, then outside.

Kalila stands up and curtsies to Morgan. "Good bye Mister forever short Nightshade," she says, "I'm sorry that my mom is so … She's been trying to find that necro … whatsit for a long time." The little girl then heads to the door. But, when she's partially out, she adds, "He killed my aunt before I was born; Mom told me on the way here. I don't understand what Mom means, but, she said she just wants to say goodbye." And then the little Khatta is gone.

"Mister Nightshade. I think that's the first time I've been addressed like that, like this." The Kadie begins walking towards the back, having an idea of where to find the innkeep. "An aunt. Hm, I'll have to have a word with Natasha about a goodbye." He smiles. "Lily, eavesdropping is a terrible thing; I'll meet you out back shortly."