The days are gradually getting colder as the weather shifts, especially out here in the woods. The ground has been littered with dead leaves for days now, adding a crinkling sound to most attempts to walk around. After several hours of getting emergency supplies and such cached in various locations around the main tree, Samantha relaxes out front of her house with a cup of tea, and watches the sun going down.
Samantha frowns suddenly, sitting up as she peers out into the forest.
Picasso watches Nalae and Acera run off and starts walking back toward the tree....on two legs for now
Samantha sets her cup down on the table and stands up, turning and walking slowly towards the source of the disturbance.
Picasso sees Samantha coming toward her
Samantha stops as she sees the other figure through the trees, her eyes narrowing.
Picasso gets close enough for Samantha to see her clearly and then realizes the squirrel might not recognize her in this form
Samantha steps out, still frowning as she looks the newcomer over... the newcomer who looks far too familiar.
Picasso chtorrs, "It's me, Picasso."
Picasso chtorrs, "I had hoped maybe it would be easier on Nalae were I a bit closer to her size. I'm not sure it helped much. At least I know I can still shift."
Samantha ahhs... "I thought you seemed familiar, yes. As for Nalae, I'm not sure it would have helped much. Knowing that you can shapeshift might make her even more nervous."
Picasso chtorrs, "I don't think it made things any worse but we need to talk"
Samantha's tail twitches a few times, then she nods. "Shall we go back to the tree and sit down? This sounds like a sit-down kind of conversation."
Picasso chtorrs, "Even if she wasn't afraid of me I couldn't stay here forever. If nothing else there simply isn't enough food to support me long term. Before ending up here I had planned to explore my own home world. I see no reason not to do so here."
Picasso follows Samantha back to the tree
Samantha nods, and leads Picasso back to where she was sitting. She picks up her cup of tea. "Cold. Here, I'll make up a new cup for you as well."
Picasso chtorrs, "Thank you."
Picasso tries to compose herself while Samantha makes the tea
Samantha gets this done fairly quickly, as the water in the pot was still hot for dishes. She sets out the teapot and two cups, and sits down as she waits for the tea to steep. "So you're planning on going exploring?"
Picasso chtorrs, "I feel a bit restless. Nalae is still pretty uneasy around me. I've heard a bit about other places and I'd like to see them."
Picasso chtorrs, "I just don't know which direction to start in. I had thought maybe the city. It sounds rather exciting."
Samantha says, "Understandable. Nalae's not from this world either, so her reaction is unlikely to be indicative of the locals. On the other hand, most of the locals do have a strong prejudice over four-legged creatures, thinking them non-sentient. That's been rattled rather recently with the arrivals from space, though."
Picasso chtorrs, "I've heard about them and would like to meet them. They might know where my own homeworld is."
Samantha nods. "They might, yes. I haven't had much chance to talk with them myself, yet, for Nalae."
Picasso chtorrs, "I can't stay in this form for great lengths of time. It takes some energy to hold it and that eventually runs out. It's not pleasant to have the spell unravel before I can change back voluntarily"
Samantha hmms, nodding. "I'm not surprised; it would be. Even in your current form you'd be a considerable curiosity in the city.
Picasso chtorrs, "If I meet any of them I'd ask for her as well. I suppose I should mention that I gave her a gift. One of my feathers. It's got some basic magic on it so it can be used to call me if I'm needed. If she doesn't wish to keep it will you keep it safe?"
Samantha nods. "Certainly."
Picasso chtorrs, "Thank you. I hope she does keep it though."
Samantha says, "As do I. Hopefully it will help her think more fondly of you."
Picasso chtorrs, "Do you think I'll have a lot of problems in the city?"
Samantha hmmms. "Problems? Depends on what you do. After the recent visitors from space, people are a little more open about some things. I expect that as long as you don't make any serious social gaffes, you shouldn't have many problems."
Picasso seems a bit apprehensive. This is starting to feel like leaving home again though in a lot nicer way than the first time
Picasso chtorrs, "I will try to fit in. The only thing that remains is when to leave. I promised Acera a flight but I don't know if I should do so for now with Nalae feeling the way she does. She seemed at least a little less afraid of me and I don't want to make things between us worse again."
Samantha hmmms. "Worried that Nalae will be jealous if Acera gets to fly with you?"
Picasso chtorrs, "I'm worried she might think I might hurt her sister even by mistake. Nalae doesn't want to fly with me herself I'm pretty sure"
Samantha hmmms, nodding. "Probably not."
Picasso chtorrs, "I guess I should at least wait for them to get back so I can say goodbye. I don't want Nalae to think she's the reason I'm leaving. She isn't. I do plan to return here both to see you and them and because this is as close to a home as I have here in this world."
Samantha smiles at this. "I agree. No sense in leaving without at least saying a proper goodbye."
Picasso chtorrs, "Is there anything else I should keep in mind while exploring?"
Samantha hmmms. "You'll need some of the local money if you're spending much time in the city. That or something to trade to get it."
Picasso hadn't thought of this.
Picasso chtorrs, "About the only real skill I have is magic. Are there many who can fly around this world?"
Samantha hmmms. "There are a few, yes, but not many. Most of them act as messengers. They don't have much in the way of hands, either, which means that they have to hire themselves out to get some of the things they need."
Picasso chtorrs, "In my natural form I could carry quite a bit. In this form I could maybe be useful in other ways as well. I suppose I likely won't starve in any case. I do know how to hunt"
Samantha nods. "True. Which in itself can be a useful talent to sell."
Picasso chtorrs, "Really?"
Picasso seems astonished that there might be those incapable of getting there own food
Samantha shrugs. "Well, some have other things they'd rather be doing than get their own food."
Picasso chtorrs, "I suppose that's understandable."
Samantha nods. "I can give you something to start with, anyhow."
Picasso chtorrs, "You've given me quite a bit already. Are you sure?"
Samantha says, "Depends on what you want. If you feel you've enough to start on, I won't force charity upon you."
Picasso chtorrs, "I don't really need much beyond food and water and possibly shelter if the weather gets bad. I've heard of money but never actually had any since my own people usually just traded direct. I don't even have anything I could carry any in now that I think about it."
Samantha nods. "Well, you can easily get away with trade for most things locally anyway. Money would make some things simpler, but it isn't that necessary."
From the skittering sounds off in the distance, it's clear Nalae and Acera have finished their hunt for "snack food of the small rodent kind" and are heading back towards the elder oak and their home.
Acera chitters softly to Nalae, "You're right. I like ma's fried chicken better."
Picasso chtorrs, "Ok, then I guess I'm pretty well set."
Nalae follows Acera, nodding a few times. She's got one of Acera's hands clasped in hers.
Picasso finishes her tea and hopes she can find some of that in the city. She's gotten to like it quite a bit
Acera grins, "Course, the chicken isn't as fun to chase, is it? Let's see what ma's been up to, 'K Nalae?"
Samantha finishes her own tea, and sets the cup down.
Nalae nodnods. "Okay.."
Acera patpats around the corner of the elder tree then races up to Samantha and snugs her, "Hiya ma!"
Nalae hurries along, grinning after Acera.
Samantha chirrrs. "Good evening, you two."
Nalae smiles at Samantha.
Acera grins and pulls Nalae into the snug and chitters, "So whatcha been up to Ma? Oh, hiya P'casso!"
Picasso chuckles "Looks like they can get their own food at least if the smears around their muzzles is any indication."
Samantha chuckles. "True. But then, these two have spent a lot of time learning to live by their own wits as well."
Acera licks her muzzle again, "I thought ya said my face was clean Nalae? ;)"
Samantha says, "Anyway, I've been talking with Picasso about future plans."
Picasso nods and seems a little at a loss on how to break the news that she's leaving
Acera grins, "Oh! Going to kick Ankhl out and let P'casso have his room? ;)"
Nalae looks between the other three, then back at Samantha. She remains quiet.
Acera snugs Nalae next to her as she cuddles up against her mother.
Samantha snorts. "There's an old expression about how you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your relatives. Not quite, no."
Picasso chtorrs, "I've decided to leave for a while to see some of this world."
Acera ohs, "Ya gonna come back at all?"
Nalae tilts her head to one side, looking up at Picasso.
Picasso chtorrs, "reaches over to fuzz Acera's head fur. Yes I'll be back. This is as close to home as I have on this world and I'll miss you all so yes I'll be back"
Picasso looks over to Nalae
Picasso chtorrs, "This isn't because of you by the way. I want to see what there is to see and maybe someday find my way back to my own world."
Nalae looks up. And feels very much that she should say something, but can't for the life of her summon up the right words. "Um," she says.
Acera scritches Nalae's ears and nods to Picasso, "Yeah, I wanna explore too someday. Maybe sail space with the Chirpy'taur when I grow up. Right ma?"
Samantha nods. "You'll have to ask them about that part, of course..."
Nalae doesn't look particularly thrilled about the idea of sailing space, but just remains at Acera's side. "Um," she says again. Really not much of a conversationalist tonight.
Samantha reaches up and rubs at Nalae's arm.
Acera looks at Nalae, "Ya ok? Got a tail caught in your throat maybe? I tol ya to bite those off first. ;)"
Nalae looks over at Samantha, swallowing softly. Then back at Acera. "No, I'm okay.." Sort of. Things were so much simpler back at home...
Acera snugs, "Ya, ma always said she has a chaotic family. But this is your home now sis."
Samantha says, "Until we find out a way to actually get you back, that is."
Acera nods to her mother, but you get the feeling the idea of Nalae leaving doesn't please her much, even as she knows she shouldn't feel that way."
Nalae nods a little bit, remaining silent..
Picasso chtorrs, "If I hear of anything that might help you get home, I'll make sure to get back here to tell you Nalae."
Picasso chtorrs, "As for your flight, I think it will have to wait until I get back Acera. I had planned to leave tonight."
Samantha nods. "In which case we should start making sure you've got anything you want to take with you."
Acera nods, "S'ok. Ya gotta tell me an Nalae all the neat things you see when you get back, K?"
Picasso chtorrs, "I have no way to carry anything, especially in my normal form which I will likely take again before leaving."
Picasso chtorrs, "I'll tell you everything."
Nalae smiles a little bit.
Picasso chtorrs, "Maybe we could have a last cup of tea and then I'll be on my way."
Samantha stands up. "Certainly."
Acera hmms, "Ma, don't we have some old saddle bags that we used with the Gambzar? Might fit P'casso."
Samantha hmmms. "It might, if she wants it..."
Picasso chtorrs, "saddle bags?"
Acera chitters at Nalae, "Wanna help me go get em?"
Samantha says, "Bags designed to strap to the sides of a quadruped."
Nalae mmms? "Oh, okay.." She smiles at Acera a little bit, startled back out of her thoughts.
Acera grins and races off to go get the large leather bags.
Picasso chtorrs, "That would be useful if I'm to end up carrying things for hire. If you can spare them they would be very much appreciated."
Samantha nods. "I think so. We haven't had a 'beast of burden' here for some time now. Not really since shortly after I set up shop here."
Nalae pads along after Acera.
Picasso chtorrs, "I'm going to change back to my normal form. Don't get too close until I'm done: moves off a bit and calls up just a little energy. This is more letting a spell go than casting a new one."
Samantha nods, sitting back down. "All right."
Acera rustles around in the storage shed. She really wishes that they could have their own Gambzar, rather than borrowing their neighbors' mount now and then. She chitters, "Where are the old ones Nalae?"
Picasso pictures her normal form in her minds eye being careful to picture an uninjured leg. She concentrates and then lets the spell undo itself in a controlled manner
Nalae shrugs uncertainly. She's only been in this shed a couple of times, and really hasn't learned her way around it, yet. "D'no.."
Acera hmms, "Well, ya remember what they look like? Check under those stacks of furs over there, K?"
Picasso is surrounded in a blow glow and her shape melts in a strange way until she appears back in her usual form. The glow fades and she's once again a quadruped.
Samantha watches the process with some fascination.
Nalae searches around, nodding a bit.
Picasso walks back "That always feels strange
Under one stack of furs the old leather saddlebags are found by Nalae. They are basically two leather pouches sewn on a long leather strip that hangs over the beasts back.
Samantha just nods.
Picasso chtorrs, "I know Nalae will be a bit relieved when I'm gone. Try not to let her feel guilty about feeling that way."
Samantha nods. "I'll try."
Acera grins as Nalae pulls the bag out and the two young girls both drag the large leather bags over to Samantha. Though Nalae sticks close to Samantha's side.
Acera chitters, "Hey, you're back on all fours. Here's the bags for ya."
Samantha lifts up the saddlebags. "Here we are. This harness goes over the back, the bags sit on the sides, and this strap is used to cinch it up so it doesn't slip while you're moving."
Picasso chtorrs, "Hmmm, if they'll fit behind my wings they shouldn't interfere with my flying."
Samantha looks over Picasso's form. "I should think so. Acera, could you get that side, I'll go around and try pulling it across."
Picasso crouches down a bit to make it easier for you both to reach
Acera nods and skitters around the large griffin and waves a hand over her back, "I'm here ma"
Samantha nods, pulling the other half of the saddle bags over Picasso's back, settling it into position to see how it fits.
Acera helps fit the saddlebags on Picasso, behind the wings on the furred portion of her body. She hurries, knowing Nalae doesn't like this much.
Samantha slips in underneath, grabs the cinch strap, and pulls it over to fit into the buckle.
Picasso breaths out so the strap can be tightened easier
Samantha pulls the strap up so it's steady without being tight. "Can you reach that to undo it?"
Picasso rears back on her hind paws and reaches down with her front talons. She can reach it.
Picasso chtorrs, "That feels a bit strange but it should work"
Acera pads back to Nalae and snugs, "Member, ya gotta tell us about your travels. May the currents be behind you P'casso."
Samantha smiles, and steps back. "Good. That should make carrying money and food and such considerably easier."
Picasso brushes her wing lightly across Acera's back and then walks over and Does the same with Samantha.
Samantha chirrs quietly.
Picasso turns to Nalae "Keep that feather safe."
Nalae pauses, then nods hesitantly. "I.. I will.."
with that she moves away and leaps into the air and flaps her wings hard. She's soon lost to sight as she flies toward the distant city
Acera gives Nalae a little snug and chitters, "C'mon, let's head to bed sis."
Samantha just stands and watches her go for a few minutes, then turns back to the tree. "Now, if I could get just a bit of help straightening things back up...."
Nalae nods a little bit, moving to follow Acera..
It's a quiet night as Samantha gives up cleaning till the morning and the two mustelid girls go to bed. Though once, during the night, Acera looks around at the stars, and wishes she was old enough to have adventures. Then she snugs Nalae and goes back to bed, wondering how Picasso will fare in Haven?