It's the height of winter around the elder oak that houses the Beiter family. For many northern realms, this would count as fall at most, but for a sub-tropical region, it's still a little cold. Except for the few pines, the trees look very bare this time of year. But despite that, the sun is up, making the day quite cheery as people get ready for a trip at the Beiter residence.

Acera bounces around, supposedly helping out her mother, or at least, that is her intentions.

Samantha, being the efficient type that she is, already had most of what she wanted laid out and ready to pack before she went to sleep last night.

Acera hmmms, "I don't know if Nalae wants to go today ma. I was supposed to take her on a walk."

Acera looks around, "You're takin' Melantha, right ma?"

Melantha watches the others getting themselves ready.

Samantha nods. "Melantha's half the reason I'm going. Largely just so we can avoid further... misunderstandings."

Acera, a young mink, looks at her mother Samantha. She no longer even seems to really notice that her "mother" is a squirrel, well, except when she can tease Samantha about it. She chitters, "Melantha's been kinda quiet. Ya think you'll be ok with her on your own ma?"

Samantha nods. "I expect so, yes." The old squirrel smirks a bit. "She's been well fed here already, after all."

Melantha thinks to Samantha, ~Do you think I'll need my spear?~

Acera giggles, "True. She did give Ankhl quite a scare it seems. I kinda like her. ;) Well, Nalae's waiting mom. Don't get into trouble. ;)"

Samantha holds up a hand to Melantha to wait for a moment, then chuckles to Acera. "I hope to make this as quiet a trip as possible."

Acera nods, "And I promise not to try flying again while you're gone ma. See ya!" and gives the elderly squirrel matron a big hug, before bounding off outside.

Samantha chirrs, and hugs Acera back.

Melantha scritches Oryn's head as she watches the two.

Samantha turns back to Melantha, rubbing her temple as she thinks back at Melantha, << Taking it along might be useful, for the trip there at least. But it won't be looked upon well in town. >>

Melantha ponders this awhile but decides to leave it here. <<Maybe some other time would be best?>> She leans it up against the wall in a corner of the room.

Samantha nods. << Probably a good idea. >>

Melantha nods and smiles. Oryn, sitting comfortably on Melantha's shoulder, warbles with concern. Melantha pats his head reassuringly. "It will be ok...trust me."

Samantha finishes making sure she has everything, and then shoulders a small pack. << Ready? >>

Melantha looks around the room and then at herself. She nods to Samantha. <<As much as I'll ever be, I guess.>>

Samantha nods. << Let's go, then. >>

The path taken by our two travelers winds through the thick forest around Samantha's home. It also starts going slightly downhill as it winds it's way towards Haven. After 3 or 4 miles, the woods start to thin, and the occasional small fallow field can be seen off to one side or the other.

Samantha pads along silently, the few comments she makes through mind-speech pointing out odd local features or answering questions.

Melantha, in her extreme curiosity, looks at nearly everything on the path, from leaves flying in the wind to small creatures scampering along. She's almost as bad as a child, asking questions about everything.

The fields become more common, though nearly all are fallow this time of year. Some even have short stone walls bordering them. Trails of smoke point out the various chimneys of the farmers who live just outside the city.

Samantha rubs her temple a few times, she's not used to using mind-speech this much, but for now it's still the best way to communicate.

Melantha notices Samantha rubbing her head and tries not mind speak so much. Instead, she points or attempts a few words of the local language. <<How much longer to the...what's the word?>>

Samantha says, "Town." << Not much longer. >>

Melantha takes a deep breath and tries to say it, "t...t...tol..tolnm...."

Samantha hmmms. "Taaa-ow-n."

The outer walls of the city of Haven can be seen in the distance now, and the skunk guards are also visible, as the black and white of their fur, along with the scarlet red of their leather armor, stands out vividly against the drab winter surroundings.

Samantha waves her hand towards the walls. "Haven."

Melantha hasn't taken her eyes off the city's walls since they first became visible. She reaches up and puts one hand on Oryn, to keep him calm she tells herself, but in reality, to keep herself calm. <<Its so big...>>

A few travelers enter the gate. The guards seem rather bored, which isn't unusual. One of them comments about hoping a Chirpy'taur drops in again. At least then they'll have something to do. One of them, Graffi, recognizes Samantha as she gets within a 100 yards of the gate.

Samantha nods. <<The biggest gathering of people on this world. According to legend, it was near here that our ancestors landed on this world.>>

Samantha nods to Graffi.

Melantha looks at the two guards in curiosity. <<What are they doing?>> She walks up to one and peers at him, then pokes him to see if he's alive....

Samantha ahems, reaching over to pull Melantha's arm back. <<They guard the city.>>

Melantha flinches. <<Oh..>> She smiles at the guard, <<Sorry.>>

Samantha smiles to the guards. "Sorry about that. Melantha just arrived recently, and isn't very clear on the language yet."

Melantha looks curiously at Samantha as she talks to the guard.

Graffi nods, "Good to see you Samantha. Where is Acera? And who is your friend?"

Samantha says, "Acera's back at home with Nalae. And this is Melantha."

Graffi nods, and pushes his helmet back up as it slips a little, "Pleased to meet you Melantha. I must say Samantha, it seems the rumors are true. You don't seem to ever meet any non predators for friends. ;)"

Samantha smirks. "Perhaps that's because I'm less likely to run away from them."

Melantha still can't resist the urge to inspect the guard. She walks around him, looking at every detail of his uniform. <<Why does he wear such funny clothing?>>

Melantha reaches up to touch his helmet.

Graffi, fairly laid back for a skunk, grabs Melantha's hand before it can reach his head, "You might want to tell her to be a little more careful about grabbing at folks though."

Samantha shakes her head. << It's to protect him against spears. And to make it obvious what he is, even from a distance. >>

Samantha nods. "I will. As I said, she's new and doesn't know the language well yet."

Graffi nods, "Well, might want to keep an eye on her. This is a council day, so we'll have a lot of the high and mighties walking around in the market."

Samantha nods. "Warning taken, thank you."

Melantha, looking dejected, stands back and idly pets Oryn.

Graffi waves the two travelers on through the gate, then goes back to chatting with his fellow guard. He blinks as he realizes the feline had a small...dragon..on her shoulder?

Samantha walks casually in through the gates, as if nothing were unusual in all this.

Melantha walks next to Samantha, looking a little worried. <>

Samantha thinks, << Nothing too much. Graffi is fairly good about that sort of thing. He says there are many important people in the market today, though, so you will have to be more careful. Some of them have no curiosity or sense of humor. >>

A few minutes later, the other guard finishes settling a small dispute and comments to Graffi, "That was the squirrel witch, wasn't it? You know, her friend seems to fit the description of the cat and dragon that tried to eat Arthur Dactyle the XIII, don't you think?"

Graffi blinks in shock, "The...council leader's nephew? Sigh, I'm never going to get that promotion."

Samantha looks over at Melantha, thinks about what the guard said, and steers Melantha away from the main market area at first.

Melantha looks at all the buildings, completely unaware that anything could be wrong. She points to one, indicating that she wants to know what it is.

Samantha looks over at the building. <<A clothiers. They make clothes.>> She repeats "clothiers" aloud.

Melantha opens her mouth to try to say the word, but decides against it. <<Thats a hard word.>>

Samantha nods. <<It's not a common one. Common words are usually easier to say.>>

A few of the citizens give Samantha and her 'friend' the occasional stare, but word of the cheetahs dietary choices not being limited to non sapients has not been wide spread. Mainly due to the deer's embarrassment, and his uncle's anger at finding him scheming again.

Along the merchants row, a few temporary booths have been set up. Scents of food, both meats and vegetables roasting, waft from a few.

Samantha says, << Shall we get something to eat? >>

Melantha smiles. <>

Samantha chuckles, and leads over to some booths for carnivores, preferably a reasonably inexpensive one.

One of the booths is tended by an aging todd fox, and some savory, if slightly tough strips of meat are roasting on short skewers. He blinks as he recognizes Samantha, and grins a little as he notices her predatory friend.

Samantha looks to Melantha first, to see if this meets with her approval.

The fox bows his greying head, "So, would you like something to nibble on for your new friend m'lady?"

Melantha breaths in the aroma and smiles. She looks from the fox to the meat, hardly able to keep her stomach from growling. Oryn warbles impatiently as he tries to figure out if he's gonna be starved much longer...poor firelizard.

Samantha nods. "Yes, I would. And for her friend as well." She places a few small coins down on the counter, enough for what would be a decent meal.

The fox starts a little and then looks in awe at the little dragon. He offers the dragon and the cheetah a skewer right off. "By the gods. I had only dreamed that I'd get to see one before I die."

Samantha nods, looking around. "They're new in town, as I'm sure you've guessed."

Oryn scrambles down Melantha's arm as she extends it toward the skewer....not waiting for her to offer it up to him. He trills at the fox questioningly just before he grabs the skewer with a foreclaw.

The fox chuckles and grins, "A truly wonderous creature." He looks up at Melantha, "Having seen the mistakes made with those odd spacers, I have to ask, is he a friend or a pet?"

A shrill voice manages to penetrate the general crowd noises of the marketplace, "A raise?! How can you ask for something like that after letting a DRAGON land right in the middle of Haven and then.. and then letting it GO afterwards! What sort of guards deserve a raise for THAT??!"

Melantha tilts her head and then looks at Samantha for a translation.

The scent of irritated skunk drifts by on the ocean winds.

Samantha asks Melantha, << He asks, is your dragon a 'friend', or a 'pet'.>>

Samantha winces at the sound of the voice.

Melantha ohs and smiles. <<Well, he's more a friend than anything...>>

Samantha broadcasts, << Try saying 'Fr-eh-nd.' >>

One of the guards complains, "But the dragon was a friend of that Coppernickle spacer."

Melantha looks around nervously for source of the voices.

"Aagh! Those USELESS spacers?! Do you expect THEM to pay your salary now?" the voice harangues.

Samantha says, "Sorry, she doesn't speak the local language very well yet... I've been helping coach her."

The guard was about to mention, how were they supposed to stop a dragon, let alone stop one protected by a spacer, but decides to keep quiet.

Councilwoman Tanna's voice takes on a tone of finality as she says, "Well, at least TRY to catch the next dragon that shows up, okay? Then I'll pass along your requests for more pay and manpower."

A few of the shoppers move away, noting it's bad news being downwind of a group of irritated skunks.

Samantha groans at the voice, and looks at the fox and at Melantha.

The vulpine shopkeeper sighs, "Tanna again. Blessed be, she'd try and capture a rainbow and sell it."

Soon enough, an irritated looking badger stomps past, pausing only to point at Oryn and Melantha, and shout back towards the skunks, "See! Even this girl was able to capture a dragon!!" A quieter male badger trails along behind, muttering apologies to whomever Tanna has comes too close to.

Samantha just sighs, and waits for the storm to pass.

The fox turns his muzzle away and snickers.

Birnat whispers something into his more volatile sister's ear, and Tanna goes stomping off in another direction, muttering about "stupid fishing subsidies" or something.

Samantha projects to Melantha, << Stay calm. >>

Melantha tilts her head in confusion at the badger.

Melantha nods to Samantha. <<Oryn wants to know why they were pointing at him.>>

Samantha replies, << The woman is complaining about a larger dragon that arrived the other day, and why the guards didn't stop it. She is simply complaining. >> The squirrel shrugs. << She is like the thunderstorm. You keep your head down and wait until the noise blows over. >>

The todd leans over and whispers to Melantha, "Keep your friend safe young lady. Too many seem to view beauty as a commodity, something to be chopped up and sold."

Oryn chitters to Melantha, who only shrugs and eats her snack.

From a few booths down, two pairs of eyes watch the trio. One whispers, "That's the brats mother, isn't it? I hope that stupid squirrel intercepted his sister by now."

The other voice hmms, "Well, even if he hasn't, odds are it couldn't be safer with his family. No one would suspect, and they live quite a distance from town. We'll just pick it up when things cool down my friend."

Samantha nods to the fox. "Thanks for the warning. I seem to have picked an interesting day to come visiting with friends."

Several annoyed skunk guards go by and give Melantha annoyed looks, and the dragon on her shoulder.

The fox nods, "Well, too many folks here are annoyed to find out that they are NOT the center of the universe. Seems this Copernicus rearranged their view of their world when he landed. Have another couple of skewers on me m'ladies. And have a good day shopping."

Samantha nods her head, as she takes the skewers. "Thank you again." She hands the skewers to Melantha.

Melantha smiles and takes the skewers, giving one to Oryn. <<Tell him thank you for me??>>

Samantha leans closer to Melantha, then nods back to the fox. "She says thank you as well."

The fox chuckles, "No need. When you get to be our age.." and motions towards himself and Samantha, "You begin to realize that you enjoy some surprises in life, especially pleasant ones. Take care."

Samantha chuckles, nodding. "You too."

Melantha smiles at the fox, not knowing what he just said, but liking his tone.

Oryn flaps over to the fox and lands on his shoulder. He offers the meatless skewer and then gently nuzzles before returning to Melantha's shoulder.

Samantha, in the more cynical part of her mind, notes that having friends around could be a good thing if the situation gets difficult.

Melantha smiles. <>

Samantha smiles. <>

The fox blinks and grins widely, "Blessings indeed." and waves as the odd trio prepares to continue their shopping trip.

Samantha pauses for a moment, and gets some food for herself as well at a different booth.

Melantha walks along with Samantha. <<What is that thing you are eating?>>

Samantha replies, << A nut. I don't eat meat; it upsets my stomach. That, and these help keep my teeth in order. >>

Melantha smiles and nods.

More of the temporary stalls line the way as the two walk in the general direction of the waterfront. One especially seems to stand out. A mixture of carved figurines. Some out of rocks of various kinds, and a few out of metals. The shop owner smiles and waves towards Samantha and her friends.

Samantha nods back to the shop owner.

The shop owner calls out, "Would either of you lovely ladies be interested in some pretty jewelry? Or maybe something nice to set on the mantle at home?"

Melantha blinks? <<What did he say?>>

Samantha walks closer, looking over some of the wares. << He is selling jewelry, and is asking of either of us 'lovely ladies' would be interested. >>

The shopkeeper smiles, "So, if there is anything you'd like, but don't see it here, ask. I have a lot in the boxes. Not enough room to display it all."

Samantha hmmms, looking to see if there's anything truly unusual there.

A few of the stone pieces are very lovely. Including one figurine of a mustelid family, done in a brilliant, almost glowing robin's egg blue stone. Oddly enough, this figurine wasn't there when the previous customers had left.

Samantha hmmms, looking more closely at the stone.

Melantha looks at some of the jewelry, finding a particular medallion interesting.

Samantha looks at the family figurine. "How much is this?"

The shopkeeper hmms, "Well, that's a rare type of stone. I'd say a quarter silver ring."

Samantha turns to look at Melantha. << Something interesting? >>

The medallion in question is carved in onyx, and has on it a very simple celtic style etching, with a small paw print carved below it. Somehow seeming familiar to Melantha.

Melantha, still looking at the medallion, thinks <<Oh, I don't know, it just looks kind of like this markings near my home....>>

Samantha looks it over. "A quarter silver, hmmm? True, there are only a few places that produce turquoise like this, but the nearest one is less than a week's travel from here. I'd say that's somewhat steep."

The shop owner, a bit put off by this, ahems, "This is a very rare form of that stone m'lady. And the workmanship is excellent. But I remember your daughter buying something from me before, so how about a fifth of a silver ring, and I'll include your friends medallion." as he points to Melantha.

Samantha turns to look at the medallion in question, gauging its worth.

Samantha hmmms. "Throw in a chain to hang the medallion from, and that sounds reasonable."

A quiet chuckle from someone resting at the back of the tent annoys the shop owner a bit, but he relents. "You drive a hard bargain m'lady. I just hope you will be kind enough to tell others about the qualities of our wares. Though don't let them know how...generous I was." He fumbles with a small case and pulls out a simple bronze chain of about the right size.

Samantha nods, and pulls out the appropriate amount of coinage. "Of course not. They can find out for themselves."

The shop owner chuckles slightly, "Or not, as the case may be. Have a good day ladies." as he pockets the silver and watches the three wander off.

Samantha collects her merchandise, packs the figurine very carefully, and then leads Melantha off.

Copernicus banks lower as he approaches the docks along the Big Serpent. He notes with some relief that few ships are in port right now. So the crowds will be smaller.

Melantha smiles as she follows along. <<This is fun Samantha. What was that you did back there? You gave him something and he let you have these things.>>

Samantha turns to Melantha. << It's called 'shopping'. The items I gave him are coins, tokens that represent a certain amount of worth. Instead of just trading items with each other, you trade for coins which you can then trade with someone else. >>

Melantha ohs. <<And where do you get these coins to begin with?>>

Copernicus circles in, trying to locate an open area on the wharf to land, then folds his wings and swoops down.

Samantha thinks, << You have something that you sell to someone else to get them. It could be meat, or clothes, or anything that someone else wants. >>

Once the squirrel and her friends are well out of hearing, the shop owner turns to his secretive friend. "Well, I hope you know what you are doing. That family has two of the 3 parts now."

From a dock nearby comes a carrying, "HA!!" A stocky-looking badger woman points a pudgy finger at Copernicus and calls, "You stay RIGHT THERE!!" before stomping off towards the main wharf. Birnat is left alone to talk over the fishing quotas with the assembled fisher folk..

Melantha nods. <<What do you do to get these...coins?>>

A chuckle answers, "No need to worry my friend. They'll be perfectly safe, and it will be easy for Ankhl to get them from his own family when we need them."

Samantha thinks, << It's trade. I would assume you have trade where you come from? You have something someone else wants, and they have something you want, so you exchange? >>

Copernicus ruh rohs as the oncoming female catches his attention. He purrs soothingly, "Yes, Lady Tanna?"

Samantha stops, listening to the voice at the docks.

The badger taps her foot against the wooden dock and tries to stare Copernicus in the eye.. a tricky proposition since Tanna is only slightly taller than four feet. "Hah! Come back to undercut our trade, did you? Pillaging our valuable natural resources, aintcha? Well, I'm not about to let you get away with it, spacer monster or not!"

Copernicus's ears twitch a bit, "Uhm, could you at least give me a hint what you are talking about?"

Samantha places a hand on Melantha's shoulder. << Perhaps we should approach later when the loud woman is occupied elsewhere. I have some thing else I have to get at a shop that should be just over here. >>

Melantha starts to say something but stops as she hears the commotion....

Tanna jumps up and down, and waves her fists in front of Copernicus' face. "What I'm talking about? What *I'M* talking about!!! Why, dragon-rustling of course!! What did you THINK I was talking about!?"

Melantha catches sight of the felitaur and starts walking toward him...mouth agape...

Copernicus is trying not to smile, as he has a BAD habit of showing too much fang when he does, "Dragon rustling? Oh, you mean my friend, Kainudy? She's not from your planet."

Samantha sighs. This is just going to be one of those days.

"What's that got to do with it?!" the badger demands. "You can't just come in and make off with a dragon, friend or not, and then expect to come back here selling the parts at a premium!"

Copernicus blanches, "Selling the..parts? Rest assured, Kainudy is still quite alive, and would get VERY angry if I tried to sell bits of her off. Not to mention, that would make her kids mad, and even I'm not that stupid."

Melantha runs toward Coper, her eyes shining with devotion and prostrates herself on the ground in front of him, chanting loudly in her native tongue.

Tanna seems to pause in mid tirade at this, then continues along another track. "Well, what about compensation for all the poor starving children of the merchants that would have benefitted if you'd have given them a chance to chop her up! Hmmm? Well?!"

Copernicus sighs. This is just going to be one of those days.

Samantha groans, and runs over towards Melantha.

Copernicus purrs, "Have you ever thought that dragons are people too? What if they wanted to chop YOU up and sell your parts? And...what is she doing? If any of my mates see this they'll let me have it." he tries to help Melantha to her feet as he watches Samantha rush up."

Samantha runs up, almost out of breath by the time she gets there. "I'm getting too old for this."

"Hah! Trying to steal our children now, are you?" Tanna proclaims. "And everyone knows dragons aren't *people*. They *eat* people!"

Melantha resists being lifted and refuses to stand on her own, continuing to chant.

Copernicus sighs as he notes he still seems to have the old effect on women. Yeesh.

Copernicus brushes off Tanna for a moment, "What is wrong with your friend Samantha?"

Samantha reaches down and grasps Melantha's shoulder. << Not now. Not here. If you need to worship him, let's do so in a less public space. >>

The badger turns to the crowd, "Hide your children! The spacers are trying to brain-wash them into some weird cult!! See?!?!"

The crowd is hanging on every word. If it weren't for the fact that this is Tanna ranting, some of them might almost be worried. Most are enjoying the entertainment.

Melantha pushes Samantha away, refusing to answer.

Samantha chitters in annoyance.

Copernicus sighs, "Tanna, that's not what I meant. Kainudy is a friend. She is a person, she has a right to live free. And she has some kids the size of your entire town who would really get upset if we killed their mom. Ok?"

The badger gasps! "My! You're brainwashing our children so you can feed them to this dragon's offspring?!"

Copernicus turns back to Samantha, "Could you tell her to please get up. This is embarrassing, and if my mates ever get the idea that I let this go on, I'm dead."

Samantha says, "I've already tried asking her to get up."

Copernicus looks around for Birnat, hoping someone will take this madwoman away?

Oryn begins to chitter in Melantha's ear. She stops her chanting and look up in confusion.

Tanna's brother, Birnat, is still on the other dock, going over the catch figures for the season with the fishermen.. and apparently oblivious to events surrounding his sister.

Suddenly stopping her rant, Tanna asks, "How big did you say these dragons were? Big as the town? They couldn't move very fast then, could they? Be easy to catch, would you say?"

Samantha clears her throat at Melantha. << Not now, please. Stand up. We should talk about this somewhere less public. >>

Copernicus egads to himself, "They can move VERY fast, and are VERY powerful. I would not want one as an enemy."

Tanna hmms, her eyes taking on a shrewd glint. "Such big creatures surely wouldn't notice a missing limb here or there, now would they?"

Melantha sits and listens, still confused. After Oryn's insistence that this was not her god of the hunt, Melantha stares wide-eyed with the realization that she can't understand a word Coper is saying....

The badger gets up and steps over the prone cheetah to pat Copernicus on the shoulder, "Yes yes.. sorry for the misunderstanding. A few hundred pounds of dragonflesh will smooth over things, I assure you. And don't forget the bones. Got to have some bones in with the meat." That taken care of, Tanna waddles off back towards the fishermen.

Samantha shakes her head, and waits until the old badger is out of earshot. "She just doesn't give up, does she."

Copernicus pats Melantha on the shoulder as she calms down, and just stares after the insane badger woman. He purrs to the crowd, "Is there a history of this in her family?"

Samantha says, "Don't ask me. There's a reason I don't live in town."

The crowd chuckles a little, and one rabbit jeers, "Naw, but I heard she got dropped on her head a lot when she was young." before his mother drags him off.

Copernicus purrs, "I'm tempted to let Charon talk with her. I think she'll give up her ideas of dragon flesh then. So, what is wrong with your friend?""

Samantha says, "I'm not sure." She looks at Melantha. << What was that about? >>

Melantha glances over to Samantha. <>

Samantha nods. << His name is Copernicus. >>

Samantha turns back to Copernicus. "Apparently you resemble the god of the hunt from her world."

Copernicus hmms and catches the edge of something. His race is mildly empathic, especially when touching.

Copernicus's ears go back, "A god? Oh, my, by the First Mother's arched back. Please, please tell her not to ever call me that when my mates are around. I'd NEVER hear the end of it."

Samantha chuckles. "I'd let you explain it yourself, but she's not clear on the language yet."

Melantha stands slowly...still not sure that she should.

Melantha looks from Samantha to Coper. <<Please tell him I am sorry if I offended him.>>

Copernicus hmms, "Course, she is very pretty, but this would have to be cleared up first. Maybe we can move to a more secluded area to talk?" noting the crowd enjoying the spectacle.

Samantha projects, <<He's not offended, just surprised. That, and if his friends were to find out, they would tease him about it.>>

Samantha says, "She says she's sorry if she offended you."

Copernicus ohs, "Not a problem. Just startled me is all."

Samantha nods. "Going somewhere less public would be good. I'm getting a headache."

Copernicus hmms, "Well, my headache just left, but yes, some quiet would be nice. How about over that way, towards edge of town?"

Samantha nods, and waves to Melantha to follow.

Melantha nods and walks behind Coper...still a little awe struck.

Copernicus leaps into the air to keep the others from being followed. He quickly lands near the city walls and waits.

Samantha stops at one of the shops along the way to buy a few vegetables she has trouble getting out where she is, then heads out around to where Copernicus is.

Copernicus bows slightly to Melantha, "I am Copernicus Skygazer Talorn. A fairly ordinary Chirr'T'Thar with a penchant for attracting trouble."

Melantha looks toward Samantha for a translation.

Samantha breathes in deeply for a moment, relaxing, before translating for Melantha.

Copernicus waits expectantly, and notes it might not hurt to have someone spend some time with her and a translator. The larger the linguistics database, the more accurate it becomes.

Samantha rubs her temple. "The only way I can really communicate with her right now is via mind-speak. It's not something I've done much of in a while."

Melantha nods and then adds, <<Are you sure he isn't Pichu?>>

Copernicus nods, "I'm only mildly empathic. And the translator doesn't have enough of her language base to even start yet."

Samantha projects back, <<Pretty sure. Admittedly I haven't seen him hunt. But there are a number of his people who arrived on this world not long ago.>>

Melantha nods. <<Oryn said I was being foolish...but I couldn't take any chances.>>

Samantha nods back to Melantha. <<Understood.>>

Copernicus's tail flicks, curiosity being one of the many flaws in his race's makeup. Or was that one of their better points?

Samantha says, "Anyhow, her name is Melantha. She and her friend appeared in the forest near where I live just a few days ago. I caught up with her just before she was about to try having the nephew of the council leader for dinner."

Copernicus purrs, "Oh, is it a social taboo for predators to invite herbivores to share food?"

Samantha glares at Copernicus. "That's not what I meant. Fortunately I managed to rescue the young idiot before she could hurt him too badly. I expect he's too embarrassed about the matter to set up a proper search for her."

Copernicus ohs, "You mean she was going to have a sapient as food. That would tend to get folks upset. So I look like this Pichu fellow huh? Well, hopefully she understands that I'm not him now. Can I at least give you ladies a ride home? You look rather tired Samantha."

Samantha nods. "I had been hoping to look around for possible teachers for the language, but that's probably not a good idea right now. Yes, I think she understands you're not him. And I wouldn't mind a ride at all."

Samantha turns to Melantha. "He is offering us a ride back to my home."

Copernicus hmms, "Well, maybe we can get a translating team to spend some time with her. It's a new language, and they like to collect them."

Melantha nods and then pauses, <<On his back?>>

Samantha nods. "That might be the best thing, actually. Your people would certainly have more experience with dealing with different languages than our local council."

Samantha nods to Melantha. <>

Melantha nods and then says something to Oryn while pointing to Coper.

Oryn chitters back and Melantha nods. <<Ok, we are ready.>>

Samantha says to Copernicus, "She says she's ready."

Copernicus's whiskers flicker and he nods, he turns his torso around so he's facing his own back and offers a hand to Samantha first, "You can ride right behind me, as it were. Then your friend."

Melantha helps Samantha too and then climbs in behind her.

Samantha nods, adjusts her pack, and hangs on tightly.

Copernicus purrs, "Tell her to hold on. I jump to take off."

Samantha goes, << Hold on! >>

Melantha holds on with everything she can.

Copernicus sits back on his haunches, then leaps up into the air, his wings snapping open with a loud 'crack' as he takes off and quickly levels off into a smooth level flight, maybe 100 feet up above the trees. Seems he isn't above showing off a little.

Samantha erfs.

Copernicus is giving a nice, smooth flight, he purrs back to Samantha, "Your daughter seems to really enjoy flying."

Melantha slowly opens her eyes, which were clinched shut. After seeing the view she quickly wraps her arms around Samantha and hold on for dear life!

Samantha nods. "She does, yes. It's a little more than 'enjoy', and well into 'fascination'."

Samantha erfs again. << Just stay calm, it's all right. >>

Copernicus's wings are a blur as he buzzes towards the elder oak, "True. Course, to me, there is no way to be too interested in flight, but I can understand your problem. Ah, there is the clearing. I'll land shortly."

Samantha says, "She's asked me about many ways to let her fly... none of which are all that easy. I should look into getting a giant kite or something made."

Copernicus nods, then focuses on landing in the small clearing, backpedalling with his wings so he comes to an easy rest on his four feet, "Well, Andromeda had said that she might be interested in a shuttle flight."

Samantha pauses for a moment to calm herself. "Probably, yes."

Copernicus helps Melantha and Samantha off his back and onto the ground, "Hope you enjoyed the flight."

Melantha stands next to Samantha, shaking a little. <<That was the greatest sensation I've ever had.>>

Samantha looks at Melantha for a moment, then chuckles. "I think we both have, yes."

Copernicus nods, "Well, maybe we can get another shuttle pilot out of Acera when she gets old enough. And I'll send by some linguistics people when we get time."

Samantha nods. "That would be greatly appreciated, thank you."

Acera and Nalae are nowhere to be seen, but, as there is no sign of any disasters, they're probably off playing and haven't gotten into trouble yet.

Copernicus nods and headrubs Samantha and Melantha, then leaps into the air, taking off at obviously much greater speed.

Samantha waves to Copernicus.

Melantha just stands and watches the felitaur fly off.

Samantha watches as well, then turns to Melantha. << He said he'd bring some people by later who are good with languages. Hopefully we can work on teaching you some more of the local tongue. >>

Melantha nods. <<Yes, it would be nice to be able to understand everyone.>>

Samantha says, << Agreed. Now, let's head back in and unpack for now. We'll deal more with the town later. >>

Oryn warbles in Melantha's ear. She blinks a few times and then shakes her head, <<He says he's hungry again.>> She follow Samantha into the house.

Samantha chuckles. << Fortunately, I picked up a little extra meat while we were there. >>

Melantha smiles. <<Clever.>>