Chasing Shadows

[Riamah]

Listening to the answer provided, it didn't seem out of line or against anything Ailuros believed in. To plant and make sure it gained root, she could also do. It would test her patience for sure though since growth did not happen overnight or very quickly.

The cat nodded before speaking though.

"I can agree to those terms."

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Humming softly to give [member="Ailuros"] the tune, the spirit sang

So let’s clear the air, grab a chair,
I’ve got flair, when I fight a bear.
I rip off it’s skin, for my wife to wear,
I did it for a dare, I’m your worst nightmare –
Look close, check out my facial hair.

Relax, face facts, a fight with you would be an anticlimax,
When you go to war, you don’t take off your slacks.
Look at me – I’m tough, I fight in the buff,
I could say more but I’ve said enough so…

Borne on Ill Wind you hear!

Have some grace, shut your face!

Borne on Ill wind I say

Cause boy you’re well off the pace!

Seems to me that you’re not even skilled,
I can fill a lake with the blood I’ve spilled.
I decorate my house with heads of men I’ve killed,
I’d stab you right now but I’m trying to chill.

Yeah you got a brain but you’ve just got one,
I’ve got five on my belt from the battles I’ve won.
In a rage, on a rampage, I’ve killed more men then old age so…

Borne on Ill Wind Today!

 

[Riamah]

It might have sounded funny coming from a horrifying creature, but Ailuros listened as best she could to the words and tune sung to her.

"Some of the describes me very well! I so very much enjoy just running around in my fur."

Attempting to mimic him, she started to hum with him and place the words where needed. Hoping this didn't count as calling upon the need for him, she trusted since she was just learning the song it wouldn't in his mind either.
​
[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

[member="Ailuros"]

It took several tries before she finally memorized the lyrics and tunes of the song. It wasn’t easy considering the effects would depend on not just the words but how it was sung as well.

Once she had memorized the song, it leaned forward and sealed the deal with a kiss. The kiss was surprisingly soft and gentle with a hint of unstated possibilities. Then it departed climbing upward in on unseen webs until it was gone from sight, leaving her alone with her be used guide.

“Are you ready to proceed?” He asked with a grin on his face.

 

[Riamah]

After memorizing the song and tune, the spirit leaned forward and kissed Ailuros. There wasn't anything sexual in the action, but there were hints behind it of what might be. Not something she expected at all. He soon departed and Kosh was again at her side.

Unsure if he had observed what had just happened, she assumed he had since he was wearing a grin on his face. Answering him though, her ears perked forward in almost anticipation of what was next.

"Always!"

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Tearing open a hole into the floor to reveal a gaping darkness, he explained their next destination. “Our last visit will be to Tiloz the Trickster. Be extra careful for you never can tell where his sense of humor might take you. My advise, try to think of a joke, the funniest you know. If you make him laugh, then you will have secured his favor. You will not want to not make him laugh.”

[member="Ailuros"]

 

[Riamah]

Due to her keeping any fear she had hidden and secret from the spiderlike spirit, Ailuros now was able to actually recall how she felt. It had not been on a conscience level. When Kosh apparently tore a hole in the ground, she practically jumped out of her skin. Her fur puffed up as she was startled and it took a few minutes for it to resume its normal place.

After she regained full control, her ears tipped slightly at her companion in this.

"Do I want to make him laugh or don't I? To make him laugh, I'll have his favor, but then you said I will not want to make him laugh...I'm am confused, sorry."

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

“You will not want him to not laugh.” Kosh repeated patiently to @Ailuros. “He is a trickster spirit, who can be cruel and spiteful at the smallest of things. So my advise it to make him laugh or at least smile. You would not like to be like tge last person who tried to seek an audience.”

 

[Riamah]

When Kosh repeated what he said, even if he used the same words as before, the meaning was clear to her this time. Blinking at him, there was some fear in her eyes.

"What happened to the last person, Kosh?"

He had said​ she should think of a joke to make the next spirit laugh or smile, but that was the farthest thing from her mind after hearing what he just said.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

“Arrogant little man named Lawton Greaz, hungry for knowledge and power came seeking even more but failed to offer the spirit the token it demanded. That should have been the end of it but in his arrogance he spat on he Trickster saying he would devour all knowledge until they were equal and he would come back and destroy the spirit.” He explained to [member="Ailuros"] before continuing, “So the Trickster made him literally eat his own words by inflicting an unceasing all encompassing hunger that can never be sated. The fool ended eating his entire crew before his ship crashed somewhere on the Outer Rim territories. They say he lurks in the wilderness, eating rocks and dirt, fatter than a proper Hutt, waiting for fresh meat to fill his ravenous belly. I would feel sorry if the bastard did not deserve it. “

 

[Riamah]

The thought it lucky she didn't crave power in things, but was curious about everything. So by being curious, she learned and gained knowledge.

"So the token is a joke enough to make him laugh?"

Taking a gulp, she hoped​ the jokes of her people were funny enough for this spirit. She wasn't one that would spit on another person on purpose at least. Hacking up a hairball when she was nervous was something totally different than intentionally.

"Oh remind me to stay away from the Outer Rim. I can say he's not on Trian though."

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

“Take a look for yourself, @Ailuros.” Kosh invited her to peek into the token container, after all with so much riding on the next few minutes, she did deserve to see for herself. Inside was a single hand held mirror made from highly polished obsidian, the sheen reflected her face as she took a peek.

 

[Riamah]

When Kosh held out the container for her to peek into, the cat did just that. Her own face looked back and she took a quick moment to put her fur and whiskers back into some sense of order. Nodding, she looked up at Kosh.

"What would he want with a mirror?"

Maybe he was vain and wanted to look at himself easily. It was all she could think of.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

“Think about it @Ailuros. He has been around for ages, what else could be more funnier than himself.” Kosh said with a very pleased tone of voice. “Just be wary of a trick and never accept something that he says is free. This will probably the hardest one of all, are you ready to go forward?”

 

[Riamah]

"That's one I had never thought of. I don't think I'm funny looking but others seem to think so at times. Maybe it's the tail, the fur or lack of clothes, I'm not sure really and nobody has told me."

Nodding when Kosh asked​ if she was ready to go forward, Ailuros nodded.

"I am and will try to remember what you said. Nothing is free."

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Kosh directed her to the hole he had tore into “ground” and indicated she would need to take a leap of faith. The hole was deep, dark and cold. Then abruptly they were surrounded avalance of colors, smells and sounds, enough to overload the senses and give them blinding migraine.

The ground crashed into them with a painful thud, as they picked themselves off the ground they could see a giant mushroom underneath of which several creatures seemed to having some sort of party.

 

[Riamah]

So far Kosh had not lead her down a wrong path and she did have faith in him as her guide. When the hole opened, she did as he wordlessly suggested and took that leap of faith. Letting out a grunt when they landed, she climbed to her feet and brushed her fur back into order. She might be nothing more than a spirit here herself, but she wanted to present herself the best she could.

Looking at the scene in front of them, Ailuros wondered what was going on and how to get involved. In the back of her mind, she remembered nothing here came for free. So maybe that included getting into the party as well.

"How do we join?"

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Kosh pointed at the box that contained the token gift as if that would answer the question. Then before they could exchange any words they were surrounded by a myriad of faces as the crowd surged to surround them, cutting all avenues of escape.

“More guests.” They said in half enthusiatic way, as if they needed to state the obvious as they carried the pair to the giant mushroom, under which a large oak table that almost groaned from the weight of the food and cutlery on top of it. Baked goods, smoking meats, fruit from over two dozen worlds were piled in a heap all for the taking. A giant mantis stood on one side, its claw like arms stroking a strange instrument that make wailing sound with each strum.

A young human female sat at the head, her blonde locks arranged in wild dreadlocked pattern. She looked at the pair with mismatched eyes, one green as an emerald and the other blue like sapphires under the light.

“Well well look who dragged the cat in. Kosh it has been ages, literal ages since you joined our party. Who is is your companion I wonder? Never mind I will ask her myself.”

“You girl, what is your name? Speak freely now or I shall rip out your tongue and make it a necklace.” She commanded [member="Ailuros"] in a not so subtle way.

 

[Riamah]

With all Ailuros had been through today, it was no wonder she was so scatter brained. If she had been able to think clearly, then she wouldn't have asked the same question she had before. Even though it had been phrased differently.

Soon they were picked and carried into the party proper and set down in front of what looked like a human female. She came across as rude, but maybe that was just how her personality made her.

It was almost a joke though since Ailuros was a cat and had been drug in with Kosh. Trying not to smile or giggle, when the figure asked her name she spoke up.

"Ailuros."

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

“To wander among the stars, fittingly good name to have, if I should say so myself. Now pray tell me what business did this degenerate excuse for a squid have with you to drag you all the way to our humble celebration? Have you come to make a deal?”