3. Diary of a Fuzzy Sorceress

Diary of a Fuzzy Sorceress


  • Entry 142

    My visit here has been wonderful. It's great to be with my father again. And meeting his parents and siblings. I know Tindra and I have raised some eyebrows, but it's okay.

    I just am not thinking too much on some questions they asked.

    If there is one thing that I am completely taken by surprise by, it's that I am no longer an exile. I suppose I shouldn't really be surprised, but I was. The partnership with the elves has softened some stances; and nobody wants to tell my father his daughter can take a hike. There is also the fact that a newer generation leads the tribe. Elders who don't recall the day I was run out of town, but recalls when I (Tindra technically) snuck back one time years later and ended up lending aid to rescue captives from bugbears. The tribe is still wary of my magic, but are rather curious and awed by my shapeshifting. Youngbloods wish to spar with me, and children asked for kitty-back rides.

    The tribe and the elves tend to stick with their own. The former in tents below, the latter in houses built in the trees. I did see some interactions that made me smile.

    The tribe's warriors, especially youngbloods, have always pitted themselves against each other in various contests. Much of it is determining dominance. And of course it gives a good show for the women (seeing a few try to impress Rith was priceless). I found a few elven warriors joining in. That was fun to watch. Elves tend to fight very differently. They are much more methodical and precise. On the first round, the elves easily knocked down the youngbloods with some sidesteps and redirecting of force. Their mistake, however, was to act too smug. Maybe they were just being typically elvish, or maybe they were just trying to intimidate. Either way, what they did was give the youngbloods a good reason to really throw themselves at the elves. The youngbloods charged in with a ferocity that startled the elves, who were beaten. I'm not sure what surprised the elves more. The ferocity of that attack, or the youngbloods then helping the elves back up for some more sparring. I admit it's a little bipolar.

    I also saw one of the tribe's shamans of Tempus talking with a priest of Corellon. They were exchanging tales of their gods. And I laughed at an elven hunters blushing at some catcalling from a couple of the women while he was returning.

    I just wish there wasn't some gloom from concerns about the bugbears. That would have made this whole trip perfect.


  • Entry 141
    My father's alive. So of to home we went. By Selûne, this was nerve-wracking. Arguing with a dragon would probably be more relaxing.

    Tindra was very excited. I'm rather jealous, she seems like she has few worries in this world. Rith would scold me and say I should be like that, too. I should, but I was so damn scared of what my father would say or do when he learns the truth.

    Of course, Rith was with us along with Fadia and Thorn. It's a good thing they insisted on making the journey, we fought a fair amount of hobgoblins and bugbears. It's nothing short of a miracle that I made it to Norwick when I was exiled, which is of course why Selûne means so much to me.

    After many days, we found a familiar sight. The clearing where my life changed for the first time. I stared at the sky for a few minutes, at the same spot I recall seeing Selûne's star twinkle at me. Memories crashed down on me, they were as vivid as if they happened yesterday. I know I've told the story numerous times before, but I told it again. This place was important to me, and I wanted the others to understand why. Memory after memory left my lips. The elders questioning me, that bastard calling me a witch and a devil, the ball of white light shooting out from my hand when I became scared, running for my life from my tribe and only stopping when exhaustion forced me, feeling so scared and alone and with no idea of what to do or where to go. But then I remembered Selûne guides wanderers and the lost, and I prayed.

    The Moonmaiden let me true. I am forever hers because of it. I pulled out a moonstone and offered it to her, setting it on the stone where I had sat and prayed years ago. And I was amused that Tindra had done the exact same thing as I at the same moment. Did we both tell the story together too?

    The village, of course, is in ruins. Almost nothing left really, nature has claimed the land. Tindra and I found where we used to live, and we bowed our heads to offer a moment of respect for our mother. Rith called out that there was movement, elves. One quickly approached us, and instantly I knew it was Daddy. I felt that fear and guilt hit me again.

    If I wasn't so caught up in my feelings, I would have found it amusing that my own father almost mistook Rith to be his daughter. He quickly recovered and came at me and gave me a hug. I wished that hug could last forever, but deep down I knew we had to tell him the truth. Daddy quickly noticed Tindra and knew something was odd. Rith volunteered to explain. I am relieved she offered the explanation, I don't think I could have done it myself.

    My father sat and listened. His face was serious and without emotion as he let Rith talk. After she was done, he took a look at both Tindra and I. Fear spiked through my body again. He went over and gave Tindra a loving hug, which even in my panicked mind I was happy to see. Then he walked up to me.

    There have only been a few times I've seen such a look in his face. It was That Look. You know what I mean right? The look only a parent can give a kid who did something wrong. If I wasn't so paralyzed with fear, I think I might have actually ran. In a sharp voice, he demanded I look at him. "A fake life… illusion and lies? Is that all you are?" I heard him ask.

    The words echoed loudly in my ears. How many times have I asked myself the same thing? For how long have I let that hang over my head?

    I'm real. No matter how I came to be, I am real. Different, but real. I told Daddy so.

    And he accepted it. Gave me another hug. Jerr, you'd be proud of me.


  • Entry 140

    Time has flown by so fast here. Rith promised to show Fadia and I around Suzail, and she really showed us around. Each night I've been exhausted from the day's activities that I have neglected to write anything in this diary.

    Some highlights?

    The Laughing Lass was a terrific place to just have fun. Good food, great drink (while I did try the local ales and wines, I was happy to see my favorite Silverymoon Ruby was available), and really, really good music and dancing. I even had some fun trading tales with some of the local adventurers

    The variety of fish at the harbor was amazing. Fish came in every color of the rainbow, even all the colors at once! And shellfish too. I was very selfish with the shellfish. Sorry, I couldn't resist that joke. Yes, Rith and Fadia groaned at it too. One of the fishmongers joked that I had to be a cat with how excited I was of all the fish. If only he knew how right he was.

    We also spent some time at the Royal Gardens. It was amazing to see the different fauna and flora they had. A whole forest in a city! I was sorely tempted to run through it as a panther. I wonder if they'd let me…

    While being in the city was a tad dizzying, the freshness of it all kept me from feeling unnerved. The Purple Dragon Knights are indeed glorious; with their well kept and shining armor. One law in particular caught my eye as I glanced at an official posting. Harming cats is forbidden. I couldn't help but smile.

    I took the time to speak with one interesting merchant. Out of respect, I won't write much of him here. He did appreciate my visit to his shop, from one "monster" to another.

    Today ended on a rather interesting note. I was returning to the main building of the Phoenixfeather estate and saw Hammond by the fountains in the courtyard. He mistook me for being Rith! Maybe I should have said something. I didn't want to embarrass him; I'd have felt awful doing so. He asked me to sit with him... on his lap actually, like he'd expect of one who is like a daughter to him. I then got the lecture I expect he gives Rith whenever she visits.

    How she shouldn't forget to think of herself and not just other people. How she shouldn't let herself be alone, find a man, have a family. Things like that.

    And to add to the awkwardness of it all? Rith walked in on us.

    Maybe I should have just said who I was from the start. But I think Rith is probably happier to not have had that conversation with him. I did tell her afterward all about it since she wanted to know. And that I really do agree with Hammond. Now only if I could get Rith to follow through with the advice... I'll try my hardest to. I kind of promised to... And then some.

    This won't be easy. Rith's got her hang ups. I'll worry about it all after we are home again.


  • Entry 139

    Suzail! We have finally made our trip. As I write, I am in a nice bedroom in the Phoenixfeather estate (which is HUGE). It's Rith's room actually, though I do have my own room. I think Fadia has a room as well, but she is more comfortable sleeping outside in the gardens, the silly druid.

    The food available here is amazing. I have tried a number of foods at tonight's dinner that I have never heard of before. It was mostly all delicious, there were a few items I didn't care for. Rith didn't eat much, I think because the conversation's topic strayed into subjects she'd rather not speak about.

    "Uncle" Hammond is a lovely fellow. I can tell he loves Rith like she were his own daughter. He has nothing but praise for Rith, he calls her his "little Sunshine." Quite an adorable nickname. I do hope to spend more time with him and ask more about Rith's childhood.

    We have a lot planned for this trip. Rith is very excited to show us two woodsy women the splendors of fancy city life. It should be interesting.


  • Entry 138

    It's been a month or so now that Tindra and I have become separate people. I find myself growing used to having only my thoughts bouncing in my head. I feared that would take longer to get used to, honestly.

    What I think I will not get used to for a while yet, is having people call me Tindra and it feeling wrong. Unless I know the person is talking directly to me, I find myself not reacting to hearing somebody call out for Tindra. Even when Benji called out Tindra’s name for the archery contest, I didn’t step forward. I expected Tindra herself to step up, but it seems she wasn’t at this month’s competition. I have started to tell people to call me Lorie or Lorelai. Naturally, it’s the people who just met me that are quicker to accept it.

    We’ve been planning more for the trip to Suzail. It’ll be just us sisters, at least for half a month. After that, we’ll see if we want to head back home or bring the kittens over for a day or two. Rith has a “Word of Recall” spell that will make our travel time moments rather than weeks, so it’ll be easy to bring the fetch the kittens for a brief time. I am quite looking forward to the trip. This is where Rith grew up and it is completely different than where grew up. Just about completely opposite. Suzail is a grand city, while I grew up in a small village. She grew up around nobles and rich merchant families, while I among barbarians who never dealt with money. It fascinates me how we are so different, yet so very much sisters.

    Thorn has been staying at the den lately. I hope Dondiah works out the problem from her trip he was in on. Though, it is nice having Thorn about. I don’t know if I mentioned it before (I really don’t feel like looking back through this diary right now to confirm), but I sort of did have eyes on him when back when I was trying to get over Jerrick being with Feather. Thorn was an easy person to open up to, and is a fetching elf. I’m glad he and Fadia have become close.


  • Entry 137

    So much has happened in the past week or so.

    The artifact has been recovered and the Shadovar are beaten back. I would not be surprised if they return someday, but for now we have won. Rith and Fadia both came back alive and well. Rith was so happy to finally be able to leave her post at the temple. She had missed Tawny terribly, and the lioness missed her too.

    With the terrible business of the Shadovar behind us, we turned our attention to the next task at hand. Tindra and I.

    The ritual was painful, both physically and spiritually. The physical pain was having my arm cut off. The spiritual pain was… well... it felt like being ripped in half. I was expecting that, but it still was awful and I ended up passing out from the pain at the end. When I woke, I felt drained, though the pain was gone. My arm was regrown by healing magics from Rith after our task was done. It still felt a bit tingly.

    And Tindra?

    She's a pretty elf now. Her face still looks mostly the same as mine, but she's got brown hair and green eyes. Most importantly, she looked very happy. She's her own self now. I'm my own self too. Just the way we wanted.

    I must admit, however, that I do feel a bit of an emptiness in my head. No, I don't wish her back in my head. It's like... like living with somebody for many years and then that person moves out to their own place. I can still see and visit that person, but now the home has an empty room. It's change. Change for the better, but still change.

    Rith tells me she hopes that she can be as beautiful and wonderful a person as I am. She loves to flatter me so. I do push myself constantly, not quite believing that I am really as good of a person as she or Jerrick tell me. I am fearful of becoming the hateful person the Dark Enchantress molded me to be. And I do let guilt of what happened to Tindra weigh on my mind constantly.

    Rith tells me I shouldn't feel guilty anymore. She has her life fully now. And whatever years I've stolen from her, are repaid in her being an elf and will live many, many years beyond.

    I promise to try not to feel guilty anymore.

    Besides, we have a trip to Suzail to plan. I should enjoy this with a clear heart and mind.


  • Entry 136
    Alright, alright, alright. Tindra wins. I bet she somehow got Fadia and Rith to talk to me about how we will be split. It makes me feel so guilty to keep this body and have her take a new one. But… I've already kinda taken things over. And then the kittens know this face as their mother. And Tindra really does want this path.

    Still, I feel so guilty.

    Rith and Fadia plan to be taking part in a big mission to stop the Shadovar from achieving their goal. I want to take part too, but I really should stay with the kittens. And looking at the list of suggested items to bring, various healing potions, medicine kits, scrolls and such... I don't think I could afford that all. Best I don't go and drag things down.

    My two sisters are trying to be optomistic about this mission, but they both have then said things to me that make me cringe. Rith asks us both that if she dies to let Tindra have her body. I want my sister back from death, I'll be pissed off at her if she decides to stay dead just for Tindra.

    And Fadia asks me if they fail, do I have someplace safe to bring the kittens... I wasn't sure if I knew of anywhere outside of Narfell to go to. One thought was that Jerrick would surely know a place. However, I came up with an idea.

    IF the worst happens and we must flee Narfell, then Suzail will be our destination.

    –----------------------

    _Well, I didn't exactly tell them to talk to you, but yes I thought they would after I had a chat with them. Really, it's for the best this way.

    Also… does Rith really want me to slap her again? She's a nice person, but she can be so shortsighted on some things. Make her promise to take you to Suzail. Give her a reason to come back to you._


  • Entry 135
    _I watched the Team Fight portion of Fight Night a few weeks ago. At least a dozen were competing, and a handful of spectators watching. As I looked about, there were two things that weighed heavily on my heart.

    First, I only recognized a few people. And only two of them I have known for a good length of time. Only one, Suldin, actually came up to me to say farewell after Fight Night was done.

    Second, I am certain that Lorelai would have known more people.

    Fadia found me afterword, and asked me to take a walk with her. She asked how if I ever felt I was excluded or didn't fit in the Circle since I'm not a druid. I guess she's feeling like that with some other groups she has become involved in. I told her I never felt like an outsider in the Circle.

    It's my life that I feel like I'm an outsider of.

    The other week, Lorelai and I have been that Fadia's been praying to Mielikki for a way to help us, and she has received a vision on how to do it. Like Andu was suggesting, it is a modified Reincarnation rite. There's only two concerns.

    First, who will become the new body? Lorie and have had arguments about that. Hopefully, we'll resolve it.

    Second, what manner of being will the powers of Nature decide to shape the new body into? It could end up being a kobold, orc, or even a goblin as much as it could be a human, elf, or dwarf. Is the risk worth it?

    I think it will. I am willing to risk it._


  • Entry 134

    Narfell isn't a land that stays quiet for very long. we have Shadovar causing trouble now. They are Sharrans through and through. They are trying to ressurect their old city, and want to wreck havoc on the Weave. There seems to be one exception, a man of their own who has turned his back on them and their ways. I am not sure if I trust him, but I will give him the chance to prove he speaks truthfully. I won't be a hypocrite.

    I wish I could afford the time to play a more active part in this. The kittens come first, of course. Elaine and Leena look so much alike; I'm sure they will be pulling the same pranks that Rith and I have. If you pay attention, you'll notice their personalities are a bit different. Elaine is a little more demanding, while Leena is more daring. Both are getting to be trouble-makers. They have even exhausted Tojan! I think they are getting to be old enough for me to bring them down to the den and let them play with Tawny.

    Tojan just freaked out at that notion. Sounds like the girls are good pouncers.

    One thing does bother me with the kittens. They are getting aware of the differences between Tindra and I. I was hoping that we would be separated by now. I'll have to talk to Jerrick. Maybe Fadia and Rith, too. It's past time I do something about it. Give Tindra her life back completely.


  • Entry 133

    Jenni and Jonni. Wow.

    I missed Fight Night. I came in just as it was wrapping up. Oh well. Happily, Rith was there and so we got to spend some time together.

    I do worry that Tindra and I haven't split apart. Andu hasn't been around much and Jerrick and I have been so focused on the kittens. That's life I suppose. Rith might be able to help, but the ways she knows of that would accomplish the task have one problem… getting a body. It's either, move one of us into a free body, or have one of us become truly reborn. A druid's reincarnation rite would ask the powers of nature to fashion a new body instead. Maybe Fadia could help instead if Andu's not available?

    Rith got mushy again, about how much she cares for me. It's a mutual feeling, us being sisters. Somebody asked earlier today if we were twins. Perhaps we aren't really, but it often feels like we are. She does worry that Tindra doesn't like her though. I know Tindra doesn't feel the same kinship, and I didn't expect her to. But I don't think it's as bad as Rith worries.

    _No, I don't dislike her. She's a decent person and has helped you a lot, Lorelai. She's treated me with kindness. However, she has a habit of letting her stubbornness get the better of her and she seems really blind to that until it's too late. She can overreact at the slightest thing sometimes too.

    We'll be friends… but probably not more than that._


  • Entry 132
    _There were some rumors floating about that Jenni had recently rented a room at the Grapevine Inn. That caught the interest of both Lorelai and I. We both decided we should try to see if it was so. I didn't find them at the inn, but later when I was talking to Fadia by the south gate (which was missing again), I spied a woman with a little boy passing by. I instantly recognized them, especially when they started to play a game of tag.

    Jenni and Jonni. And I do mean the Jonni. He looked just as he did when he was a little boy, when Katya was alive. He may have looked like a kid, but it was apparent after talking with the both of them that Jonni's memories are quite intact. If I were to guess, I'd say this was Reincarnation magic at work.

    Fadia and I spent a while talking to them. Jenni was hoping to meet with Jonathan. It seems that she felt her wards on the old tree that she lived in were broken. Which probably means something was taken out that should really be left alone. Fadia and I warned the two about recent events with the Hoarans. They still want to talk to Jonathan (all things considered, so would I if I was them), but at least they don't walk in blindly.

    There was a woman taking notes of our conversation (it's not like it was a secret meeting). I didn't recognize the woman, but Fadia seemed to. She said something about expecting to hear about a report up north after the woman left. I'm kind of curious who the woman is to be so interested in the chat with Jenni and Jonni._


  • Entry 131

    Ugh, what a day. We tried to rescue Rico (the Sunite paladin) who got trapped in the kobold caverns. It didn't go so well. We ended up almost needing rescuing ourselves. The kobolds didn't appreciate the strength of force we had and pulled in a LOT of powerful lizardmen allies to fight us. Three of us were killed. I almost died too. It probably wouldn't have been that bad if Rith didn't answer some negotiations with a summoning spell.

    And of course, she was upset after all was said and done because we scolded her for it. The others probably won't understand that she's upset at herself more than us…

    Oh well...


  • Entry 130

    I hadn't done a lot during my pregnancy, since I didn't want to put my childrens' lives in danger. After the pregnancy? Still not doing a lot. Mostly because two baby girls take a LOT of time and care. Of course, Jerrick does a lot as well; it's not just me. I probably would have gone crazy (as if I'm not) if I was left to raise these two girls by myself.

    Did I mention they are crawling? Fragile and sharp objects have been relocated to higher places.

    Did I also mention they turn feline? Usually, it's when I'm around and I shapeshift. They do become more mobile when they shapeshift. And act like adorable kittens. I think we are going to need to grow some belladonna here at the house in case Jerrick gets bitten.

    As much as I love my kittens, I have been feeling a bit stir crazy. It got bad enough that I found myself agreeing to go with Val into the Norwick crypt down and down into the underdark caverns. I hate the crypts. Disgusting undead and enclosed spaces. Yet, there I was with Val, Troff, Diadne, a dwarf who's name I forget, Caelisar, and Saria. I have to admit, I managed to enjoy the adventure. It was good exercise at the least. We put some undead to rest. Cleared the caves below of foul umberhulks and hook horrors.

    Most of all, the people I were with were good company. Val's voice singing out to raise our spirits and crush the enemies' will. Troff holding scores of undead at a doorway so we could fight them on our terms. Diadne purging the caverns with well placed flame spells. Caelisar calling on Lurue's holy magic. Saria tenaciously fighting with but her hands and feet. And myself using my claws to tear up foes. The dwarf was pretty competent too, though he left us after clearing half of the second floor.

    I haven't fought beside many of these people too much before. Yet we all worked together as if we had done so hundreds of times. A few mistakes made here and there, of course. But when one stumbled, the rest of us adapted to keep each of us alive. This little adventure didn't get me any money. I think, however, I came out of it with something more valuable. People I know I can trust.

    In other news, there seems to be a buzz in the air about the Hoarans. Both Thorn and Devlin wanted me to check something out. All the while, Devlin's talking about how war is coming against the Hoarans. I'm not sure what has spurred it, but it doesn't surprise me. Jonathan gave me the impression before of being too willing to repeat the past. I've got mixed emotions about the notion of warring with the Hoarans. On one hand, there are still some true Romani in the camp. On the other hand, the Hoarans did slowly take over the camp and pushed many of us out all us Gali and many of the Romani. And I still have suspicions about Jonni's death.

    I won't go looking for trouble there. But I also won't sit back if they attack me or my family.


  • Entry 129

    Rith came back! We had a wonderfully tearful reunion at the den. I wish I had been the one to first greet her, but Tindra was the one in control at the time. She gave Rith a slap upside the head. Okay, it probably was deserved, but I don't think I could have brought myself to do it.

    She denies something was bothering her. I know better though. I'll get it out of her later. For now, I'm just glad she returned. She better not do this again. At least tell me first!

    The Seldarine festival was fun. I danced, drank some wine (finally!), and had a challenging round of archery against Ael'Que. I wish Jerrick could have come too.

    _Of course she deserved that slap! Even Tawny did it. I should have hit harder, honestly. I would have if Fadia wasn't there.

    Gods help her if she does this again to you…_


  • Entry 128
    I just want to know why. What pains my sister so? Something must be bothering her. Did I somehow push her away? What happened? I want so much to be with her and help her, like a sister should.

    If she really needed to leave, I… I guess I could accept that. I can't follow now, not with having two baby girls to take care of. A goodbye would have been nice. A promise to come back. A promise to keep in touch.

    Don't keep me in the dark, Rith.


  • Entry 127
    _Aha, found some of Jerrick's ink.

    By Selûne, it's been a trying few days. We can't find Rith anywhere. Lorie's assumed right away that Rith left. Which looks to be the correct assumption.

    She's upset about it. Very upset. Hence the spilled ink. She was shaking so much that she knocked the vial over as she went to write down her thoughts. At least she isn't letting this affect how she's treating the kittens. She doesn't want to leave the house though.

    Well, she does want to leave the house but not to go to town…

    Quite frankly, I don't blame Lorie for being upset. I'm quite angry. Lorie is hurt by Rith leaving. They had a promise not to leave without the other. She wants to follow her sister very badly. She can't, of course, because of the kittens. It pains her, to be unable to do anything about it.

    If I could talk to Rith right now... I'm not sure what I'd say. What I do know, is that I'd give her a slap upside the head._


  • Entry 126

    What about our promise, dammit!! I

    *** A splattering of pink ink blotches scatter across the page, with one big blob in the center which runs down the page. ***

    <g>FARK!</g>


  • Entry 125

    I am now a proud mother of two adorable twin girls. Jerrick and I decided we would each name one. The name I chose is "Elaine Xixia" and he chose "Leena Lynn". And of course, they will share Jerrick's family name, Rayfe.

    I still feel spent, even though it's been a couple of days since the birth. It wasn't easy, I think the twins complicated it a bit. I'm no stranger to pain, yet I have to say that it was quite intense. It wasn't the worst pain I've felt, not even close. But it had meaning. This wasn't pain for the sake of harming me, but so that two new lives could enter the world. Rith and Jerrick were with me though, so I was sure that if anything truly went wrong, the twins and I would still be fine.

    And right away I learn my first of many hard lessons about motherhood. Right now I'd love nothing more than to curl up in bed and sleep the whole night through. And I probably will try after I finish writing. I just finished feeding the twins. So I'll go to bed, and it'll be just after I start dreaming that two piercing cries will jolt me awake.

    First lesson: Babies have their own schedule, and to hell with what the sun and moon say what time it is.

    _Lorie was right. That was a promising dream, too.

    I don't think I've ever been so grateful for my sorcery than now. Prestigitation is terrific for cleaning up the babes when changing diapers.

    I know I've said that these will be Lorie's kids, and they will be. I can't help but feel motherly to them also. I'm not surprised, I was with Lorie throughout it all.

    Damn, they're cute. Even when they are crying. They must be hungry again._


  • Entry 124

    Twins. Wow. At least it's not a litter.

    I can't help but ponder over the rest of the seer's words and the mirror's vision. After talking things over with Rith and Jerrick, I think I figured out a some things.

    "Two by two , one remain true. One's loss is one's gain, but not both, all the same. Both profit, one stays, but both remain. There is change. Change changes too. One will never change again."
    – We become two people. One's body stays as we are. The other, however, will not be the same. She will not be a werecat anymore.

    "Not an end. Two beginnings."
    -- Unsure about this section. Perhaps related to how we'll do the split?

    "Both are needed for both. Opposites from you, but the same."
    -- Jerrick suggests this means that we'll need both Andu and himself to perform the ritual.

    The mirror's vision supports the meaning that one of us will not be a werecat after. And that will be a heartfelt loss. I agree with it, the idea of never being a werecat pains me. It must bother Tindra too.

    But which of us should suffer that fate? Tindra's right, it is a sacrifice.

    I would do it. Tindra deserves her life back. This was all my fault. Jerrick would chide me right now for writing that, but there is no denying the truth. I made that stupid deal with the fey. I helped those nightmares come to life. I let them go unchecked.

    No matter what happens, I will make the most of my life though. I will be with Jerrick and my kittens. Andu and Tindra will be happy together also. There will be a happy ending to all this, I swear.


  • _~Interlude~
    Pixie Quest V: From Pixie, With Love

    Life just couldn't get much better for Tojan. Her Kitty was back. And Dark Kitty was still here. That was a big relief to Fang and Sunny especially, but Tojan was sure that Violet and Glimmer would have missed Dark Kitty an awful lot too. Even Tojan would have missed her. As if having her Kitty back wasn't enough to celebrate about, Dark Kitty was pregnant with twins.

    She was working on a project in the empty room of the den, keeping it secret from everybody. She had simply said that it was a present for the Kittens and would say no more. Tojan's excitement wouldn't keep her still even while she worked on her project. Every so often, she'd dance through the air with happy glee.

    "Kittens! We're gonna have new Kittens!" she exclaimed for the umpteenth time.

    Tawny just sighed and covered her ears with her paws where she lay in Sunny's room. She could just nudge a lever on that funny box and make some pretty sounds play out to drown out the pixie, but she wanted silence. The lioness pondered pouncing the pixie so she could have a little bit of quiet.

    "Tojan, are you about?" called out Dark Kitty from another room.

    Tojan left the room, making sure to close and lock the door behind her. "Whatcha need, Dark Kitty?"

    Dark Kitty was looking very pregnant now. "Just letting you know that I'm heading back to Norwick to spend time with Sunny."

    "You need to think of staying put in one spot, it's gotta be difficult to move around so much." Tojan replied.

    The half-elf nodded, "Yeah… I'll probably be staying at the Shrine of Lathander more now."

    "And why hasn't Sunny been around here? Tawny misses her, I can tell."

    "Sunny isn't feeling Sunny. Something happened that brought back bad memories."

    Tojan frowned, "Poor Sunny..."

    
The pixie flew back and forth Sunny's room with the frown still on her face. Tawny's eyes followed the pixie as she paced. The lioness was thankful for the silence, but it felt wrong to see the plucky pixie in a glum mood. Perhaps she could make a playful pounce to get the pixie's mind off whatever is wrong?

Tojan stopped her pacing and had a determined look. "Tawny," she said, "We've gotta make Sunny feel Sunny again. It's going to take some work, but I think we can do it. Are you with me?"

Tawny cocked her head to the side and gave the pixie a curious look. "Mrrraawrr?" she inquired.

Tojan sighed. "I really should ask Kitty to teach me how to speak to cats..."

    Tojan flew between the berry bushes, plucking some berries off their branches and placing them into a large basket. She hummed as she worked, happier now that she had a pl an. She looked in the basket, which was full of different color berries and flowers. Satisfied with her bounty, the pixie picked up the basket.

    A green goblin suddenly jumped at the pixie from a hiding spot. He brandished a crude club and swung it at her, almost knocking the basket from her hands.

    "EEEK!" Tojan cried out. "Go away!"

    "Bug give yummies!" the goblin snarled back. The goblin lifted his club to swing again as Tojan tried to fly out of the way with the heavy basket. A low growl rumbled through the air, making the goblin pause. "Wut wuz dat?"

    There was a rustle in the branches above, and the goblin looked up and yelped in fear. He never had the chance to run, as a large golden-furred form landed on top of the goblin, crushing him.

    Tojan sighed in relief. "Thanks Tawny."

    The lioness purred back to the pixie and looked quite satisfied at having_ finally _pounced something.

    
A piece of parchment was laid out on the floor. Tojan carried various crude paints made from the items she gathered. She picked up a makeshift brush made from a stick with a bunch of fur tied at one end. Tawny yawned nearby, having finished her rabbit meal. For the next hour, Tojan worked. Finally, she set her brush down and inspected her work.

The painting was certainly no masterpiece. An observer would likely guess that it was done by a child, though the thought didn't cross Tojan's mind. There was a woman with yellow hair, wearing orange armor. She stood on a grassy field, and nearby was an orange feline and a little figure with pixie wings. The feline and pixie had smilie faces, as did the woman.

Underneath the picture, in big letters, was the following message:_ YOU ARE OUR SUNSHINE! _Satisfied, Tojan fluttered back down and gave the painting a signature of sorts, a pixie face with wings at the bottom of the parchment.

"Tawny! Come here!"

The lioness raised her head lazily and gave the pixie a look. She sighed and stood up, then padded over to Tojan.

"Okay, put your paw in this paint. Come on! Oh, fiddlesticks, do I need to do this for you? Here…"

Tojan lifted the lioness's paw and pushed it into a glob of red paint. She then moved the paw over the parchment and pressed it down, leaving a red paw print. Tawny picked up her paw and sniffed at the paint with a frown.

"Perfect! Sunny will just ~love~ this!" Tojan giggled happily. "What do you think, Tawn- ACK!"

Tawny, feeling rather annoyed at having icky stuff on her paw, swatted at the pixie with the paint covered paw. Tojan fell to the ground covered in red paint. Tawny hrmphed and walked back to her corner and began to lick her paw clean.

Tojan sat up and looked down at herself. "Oh the things I go through..."

    An hour later, Tojan was clean and the painting was dry. She rolled up the painting and flew off to Norwick to deliver her present._