Mynx

Book. Always book. Fight or flight?

The sound of Christmas carols followed them out as they left the church, their feet crunching in the snow. The streets were empty, everyone either home in their beds at this midnight hour, or still celebrating the increasingly-ignored religious component of the holiday. The woman leaned against the man, a distant expression on her face. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he noticed the slight frown that had begun to crease her features. “What’s wrong, Love?” “Nothing, I guess,” she sighed a little. “It’s… just not how it used to be.” “You didn’t enjoy the service?” he asked, mildly surprised. She had been the one to suggest they go, after all, and it hadn’t seemed that different to him from the last time they’d attended mass. “Oh, it was fine,” she shrugged. “Just different. They’ve changed the wording.” “So it was different,” he nodded. That made sense: some of the rote responses hadn’t sounded as fluid or automatic as they usually did. She made a noise of agreement. “I don’t know why they do that. Call me old fashioned, but there was nothing wrong with the old style. I don’t understand why they felt a need to change it up.” “You know how some people can be, Love. Especially people in charge. If there’s no conflict, they need to make some so they have something to focus on. And what better way to do that than to change tradition.” “I guess,” she sighed again. “Still, though. It makes me miss some things. The good old days.” Stopping, he turned her slightly to look at him, concern on his face as he cupped her cheek. “Regrets, my love?” “What?” She frowned, before realisation dawned. “Oh! No! Not at all!” Smiling in relief, he pulled her into a tighter embrace and kissed her deeply. Moaning softly, she held him close, the moment lingering between them even as their kiss reluctantly parted. “No regrets, Darling,” she murmured against his chest. “Just reminiscing.” “Surely not all change is bad, now,” he stroked her hair, enjoying the feel of her against him. “You get to have White Christmases, now.” “Yeah, I do,” she smiled up at him. “And I get to spend them with you.” They kissed again, moving slightly off the path as another couple trudged by them. The holiday greetings they exchanged were distracted, but honest. The man followed them with his eyes, seeming to make up his mind as he saw the couple turn down a quieter side street. “How about it?” he asked her softly. Turning to follow his gaze, she blinked and looked back at him, mouth twisting into the half-smile of one expecting to hear the word ‘Psych!’ any moment. “Seriously?” “Why not?” He grinned at her, his eyes already darkening in anticipation and excitement. “Surely it can’t hurt. For old time’s sake?” She studied his face carefully for a moment, making sure the offer was being made honestly, and not purely to please her. It didn’t take long for her to find what she wanted in her husband’s expression, and her own eyes flashed with excitement. “I love you.” The breathy way she exhaled the words spoke volumes to him of her state, and he chuckled warmly. “I love you, too.” Breaking away, they began to walk quietly after the couple. Already, their posture was altering, knives slipping into their hands as they turned down the side street, picking up their old habits with the ease of one pulling on a favourite coat. Just like old times...

The fires of Time Trickling down to mortal lands Below, life goes on

"You... what?" Mynx's ears dropped in shock. Surely she'd misheard. Peredhil dropped his eyes again, mumbling something that did include a word which sounded suspiciously like 'married.' "You WHAT?" The feline didn't scream, but only because her voice cracked on the high note. This was a mistake, had to be. Or maybe she never made it out of that prison. It had been a big hammer. "MARRIED?!" Peredhil tried a smile. "Yes, but only from my side, you see. It's an Elven thing, sharing life essences. If you have a ceremony you'd like, we could do it your way too. If you want. Some day. Maybe. I'm, uh, willing to date you first. If you want." He gestured around them helplessly. "Are you sure you don't want to look at the Vault?" Mynx's instinct was to pull away from Peredhil's touch, to isolate herself until she could make sense of this, but the way her knees weakened when their grip loosened prevented that. "How can we only be married on your side? Does that mean I'm not married to you? Did you want this? I barely know you!" Havens, she was babbling as badly as he was. "Do you have anything strong to drink?" She asked weakly. He paused, then replied carefully, "Because it would be rude to assume it is on both sides since you weren't given a choice. I'll leave that to you to decide. Yes, in my mind and heart - forever. And yes, me either." He paused again, mentally ticked off the list of her questions, and then smiled brightly at her and nodded eagerly. "I'm quite certain this feeling is described as 'in love.' Although it is nice, I wouldn't presume to base our relationship on it. I would like it very much," he continued wistfully, "if you would consider a relationship. Once you can stand on your own, of course." "I... I don't understand," Mynx sat down on the ground slowly, unaware that she forced Peredhil to follow suit until he was kneeling beside her. "How can you have wanted this 'forever' when you barely know me? How can you be in love with me?" With her free paw, she began to rummage blindly in her shadows for something to drink. Not even bothering to look at the label of the bottle she produced, the feline pulled the cork out with her teeth and drank deeply. "Oh!" Salvation! She did ask for something and he'd missed it! He could give her something! That might help. He Reached out with a thread and snagged a bottle of wine, checking to ensure it was one of the safe ones, and offered it to her. Mynx looked from the wine bottle to the bottle of surgeon's alcohol in her paw, and took another swig before accepting the wine. Peredhil began with the easiest question. "Although I've never actually felt it before, the 'in love' feeling is generated by a chemical in the brain, abbreviated P.E.A., which causes all sorts of chemical changes. In short, it feels nice. In me, it is probably a combination of how beautiful your aura and spirit are, with how lovely I find your fur and figure. I'm very tactile, which since this is physically based must feed into the situation. But none of that really matters, since feelings come and go." He looked at her expression, panicked further, and floundered on, unable to stop himself from babbling. Where WERE his sons? An interruption would be nice about now. "The forever thing. As an empath and a healer, I've touched many lives. I've never felt one that harmonized with mine perfectly until you. Once I felt how you are inside, I'd have loved you anyway." He paused judiciously and eyed her. "You didn't have to be so physically attractive as well, but it is a definite bonus." Mynx started to laugh hysterically. She couldn't help it; here was Peredhil - Peredhil, for Havens' sake! - professing his undying love for her? If it had been anyone else, she'd have accused him of outright lying to her face, particularly when he got to complimenting her looks. But even Mynx knew that, while Peredhil might be many things, of which mad might well be one of them, he was not a liar. Delusional maybe, but honest in how he saw things.

Mynx blinked slowly, trying to make sense of both where they were and the offer made to her. "I've already agreed on my fee with Poi- with Elrohir," she said distractedly, before looking at Peredhil. "Um. Do you want me to go sit down somewhere and give you three some privacy? Last I checked we..." She gestured at their clasped hand and paw.

Slowly, the feline sat up, expression utterly blank as she took stock of the situation. She was no longer dying, so that was nice, although her body still ached with the aftermath of the attack. Next time she saw anyone wielding a hammer bigger than she was, Mynx planned to run. She was relieved to see that Peredhil had survived, and appeared about as well as anyone could after what he'd been through. Elrohir and (she assumed) Elladan were here, too, which meant she didn't need to worry about getting back to them. Granted, they were both looking at her with alarmed expressions that confused her, but maybe that was just a comment on how impossible they'd thought the task. Groaning as a headache spiked, Mynx buried her face in her paws and tried to remember what had happened between the hammer and waking up outside. She vaguely recalled trying to Heal Peredhil while he'd stubbornly resisted, but beyond that... "Tell me you didn't feed from me without asking first," she addressed the entity. And go against our agreement? Lady-Cat, you wound me. The entity shifted closer and extended a tendril to stroke Mynx's side, giving Peredhil another of its alarming smiles when the Half-Elf frowned at it. "You can't blame me for being susp- ack!" Mynx wheezed as Peredhil's arms tightened around her in response to the entity's touch. "Leave her alone," he told the shadows sternly. The entity laughed. My, this one has almost as much fight as you, Lady-Cat. No wonder... "No wonder what?" The entity cocked its head, still smiling. I believe this is a matter my cousin would describe as being not my place. Goodbye for now, Lady-Cat. I look forward to our next meeting. Shaking her head carefully as the shadows dissipated, Mynx's fur bristled at the stares she was still receiving from all three Half-Elves. Sitting in Peredhil's arms wasn't helping her confusion any, either, however comfortable it might have been in that moment. Havens, she must be tired. "Right. Well. I'm going to leave you three to it, I think." Gritting her teeth Mynx started trying to get up. "Take care. I'll send you the bill, Pointy-Ears." At last succeeding in breaking free of Peredhil's hold, the feline lurched to her hind-paws. And promptly collapsed. At the same time, Peredhil slumped over as if knocked unconscious, and the volcano let out a warning rumble.

Cuddling a sleeping elf Books lie open on the shelf Beloved tales oft' reread To soothe the voices in the head Kittens jump into the fray Outside a dog begins to bay But here inside the night is calm To day's stressors a soothing balm Mouth splits open in a yawn It is far too close to dawn Cuddling a sleeping elf And soon fast asleep myself New line: Of one thing I am certain

The first hours were spent in chaos, trying to survive the rocks and waters and see who else was lucky to live. Dawn allowed them a chance to start looking for supplies, directed by the First Mate who was beginning to question whether his survival was blessing or curse.

It was the first cell to have people inside it besides the prisoner, and Mynx blinked slowly at what she found. Peredhil - or at least, a man she was assuming to be him - was strapped to a raised slab in the middle of the room. Like the other prisoners, he was naked and completely shaved, which only served to emphasize how emaciated he was. Unlike the other prisoners, however, he had a hood secured about his head with a collar that kept his identity a guessing game for the time being. Wires ran from the hood, connected to large machines set around the room that were covered with lights, dials, and levers and being manned by other white-robed figures. Seated on a stool beside his head was something that looked as though it had come from the toad family, and perhaps mated with a giant squid. It was the size of a bull, its four legs ending in many tentacles that were also connected to the hood, and grafted to its back were a handful of severed heads frozen in various expressions of loathing, despair, and madness. Remembering Peredhil's empathy, Mynx could only guess at what the machine and toad-creature were doing to him, though the expressions on the heads were a fair indication. There was no way to sneak into the room without being noticed, but Mynx had set enough balls rolling at this point that she knew subtlety had reached the end of its usefulness in this situation. And true to her word, the elementalist had removed the plants somehow. Mynx looked at the entity. "What do you think?" Hungry... It keened a little, making the feline grin. "Care to go in and distract them before I join the party, then?" She cocked an ear, able to hear the makings of chaos she hoped was being caused on her behalf. The entity trilled again, and when Mynx opened the door a crack it dived inside. The speed with which it functioned was downright alarming. In a matter of seconds, before any of the robed figures could turn from the devices they were operating, it had taken form in the room and extended its shadows towards them, nearly-solid tendrils of darkness reaching out and wrapping around the heads of all except the toad-creature and prisoner. As one, they stiffened for a moment, before going lax under the entity's touch as it began to feed. Slipping into the room and closing the door, Mynx took out a sword and lunged for the toad-creature. It started to retreat its tentacles at the sight of her, but not before the feline managed to drive her blade into its skull. The creature screamed and began to thrash, freeing itself from the hood and lashing out at Mynx with its fore-tentacles while the rear ones wrapped around its head protectively. The heads on its back turned towards the feline, and she felt the air growing thick with a tumult of negative emotions that gave even her pause for a second while the machines began to beep and screech. Leaping free, Mynx dodged away from the creature and began to rip the wires from the hood, cutting the stubborn ones with her sword and the other bindings she could see as she worked on tearing the mask from the man's face. It was Peredhil, though she barely recognized him with his sunken cheeks and shaved head. He groaned and stirred weakly, but the feline was already dancing away again to try another assault on the toad. It was a tough old thing, but not the worst foe she'd had before, and with all of her focus on it Mynx was reasonably sure she'd have the upper paw before too long. Then something exploded behind her, and the last thing she remembered was an enormous, immutable force swinging into her side with enough power to shatter bones as it send her flying into the wall.

An hour later, Mynx skulked in a side corridor just outside the entrance to the prison chamber, grimly ignoring the dread she felt as she considered the large, ornate door that blocked her path. Nestled around her and providing part of the shadows currently camouflaging her, the entity trilled voiceless in agreement. It is most elegant. I can sense the lives beyond it, but crossing it... Mynx flicked her tail. "Did you try following someone when they entered?" I did. There is a barrier that prevents many things. You might be able to walk through it, though I could not speak for this marvelous robe of yours. And I would be stuck out here, which would be a shame. "You'll get your meal in good time," the feline said distractedly, before stilling as a patrol approached. She watched carefully as the half-dozen Minotaurs waited for the double doors to open and marched inside, senses straining for any kind of clue. A glimpse of darkness at the other end of the hall caught her attention, and she brightened hopefully when she saw a storage closet, the door not completely shut. It was barely in view, and a long shot, but- "Help me out here, Shadows," she murmured, not waiting for the entity to reply before she stepped back into her robe. For a long, protracted moment she didn't think it was going to work. The barrier was powerful, the shadows had barely been in sight to begin with, and she'd rushed the attempt before the doors closed. But then the entity had wrapped more tightly around her, constricting dangerously for a moment as if it were considering reneging on their agreement, before pulling her the rest of the way. Mynx clapped her paws over her mouth to keep from gasping at the shock as they reappeared in the closet, a cold, slimy quality to the entity's touch triggering an unconscious revulsion that had had her shuddering. The entity didn't say anything, only waiting for her to regain herself as it stroked her robe fondly. Such a marvelous robe. It purred. Nguh. Swallowing, Mynx gave herself another moment before taking stock of where they were. The storage closet wasn't much, but it was inside the barrier, and entering the way she had had evidently preserved her magic. Putting her eye to the crack in the door, the feline studied what she could see. The central cell was almost directly in front of her, and next to each of the walls she could see was another cell. One off each side, the entity provided. One atop and below, as well, like a cube. Your Half-Elf is in the central cell. Mynx nodded, eyes caught by yet another feature. There were potted plants placed on each corner of the cell; squat things with broad leaves and each with a single orchard-like flower. She was still puzzling this out when the door to the central cell opened, and a white-robed figure exited, flanked by the Minotaurs. As one, the flowers turned towards the figures and followed them until they left through the main doors. Deciding that this might be the Elfbane Elrohir had talked about, Mynx flicked her tail again thoughtfully. I'm probably going to have to get rid of those somehow if I'm to get Peredhil out of there. But first, a distraction. "It might help us to free the other prisoners first," she suggested to the entity in a nearly-voiceless whisper. The entity chuckled, and slowly darkness began to bleed out from the closet. Trusting it to know when the coast was clear, Mynx slunk after it and followed the entity into the first cell. The first prisoner was a woman encased in a globe of fire who, after Mynx and the entity had managed to choke out enough of the flames with their collective shadows, proved to be an air and water elementalist in dire need of a drink. She was dazed when they reached her, and at first suspicious that the feline was a trick or hallucination, but she warmed to Mynx after being given a full waterbag. "I can take care of those plants," she'd assured Mynx after getting a quick explanation of what the feline was doing there, and with that they parted ways. The second prisoner appeared to be some sort of cyclops, although the empty sockets where eyes would normally be suggested a more magical nature to his sole eye than simple genetics. His sphere was made entirely of power, and he only stood there and glowered at Mynx unhelpfully as she tried to make sense of it. It took her nearly twice as long to free him, using a spelled blade from her shadows that had an otherwise-annoying habit of draining her own magic if she used it for too long. The cyclops didn't say a word, but neither did he attack when he was able to exit the orb, and when Mynx commented that she could use a distraction as thanks for her deed he gave her a short nod. The third prisoner caught the entity's attention, and it seemed torn between mantling defensively and dancing around the golden, statuesque figure that appeared to have no restraints holding it in place. A cousin! "You know this one?" Mynx asked. I recognize the traits of power, Lady-Cat. The entity said nothing more, apparently fascinated by the figure, only to retreat quickly behind Mynx when it stirred and made for the now-open door. Apparently, its trap had only been in undoing the lock on the door's exterior. Deciding she'd caused more than enough trouble short of actually saving the one she'd come there for, Mynx crept over to the central cell and peeked in through the window.

If she paid attention to the actual passage of time, Mynx suspected it wasn't all that long before she heard from the entity again. When every step had to be carefully calculated to not trigger anything, though, time had a habit of stretching far longer than she liked. Nevertheless, after somewhere between fifteen minutes and five hours had passed (depending on who you asked), the shadows solidified behind Mynx once more. I believe I have found your quarry, Lady-Cat. "Good." Mynx said, before reconsidering. "Well, I hope so. Still alive?" Alive, but not well. The shadows lost some of their solidity for a moment, the entity either thinking or disgruntled. There are formidable barriers to the prison cells that even I could not bypass. Mynx swore under her breath. "That's never good. What else can you tell me?" The prison has capacity for seven, if each cell houses only one. Currently, I can detect four lives that are not serving this place. Three prisoners besides Peredhil, Mynx translated for herself. And others in the cells with them. "Anything noteworthy?" Even you might have trouble with some of the magical barriers in place, Lady-Cat. I would advise caution. "Since when do you care if I'm being cautious?" The entity's head tilted, a black slash crawling across the blank face in a truly disturbing facsimile of a smile. It would be a shame if the world were to lose someone as interesting as you, Lady-Cat. You have brought me some of my most delicious meals, after all. That's what being interesting did for you, Mynx supposed. It earned you far too much attention, but sometimes it could help... "I guess that means you're happy to take a more active hand in helping me?" I will use my discretion, Lady-Cat. Deciding not to push her luck, Mynx nodded. "Alright, then. Can you lead me to the prison?" Of course.

"Captain, please," the First Mate pleaded on the other side of the door to his quarters. "We need every man on deck to help! We've already lost a third of our crew!" His only answer was the smash of an empty bottle thrown against the door.

The smile is fake The hair is dyed The wisdom is old The truth a lie The eyes are real The teeth keenly so The words made to feel The way to go New line: Long live Zero

*grins* So currently I have: - Peredhil - Tanuchan - Patrick - Lord Panther - Venefyxatu I'd like to get a few more players so will be leaving this open for at least another week. If I don't get more numbers we'll have a smaller game with just one wolf but I might draw out the day phases a bit to allow more time for conni- er... role-playing...

There was so much magic in the air that Mynx felt almost constantly on the verge of a sneeze, a fact which seemed ironic given her constant exposure to the element. The entire mountain was a power trap, a veritable hub of traps, stolen Talents, and raw elemental energy that she quickly associated with the volcano at the heart of the mountain. It did help her with her shadow-hopping though, and Mynx wasn't one to neglect such a boon even if it did come from the enemy. Her awareness of the shadowed maze had only grown sharper now that she was inside the mountain, and along with it came a sense of different qualities among the shadows. Mynx had puzzled about this for some time as she crept carefully through the halls, only beginning to understand what she was sensing when she paid attention to the crystals growing from the walls. They were the primary source of light - and thus, shadows - and glowed in different shades of red and orange. Some quick experimentation soon showed the feline that the shadows cast by one coloured crystal would limit her to only those shadows; red to red, orange to orange. It was disorienting enough stepping through these links without having her destination within her line of sight, but Mynx had plenty of time to practice as she avoided the patrols of guards. Everything from lumbering ogres and trolls to men covered in full, white body armour and carrying rifles, all of them alert for any sign of infiltration. And then there were the magical traps, elegant and powerful but oddly limited at the same time. Whoever designed these things must not have much of a nose, Mynx decided, her own wrinkling at the smell of one such trap. Once she knew what to look for, it was almost easy to avoid them, but it was beginning to tire her to keep track of everything. The guards, the shadows, the traps, her quarry. She'd already lost track of how many hours she'd been inside the mountain, and knew she'd only get sloppy as time went on. Time to regroup and reconsider. Time to call in a favour. Mynx had mixed feelings about it, and about the potential price she'd have to pay, but practicality won out. This might not be the only way to bypass all of the obstacles, but Havens knew it was one of the better ones right now. Finding the darkest and least patrolled nook she could, the feline closed her eyes and Reached. She felt the shadows shift around her, embracing her for a moment before they coalesced and took form before the feline, growing into an impossible tall, impossibly thin, impossibly faceless figure. Lady-Cat! The entity positively purred. What a delight to see you again. "Mmm," Mynx said noncommittally. Her response evidently amused the entity, its shadows rippling in silent laughter as it swirled around her. To what do I owe the pleasure? Something new you would like to forget? "I'm quite happy with my recollection of things at the moment, thank you," the feline said shortly, but respectfully. "I actually wanted to request your help." Oh? The entity stilled before Mynx again, faceless head tilting quizzically. My. This is an interesting place you've found. "Believe me, I can think of better places to vacation," Mynx's dry answer earned her another silent ripple of laughter. "I've been commissioned to rescue someone being held captive here; a Half-Elf." A Half-Elf? The entity's soundless voice grew wistful, and Mynx's expression hardened. "Off limits," she told it sternly. "I'm not asking you to help me save him only for you to snack on him." The shadows rippled again, but this time in disgruntlement. What would you offer, then? This is a dangerous place to be, Lady-Cat. Maybe even too dangerous for me. "You will endure as long as there is darkness," Mynx countered with a smirk, recognizing banter rather than genuine reluctance to assist. The chuckle that answered her this time was almost audible. I have missed you, Lady-Cat. What do you propose? "Help me find and free my quarry, possibly other prisoners if available." And your payment? Mynx grinned. "Hell, I don't give a lick for anyone else in this pit. Once the objectives are met, you can feast on everyone in here that isn't a prisoner." The entity positively vibrated excitedly, dancing into Mynx's robe and nuzzling her beneath the hood. Agreed! "Good," Mynx smiled a predator's smile. "See what you can find, then." The entity nodded against her head, before the shadows lost their solidity and melted away, leaving the feline alone once more.

There was a saying Mynx had heard once about how a fool and his money were soon easily parted. Had she met the originator, she would have countered that a fool was just as easily parted with his life, and was beginning to wonder if she fell into that category. Not that she didn't enjoy a challenge, but this... this was beginning to look like suicide. She'd circled the mountain while climbing it, careful to stay out of sight and all the while looking for something - anything - that could be a way in. After having to stop for what felt like the hundredth time to avoid one of the flying lizards, and barely being a third up the mountain, the feline began to reconsider her options. What options are there, though? She wondered as she pressed back into the shadows slightly to avoid the predator's keen gaze. Sit down and build a Gate inside with no anchor? I'm sure they'll all just happily sit back and watch you try that. If you don't wind up stepping into a waiting frying pan, that is. She'd hoped to be able to make more use of her shadows; developing the ability to portal from robe to any shadow within sight (and reason) had been a gift from the heavens once she'd perfected the skill, but the mountain only grew steeper and more sheer as it climbed into the sky, leaving precious few places that cast enough darkness for her to take advantage of. The current outcrop she was currently taking refuge in was one of the last, and Mynx felt more than a little at a loss. Waving a scythe around and convincing them you're Death with a tail isn't going to solve things this time, Cat. Bah. Mynx was just building up the nerve to throw caution to the winds and set off at a dead run for the peak when the ground shook beneath her hind-paws. Another of the minor earthquakes caused by the volcanic activity. Pressing back as far into the shadows of her robe as she could without disappearing entirely into it, the feline blinked when she felt something tickling her senses. It was the same feeling she had when she first reached out to a shadow to pass through it, though this was the first time she hadn't been looking at a shadow in order to feel it. Magic was strangely amplified here, though. Closing her eyes, Mynx extended her awareness and tried to get a grasp of just what it was she was feeling. What returned was a dim perception of a veritable warren of chambers within the mountain, many of them with shrouded nooks and side-paths that would easily allow her shadowed passage if she could lay eyes on them. And maybe, here and now, mental eyes were enough. Picking one that felt about midway up the mountain's interior, and close to what she hoped might be a prison cell - or an easy path towards it - Mynx held her breath and disappeared into the darkness.

"It almost seems like old times, doesn't it?" Mynx murmured to Tanny as they followed after Degorram. "A bit quieter, but..." "It's nice to be back," Tanny agreed with a smile, head-butting the feline's side. "Much easier to keep up with you if you have a base of operations, you know." "Oh, sure, I go wandering and I get in trouble for being hard to find, but if I complain about you being hard to find I just get told I should enjoy the challenge." If Tanny could have conjured a halo in that moment, Mynx had no doubt she would have tried. As it was, the wolf only grinned innocently at her friend as they entered the Cabaret Room. Peredhil had looked up at Degorram's entrance, and was already getting to his feet with a broad smile when he saw his wife. "There you are," he crossed the room, pulling her into a warm embrace. "Decided to stay a time, Beloved? Or are you heading off again?" "And leave you to run yourself into the ground because you've forgotten basic necessities like food and rest?" Mynx snorted, looking past him to Guido and Nuncio. "Hello, boys. Keeping him in line?" "Doing our best, Toots!" Guido beamed, while Nuncio only tsked softly. "I'm glad to see we aren't the only ones here," Peredhil said, grinning at Tanny and crouching to give her a welcoming hug too, before looking around for Degorram. "Thank you both for your help in getting things running again. There's still so much work to go, but-" "The ball's rolling, at least," Tanny wagged her tail. "And more will come," Degorram said. "I have sent out a call, yes," Peredhil agreed. "How many will respond, though..." "Time will tell," Mynx said with finality. "For now, I need a drink. Barkeep?" "Coming up, Toots!"

Mynx sighed. "Of course he is." She looked around, squinting through the smoke as she extended her senses, trying to detect any immediate traps. "Do you know if my magic is going to set anything off?" Elrohir shook his head helplessly. "All I know is that this is the closest my Portal spell can get us without triggering anything." He frowned a little. "We're further back than my last visit here." "Hmm." Mynx's tail twitched slowly as she considered her options. There was a quality to the air that suggested a volatility to magic - the kind of atmosphere that would turn a simple water spell into a torrential rain, or a candle-lighting into a fireball - and she took some moments to adjust to the increased sensitivity. Nodding to herself, she then began to look around with a purpose; seeking this time, rather than observing. Spotting an overhang of rock set within the boundary Elrohir's Portal hadn't been able to breach, Mynx studied the shadow it cast, before taking off her robe and handing it to the Elf. "Hold this, and keep it spread out." While Elrohir complied with a bemused expression, Mynx looked again at the shadow and plunged her arm into her robe. She rummaged for a bit, ears flattening in concentration, before stepping completely into the shadows of her robe and disappearing. Elrohir was still blinking at this when he looked up to see her head appear from the rock's shadow. Her ears and whiskers twitched alertly as she studied the area from her new vantage point, only to vanish again back into the darkness and reemerge from her robe. "Right," she said to herself as she took the garment from Elrohir and wrapped it back around her shoulders. "Doesn't look like that's going to set off any alarms, so that's a start." Elrohir blinked again, rapidly, and mentally shrugged. Now that they were here, he was focused on support. He respected her professionalism and felt very reassured that she hadn't just started rushing in, but was assessing local conditions. "Is there anything else I can get you?" "I think I'm about as prepared as I can be." Mynx said, her frustrations with his behavior forgotten now as she focused on the job at hand. "You should get out of here before they see you, but I'll be in touch once I find Peredhil." When Elrohir hesitated, looking about to offer something else - Elven gloves, maybe - she met his eye and did her best to smile reassuringly. "This is what you hired me for, Pointy-Ears. Go on, before I have two of you to rescue." Elrohir opened his mouth to protest, but closed it again with a sigh. She was right, and he was no use to her as a backup in this situation, either. Bowing his not-Pointy-Eared head slightly, he said a Word And Mynx was alone. To business, then. The feline dug into her shadows and produced a cotton scarf and water bag. Soaking the scarf, she bound it around her muzzle and face to help shield her from the smoke and sulfur. That done, she hesitated in an internal debate, before sighing to herself and pulling out the boots Elrohir had given her. Already, the ground was hot beneath the weathered pads of her hind-paws, and she didn't want to be leaving a blood trail for predators. Particularly if she had to rock climb. Mynx would cut off her own tail before admitting it to Elrohir, but she had to admit the boots were quite incredible. They fit her like a second skin, even taking on the hue and patterning of her pelt, and when she flexed her claws experimentally it was to find that the boots obliged with slits that repaired themselves once the claws were retracted. Fine boots indeed. I just hope he's right about them never slipping. Deciding she'd delayed enough, Mynx pulled her robe around her and focused again on the shadowed spot up ahead, taking the robe with her this time as she disappeared into the darkness and reappeared beneath the rock. Waiting to see if a cry would be raised, the feline began to make her way up the mountain.

"Trouble only found me when it was in the shape of a trouble-making wolf that had a thing for striped tails." Mynx swatted Tanny lightly on the nose with said tail. "And don't start that again, Wolf. Do you really want me to start listing all the times I had to help you?" "I'm certain I have no idea what you mean," Tanny sniffed and looked away. "Oh, it's okay. I kept a list." Mynx grinned and made a show of rummaging through her shadows. "Like the time in that old haunted house, for example. Or the time you wanted me to save you from that unwanted suitor..."

"Ugh!" Mynx stood in a shallow river well out of sight of anyone who might take unkindly to her True form, trying desperately to smooth her fur down. "Who did I piss off to deserve this?!" "I'm not sure I understand," Elrohir frowned a little as he watched from the bank. "I solved the problem according to the parameters you set, and why are you getting yourself wet again if you were so upset with me for the rain?" "You made me look like a- a-" Mynx didn't even have a word for the overly fluffy state Elrohir had left her in, settling instead for a frustrated, inarticulate sound. "But you agree the matter of your commission has been resolved?" "For the moment," Mynx agreed grudgingly. "Though if I hear that all you've done is create a temporary cease-fire that is going to flare up the minute we're gone..." "I cast no spells on the king's behaviour, and see no reason why he'd do such a thing after I presented the situation to him." "Hmf." At last leaving the river and producing a towel from her shadows to dry off, Mynx surveyed her appearance in the river before deciding it was as good as it was going to get for the time being. A part of her wanted nothing more than to unleash her frustrations on Elrohir and teach him a lesson or five, but she suddenly found herself too tired to care. He'd probably just brush it off anyway. "Fine, then. Let's talk business, I suppose."

Come one, come all, to hunt the wolf! This is the official sign-up thread for a new Werewolf game. If you have any questions regarding the rules, please check here. The theme of this game is the basic format - let's just get the ball rolling before we begin to make things too interesting I know things are still quiet, so there's no time limit on signing up for right now - I just want to see what numbers we get. For now, please post if you want to play, and feel free to create a character for the fun

Whistling tunelessly as she made her way to the Cabaret Room, Mynx turned through one of the books she'd collected from her old room. The ink wasn't nearly as faded as she thought it might be, and the feline was encouraged that she might be able to get some true use out of them that wouldn't immediately end badly. Like the last time, or the time before that... Shaking her head in weary amusement, Mynx was so focused on the texts in her paws that she didn't notice the blocked passage up ahead. Walking into it with full momentum, she bounced off the wall and onto her rear with a surprised oath. Rubbing at her nose, the feline glowered up at the wall that she was certain hadn't been there the last time she'd taken this path. And who in all the blazes would write "404" on it? Four Hundred and Four what? Grumbling as she got back to her hind-paws and collected her books, Mynx was debating whether fire or an axe would be a more appropriate tool to use against the obstruction when she heard a snuffling sound on the other side. "Hello?" "Kitty!" Tanny's grin was unmistakable in her voice. "So that was you I heard bouncing off things!" "Very funny," Mynx sighed. "You might want to stand back, Wolf, so I can take this thing down." "Not everything has to be solved with violence, Kitty," Tanny chided. "You take a step back. Degorram and I have got this." Mynx raised an eyebrow, but knew better than to argue with her friend, and obligingly moved back. She heard some scrabbling and muttering for a few minutes, before Tanny let out a small, triumphant sound. The wall shimmered, then disappeared, and Mynx had barely a second to register the people on the other side before Tanny bounded up into her arms, dropping the books for the second time that day. "Oof! What have you been eating, Wolf?" Tsking, Tanny gave the feline's face a big lick, before hopping back down and nosing at the books. "What's this? Been treasure hunting?" "Looking for a book on how to train wolves, obviously," Mynx laughed, collecting them again and moving to clasp Degorram's hand. "Good to see you again. I was headed to the Cabaret Room for a drink if you wanted to join me?"

Mynx wandered through the halls idly, letting her paws carry her where immediate memory failed. So much had changed. So much had died, and she'd truly thought for good. But Peredhil returned, and her husband certainly had a way of redeeming the unredeemable. He was also utterly blind when it came to his limits while this focused, but that much at least Mynx could help with. And he'd definitely sleep better in his own bed than the dingy Inn she'd been staying in on her last job. Coming to a halt when she realised she'd wandered into the old living quarters, the feline paused before redirecting to her former dwelling. She wasn't entirely sure what she'd expected to find, and was surprised by just how much of the abandoned room rang familiar to her. Evidently, no one had made use of it in her absence, though it looked as though some small animals had made a nest of the bed. Tail twitching slowly, Mynx considered what was left in the room and the belongings she hadn't seen fit to take with her. There were some old spell books she wouldn't mind having again, but the rest... Too many old memories that rubbed her the wrong way, and good riddance to them all. Picking up the books, Mynx turned and left for the Cabaret Room. Peredhil was awake, and she could smell the Wolf nearby.

Mynx was wandering past when she heard the door's groaned retort, and couldn't help sticking her head in the doorway. "You know, I have a few fire spells you might be interested in..." She grinned.

Should ever you doubt your influence, Beloved Just look at the responses your words bring forward