Author: Fiori Terrowin, Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2023 5:22 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

"Oh I see…" Fiori says after hearing Naram's tale, "I'm so sorry for your loss." 

She did say that he didn't have to speak of it if he didn't want to but he did volunteer that information. Yavish handed him some advice on searching through bestiaries and going through libraries. Fiori knew she didn't have any information for the poor man as she was hardly a beast hunter herself. For a moment she wondered what else she could do when a thought occurred to her. 

"I cannot do much more than this for you. But if I hear word of any unknown or unique beasts, I will inform you." Fiori offered to Naram, "I have connections in many places. Even if it's not the monster you are searching for, at least it'll be better than trying to pick up word of monsters on your own." 

Just as she was about to say more, a voice suddenly called out to Yavish. Spirits! Fiori quickly dashed behind Naram and Zaya, terrified of the new spirits. Even if they were friendly they still could possess and were dead people! The whole thing made her feel creeped out. She could handle monsters! She could handle thugs and ruffians. But ghosts? That was a step too far for her! She watched the reunion. It was touching but still too spooky for her tastes.

Author: Yavish Neroleone, Posted: Thu Nov 2, 2023 2:27 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

The recommendations made by Fiori regarding military history heightened Yavish's interest.  As she accepted the pork on a stick, she knew that she had to pay Mamlak and Iria a visit.  Their libraries would certainly be rich with lore.  She addressed Fiori with, "I'll check out both, and thank you for this."

She bit into the meat stick and found it decent along with the seasoning.  The entirety of the meat vanished within several bites.  As she slid the last of the food down her throat, Fiori asked Naram about why he was a traveler, and she could not help but feel her mood dampen when the beast he mentioned was responsible for the murder of his sister.  The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to fit together on why Naram was at the fair, so she decided to offer a suggestion, "You could also probably check out bestiaries to find out what the monster is.  Libraries are bound to have them, and I'm certain that famous adventurers have documented their encounters with them in their memoirs."

Yavish tossed the greasy stick in a nearby trashcan, and that was when she heard a familiar voice say, "There she is!"

She turned and found the spirit of her adoptive father drawing toward her with the ghosts of two upbeat children at his sides a boy and a girl.  The girl's clothing shined of nobility while the boy's were more rugged.  Her father had on a straw hat, a wool tunic, trousers and corked shoes, the same clothing he wore when he was killed.  His smile was warm as ever, and Yavish recalled the reactions of the ghosts when Zaya was near, so she decided to move out and meet them halfway to avoid any difficulties.  He called out, "Yavish, hey!"

"Hey Father," she replied as both parties met and she asked, "What's going on?"

Her father pat the two kids on their shoulders and replied, "I told these kids that your mother and I adopted you and they wanted to see it for themselves." 

"Whoa, is it really true!?  Were you really raised by them!?" asked the girl.

"Indeed I was," Yavish replied with a smile.

"That's amazing!" the boy exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement.

"They wouldn't stop begging me to come see you when I told them," said her father.

"You both seem quite high-spirited," Yavish observed.

"Minotaurs are always said to be big and mean," said the girl.

Yavish chuckled and said, "Well, now you've met one who isn't, but I am big and mean to those who try and hurt the innocent."

Sparkles donned the eyes of the two starstruck children.  Yavish's eyes stole glances back at Naram, Zaya, and Fiori, seeing if they would come toward the somewhat reunited father and adopted daughter.  It was then that the minotaur remembered something crucial.  The parade where she at last ran into the farmer that took her in and raised her.  There was a chance that Naram might see his sister there.  Then she glanced at Zaya and realized that things might get complicated. 

Author: Kismet, Posted: Wed Nov 1, 2023 6:34 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

Naram thanked Fiori when she handed him piece of cooked fish on a skewer to make it easier to eat. A whiff told him there were no spices used, and he broke off a small piece to taste. Tasting no additional salt, he held the fish before Zaya to see if she wanted a bite. The long haired cat's nose twitched before she gently brushed the cod with her tongue. It was very different in texture than sardines, much less oily and closer to that of meat. Taking a nibble, the fish flaked into warm tender bits that didn't stick to the teeth and were easily swallowed. It lacked the richness of sardines and the savoriness of trout or salmon. Out all the fish she had tasted, this was light and easy on the stomach. As Naram listened to Fiori's suggestions on places to visit, the direction of the conversation inevitably circled back to him. 

While Zaya was taking her time in enjoying the cooked cod, the nomad subconsciously scratched beneath her decorative bow as he thought on how to answer. "It's a bit of a personal thing. I'm looking for a creature to be exact. I don't know what it looks like or what it's name is, but it's several heads taller than a human and has six toes on its feet." After a notable pause he added: "…It also killed my sister." It wouldn't take much to figure out why he came to the festival now or why someone like him chose to leave Parvpora for Canelux–a completely unfamiliar place.

Author: Fiori Terrowin, Posted: Wed Nov 1, 2023 5:18 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

Fiori let the two discuss their travels as she rushed off to find some good food at the stalls. Following their requests, she went straight to a stall where they sold meat on a stick. For Yavish she got a delicious well-seasoned pork on a stick, along with a few napkins. For Naram, she got an unseasoned unsalted cod on a stick, a treat she thought would be good enough for the both of them…..or primarily for Zaya. She found herself a ghost tamale, a tamale designed to look like a ghost wrapped up in the corn husk, then brought all the food back over to the others. Fiori caught the last bit of their conversation, mostly of Yavish mentioning something about military history.

“May I make a recommendation then?” She asks as she hands them their food, “The City of Mamlak would be the best place for non-magical military might in Canelux. I know they’re mostly known for shiny golden lions and such, but they are also known for their army. Perhaps their history would interest you?”

Most of her knowledge came from discussions with other travelers but she trusted her sources. From what she had been told, Mamlak had an army that could cross any mountain or hill with any animal. Legends said that they were so rich due to their time conquering and taking from nations of old, granted they were only legends. Still, she had a feeling such a reputation for an army stemmed from somewhere. She ate her tamale, sitting on a nearby bench and using a fork she had conquered for herself.

“Unless you’re more interested in magical military might? Then I would suggest Iria.” Fiori said after gobbling down her tamale.

Then she cleaned her mouth in a lady-like manner with a napkin. Once she was done, she sent back her tools and looked over to Naram. 

"And if you don't mind my asking, why do you travel?" She inquired politely. "You don't have to say of course unless you are comfortable."

Author: Yavish Neroleone, Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2023 3:15 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

"I'll have a pork on a stick.  My father tells me they're quite popular at this festival," Yavish said to Fiori in regard to a meal.  It was then that she pondered if spirits ate even after they have departed their mortal coils.  It left her concerned that she would never get to enjoy the pleasures of delicious food as soon as the time came for her to leave for the afterlife, and she started to consider how she would go about getting used to it.  She then recalled her father's jovial nature when she at last met him again and decided not to dwell on the future.  Right now, she needed to live in the present.

The detour of her thoughts almost made her miss Naram's tales of his and Zaya's adventures.  Deserts were never her thing as the heat was more unbearable than the threats that the seas of sand could contain.  The rose gardens piqued her interest, and when Naram finished, she said, "I may have to check out the rose gardens sometime.  My mother always dreamed of seeing them."

Heading to Arri with a group was definitely sound advice.  The duo was no doubt an experienced pair of travelers.  She decided to ask Naram something else, "You into reading Naram?  Learning about history is a bit of a hobby of mine.  This world's military history is something of particular interest to me."

Her question reminded her that she should visit another library that was hopefully close to the festival.  It was nice a get a taste of lore in each new place she visited.

Author: Kismet, Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2023 6:33 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

Naram was presented with two different questions, with the first being the more difficult one to answer. He chose to address Fiori's before tackling Yavish's. "I don't have a preference, but if you can find something with no salt or spices that would be best. Sometimes Zaya wants to taste whatever I'm eating." At the mention of food Zaya's ears stood up and her pale green eyes looked about. Although she wasn't a glutton, her attention was caught and she would always check before deciding to try something for herself. Then came the challenging task of recalling noteworthy events they both had experienced together. 

"Zaya and I have both seen quite a few sights but not all were on Canelux. Of those that were, there was that time we attended a pumpkin festival in Perditi around this time in Venti. We also visited the desert nation of Arri to the north. The great city's streets and buildings are very beautiful and their rose gardens are the largest I have ever seen. We traveled with a caravan that time however; I wouldn't advise traveling there alone on your own." Most of what he shared were seasonal festivities or rural communities off the beaten path afterwards. All in all, if it wasn't a major settlement placed on a map then Yavish likely wouldn't know of it. Naram noted the Bohar Plains and Corval Basin were much more varied seasonally than his experiences in the Haza Savanna. Wildlife aside, he also felt it was much less dangerous compared to Parvpora once you knew the risks. Jasumin Lake was probably the most peaceful area on that continent. 

Author: Fiori Terrowin, Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2023 5:32 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

Seeking to aid her companion in changing the topic, she listened intently to Yavish’s question and followed it up with a statement of her own.

“Oh yes. I’m quite curious as well. I’ve visited more cities and towns than I have the larger countryside so I’m always eager to know what the wildlife might hold.”

It wasn’t a dishonest statement but she understood the practicality of behaving more ignorant for the sake of discussion. With the ghosts gone or at least somewhere in the background, she could feel herself relax and slip back into her older habits. Being a socialite, conversing with anybody, and making a larger network. But…. a part of her lingered back on the fluffy kitty cat. It was so cute! She knew it was rude to ask but a part of her just wanted to start cuddling the fluffy Zaya more and more. Fiori’s weakness for fluffy creatures was slowly eroding away at her self-control. 

"It's a bit sad for us to go to a fair without indulging in refreshments and treats. I shall get us all some." Fiori offered, "What would you all like? I'll pay of course!"

Her stomach would thank her as would her self-control. It would allow Yavish and Naram a chance to get better connected and talk all about their traveling experiences. But most importantly she would get to try out sweets without getting caught up in any ghost-hunting or fighting dangers in case Yavish presented it. Friendly ghosts already terrified her, so she wanted to be as far away from the crueler ones as possible.

Author: Yavish Neroleone, Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2023 5:12 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

The mood shift in Naram in response to her question made Yavish realize that she may have pried in places she should not have.  Zaya was no troublemaker according to him, which she believed.   She learned that Naram was both a traveler and a hunter, and this piqued her curiosity.  The fear that the spirits of this festival showed when Zaya passed by still clung to the back of her mind, but she chose not to bring it up out of respect for the man and feline duo's privacy.  The strong possibility that none of the group members would be going to the danger zone was a tad disappointing, but she reminded herself of the likelihood of other bold warriors being there to assist in the banishing.

When Yavish spoke again, she changed the subject and said to Naram, "So you're a traveler?  I'm a bit of a traveler myself.  I've dedicated myself to helping those in need whether it be helping some settlers get a shelter set up or defend a village from bandits."

She scratched her chin before she asked him, "Hey, have you visited any interesting places you'd recommend for someone like me?  I know there's diamonds in the rough that I haven't seen yet."  
   

Author: Kismet, Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2023 2:26 AM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

Naram's gratitude turned to unease when Yavish asked about his feline companion. "Ah, no–I came here looking for information but I'm no shaman or medium. Zaya often likes to greet people personally but she doesn't mean any harm." Admittedly he wasn't so sure about what she was either, only that they had been together ever since his first narrow escape from death. She was always very protective of him and wanted to follow him everywhere, not unlike a domesticated animal. The thought of dealing with the rumored evil spirits didn't occur to him as he knew it was beyond what he was capable of. Meanwhile Zaya merely looked up at her human's face with innocent eyes, tail gently swaying. She then groomed a paw and began to rub her face nonchalantly. 

He then answered the young lady's question. "Yes, I am–of normal game. I usually follow them through the plains with the changing of the seasons and sell the pelts. If villages need help with wild animals disturbing the crops and herds I lend my services where I can. During Glaciem we settle in the nearest city until the frost thaws." For him hunting was more of a way to make a living than a profession. Most of the animals he hunted were for food than for fur or sport. Unlike the Bohar tribesmen, he also traveled a much wider distance across Canelux on his own. It was apparent the hunter was accustomed to a fairly nomadic lifestyle, which made his attendance at a fair like this out of the ordinary. Even the excuse of curiosity couldn't explain everything. Cities had plenty of festivals with annual days of celebration; coming out to the Virens Forest seemed off the beaten path for someone following deer and elk.

Author: Fiori Terrowin, Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 10:44 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

Within minutes, the original owner popped out of nowhere and rushed over to retrieve his best friend. From a glance, Fiori was able to tell that he was no spiritualist nor a priest of any kind. He lacked the charms, symbols, or tools that an exorcist might have. He had a basic travel kit and a quiver. There were details from his hairstyle to his clothes that told her much about his person, long before he opened his mouth. When he turned his attention to her and away from his purring fluffy kitty, Fiori smiled. The reuniting was a happy one, the adorable kitty's behavior was more than an indicator of that. 

"As you can see, your fluffy kitty is in tip-top condition," Fiori says assuringly, trying to ease any concerns he might have about her health. 

As though her perfectly groomed and cared-for appearance wasn't enough. Though it seemed dramatic, she understood how crucial it was for pets to be reunited in perfect condition with their owners. Nobody wanted to find their fluffy friends with matted fur or covered in dirt. Especially if they don't know where they went or if they were harmed. Fiori let Yavish introduce herself first then was a bit surprised when the minotaur directly asked about the cat's abilities. She took the time to step in. 

"I am Fiori Terrowin. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." She said with a short curtsy, "Of course, you need not reveal any powers of your friend unless you so wish to. Though… if I may, it seems you are a hunter yourself?" 

Taking care not to offend nor to pry, she made a light inquiry. But after careful observations, she knew immediately that there was no way this man was any sort of ghost exorcist. Even an apprentice would have at least one magical object on his person! In their group of four, it seemed little Zaya was the only one actually capable of banishing spirits and ghouls. She would hesitate to allow such a small fluffy cat into battle, no matter how strong its powers were. Kitties were meant to be loved and treasured! To be cuddled! Even the thought of sending Zaya anywhere near such horrid ghosts made her grimace. 

Author: Yavish Neroleone, Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 8:02 AM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

She figured that the stool would be enough, and fortunately Zaya accepted the aid.  Until Fiori took on a flair for the dramatic, bringing over a sign and using magic to transform the words into an announcement of the missing feline.  She even went as far as to groom the cat's fur and give it a bow tie.  When offered a bow tie by the magic user, she raised a hand and shook her head saying, "No thanks, not a fan of those."

Yavish cocked an eyebrow at Fiori, but if it worked, then who was she to complain.  Her calls, followed by the enchanted sign worked and brought Zaya's owner to her.  He appeared to be a traveler judging from his gear that was suited for journeys.  As soon as Zaya was finished bombarding her owner with kisses, he expressed his gratitude for the both of them and she replied, "Glad we were able to help you find her."

The bovine returned the stool to the vendor as promised who eyed the cat and uttered, "Thanks.  I think that cat might have some magical properties harmful to spirits.  Did you see how fearful the ghosts got when she came near?"

Yavish glanced back at Zaya and replied, "Yeah."

She rejoined the group and when the man introduced himself as Naram and asked her and Fiori for their names, she answered, "Yavish.  Is your friend a ghost hunter?  I noticed that the spirits at this festival grew terrified when she came through.  When I first met her she had a ghost pinned on the ground."

A finger lifted in the direction of where the evil souls were being held and asked, "You here to help cleanse the blockaded area of evil spirits too?  That's why I'm here."  

Author: Kismet, Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2023 5:55 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

Zaya had paused to watch what Yavish was doing, and saw her return with a very tiny table with long legs. Understanding that she was probably offering her a perch to better view the area, the longhaired cat hopped onto it with ease and tucked her feet below her body. Zaya turned her head look as Fiori brought a new face along with a big colorful cloth, hanging it beside the stool she was sitting on. Her nose twitched as the young lady worked some magic on it, and she neither resisted or protested when Fiori brushed her coat and cleaned up her paws. She was in fact quite relaxed and cooperative, handing a different paw over once one was cleaned. The adornment around her neck wasn't too cumbersome, and Zaya bent her head down to sniff at it before deciding to let it be.

She took a moment to groom her face and paws while moving her ears around to listen for her human. Naram was almost losing hope when someone in the crowd called out saying Zaya was with them. Hoping it wasn't someone playing tricks on him, he hurried over and sighed in relief. "Zaya! There you are!" Instead of some spiritualist or exorcist, Fiori and Yavish saw what looked to be an ordinary hunter make his way through the market crowds to reunite with his cat. There were no charms, talismans, or holy symbols on his person, only traveling necessities and a quiver. Zaya immediately leaped off the stool and jumped onto Naram, purring loudly and aggressively grooming her human's hair and face. "I'm so glad you're alright, I thought I'd lost you! Agh–wait, stop!" 

The heartfelt reunion soon turned comical as Zaya insistently groomed him, particularly his beard. With so many spirits about on this night she could not be lax in her duty as his guardian, and immediately went to work on purifying him of any ills. Once she was satisfied, a slightly disheveled looking Naram held the content purring cat in his arms as he turned to face the kind strangers who had kept Zaya company. "Thank you both for staying with Zaya, if something happened to her I wouldn't know what I'd do. I should have gone back to get her after visiting the first stall." Who knew asking for information would lead to a tedious game of cat and mouse using words? He wasn't sure if the people here were intentionally being unhelpful or if they just liked playing games with their customers. Even without Zaya present he didn't make any progress. "My name is Naram, and you are?"

Author: Fiori Terrowin, Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:00 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

"Oooo excellent idea darling!" Fiori praised Yavish when she saw the stool. 

The stool would help bring the eye to the cat and the calls for the owner were useful. However… she wondered if it would be enough. If one was lost in the crowds, no matter how loud or how large the stool, it wouldn't be enough. An idea hit her when she glanced at a stall banner. There! That would catch the eye! Following Yavish's strategy, she wandered over to a stall that was selling jewels. She gave the human merchant a charming smile and walked up to her. After a few minutes of flirting and lingering glances, she was able to sweet-talk the nice vendor out of that sign, even convincing her to bring it over herself. The tall banner was deep orange and had white words advertising the stall. It would be tall enough that anybody in a crowd could see it. 

"Yes, put it over there. Thank you!" 

The banner was placed right next to the cat. Then, she walked over to the banner. Fiori held out her hand in front of it and began muttering a series of enchantments. A swirl of deep blood-red ethereal magic circled her hands then traveled over to the banner, striking it. The second the enchantment hit it, the words began to shift and morph until they read, "Lost Cat Here". She gave a little proud smile then sent the merchant back to her stall. 

"There. But there is one more thing." 

Her eyes glanced towards Zaya. 

"You poor little baby." She cooed as she inspected the cat gently, "Now I'm going to need you to hold still okay?" 

Fiori lifted its paw and grabbed something from her purse. She began combing the fluffy cat's fur and clearing out any dirt from it. Once the cat was properly brushed, provided Zaya allowed her, she would work on cleaning its nails of dirt and removing any speck of dirt. For a finishing touch, she offered the cat a little purple bow with bat embroidery to wear around its neck. 

"Cats should get to dress up too!" Fiori exclaimed with a smile. 

It was hard to tell if this was more for the cat, or for her. She gave a glance to Yavish, who was noticeably not dressed up for the festival either. 

"Would you like a bow too?" She asked. "Purple would be complementary to your fur." 

Author: Yavish Neroleone, Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 1:52 AM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

Yavish glared at Fiori in annoyance to her response regarding the innocent ghost.  She simply muttered, "Still doesn't make what you did okay."

When Fiori went over the details of the cat, Yavish realized that it was indeed well groomed.  The feline seemed lost and judging from its noises to her regarding her question, it was indeed searching for its owner.  Fiori gave her an offer to join them in their quest to find said owner and said, "Very well, but if a ghost minding its own business decides to flay you after kicking it, then that'll be fully on you.  Regardless, we'd be wise to not cause anymore trouble."

They followed the cat through the fairgrounds, and Yavish was quick to notice that the other spirits were growing afraid when the cat was nearby.  Even the vendors were giving it weird looks.  It was clear that its owner had trained her well considering it was not causing trouble save for earlier when it was resting on top of a ghost, though that was more of an innocent thing.  She assumed that the cat was some type of magical ghost hunter, which if its owner was helping out with banishing the evil spirits, would be extremely useful.

Soon enough, she heard a voice calling out for someone named Zaya.  She glanced down at the cat for a moment and decided to try something in case the man calling out for her really was the owner.  Yavish made her way over to a candy vendor that was operated by a man dressed as a voodoo doctor.  He grew mortified upon seeing her and began to tremble until she asked, "Excuse me, I need to borrow your stool for a moment."

The vendor nodded and said with fear stumbling his words, "Y-Yeah…just make sure you give it back please."

He stood up and backed away so that she could receive the stool.  It was tall like the stools at bars, and she returned to the cat who she surmised was named Zaya.  She placed the seat in front of the cat so that it could hop on top and called out hoping that her owner would hear and find them, "Over here!  Zaya is with us!  Your cat is with us!"

She felt bad about the spirits around them that were keeping their distance from the feline, but it would surely help the owner find his companion more easily. 

Author: Kismet, Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 2:17 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

It seemed the two strangers were busy disagreeing over the fate of the specter she had been sitting on, but fortunately the ox-headed one noticed her intentions of finding her human. The longhaired cat chattered to Yavish as if to confirm her question. Meanwhile the young lady was absolutely smitten over her fluffiness, and Zaya purred in response to the affection. She was used to being held and patted by strangers who held no ill-will towards her. Even children didn't phase her when they might startle more anxious felines. Once she was back on the ground, Zaya raised her head to focus her nose on catching any familiar scents. With her tail raised, she began heading towards the busier portion of the market street with leisurely steps.

Fiori and Yavish would notice a strange phenomenon as the cat walked ahead: wherever she wandered any spirits of the deceased would become compelled to move away. Some of the stall vendors would eye Zaya warily with a sense of unease like how the superstitious saw black cats. Zaya herself was incredibly well-behaved, only standing up to lean on her front paws to get a better look at things on display without touching the merchandise. A few times she would suddenly stop in her tracks and stare at some of the patrons with varying results. One notable moment was when she stared at an animated skeleton whose ghastly lights in their skull quivered while quickly making a detour. If it wasn't a bag of bones, one could imagine it was breaking out in a cold sweat. 

Finding Naram proved more difficult than usual due to the crowded and noisy atmosphere. There were so many sounds and smells competing for attention that Zaya struggled to track him down. The strange clothes and shapes of the fairgoers didn't make things easier either–there were many people with fur on their face but not quite in the same way as her human. Bearded men were not a rarity, but they didn't smell like him.

In another part of the market street a man dressed in thick clothes and a rucksack slung over his shoulder was desperately searching for his cat. Naram had asked around for any information on a creature he had been trying to find but came back empty-handed. What he had thought would be a brief inquiry had taken much longer, and now he was worried that Zaya might have gone missing. She didn't have a collar or other identifying trinkets like a house pet since she wasn't one, but in hindsight that likely made her look like a stray. Usually they traveled together so it wasn't a problem but he couldn't ignore the possibility that someone might pick her up and take her away. "Zaya? Zaya!! Zaya can you hear me?!" The nomad pushed his way through the crowds shouting, hoping his voice was loud enough for her to hear.

Author: Fiori Terrowin, Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 9:34 AM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

"Oh, don't be so dramatic." Fiori huffed when Yavish tried to lecture her. "It's already dead. Unless you use spirit-related magic directly, they don't feel a thing. Or… at least that's what one of my siblings told me." 

She focused on cuddling the cat a bit more. Then she heard Yavish asking the cat if it was looking for someone. Taking a moment to inspect the creature, she noticed a few key details. Zaya seemed to be relatively plump, at least more than a wild house cat. The creature's fur was nicely combed and washed without a hint of fleas. Fiori even took a few moments to inspect its paws. The pads were rough, indicating time spent walking around but the claws were well-groomed. 

"The kitty does have an owner." Fiori says with a disappointed sigh, "No stray is this well-groomed. I suppose we have no choice but to find this owner of hers. Would that be good for you precious little baby?" 

She gave the fluffy kitty a scratch behind the ears and a little kiss on the nose. Her glance turned back to Yavish for a moment. 

"Why not come along with us?" Fiori suggested, "I cannot guarantee I won't kick any more spirits if they scare me. Perhaps you can help us avoid any such altercations?" 

If the minotaur cared so much about spirits, then she would work this to her advantage. Having such a strong fighter determined for peace had its potential. And… she may find other uses for her new friend. 

"Now little kitty bitty baby waby. Where do we start?" She asked, finally putting the cat back on the ground so it could show them the way. 

Author: Yavish Neroleone, Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 2:00 AM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

What happened next would leave Yavish stunned.  The witch lady from earlier came flying in and kicked the poor ghost away from the cat.  As the specter fled, Yavish called after it, "Are you okay?"

With no answer given, Yavish cast an unimpressed glare on the woman who asked both her and the cat if they were alright and as she was coddling the cat, the minotaur chided her with, "Ma'am, that was completely uncalled for.  That spirit wasn't even doing anything and was panicked because that cat was lying on top of it."

She glanced back in the direction of where the ghost escaped to before she turned back to the woman who was asking her for her name after she introduced herself as Fiori and answered, "Yavish, and if you want to kick the spirits around then at least wait until we get to the battlegrounds.  That's where all the malicious spirits are being held after all."

Hopefully, other warriors had the same idea as her in cleansing that area of evil specters as she did not want to do it alone.  Yavish looked down at the cat in Fiori's hands and had to admit that it was cute.  The feline's gaze shifted around like that of someone from a Nightwatch, and she realized that it was searching for something, or someone.  She had no clue if it could speak, but decided to ask anyway, "You looking for someone?"  

Author: Kismet, Posted: Mon Oct 9, 2023 1:39 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

Zaya had gotten herself in a comfortable position and was just about to ask the spirit she caught for directions, only to be interrupted by two strangers. One had the head of an ox and requested she move from her spot. The long-haired cat turned her head to look at the minotaur with a mew, stating that she wouldn't take long and needed a moment to inquire about her surroundings first. Unfortunately it would seem most people didn't have the same level of understanding as her human, and as such Zaya knew her words would go in one ear and out the other. What happened next caught her entirely off guard however–a young woman dressed in fancy clothes and a strange hat suddenly rushed over and kicked the specter out from under her. The ghost hurtled away into the fairgrounds with a groan, then vanished into the crowds: "Ohhhhhhhhh-"

Zaya's pupils widened and ears moved as she gently flopped onto the ground, throwing a glance in the ghost's general direction as it disappeared into the distance. She sighed, but didn't sulk. Ah, there went her opportunity to ask. However as a human saying went, when one door closes another will open. The spirit was too panicked to be willing to speak with her but these two might listen. Zaya did not struggle as the snow-haired lady picked her up and held her like a child, and her bushy tail swayed slowly as she took advantage of the higher point of view. Her pale green eyes scanned the stalls and her human was nowhere to be seen. Looking back at the woman and the minotaur, the large mackerel tabby housecat chattered while checking the nearby area periodically to communicate she was searching for someone. 

Author: Fiori Terrowin, Posted: Sun Oct 8, 2023 11:28 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

For a while, Fiori feared that she'd never find someone to at least walk around with. As she traveled, she spotted a minotaur, cat, and a….. Was that…. a ghost?! Her eyes widened in terror as her body froze. Then she realized a crucial detail. That poor cat was in danger! Fiori's mighty high heels gave an intimidating click-clack as she ran over and raised her leg, sending a powerful kick toward the ghost's stomach. Under normal circumstances, she would have gone through the spirit. But her heels had enough traces of magic to make contact with the spirit, if only for a short moment. The ghost was surprised to have something kick it over. It couldn't feel the pain of being kicked, since it was dead, but it still felt the force of a kick throwing it backward. The spirit flew off quickly.

"Are you two okay?" She asked them, though most of her concern was directed to the fluffy cat, "Oh you poor baby having to deal with a nasty spooky creepy spirit. You poor itty witty kitty." 

Fiori reached over to pick the cat up, if it would allow her.

"Aww, what a fluffy tiny little baby you are! Yes, you are!" She cooed at the cat. 

It took her a few moments to remember that there was somebody else around. Fiori recollected herself and looked over to the giant minotaur. She gave the being an elegant curtsy. 

"My apologies for my behavior. I have a fondness for fluffy things and can sometimes be distracted. My name is Fiori. What is yours?" 

Despite her brutal handling of the spirit, she was all smiles and ladylike grace now. 

Author: Yavish Neroleone, Posted: Sat Oct 7, 2023 2:30 AM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

Compared to the calm, somber tone of the parade, this section of the fair was more upbeat and lively.  Although Yavish appreciated the time spent speaking to her adoptive father, it was nice to have a little palette cleanser afterward.  As she walked through the fairgrounds, participants and ghosts gave her curious looks, some of them outright avoiding her out of fear.  At this point, she was used to reactions like that.  In all honesty, it beat getting flooded with attention.

There was a variety of food vendors and many different games available, but at the moment she was not hungry and none of the activities piqued her interest.  Screams echoed in the distance, but she assumed that it was the festival's doing.  She planned on visiting the battlegrounds in the future, but for now she was in search of something else to bide her time.  There was a woman she passed who wore a witch outfit, but Yavish could not tell if she was either a cosplayer or an actual magic user.

Another scream came out, but this one was closer and the voice sounded like it was in genuine panic.  Yavish picked up her pace and found the scene to be a cat seated on one of the spirits.  The poor specter was clearly terrified while the cat seemed to be relaxed.  Some may have found the scene cute or even funny, but there were other spots for a cat to sit.  She knelt down toward the cat and said, "Alright you, time to get off of him."

The minotaur reached out toward the cat, looking to lift it off of the victim and set it on the ground next to it.

Author: Kismet, Posted: Fri Oct 6, 2023 4:02 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

While she didn't really like this place very much, her human wanted to look around so she had no choice but to accompany him. Naram was busy looking for some information and had asked Zaya to stay in a certain area until he returned, since he soon discovered for some reason most vendors became unusually nervous when she was present. She was a patient creature, but soon time dragged on and she was starting to worry. This place was easy for a human to get lost in, so she couldn't risk leaving in case he needed to find her. There were many spirits and specters wandering about in addition to the usual fairgoers, and she could easily distinguish between the two. The former would give her a wide berth or outright avoid her while the latter would pay her no mind or occasionally throw her a glance. Without her human to look after, Zaya was becoming bored so she began to inspect the area for any dangers. 

As Fiori traipsed through the fair, the echoing cries of a poor unfortunate soul wailed as it was beset by a terrific fluffy beast. "Help! HELP!! I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP!! Someone please, get it off me!" A ghastly specter laid pinned to the ground on its stomach as a longhaired cat was entering a loafing position on its lower back. Zaya had planned to ask for directions but it was hard to get anyone's attention, so she caught the nearest person in preparation for a nice chat. If only the poor soul hadn't decided to run, then maybe she wouldn't have been seized by the urge to pounce. Thankfully her landing was gentle, and the ethereal being was unharmed. However it soon entered a state of distress at its current predicament. 

Author: Fiori Terrowin, Posted: Fri Oct 6, 2023 12:34 PM, Post Subject: The Eerie Eventide [O][R?][Event]

Fiori had never cared for horror. Despite her overall behaviors that could be described as horrific, the thought of seeing a specter sent a chill down her spine. The only reason she even considered visiting the Rokkrinu Fair was because a date had asked her. A handsome young man with a passion for the unknown and knowledge. Granted, she’d only known him for a month, but she was no prude and preferred to move faster in her relationships.

In fact, she liked him SO much that she was willing to forgive him for being fifteen minutes late. Fiori wore a lovely witch costume with shades of black and deep purple, it even came with a cute little hat! And to her fortune, the entrance of the fair led to food stalls and simple games… even if there were distant screams. She sat herself down on a pumpkin and waited patiently for her date to arrive. Fifteen minutes… thirty minutes….an hour.

“Where the fuck is he?” Fiori muttered to herself.

There was no way. He would never. Did she just get… stood up?! Her blood boiled at the thought of it but there was no denying the truth. The bastard wasn’t there. When she got her hands on him she’d better get a damn good reason. Getting ditched was already bad but being abandoned at a fair made for horrors was worse. She let out a small sigh and stood up. Fiori was already there so she decided to try to enjoy herself at least. Surely it couldn’t be that bad. She reminded herself that after living with the twins, it would be silly for anything else to frighten her.

She regained confidence, stood up, and began wandering around the fair. Her confidence lasted exactly ten minutes when she bumped into a stranger with a skeleton costume that had flesh oozing from its eye sockets. The screech she gave out could rival a banshee. Fiori promptly rushed away from the confused guest and slowly calmed herself down. If she wanted to survive her trip to this wretched festival, she would need a companion. Somebody who would be a slower runner than her at least.