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Darkness surrounds you, the only light far away, up above you, out of reach. You struggle to get to it, but nothing happens, you simply keep floating aimlessly. You're so tired...So tired. Why not sleep? It seems logical, and suddenly your struggling seems futile, and what's more, pointless. You begin to relax, to sleep, rest your exhausted body. But a soft, persistent voice draws you back, and it was like you had been drowning, and someone had just thrown you a rope. With great effort, you force your leaden eyelids open. Colors swirl around you for a moment, and then you pick single images out of the whirling mass. A feline face, hovering just inches away from your own, a spiderweb weighted down with raindrops, a tree leaf. And there is always the voice, whispering urgently from not to far away. You blink several times, clearing your vision. Why was that cat staring at you with such intensity? Your delirious mind wonders. And there was something...odd about that furred face. Something you couldn't quite put your finger on. The eyes were...human, somehow. Intelligent. And it's lips were moving. Could the cat be the owner of that voice? It seemed like the only possibility, but how could it be? A talking cat? Suddenly, then, the events of the few minutes before the darkness rush back to you. The storm, the woods, and finally the giant cat creature. You hurriedly scramble backwards, backing yourself against a tree. You shut your eyes tight against the memories, willing yourself away from here, anywhere but here. It is only then that you notice that soothing voice has stopped. Slowly you open one eye, only to snap it shut again when you note the cat thing is still staring at you with those unnerving eyes. Suddenly a low chuckle cuts through the silence. You open your eyes, curious now. The grin on the cat's face is unmistakable, and you know that it was the one who was laughing. And so, it must of been the thing that was talking...And there it went again. This time you listen closely to the voice, and though the words are strange, you understand.
"So you're alive." You can't mistake the humor in the voice, and you narrow your eyes, only to be awarded by another laugh. The cat rises from the kneeling position it had assumed.
"It's been a while since you fell, and I was beginning to worry I had lost you."The creature's voice is matter-of fact now. "The storm's abated."
You cock your head to the side slightly, listening. It was true. The only sound now was the gentle rustling of leaves, and the sound of the slight drizzle hitting the leaves. When you look up again, the cat has walked over to you, offering you its hand to help you up.
You take the chance to study it for a moment. The proffered hand is covered in a short, silky looking tan fur. The fingers are slightly shorter than a humans, and the nails are obviously thicker and could be used in desperation as a defense. Its wrist is adorned by several bracelets, all of the same deep blue color, but the intricate designs of inlaid silver differs greatly. The next thing you notice are its clothes. Despite their drabness, it is obvious that this is someone of importance here. A hint of silver at the collar of her jade colored tunic, expensive furs showing at the turned up cuffs of her trousers. However thick her clothing, the outline of her body is still visible, and from that you guess it-she-is definitely feminine. Noticing the uncomfortable shifting of her feet in the well-worn boots, you finally look up into her face. The wide-set dark eyes have a decidedly feminine tilt, mouth forming a soft line under the feline nose. Shockingly dark hair-for you suppose that is what it is-had been plaited into two long braids down her back. A smile touches the corners of her lips, and finally you smile back, taking her hand and allowing her to pull you up.
Smiling broadly now, she tosses one of her dark braids in a self-concise gesture."Anyway...The name's Kyiri Trilea, and I am a Ti'Yaoni. Traveler, it's getting late. Come to the town with me?" It was more a statement than a question. Then as an afterthought, she adds, "It's also getting cold and your head needs better medical attention than I can give. Will you come? It might be a while before you may be able to return, you know."
Refuse
or
Follow.