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2011-07-28 17:27:48 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] It was a day like any other, the paperwork, the training regimen for new recruits, the regular reports of progress. Just another day in the long line of monotonous weeks recently, everything being fairly well calm as the world was steadily brought back to a measure of orderly progression from the recent troubles. That was soon to be shattered though, as Kara stepped from her office, on her way to her lunch break. About the point she got halfway there, she would hear a loud call from behind her, a stocky man dressed in the official messenger uniform rushing up to her, looking a bit agitated. "General Zastel, a moment of your time. The Second General would like to know if you've received any communication from D'zali's squad in the last two days."

2011-07-28 17:31:21 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel glanced over her should as she was called, the feline pausing to think it over as she rubbed her chin. "D'zali... that's that wolf man, right?" she asked for verification, before she shook her head. "No, sorry. I haven't gotten any word from him yet. It's starting to bother me, honestly." Admittedly not quite as much as her stomach was though, as it rumbled audibly. She hoped the man wasn't gonna be too long, she was hoping to be able to have some nice fish before she got back to the grind.

2011-07-28 17:37:42 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] The man nodded his affirmation of D'zali's species and gender, hoping that she had. When Kara responded, the mans eyes softened for a moment, and then hardened as he gave a resigned sigh. "I'm sorry to say this then General, but this is three days out with no confirmation of status. As of the present moment, all members are to assume that his squad is lost, and a sortie prepared to determine if that is true. The Second assumed that this was coming, since D'zali had always reported in meticulously on time, and as such he has an order for you." The man sighs a little, removing his hat and holding it firmly over his chest. "General Zastel, you are to head the investigation personally. You are given full permission to take whichever troops you deem necessary up to a full six man squad in number. There have been disturbing rumors recently, and above all else, you are to ensure that you and your team return to report your findings, above removing any disturbing elements. Understood?" It was clear that he was repeating the orders exactly as they had been given.

2011-07-28 17:45:23 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel sighed in defeat, the girl nodding as she crossed an arm over her chest, in salute. "As the Second decrees, so shall it be done. It would be an honor, sir. Now then, if you'll excuse me," The feline sighed as she stalked back to her office, the girl taking a moment to peruse the last documents she'd recieved from them, in particular. Her tail thwapped idly as she sighed, leaning back and sucking on her bottom lip. "The last communications I'd recieved from them they were somewhere in the north east... in this port city, if I recall correctly." She nodded once out of habit, before she walked out, looking around. "...Aaaaaw man, I'm still hungry!" She was not too good at focusing on an empty stomach.

2011-07-28 17:49:00 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] The messenger nodded once at her response, saluted respectfully, and wished her good luck almost as an aside, before turning and striding back the way he had come, likely to report her response to the Second. While she was busy checking in on where they had to go though, Tala was wandering her way through the halls, her mission having been completed two days back. The generals were supposedly determining what mission to send her on again, and while that suited her just fine, she was growing tired of doing nothing. Shouldn't she have gotten an order by now? Even one to relax would have been welcome at this point.

2011-07-28 17:53:58 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel flicked her ears when she spotted her sis, the girl raising her arm up to wave. "Tala! I've got a mission for you!" she called out, walking over to her with a sigh. "D'zali's gone AWOL; his squad's like KIA, so I need to get together a team to sniff out what happened," she looked her sister over, the girl nodding as she raised an arm. "I'm sure you have no objections."

2011-07-28 17:57:09 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel blinked a few times when she saw her sister, looking almost confused. Wasn't Kara usually at lunch right now? What was she doing here? She nods at the call of a mission, and gives a curt salute before listening to the orders. She looks decently surprised. "No objections General." She would normally try to tease her sister, but in full uniform, and having just been given a mission, it likely wasn't the time to try such. "What is our team composition?" A quick way of asking, 'who's coming'.

2011-07-28 18:03:10 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel nodded. "I haven't decided yet on the rest of the composition; I expect you to be ready to move out by tomorrow morning, at the absolute latest," the feline informed her sis, the girl turning around as she stalked off, mumbling her thoughts. "Above everything else, we definitely need a healer..." she wasn't quite sure what to expect... but oh well. She stopped by the main hub to tell the clerk to send for a healer and an archer, at the very least, before she ran out of the building. She was going to have her fish, dang it!

2011-07-28 18:09:46 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel nodded at the response, saluting again at the order to be ready to move, waiting to ensure that was the end of the orders before walking back towards her room quickly. All but a few things were ready, but she felt that it might be good to have enough rations for a while. Just in case. And she needed to have her sword inspected to ensure that she had cleaned it properly. The clerk, at Kara's orders, nodded, beginning to flick through the registries to see who was on hand for the roles. Whenever Kara got back to her desk, she would find two new folders present. One contained the profiles of two different archers, one being Reimi, the other being a catboy of good dexterity. There was virtually no difference in their skills, except that he wasn't pred capable. In the other were the profiles of two 'healers'. The first was a barrier specialist, master-class, able to create and hold such defensive shields indefinitely. The other was a more direct healer, able to heal most injuries, though her work often left a scar.

2011-07-28 18:15:52 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Sated bellies are the best to work on! With her stomach rather nicely filled with delicious fish and sushi she walked back to the desk and picked up the individual folders, thumbing through them. She set aside Reimi's profile, thumbing between the two healer's for quite a while. Someone that could create a barrier could be useful if they ran afoul of magi, but the other one would be more general purpose... she set the profile for the latter aside, and if the clerk wasn't there, she'd scribble a note for them to be told to report to her quarters tomorrow by first light, prepped to go.

2011-07-28 18:23:03 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] The clerk seemed to always be working, so he gave the affirmative that they would be awake and ready to go by the required time. The healer was a fox demi, relatively new to the force, though because healers were in such high demand, she'd been getting a lot of first hand experience in combat healing. She was probably the better overall choice for the team as well. By the time dawn rolled around, Tala at the least was present, and if the other two weren't there, they were probably on their way.

2011-07-28 18:25:40 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel had a rather bad case of bed head as she sat up, the girl grumbling as she rubbed her eyes. She nodded at her sister, the girl still trying to get her hair in some semblence of decency before the fox could show up! Reimi was leaning in close to stare at Tala, the puppy sniffing at the girl idly as she flicked her tail. "I haven't met you before! What's your name?" she barked out excitedly, ruffing cutely. Well, Reimi did spend most of her time practicing; she was excellent at marksmanship from long range, but she still wasn't all that great at close up.

2011-07-28 18:30:05 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel had her mask up again, the feline standing rock solid and almost stony-faced as she waited for Kara to arrange herself. Even though she felt that her sister looked hilariously silly with her hair ruffled like that. She glanced at Reimi almost icily, before turning her attention back to Kara. "I am Tala. Forward offense and support." It would be just a moment after this that the sound of hurried footsteps reached them, the fox dashing around the corner and rushing up to them, wearing, unlike most healers, a solid leather outfit, for ease of movement in battle. "Sorry I'm late. I didn't get the dispatch until this morning. O-oh.....um......I'm Ira." She looked moderately uncomfortable in the current atmosphere.

2011-07-28 18:36:29 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi turned to look at the fox girl, the puppy letting out a slight bark as she waved, smiling girlishly as she chuckled. Kara turned to look at Ira with... the right side of her head finally laying down and looking proper as she cleared her throat, taking a few steps to stand in front of the trio, dressed in a chain vest and leggings, with leather gloves. "Ahem. Pleasure to meet you Ira. This is Reimi and Tala, and I am the leader, Kara. Now then..." Kara paused to take a few steps and walk over to a nearby wall, which had a map of the world pinned to it. A knife was jabbed into the city of Arthrung, roughly a three day march north. "As I'm sure some of you have surmised, D'zali's gone missing. We've been ordered by the higher-ups to find out why; right now, information gathering takes precedence over all else. Any questions?"

2011-07-28 18:43:25 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel was dressed, not in standard chainmail as was normal for warriors, but in cloth shorts that extended down to mid-thigh, and shirt that fit her very well. Kara, who knew her well, would know that she had actually bound her chest with bandages, to keep it from interfering during any potential combat. She carried a large pack on her back, though it had a peculiar design for the straps, and her katana was belted to her left hip almost casually. She wore no shoes. She stood at attention as Kara began to speak, with Ira quickly following suit, though she had a sheepish grin on her face. Something about Reimi made her smile. There was an affirmative nod from them at the official orders, though Tala did speak up. "D'zali is a grey wolf, he has a scar over his muzzle, and another on his left arm. His companions are a housecat demi, tabby in coloration with no other defining features, and a lynx anthro with a fondness for beads." she reported, assuming that a base description would make them easier to track.

2011-07-28 18:49:08 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel nodded. "That's right, thank you Tala." She turned back to the room at large, the girl crossing her arms over her chest as she huffed. "If there's no other questions, then split up. Pick up anything you might've missed, and meet in the front courtyard in exactly fifteen minutes. A transport's set to take us to Anthrung, but we're on our own for getting back, so make sure you packed your hiking shoes!" Kara nodded, ignoring the comical hair horn that stood up on the left side of her head as she set about fixing the rest of her hair. Reimi saluted the feline, a small grin draped across her lips as she turned and ran out, pulling Ira's hand so that she would follow suit.

2011-07-28 18:51:40 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel saluted sharply once the orders were given, and with no more than a breath, she seemed to vanish, the faint sound of her bare feet likely reaching their ears, though it faded almost instantly as she swiftly moved off. Ira saluted a bit behind the other two, and then eeped as Reimi dragged her along, the vixen stumbling after the dog girl as quick as she could manage, almost stumbling a few times with the exuberance of her companion.

2011-07-29 02:33:59 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel saluted sharply once the orders were given, and with no more than a breath, she seemed to vanish, the faint sound of her bare feet likely reaching their ears, though it faded almost instantly as she swiftly moved off. Ira saluted a bit behind the other two, and then eeped as Reimi dragged her along, the vixen stumbling after the dog girl as quick as she could manage, almost stumbling a few times with the exuberance of her companion.

2011-07-29 02:35:49 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel looked over herself in the mirror, the girl pausing to apply a little blue lip stick to her lips. "Mm... that'll do the trick!" she purred. Reimi dragged Ira out to the square and sat on one of the bences nearby, sniffing curiously as she tilted her head from side to side. "Arf arf arf! So, what're you, what's your role?" she asked, wagging her tail as she leaned on her arms.

2011-07-29 02:38:57 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] If Tala had been there, she might have questioned the purpose behind the lipstick since they were off on a mission, not a girl's night out or anything that silly. She was likely already at the meeting place though, waiting for everyone else to show up. Ira, for her part, staggered and barely avoided tripping all the way to the square, the vixen settling herself down on the bench beside Reimi quickly, so that the puppy girl didn't accidentally tug her head first onto it. She was taken slightly off guard by the rapidfire questions, and nodded. "Well, I'm a vixen, and a combat healer. Full support in that regard. What about you? What's your role?"

2011-07-29 02:41:07 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi flicked an ear, the girl nodding as she tilted her head, the dog girl nodding as she sat back, sitting cross legged. "I see! So you're our support, ten? I'm a husky dog girl, and I'm an archer! I'm... mostly support too actually. Mom can get reeeeal scary when she fights though! I've seen her rip people in half before!"

2011-07-29 02:43:01 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira blinks a few times more at Reimi, the vixen very likely to be repeating this motion as the puppy girl keeps on surprising her with the varying ways she did things. She does look briefly confused. "Your mom is going with us? I'm not sure that I've
met her yet." She doesn't believe that a puppy could be the child of a panther.

2011-07-29 02:45:24 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel shook her head. "No, I'm talking about Kara!" she exclaimed... just in time to be silenced by a gentle, yet firm thwap to the back of the puppy's head as Kara walked up to the group. Tala would notice that the feline had ditched her chain gear for a leather jerkin and leggings; a small buckler, which looked much like a frisbee when compared to the person holding it, and a long sword that looked more like a really long knife were strapped to the girl's back. She didn't have her signature gunblade. "Don't scare the new girl Reimi..."

2011-07-29 02:47:39 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira was completely stunned. General Zastel was a mother? Of a canid? What? This was the first time she'd heard of such a thing! She was likely to have been in shock for the rest of the day, had Kara not suddenly thwaped Reimi, the vixen snapping out of her barely beginning trance to nod. She also looked confused at the change of clothing. Before she could comment though, Tala landed right behind her without hardly a sound and spoke. "What's our method of transport?"

2011-07-29 02:56:20 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel turned to look at Tala, the girl shrugging as she tilted her head for them to follow. She led them just past the square to what looked like a small plane, just large enough to fit them and the pilot in question. "Admittedly this is still in testing; normally we'd go with a more mundane method of transport, but they want us to get this over with before the trail gets any colder." The vehicle lacked engines, and wheels, but it seemed to be hovering a few feet over the ground, an audible humming echoing from it's nose. "Anyway, their gonna drop us in a forest about three miles from our target city. Let's get this over with..." Kara... did not seem confident in the 'plane'.

2011-07-29 03:00:44 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel followed along behind Kara readily enough, mirroring her steps perfectly so that there was never even the slightest faltering of the distance between them as they moved. She was so intent on the mission that she had fully retreated behind her mask, though how much Kara knew of her more normal behaviors, she'd probably be the only one who really realized how different this was from her real self. She looked a bit nervously at the 'plane' herself, but followed her lead, the feline leaping lightly up into it and immediately retreating to the back where she lowered herself into a crouch. Ira, for her part, was a bit intimidated by everyone but Reimi. Both Tala and Kara were superior officers, and while Tala may have been lower of rank, she just seemed like the sort who would behead an ally for the wrong word. She sighed a little bit, and on climbing in, chose to stay near Reimi, figuring that she could maybe converse a little bit with the canid.

2011-07-29 03:06:04 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi sat down with a grin, smiling as she looked up to the fox next to her. Kara relaxed, honestly not paying Tala too much mind as the 'plane' took off, a faint jostling working it's way through the body every few seconds. Reimi seemed a bit off guard by the noise, the puppy swallowing hard as she leaned in against Ira. "I-I'm scared of heights..." she admitted, staring up towards the door. "We should start looking for information in the taverns first..." Kara mumbled, evidently thinking to herself. "We can't draw attention to our-" she glanced at Tala with a raised brow. "Ourselves, so try not to cause a scene, alright, sis?"

2011-07-29 03:08:46 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel looked up at Kara when she heard the comment, and merely raised an eyebrow. "That one isn't up to me, General. I respond as the situation needs." She then went back to her quiet brooding. She really did need to get out more. Learn to relax and have fun, even when on a mission. Ira, for her part, looked between Kara and Tala for a moment. Sisters? She could see the resemblance now that it was pointed out, but that was a fair revelation. After just a moment, she gently wrapped an arm around the puppy girl, holding her close. "It's all right." She whispered gently, not sure what else she could say, under the circumstances.

2011-07-29 03:23:05 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel sighed deeply, the girl shaking her head as she leaned on her elbow. "Wow sis, you... really do need to... you know... live. You're what, nineteen?" she asked, as Reimi sniffed in, nibbling on Ira's throat. "Hold me..." she whined.

2011-07-29 03:24:57 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel lifted her head up to look at Kara directly, looking distinctly unamused, though given how she was behaving, that wasn't too much of a surprise. "Kara, I'm younger than you by a few years. Not your twin. And I'm focusing on making sure we live." Almost makes one want to slap her at times. Ira responded easily, wrapping her arms about Reimi and holding her quite close, nuzzling very gently.

2011-07-29 03:26:42 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel's brow raised a good bit higer at that, the girl shrugging helplessly as she glanced out the window. Reimi nommed on Ira's shoulder slowly, her ears lowering. "Rrr..."

2011-07-29 03:27:41 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira didn't mind the nibbling and nomming so much, since it wasn't an 'in-depth' exploration. She continues holding and doing her best to comfort Reimi while Tala sits down, assuming that this trip is going to take a little bit.

2011-07-29 03:30:02 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel closed her eyes as the minutes dragged on. Reimi sniffed at the fox curiously, barking occasionally as she glanced over her shoulder at the pilot."Hey Mr. How long is this gonna be?" she whined! "Touch down in twenty minutes," came the reply, though... really, they were barely skimming the tree tops. That probably accounted for the occasional rocky shift.

2011-07-29 03:32:17 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel remained fairly well unresponsive to too much else for the moment until there were approximately five minutes left, at which point she'd stand up and start moving towards the exit. A bit premature, but she really wasn't comfortable in this thing. Ira smiled a little at the Reimi's sniffing, the vixen smelling of fox and a little bit of coon on her hands, though it was a very faint trace amount if it was noticeable at all.

2011-07-29 03:34:17 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi leaned in, the girl slowly dragging her tongue across the fox girl's face as she tilted her head, before se relaxed, cuddling up to the fox. Eventually Kara would stand up as well, staying in the middle of the aisle as the plane eventually, and none too gently, touched down. "Once you guys are off, my work here is done," the pilot commented dryly.

2011-07-29 03:36:15 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel was out the door almost the moment the plane touched down, moving about the area in a large circle to see if there was anyone in the area. Ira, for her part, blushed a fair bit at the lick towards her face, almost nervous that Reimi was about to eat her, though she settled when the canid did, merely holding and comforting her until they landed. Once they were fully down, she helped Reimi get out of the plane, figuring that Kara would join them and then they could go on to the town.

2011-07-29 03:38:00 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel jumped out of the plane after the, the girl glancing at Tala as she lowered a hand to grip her blade; Reimi noticed her expression and stood stock still, her ears raising as silence might reign over the group. "Well Tala, anything?" Kara asked after a moment, taking a few steps forward while looking all around herself.

2011-07-29 03:40:26 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel returned to the area after a moment and shook her head. "Nobody's passed here in the last three days so far as I can tell." she reported quietly, looking up towards the sun to get a bearing on which way they should be going to get to the city. Ira, who had missed the alert motions of the others, just looked around idly once she'd gotten out of the plane, and was fairly surprised that Tala had been looking into such things at all.

2011-07-29 03:43:20 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel tilted her head to the left, due west as she nodded. "Good... Tala, you take point, but don't get too far ahead of us; we don't know what's out here; Ira, you're with Reimi in the middle, I'll take rear guard," the feline decided after a moment's thought; a sneak attack from behind would be disastrous if their healer fell due to it, after all. Reimi nodded in understanding, taking Ira's hand and leading her gently. "Don't assume anything, though I'm sure I don't need to tell you that Tala."

2011-07-29 03:46:20 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel nodded at Kara, having been likely to have just widely circled their little group if she hadn't been given point. Just to make sure that nobody attempted to sneak in from one of the sides and take out those in the middle. Ira was fairly well intimidated by the preparations, but followed Reimi closely, keeping right with the puppy girl while Tala nods. "I'll whistle once if there's trouble, twice if there's people." She said, assuming that the difference between those attempting to fight and a regular traveler would be easy to determine from those signals. After just a moment more, she dashes off to the front of the group, traveling a good hundred and fifty feet up, hardly visible through the trees, with her hand never straying far from her sword.

2011-07-29 03:51:08 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel nodded, the girl shifting a hand to her blade as she waited for Reimi and Ira to move, the feline setting out herself after the two had gone some hundred paces ahead of her. "Don't worry, it's alright..." she purred, shaking her head as she tapped her bow. For a mile or two the forest would be clear of other humanoids, though the occasional call of a wild bird or other animal would sound at irregular intervals. Fairly soon Tala would be able to espy a road that cut through the forest, littered with travelers of various yolks, from merchants to farmers.

2011-07-29 03:54:13 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel advanced cautiously, always making certain to keep her ears open for any sound, or lack thereof, that might indicate something was amiss. She also kept her eyes peeled for any sign of recent passage or troubles. Finally though, on spotting the road, she'd pause and give a sharp double-whistle, beckoning them closer. It would probably be best if they didn't look too wary or disconnected when they emerged from the bushes. Ira, for her part, was intimidated. This was the first time she'd been on anything other than low class missions, and she wasn't at all certain what to expect in this scenario. Normally it was a creature she could read a little about, learn how to avoid, and just heal from the proper distances or assist as needed. This was her first time facing the unknown, and she was with a group of virtual strangers as well.

2011-07-29 03:57:55 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi and Kara ran forward, the puppy pulling Ira in as she shivered a little; Ira could probably tell that she was a bit intimidated herself, though she was doing her best to hide it! "Alright, this is good," Kara nodded, whispering as she glanced in. "Just mingle with the crowd, don't get seperated, and don't make a scene. Especially you, Tala," she frowned. Her lips curled noticeably when she saw that there was a good number of human merchants mixed into the flock of demis.

2011-07-29 04:02:34 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel waits quietly, just out of sight of the road, using a tree to keep her albino colorations from being spotted by any errant passerby. She nodded a little at Kara's initial words, but rolled her eyes at the specific admonition towards her occasionally bad behaviour. She carefully pulled out a non-descript hooded cloak, donned it, and vanished to join the crowd, nobody seeming to notice her sudden appearance in their midst. Ira, for her part, took a nervous swallow, but nodded, deciding to let Reimi lead again here, unless it seemed like she couldn't.

2011-07-29 04:05:56 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi tugged the fox girl into the road, Kara following behind as well as she flicked her ears. The feline was easily the tallest in the line, the girl looking about from her higher vantage point. She observed the guard's at the head of the line, doing a thorough check on everyone that entered, and sighed. That would not bode well... she glanced down at her sis, and raised a brow. Should she, or not?

2011-07-29 04:07:36 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel had paused on seeing the guards, not certain how to proceed. Sure, she could just speed past, but if anyone so much as noticed the faintest outline of her there, she could have the guards after them before they started. Or if, as often happened, their business caused some commotion in town, and she hadn't been seen entering, it could similarly cause problems. Ira, for her part, just followed behind Reimi, looking faintly giddy.

2011-07-29 04:10:00 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel raised a brow thoughtfully, the girl rubbing her cheek as she lowered her head to her sister, and nudged her. "Mmm... how about a snack?" she teased, nosing her sis gently on the shoulder.

2011-07-29 04:10:44 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel wasn't at all surprised by Kara's proximity, since she was still fairly alert while considering the problem, but she was very shocked at the suggestion, looking to Kara quickly. "You aren't thinking..."

2011-07-29 04:13:00 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel grinned, licking her lips. "We could simply say that the heat and the crowds got to you... so it's better for us to not disturb you... or we could also say..." she giggled teasingly. Unbirthing wasn't too common, but it was certainly common enough to be feasible as a cover-up! Thankfully, unbirthing also led to the stomach.

2011-07-29 04:14:46 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel sighs a little bit at her big sister. She probably should have seen this coming, but she could also think of not logical disagreement. "Fine, whichever you prefer, but quickly please." she muttered, not sounding quite as upset as she should have, given the circumstances. It was her sister afterall.

2011-07-29 04:16:34 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel chuckled, the girl taking a hold of her sister's waist and opening her mouth, working to swallow down her sister as quickly as she could! It would probably be a bit rough, and draw a couple of eyes from nearby travellers, Reimi and Ira included. Reimi did kinda just wave it off though.

2011-07-29 04:18:19 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel sighs a little bit as she felt Kara take a hold of her waist, but she quickly undoes her cloak, letting it fall free of her head and upper torso in the mere moments before she was crammed into Kara's mouth, legs kicking very gently, not showing any signs of panic. Ira, for her part, looked shocked. Why was the general eating someone, in public no less! She took a nervous gulp and did her best to follow Reimi though, looking suddenly more nervous.

2011-07-29 04:20:40 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi shook her head. "Just smile and nod, just smile and nod..." Reimi instructed Ira, the puppy girl pulling Ira closer to Kara as the older feline subtly swallowed some more air for her sis. And just in time too, they were the next ones up.

2011-07-29 04:22:19 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel curled herself down into Kara's stomach as best she could, the feline starting to purr gently, since she's supposed to be willing and not for digesting. Ira, for her part, does her best, though it looks a fair bit strained at the start of things.

2011-07-29 04:25:16 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi stroked Ira's back as one of the guard's advanced. "Excuse me ma'am, who're you and what's your business in this town?" the wolf demi asked with a raised brow, having to tilt his head back at the tall feline. "...Ma'am, we're, uh, looking for a criminal, and... uh..." he paused, flustered as he rubbed his head.

2011-07-29 04:26:54 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel remained quiet and still inside Kara when she heard the voices from outside, not wanting to cause trouble. Ira, for her part, blinked a few times at the question before smiling. "I'm Ira, a healer. These two are my companions. But, a criminal. This is the first I've heard of it. What's the crime?" If all else fails, go for disarmingly innocent and hope for the best.

2011-07-29 04:29:57 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] "...We don't have too much detail on the perp, but what we do know is that he sent in a letter threatening to assassinate the mayor of this town. And you're... uh... friend, here has someone in her stomach. If we could just..." Kara smiled, patting her stomach gently as she purred. "Oh, I'm sorry sir, but really, I'm afraid I can't let her out, just yet. <3 It's still another week before I can let her out... you understand, right?" she purred, blushing at the fox demi.

2011-07-29 04:33:49 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira nods a few times at the guard, glad that he was doing his duty, though also wondering if they were going to get involved in saving the mayor's life at all, since that was probably a good idea for the sake of stability if nothing else. She blushes a little bit herself at the way Kara explains it, giving a slight nod towards the guards. "I'm sure you wouldn't try taking such a lovely meal from a lady." she notes, reaching a hand up to gently rub that stomach, hoping that Kara's body plays along. She hopes that she's also not messing anything up by mistaking what was meant.

2011-07-29 04:35:37 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel blinked and blushed at Ira as her stomach let out what could easily be mistaken for a gurgling kind of groan, the fox chuckling and nodding as she waved them through. "Alright, alright, go on ahead..." she chuckled. Kara rubbed Ira's head as they walked through, Reimi holding back a giggle as she flicked her ears.

2011-07-30 01:57:38 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira smiled a little bit as Kara gave her the pet to her head, striding on through while one hand continued applying gentle rubs to Kara's Tala stuffed stomach, the vixen considering something. "You aren't really going to digest her though, are you?" She was new at this, and it almost seemed like Kara would, at least to her. She wasn't capable of vore herself, so she had no idea of the etiquette of such things, or of how it actually worked. At least they had made it into the city though. Tala, for her part, was decently quiet and still, hoping that they were making it through, since she couldn't hear anything too far beyond the stomach walls.

2011-07-30 02:00:23 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel patted her stomach and purred, the girl sighing as she shook her head and nyaaaned. "No, no, I won't. I'll let her out, but first we need to get into a hotel and get a room; there we can discuss our next move..." she whispered to the fox and Reimi, giving them both a nod. Reimi nodded as well, the puppy understanding as she immediately turned and ran off to scout out te nearest hotel.

2011-07-30 02:02:21 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira smiled a little bit at the response, glad at least that they wouldn't have to worry about that particular angle too terribly much. She briefly wondered if anything like that happened when they weren't on a mission, since Kara seemed almost reluctant to let her out, but she decided that it would be best not to ask after only a moment of thought, the vixen looking a bit surprise as Reimi darts off like that. "Where is she going?"

2011-07-30 02:04:31 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] "She's gonna find us a hotel," Kara explained as she walked along, rubbing Ira's shoulders. "I am loaded down with a meal after all, remember? Reimi's a lot faster on foot ten I am right now. She'll be back in a minute," she nodded, picking the fox girl up carefully and setting her down on the feline's shoulder.

2011-07-30 02:07:21 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira nods a little at that, mentally berating herself for not seeing what she thought should have been obvious. She really needed to adjust to this quickly, or they could be in trouble later. She giggled a little bit at the mention of being weighted down with a meal. "Well, she's not technically a meal though, since you plan on letting her out." she admits in a whisper, eeping a little as she gets placed up on her shoulder, holding on nervously. She hadn't been expecting this, though, after a moment, she gently rubs at Kara's stomach with her feet, mostly to help relax the feline.

2011-07-30 02:09:52 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel flicked er ears and looked away, Reimi running up after a few moments to lean gently tug on Kara's leggings, and point. "Over here ma! This way, this way!" she yipped, while Kara tried to hold back an amused laugh. "Ok, ok, stop tugging, I'm coming!" she grinned, helping Ira stay balanced as she walked along. "Be careful with mommy's belly puppy, she's still feeling sooo stuuuuffed!"

2011-07-30 02:11:56 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel pouted a little from the teasing outside, but she knew she had to play along a little, and staying still would help along the illusion that she was there to be digested, since a mother wouldn't be too likely to keep the meal alive for long. Ira, for her part, giggled a little, gently scritching at Kara's ears with a hand while they made their way towards the in, her feet continuing their gentle rubs. "You probably shouldn't eat so much in the future. It could give you a bellyache." she teases lightly, unable to keep back all the enthusiasm of her companions.

2011-07-30 02:14:59 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel acked and looked up at Ira with a whine, a couple of tears in her eyes as se whimpered. "What?? BUt... I like eating!" she complained, crossing her arms. "Aaaah... damn diets... fine, I won't eat so much so often!" she grumbled, playing along as she winked playfully. Soon enough the trio had reached the inn in question; in no time at all, the quartet were deposited into a room, and Tala was finally allowed out.

2011-07-30 02:17:12 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira giggles a little bit at Kara's look, continuing to scritch at her ears gently as they go, playing a bit and doing her best to make small talk the entire way to their room. She slips down once they arrive, and waits patiently while Kara releases Tala, the feline looking annoyed when she's fully free. "This is going to be problematic. Not even a day in town, and I need to get out my other outfit." For simplicity sake, she always carried two alternate outfits, but no more to avoid taking up room.

2011-07-30 02:31:00 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel flicked her ears, the feline chuckling lightly as she winked, the girl sitting down on a bed as she crossed her legs. "Shall I eat your other outfit then, so that you have a matching pair?" she teased, chuckling lightly before she shook her head. "More importantly, we do need to come up with a plan of action; hitting the local taverns is a good way to start for information, but anyone have any other possible ideas what we can do?" Tala probably knew that, while her sister was a whiz at many types of warfare, she was sadly lacking in detective skills."

2011-07-30 02:39:04 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel moved off to a corner of the room, dragging the sheet from the bed as she moved over, quickly stripping out of her clothing and using that thing to dry herself off as much as possible, figuring that she'd have to leave her hair as the slimy mess unless she could find a proper amount of water to make it look more presentable. Once she was mostly dry, she put on her second outfit, giving her older sister a withering glance before rejoining them. "Ira, Reimi, the two of you should go around town to the bead merchants, or those who deal with information. Ask about the lynx woman or D'zali. They would have been there at least once, and you may be able to figure out a general portion of the city where they were staying. If we can find their inn, we'll have a good starting point....on second though, I'll go with Reimi. Ira, you go with Kara. If someone really took out his entire squad, it's not impossible that they're still here, and it may be that we'll be attacked if they find out who we're searching for." she stated, looking much more wary now that they were in town. She was always edgy when it came to city fighting. So many places that people could hide or strike from, and all those innocents to worry about. Ira nodded a little at the idea, taking a bit of a nervous swallow. "If one of you is asking questions, the other should be looking around for people listening in on your conversation, or for those who show any surprise at our presence. They could be informants. And Kara, if you need me, whistle." Tala was probably being overly prepared and twitchy. Hopefully.

2011-07-30 02:46:33 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Kara looked away with an innocent whistle, the feline watching the feline with an air of almost teasing nonchalance as she brushed her hair back. Reimi on the other hand listened intently to Tala's every word, the canine well aware of the fact that Tala was above her. "Yes ma'am!" the canine nodded. "What do we do if we do see someone listening in?" the puppy had to inquire; Kara cut in before Tala could this time, shaking her head. "Honestly, I'd prefer avoiding conflicts if at all possible. The top brass have already made it pretty damn clear we're to focus on gathering information instead of trying to thin out their numbers, and there's no guarantee that the person listening in is even connected to whatever group or individual perpetrated this act. Make absolutely sure that you memorize every detail that you can, but don't make it obvious you noticed them. If they are the enemy, they're more likely to attack if they believe we recognized them."

2011-07-30 02:53:37 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel didn't even notice that Kara was watching her as she got herself cleaned up and made at least slightly presentable, more intent on cleaning up her clothing than too terribly much else for the time being. She smiled a little at Reimi's familiar phrase, and listened to Kara's advice, the girl having not been thinking of outright conflict. "What you do depends on them. If they've got overexcitable informants, then they should get up immediately after your conversation finishes, maybe before, and start heading somewhere. That somewhere could be a base of operations. Then, if we can think of a way to get inside and get some form of official documents for them, we may be able to take that back to base and start tracking them. Just be careful. Towns aren't the best place to start fights." Boy did she know that one well. During her duty, she'd been picked up six times by the city guard of various towns because she'd had to fight her targets there. Never a good picture, particularly with all the paperwork involved. Ira nodded a little, then looked to Kara. "Well, anything else to add commander?"

2011-07-30 02:58:24 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] "Just don't stick your head out too far," the feline stated pragmatically, shaking her head. "And don't split up, ever. Stick with your partner at all times... understood Reimi?" She was certain that Tala was aware of that, and Ira seemed at least somewhat responsible, but Reimi was definitely a flighty one. The dog girl in questioned blinked in surprise, but eventually nodded her assent. "Yes sir!" Kara grinned and gave the trio a glance over, before she nodded. "Alright, then. If there's no other questions, then move out!"

2011-07-30 03:02:05 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel nodded at Kara, understanding that point well. Sure, she usually considered her allies more burdens than actual assistance, but this team was a bit special to her. She wouldn't be moving as freely as she usually did. She waited until they were confirmed to go, and then moved with Reimi out towards the market district, getting some quick directions from the master of the inn. Ira, for her part, looked at Kara, apparently waiting for her to take the lead in this one.

2011-07-30 03:06:48 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] The feline paused to consider her actions for a moment, the girl striding out of the room, pausing for a moment outside before she walked out. She gave Reimi and Tala time to leave ahead of them, since it might look suspicious if they left at the exact same time. She glanced down at Ira curiously, thoughtfully... but didn't say anything. She walked out of the inn after about five minutes had passed, the feline striding through town with an easy gait. "A quick check of the city, just so we can know what's where," the feline explained. Reimi for her part dashed to keep up with Tala, the child flicking her ears excitedly as she looked around.

2011-07-30 03:09:24 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel was keeping one eye on Reimi to make sure that the puppy girl didn't go off towards something she thought was interesting, the other on their surroundings, her focus lightly distracted by her mental directions to follow to reach the market. It made her slightly less effective, but she was confident that she could still operate within the limits of propriety for the city. Ira, for her part, nodded, pacing a bit during the five minute wait until they were cleared to go. She was almost as excited as Reimi was though, this town being somplace new, so she gawked like just about every person normally would, probably not paying as much attention as she should to her surroundings as they went along.

2011-07-30 03:17:03 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi stopped at odd intervals, quite openly gawking at a crystal ball on display in a magus shop, and also eyeing a rather pretty doll that was on display in a store; she might be a soldier to some degree, but her mind was very much that of a little kid. As Reimi stopped to gawk at the doll, a slight fluttering of wings sounded as a trio of birds that had been hanging near an alleyway suddenly took off in flight, but there didn't seem to be anyone there. After about a half an hour, Kara nodded to herself in confirmation; the hospital, the three other inns in town, and the taverns were all where the innkeep had told her they'd be in. Since Anthrung was a port town, the market was somewhat close to the pier, stalls lined with various goods, from exotic clothing to more mundane food items.

2011-07-30 03:22:29 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel knew better than to cause unnecessary commmotion, since she hadn't been seen entering the city. Whoever sent that note had....impeccable timing....Oh boy. She would have to be sure that people she wasn't traveling with knew where her entire party was at all times, just in case that was a part of the trap. She started a bit as the birds took off, looking intently at the entrance to the alley, but as much as she wanted to go check, she could not draw attention. She sighed a bit, leading Reimi on, reminding the puppy girl very gently to keep her ears open for any sign of people following them or anything out of place. Ira lost her interest in the town after the first few minutes, assuming a much quieter and more meek pose as she moved, merely looking more at the people rather than the scenery. The port town, once one got over the novelty of it and actually paid attention to the scent of dead fish, was actually a bit dull. She looked to Kara once they had surveyed the town. "Well, do we check the taverns for information, or the inns to see if we can find out where they lodged?" she asked in a whisper, curious to know which direction they were to go in. "Or do we check the hospital to see if they were located earlier." That was a morbid thought, but she didn't seem ashamed for bringing up such a possibility.

2011-07-30 03:28:19 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi blinked, the puppy running forward a little to keep up in pace as she nodded, and flicked her ears. The possibility that this was a trap clearly hadn't entered Reimi's mind, but it was quite fresh in Kara's own as she chewed on her bottom lip. Of course, there was always the possibility that that was an independent occurrence all together... She shook her head, the girl blinking rapidly before she looked down at the fox girl, leaning on one arm. "Hmm... let's check the inns first," she decided, raising an ear as she walked towards the nearest one, and walked in. Her ears swiveled every now and then to catch any tell tale sounds of footsteps as she walked up to the counter, glancing down to make sure that Ira was still nearby. "Excuse me! Um... you wouldn't happen to have seen a friend of mine, have you? She's a lynx... she was traveling with a house cat demi and another person," she asked the innkeep, a bit bluntly.

2011-07-30 03:33:25 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel hadn't realized until just there what a perfect trap this could be, particularly if they had managed to get some information out of D'zali's party before they vanished. If they knew who was being sent, it wouldn't be hard to create a fake, either via magic or more mundane methods, and stage an execution during a time that one or more of them were out of sight of the general populace. That worry began gnawing at Tala as she advanced into the market district, looking very quickly for the merchant who most likely had beads or other baubles. Ira stayed with Kara very easily, looking around a little bit nervously as they went through town, almost as if she was expecting something to happen. The inkeeper, who was in the midst of wiping off the bar behind which he normally stood, paused and looked up at Kara for a moment, not seeming too startled by her sudden blunt question. "I've seen a few lynx around here, but non with anyone else." He said simply, shrugging a bit. It could be that they had split up, or they just didn't go to this inn. Ira, remembering what was said, started looking around at the various people, to see if any were listening, while making a great show of peering more about the inn than at it's occupants.

2011-07-30 03:39:15 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi gently tugged on Tala's arms, careful to look like a child asking her mom for a toy as she arfed, tilting her head and pointing down one side, cutely. Halfway down the alley there, Tala could see a merchant with a variety of beads and other ornamental objects on display. Kara nodded at that, the girl frowning in annoyance as she sighed. "Damn... we were supposed to go shopping too..." she mumbled, turning away dejectedly as she walked with a visible slump. Once they were out, the feline nodded, and stepped out, testing the air for a moment before she started walking to another inn. "...Alright, that's a start," she noted.

2011-07-30 03:43:17 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel blinked a few times, and looked down at Reimi gently, looking in the direction indicated before smiling tolerantly and nodding at Reimi. She carefully took the canid's hand, leading her towards the merchant, debating how to slip her question in more casually as they approached. Finally, she just decided that forwardness would be a good idea. "Excuse me, but, would you have happened to see a friend of mine? She's a lynx woman, and she has an absolute love of beads." Ira didn't really notice too much of interest, and blinked as Kara moved on, following quite closely behind her like the nervous tourist she was. "One down. That leaves three, including the one we started at."

2011-07-30 03:48:06 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] "Hmmm..." Kara murmured to herself, the girl stopping in her tracks as a peculiar thought nabbed her. Warehouses were large and solid buildings, with only one entrance; while it wouldn't make or a quite hide out, it wasn't too uncommon for certain felonious deeds to be carried out in relative secrecy. She shook her head, dismissing the thought for now as she looked down, smiling as she walked towards the next inn in question. She hung back to let Ira approach this time, the feline looking at the decorations with mild curiosity. "A lynx woman that likes beads?" the leopard male asked, delicately raising one brow as he swept an arm out to indicate the entire market. "I've seen a few lynx ladies in my time, and nearly all held some interest in these baubles. Could you be a little more specific?" he asked, patiently. "Perhaps you'd like to try on some beads yourself, miss?"

2011-07-30 03:55:25 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira looked a bit nervous at being given the lead, but she advanced quietly up to the counter, waiting for a moment to get the elderly wolf's attention before flashing him a light smile. "I'm sorry to interrupt you, but we're looking for some friends of ours. One of them would have been a lynx woman, with some sort of beading in her hair or clothes, traveling with a tabby demi perhaps?" She asked curiously, the old man pausing to consider this for a few moments. "Yes...that sounds familiar. Would she have been with a male wolf as well, big fellow, scar on his muzzle?" he asked, Ira nodding almost excitedly. Nearby at the bar, there was a dark-robed tiger man, who's ears were suddenly laid back. The old man started again. "They checked in here, musta been four or five days ago now, paid up for two days, and headed out. I ain't really seen 'em since." he admitted, shrugging a little. Tala, for her part, smiled at the offer to try on some beads herself. "I'm sorry, but I just don't have the coloration for beads. All this white hair, you know." She teases, grinning a little. "The lynx I'm trying to find would have probably been traveling with a male wolf or perhaps a tabby demi. If I know them at all, they were probably telling her to hurry along." she smiles a bit, glancing down at Reimi almost curiously. "Hmm, what about you sweetie. Do you think you'd like some beads?" Keep the merchant thinking he could get a sale, and hopefully he'd be more willing to share information.

2011-07-30 04:02:09 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi nodded, playing along as she leaned forward a little, eying the wares excitedly as she motioned towards a red bead bracelet. "Can I try that one on mommy?" she arfed, smiling as she panted in excitement. "Yes, yes, I think I know who you're talking about," the man commented, extending one of his hands with the bracelet. "I believe it was three or four days ago... the house cat, as I recall, seemed irritable about something. They didn't buy any beads though." He didn't seem to be lying as he looked to Reimi. Kara's brow twitched ever so faintly when she saw him out the corner of her eye, the girl flicking her ears. She leaned against a wall, crossing her arms as she relaxed. One ear was trained on the tiger while her ears swept around, staring at a painting in curiosity.

2011-07-30 04:06:42 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel smiled and nodded at Reimi's question, carefully taking the bead bracelet and slipping it onto her wrist, taking a moment to examine the overall effect. "It goes very well with your hair sweetie. Do you want me to buy it for you?" she asked adoringly, figuring that, if Reimi actually did want it, she wouldn't mind. They had at least some of the information they needed. "They didn't? That's surprising. Do you think you could remember where the tabby was trying to get her to go? Oh, and how much is the bracelet?" May as well kill two birds with one stone. Ira chatted a little with the innkeeper, playfully bantering with him while dredging for a bit more information, though all she was able to discover was that they had left nothing behind, and they hadn't said where they were going. The tiger man, as Ira drifted off to more mundane topics, slowly stood up, and began casually walking away, leaving his drink still completely full as he headed out into the streets.

2011-07-30 04:13:34 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] "Yes!" Reimi yipped, admiring the beads as she looked at it, giggling. "Mmm... that'll be four silver, ma'am," the leopard man stated as he leaned back, closing his eyes. "No... unfortunately, I'm afraid that I didn't quite catch that." He explained, while holding his hands out for the coin. As Reimi's attention drifted from the conversation at hand, she blinked in surprise when she saw a black haired human walking away at a brisk pace, a gold earring in his left ear. "Mom?" she asked, pausing a moment before she glanced up with a whine. "I'm hungry..." Kara cleared her throat suddenly, the feline standing up as she rubbed her ears. "Sweetie, let's let the nice man get back to work and be on our way," she chuckled, a bit more intent on following the man then she was on anything else. Once they'd walked out of the door and were a block or two away, the feline suddenly broke into a trot, snatching Ira up so that she could keep up as she sniffed for the tiger's scent.

Description
2011-07-28 17:27:48 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] It was a day like any other, the paperwork, the training regimen for new recruits, the regular reports of progress. Just another day in the long line of monotonous weeks recently, everything being fairly well calm as the world was steadily brought back to a measure of orderly progression from the recent troubles. That was soon to be shattered though, as Kara stepped from her office, on her way to her lunch break. About the point she got halfway there, she would hear a loud call from behind her, a stocky man dressed in the official messenger uniform rushing up to her, looking a bit agitated. "General Zastel, a moment of your time. The Second General would like to know if you've received any communication from D'zali's squad in the last two days."

2011-07-28 17:31:21 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel glanced over her should as she was called, the feline pausing to think it over as she rubbed her chin. "D'zali... that's that wolf man, right?" she asked for verification, before she shook her head. "No, sorry. I haven't gotten any word from him yet. It's starting to bother me, honestly." Admittedly not quite as much as her stomach was though, as it rumbled audibly. She hoped the man wasn't gonna be too long, she was hoping to be able to have some nice fish before she got back to the grind.

2011-07-28 17:37:42 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] The man nodded his affirmation of D'zali's species and gender, hoping that she had. When Kara responded, the mans eyes softened for a moment, and then hardened as he gave a resigned sigh. "I'm sorry to say this then General, but this is three days out with no confirmation of status. As of the present moment, all members are to assume that his squad is lost, and a sortie prepared to determine if that is true. The Second assumed that this was coming, since D'zali had always reported in meticulously on time, and as such he has an order for you." The man sighs a little, removing his hat and holding it firmly over his chest. "General Zastel, you are to head the investigation personally. You are given full permission to take whichever troops you deem necessary up to a full six man squad in number. There have been disturbing rumors recently, and above all else, you are to ensure that you and your team return to report your findings, above removing any disturbing elements. Understood?" It was clear that he was repeating the orders exactly as they had been given.

2011-07-28 17:45:23 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel sighed in defeat, the girl nodding as she crossed an arm over her chest, in salute. "As the Second decrees, so shall it be done. It would be an honor, sir. Now then, if you'll excuse me," The feline sighed as she stalked back to her office, the girl taking a moment to peruse the last documents she'd recieved from them, in particular. Her tail thwapped idly as she sighed, leaning back and sucking on her bottom lip. "The last communications I'd recieved from them they were somewhere in the north east... in this port city, if I recall correctly." She nodded once out of habit, before she walked out, looking around. "...Aaaaaw man, I'm still hungry!" She was not too good at focusing on an empty stomach.

2011-07-28 17:49:00 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] The messenger nodded once at her response, saluted respectfully, and wished her good luck almost as an aside, before turning and striding back the way he had come, likely to report her response to the Second. While she was busy checking in on where they had to go though, Tala was wandering her way through the halls, her mission having been completed two days back. The generals were supposedly determining what mission to send her on again, and while that suited her just fine, she was growing tired of doing nothing. Shouldn't she have gotten an order by now? Even one to relax would have been welcome at this point.

2011-07-28 17:53:58 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel flicked her ears when she spotted her sis, the girl raising her arm up to wave. "Tala! I've got a mission for you!" she called out, walking over to her with a sigh. "D'zali's gone AWOL; his squad's like KIA, so I need to get together a team to sniff out what happened," she looked her sister over, the girl nodding as she raised an arm. "I'm sure you have no objections."

2011-07-28 17:57:09 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel blinked a few times when she saw her sister, looking almost confused. Wasn't Kara usually at lunch right now? What was she doing here? She nods at the call of a mission, and gives a curt salute before listening to the orders. She looks decently surprised. "No objections General." She would normally try to tease her sister, but in full uniform, and having just been given a mission, it likely wasn't the time to try such. "What is our team composition?" A quick way of asking, 'who's coming'.

2011-07-28 18:03:10 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel nodded. "I haven't decided yet on the rest of the composition; I expect you to be ready to move out by tomorrow morning, at the absolute latest," the feline informed her sis, the girl turning around as she stalked off, mumbling her thoughts. "Above everything else, we definitely need a healer..." she wasn't quite sure what to expect... but oh well. She stopped by the main hub to tell the clerk to send for a healer and an archer, at the very least, before she ran out of the building. She was going to have her fish, dang it!

2011-07-28 18:09:46 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel nodded at the response, saluting again at the order to be ready to move, waiting to ensure that was the end of the orders before walking back towards her room quickly. All but a few things were ready, but she felt that it might be good to have enough rations for a while. Just in case. And she needed to have her sword inspected to ensure that she had cleaned it properly. The clerk, at Kara's orders, nodded, beginning to flick through the registries to see who was on hand for the roles. Whenever Kara got back to her desk, she would find two new folders present. One contained the profiles of two different archers, one being Reimi, the other being a catboy of good dexterity. There was virtually no difference in their skills, except that he wasn't pred capable. In the other were the profiles of two 'healers'. The first was a barrier specialist, master-class, able to create and hold such defensive shields indefinitely. The other was a more direct healer, able to heal most injuries, though her work often left a scar.

2011-07-28 18:15:52 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Sated bellies are the best to work on! With her stomach rather nicely filled with delicious fish and sushi she walked back to the desk and picked up the individual folders, thumbing through them. She set aside Reimi's profile, thumbing between the two healer's for quite a while. Someone that could create a barrier could be useful if they ran afoul of magi, but the other one would be more general purpose... she set the profile for the latter aside, and if the clerk wasn't there, she'd scribble a note for them to be told to report to her quarters tomorrow by first light, prepped to go.

2011-07-28 18:23:03 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] The clerk seemed to always be working, so he gave the affirmative that they would be awake and ready to go by the required time. The healer was a fox demi, relatively new to the force, though because healers were in such high demand, she'd been getting a lot of first hand experience in combat healing. She was probably the better overall choice for the team as well. By the time dawn rolled around, Tala at the least was present, and if the other two weren't there, they were probably on their way.

2011-07-28 18:25:40 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel had a rather bad case of bed head as she sat up, the girl grumbling as she rubbed her eyes. She nodded at her sister, the girl still trying to get her hair in some semblence of decency before the fox could show up! Reimi was leaning in close to stare at Tala, the puppy sniffing at the girl idly as she flicked her tail. "I haven't met you before! What's your name?" she barked out excitedly, ruffing cutely. Well, Reimi did spend most of her time practicing; she was excellent at marksmanship from long range, but she still wasn't all that great at close up.

2011-07-28 18:30:05 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel had her mask up again, the feline standing rock solid and almost stony-faced as she waited for Kara to arrange herself. Even though she felt that her sister looked hilariously silly with her hair ruffled like that. She glanced at Reimi almost icily, before turning her attention back to Kara. "I am Tala. Forward offense and support." It would be just a moment after this that the sound of hurried footsteps reached them, the fox dashing around the corner and rushing up to them, wearing, unlike most healers, a solid leather outfit, for ease of movement in battle. "Sorry I'm late. I didn't get the dispatch until this morning. O-oh.....um......I'm Ira." She looked moderately uncomfortable in the current atmosphere.

2011-07-28 18:36:29 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi turned to look at the fox girl, the puppy letting out a slight bark as she waved, smiling girlishly as she chuckled. Kara turned to look at Ira with... the right side of her head finally laying down and looking proper as she cleared her throat, taking a few steps to stand in front of the trio, dressed in a chain vest and leggings, with leather gloves. "Ahem. Pleasure to meet you Ira. This is Reimi and Tala, and I am the leader, Kara. Now then..." Kara paused to take a few steps and walk over to a nearby wall, which had a map of the world pinned to it. A knife was jabbed into the city of Arthrung, roughly a three day march north. "As I'm sure some of you have surmised, D'zali's gone missing. We've been ordered by the higher-ups to find out why; right now, information gathering takes precedence over all else. Any questions?"

2011-07-28 18:43:25 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel was dressed, not in standard chainmail as was normal for warriors, but in cloth shorts that extended down to mid-thigh, and shirt that fit her very well. Kara, who knew her well, would know that she had actually bound her chest with bandages, to keep it from interfering during any potential combat. She carried a large pack on her back, though it had a peculiar design for the straps, and her katana was belted to her left hip almost casually. She wore no shoes. She stood at attention as Kara began to speak, with Ira quickly following suit, though she had a sheepish grin on her face. Something about Reimi made her smile. There was an affirmative nod from them at the official orders, though Tala did speak up. "D'zali is a grey wolf, he has a scar over his muzzle, and another on his left arm. His companions are a housecat demi, tabby in coloration with no other defining features, and a lynx anthro with a fondness for beads." she reported, assuming that a base description would make them easier to track.

2011-07-28 18:49:08 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel nodded. "That's right, thank you Tala." She turned back to the room at large, the girl crossing her arms over her chest as she huffed. "If there's no other questions, then split up. Pick up anything you might've missed, and meet in the front courtyard in exactly fifteen minutes. A transport's set to take us to Anthrung, but we're on our own for getting back, so make sure you packed your hiking shoes!" Kara nodded, ignoring the comical hair horn that stood up on the left side of her head as she set about fixing the rest of her hair. Reimi saluted the feline, a small grin draped across her lips as she turned and ran out, pulling Ira's hand so that she would follow suit.

2011-07-28 18:51:40 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel saluted sharply once the orders were given, and with no more than a breath, she seemed to vanish, the faint sound of her bare feet likely reaching their ears, though it faded almost instantly as she swiftly moved off. Ira saluted a bit behind the other two, and then eeped as Reimi dragged her along, the vixen stumbling after the dog girl as quick as she could manage, almost stumbling a few times with the exuberance of her companion.

2011-07-29 02:33:59 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel saluted sharply once the orders were given, and with no more than a breath, she seemed to vanish, the faint sound of her bare feet likely reaching their ears, though it faded almost instantly as she swiftly moved off. Ira saluted a bit behind the other two, and then eeped as Reimi dragged her along, the vixen stumbling after the dog girl as quick as she could manage, almost stumbling a few times with the exuberance of her companion.

2011-07-29 02:35:49 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel looked over herself in the mirror, the girl pausing to apply a little blue lip stick to her lips. "Mm... that'll do the trick!" she purred. Reimi dragged Ira out to the square and sat on one of the bences nearby, sniffing curiously as she tilted her head from side to side. "Arf arf arf! So, what're you, what's your role?" she asked, wagging her tail as she leaned on her arms.

2011-07-29 02:38:57 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] If Tala had been there, she might have questioned the purpose behind the lipstick since they were off on a mission, not a girl's night out or anything that silly. She was likely already at the meeting place though, waiting for everyone else to show up. Ira, for her part, staggered and barely avoided tripping all the way to the square, the vixen settling herself down on the bench beside Reimi quickly, so that the puppy girl didn't accidentally tug her head first onto it. She was taken slightly off guard by the rapidfire questions, and nodded. "Well, I'm a vixen, and a combat healer. Full support in that regard. What about you? What's your role?"

2011-07-29 02:41:07 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi flicked an ear, the girl nodding as she tilted her head, the dog girl nodding as she sat back, sitting cross legged. "I see! So you're our support, ten? I'm a husky dog girl, and I'm an archer! I'm... mostly support too actually. Mom can get reeeeal scary when she fights though! I've seen her rip people in half before!"

2011-07-29 02:43:01 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira blinks a few times more at Reimi, the vixen very likely to be repeating this motion as the puppy girl keeps on surprising her with the varying ways she did things. She does look briefly confused. "Your mom is going with us? I'm not sure that I've
met her yet." She doesn't believe that a puppy could be the child of a panther.

2011-07-29 02:45:24 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel shook her head. "No, I'm talking about Kara!" she exclaimed... just in time to be silenced by a gentle, yet firm thwap to the back of the puppy's head as Kara walked up to the group. Tala would notice that the feline had ditched her chain gear for a leather jerkin and leggings; a small buckler, which looked much like a frisbee when compared to the person holding it, and a long sword that looked more like a really long knife were strapped to the girl's back. She didn't have her signature gunblade. "Don't scare the new girl Reimi..."

2011-07-29 02:47:39 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira was completely stunned. General Zastel was a mother? Of a canid? What? This was the first time she'd heard of such a thing! She was likely to have been in shock for the rest of the day, had Kara not suddenly thwaped Reimi, the vixen snapping out of her barely beginning trance to nod. She also looked confused at the change of clothing. Before she could comment though, Tala landed right behind her without hardly a sound and spoke. "What's our method of transport?"

2011-07-29 02:56:20 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel turned to look at Tala, the girl shrugging as she tilted her head for them to follow. She led them just past the square to what looked like a small plane, just large enough to fit them and the pilot in question. "Admittedly this is still in testing; normally we'd go with a more mundane method of transport, but they want us to get this over with before the trail gets any colder." The vehicle lacked engines, and wheels, but it seemed to be hovering a few feet over the ground, an audible humming echoing from it's nose. "Anyway, their gonna drop us in a forest about three miles from our target city. Let's get this over with..." Kara... did not seem confident in the 'plane'.

2011-07-29 03:00:44 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel followed along behind Kara readily enough, mirroring her steps perfectly so that there was never even the slightest faltering of the distance between them as they moved. She was so intent on the mission that she had fully retreated behind her mask, though how much Kara knew of her more normal behaviors, she'd probably be the only one who really realized how different this was from her real self. She looked a bit nervously at the 'plane' herself, but followed her lead, the feline leaping lightly up into it and immediately retreating to the back where she lowered herself into a crouch. Ira, for her part, was a bit intimidated by everyone but Reimi. Both Tala and Kara were superior officers, and while Tala may have been lower of rank, she just seemed like the sort who would behead an ally for the wrong word. She sighed a little bit, and on climbing in, chose to stay near Reimi, figuring that she could maybe converse a little bit with the canid.

2011-07-29 03:06:04 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi sat down with a grin, smiling as she looked up to the fox next to her. Kara relaxed, honestly not paying Tala too much mind as the 'plane' took off, a faint jostling working it's way through the body every few seconds. Reimi seemed a bit off guard by the noise, the puppy swallowing hard as she leaned in against Ira. "I-I'm scared of heights..." she admitted, staring up towards the door. "We should start looking for information in the taverns first..." Kara mumbled, evidently thinking to herself. "We can't draw attention to our-" she glanced at Tala with a raised brow. "Ourselves, so try not to cause a scene, alright, sis?"

2011-07-29 03:08:46 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel looked up at Kara when she heard the comment, and merely raised an eyebrow. "That one isn't up to me, General. I respond as the situation needs." She then went back to her quiet brooding. She really did need to get out more. Learn to relax and have fun, even when on a mission. Ira, for her part, looked between Kara and Tala for a moment. Sisters? She could see the resemblance now that it was pointed out, but that was a fair revelation. After just a moment, she gently wrapped an arm around the puppy girl, holding her close. "It's all right." She whispered gently, not sure what else she could say, under the circumstances.

2011-07-29 03:23:05 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel sighed deeply, the girl shaking her head as she leaned on her elbow. "Wow sis, you... really do need to... you know... live. You're what, nineteen?" she asked, as Reimi sniffed in, nibbling on Ira's throat. "Hold me..." she whined.

2011-07-29 03:24:57 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel lifted her head up to look at Kara directly, looking distinctly unamused, though given how she was behaving, that wasn't too much of a surprise. "Kara, I'm younger than you by a few years. Not your twin. And I'm focusing on making sure we live." Almost makes one want to slap her at times. Ira responded easily, wrapping her arms about Reimi and holding her quite close, nuzzling very gently.

2011-07-29 03:26:42 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel's brow raised a good bit higer at that, the girl shrugging helplessly as she glanced out the window. Reimi nommed on Ira's shoulder slowly, her ears lowering. "Rrr..."

2011-07-29 03:27:41 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira didn't mind the nibbling and nomming so much, since it wasn't an 'in-depth' exploration. She continues holding and doing her best to comfort Reimi while Tala sits down, assuming that this trip is going to take a little bit.

2011-07-29 03:30:02 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel closed her eyes as the minutes dragged on. Reimi sniffed at the fox curiously, barking occasionally as she glanced over her shoulder at the pilot."Hey Mr. How long is this gonna be?" she whined! "Touch down in twenty minutes," came the reply, though... really, they were barely skimming the tree tops. That probably accounted for the occasional rocky shift.

2011-07-29 03:32:17 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel remained fairly well unresponsive to too much else for the moment until there were approximately five minutes left, at which point she'd stand up and start moving towards the exit. A bit premature, but she really wasn't comfortable in this thing. Ira smiled a little at the Reimi's sniffing, the vixen smelling of fox and a little bit of coon on her hands, though it was a very faint trace amount if it was noticeable at all.

2011-07-29 03:34:17 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi leaned in, the girl slowly dragging her tongue across the fox girl's face as she tilted her head, before se relaxed, cuddling up to the fox. Eventually Kara would stand up as well, staying in the middle of the aisle as the plane eventually, and none too gently, touched down. "Once you guys are off, my work here is done," the pilot commented dryly.

2011-07-29 03:36:15 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel was out the door almost the moment the plane touched down, moving about the area in a large circle to see if there was anyone in the area. Ira, for her part, blushed a fair bit at the lick towards her face, almost nervous that Reimi was about to eat her, though she settled when the canid did, merely holding and comforting her until they landed. Once they were fully down, she helped Reimi get out of the plane, figuring that Kara would join them and then they could go on to the town.

2011-07-29 03:38:00 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel jumped out of the plane after the, the girl glancing at Tala as she lowered a hand to grip her blade; Reimi noticed her expression and stood stock still, her ears raising as silence might reign over the group. "Well Tala, anything?" Kara asked after a moment, taking a few steps forward while looking all around herself.

2011-07-29 03:40:26 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel returned to the area after a moment and shook her head. "Nobody's passed here in the last three days so far as I can tell." she reported quietly, looking up towards the sun to get a bearing on which way they should be going to get to the city. Ira, who had missed the alert motions of the others, just looked around idly once she'd gotten out of the plane, and was fairly surprised that Tala had been looking into such things at all.

2011-07-29 03:43:20 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel tilted her head to the left, due west as she nodded. "Good... Tala, you take point, but don't get too far ahead of us; we don't know what's out here; Ira, you're with Reimi in the middle, I'll take rear guard," the feline decided after a moment's thought; a sneak attack from behind would be disastrous if their healer fell due to it, after all. Reimi nodded in understanding, taking Ira's hand and leading her gently. "Don't assume anything, though I'm sure I don't need to tell you that Tala."

2011-07-29 03:46:20 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel nodded at Kara, having been likely to have just widely circled their little group if she hadn't been given point. Just to make sure that nobody attempted to sneak in from one of the sides and take out those in the middle. Ira was fairly well intimidated by the preparations, but followed Reimi closely, keeping right with the puppy girl while Tala nods. "I'll whistle once if there's trouble, twice if there's people." She said, assuming that the difference between those attempting to fight and a regular traveler would be easy to determine from those signals. After just a moment more, she dashes off to the front of the group, traveling a good hundred and fifty feet up, hardly visible through the trees, with her hand never straying far from her sword.

2011-07-29 03:51:08 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel nodded, the girl shifting a hand to her blade as she waited for Reimi and Ira to move, the feline setting out herself after the two had gone some hundred paces ahead of her. "Don't worry, it's alright..." she purred, shaking her head as she tapped her bow. For a mile or two the forest would be clear of other humanoids, though the occasional call of a wild bird or other animal would sound at irregular intervals. Fairly soon Tala would be able to espy a road that cut through the forest, littered with travelers of various yolks, from merchants to farmers.

2011-07-29 03:54:13 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel advanced cautiously, always making certain to keep her ears open for any sound, or lack thereof, that might indicate something was amiss. She also kept her eyes peeled for any sign of recent passage or troubles. Finally though, on spotting the road, she'd pause and give a sharp double-whistle, beckoning them closer. It would probably be best if they didn't look too wary or disconnected when they emerged from the bushes. Ira, for her part, was intimidated. This was the first time she'd been on anything other than low class missions, and she wasn't at all certain what to expect in this scenario. Normally it was a creature she could read a little about, learn how to avoid, and just heal from the proper distances or assist as needed. This was her first time facing the unknown, and she was with a group of virtual strangers as well.

2011-07-29 03:57:55 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi and Kara ran forward, the puppy pulling Ira in as she shivered a little; Ira could probably tell that she was a bit intimidated herself, though she was doing her best to hide it! "Alright, this is good," Kara nodded, whispering as she glanced in. "Just mingle with the crowd, don't get seperated, and don't make a scene. Especially you, Tala," she frowned. Her lips curled noticeably when she saw that there was a good number of human merchants mixed into the flock of demis.

2011-07-29 04:02:34 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel waits quietly, just out of sight of the road, using a tree to keep her albino colorations from being spotted by any errant passerby. She nodded a little at Kara's initial words, but rolled her eyes at the specific admonition towards her occasionally bad behaviour. She carefully pulled out a non-descript hooded cloak, donned it, and vanished to join the crowd, nobody seeming to notice her sudden appearance in their midst. Ira, for her part, took a nervous swallow, but nodded, deciding to let Reimi lead again here, unless it seemed like she couldn't.

2011-07-29 04:05:56 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi tugged the fox girl into the road, Kara following behind as well as she flicked her ears. The feline was easily the tallest in the line, the girl looking about from her higher vantage point. She observed the guard's at the head of the line, doing a thorough check on everyone that entered, and sighed. That would not bode well... she glanced down at her sis, and raised a brow. Should she, or not?

2011-07-29 04:07:36 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel had paused on seeing the guards, not certain how to proceed. Sure, she could just speed past, but if anyone so much as noticed the faintest outline of her there, she could have the guards after them before they started. Or if, as often happened, their business caused some commotion in town, and she hadn't been seen entering, it could similarly cause problems. Ira, for her part, just followed behind Reimi, looking faintly giddy.

2011-07-29 04:10:00 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel raised a brow thoughtfully, the girl rubbing her cheek as she lowered her head to her sister, and nudged her. "Mmm... how about a snack?" she teased, nosing her sis gently on the shoulder.

2011-07-29 04:10:44 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel wasn't at all surprised by Kara's proximity, since she was still fairly alert while considering the problem, but she was very shocked at the suggestion, looking to Kara quickly. "You aren't thinking..."

2011-07-29 04:13:00 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel grinned, licking her lips. "We could simply say that the heat and the crowds got to you... so it's better for us to not disturb you... or we could also say..." she giggled teasingly. Unbirthing wasn't too common, but it was certainly common enough to be feasible as a cover-up! Thankfully, unbirthing also led to the stomach.

2011-07-29 04:14:46 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel sighs a little bit at her big sister. She probably should have seen this coming, but she could also think of not logical disagreement. "Fine, whichever you prefer, but quickly please." she muttered, not sounding quite as upset as she should have, given the circumstances. It was her sister afterall.

2011-07-29 04:16:34 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel chuckled, the girl taking a hold of her sister's waist and opening her mouth, working to swallow down her sister as quickly as she could! It would probably be a bit rough, and draw a couple of eyes from nearby travellers, Reimi and Ira included. Reimi did kinda just wave it off though.

2011-07-29 04:18:19 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel sighs a little bit as she felt Kara take a hold of her waist, but she quickly undoes her cloak, letting it fall free of her head and upper torso in the mere moments before she was crammed into Kara's mouth, legs kicking very gently, not showing any signs of panic. Ira, for her part, looked shocked. Why was the general eating someone, in public no less! She took a nervous gulp and did her best to follow Reimi though, looking suddenly more nervous.

2011-07-29 04:20:40 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi shook her head. "Just smile and nod, just smile and nod..." Reimi instructed Ira, the puppy girl pulling Ira closer to Kara as the older feline subtly swallowed some more air for her sis. And just in time too, they were the next ones up.

2011-07-29 04:22:19 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel curled herself down into Kara's stomach as best she could, the feline starting to purr gently, since she's supposed to be willing and not for digesting. Ira, for her part, does her best, though it looks a fair bit strained at the start of things.

2011-07-29 04:25:16 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi stroked Ira's back as one of the guard's advanced. "Excuse me ma'am, who're you and what's your business in this town?" the wolf demi asked with a raised brow, having to tilt his head back at the tall feline. "...Ma'am, we're, uh, looking for a criminal, and... uh..." he paused, flustered as he rubbed his head.

2011-07-29 04:26:54 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel remained quiet and still inside Kara when she heard the voices from outside, not wanting to cause trouble. Ira, for her part, blinked a few times at the question before smiling. "I'm Ira, a healer. These two are my companions. But, a criminal. This is the first I've heard of it. What's the crime?" If all else fails, go for disarmingly innocent and hope for the best.

2011-07-29 04:29:57 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] "...We don't have too much detail on the perp, but what we do know is that he sent in a letter threatening to assassinate the mayor of this town. And you're... uh... friend, here has someone in her stomach. If we could just..." Kara smiled, patting her stomach gently as she purred. "Oh, I'm sorry sir, but really, I'm afraid I can't let her out, just yet. <3 It's still another week before I can let her out... you understand, right?" she purred, blushing at the fox demi.

2011-07-29 04:33:49 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira nods a few times at the guard, glad that he was doing his duty, though also wondering if they were going to get involved in saving the mayor's life at all, since that was probably a good idea for the sake of stability if nothing else. She blushes a little bit herself at the way Kara explains it, giving a slight nod towards the guards. "I'm sure you wouldn't try taking such a lovely meal from a lady." she notes, reaching a hand up to gently rub that stomach, hoping that Kara's body plays along. She hopes that she's also not messing anything up by mistaking what was meant.

2011-07-29 04:35:37 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel blinked and blushed at Ira as her stomach let out what could easily be mistaken for a gurgling kind of groan, the fox chuckling and nodding as she waved them through. "Alright, alright, go on ahead..." she chuckled. Kara rubbed Ira's head as they walked through, Reimi holding back a giggle as she flicked her ears.

2011-07-30 01:57:38 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira smiled a little bit as Kara gave her the pet to her head, striding on through while one hand continued applying gentle rubs to Kara's Tala stuffed stomach, the vixen considering something. "You aren't really going to digest her though, are you?" She was new at this, and it almost seemed like Kara would, at least to her. She wasn't capable of vore herself, so she had no idea of the etiquette of such things, or of how it actually worked. At least they had made it into the city though. Tala, for her part, was decently quiet and still, hoping that they were making it through, since she couldn't hear anything too far beyond the stomach walls.

2011-07-30 02:00:23 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel patted her stomach and purred, the girl sighing as she shook her head and nyaaaned. "No, no, I won't. I'll let her out, but first we need to get into a hotel and get a room; there we can discuss our next move..." she whispered to the fox and Reimi, giving them both a nod. Reimi nodded as well, the puppy understanding as she immediately turned and ran off to scout out te nearest hotel.

2011-07-30 02:02:21 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira smiled a little bit at the response, glad at least that they wouldn't have to worry about that particular angle too terribly much. She briefly wondered if anything like that happened when they weren't on a mission, since Kara seemed almost reluctant to let her out, but she decided that it would be best not to ask after only a moment of thought, the vixen looking a bit surprise as Reimi darts off like that. "Where is she going?"

2011-07-30 02:04:31 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] "She's gonna find us a hotel," Kara explained as she walked along, rubbing Ira's shoulders. "I am loaded down with a meal after all, remember? Reimi's a lot faster on foot ten I am right now. She'll be back in a minute," she nodded, picking the fox girl up carefully and setting her down on the feline's shoulder.

2011-07-30 02:07:21 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira nods a little at that, mentally berating herself for not seeing what she thought should have been obvious. She really needed to adjust to this quickly, or they could be in trouble later. She giggled a little bit at the mention of being weighted down with a meal. "Well, she's not technically a meal though, since you plan on letting her out." she admits in a whisper, eeping a little as she gets placed up on her shoulder, holding on nervously. She hadn't been expecting this, though, after a moment, she gently rubs at Kara's stomach with her feet, mostly to help relax the feline.

2011-07-30 02:09:52 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel flicked er ears and looked away, Reimi running up after a few moments to lean gently tug on Kara's leggings, and point. "Over here ma! This way, this way!" she yipped, while Kara tried to hold back an amused laugh. "Ok, ok, stop tugging, I'm coming!" she grinned, helping Ira stay balanced as she walked along. "Be careful with mommy's belly puppy, she's still feeling sooo stuuuuffed!"

2011-07-30 02:11:56 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel pouted a little from the teasing outside, but she knew she had to play along a little, and staying still would help along the illusion that she was there to be digested, since a mother wouldn't be too likely to keep the meal alive for long. Ira, for her part, giggled a little, gently scritching at Kara's ears with a hand while they made their way towards the in, her feet continuing their gentle rubs. "You probably shouldn't eat so much in the future. It could give you a bellyache." she teases lightly, unable to keep back all the enthusiasm of her companions.

2011-07-30 02:14:59 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel acked and looked up at Ira with a whine, a couple of tears in her eyes as se whimpered. "What?? BUt... I like eating!" she complained, crossing her arms. "Aaaah... damn diets... fine, I won't eat so much so often!" she grumbled, playing along as she winked playfully. Soon enough the trio had reached the inn in question; in no time at all, the quartet were deposited into a room, and Tala was finally allowed out.

2011-07-30 02:17:12 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira giggles a little bit at Kara's look, continuing to scritch at her ears gently as they go, playing a bit and doing her best to make small talk the entire way to their room. She slips down once they arrive, and waits patiently while Kara releases Tala, the feline looking annoyed when she's fully free. "This is going to be problematic. Not even a day in town, and I need to get out my other outfit." For simplicity sake, she always carried two alternate outfits, but no more to avoid taking up room.

2011-07-30 02:31:00 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] KaraZastel flicked her ears, the feline chuckling lightly as she winked, the girl sitting down on a bed as she crossed her legs. "Shall I eat your other outfit then, so that you have a matching pair?" she teased, chuckling lightly before she shook her head. "More importantly, we do need to come up with a plan of action; hitting the local taverns is a good way to start for information, but anyone have any other possible ideas what we can do?" Tala probably knew that, while her sister was a whiz at many types of warfare, she was sadly lacking in detective skills."

2011-07-30 02:39:04 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel moved off to a corner of the room, dragging the sheet from the bed as she moved over, quickly stripping out of her clothing and using that thing to dry herself off as much as possible, figuring that she'd have to leave her hair as the slimy mess unless she could find a proper amount of water to make it look more presentable. Once she was mostly dry, she put on her second outfit, giving her older sister a withering glance before rejoining them. "Ira, Reimi, the two of you should go around town to the bead merchants, or those who deal with information. Ask about the lynx woman or D'zali. They would have been there at least once, and you may be able to figure out a general portion of the city where they were staying. If we can find their inn, we'll have a good starting point....on second though, I'll go with Reimi. Ira, you go with Kara. If someone really took out his entire squad, it's not impossible that they're still here, and it may be that we'll be attacked if they find out who we're searching for." she stated, looking much more wary now that they were in town. She was always edgy when it came to city fighting. So many places that people could hide or strike from, and all those innocents to worry about. Ira nodded a little at the idea, taking a bit of a nervous swallow. "If one of you is asking questions, the other should be looking around for people listening in on your conversation, or for those who show any surprise at our presence. They could be informants. And Kara, if you need me, whistle." Tala was probably being overly prepared and twitchy. Hopefully.

2011-07-30 02:46:33 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Kara looked away with an innocent whistle, the feline watching the feline with an air of almost teasing nonchalance as she brushed her hair back. Reimi on the other hand listened intently to Tala's every word, the canine well aware of the fact that Tala was above her. "Yes ma'am!" the canine nodded. "What do we do if we do see someone listening in?" the puppy had to inquire; Kara cut in before Tala could this time, shaking her head. "Honestly, I'd prefer avoiding conflicts if at all possible. The top brass have already made it pretty damn clear we're to focus on gathering information instead of trying to thin out their numbers, and there's no guarantee that the person listening in is even connected to whatever group or individual perpetrated this act. Make absolutely sure that you memorize every detail that you can, but don't make it obvious you noticed them. If they are the enemy, they're more likely to attack if they believe we recognized them."

2011-07-30 02:53:37 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel didn't even notice that Kara was watching her as she got herself cleaned up and made at least slightly presentable, more intent on cleaning up her clothing than too terribly much else for the time being. She smiled a little at Reimi's familiar phrase, and listened to Kara's advice, the girl having not been thinking of outright conflict. "What you do depends on them. If they've got overexcitable informants, then they should get up immediately after your conversation finishes, maybe before, and start heading somewhere. That somewhere could be a base of operations. Then, if we can think of a way to get inside and get some form of official documents for them, we may be able to take that back to base and start tracking them. Just be careful. Towns aren't the best place to start fights." Boy did she know that one well. During her duty, she'd been picked up six times by the city guard of various towns because she'd had to fight her targets there. Never a good picture, particularly with all the paperwork involved. Ira nodded a little, then looked to Kara. "Well, anything else to add commander?"

2011-07-30 02:58:24 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] "Just don't stick your head out too far," the feline stated pragmatically, shaking her head. "And don't split up, ever. Stick with your partner at all times... understood Reimi?" She was certain that Tala was aware of that, and Ira seemed at least somewhat responsible, but Reimi was definitely a flighty one. The dog girl in questioned blinked in surprise, but eventually nodded her assent. "Yes sir!" Kara grinned and gave the trio a glance over, before she nodded. "Alright, then. If there's no other questions, then move out!"

2011-07-30 03:02:05 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel nodded at Kara, understanding that point well. Sure, she usually considered her allies more burdens than actual assistance, but this team was a bit special to her. She wouldn't be moving as freely as she usually did. She waited until they were confirmed to go, and then moved with Reimi out towards the market district, getting some quick directions from the master of the inn. Ira, for her part, looked at Kara, apparently waiting for her to take the lead in this one.

2011-07-30 03:06:48 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] The feline paused to consider her actions for a moment, the girl striding out of the room, pausing for a moment outside before she walked out. She gave Reimi and Tala time to leave ahead of them, since it might look suspicious if they left at the exact same time. She glanced down at Ira curiously, thoughtfully... but didn't say anything. She walked out of the inn after about five minutes had passed, the feline striding through town with an easy gait. "A quick check of the city, just so we can know what's where," the feline explained. Reimi for her part dashed to keep up with Tala, the child flicking her ears excitedly as she looked around.

2011-07-30 03:09:24 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel was keeping one eye on Reimi to make sure that the puppy girl didn't go off towards something she thought was interesting, the other on their surroundings, her focus lightly distracted by her mental directions to follow to reach the market. It made her slightly less effective, but she was confident that she could still operate within the limits of propriety for the city. Ira, for her part, nodded, pacing a bit during the five minute wait until they were cleared to go. She was almost as excited as Reimi was though, this town being somplace new, so she gawked like just about every person normally would, probably not paying as much attention as she should to her surroundings as they went along.

2011-07-30 03:17:03 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi stopped at odd intervals, quite openly gawking at a crystal ball on display in a magus shop, and also eyeing a rather pretty doll that was on display in a store; she might be a soldier to some degree, but her mind was very much that of a little kid. As Reimi stopped to gawk at the doll, a slight fluttering of wings sounded as a trio of birds that had been hanging near an alleyway suddenly took off in flight, but there didn't seem to be anyone there. After about a half an hour, Kara nodded to herself in confirmation; the hospital, the three other inns in town, and the taverns were all where the innkeep had told her they'd be in. Since Anthrung was a port town, the market was somewhat close to the pier, stalls lined with various goods, from exotic clothing to more mundane food items.

2011-07-30 03:22:29 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel knew better than to cause unnecessary commmotion, since she hadn't been seen entering the city. Whoever sent that note had....impeccable timing....Oh boy. She would have to be sure that people she wasn't traveling with knew where her entire party was at all times, just in case that was a part of the trap. She started a bit as the birds took off, looking intently at the entrance to the alley, but as much as she wanted to go check, she could not draw attention. She sighed a bit, leading Reimi on, reminding the puppy girl very gently to keep her ears open for any sign of people following them or anything out of place. Ira lost her interest in the town after the first few minutes, assuming a much quieter and more meek pose as she moved, merely looking more at the people rather than the scenery. The port town, once one got over the novelty of it and actually paid attention to the scent of dead fish, was actually a bit dull. She looked to Kara once they had surveyed the town. "Well, do we check the taverns for information, or the inns to see if we can find out where they lodged?" she asked in a whisper, curious to know which direction they were to go in. "Or do we check the hospital to see if they were located earlier." That was a morbid thought, but she didn't seem ashamed for bringing up such a possibility.

2011-07-30 03:28:19 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi blinked, the puppy running forward a little to keep up in pace as she nodded, and flicked her ears. The possibility that this was a trap clearly hadn't entered Reimi's mind, but it was quite fresh in Kara's own as she chewed on her bottom lip. Of course, there was always the possibility that that was an independent occurrence all together... She shook her head, the girl blinking rapidly before she looked down at the fox girl, leaning on one arm. "Hmm... let's check the inns first," she decided, raising an ear as she walked towards the nearest one, and walked in. Her ears swiveled every now and then to catch any tell tale sounds of footsteps as she walked up to the counter, glancing down to make sure that Ira was still nearby. "Excuse me! Um... you wouldn't happen to have seen a friend of mine, have you? She's a lynx... she was traveling with a house cat demi and another person," she asked the innkeep, a bit bluntly.

2011-07-30 03:33:25 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel hadn't realized until just there what a perfect trap this could be, particularly if they had managed to get some information out of D'zali's party before they vanished. If they knew who was being sent, it wouldn't be hard to create a fake, either via magic or more mundane methods, and stage an execution during a time that one or more of them were out of sight of the general populace. That worry began gnawing at Tala as she advanced into the market district, looking very quickly for the merchant who most likely had beads or other baubles. Ira stayed with Kara very easily, looking around a little bit nervously as they went through town, almost as if she was expecting something to happen. The inkeeper, who was in the midst of wiping off the bar behind which he normally stood, paused and looked up at Kara for a moment, not seeming too startled by her sudden blunt question. "I've seen a few lynx around here, but non with anyone else." He said simply, shrugging a bit. It could be that they had split up, or they just didn't go to this inn. Ira, remembering what was said, started looking around at the various people, to see if any were listening, while making a great show of peering more about the inn than at it's occupants.

2011-07-30 03:39:15 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi gently tugged on Tala's arms, careful to look like a child asking her mom for a toy as she arfed, tilting her head and pointing down one side, cutely. Halfway down the alley there, Tala could see a merchant with a variety of beads and other ornamental objects on display. Kara nodded at that, the girl frowning in annoyance as she sighed. "Damn... we were supposed to go shopping too..." she mumbled, turning away dejectedly as she walked with a visible slump. Once they were out, the feline nodded, and stepped out, testing the air for a moment before she started walking to another inn. "...Alright, that's a start," she noted.

2011-07-30 03:43:17 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel blinked a few times, and looked down at Reimi gently, looking in the direction indicated before smiling tolerantly and nodding at Reimi. She carefully took the canid's hand, leading her towards the merchant, debating how to slip her question in more casually as they approached. Finally, she just decided that forwardness would be a good idea. "Excuse me, but, would you have happened to see a friend of mine? She's a lynx woman, and she has an absolute love of beads." Ira didn't really notice too much of interest, and blinked as Kara moved on, following quite closely behind her like the nervous tourist she was. "One down. That leaves three, including the one we started at."

2011-07-30 03:48:06 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] "Hmmm..." Kara murmured to herself, the girl stopping in her tracks as a peculiar thought nabbed her. Warehouses were large and solid buildings, with only one entrance; while it wouldn't make or a quite hide out, it wasn't too uncommon for certain felonious deeds to be carried out in relative secrecy. She shook her head, dismissing the thought for now as she looked down, smiling as she walked towards the next inn in question. She hung back to let Ira approach this time, the feline looking at the decorations with mild curiosity. "A lynx woman that likes beads?" the leopard male asked, delicately raising one brow as he swept an arm out to indicate the entire market. "I've seen a few lynx ladies in my time, and nearly all held some interest in these baubles. Could you be a little more specific?" he asked, patiently. "Perhaps you'd like to try on some beads yourself, miss?"

2011-07-30 03:55:25 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] Ira looked a bit nervous at being given the lead, but she advanced quietly up to the counter, waiting for a moment to get the elderly wolf's attention before flashing him a light smile. "I'm sorry to interrupt you, but we're looking for some friends of ours. One of them would have been a lynx woman, with some sort of beading in her hair or clothes, traveling with a tabby demi perhaps?" She asked curiously, the old man pausing to consider this for a few moments. "Yes...that sounds familiar. Would she have been with a male wolf as well, big fellow, scar on his muzzle?" he asked, Ira nodding almost excitedly. Nearby at the bar, there was a dark-robed tiger man, who's ears were suddenly laid back. The old man started again. "They checked in here, musta been four or five days ago now, paid up for two days, and headed out. I ain't really seen 'em since." he admitted, shrugging a little. Tala, for her part, smiled at the offer to try on some beads herself. "I'm sorry, but I just don't have the coloration for beads. All this white hair, you know." She teases, grinning a little. "The lynx I'm trying to find would have probably been traveling with a male wolf or perhaps a tabby demi. If I know them at all, they were probably telling her to hurry along." she smiles a bit, glancing down at Reimi almost curiously. "Hmm, what about you sweetie. Do you think you'd like some beads?" Keep the merchant thinking he could get a sale, and hopefully he'd be more willing to share information.

2011-07-30 04:02:09 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] Reimi nodded, playing along as she leaned forward a little, eying the wares excitedly as she motioned towards a red bead bracelet. "Can I try that one on mommy?" she arfed, smiling as she panted in excitement. "Yes, yes, I think I know who you're talking about," the man commented, extending one of his hands with the bracelet. "I believe it was three or four days ago... the house cat, as I recall, seemed irritable about something. They didn't buy any beads though." He didn't seem to be lying as he looked to Reimi. Kara's brow twitched ever so faintly when she saw him out the corner of her eye, the girl flicking her ears. She leaned against a wall, crossing her arms as she relaxed. One ear was trained on the tiger while her ears swept around, staring at a painting in curiosity.

2011-07-30 04:06:42 [TalaZastel -> KaraZastel] TalaZastel smiled and nodded at Reimi's question, carefully taking the bead bracelet and slipping it onto her wrist, taking a moment to examine the overall effect. "It goes very well with your hair sweetie. Do you want me to buy it for you?" she asked adoringly, figuring that, if Reimi actually did want it, she wouldn't mind. They had at least some of the information they needed. "They didn't? That's surprising. Do you think you could remember where the tabby was trying to get her to go? Oh, and how much is the bracelet?" May as well kill two birds with one stone. Ira chatted a little with the innkeeper, playfully bantering with him while dredging for a bit more information, though all she was able to discover was that they had left nothing behind, and they hadn't said where they were going. The tiger man, as Ira drifted off to more mundane topics, slowly stood up, and began casually walking away, leaving his drink still completely full as he headed out into the streets.

2011-07-30 04:13:34 [KaraZastel -> TalaZastel] "Yes!" Reimi yipped, admiring the beads as she looked at it, giggling. "Mmm... that'll be four silver, ma'am," the leopard man stated as he leaned back, closing his eyes. "No... unfortunately, I'm afraid that I didn't quite catch that." He explained, while holding his hands out for the coin. As Reimi's attention drifted from the conversation at hand, she blinked in surprise when she saw a black haired human walking away at a brisk pace, a gold earring in his left ear. "Mom?" she asked, pausing a moment before she glanced up with a whine. "I'm hungry..." Kara cleared her throat suddenly, the feline standing up as she rubbed her ears. "Sweetie, let's let the nice man get back to work and be on our way," she chuckled, a bit more intent on following the man then she was on anything else. Once they'd walked out of the door and were a block or two away, the feline suddenly broke into a trot, snatching Ira up so that she could keep up as she sniffed for the tiger's scent.