Next up is the second joint effort between my character Dash, and Catrina. This time, however, it was her turn to post. I don't want to reveal too much, but the duo end up in Seaside Town, and even take a trip through the daily dungeon!

Of course, they're not there to sightsee. The end of this one kicks things up big time! And you'll see the teasing but friendly nature between Catrina and Dash continue, as well.

This sets up a couple of solo efforts from both Catrina and I. Onwards!

Catrina exited the tent where they had spent the night, tying her top back on behind her back. She laughed as she remembered how Dash had reacted the night before when she had removed that top, and so much more, before curling up on the ground naked on the other side of the tent from him. Well...not actually naked as she did have her fur, which did cover everything pretty well...say 'unclothed to be more precise but still-. She knew she needed a good tongue bath to get the dust out of her fur, but also knew that Dash would probably have a heart attack if he saw her doing so...perhaps later.

She stretched, placing her body against a nearby tree and pressing into it, letting the tension run up and down her arms and legs, then centering everything into her back, running down it until it caused her ass and tail to raise up...just as Dash exited the tent! She laughed at his reaction, typical Dash, then shivered a bit. Her fur had not quite adjusted to the coolness of these more northern climes, although she knew it would thicken up sooner or later. She poked at the last embers of the fire with a stick, trying to get them more enthused about warming the surrounding air, wondering if it would be wise to build a new fire now, what with them leaving soon.

She felt cloth being pressed into her left shoulder, and looked up. She saw Dash, smiling and offering her some clothing. She stood and hugged him, then took the clothing and quickly put them on. Faded old Cloaca Cola tee and a pair of long pants that she felt would protect her well in battle. She posed provocatively for Dash, grinning as he rolled his eyes at her. Of course, his oversized clothing ruined her curves, but at least she was warm! She then helped break camp, although at one time she thought she saw someone move in the haze, eyeing her.. probably other campers.

They finished packing up, loading part of it onto the back of the poor horse, but Catrina insisted on taking some of the load, thus eliciting a 'Well, you're not hunting me and you're carrying stuff- so you must not be too bad' look from him. She petted his head gently, getting a 'Not ready to call you a friend yet, cat' stamp. She laughed, then shouldered her own pack, and they left the campsite behind.

The trip to Seaside Town was uneventful for them, whether that be from Dash's traveling with a ferocious lioness or her traveling with a well know fighter Catrina wasn't sure. Probably the latter; Dash seemed to get a lot of respect from passersby. In no time the walls of Seaside Town were in view. From a distance it didn't really look like much- but as they neared it it grew into the largest settlement Catrina had ever seen, teeming with life, a maze of streets and people.

Catrina was amazed at the sights of Seaside Town She had never seen anything like this back home. Her gawking threatened to separate her from Dash on occasion. Dash patiently kept her close to him, not wanting to lose her to a group of lizardmen or teenage Orcs. More for their sake than hers, but mostly due to not wanting to lose any time, so to speak. They were here for a reason, not a fight. Catrina heard the tauntings of the Orcs, the suggestive comments from both groups, wanting to teach them manners, but always Dash is there to pull her back

Dash steered them towards the middle of Seaside Town, where it wasn't always so constantly chatty. "Don't lose track of our objective. I can envision about two options. We find a way to build a raft- not really ideal for such a long trip. Or we find someone who can get us there. Sound right to you?"

Catrina nods quickly, her memory flashing back to the last time she was at sea. "I'd rather have a big boat under me, thank you very much."

"Agreed, but I'm not sure we'll have that option." Dash caught a whif of bugbear bread from nearby. He hadn't been to Seaside Town much. It was always so hard orienting himself, with the sections overlapping like they did. "I suppose we could try asking the Council for their help, but getting in to see them is no easy task."

Catrina looked thoughtful, then smiled. "Know someplace we can get better clothes for me?"

"You don't like my traveling clothes huh?" Dash paused, then smiled playfully. "That Cloaca Cola shirt's a classic."

Catrina laughed, then looked snooty. "These rags are fine for travel, but it would be best for Catarina of the Whiteclaw Clan to consult with her fellow diplomats in better..." She then winked at Dash.

Dash smiled a bit mischievously. "That's true.. I hear they've got Bugbear outfits here that . . . ."

Catrina looked shocked, still in her snooty guise. "I will not conduct business with your government in such...vile things!"

Dash waved his hands defensively. "Don't worry, I was kidding. Honestly, it doesn't really matter what we wear, since I doubt they're just sitting around bored, waiting for us. But if you really want to investigate a new look.." Dash paused. "Market Square might have something for you."

She smirks. "Believe me, I'll be back in this getup faster than anything once we get a boat from them..." She was only thinking of how to get transportation- the 'new look' was not part of the deal!

Dash didn't answer. The two looked over at signs of a scuffle in the distance, but Dash told her it was best to ignore it and focus on the task at hand. "Orcs and Goblins are always getting into it around here lately. Or so the rumors go."

Catrina looked around, taking in the sights, sounds and, unfortunately, smells of Seaside. Something nagged at her- finally it hit her. "So, what's a girl do for fun in this town?"

Dash shrugged. "There's a hall of records and a museum, if you're interested in that type of thing. Which you're not. I suppose you could go shopping at the mall or market square. Maybe gamble down at the casino. Although I wouldn't advise it if you're planning to keep up with me."

Catrina purred, in a playful mood as usual. "And where can we go for...fun?"

"Ahhhh," Dash said with a sly smile. "I know exactly where you'd wanna go then?"

"Oh? And where would that be?" Catrina took Dash's arm, looking in his eyes.

Dash hastily lead her along to .. a dungeon? He had a sly smile on his face. "This one's my favorite. Let's try the daily special."

Catrina laughed- seeing where she was being taken. She took the lead- seeming to pull him to the dungeon. "Ooo...So you want to take me someplace dark and private? I'll go for that!"

"Hope you like it messy," Dash said, closing the door behind her.

Catrina purred with excitement. "Mmm...I like to rub it into my fur afterwards. Makes me feel so naughty." Dash gave her an odd look- followed by another. He was about to add a question when she suddenly heard an annoying, oily dripped buzzing. The KOL's infamous insane insectoid, a mayonnaise wasp, suddenly darted into the room, making a direct beeline at Catrina. Catrina's hands went for her katanas but she was slow in responding to this unusual attack, and paid for it as she felt a thick rope of whitish goo go plop across her muzzle. She growled, and the Fly was easily halved by her blade. Dash's smile widened as he prepares for a counter attack. "This IS what you wanted, right?"

Catrina growled, wiping her muzzle off "Right placing, wrong donor."

Dash winced. How'd she always manage to turn it around on him like that?! He lashed out at the wasp with his trademark broadsword, Bad Beats, only to have the wasp dodge easily. Dash grunted as the sword met nothing but air, and redoubled his efforts, increasing his attack rate with every attack. Despite his sword becoming a blur of action, he wasn't able to land so much as a glancing blow on the wasp. "Gimme a break! Bugger's fast!"

Catrina felt another plop- and then another- soon she would be laid under this vile goo, unable to move! "Damnit!" Catrina halved another fly in what could only have been a lucky shot if someone else was doing it, only to feel yet another plop. "ARGH!! This is getting ridiculous!"

It shot a long, greasy stream at Dash, who found it to be generic and tasteless enough to warrant dodging. Dash rolled out of the way at the last second, lashing out with his broadsword when the creature tried to catch Dash standing up. "Get ready, Catrina! I'll set it up for you!"

Catrina killed two more, her fur becoming quite full of goo. "Just tell me this is NOT what it looks like!"

"Forget the little ones. Take out the boss!" Dash punctuated every word with a swipe of his broadsword, coming closer and closer even as he drove the main, giant wasp towards Catrina, hopefully without his plan being obvious. "Now!"

"Can... hardly... move!" Catrina found that the stuff had almost completely engulfed her, much more and she would be on the ground! In desperation she changed her hold on one of her katanas and launched it at the boss, impaling it neatly.

"Thanks," Dash answered, dodging through the door as it opened. "Coming?"

Catrina looked up, giving Dash a growl as she struggled to move at all. "Very funny- how do I get this stuff off of me?"

Dash reappeared in the doorway, holding a book sized, thick paper Origami. With a weak blaze of magical concentration, Dash unleashed a fire, engulfing a surprised Catrina, but harmlessly melting off the goo her fur was now thick of. Was now thick of until Dash removed it. Whatever.

"Figured you might appreciate that."

Catrina shrieked as she saw the gout of fire coming at her, too late to move out of the way. She marveled as she was not burned, yet the goo turned to ash and fell from her body.

Dash's smile grew a bit, despite himself. "Don't worry. It's just a little conduit for magic. Unfortunately, I've only got a couple of each element on me. And they take a few seconds to set up. Coming? I hear there's something good in the room here. Since we've got no better leads, I'm hoping it'll be worth enough to leverage against a ride to the island. I think the door in the next room is a trap, though."

It was... two trolls guarded the next door and it was clear they would be difficult about letting anyone by. Dash waded in, grabbing one of the trolls and beginning to wrestle. Catrina was much smaller than the remaining troll- but she went up to him anyway. "Can't talk you into letting us pass, I guess?" The troll's response was a swing at her head, trolls not being known for their verbal skills. Catrina dodged the huge fist, then shot out and grabbed the troll in a very sensitive area- digging her claws in and clearly threatening future generations of troll. "Aw, nuts!" he whimpered and backed down, moving aside for her as Dash finally pinned his opponent, getting up panting, then grimacing at what he saw. She let go, and they moved on through the next door.

It went that way for what seemed an eternity- facing dangers, finding ways to defeat or avoid them. Catrina was enjoying herself immensely- though she continued to slide the occasional tease Dash's way. As they exited into the bright sunshine again. A small man with large ears came up to them. "I hear you need a boat. For a share of your loot I'll give you one" Dash looked shocked. "How did you hear we needed a boat?" The old man laughed "You kiddin'? With these I can hear the Sorceress' stomach rumble!" Dash quickly made the deal, smiling at Catrina. "Well, now we don't have to bother schmoozing the Council."

They made their way down to the shore- where they found their 'boat'- or rather, a small raft- unassembled. "Oh, never mind!" Catrina said "Lets forget about hiring a ship and build the damn raft. I mean, what's the worst that could happen?"

Catrina took two steps onto the shore, then fell face first into the sand. Even her fur looked green. "Uuuhhh...Next time I say 'Oh lets forget about hiring a ship and build the damn raft!' remind me of this...."

"I'm planning to." Dash didn't look all that happy with the ride over either. He took a few uneasy steps, trying to orient himself. "Although, in all fairness, who would have thought we'd be attacked on the way over by malevolent flying seaweed on the way over? All right. .. . the island's bigger than I expected."

She finally got shakily to her feet, the green slowly fading. "My luck with water travel, apparently." She looks around the beach "So, what now?"

Dash took a deep breath in, relieved to finally be on relatively firm land, pulling the provisions off of their makeshift raft. "Probably should check to make sure our provisions are still in good shape. At least, what we didn't lose out on sea."

"Well...If we need I can hunt us up something..." Catrina began scenting the air for any signs of prey around.

"Don't wonder off now." Dash winced as he opened up the bags, checking each compartment. "Well, they're still in decent shape, but some seawater got into two of the compartments with our food. Probably ruined it."

Catrina had caught the scent of something huntable, she heard Dash's warning, but then his remark about ruined food. She began to head off. "Don't worry, I'll get us something in no time!"

Whoa, wait up!" Dash called out. "We still need to secure things here." But it was too late, Catrina had already disappear into the brush, intent on whatever scent she had found. Dash sighed and went back to setting up camp, knowing it would not be a good idea to interrupt a hunting cat.

His head snapped up at the sound of the first roar, but he returned to his work, thinking it only her hunting. The second- and third roars had him up and moving, she was definitely in trouble! He crashed through the brush, following the sound of her roars, redoubling her speed as they suddenly stopped."CATRINA!" he shouted, but heard nothing back.

He crashed into the clearing, just in time to see three soldiers, dressed in blue and red, slowly fade into nothingness. What? The Dyspepsia, here? And with Catrina wearing his favorite Cloaca Cola shirt! He searched around, picking up the signs of the struggle, the tracks as she was dragged off to the west. He set off after them, his mind reeling with what they could do to her....