Although Dash drops in to make it a 3 way written roleplay for a part of it, most of this is just Catrina meeting Vivace!

Vivace has a beautiful style of writing, and Catrina writes as well as ever in this one, building powerful emotions as usual. Together, it's a unique dichotomy that works as well as just about any combination of writers in AIL so far. While focused on Catrina's emotions, we also get a little cover up story for Catrina's forgotten dream of the Goddess, and I just love seeing Catrina when she's mad over Dash, especially when it's a result of his stubbornness.

Having already met Dash, I think you'll find Vivace's take on Catrina's emotions quite interesting.. and oh yeah.. a heart touching twist lies in wait for ye.

Most of the patrons of the Weeping Tree, except probably for the ones too drunk to notice anything, heard the roar of annoyance from the rooms.

Vivace heard the shout and stood bolt upright, flinging open the door of her room and bursting out into the upper corridor.

Catrina left her room at the same moment- barging past the strangely dressed vixen, sword belt in hand- a scowl on her face.

Vivace raised her paws in supplication as the feline flattened her against the wall, barging past with half drawn blade out into the courtyard. Scenting acid rage and fury upon the air, she recovered her wits and sprinted out after her. "Miss! Wait!"

Catrina spun around, obviously in a pissy mood. She growled at the strange vixen. "WHAT?!"

Vivace skidded to a halt, spreading her paws before her. "You have murder in your eyes young one, who has offended you so?"

She growled again a fire in her eyes. "He took off on me! after promising to wait to see if I'd healed in the morning! He's headed off into danger...and...and..." She started to break down as worry for her Dash overcame the driving need to strangle him.

Vivace looked the feline up and down, raising her eyebrows in puzzlement. This woman had not a scratch on her, yet she spoke of needing healing? Catrina glanced at her, a puzzled look of her own on her face. "What?"

Vivace gently walked forward. "Look at yourself my dear - I see no wounds to heal?"

Catrina scoffed. "Sure, hon- tell me another one!" Seeing the vixens continued puzzlement, she went down the hall and looked in the obligatory mirror hanging there. As she gazed into the glass her eyes went wide with a look of fright. "But...I mean...you don't understand!" She quickly related the tale of her ordeal of the past few days.

Vivace pales as the terrible tale unfolded, and as it finished she took the trembling feline by the paw. "Cat? Is your name Cat?"

Catrina looked at the vixen, shocked. "Catrina, yes. How...how do you...?"

Vivace shook her head in reassurance. "Worry not Catrina. I have met your good companion Dash. He spoke long of you, with pride and love, rarely I have seen such."

Catrina growled as the vixen finished "Good companion? That 'good companion' has gone and left my ass high and dry! I'm going to find that 'good companion' of mine and make it- He...he...he said what?"

Vivace grasped her paw tightly, wincing as the feline's expressed claws sank into her pads "And do you know why he planned to leave you here?"

"Of course she does," came Dash's voice from behind. "She's just too pig headed to admit it."

Catrina looked behind her, growling again, inadvertently digging her claws into Vivace's pads. "You PROMISED you'd WAIT!"

"I waited til you were asleep, kitten," Dash answered. He peered at her suspiciously. "What're you trying to pull?"

"What am I trying to pull? You said we'd wait till morning!"

"How'd you hide your wounds? You look.. " Dash paused. "But that's impossible."

Catrina looked into the mirror again, still unbelieving that it was true. "I... I don't know myself."

Dash frowned. "Not a trick?"

Vivace winced and withdrew her paw - spots of bright blood upon her pads. "I think I may be able to offer an explanation,"

Catrina turned back to the vixen, her face falling a bit as she saw the wounds. "OH! I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to...!"

Vivace smiled. "Do not worry, dear Catrina. To explain is difficult, to show is simpler." She sat and took up her lute - forming simple chords she started to play - the air growing still, heavy and thick about them - like before a storm. She stops and stands - handing her paw to the cat - all traces of the wounds gone. "I was playing last night, next to you."

Catrina stared wide eyed at the vixen. "Th... thank you... thank you Ma'am!"

Dash rubs his chin, thinking it over.. "Heh.. wow."

Vivace bowed formally. "You are welcome, my dear Catrina, it is my duty to help those in need."

Catrina suddenly hugged the vixen, nuzzling her warmly. Vivace returned the young feline's embrace, hugging her close, all of the old feuds between their kinds forgotten.

Dash smiled. "So I guess it's all three of us then, huh? A trio?"

Catrina grinned and winked at Vivace, then turned on Dash- a stern look on her face. "Oh? So- until I got up you were planning on running off with another woman?"

Dash waved his hands in front of him defensively. "Hey, it's not like that. You should know me better than that."

"Uh huh... I've seen you at work, Sebastian Dash..so suave and debonair..." Catrina sauntered forward, causing him to move back uncertainly. "Always the gentleman, always the rogue..." She backed him against the wall. "There's one thing That I think needs to be done to you..." With that she pushed him back, her lips covering his in a deep, passionate kiss!

The two broke after a long moment, Dash panting for breath. His eyes shot fully open as he felt Catrina's paw gently caress his crotch- stroking through his pants. "Cat... this is a public hallway!"

Catrina purred, smiling as she played him teasingly. "So? The only other person here is a vixen hon- and we both know how THEY are!"

Vivace raised an eyebrow, the obvious stereotype of her race plain in the words of Catrina. Vivace's eyes narrowed and she turned, her eyes moist. In a whisper she said "We are not all alike dear Catrina."

Catrina turned to Vivace, whispering so only the vixen's sharp ears could hear. "I know hon... but unless you take offense at my playing, I'm not letting Dash get away with the brushoff."

Vivace smiled and turned to watched the pair embrace and touch, their scent upon the air. Happy to accept the stereotype to assist her new found friend.

Dash smirked at her then more firmly pushed aside the paw- pleasurable though its touch was. "Kitten! Business.. we've got serious matters here!"

Catrina sat back, trying to hide her smirk behind a faked pout. A giggle did sneak out, however, and ruined the guise.

He turned to Vivace. "We're going to need your help, and your advice."

Vivace considered for a moment. "If you can get me to a place of power, such as a ringstone, I can guide us quite accurately."

Dash stood for a moment in thought. "The Spooky temple might be a good location, if you need a mystical place.. but it's nicknamed the hidden temple for a reason."

Vivace smiled. "If you can get me in the general vicinity of the Temple I can use my hearing, plus a few other talents, to tune in to it's location."

Catrina nodded, smiling. "Any good huntress can do that...."

Dash smiled at Catrina. "Then be a 'good huntress' and help find the Temple for her. I'll make ready here for your return."

Catrina, smiled and nodded- leaving shortly with the vixen to find the Hidden Temple for her.

The woods themselves were close- so close that many adventurers that stayed at the Weeping Tree expected 'Come SEE Beautiful SPOOKY FOREST!' pamplets. However, actually finding the Temple, and battling with the denizens of the Forest- that would take some time for the pair to return with the information they needed. Catrina was smiling even though her body now had regained many of the bruises scrapes and scars she had before that night at the Inn. They relayed what they had found- or at least Vivace relayed her information to Dash while he lay on he ground where the catgirl had pounced him to.

Dash let out a breath of air, slowly. "Okay.. you two know what to do. We're counting on you to keep the tavern and inn safe.. If anything even remotely resembling a penguin comes by, either stop it so we can catch up, or find our new ally and me, so we can make a final stand.." He paused, looking the two over, and smiled, proud of them. "You're both doing great. Stay safe, you two. Catrina, try not to spend too much time trying to get into her -" He glanced at Vivace- saw her smiling at him. "Ermm...her liquor cabinet."

+++

Catrina watched as Dash receded down the path, her hackles raising as she began to worry about him. She knew this was the best way to go- but did not know how good that Vixen was in a fight. She sword silently that if something happened because that bitch screwed up...!

 
Catrina mewled nervously, then turned to Vivace. This vixen had helped her so much already- but she knew nothing about her. 'Hi...'

Vivace reached out gently and took Catrina by the paw - "Be strong my dear, all will be well. I promise you."

Catrina almost jerked back her hands as from an electric shock, but calmed herself, breathing deeply as her tail steadied it's twitching. "I... I hope so. " She replied- almost timidly, then said with a more mischievous air. "He's the best man I never had..."

The fox smiled, and with a rich laugh answered, "I'm sure he is, my dear Cat, but there is time yet. It is good to hear a spirit in your voice at last."

Catrina nodded- although a shadow did cross her face. "For a while there, I was thinking all the spirit had been beaten out of me...."

Vivace reached out and gently raised the chin of the wounded feline with her paw, looking into her eyes. "You have suffered so much young one, and many would have fallen. But not you. You have sat up and watched the moon at night and are blessed with Her strength".

Vivace smiled.

Catrina stared into the vixen's eyes, her words, her touch- her very breath giving her goose-flesh "Thank...thank you...ma'am..." She blushed, but whether from not knowing the vixen's name, or some deeper reason,,,,

Vivace silently reached up to her hair and withdrew one of the white edged black ribbons that flowed there. Without a word she tied it into Catrina's fur, the purpose of the gesture alien and unknown.

Catrina sat in silence as the vixen tied a ribbon in her hair, her fingers stroking the ribbon as it hung there.... She looked deep into the vixen's eyes, and a thought began to run through her head.

Catrina, try not to spend too much time trying to get into her -

 
She had laughed as Dash had said that- not understanding what he meant by it. In all her years... her 'relationships'- if they could be called that- were male only and forced at that; although she did feel a fondness for Feena, the little bunny priestess...

Slowly, hesitantly Catrina gave into her thought- and kissed the vixen. A quick kiss to be sure, but one which made Catrina breathless.

Vivace felt the swift, nervous kiss press against her and then felt sadness as the young feline looked to the floor. With tenderness, she reached out and cradled her muzzle in her paw, lifting it. Without a word, she returned the kiss with love and passion.

Catrina moaned into the second kiss with the vixen, feeling the love and passion the vixen was giving her and doing her best not to fail in returning just as much, her arms and tail wrapped about the vixen's lean form, her hands caressing her back.

Vivace embraced the little cat gently, her eyes growing moist as she felt her cling close, trembling. "Hush. Hush little one." The fox cradled Catrina's head and stroked her ears slowly, "You have never known love, have you?"

Catrina shook her head, and her own tears began to flow "Physical love? No... all I've ever know was the force of men getting their kicks, with me tied down for their..." She growled. "Conquest."

Vivace gently wiped the hot tears away, Catrina's fur darkened and matted. The fox stepped back and reached out a single paw - saying nothing but her green eyes smiled with kindness.

Catrina lightly took the paw, as if in taking it any more roughly she would break it- she could think of nothing to say, but one thing came to her voice almost unbidden. "C-can you....can you teach me what I have missed?

Vivace looked down at their joined paws and tears, unbidden and not seen in many a year, beaded upon her red fur. She smiled, forcing the tears to roll down. "Come my dear Catrina - I will teach you how to fly." The corridor was silent as the fox led her to her room.