From the go, Catrina's.. well, her normal self. Flirty, spiritual, sexual. She's soon joined by Dash, Feena, and the newcomer Riko so the four can discuss the overall plot and start trying to figure out how they can get to Hey Daze.

There's a lil' hint of jealousy from Catrina, but Dash's obvious pride in her goes a long way towards soothing it.

Catrina had my favorite part in this one, although everyone's personalities shone through. It works pretty well for a no action, set up piece! I think you'll like- so read on, readers.

Catrina stood in the middle of the campground, stripped to her fur. She had wanted to go with Dash but knew that she needed to do this much more. Besides- she could always find him later.

She took a fighter’s ready stance and began to move- slowly, deliberately, concentrating on the feel of her muscles as they flexed through one motion after another; a step, a turn, a slow kick or thrust. She felt her breathing and concentrated on keeping it slow, steady even though she pushed herself a bit, the same with her heartbeat. For the moment her world was body and motion, heart beat and turn, thrust and breathing.

Catrina smiled as she thought about it. In a way what she did was almost erotic, especially in the way it felt to her. Her tail almost came up, but she concentrated on keeping it down.

Tension and release- turn and thrust.

She began to let herself move faster, keeping the same concentration on her body, feeling her Chi wake and augment her moves, letting her move even faster, strike even harder. Soon she was a blur of fur, although her mind still knew- could still discern every movement, every change in balance and muscle tone.

She moved until she felt she could hold the attention of her body no longer- and then stopped, smiling as her final two handed thrust caused a sapling some distance away to quiver. She smiled also because she was not winded in the least- though whether that was because of her Chi or the meditation that was inherent in the exercise she wasn’t sure.

She bent to pick up her clothing but did not bother putting it on, choosing rather to walk the short distance to a small stream still in the fur. She left her clothing on the shore and slipped into the water with a sigh, getting herself thoroughly wet before moving to shallower waters to apply shampoo, lathering it vigorously into her fur and skin before wading back into deeper waters to rinse. She smiled, knowing that she could just as easily have tongue bathed, but knowing that a simple tongue bath would not allow her to play… and she let out a moan.

Several moments later Catrina, now fully dressed, was checking the campsite to make sure all was secure for a long absence. As she turned to make her way toward Dash and Seaside Town she was brought up short as Dash, Feena and a third person entered abruptly. “OH! Heh...Was coming to look for you two... " She looks at Riko, then at Dash. "Who's this?"

Dash shrugged. "I told you I'd made some friends in my time in Adrule.. this's one of them.. Prin.. er.. Riko.. meet Catrina. I ran with her in my adventures south of the Kingdom."

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Catrina," Riko bows and offers her hand out in friendship.

Catrina took the hand as offered, suddenly feeling naked even though the other woman wore little more than she did. She was beautiful, she was shapely... she had met her Dash before and followed him here.

She smirked to herself. Okay- so that last part wasn't strange to her.

She noticed Riko- and the others – waiting. OH! “My- My name is Catrina- of the Whiteclaw Clan. It is an honor to meet you.” She then nuzzled Riko a bit.

The Roxzan princess smiled and patted Catrina's head. "The honor is all mine, noble warrioress. One such as yourself has done well to earn Sebastian's companionship. I had offered to travel with him before, and he declined. If he would travel with one such as yourself and this priestess, then you both must be quite wonderful."

"They are," Dash quickly confirmed, smiling at Catrina like a proud parent.. well. older sibling at least.

Catrina blushed at the compliment, and at Dash's confirmation. She could think of no answer to the strange woman except her usual joke. “Well- I do tend not to give him a choice in the matter.”

Feena smiled warmly and walked over to Catrina, hugging her tightly. "Great, now we all gotta get back to Seaside. We're gonna go shopping!"

Riko smirked and looked to Catrina, "What Feena means is that we have to search the marketplace for the Harp of Aeons, it's the only way to Hey Daze."

Catrina looked a little perplexed. “But...the market is closed. How will we search it?”

Feena chirped back, "The freelance shopkeepers. The ones at the fleamarket, they might have it."

"There's also the armory and leggory," Dash reminded them. "It didn't open up that long ago.."

Catrina looked thoughtful, her tail swishing easily. “Hmm...We’re pressed for time. Which should we search first?”

Riko looked pensive a moment as well, then spoke, "Why don't we split up and search both? It may save us some time."

Dash nodded. "Sounds good to me... Maybe we'll even manage to pick up a couple of allies this time."

Catrina nodded, dreading the answer even as she asked the question. “Okay, we split up. Now- who goes with whom?”

"I'll go with Catrina, search the flea market," Feena offered. "Who knows, we might just find some cool toys while we're there." Riko nodded, "Then I shall search with Sebastian. I see little sense in uneven teams."

Catrina's head snapped over to look at Feena as she made the suggestion, then at Riko. Did she really trust this woman enough to let her go off alone with her Dash?

Dash, sensing her hesitation, leaned forward, kissing her on the cheek. "Don't worry about me.. I'll make sure nothing gets the drop on me. Penguin, Goblin or otherwise."

Riko looked at Catrina, almost worried about her. "Catrina, search for a golden lap harp with four strings. It will feel exceptionally light, despite being made of gold. Please, keep this in mind."

Catrina settled, making up her mind. She might not know the woman enough- but she knew the man. She knew she could trust Dash. That was enough for her. “All right...One golden lap harp, coming up!”

"Good, then if you should find it before we do, Catrina, come find us. We will do the same." Riko hugged the feline, then stood by Sebastian, ready to go.

Catrina purred and nuzzled Riko tenderly. "If you can't find us that easily- head for the fountain. It's the one place nobody can miss!"

“No swimming this time, you two." Dash winked at Catrina and Feena, adding a quick smile.

Riko smiled. "I've seen it, friend. I will seek it if I discover it first with Sebastian's assistance." Feena giggled softly, and gripped Catrina's arm playfully.

Catrina grinned at Dash. "Not even skinny dipping?"

Dash shrugged. "There'll be plenty of time to casually break the law once we save the world."

Catrina's grin brightened as she strode over to Dash and nuzzled him playfully- her hands being even more playful. “Well, if I'm going to have a public indecency charge on my tail- I better go all the way then.” She kissed him then, deep and passionate, a kiss to make toes curl as her tail wrapped around him lovingly.

Riko's expression became more serious, "We should move on, quickly. There is much to do and little time to do it in."

Dash smiled, blushing heavily. "Heh.. thanks, kitten. Behave. See you soon enough."

Feena nodded, restraining herself from licking her lips as Catrina kissed her beloved passionately. Riko smiled in appreciation, starting to look a little impatient.

So our four heroes set out for Seaside Town.. of course.. they'll find some conflicts and fights there! In fact, that part of the story will take us through our next *three* roleplays of the story! Check 'em out!