Despite the warning, it might be a bit tamer than the last couple of Catrina roleplays.. *Grins*

Our group's back together in this one, and are once again ready to set out to find the Orb of the Sun.. Excellent character development here, and some conflicts that feel very natural. Every one of the characters show their personalities in a way that resonates true here; they're real individuals, with their own values and judgments, their own beliefs and passions - and they're put into an uncomfortable, dangerous situation.. All of that shows below. It's kind of interesting seeing Feena act as the viewpoint character..

Note: Co written with Feena
Note 2: Suggestive material ahead. Lots of dancing going on.

In that one lone corner of Cattaras’ mind that still held civilized thought, a corner now overwhelmed by that portion under the sway of his sister’s scent, thoughts of ’We shouldn’t be doing this.’ had long turned to thoughts of ’Bright Goddess! How long is this going to go on?’

That her heat was spell induced was certain. Even Cattaras knew that a female Feline did not come into her season this early in the year. That she needed release was also something Cattaras knew. Every kitten was told about the callings of the Goddess, and boys as well as girls were warned of the consequences of ignoring the call to mate. Cattaras still shuddered when he recalled the old wives’ tales of Feline women, isolated from others, who had lost their minds or done themselves grievous bodily harm because they could not find release from their heat.

And so Cattaras had found himself without a choice, forced to take his sister and give her the release that she begged for and that, for her sanity, she needed to receive. He was careful not to complicate matters further, but he knew that he would have to answer for his actions one day before the Goddess.

Of course, that didn’t frighten him as much as reckonings to come before that.

<C-Cattaras?>

Uh oh….

***

Her nap was interrupted, that was certain. Feena felt rather cheated, but Amras said she would do best to be on guard. Knowing Hey Daze, this was probably for the best too. As Feena glanced around to prepare to walk back towards where she'd left Catrina and Cattaras, with Amras in tow, she noticed that the chocolate furred lapine monk was utterly missing.

"W... where did he go?" she wondered to no one in particular. Of course, she had no time to ponder that, her best friend was still probably in need of her presence. Of course, she wanted to introduce Amras to Catrina, she certainly knew she wanted to be in love with that gorgeous hunk of a bunny.

She stretched out her legs, wincing in pain as her left still showed signs of tenderness from her crash. "Well, suppose I deserved that... Hope Catrina's not too upset with me. I'm still a bit miffed at her, but I suppose heat can do that to a girl..."

The lapine priestess walked on, not even noticing a shadow of a presence behind her. He was still watching her, Feena just didn't know it.

+*+*+*

Dasisuke slowed up. For hours he had been pressing ahead with all speed, trying to reach Catrina and growling at every obstacle in their way. Whenever Riko had asked why he was so upset he would growl 'It's a Feline thing.' and press on twice as hard.

Riko panted as she finally caught up, exhausted more from trying to keep up with him than just outright running in such terrible conditions. "Blast, it is so inhumanly dry down here..."

He stopped, looking back, watching as his travel companion finally caught up with him. This had been another source of frustration as she had slowed them both up. However, this time his gaze finally saw her- more importantly, it saw the state she was in. "What is wrong?"

She panted loudly, starting to feel the effects of the dry heat. "Dehydrating..."

Daisuke nodded, rummaging in his pack for bottles of water. "Here, take my water."

She took a rather huge gulp and passed it back. "Thank you, Daisuke." She started to continue the dash, hoping to reach Catrina shortly, still waiting for Daisuke politely*

Daisuke paused, sniffing the air. "Her scent has changed again...we may be too late."

"Th... that isn't good. I pray she is in good hands, especially Feena's." She looked at the feline after skidding to a quick stop.

Daisuke growled. "I hate to say it...but I hope this is that miserable kitten's doing." He began to head off again, knowing their goal was not far now.

Riko kept pace with Daisuke again, pushing herself to the limit to keep up again.

The pair soon came into a clearing and saw Catrina, her fur matted heavily by stuff Daisuke loathed to think about, standing angrily over Cattaras, who looked like he had taken the worst of this battle. Cattaras looked over, seeing the others. "NOW you show up? I could have used you an hour ago!"

All Riko could do was stare as she dashed closer. She inspected Cattaras and Catrina both, then blushed heavily. "My word... I... Didn't think it possible..."

Daisuke growled at Cattaras, but nodded. He understood what had been going on- he knew the scent of his Cat in heat. The flood of memories of that first day made him smile for a moment. "I hope you were expecting that to happen when their spell fell.' In reaction to Cattaras' surprised look he chuckled. "Her scent carries far. I bet there wasn't a Feline down here who didn't want a piece of her." Catrina gave Daisuke one of those 'I'll kill you later' looks

Catrina growled at Riko. "Didn't think WHAT was possible?"

The princess took a step back, stunned by Catrina's response. "Y... you would take your own brother, even in heat." And another puzzling mystery remained unspoken for a brief minute until Riko spoke again, "And where has Feena gone off to?"

Cattaras moved so he was between Riko and his sister. "You do not know about heat, obviously. She had little choice in the matter. Also, having another female in the area is not a good thing, as Feena herself found out. We will have to find her."

At that moment, Riko could only smile. She had just caught sight of Feena limping into view. The lapine priestess gave the group a quizzical look, asking, "Find who? And what did I miss in my absence?"

Cattaras smirked at the bunny. "Find you. Last I saw you were playing the defeated bitch- turning tail and running. As for what was going on...heh... I'm sure you heard most of it." Catrina came over to her friend, kneeling and hugging her. "I'm sorry, hon. It's just that..." She sniffed. "Wait...."

Feena blushed quite heavily, knowing damn well what Catrina smelled. "I... I did hear, but I kinda bumped into another bunny." She gulped loudly, quite embarrassed.

Catrina giggled. "Bumped, huh? Repeatedly and in several places I take it?"

She shook her head quietly, a bit too embarrassed to speak further. Riko stepped over and pulled Catrina back. "We still have work to do, if Feena wishes to speak of what she did, she will. We need to find that orb Sebastian spoke of."

Catrina spun angrily- but caught herself before she could strike Riko, sighing. "You are right. And we need to keep an eye out for the others...” She then growled again. "Listen, bitch. I'm not proud of what happened here- far from it. BUT I thank you to keep your wet nose OUT of it! Okay?"

Riko glared at Catrina. "Bitch I am not, I understand pride, and I too have done things I am not proud of."

Daisuke suddenly spoke up. "Look, I love a good catfight as much as the next guy- but can we get a little focus here?" He then went on to describe Riko's dehydration problem...

Riko nodded at his statement, knowing too well she's suffering. Feena gasped and stared at the aquatic female, utterly stunned to hear it. "Y... you mean she needs more water?"

For a second Catrina smirked- as if picturing some satisfying solution to the problem, but then she grew serious. "Everyone check your supplies. Give all your water to Riko. We ration ourselves. Damn...can’t trust the water down here. Feena- can you whip something up for her?"

The lapine priestess shook her head. "Just pasta, Catrina. I'll give her my supply, for her sake."

Daisuke nodded. "It would be best if she rests herself as well. I will carry her for now."

Riko took Feena's generous offer, then hugged her politely. "I'm sure I can survive for now with this. And Daisuke, thank you for the offer. I do appreciate this."

Catrina looked from Him to Riko. "Who's Daisuke?"

He smiled. "I am...although none of you ever bothered to ask me."

Feena looked equally shocked. "He has a name?! Boy, now do I feel sheepish, I've been using names that simply nice for him ever since Cattaras beat the crap outta me."

Cattaras growled with a smirk. "It was the only way to get you to come quietly."

"Remind me to do something equally not nice to you if you try that again." She glared at him, then leaned against Catrina. "I'm still pretty tired out from my 'meditations'."

Surprisingly it was Daisuke, who had picked Riko up and was now waiting to move out, who roared. "FOCUS, people! FOCUS! You know- Orb? Rescue? All that stuff? She's not light! He glanced at Riko. "No offense...."

Riko looked down in appreciation. "None taken, Daisuke. I know I weigh quite a fair bit." Feena yelped and looked to try to make up time. "Suppose we ought to get moving, if we can contain our hostilities."

Catrina suddenly laughed as the group headed out. "Hostilities weren't the problem this time, hon! SO...what was he like?"

( Even more interesting, Daisuke acts as the voice of reason.. heh.. Plus, most of the arguments are between allies, not between two characters who're normally enemies.

In a twist on the way the mission's been going so far, this's the last time any of the characters here are used until the Mission Finale! Oddly, although she's usually the most used figure, Catrina and her crew are only in one of the last eight final roleplays!

Next up: Dash and Vixen trade the spotlight with Samus for a while, then it's down to the Mission Finale! Whooo-yea! )