Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been?

[alley_kit]

Who: Kit, her new Chocobo, and you
Where: Anywhere around the streets of Saeng Seong
When: August 1st. afternoon
What: Kit is taking her Chocobo out for a ride, since Salali needs the exercise and Kit needs the time to think about recent happenings. Anybody want to talk to her?
Warnings: Probably none? Will update if that changes.

Salali loped at an easy pace through the city streets. Kit knew she could go faster, but until they got to a more open area, that probably wasn't a good idea. The chocobo was a lot bigger than her, after all, and running into someone at speed could really hurt them.

Also, the easy pace, gave her some much needed time to think. What the leader of the Ragnar had said disturbed her. From the way he'd described things, it sounded like things here were similar to how they had been back home between the Cats and the Lizards. If that was so, then the Ragnar had a right to be angry. And something needed to be done before things got as bad as they had been back home; the lizards had destroyed Thundara as soon as Mumm-Ra had given them the technology to do so, and a great many innocent people had been killed, including very nearly Kat and herself. Whatever those in charge of Saeng Seong might be up to, the regular people who lived there didn't deserve to be punished for it.

But on the other hand, the leader of the Ragnar hadn't exactly presented himself in a way that inspired a whole lot of trust, what with the spooky messages, power failures, creepy candles, and a message over the terminals where he refused to really show his face. And aside from the whole sorta-kidnapping thing- which Kit felt was somewhat understandable, under the circumstances- the people of Saeng Seong had been nothing but kind to them. They'd given them money, a place to live while they were there, and had included them in their festivals and daily lives. Living here was the first time in a long time Kit had really felt secure, even if she still missed her brother and her friends. What if he'd been lying?

But then, the way those in charge had taken down the message... Why did they do that? Were they just mad at the Ragnar for trying to cause trouble, like they'd said? Or were they afraid that people would find out that they hadn't been told the whole truth?

Kit didn't know. The smart thing to do would probably be to go and ask Rhea about it. The leader of the Ragnar didn't seem to have a problem with her, and she was important around here. If anybody knew what was really going on and would be willing to tell them, it would be her. Kit had even kept the remaining stub of her candle, in case Rhea could tell her anything about it. But would that get Rhea into trouble? Rhea was nice, and the last thing Kit wanted was to do something that might cause her serious problems.

She sighed. That message had sure made things a lot more complicated.

Comments

[alley_kit]

Kit nodded. "I will," she said, meaning both that she'd be careful and share what she found out. "Though if they do decide to try something, I can probably handle it. I've gotten out of a lot worse trouble back home." Of course that also meant that she'd gotten into it in the first place, but details, details...

And Kit also planned to talk to James, when she go the chance. Rhea would definitely come first, though.

[smallspot]

Diarmuid knows about the trouble kids get into...at least on his world. Hers is a little different, but he isn't going to judge her for it. Kids are going to be kids, after all!

"Thank you! Did you find out anything else interesting? I found out why we can't remember anything when we leave! That mean scientist named Cynthia won't let us. Zeloph said if we changed her mind, we would be able to remember. We need to find a way to do that, don't you think?" His shoulders drop some and he sighs, "I just don't know how. She doesn't seem like she would listen to us..."

[alley_kit]

"I found out that the people here can't have kids," she said. "That's another thing the miasma does, and it's way the only kids here were ones who were brought here, like us. It makes it so nobody ever gets any older, but they can't have kids any more either. And Zelpoh's magic hurts him somehow, even if it does let him and the other Ragnar live outside the city. I didn't ask how, though." Partly because she felt it likely that she wouldn't understand it... and partly because she didn't want to know.

"I didn't know we couldn't keep our memories when we left, though." Kit frowned. That wouldn't do at all. "We do need to think of a way to change her mind, though."

Kit thought about it for a moment. "Maybe, if we find out what they're up to, we can say that we'll tell everyone their big secret if she doesn't change it?" She paused, though reconsidering. "That might just make her mad, though. ...Yeah, that's probly not a good idea."

[smallspot]

"Oh! That would explain why the adults here always treat me so nicely! They don't get to see kids otherwise!" Diarmuid still remembers the three ladies who practically smothered him with kindness when the 3rd District opened. However, the happiness that comes with that memory quickly fades as Kit continues.

"If their magic is tied to the miasma, then that is probably what is hurting them. It could be what is killing them too! I hope we can find a way to help them soon..."

Diarmuid shakes his head, "That isn't a good way to do it. It would probably make her angry. Besides, just because they are being dishonorable doesn't mean we should be. We will find a better way. I know we will!"

[alley_kit]

Kit nodded. "Yeah," she said. "I saw a girl at the shrine who looked about 12 or 13, but she's the youngest-looking person I've seen here, besides us. No little kids."

Kit nodded at Diarmuid's theory. "That's what I thought too," she said. "Maybe not the same way as it is here in the city, but... it probably is."

"Yeah," Kit agreed. "We need to come up with a better idea. But that's hard when we don't know much about her. Like what She likes or wants. Other than keeping secrets from people, that is."

They were coming up on the lake, so Kit reined Salali in a little, gradually slowing them to a walk as they approached the shore.

[smallspot]

"Fortunately, we aren't the only one working on this! Lets talk to all of our friends and then I bet we will come up a better plan," Diarmuid seems confident in that. He isn't one to give up, especially when it is something that means so much to him.

He is distracted slightly, though, when the arrive at the lake, "Wow, she really is fast! We are already here. Good job, Salali! Thank you so much for bringing me here!" The arm he has around her tightens in a hug, "Do you want to stay and play with me and Lir for a while or are you going to head off to talk to Lady Rhea?"

[alley_kit]

Kit nodded. "Yeah," Kit said. "There's a lot of smart people here; if we get everybody together we're bound to come up with something."

Salali made a little half squawk, half chirup noise at Diarmuid's thanks, turning her head partway around to look at him. out of one eye. "That means 'you're welcome'," Kit said, offering a 'translation' as she leaned back into the hug. "Though if you think that's fast, we'll take her to the park sometime and let her really run."

"But I don't have time to go see Rhea today," Kit said as she indicated for Salali to crouch so that Diarmuid could get off easily. "And I can't really stay either. I've got a lesson with Luke in a little bit and I need to make sure there's enough time to take Salali back to the stable then get back to the library to meet him. We'll play some other time, though, OK?"

[smallspot]

"I would really like to see her run! She is so smart and strong..." Diarmuid pauses for a moment as an idea pops into his head, "I wonder if she is as fast as my brother's horse. We should all meet in the park sometime and have a race! Don't you think that would be fun?"

They haven't gotten Blackie out nearly enough since his brother got her. They should fix that!

"Oh! That's right! I forgot you said you were doing something later," Diarmuid shakes his head at himself as he slides off Salali. "We will just have to do things another day. Will you tell Luke 'hi' for me?"

[alley_kit]

"I don't know," Kit said. "I don't think she's ever raced a horse before.. But yeah it sounds like fun!"

Kit turned back to Salali. "What do you say Salali? Are you up for a race sometime?" Salali gave a confident sounding squawk. "I'll take that as a 'yes'." She turned back to Diarmuid. "Looks like we'll be having that race. Just let me know what you guys want to do it, OK?"

"I'll tell him," Kit assured Diarmuid as Salali stood back up, once the boy was on solid ground again. "You and Lir have fun!"

[smallspot]

"Don't worry! I don't think Blackie has much racing experience either. They can learn together!" Diarmuid waves at her with one hand while Lir make a happy trumpeting sound, "We will have a lot of fun. You have fun too. I will see you again soon!"

And wrapped! :)

[alley_kit]

"I will!", Kit assured him. "And thanks! See you then!" She gave Diarmuid a farewell wave before nudging Salali back into motion. Time to take the chocobo back to the stables then go meet Luke. Then she'd need to get some rest. She had important things to do the next day.