JungleBook/Session06

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Last time

Omabwa smiles after his feline friend, then returns his attention to Vashir. "Perhaps Ana will be able to better discern his truthfulness. She seemd perceptive."

<Vaschir> "Heh, well maybe. Then again he may spend the entire time dropping double entendre's about until she loses her temper."

<Omabwa> "She does have something of a temper, doesn't she."

<Vaschir> "Something of one, yes"

As if on cue, they hear a rumble to the west.

<Omabwa> "Mayhap that is her now," Omabwa jests.

<Vaschir> "Only if she lost her pants again."

<Vaschir> "So who's next on our list?"

<Omabwa> "Tatu, at the court. But we should allow Kardana to enjoy his meal, and probably rest for the night. My home is not far, and he will know to join us there. Shall we?"

<Vaschir> "Sure thing"

With Omabwa in the lead, they head off, skirting the area of lush growth surrounding the Temple of Lust. In less than an hour, they arrive at Omabwa's tree-house. Exhausted from exploring ruins and being squeezed by a snake (respectively), Vaschir and Omabwa quickly fall asleep, the cries of the jungle mingling with the gentle sound of running water.

<Omabwa> In the morning, after a breakfast of roots, grubs, and a couple roasted rodents, Omabwa once again leads Vashir across the island to Ombalu's home, where they assume Ana will be waiting.

As they arrive, they find that Ombalu and Ana were just about to set off and find them.

<Omabwa> Omabwa greets his surrogate father and his new friend gregariously.

<Ana> "How did the questioning go?"

<Vaschir> "Better than expected, actually."

The sky is once again clear and blue, but dark, puffy clouds, heavy with rain, are gathering to the west.

<Ana> "Did you find the killer, then?"

<Omabwa> "Though the Monkey King is, as expected, resistant to direct questioning."

<Vaschir> "Not that good, unfortunately."

<Omabwa> "Father? Do you have an insight to impart on the matter?"

Ombalu shakes his head disapprovingly. "To Bandingu, the truth is a game. I do not think he is malicious at heart, but he loves lies and riddles."

<Vaschir> "My read was he's pretty sure who did it, but not entirely. Yet."

<Omabwa> "Then," Omabwa says, "I believe we should continue on and speak to Sitjani." At this, Kardana purrs. "Having another ear, Ana, will be appreciated."

<Vaschir> "Two more ears is even better!" Vaschir quips.

Ombalu nods sagely. "He is very taken with his own cleverness, but he would never simply tell what he knows outright. He enjoys nothing more than making others work out his true meaning for themselves." Ana rolls her eyes at Vaschir. "I'd love to help, Omabwa." Omabwa thanks her, then excuses himself from Ombalu's presence.

At the mention of the panther god, Ombalu shoots a look at Omabwa. "Be careful, Oma. Sitjani counts himself your ally because of the bond you have with his grandchild, but he is still more like Khan than I think you fully realize."

<Omabwa> Preparing to leave, Omabwa replies, "And I am less like the boy you raised, Father. I do not anticipate trouble."

"He may be on your side, but he is still a feline -- cruel and inscrutable." Ombalu is clearly not a cat person.

<Vaschir> "Speaking as a man who once had a cat stuck clawing to his face for half an hour once, I'd second that sentiment."

<Omabwa> "I don't assume," the jungle man says, "You would rather I submit myself to Kaa's justice than examine Sitjani's potential involvement?" Omabwa then apologizes for his tone.

Ombalu nuzzles Oma affectionately. "I am sure you will do the right thing. I simply want you to be careful."

The trio once again sets off through the jungle, heading to the north side of the island -- the domain of Sitjani, Prince of Panthers.

As usual, an armada of buzzing insects attempts to lay eggs under their skin, drink their blood, or simply hurl themselves suicidally into their eyes and noses.

<Vaschir> "You feelin' alright this morning, Omabwa? That was more brusk than I've seen you been with, well, anyone back there."

<Omabwa> "Let us just say that I am not enjoying the feeling of being a suspected fugitive. I do apologize for my manner."

<Ana> "Omabwa has been through quite a bit. He's allowed to be grumpy."

<Vaschir> "Never said he wasn't, it was just out of character considering how even-tempered he was following the snake-constricting incident yesterday."

<Ana> "I am unsurprised you aren't familiar with the concept of a slow-burning temper."

Various types of abrasive and spiny plants catch on Vaschir's clothing, rendering it even more ragged. Ana, in her new snakeskin pants and vest, fares much better -- Ombalu apparently knows how to make sturdy clothing. For some reason.

Omabwa, of course, makes completely avoiding vegetative damage look easy.

A low rumble sounds from the west; possibly another eruption from the peak, or maybe thunder from the far-off clouds.

The terrain becomes much steeper as they continue on; they're skirting the edge of the island's central rise.

More than once, the sharp inclines are punctuated by age-worn terraces and stairways so overgrown they could almost be mistaken for natural rock formations.

As they continue, the light filtering down through the canopy becomes dimmer; clouds are moving in. The animal noises are still as loud and incessant as ever, though, so there is probably no immediate risk of rain.

      • Disconnected from gryphon.magicstar.net.

Session Close (#CowboyNinjaBear): Fri Jul 01 20:14:52 2005



Session Start (gryphon.magicstar.net:#CowboyNinjaBear): Fri Jul 01 20:23:19 2005

Ana looks uneasy as she peers over her shoulder. "Anyone else feel like they're being watched?"

Pacing along at Omabwa's side as they negotiate a soft, earthy ledge, Kardana perks his ears up and looks around.

<Omabwa> "Yes," Omabwa replies, "But nothing we can't handle." He smooths Kardana's fur.

<Ana> "And by handle, you mean handle with a cheery smile and friendly wave, or..?"

<Vaschir> "...bash with rocks until it stops moving?"

<Omabwa> "Neither sentiment," says Omabwa, "entirely captures my meaning." He stops and bows into the lush underbrush. "Sitjani, we are here."

A cool wind rustles the leaves overhead, and the light becomes even more overcast. From the corner of her eye, Ana catches a glimpse of a sleek black shadow flowing behind a great, fungus-encrusted tree trunk.

<Ana> "Oh."

Omabwa's words are swallowed up by the thick, humid air.

Kardana draws closer to his friend, back arching slightly. Omabwa whispers calming words into Kardana's ear. Vaschir slowly turns a full circle, seeking whatever it is that has the other two, and the cat, so nervous

Ana sees the black shape crouching atop a mossy boulder, yellow eyes burning as it gets ready to pounce! Ana leaps out of the way, tumbling to one side!

Loose soil gives way under her feet; she slides down the incline, small rocks rattling through the undergrowth beside her. Ana holds her hands out, steadying herself. Vaschir looks at Ana with a slightly raised eyebrow, and cracks have a smile at the big cat's showmanship. Ana clears her throat, realizing her mistake. "Sorry, thought I saw.. a spider." Omabwa turns about to look up at the Panther God.

<Vaschir> "Yeah, gotta watch those spiders."

Sitjani is a black so deep that it's impossible to make out any of his features, save for his piercing, lemon-yellow eyes. Vaschir also returns his attention at Sitjani.

With liquid, feline grace, he settles himself atop the boulder, looking down at the three humans. They need to crane their necks to look back; between the boulder and the incline, he's a good twenty feet above them.

"Welcome, Kardana," purrs Sitjani, in a voice even softer and more velvety than Kaa's. "I see you've brought your human with you."

<Omabwa> Omabwa addresses Sitjani. "Good day, God of Cats. I believe you have not yet had the opportunity to meet the new visitors to the island?"

His luminous cat's eyes shift to Omabwa, light reflecting momentarily from their pupils. Vaschir surpresses a grin at the big cat's opinion on exactly who is the faithful companion of whom.

Sitjani regards Omabwa for a bit, as though considering whether or not he should acknowledge his presence.

"You mean these two noisy ones who startle at shadows?"

<Omabwa> "Yes. Yes I do."

"I'm disappointed Kardana allowed you to bring two such clumsy specimens into my domain."

<Ana> Ana's mouth twitches with insult, but she remains silent.

Although the panther does not look at either Ana or Vaschir, they nevertheless get the strong impression that he is precisely aware of their presence.

<Omabwa> "Kardana appreciates the gravity of the situation."

<Omabwa> "And, strangely, he is fond of me."

Sitjani smoothly shifts forward, his forelegs bracing against the boulder, his head and upper torso cantilevered over the edge.

"You speak of your recent gift of the Sun's favor?" he asks.

"Perhaps you've come to boast of your newly-acquired prowess, man-cub?"

His voice is not angry, but there is a hint of razor-edged danger beneath the silky elocution.

<Omabwa> "Not in the least, Sitjani. I come to speak of Khan's death."

Sitjani settles back on his haunches. "I'd not heard of this."

"Although I certainly have felt my old enemy's absence in recent days," he muses.

"Did you kill him?"

Sitjani licks a paw, glancing coyly at Omabwa with one eye.

<Omabwa> "No, but I stand accused of his death. I seek your wisdom in resolving the matter."

Sitjani finishes grooming his paw and flicks his tail. "It's understandable that you would be blamed, but even if you did kill the tiger king, he would have no one to blame but himself."

"It's not like your Exaltation would have come as an enormous surprise to anyone."

White fangs glint briefly in the jet-black of Sitjani's muzzle, a feline grin. Vaschir shoots a sidewards glance at Omabwa, as all the other gods questioned so far seemed taken at least a little off-guard by the three's exaltation. Ana raises a brow.

"I wouldn't put it past the pig sheriff, or our illustrious plumed monarch, to overlook the portents of your arrival," the big cat sniffs dismissively. "But although Khan is not in the league of the bear or the monkey, he can still read the stars as well as I."

<Omabwa> "Could."

Once again, the panther god suddenly seems very interested in grooming himself.

<Omabwa> "You are certain, then, that you have no help to impart?"

"What makes you so sure of his death, if you didn't kill him yourself?"

<Vaschir> "Good point," Vaschir mutters under his breath.

<Ana> "Hmm."

<Omabwa> "What," Omabwa asks, "does the great Panther God believe could convince Kaa and Puumbata of Khan's death?"

Sitjani continues licking his left flank. "I doubt it matters whether they think he's actually dead or not. The Chief Magistrate just wants to go back to sleep, and his porcine henchman wants order above all things."

"You're placing far too much credit in the notion that what you're accused of has anything to do with why everyone wants you gone."

He rises to his feet, stretching langorously. "Kardana, why do you insist on bringing this human around with you? He's not very bright."

Kardana growls, his hackles rising slightly, but Sitjani doesn't deign to notice.

"The bear enjoys playing pedant, but I don't feel like wasting my time explaining what you're not clever enough to figure out yourself. Aren't humans supposed to be among the wisest of creatures?"

<Vaschir> "Since when? We're short-sighted, murderous hypocrits for the most part." Ana shoots a derisive look at Vaschir. "People, not just pirates."

<Vaschir> "I'm not a hypocrit, that's what sets me a half-step up."

<Vaschir> "Anyway, I think we've learned all we're going to here, Omabwa."

<Omabwa> "I... you're probably right, Vaschir." Omabwa turns to Sitjani. "I beg your leave." Omabwa turns to go.

A hollow boom sounds from far up the slope. Sitjani cocks an ear. "The essence of fire flows strongly these past days -- an omen of conflict."

"Don't underestimate the effect your very presence has on this place, children of the Sun."

With that cryptic remark, the panther god steps through his own shadow and vanishes.

<Omabwa> "Indeed," says Omabwa, as he marches off through the jungle himself. Vaschir tails at a distance, signalling Ana to drop back as well. Ana trails a little, and drops next to Vaschir. "

<Ana> "

<Ana> "That was.. theatrical."

<Vaschir> "No kidding. If he was the nice one I'm glad I never met Khan"

<Vaschir> "Listen, when Omabwa and I were meeting the monkey king, how did the Bear act?"

<Ana> "Kind and friendly, a little pedantic. Why?"

<Vaschir> "I've been running the usual suspects through and frankly I figure it was either him or Sitjani, and honestly Ombalu has a lot more reason to off Khan."

<Ana> "Surely he had to realize his 'son' would take the fall, though? And he seems to care too deeply for Omabwa for that."

<Vaschir> "When Omabwa Exalted everyone freaked, as far as I can tell, and since Khan's been trying to eat him for years this would have been the perfect excuse to do so without repercussions. Ombalu might well have preemptively killed him to protect his son"

<Ana> "Why would he protect his son's life in a way which would endanger it?"

<Vaschir> "I'm guessing he didn't have time to think the matter all the way through. Could be he was hoping to in some manner exonorate him until we showed up and screwed up the power balance on the island."

<Ana> "But if the stars could show that Omabwa was going to Exalt, why didn't they say anything about us?"

<Vaschir> "Remember what Kaa said about one person being an annoyance and one exalted being a potential danger? Three of us couldn't but have tipped the scale."

<Vaschir> "Who said that they did in the first place?"

<Ana> "Sitjani insinuated as much."

<Vaschir> "He didn't come out and say it, though, and that's what has me going."

<Vaschir> "Not just from being an inscrutable cat god either"

<Ana> "Hm. Perhaps it is time we have a gentle, empathetic, understanding discussion with our host, then."

<Vaschir> "Anyway I'm bringing this all up as I tried to broach the possibility with Omabwa yesterday and, delicate as I was, he reacted as you'd imagine."

<Ana> "I can imagine how he'd react to your version of delicacy, yes."

<Vaschir> "You try it then, he'll still not allow the possibility that kindly old Ombalu might've killed someone for any reason."

<Ana> "This is why I suggested we bring it up to Ombalu ourselves. If we can do it without Omabwa, so much the better."

<Ana> "I have a feeling that if he did it just to protect Omabwa, he may be forthcoming if we offer to help cover it up."

<Vaschir> "Can't hurt too terribly much to try"

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