[Mkguild] Dire Situation Part 4

[Hallan Mirayas]

Something tells me I need to come on the IRC chatroom more often, if stuff =
this big is discussed only there and not on the List.

1- A dire animal is not the same species as its normal-sized counterpart.  =
That means a dire-shift would be a species shift.  Now, correct me if I'm w=
rong, but species shifting is not something described in the story universe=
 before, is it?  Aside from when it's caused by a daedra lord or lady, that=
 is?  (As seen in Raven's story "Rites of Ascendancy", daedra lords and lad=
ies -can- alter the Curse.)  I don't recall the Curse allowing species-shif=
ts.  Taurform, animal form, and morph form all stay the same animal.  Chang=
ing a cheetah into a dire king cheetah?  I could easily see that as being a=
n interference between the Curse and enchanted armor for a hunting cat, but=
 a new form within the boundaries of the Curse?

2- I thought we already had morphing armor.  It's been listed on the MK wik=
i for quite some time.  That's where I got the idea for Drift's shapeshifti=
ng clothes in Harvest Festival.

Hallan

Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:50:19 -0400
From: stormkit10 at gmail.com
To: stealthcat15 at gmail.com
CC: MKGuild at lists.integral.org
Subject: Re: [Mkguild] Dire Situation Part 4

Well it took me a while, but I finally managed to catch up on your flow of =
stories and I must say it's pretty good. I like the idea of your amulet and=
 had actually been thinking of something like it myself for a while, but th=
e thing I like most about this story? You introdocued a new form! It's alwa=
ys good to see people experimenting and expanding the boundaries of limitat=
ions (you know... assuming they actually ARE expanding and not just shatter=
ing it altogether) and it's kind of nice to see Misha get shown up. When th=
e dire form came up in the chatroom (was that YOU who brought it up? I can'=
t even remember anymore), I thought it was a really nifty idea, but I had n=
o idea anything would actually be done about it, especially not so soon (no=
 offense MK, but when one year of real time manages to barely make it throu=
gh a season, you don't get rewards for speed :P). So now that we've discove=
red a new form, what are the drawbacks? Obviously the pluses include greate=
r strength and speed than the taur form, but minus the dexterity (look ma, =
no hands!). Seems like a relatively good trade, but you also need to consid=
er that both these forms are way better than the two normal ones (and anyth=
ing in between, such as what Stealth exhibited near the beginning). Both do=
 sort of have the disadvantage of greater size meaning less maneuverability=
, greater target, etc, but it's not enough of a drawback to counter the ext=
reme benefits. Taur makes up for this by being really hard to use. After al=
l, six limbs is really difficult to coordinate properly under normal condit=
ions, let alone something stressful like battle or strenuous activity where=
 you're distracted. Dire on the other hand has no such thing, it's just lik=
e the morph form, but bigger, better, and stronger, where's the flaw? Nothi=
ng kills a story faster than an overpowered character with no drawbacks.


On another note, do you remember I told you once that an upcoming character=
 of mine (and myself also to a partial extent) thought your suit was somewh=
at silly, impractical, and altogether needing a redesign? Well this was it.=
 I like the new suit very much and my character Kit (like any self respecti=
ng scholar in this verse) will just be dying to figure out how it works. He=
ck, he semi-specializes in power storage and could probably help out with t=
he suit's problem of turning to lead without warning if you let him. Anyway=
, great story, I really liked it and look forward to more. See you in tonig=
hts chat (hopefully).


Kit

On Fri, Mar 13, 2009 at 11:04 PM, Stealth <stealthcat15 at gmail.com> wrote:

Last part

=93Be patent and you will return to the keep =96 alive.=94

    =93Ed, I know I=92m not a soldier but...=94 He paused, =93If I stay her=
e, you=92re gonna die.=94

    Edmund just looked at him for a long moment while his breath filled the=
 air between them. =93Have faith in me.=94



    =93Maybe you should have faith in me.=94 Stealth answered. He was warmi=
ng to the idea that he could help defeat those thieves and assassins... =93=
I=92ve never done anything for you. Let me help you now.=94

    The paladin looked at him for a long moment. His harsh gaze made the ch=
eetah uneasy. =93All right but you need to understand just how deadly what =
we are doing really is. You need to do exactly what I say.=94



    =93Fine.=94 Stealth answered sharply, =93But only in battle. I know thi=
s armour and my new body better then you... I=92d hazard a guess that I und=
erstand what=92s going on better then you, no offence. You need to hear me =
out; let me help you with any plan you make.=94



    Edmund took a breath and nodded, =93Let=92s get to work.=94

------------------------------------

    =93A paladin?=94 A well groomed mongoose asked. =93He must not be allow=
ed to escape.=94

    =93Escape is not his plan.=94 The man answered. =93I=92ll take care of =
the filthy Follower, You will do away with the other one.=94



    =93Done.=94 Regal answered, =93I took him out easy enough once. This ti=
me I don=92t think the boss will mind me killing him; not if I bring back s=
omething good.=94

-------------------------------------

    =93Then it=92s settled.=94 Edmund said as he looked over his sword once=
 more. =93We will head to the far hill and take shelter behind the reverse =
slope.=94 The paladin sighed before he continued, =93You will flank them an=
d fell as many as you can with your bow but you will remain at a safe dista=
nce.=94



    =93Understood.=94 Stealth scowled and shifted to his taur form and then=
 again to his new dire form. The armour melted and contorted into place tho=
ugh it staggered at times.

    Edmund sheathed his long sword. =93You should use your normal full form=
; you need your speed and agility to evade them.=94



    =93Look around, Ed. I need good traction to do those things anyway.=94

    Edmund just looked at him while he pondered, =93I=92d still prefer you =
to stay and remain safe, at least try to head east to Mycransburg.=94



    =93Then why bother coming here to get this?=94 The large animal motione=
d to himself, pointing out either his armour suit or new form or both.

    =93To use when you are a better scout and fighter.=94 The knight counte=
red, =93To use them when the time is right.=94



    =93I can do this, trust me. You know I=92m not the bravest man around. =
I wouldn=92t do this if I didn=92t like my chances.=94 Stealth implored.

    =93You=92re still training, you are wearing ancient armour and you=92re=
 in a new form, neither of which you understand.=94



    =93But you said I=92m here for a reason, you said I got this armour for=
 a reason. The suit will protect me and I=92ll run fast, I won=92t engage t=
hem. They won=92t even see me most of the time.=94 As he said it, Stealth=
=92s heart beat faster then he could count the number of beats. He trembled=
 with fear but he tried to control it.



    =93All right...=94 Edmund said and controlled his feelings. This was no=
thing new to him; a rookie wanting to do something foolhardy with the likel=
y hood of being killed. =93You will keep your distance from the assassins a=
t all times. Do not approach the Daedraenlui. I must face him alone.=94



    =93Fine, I=92ll peg them from a distance and keep moving. Now grab my b=
ow and quiver, tie them onto the back of my neck.=94 The animal said and po=
inted a paw to his weapons.

    The paladin quickly wrapped a leather band around the dire cheetah=92s =
neck like a collar but to it he equipped the quiver and latched the bow ove=
r it.



    =93Good, now Ed, quickly jump on my back.=94 The dire animal ordered an=
d kneeled close to the ground.

    Edmund flinched and stared at the large feline. =93I=92ll use my mount =
to run along side.=94

    =93I need you to be able to keep up; you=92re no good to me trailing be=
hind.=94



    =93I=92m sorry, there has to be another way. I=92m not entirely comfort=
able...=94 the paladin explained.

    The giant cheetah shot him a cold glare, =93How do you think I felt whe=
n you wanted me to disrobe in front of your people?! Our lives are at stake=
!=94



    Edmund sighed. The idea of riding a friend just creped him out. But a p=
art of him was interested in the challenge of riding a cheetah.

    =93It will be alright.=94 The animal said.

    The paladin quickly climbed onto the dire cheetah. He didn=92t sit up b=
ut leaned forward and tried to gain his balance. This was vastly different =
from riding a horse and it took a moment to get a good seat. All the while =
he tried not to think about WHO he would be riding.



    =93I am ready!=94 Edmund said and grit his teeth.

    =93Good! Hold on tight, here we go!=94 The animal shouted and took off =
like a bolt.

    As the paladin bounced around he said a last quick prayer, =93Eli see u=
s through... and please don=92t let me fall off.=94



-------------------------------------

    As they approached the tree line, Stealth gasped at the weight of what =
they were doing. It wouldn=92t be the first time he=92s... killed someone b=
ut now he was faced with true combat. All of his training would be put to t=
he test and it would make the difference between life and death.



    =93Ed...=94 He said in a huff, =93I can=92t do this.=94

    =93Yes you can!=94 The paladin snarled. =93Now is NOT the time to loose=
 your nerve. Flank them! Flank them!=94 He pulled on the cheetah=92s neck a=
nd guided it to the right. He guided his friend as he would a horse... =93A=
s soon as we=92re past the reverse slope I=92ll drop, you just keep running=
!=94



    With a feral snarl the dire cheetah ran faster and ploughed through the=
 snow. In the twilight he leapt over a snow bank then up the shallow side o=
f a slope. Once past the reverse slope he felt a large weight drop from his=
 back. Having deposited Edmund as close as he=92d dare approach, Stealth ra=
n onward, while blocking out the hustling and confusion of the bandits he s=
hifted to his full form. As soon as he reached a safe distance he stopped t=
o rest. The feline shifted to taur form and reached for the bow now slung v=
ery loosely around his neck.



    After reattaching the belt to his back he shifted to ordinary full form=
 and took off at another run. His pace slowed from the exertion earlier as =
he ran low through the trees and snow banks. He stopped and shifted to taur=
 form, notching an arrow in his bow. Stealth took a breath and loosed the a=
rrow. As he shifted back to full form he heard a grunt but he was already r=
unning to a new location where he shifted again and shot another arrow with=
 the same result.



    As he ran about the pre dawn field he tried to ignore the shouts of ala=
rm from fleeing bandits. They obviously knew they were under attack but had=
 no idea at the location or number of assassins =96 perhaps the Keep was on=
to them? Stealth shifted to taur form once more but paused in notching his =
arrow. Instead he shifted back to Dire form, his harness bunching up around=
 his neck again, and ran at several people he saw running.



    Suddenly, like metal succumbing to years of rust in mere seconds, his a=
rmour ground to a halt and the animal collapsed in the snow.

    =91No! No! Not now!!!=92 He willed the armour off and it promptly dropp=
ed like scrap. As he shook off the unwanted weight, the cheetah caught sigh=
t of something glowing.



    Lying in the snow in the remnants was the dagger from the cellar. The d=
ire cheetah took it hesitantly in his muzzle, feeling a strange warmth flow=
 over him. He ignored the sensation and ran at the thieves as they galloped=
 away.



    Stealth reached them in no time and swiped the first horse=92s hind leg=
s up from under it. It=92s rider fell to the ground on his head with an aud=
ible crunch. He then turned to the next one and leapt, pouncing the bandit =
out of the saddle. The dire animal landed hard on the bandit when they hit =
the ground. The thief=92s chest completely caved in under the weight of the=
 feline=92s paws. Stealth then turned on another who currently rode directl=
y at him.



    The cheetah darted out of the way faster then should have been possible=
 in his large form. He reached out his razor sharp dew claw and sliced open=
 the horse=92s foreleg as it ran past. The horse whinnied and crashed into =
the one in front. The man, some sort of mongoose, slid into the cheetah=92s=
 waiting forelegs. Stealth dropped the dagger in the snow near by, he licke=
d his lips and craned his head down intent on crushing the man=92s skull in=
 his jaws.



    The mongoose looked paralysed with fear but at the last moment he grapp=
led the cat=92s neck and slid underneath him out of harms way.

    Stealth hissed and turned about when he saw what he=92d been hearing th=
e whole time. The dire cheetah saw Edmund clashing with the Daedra follower=
, around them three bodies were scattered. Stealth watched the Daedraenlui =
with a bloodlust he wasn=92t really aware of. The predator crouched low to =
the ground and moved silently with intent eyes.



-------------------------------------

    After tumbling in the snow, Edmund stood up and quickly unsheathed his =
long sword. He spared a glance at Stealth and his friend was already racing=
 off. The paladin ran down the slope swinging his blade, the first swipe to=
ok someone=92s head, the second cut into the chest of a companion, spilling=
 entrails. Edmund thrust his sword forward at a third foe and skewed him in=
stantly.



    The cheetah paladin then reached the tent and sliced open the canvas. H=
e looked inside, emanating a long and uncertain =91chirr=92. The Daedraenlu=
i was absent.

    Edmund hissed and jumped back on his paws when a jagged blade swept pas=
t him. The knight turned to his right and saw the cold, empty gaze of the u=
nholy warrior. The Daedraenlui stared at Edmund motionless and silent while=
 three more bandits emerged around him. The thieves looked at each other an=
d the anti paladin uncertain until one of them bolted.



    No sooner had the long tailed weasel moved the Daedraenlui merely stepp=
ed on said tail and jammed his serrated blade into the morph=92s back, lift=
ing the sword like a crow bar and prying a portion of spine free.



    =93Stand your ground.=94 He said calmly as the morph collapsed in spasm=
s.

    The other two looked at each other with a great deal more fear and ran =
at the same time. The Daedraenlui instantly drew out a chain and twirled it=
 about, it wrapped around and sliced open one man=92s chest and he cried ou=
t as he fell, the unholy warrior swung it about in the same instant, wrappi=
ng it around the neck of the second. With a simple tug, the chain drew back=
 causing the morph=92s head to twist and spin free of his body.



    The paladin hissed and drove his sword toward the evil warrior. His blo=
w was easily deflected as was expected. Edmund used the momentum to spin hi=
s blade about and try to take the Daedraenlui=92s head but his opponent duc=
ked and they soon stood opposite each other. Edmund=92s ears twitched to th=
e startled cries behind him. The knight seethed when he realised Stealth ha=
d ignored his order and engaged the bandits directly.



    He blocked out the thought as he twirled with the Daedra warrior and ex=
changed blows. As Edmund countered attack after attack he began to tire but=
 the =91anti paladin=92 showed no sign of tiring. The cheetah began to loos=
e ground and panted with the exertion.



    =91Eli, give me... strength?=92 The knight=92s eyes widened as a giant =
animal rose up behind his opponent like a wave and crashed into the Daedrae=
nlui who slammed into the ground and slid to a halt at Edmund=92s paws.



    The man was almost crushed under the weight of the dire cheetah. Stealt=
h snarled at the anti-paladin, eyes wide with the thrill of the hunt. The g=
iant animal craned its neck down and opened its jaws wide around the neck o=
f the frightened Daedraenlui.



    =93STEALTH! NO!=94 Edmund shouted at the cat.

    Stealth jerked his head back and blinked, =93Oh, sorry. I forgot.=94 He=
 put a heavy forepaw down on the man=92s back, restraining him easily. =93I=
 hope you don=92t move; I haven=92t eaten today... I like to eat things tha=
t move.=94



    That earned a chuckle from Edmund. The dire animal purred loudly but th=
e Daedraenlui just shot the paladin an intense and hateful glare.

    =93How did you fare in the battle, Ed?=94 The animal asked and looked a=
t the three bodies around them.



    =93Oh, I didn=92t kill these ones, he did for desertion!=94 Edmund said=
 to Stealth=92s other unasked question, =93I fared well; a difficult fight =
but I got thru it.=94 He answered. =93And you my friend?=94

    The cheetah thought for a moment, =93I feel... different.=94 Looking ba=
ck he did feel strange. Like he=92d almost enjoyed it... slowly the reality=
 began to sink in and the thrill began to fade.



    =93Are you alright?=94 Edmund asked softly.

    =93No.=94 Stealth said without hesitation. =93What do you want to do wi=
th... this?=94 He asked and nudged their prisoner.

    =93Hold him steady,=94 Edmund kneeled close to the ground and searched =
the man for anything dangerous or interesting. He found a score of poison t=
ipped darts and the large chain. Ed could now tell the chain was covered in=
 spikes and they were marred with flesh and blood. Using a rope from one of=
 the tents, the cheetah paladin tied the man=92s arms, legs and gagged him.



    Once he was secured, Stealth removed his paw from the Daedra follower=
=92s back. =93Can I get the other ones now?=94 He asked eyes wide with the =
thrill of the hunt again.

    =93No, I need you here to help me take him back.=94



    =93Okay. I=92m glad we survived...=94 The animal said.

    =93We=92re not out of this yet,=94 Edmund reminded as he watched their =
prisoner =96 their only prisoner after the rest fled or died, =93but I am g=
lad to see you unharmed.=94



    Stealth purred and rubbed against Edmund, causing him to grunt and fall=
 backward in the snow. =93Ooof!=94

    =93Are you sure you want to take him back with us?=94 Stealth asked and=
 sniffed Edmund=92s nose.

    =93It wouldn=92t be right to kill him like this. He should be tried for=
 his crimes.=94 Ed answered as he got back up and looked around. =93Forgive=
 me for asking this but may I sling our guest across your back for the time=
 being?=94



    =93Sure.=94 The animal said and waited patiently as if he were a draft =
horse while the burden was hefted over him like a sack of potatoes. =93I=92=
ll take him back to the Keep!=94

    =93No, not without my guidance. He is too dangerous to be left alone.=
=94 The knight ordered and turned to head back up to the tree line. =93Foll=
ow me to my horse.=94



    =93Ed, wait, my armour.=94 Stealth motioned behind him.

    =93All right,=94 The paladin walked quickly past the splayed corpses an=
d noted the arrows buried in their skulls. =93You did very well Stealth. Fi=
ne aim.=94



    Stealth just mumbled in acknowledgment; he didn=92t feel all that proud=
 of what he=92d done, just an unsettling craving... The thought was worse w=
hen he remembered almost crushing their skulls in his jaws. Perhaps he was =
feeling a little complacent and feral in his new form, Stealth wondered wit=
h trepidation if he had tried to kill the Daedraenlui... or eat him.



    Halfway to the discarded pile the dire creature found his dagger in the=
 snow. He idly snatched it up in his muzzle and felt its warmth quickly fad=
ing away.

    When they found the suit, Edmund didn=92t have the strength to fully re=
power it at that time so he just fuelled it enough to make it=92s weight be=
arable and then collected up each plate as well as the daggers into a gunny=
 sack he took from the tents. It was a slow walk but they eventually made t=
heir way back to the horse. With renewed energy they then left the Haunted =
Woods (again) and stepped out into the sunlight of the new day.



-------------------------------------

    As they slowly headed south a distinct cloud of disquiet hung over them=
. They were victorious but neither would feel safe until they returned to t=
he keep. The daunting choice of being trapped in the Haunted Woods or getti=
ng killed trying to leave was behind them but until the Daedra worshiper wa=
s out of their paws they wouldn=92t rest easy. Still, at least they were go=
ing home.



    They forded the creek that once tried to eat Stealth=92s Yule tree. Tho=
ugh the stream was now frozen solid it was far more risky to cross. Stealth=
 wanted to jump across but he=92d probably loose his load. He allowed himse=
lf to be lead across by Edmund who held the cheetah=92s scruff in one hand =
and the halter of his horse in the other. During the crossing the dire chee=
tah wondered who was helping who maintain balance...



    Edmund kept a close eye on the evil warrior on the cheetah=92s back whi=
le Stealth just lamented. A few hours past he felt thrill and delight which=
 quickly eroded into despair and now he felt so shook up that he just wante=
d to go home.



    =93You are very quiet.=94 Edmund spoke as they walked. =93Something wro=
ng?=94

    The quadruped opened his mouth to speak but faltered.

    =93Amulet acting up?=94

    =93No it=92s not that.=94 He said softly and swallowed a lump. =93...=
=94



    =93Speak to me. Tell me what is troubling you.=94 The paladin ordered.

    =93When I shot my bow and heard a scream...=94 Stealth began but lost h=
is voice.

    =93I can understand how that would be troubling.=94 Edmund said and hud=
dled up in his coat. Now that the excitement was long behind them he was co=
ld again.



    =93I was happy.=94 He corrected and tried to look away.

    Stealth only heard Edmund breathing, was he pondering? ...or was he jud=
ging? =93When I leapt and landed on someone... I was happy, happy that I cr=
ushed him underneath me, happy that he died under my paws.=94



    =93Are you sure?=94 Edmund asked.

    Stealth blinked, he looked up at Edmund with an expression to emphasise=
 just what he thought of that question...

    =93Well are you sure that YOU were delighted? Or the cheetah within?=94=
 Edmund countered, =93Humans have always lost themselves in battle. Eons be=
fore the curses gave us new instincts to contend with, it=92s the way it=92=
s always been.=94



    =93Then why do we always come away pained?=94 The animal whimpered in a=
 churr.

    Edmund laughed humourlessly, =93Because we=92re not monsters.=94

    =93I didn=92t think I=92d ever feel worse then the first time I snuffed=
 someone.=94 The feline said softly.



    =93You acted in self defence that day, today you made a decision and to=
ok responsibility for your safety.=94 He placed a hand on his friend=92s sh=
oulder, =93It=92s not meant to be easy.=94

    =93Thanks, Ed.=94 Stealth said and absently nuzzled the paladin=92s han=
d.



    =93If there=92s one to bear the burden it is me; they did this to get t=
o me.=94 He said and huddled up more in the coat while the knight=92s tail =
wrapped around his legs.

    =93Because of the Shadow?=94

    =93No.=94 Edmund said bluntly. =93Daedra followers are evil but not stu=
pid. He knew I have no control over the spirit of the woods.=94



    Stealth blinked, =93Then he told those people, all those people you did=
 just to...=94 The cheetah slowly turned his head to look at their prisoner.

    The man bound and slung over his back could not speak but through the g=
ag he seemed to grin.



    Edmund=92s reaction was swift and unexpected. He lashed out with his fi=
st and punched the man dead square on the nose. =93Your real punishment wil=
l come soon enough.=94

    The Daedraenlui grunted and choked a bit on his gag.



    Stealth turned away and blanched. Edmund said that man killed his own p=
eople. And he lied to them to obtain their help in killing the paladin... T=
hey=92d not have been so helpful if they knew the Shadow was still a threat=
. Had they succeeded all of them would have naively gone to their deaths at=
 the hands of the Shadow Fox. And he was proud of it! As troubled as Stealt=
h felt at their fight that morning, it was comforting to know that at the v=
ery least he wasn=92t a sadist...



    After the fist to their prisoner=92s face, their conversation died down=
 again. Edmund pondered everything that had happened and everything that wo=
uld need to be done. George will want a debriefing, those ashes in the cell=
ar would need to be collected respectfully and he=92ll need to give Bridget=
te a big hug and kiss.



    Another matter of concern was obviously the armour and =91dire=92 form.=
 However of more concern to the knight was Stealth himself. Edmund was a bi=
t surprised and a little amazed that Stealth did so well. He did have a pro=
blem with following instructions but Edmund was already aware of that. What=
 gave him pause was Stealth=92s attitude; he did almost falter but besides =
that he seemed eager when at other times the feline acted much more timid a=
nd reserved. Perhaps the new form or suit had an affect on the lad.



    =93Ed.=94

    Edmund blinked out of his revere, =93Yes?=94

    =93What was a Daedraenlui even doing here in Metamor?=94 The animal ask=
ed as he navigated a large mound.

    =93Good question. One that many people will want answered. Especially m=
yself.=94



-------------------------------------

    It had only been just over a full day but to the returning cats it felt=
 like weeks. Edmund and a score of his men escorted their guest to the dung=
eons. Stealth took the sack containing his belongings to the Guild Tower fo=
r recharge and analysis. The mages wanted to keep it in their possession fo=
r some time to understand its transformation but it refused to stay put and=
 merely blobbed along the floor and back to its wearer.



    Stealth shrugged and left, promising to return for them to study the ne=
w suit when he had the time to sit around. He left in his dire form =96 he=
=92d been in that form since early morning =96 and walked towards his next =
destination.



    As the large animal walked through the halls of Metamor, people stoped =
to gawk. Some chuckled while others were gobsmacked. Some looked on in curi=
osity and made appraisals while others cowered in fear. To think, if he=92d=
 been a normal, ordinary taur in a tunic people wouldn=92t even spare a gla=
nce.



    Late that day the dire cheetah in golden armour lined with black splodg=
es slowly and with natural grace entered Long Hall. Misha spared with some =
of his fellow Longs in taur form, everyone stopped in their training to gaw=
k and the horse-sized feline.



    Stealth turned his gaze down and saw a metallic animal standing in fron=
t of him.

    =93Rawr!=94 The cheetah said to the metal fox.

    Madog promptly =91yipped=92 and scurried to hide underneath Misha=92s l=
egs, peeking up shyly from underneath.



    =93Hello Misha,=94 The giant animal said in hypnotic low hiss.

    =93Stealth? Is that you?=94 The fox asked, confused.

    =93Yep, I learned a new trick...=94 The cat grinned.

    =93What happened?=94 Misha asked, unsure of how he should react.



    The cheetah sat on its haunches, =93I went out to the woods the other d=
ay and got a new suit. Then by accident while I was trying to get out of it=
 I discovered a new forth form. I call it the Dire form.=94

    =93Very impressive Stealth! You are some sort of mega sized cheetah. Al=
most like a throw back to some ancient long extinct giant cheetah!=94



    =93Oh, yes. Now Oberon can be the little cat.=94

    =93Can you teach me this new form?=94 Misha asked enthusiastically.

    Some people around the taur rolled their eyes or sighed. They weren=92t=
 all too excited about the idea of a bouncy dire fox.



    =93I don=92t know; I don=92t really know how to teach people stuff.=94 =
The animal shrugged.

    =93Stealth.=94 Said the taur and placed his hand on the cheetah=92s sho=
ulder, =93You need to teach me new things!=94

    =93Okay, I=92ll try, though I hope you don=92t mind loosing your upper =
half.=94



    =93No problem.=94 He handed his staff to Georgette and removed his vest=
. =93I=92m always happy to try a new form.=94

    =93Good!=94 Said the dire cheetah. =93Now close your eyes. Picture your=
 own body...=94


Dire Situation


Copyright (c) 2008-2009 Michael Nastov



_______________________________________________

MKGuild mailing list

MKGuild at lists.integral.org

http://lists.integral.org/listinfo/mkguild




_________________________________________________________________
Windows Live=99 Groups: Create an online spot for your favorite groups to m=
eet.
http://windowslive.com/online/groups?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_WL_groups_032009
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.integral.org/archives/mkguild/attachments/20090318/d0bf8e=
6c/attachment-0001.htm