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Unlikely Saviors [-:Haru|Luana:-]

Haruchai

Haruchai

As you wish.
Joined
Sep 27, 2011
Location
United States (CST)
The world of Harrow, a world inhabited by a number of various races, and filled with magic and wonder. A world, like so many others, on the brink of war. That did not mean that there was not profit to be made however, and Kion was well known and highly regarded in his line of work. Exactly what that line of work entailed was completely up to his employer. From treasure hunter to bounty hunter, Kion was a mercenary that sold his sword - or in most cases his double ended axe - to those that could afford his services. The pneumafera was known mostly in the countries of Valgaard and Sylvanyr, and all along the Sea of Straits. Still, the reputation of the White Lion was decently known throughout the entire expanse of Harrow.

So when Kion received the summons from the Order of the Watchful Eye that they required his services, the White Lion answered immediately. The Order would surely pay well for whatever job they might wish to have done, and they had summoned him to one of their Guildhouses in Skali, a city along the Salvation River.

Though the Watchful Eye mostly had larger Guilds in the cities in the East of Harrow, they also kept smaller Guildhouses in most free cities. It was not unusual that they might know where Kion was at any given time, their very duty to keep an eye on those people that might help them in their responsibilities. It was no surprise that Kion had been traveling eastward along the river when he received the summons, and his route would take him right by Skali. The river city straddled the borders between Sylvanyr and Valgaard, and by the time Kion arrived the oil-fired lanterns were lit, the sun having set and the port staying busy and bustling well after dark.

Finding the Watchful Eye Guildhouse was easy enough, though Kion was a little surprised when he stepped in to see what sort of place it was. He'd expected something a bit stuffy, but instead found a spacious place where a variety of people sat and talked. Almost immediately eyes turned to regard the large white-furred pneumafera, the lion standing almost eight feet in height. But despite his bulk, the lion moved with a certain liquid alacrity, his feline nature helping to allow him to move with near silence, claws retracted so as to not even click on the floor as he moved deeper into the room.

As he looked around, a little befuddled on just where to go next, a smiling human woman approached him. She was a bit rotund, and her white hair was pulled up into a bun atop her head.

"Why, I never! Kion, the White Lion! I would have never thought to see you in a place such as this. What brings you here?" she asked, speaking as if she knew him personally, though Kion knew he'd never seen her before in his life.

"I was summoned here actually." he said, and produced the small orbal handset he carried, pulling up the summons in his messages. "Says I am supposed to ask for a man named Balkin?" he said.

The woman brightened considerably. "Master Balkin? I can take you right to him if you like." she offered. "By the way, my name's Margaret, but you can call me Maggie." she said with a flirtatious smile at the immense 'fera.

As she moved away Kion would follow and Maggie led him up a small flight of stairs to a door emblazoned with a name. Edward Balkin. Maggie knocked and a voice inside called out, "Come in! It's unlocked."

With a smile to Kion she opened the door and stepped in, ushering Kion in, who had to duck below the doorframe. Inside the office was an older human male who smiled from behind his desk and gestured for Kion to enter.

"You can leave us now Maggie." the man said, and the woman bowed as she left the room. The man behind the desk stood and extended a hand. "I'm Edward Balkin, Senior Administrator here at the Guildhouse. May I offer you anything to drink? I have a very nice Dwarven Stout here." he offered.

Kion took the man's hand briefly, his massive one completely engulfing the human's and when he was offered a drink he gladly accepted. "That sounds fine." he said, his deep voice rumbling. Leaning his weapon against a nearby wall, Kion would nod his thanks as the man as he was handed a large stein of the stout and by then Balkin was speaking again.

"I am sure that you're wondering what business the Eye has with you, and truth be told even I am not privy to all the specifics. However, I'll cut right to the matter. The Elders have discovered an item of great import to us, and one that could possibly be used against us, and in fact might be a key to opening the Demon Gates. A device of times long past to be sure, but powerful and dangerous. The Eye is not entirely sure who else might know of it, but we need to make sure we retrieve it before anyone else." Balkin said after he'd retaken his seat.

Kion took a drink of the stout, which wasn't bad, and listened. "So this is a treasure hunt then, of sorts. I assume that you know the general whereabouts of this item I am to find?" he asked.

"Me?!" Balkin asked with a snort of surprise as he shook his head. "Oh no, not me. But I have here a file that I am supposed to give to you, with orders that you are to only pen it when you are alone. Not even in my presence." Balkin said and handed over a sealed envelope, a small bulge in it telling Kion there was likely some sort of orbal drive in it that his handset would be able to open.

"I see." Kion said, taking the envelope. "So this is it then? My business here is done?" he asked.

Balkin smiled and shrugged. "I would guess so. Follow whatever instructions you get and go from there. This was all I was instructed to do."

Kion nodded and downed the rest of the dwarven brew. "Alright then, Mr. Balkin, I suppose I'll be on my way. I'll make sure not to open this where any prying eyes or ears might see or hear." he promised.

Then, without any further discussion, Kion bowed and took his leave. Much of his work required a bit of discretion but h found it interesting that the Eye was keeping many of their own people out of the loop. That was an interesting little tidbit to the lion. Exiting the Guildhouse he found himself now on the streets of Skali, and he needed a place to stay. The dark streets, lit by the oil-fired lamps, provided more than enough light for the keen nightvision of the lion, and he made his way northward toward the heart of the city, sure he'd find a nice inn soon enough.
"What do you mean the funds are gone?!" Her shriek echoed through the bank. The teller cringed from behind his counter. "Miss Tikittralamous..." "Tika," she snapped in return, flicking a dangling lock of fire red from her green eyes. The stout dwarf heaved a sigh. "Miss Tika...when funds are gone it means you have no money." His low voice was calm yet clearly irritated. "I'm well aware of the meaning!" She squeaked and stamped a pink booted foot. "Yes, then I assume you are aware that it means I can't give you any money." Tikal narrowed her wide, round, verdant eyes at the dwarf. "Fine." She said as she stepped down from the stool she had to stand on to reach the counter and stalked out of the bank. A human walked by and nearly ran the four and a half foot woman. "Hey!" She snarled up. "Whatchit ya big oaf!" One well placed, tiny fisted punch at the back of the thigh and the human's leg went numb making him topple over.

That had been a month ago. All projects and experiments went on hold. All projects came to a screeching halt. Hell, she struggled to pay rent for her workshop. An odd little gnome she had a somewhat permanent home. Perhaps not so odd since many gnomes did the same finding a use and joy in creating machines in human cities. Tika kept herself busy with odd jobs. Mostly thievery. It paid well enough but not as well as she needed for her tinkering. She needed a real job. A good score. Yet with advances in tech meant the big scores were harder to do. Damn the genius of her kind. Well, Dwarves too she supposed. Maybe humans too.

After a long night out she kicked off her soft boots of black leather. Padding on the sole silenced her already quiet steps. She yanked back her hood to green her fire red hair. With little funds she hadn't been bothering with the usual Gnomish habit of teasing hair to wild styles had fallen by the wayside. Instead she just had her hair in pigtails. She trudged into her room to wash the dark paint she slapped on her face. Somehow she had been born with skin as white as fresh snow. She had seen similar coloring in humans but never with her own kind. Little freckles spread across her nose and cheeks.

"What a terrible night," she said with a groan. Nothing that night. No fences and no hits. At least she hadn't fallen in a canal. Then again she hadn't fallen in the canal since she first took up mercenary work and theft as means to filed her work. She was about to turn in for the night when she saw the strangest of sights. A Pneumafera wandering the port town she called home...ish. She pressed her tiny. Button nose against her window and watched. He was massive with white fur and a fluffy mane. "Hmmm...what's kitty up to?" She mused to herself. Seeing one of their kind was a rarity. Not to mention he was heading to the Guilds. Her innate curiosity for the best of her. She slapped her face paint back on and ran out her door, slipping into shadow.

Her path took her silently across room tops as she followed. If nothing else a traveler was often a good target to rob. He headed into the Watchful Eye Guildhouse. Mmmmm very interesting. Using a spring loaded hook she shot it and swung to the windows. Careful to hang in shadows she peered through them. Watching as the rotund woman greeted the white lion and led him to stairs. She checked empty rooms until she found one occupied. Not having to wait long the lion was escorted in. She slid on darkened goggles to hide her large, round eyes as she watched the interchange. A package was exchanged. Oh even more interesting. Then the lion left.

Tika slid down the rope and waited on the rooftop. The lion appeared once more. She follows him through the port city. Always in shadow, downwind and silent as a ghost. The envelope was too much of a curiosity. Something from those odd humans had to be worth a great deal. She would follow and wait until he found a place for the night and snatch the envelope. Either it held one heck of a secret or something of great worth.
If the White Lion knew he was being followed there was no indication of it, though he did draw looks from those he passed. The lion moved further into the city, bypassing some of the finer inns and taverns that the city had to offer as he drew instead closer to the docks. The buildings became a bit less well-kept, the streets a bit more muddy, as the 'fera approached the part of the city where manual labor was what filled men's pockets.

Kion had visited Skali before and knew that his presence would certainly be noted, but he need not make a show of it. Instead he opted for low-key, and the Leaping Fish Tavern would be a good place. A place of low-class, he could dine and rest there without much fuss, so long as he paid his bill. The higher end places in the city would bring gaggles of onlookers while many could come to the Fish and so long as they kept to themselves then all would be well.

The smell of the place matched the name as the perfume of fish, both raw and cooked, seemed to suffuse the very stones that helped construct the place. It didn't bother Kion though and in fact his mouth began to water. The lion pushed open the door to reveal the dusky interior, eyes adjusting immediately to the change in lighting. Having to duck the top of the doorframe as he entered, a few sets of eyes turned to regard him, but just as quickly turned back to their cups, unwilling to stare too long much less approach. For all but one...

"Hey there darlin'! Welcome to the Leaping Fish!" a female voice called, as a human woman carrying several mugs of beer passed by. "You just sit anywhere there's a free seat and I'll be right with you." she said.

Kion gave an appreciative nod and found a table close to the kitchen and in one corner. Taking the envelope out of his pocket he set it on the table. Better able to keep an eye on it there, when the comely blonde human came by to take an order he asked for a glass of Feywine, and a triple helping of whatever the day's special happened to be. The woman seemed as if she'd never seen one of his kind before, and though she tried not to stare, it was obvious that she was quite intrigued, blushing as he spoke and inching a bit closer to him as they exchanged words. Soon though she was off to fill his order.

Tapping the envelope, Kion was tempted to open it and read the information within, but instead he kept it right on the table.
 
Tika continued onwards as the lion walked with proud ease to the lower class area of Skali. Her nose crinkled at the pervasive odor of fish. Gross. She hated fish. Yet her target seemed more than happy to enter an establishment not only named for the nasty creatures but reeked of their dead brethren. A dirty little inn she had never stayed in but knew of. Sad to say most of the windows were coated with a thick layer of grime making her spying a little difficult. She perched on a rooftop with a little growl. Stupid humans and their dirty ways. They really were pretty filthy, especially the poor ones. She was poor and managed to keep herself and her home clean. Well clean was relative. Most spaces were covered in parts and materials, half finished projects and scrap.

For a time she waited, plotting her next move. Waiting outside all night wasn't wise. Likely she would fall asleep and miss her opportunity. Few customers went in and out. She huffed a sigh and folded her arms across her chest in frustration. Maybe she should just give it up. Then, as luck would have it, another traveler appeared. He was tall, human tall not pneumafera tall, and wore a wide, scraggly old cloak. Perfect! Tika slipped down from her perch and slipped behind the cloaked human. As he entered the inn she skirted to his right. Inside of crowded places was both more dangerous and easier. Good thing the place was so dimly lit. The human took a seat in the corner and she slid in behind his chair. From her angle she could just barely see the white lion. His fur made him quite easy to keep track of. All she needed was a distraction. From her hiding spot she spied two half-orcs. Was her luck never going to wear out? Not that she was upset by her food fortunes.

She readied her tiny crossbow, loading up a simple bolt. To humans it was little more than a dart. To something larger it would just be a mild pain. Just enough to set off a big, stupid, volatile creature. She took aim carefully and shot. The small bolt lodged right behind the half-orc's right ear. The beast stood with a howl of rage. It's friend responded in kind. Humans rose up in panic. The pained creature lashed out and struck a fisherman. The fisherman's friends leaped to retaliate. All hell broke loose. In the chaos Tika slipped between scuffling legs to the kitchen and nearer to the white lion. The brawl started to fill the tavern with the bar maids shrieking for people to stop.

Tika held still as a human was tossed across the room right at the white lion at his table. She slipped forward with a hope and a prayer it was enough. Her little legs patterned across and under the table which barely held and reached for the envelope.
The general chaos that broke out was precipitated by two half-orcs, their kind considered volatile and short-tempered and Kion seeing nothing which would sway him from that opinion. The pneumafera growled as a bar patron came literally fling his way, and though he stood and was able to block the man from hitting him, the bulk that hit the table jostled it heartily, Kion's drink spilling and the lion catching a glimpse of a hand - a very small hand - snatching the envelope off the table, though now it was soaked with Feywine.

"Hey!" Kion practically roared, though he only caught another glimpse of a little halfling, possibly gnome, female taking off at a sprint, and deftly avoiding the knots of fighting people. Kion grabbed his axe and moved to follow, but his larger bulk made it actually harder to make haste. Despite his pushing to get out and follow her, by the time he exited the tavern she was nowhere in sight.

Tika tittered as she fled from the Lion. The tangle of legs and bodies was easy to skirt through and around. No one noticed the little gnome fleeing the scene. She broke out of the brawling tavern and into the night air. Still stunk of fish though. Without stopping she pounded road to put as much distance between herself and the lion as possible. In fleeing she was upwind. Skidding to a stop she bolted down an alley and doubled back. Using her spring loaded hook she swung herself onto rooftops. A little ball of agility she made her was across the roofs at close to the same speed as if she were on the ground. Her hook helped, swinging across wider gaps.

She didn't stop, despite the burning in her lungs and legs, until she made it back to her workshop. The little port had a small district of mechanical workers. Mostly they worked on steam boats and small airships. It was nothing like the industrial metropolitans of other human towns. She didn't use her door. Rather she swung herself through her bedroom window. With her precautions it wasn't likely he would be able to track her. Triumphantly she kicked off her boots and pulled back her hood for the second time that night. Despite how tired she physically felt her brain was buzzing with excitement. Not even bothering to wash her face she plopped down on her stool and opened the envelope.

An orb rolled across her cluttered desk. Bouncing off a gear and some springs. "Ohhh," she let out a breath. It wasn't too exciting but she knew that sphere would hold something interesting. Any orb from the Eye had to be interesting. Tongue between teeth she got out a handset. She didn't use them often but understood them well enough. Holding her breath she plugged in the orb and booted up the device.

It hummed and buzzed to life. With a demure flash the information appeared. Her eyes widened as she read and studied the map and instructions. Her guts suddenly grew heavy and her heart began to race. An ancient relic, a sword, that could potentially open a demon gate. The lion was going to be well paid for it. It could set her up for months. There was no true choice. Immediately she got up and began packing her things. The lion should be searching for her for hours. No way he could track her there. She grinned to herself. Congratulating herself on being so sneaky, so very cunning. Of course it was easy work outwitting those lumbering bigguns. No real skill there.

While she packed the clothes she wore for thievery she donned more practical traveling clothes. Simple breeches and a warm shirt. Both a little old and travel worn but comfortable. A cloak and blanket roll, necessities for camping out. Damn, if her account wasn't drained she could purchase a pony or large dog to carry. Ah well, she would travel light. Weapons of course. Her crossbow with the necessary tools and tinctures to make new bolts or make repairs. If only she had a pack animal she could bring some experiments. Tika heaved a sigh. Well, with the money the relic would fetch she could spend a few years tinkering and not have to worry. Heck, she could move! Maybe a bigger city.

Packed and ready she ensured the fires were out and the windows locked. Peeking out her door she ensured to lock it and headed out. No possible way the lion could have tracked her. Plus she has been wearing her suit, hood and face paint. Big, dumb animal wouldn't recognize her anyways.
 
It was well known in Skali that the local Thieve's Guild took a high interest in matters that involved the Watchful Eye. As one of the few public Guilds that was well known and actually delved into the Old Magic, the Watchful Eye was typically a high priority for rogues and spies. Of course they took great care for the most part, but every organization has their weaknesses and the fact that they were so concerned with demonic entities meant that many member of the Watchful Eye overlooked the devious nature of their fellow humans.

So it was that the Thieve's Guild in Skali had a special branch that specifically watched the Eye. The Masked. The true identities of The Masked are unknown, even by the other members of this special branch, and thus they act with anonymity and in deep secrecy. As Kion walked into the Watchful Eye Guildhouse, no, even as he entered the city of Skali itself, his presence was known by the Masked. It was a simple thing, to watch the White Lion as he made his way along the city streets. Though they could have had scouts along the rooftops, that was far too conspicuous, and yet they quickly found that they were not the only ones watching. The small form of the gnome slipped over the rooftops, and the Masked that saw her swiftly called for assistance. Soon, a trio of Masked had converged, one trailing the White Lion and two moving after the small rooftop-hopping gnome.

What exactly had been said and done within the Watchful Eye Guildhouse made little difference as they continued to follow behind the gnome as she inturn followed the lion. The district of the city in which they soon found themselves was rife with rogues and cutthroats. This would work well to their advantage, and the trio met close to the Leaping Fish, simply waiting. The White Lion had moved inside, and though none of them had seen the entrance of the gnome, they certainly saw her speedy egress. Taking to the rooftops once more, the two that had followed her from the Watchful Eye also followed now, the last staying back as the White Lion exited the tavern, quite irate. Soon the pneumafera was followed as well.

----------​

As Tika would exit her semi-permanent home, the little gnome was watched, assessed and then followed. The White Lion was far behind, the trio of Masked communicating over their orbal earpieces. The one following the lion moved past that target, reconvening with the other two as they now concentrated on the gnome. She had taken something, though exactly what it was was unknown. That was soon to change.

Waiting for a time where the little gnome headed toward a main avenue, one of the Masked dropped into the alleyway in front of her.

"Wel 'ello there moppet." he said, and held out a hand to her. "I jes' be wantin' whut ye took fr'm th'lion. No need t'get in a muck." he said.

As he finished speaking, another figure dropped into the alleyway just behind her by about ten paces. This one did not speak and in fact already had a weapon drawn. The threat and intent were clear.

"'And it ov'r moppet." the first one said, taking a few steps closer.

----------​

Kion was able to follow by scent, and soon figured out the devious pathways that the little.... whatever.... had taken. Using the rooftops, the small being obviously didn't want to get trampled on the streets, and Kion smiled to himself. Clever. Still, whomever it was did not count on several aspects of his kind, namely their sense of smell. There was always a little wisp of of a scent that accompanied the smell of the Feywine, and Kion had to thank his luck that the envelope had been soaked in such a strong spirit. Speeding up his pace, the lion moved confidently along the streets, intent on getting back what was his.
Tika's little feet skittered to a halt when the masked figure dropped down from the roofs. Her heart gave a painful thud. She knew exactly who he was. Well not exactly. He was a Mask. Ice raced through her guts. If any of the guilds she never wanted to tangle with them. She back up a step as he spoke, clutching her right pocket where the orb rested. Just as she turned to run another dropped down. This one was silent, a full faced mask of white, and had his weapon drawn. She was in a heap now but she wasn't about to give up her orb.

"Just some dumb letters," she said to stall for time. The one with a half mask just chuckled as he advanced another step. Tika backed up but knew of the other Mask. She could only back away so far before meeting the point of that weapon. "'Ere now moppet. Gives us th'pack and be on our way we will. Eh?" Tika glared at the man. She only had a small chance but she had to take it. Assuming her hook would support the extra weight. "Over my dead body!" She shouted. Running back towards the one with the weapon she shot her hook. With a jump she flew into the air. The cord rippled back into its spring loaded gun, yanking her to the rooftops.

A loud thud and crack issues from the gun. She jerked to a stop and dangled three feet over the Masks' heads. "No!" She snarled at her hook. The ill spoken man chuckled darkly. He was just tall enough to grab her ankle. Tika squirmed and kicked, screaming every profanity she could think of at the top of her lungs. She clung on valiantly with both hands and the man tugged on her ankle. A pop told her he pulled something out of place as fire raced across her ankle and up her leg. She cried out in pain yet still clung on, trying to get the cord to retract more. He yanked harder and she screamed in pain again, hands slipping.
The last Masked stayed upon the rooftops, shadowing the lion below, and staying in constant contact with their counterparts. Who by now had cornered a small female gnome. Seemed she wasn't going along quietly though, and in fact, as they watched from the rooftops, the ears of the lion twitched and he set off at a quicker pace. Long powerful legs ate up ground easily, and he wasn't even running. The Masked on the roofs soon heard it as well, the cry of pain from a female, and the Lion was heading right for it.

Amazed at his speed, the Masked on the roof hurried her own pace, but a loose roofing tile slipped out from under her foot, clattering down the roof and flying off the edge t crash to the ground, shattering. A soft growl from the lion as he peered over his shoulder. Though she'd managed to hide behind a chimney, the lion likely knew of her presence at least, but she'd still rather strike from the dark - if she even had to strike at all.

Kion had heard the footsteps on the nearby roof as the person had hurried to keep up, and he praised their stealth. Were it not for that tile he might not have suspected a presence, but now he was sure something was going on. The double-bladed axe was pulled from his back as the cries of pain grew near, and Kion broke into a full run, those powerful legs that had been eating up ground now devouring it. As the lion came barreling around a particular corner he was greeted with an odd sight. A long tether line connected to a high point of a building across the way, at the end of that line, a small female form - the one crying in pain.

Holding onto her leg was a man, darkly clad and masked, and closest to Kion, another man - lighter dressed but also masked. Even without knowing the full situation, the two frown men assaulting a female set Kion's nerves on edge. Were she apparently holding her own he might not have bothered. Or even if she had been a human size. But as it was she appeared almost as a child.

The pnuemafera had to give it to the man closest to him. He was fast, and even with Kion bearing down on him, he did not falter or hesitate, and the white lion found a series of daggers hurled in his direction as the man swiftly moved to the side. The blades were not in a single file, and filled a pattern in the air making it difficult for Kion to dodge them all. Perhaps under different circumstances he might have been able to leap over them, but he was moving far too fast and the confines of the alley did not help either, so Kion ducked and slipped to one side, a sharp sting in his side as one found its mark, and then he was upon the white-masked man.

The darkly clad man holding onto the little gnome's ankle gave a wrench, snarling as he did so. He seemed to take a certain sadistic pride in that move, hoping that even if she managed to get away she'd be in poor shape to move quickly. However, he did let go, and draw his own blades as the lion engaged his brother-in-arms.

Then, across the way, the very building that Tika was anchored to, the last Masked finally caught up, her blade glinting dully in the moonlight as she observed, a thin smile under her mask and unable to be seen as she watched the scene not far away, her fingers strumming along the anchor line of the little gnome.
 
Everything was growing worse and worse. Tika hadn't anticipated any of this. She struggled to hold onto her line, trying to pull herself out of the Mask's grip. Her hands her sliding on her little sling loaded gun. Her options were few. Then, around the corner, charged another. Damn! Not the lion too! She had to give him some credit. He got there quicker than she expected. The man holding her ankle paused at the sight but his compatriot barely hesitated. A fan of knives flew at the lion. He dodged well enough but Tika was certain she saw at least one connect.

A sharp, sudden Wrench at her ankle brought her back. Tika howled again as fire lanced up her leg. That bastard was going to pay. He finally let go of her to draw blades. Excellent. With him distracted by the other fight Tika kicked out her legs. The landing would hurt but she had to do something. She swung on the line over the Mask's head. Just far enough and she could jump back.

All at once the world came rushing up. Just as Tika pump her little legs for a final swing back she was falling. With a mighty crash and shouting she found herself in a tangle of arms and legs with the half masked man. Steel glinted near her face. She gasped and rolled out of her back, arms slipping backwards to release the straps. The blade buried into her pack right where he heart would have been. She rolled and drew her own tiny dagger. Perhaps more like a paring knife to humans. The man flung off her pack and rolled to his feet. Tika took her chance. Propelled on one leg she dove forward and slashed at his ankles. The man howled and toppled over, his tendons sliced.

Tika hobbled back as the man howled and writhed on the ground. She favored her injured ankle but it wasn't nearly as bad as his ankles were. "Take that ya stupid biggin!" She was far enough back she didn't have to worry about retaliation from him. The white masked man held his own well enough against the lion. He was quick and slippery. Tika was going to let them fight it out until movement caught her eye. Up on the roof was another. She was watching the fight as well with a bow aimed. Waiting for the chance to shoot.

Tika snatched up her small crossbow and loaded a special bolt. She took aim and fired. The tile beneath the other mask exploded, sending her flying into the ally. "That's for cuttin' my line ya biggin bitch!" Tika was far from done. She let fly a volley of plain bolts at the female mask. They couldn't really kill but would at least sting like a slew of scorpions.
Kion had to give it to the white-masked man. He was fast, but at the end of the day he was entirely and utterly human. Though he might be able to stand on par with the larger and bulkier lion as far as speed was concerned, he was woefully inadequate in size and strength and sheer endurance. Kion knew that as the battle would go on, the man would become slower, tired. Kion would long outlast him. The problem was that Kion did not have the time to dally with this man so long as the tiny woman was in trouble. As he'd drawn closer he could see she was full grown, though tiny in stature. The smell of her told him this was the one that he'd encountered in the Leaping Fish. So... these men were after her.

The double-headed axe whirled, the man in the white mask moving to the side, though Kion let go with one hand, as it moved past the man, missing him. His free hand however, slammed into the man's chest. The audible 'whoof' as the air was driven from his lungs brought a satisfactory growl from Kion and the man slammed backward into the wall behind him. A dribble of blood could be seen seeping from beneath the mask as he coughed up blood, and he clutched his chest in obvious pain.

Kion turned back to the small female and saw that the man who had been holding her ankle seemed to be writhing on the ground, the tendons in his ankles severed. That look away saw the white-masked man disappear with a wheezed out word and a puff of smoke. With a snarl of irritation, one heavy axe-head came down, separating the darkly clad man's head from his shoulders. His writhing ceased as a strong spray of arterial blood sprayed the wall just next to him, and splattered across Kion's shins before the body fell still and a scarlet pool began to grow under the body.

In the time that it took Tika to load her crossbow and shoot, the female Masked upon the roof had let fly with her bow. The black shafted arrow flew straight and true, that razor tip gleaming as it streaked toward Tika, though in a moment her vision was blocked due to the size of the lion, the bolt drawing sparks off the great golden pauldron of the pneumafera, whose golden eyes glowed in his ire. The answering bolt of the gnome brought the female tumbling, and then a volley of plain bolts had her pulling the same retreat as the white-masked male.

In a moment it was only Kion and the unnamed gnome now standing in the alley; one with a dagger in his side and the other with a severely twisted ankle and the decapitated body of one of the Masked at their feet. Kion turned to the woman.

"I think you have something which belongs to me." he told her, memorizing her scent as he gazed down at the tiny thing.
Just like that it was over. Tika stood still as the lion severed the half Mask head. She cringed as blood sprayed the wall in short bursts. With all done she flopped onto her bottom with a heaving sigh. It just wasn't her lucky day. Well in a way it was. She probably would have been killed if the lion hadn't come along. Glowering some she began to unlace her boot as the Lion spoke to her. "I think you're mistaken," she said quickly. Though a quick glance upward at the lion and her resolve failed. She ease off her boot with a little hiss of pain and inspected the ankle. Slightly red and swollen. Not broken at least.

"Yeah...guess I do..." she said with a defeated sigh. Maybe if her hook wasn't broken and her ankle wasn't hurt she could try and run for it. Big, dumb, lumbering creature he was she could have gotten away. As it stood the odds were against her. Not to mention he had kind of saved her life. She finally raised up her head to look at the massive lion. Standing she likely only came up over his hips. As she stared she notes the dagger in his side and she cringed. Despite him being a dumb biggin she felt a little bad that he got hurt. She didn't much care for physically hurting others unless they started it. Like those stupid masks.

Slowly she eased her boot back on and got to her feet. Yep she had been right. She came to just above his hips, her eyes level with his lower abdomen. "Boy...you're a hellova biggin aren'tcha?" She reached into her pocket and pulled out the orb. For a moment she stared at it, almost sadly, before sighing and held it up for the lion. "Guess I owe ya anyways. Got ya stabbed an' all."

Before he could lumber himself down to grab it she closed her little fist. "But, way I see it, I saved your fuzzy butt too. Those masks woulda cut your throats while ya slept and taken it. Flushed them out you could say. Already read the map so I know where your going. We could make it a race or I could come with you. Know a thing or two, remove that sticker in your side too. What say you fluffums?"
Kion watched as the little woman dropped to her bottom and checked her ankle, and he knelt and began to rifle through the dead man's pockets to see if there was anything of import or of use. Save for his weapons and armor, and the handset that had the tiny orbal microphone that he was using to talk with his compatriots, the man had nothing. Kion removed the handset and the tiny earpiece and handed them to the female. They were of gnomish make, and she was a gnome. Perhaps she could use them.

"Perhaps you can use these." he said, and would hold the device out to her. "Far too small for me." he explained and as she then sized him up. She was tiny, much smaller than a human even, and Kion looked at her with his bright golden eyes. Her voice was pleasant enough and she proposed a truce, even a partnership of sorts.

It did not take long for him to weigh the options. "I agree. However, you're in this as much as I am, since they know you have the drive as well. You hold onto it, as it would be much easier for you to slip away and hide than it would be for me to do the same." he admitted. "They're just as likely to come after you, and you don't seem like much of a fighter. So... a partnership?" he said. His voice was deep and smooth, and the nickname of fluffums made him snicker. "What say you, Peanut?" he shot back.
 
Tika looked at the lion warily as he readily accepted her offer. Well she shouldn't have been surprised. Biggins trusted easily. Not that she had any intention of betraying him but still. It was strange. She pocketed the orb as he said, more surprised that he wanted her to keep it. Another biggin thing, trust. Maybe she trusted he could be big, strong and scary. It bit much else. But the report of a nickname made her laugh heartily. "Sounds fair to me." She hobbled over to her back and swung it into her back. "Alright let's go get it! The sword...thingie...I dunno...magic sword."

She moved to head out but stopped. "Oh yeah, better remove that sticker, huh?" She laughed a little and reached to a side pouch in her back. "Hold still and don't...I dunno, bite me or something." She was at a decent height to take care of it. Her little hands were quick as she pulled the dagger out for him. "Easy big kitty...easy," she said to him like calming him some wild animal. Rather than the traditional needle and thread she had two small jars. Both pungent smelling, one red while the other was white. Combined the smell was just awful, somewhere between burnt fish and vomit. She spread it out the wound and held the skin together. It would tingle on the wound, not painful or unpleasant. When she let go the flesh was held together. "There ya go. Good kitty. Now, lets go!"

Her progress was a little slow and not just for the hobbling. With such shorter legs she had to take four steps to equal one of his. "So, are ya a merc or something? How'd you get in with the Eye? But of creepy old biggins they are."
Kion could almost see the surprise and mild distrust on the face of the gnome. The pneumafera knew the reputation of her people, and he needed a way to bring her around. Letting her keep the orbal drive was only a small step. Besides, he'd had yet to even look at it, and she held all the cards. He could not very well likely go back to the Eye and tell them that it had been stolen. That was a hit his reputation could not take. He supposed he could have wrested it from her, but what would that prove? That an eight foot tall predator could take what it liked from a tiny being like her? No, he had little choice but to accept her proposal, and she'd already proven her usefulness since she'd taken it from him.

"Do you need me to wrap your ankle?" he asked as she prepared the strange alchemical poultice. A soft growl left him as she removed the blade, though it had not gone too deep and he did not bleed much, and the combined substances bound his wound. He would heal quickly, and he gave a murmured, "Thanks Peanut." as he stood from where he'd knelt.

Kion could see that her pace was going to be a problem, and he'd have offered to carry her, but reckoned that would be seen as insulting. So instead he slowed his pace and answered her question. "Sort of. Mercenary. Treasure Hunter. Bounty Hunter. You name it and for the right price I'll do it." he said, though he did not mention that he was careful about what he did. Once could get a reputation in his circles as a vicious cutthroat and then only get hired for certain jobs. In general he wanted to help people. "What about you Little One? What is it that you do?" he asked. Already he felt the desire to protect her. She seemed so small, despite her obvious talents.
Tika noted he slowed up his pace as they headed out of town. She might have grumbled about it but was glad to not have to try and walk so quickly. He ankle hurt worse than an oil burn. Walking likely wasn't helping but her tight little boots provided some support. Even with a good ankle it would prove difficult to keep pace with the lion. She wondered if she could ride him. That was a funny thought. Probably insulting but what else were big critters for? She listened as he spoke of what he did and nodded a little, slipping her thumbs into the slings of her back. "So a merc. Kind of the definition right that." He tone a little patronizing. Silly big fluff.

"Tinker o'course. What else does a gnome do?" She said with a little eyeroll. "Not too much money in it though. Take up petty theft and some adventures to pay fer it. Figured your little orb'd be worth a bit. Maybe even sold back to the eye." She was nonchalant about her thievery and accentuated it with a shrug. "Unlike other gnomes I don't tinker for you biggins." Clear distaste dripped from her words. "Disgraceful really. Makin' for the biggins. Like some cog in a clock. No soul, no heart. Better off a dwarf."
Seeing the shape she was in, which was not too terrible but only compounded her slow pace in relation to his own, Kion stopped and looked down with his golden eyes. "I mean no offense Little One, but I could carry you if you wish." he offered. In fact, if they needed to smuggle her he could even put her in a pack. But offering such a thing might be a grave offense. Kion realized then that they hadn't even truly exchanged names. Maybe it was best that way.

Whether she took the offer or not he would soon continue on, and also further the conversation. "A tinkerer eh? I would think that you would never run out of things for you to build, or repair." Though he did raise a brow as she said she never built for the big folk. "That might be why you have run out of projects. Far more big folk than little.... overall anyway. Especially i you don't build for humans." Kion said. Yet he could understand why she did not.

"So, the info on the drive. Where are we headed? I assumed to the west. We should get a fast exit from the city. Those bastards are sure to be after us en force now. Maybe an airship. What say you Little One?" he asked, wanting to make sure she was comfy with whatever mode of transportation they picked.
 
Tika tilted her head at the offer. Her ankle burned like a forge fire and it made sense. Yet her pride was screaming for her to decline. He wasn't her friend and she wasn't his. They had a business deal. At the same time that was exactly what mounts were. The pain in her ankle decided it. With an almost defeated sigh she finally nodded. They would move faster anyway. "Slowin' us down I am," she said derisively. She clambered up to his shoulders, careful not to tug on his man. It wasn't so bad seated behind his head, a leg on either side. She leaned forward some and rested her forearms atop his head.

"Didn't run out of things t'make. Ran out of money t'buy parts," she piped with a small frown. Honestly, Biggins didn't listen even if you're right next to their ears. She was a little surprised that he knew the general direction of the artifact. "West t'be sure. Airships are fine with me. Built by Gnomes they are." Her voice and chest swelled with some pride. "Built at biggin demand but still built by them. No better way t'travel."

At the airship port the pair got strange looks. Some were perplexed, others amused. Tika made faces at those who gave them disapproving or disgusted faces. One group of humans broke into laughter. Tika gave a little growl and fired a padded bolt at one. Their laughter halted and for a moment they looked murderous but thought better on an attack. The last thing they wanted to tangle with was a seven foot pneumafera with his own turret. It was Tika's turn to laugh. "See their stupid faces? Ohhhh scary big kitty cat with a shoot in' Gnome atop! Hah!"
Kion could almost see the little gnome cogs work in her head, but eventually she gave in and Kion knelt to allow her to clamber up onto him. Many pneumafera might view this as an insult, and yet Kion had offered and saw it as no worse than carrying a child due to her small size. An adult human might have been another matter. Though soon the little gnome was seated on his shoulders and he hardly noticed her weight there.

Though he would never have told her as such, Kion could smell her much better where she now sat. All of her truly, and her scent made his nose twitch a little. It was quite nice, and he noted how she was careful with his mane. She then moved on to explain what had happened. "I see. No money to be loaned out either then I take it? That would make completing projects rather difficult, I agree." he mused, and as she explained about the airships Kion would head toward the closest port.

The little gnomes antics were quite amusing, and though the humans she shot at were not hurt in any way, a glare from Kion and they backed off, much to the Little One's delight. Her words brought a smile and Kion made a suggestion, "Perhaps on this little trip you should think about some sort of harness to hold you. Any traveling on land will mean we either need to get you transport such as a horse, or I will have to slow down considerably. If you're to be riding on me in some way, then are you sure that way is the most comfortable?" he asked. It was an innocent question, sure enough, and by now they'd approached the counter.

Kion checked his money and found that they could get transport to Delaram, but no further. "I suppose that will have to do." he told the little gnome, and they could see on the map that it would get them quite a ways. A few days by airshp that would have taken a couple weeks on foot. Or more, depending on weather. The airship that would take them along the river westward to Delaram, was an immense passenger freighter, and they even got to see the crew going aboard as they made preparations. Sure enough, a gnome mechanic and oddly, her assistant seemed to be a half-orc female. Though it did make sense that dealing with a ship that large that someone with considerable strength would be needed.

"The ship will be disembarking in about an hours time." the attendant told them.

Kion murred softly. "I never did get to eat because someone interrupted my meal. I wonder if there's a place close to grab a bite?" he asked, looking over his shoulder at the little gnome. She knew the city far better than himself.
Tika tilted her head some when he mentioned the harness. She almost couldn't believe he was directly offering to ferry her around. He wasn't wrong that it might be slow going if she also walked. Getting a horse was nearly out of the question. She hated animals and the feeling was mutual from them. Only good for eating. Her brows furrowed as she thought about how such a harness might work. It was a decent enough challenge. The trip on the airship would be perfect to at least draw up designs. No materials to make anything just yet. "I'll see what I can do." She said just before they got to the ticket counter.

Delaram was fairly far. Not quite far enough. She should have hid in his pack. Stupid, greedy biggins. Charging same prices for Gnome and Pneumafera. Didn't make a cog of sense. "Still better than walkin' the whole way," she said with a small shrug. Tika peeked up when she saw the gnome mechanic with her half-orc assistant. She would think that was strange but for the fact she was riding a Pneumafera.

With a little jump she looked to the lion. She laughed quietly and scratched the back of her neck. "Don't suppose ya mean me." Still she laughed and looked around. Most of the places around the port could be pricey. For long trips the meals were included in ticket pricing. Nothing fancy of course unless you wanted to pay extra. She chewed her upper lip as she scanned the area. "Ah! Here!" Still careful of his mane she swung down, using his arm almost like a pole to slid down. She landed gingerly on her good ankle. This wouldn't be as easy with a bum ankle. "Stay here. I owe ya I suppose. Ruining your meal n'all." Not waiting for a response she tottered into the crowd and quickly disappeared.

Tika was gone for almost forty-five minutes. "All aboard!" Was being shouted and passengers began boarding. A commotion erupted at a nearby restaurant. No explosions before thick, dark smoke filled up and poured out of the few open windows. Patrons and staff fled, coughing and hacking. Out of nowhere Tika appeared by Kion's side and grabbed his wrist. Her pack was suspiciously fuller looking than when she left his side. "Just walk," she said as calm as could be. Once onboard she glanced back to the restaurant. The smoke was clearing. She smirked and giggled quietly.

Once they were fairly well settled she opened her pack. A veritable buffet had been carefully crammed inside. Likely eight pounds of meat, various bread, and her personal favorite: cheese. Three wheels about the size of her head. Not to mention three flagons of a nice, sweet summer wine. "Dig in fluffer!" Gesturing roundly to the small, potentially suspiciously obtained feast.
"Much better than walking. Weeks turned into days." Kion agreed. It was hard to miss the tiny pink-haired gnome that walked with the crew, and then the half orc as well. There was a question then, that sprung to mind, but he was far too noble to ask it, and kept his peace. Though it seemed that the gnome with him might actually work on a harness. It would certainly not have to be very large!

When the little gnome took a bit of responsibility for ruining his meal Kion had to chuckle. "I do mean you, though you don't have to make it up to me..." he said, but before he knew it she was sliding down and landing on the ground. Then at her instruction to stay put he quirked a brow nd watched her little frame move off through the crowd at the port. He knew she was going to get into trouble, but maybe if he stayed where he was he could distance himself from the chaos.

She was gone for quite some time, and Kion began to worry as they called for people to board the ship, and he stod, pacing where he was for several minutes before the orange haired gnome reappeared and grabbed his wrist. The thick smoke pouring out of the place was surely her doing, but a this point all he could do was follow along unless he wanted to miss their craft.

"What did you do?" he hissed down at her as they boarded the ship. It was easy enough to find their cabin, it was 1L, and soon they had settled in a bit. Kion found the accommodations a little small, but for the gnome they were likely quite spacious.

As she opened her pack and began to unload what she had taken, Kion knew she had to have stolen it, but at this point he did not care, and was quite famished. "You did well." he complimented her, and patted the top of her head. Then he dug in. He quite liked the huge roast she had brought, as well as the cheese and bread, and he could get more to drink from the galley aboard the ship.

Now seemed as good a time as any to ask some questions. "So, Peanut, where exactly are we going?" he asked.
 
Tika waved away his hand when he patted her accompanied by a little glare. Just because she was small didn't mean she cared to be patted like a dog. But the compliment was nice and the little glare turned into a gleeful grin. Honestly she thought he might be upset she had stolen. Clearly his hunger won out. As he dug into the feast she did too, cutting up bread and cheese with her little boot knife. She took a couple small slices of the roast but preferred her meat and cheese.

At his question she perked up her head, mouth full of her favorite food. "Furver wefpt den narph," she said through a mouth full of food. Holding up a hand she swallowed hard and gave a little cough. "Sorry...further west then north. The mountains near Sa'ardad. Wasn't very specific really..." Placing the blade of her knife between her teeth she dug into her pocket and pulled out the little orb and handed it over to the Lion. "Didn't spend too much time reading it either. Just general direction. Had to high tail it. Figured some biggin lion might be after me," she said with a smirk as she cut more bread. For a little thing she could certainly eat.

The room was certainly very posh. Much nicer than she was used to. Though it felt cramped with the lion in there as well. He had to be feeling quite cramped. Sleeping might even be a little hard. Well they could figure that out later. "Ya'd think they'd have rooms for bigger biggins like you." She mused before taking a drink of wine. Her face puckered but she swallowed it down and shook her head. "Blech! Too sweet." She corked the flagon and put it back with the others. Tika hated sweets.
Kion saw the little glare, but it didn't bother him, and then the little gleeful smile brought a smile from him as well - though it looked like he was baring his teeth. The little gnome started to cut up cheese and bread, though Kion ate most of the meat. As she spoke with her mouth full his chest rumbled with mirth, and when shespoke more clearly and handed him the drive, he paused to pull out his handset with the screen so he could look more closely at the map and the instructions.

"You're right. You didn't take much time to look at this. You're also right in that I was after your little butt." he said with a deep chuckle. Looking back at the map he said, "We're going close to the Nitrian Desert it seems. They even gave us someone we're supposed to contact there. A person by the name of Pharan." Kion said and then handed the drive back to her.

At the comment about the room he said, "They did have another room, but I couldn't afford it. I didn't think to go and grab more funds before setting out. I'll be happy to sleep on the floor though, if you like." he told her. Then she made the face at the wine and Kion tried some. "You're right. Maybe I should go get some water? I am sure it would be free." he told her.

By this time they were leaving Skali behind, and they could watch the city slowly growing smaller and smaller. Kion cocked his head as he looked at her a moment. "I wonder if you might be able to meet that gnome mechanic. I bet you might like seeing the engine room of this beast, huh?" he asked with a smile.
Tika smirked at the lion and gave a small laugh. She couldn't be mad he had caught up to her. If he hadn't she might not have survived the attack. He opened the map and instructions while she watched, still munching on her bread and cheese. "Pharan? Odd name..." she mused as she put the orb back into her pocket. Then again she had never been to desert regions. Too hot, too sandy. Question was, how were they supposed to find this Pharan? Deserts weren't exactly small.

"We'll figure it out," she said when he mentioned sleeping on the floor. There was actually more bed space than floor space. Plus the floor wouldn't exactly be comfortable. She felt the rumble of the engines as the airship generated lift. Tika bounded to the window to watch as the ship took off. She had flown on one plenty of times but it was always fun to watch cities shrink to models as they fly away.

The lion's mention of the engines made her shrug some. "Not related and I've got no business down there. We gnomes aren't exactly known fer our gregarious nature. Probably the friendliest gnome you've met I am." She said with a smirk over at the lion. "Besides, big engines...not my can a oil. Might as well pierce yer ears, get a collar and auction yerself off. Slave t'the biggins. Biggins own ships y'know. We gnomes build the engines. Dwarfs make the rest. All iron worky they are. Smithin' and such."

Once Skali could fit inside the little window she sat back down. "Name's Tika, by-the-by. Tikittralamous Grindsprocket." Seated she dug into her bag and yanked out a sketch book. It would a long few days. Might as well pass the time with designs. She could even start designing a sort of saddle harness.
Kion found the laughter of the tiny being quite musical and pleasing, and purred as he ate and they spoke. It was just like any kitty purr just a bit louder and deeper. "Pharan sounds like a desert name to me. Problem is, it doesn't even say if it is male or female. Hopefully the name is not a common one." he mused as he swallowed the bite he'd taken.

As she exuberantly moved to the window, Kion watched with the look of an adult who was pleased to see the reaction of a child, and he took another bite. "I'm glad you're the friendliest. I'd hated to have to kill you to get back that drive. Luckily we worked it all out." he admitted. Her assessment of the position of the gnome made him cock his head to the side. "But someone has to work on the engines and keep them running. Machines break down, and I would wager she is no slave but probably highly valued. But no matter. I have no interest in going to see the engines and would probably blacken my lovely white hide in doing so." he told her teasingly.

As she introduced herself he bowed his head. "I am simply known as Kion." he said, saying the name like Kee-on. "The White Lion... though where they came up with that I have no idea." he said with a purring chuckle. "Though some cal me fluffums too." he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Though he kept eating, he was slowing by now and he observed her as she sat down and pulled out the pad to draw upon. "So what sort of things do you build?" he asked, as curious as his smaller kin.
 
It was pointless to explain how she compared the other Gnome's work as quintessential slave labor. Biggins never seemed to understand the position. To create and have your creations mass produced, sold off and then work on by another Gnome. Almost worse than slave labor. The other Gnome was close to a traitor. Probably never made something in her life. Tika kept her mouth shut on the matter though. The lion wouldn't understand and she wasn't about to try and argue.

"Kion huh? Well nice ta meet'cha." She said with a grin then a laugh at 'fluffums' which was a name she tended to like better. After a little she had settled with her sketch pads and began sketching out just how a harness would work. She had only made a few, faint lines when he spoke again. Tika looked up and gave a puzzled frown. Strange, it was something she had never thought of.

"I suppose...whatever comes to mind or something I need. Most things are just experiments. My greatest attempt right now..." she lowered her voice and leaned in. "A self propelled carriage. Like a train or airship but smaller so only a few people can fit. But then individual travel would be faster. No more slow, dumb, bitey animals to hitch up." She sat back up and went back to her pad. "'Course....might break my own rules. Sell them I will. But not to biggins so they can make money. No. Build my own factory. Hire biggins to do the boring work of building lots of them. Not gonna let them take my invention like they do everything else." She glowered a little at her sketch pad and shook her head. "Be an old, salty little Gnome by that day thought," she said with a little laugh.

"How come ya left yer city? Don't see Pneumafera 'round much. Figured yeh didn't leave much." She paused and shook her head a little. "Not that I don't understand wanderlust. All Gnomes do. Some just resist better."
Kion could see how she grew silent on some topics, and it was none of his business. She was a woman grown, he thought (though in truth it was hard to tell), and she could do as she pleased. Showing his fangs as she said it was nice to meet, Kion responded. "Nice to meet you too Little One." he replied. He hoped she didn't take offense to it, and so far it seemed to be ok, and it was also the truth. It was hard to believe she was so tiny.

As she explained about her inventions and then her future plans he rubbed his chin. "That could be very advanced. Faster than any horse, or even pneumafera, and it wouldn't get tired either. That's the thing about machines. We lived so long without them, but they do not get tired like flesh and bone." he admitted. "You mean as opposed to the young salty gnome you are now?" he teased with a grin, his golden eyes full of mirth.

Kion shrugged. "Wanderlust, as you said. There's such a huge world out there to experience and see, why limit myself to my homelands. The flying islands are magnificent, and maybe I can take you someday, but they are also very insular and I found the attitudes of some of my people to be maddening." he admitted. He knew he skirted dangerous territory with such a subject, considering how Peanut had spoken about her own feelings on people, but it was the truth.
At his teasing she grinned and laughed. "Not wrong," she agreed. "Meant more with t'hair though. Sad day that'll be," she said as she fiddled with the end of her fire red mane of hair. "Not many Gnomes born with this color. Earthy and such. Ma was certain it meant great things." Some day she wanted to get back to wild styles. While traveling it was just too tedious. Not to mention being busy with inventing. Making her horseless chariot took a great deal of time.

Tika nodded a little as he spoke of his reasons for leaving. She could understand both sides of such a tale. Gnomes were wanderers by natures. At the same time they didn't much interact with others. Even their own kind. "Like that I would...never seen on in person. Can't imagine many have really." She nodded some more and grinned again. "Can't blame em bein' that way. New race aren'tcha? Made by th'ravaging. Saw the looks other big folk gave ya. Still scared. Still don't trust yer kind. So, kind of makes sense yer kind keeps themselves t'themselves." Tika paused a moment to think more on her words. "Not that it's right, mind. 'Course...I find humans and elves th'worst. Pretend to be all friendly then take what they can. Plenty a Gnomes lost inventions to em."
Kion was entirely unsure how she might react, but he leaned closer as she fiddled with her hair and right beside her own fingers he caught a little between thumb and forefinger. "It is certainly an interesting color. Do you use it as some sort of camouflage?" he asked, quite curious. Most animals he knew of that used bright colors used it to hide, or to proclaim how dangerous they were, or poisonous. He wondered what the utility was behind a hair of such a vibrant hue.

"Maybe it does mean great things. You certainly stand out in a crowd!" he said, and as she asked her questions, he could only nod in affirmation. "It is something that I am used to, but most of my kind are still friendly."he said, and then chuckled at her estimation of humans and elves. "You mean like a particular gnome, just taking what she wanted? Are you just being friendly now so I'll be your meat shield. I'm allergic to arrows you know." he said with a grin.

Kion was simply teasing her, but he sort of wanted to press her buttons and see what her tolerances were. Right now, despite her words, she did seem pretty nice. She was starting to grow on him a little. Like a little mold or a fungus.

"Like most cats, I do love my sleep. Do you mind if I catch a few winks?" he asked. "I trust you to protect me." he told her.

Tika cringed just a little as Kion reached out for her. That big paw coming for her face was intimidating at first. He could probably grip her head and smash it like a melon if he desired. Not that she honestly thought he would. She looked at the flame red strands that made an interesting contrast with his snow white paw. Her eyebrows quirked at him and she laughed. "Camouflage? Not very good in any terrain, yeah? Stick out easy enough. Just th'color I'm born with. Humans get color from their folks but we Gnomes are...random."

She just grinned a little at his return jab about taking what one wanted. He wasn't entirely wrong on that point. "Suppose so. Just on a smaller scale." She laughed again at her own pun. "Know better than t'steal from ya now."

When he mentioned wanting a nap she nodded and glanced around. The place wasn't ideal for such a large creature. She set down her sketch pad and hopped off of one of the sofa beds. It was certainly a cabin for two. Two humans. Though they might be able to make it work for one seven foot Pneumafera and one Gnome. She got behind one and gave a mighty shove. The beds were pushed into a L shape. "There ya go Fluffums. Maybe more comfortable." She settle at the now "shorter" bed with her sketch pad. "Sweet dreams Fluff."

Tika was more than happy to stay up and sketch. If they got attacked she could handle it. Or at least scream. That would wake up her fluffy, biggin companion. During the time she made a few sketches of harnesses and/or saddles. As she settles on a specific design she drew a surprisingly well done rendering. Kion with his double ended axe looking positively ferocious with her seated in the harness in his back, firing arrows at whatever baddies were beyond the edges of the page.
 
Kion smiled a little as Tika teased him back, and he realized that she was quite nice as company. The fact that gnomes got their hair color at random was interesting, and normally Kion might hve answered, but now that he had a full belly, a full fledged case of the 'itis was upon him. Food coma he had heard humans call it, and the lovely little gnome pushed the beds together.

"Thank you Peanut." he told her and would yawn as he shimmied from his armor, leaving himself in something akin to a loincloth. He curled up on the furniture, actually making a much smaller form of himself instead of stretching out, and soon a soft rumbling purring could be heard as he fell into a sleep.

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Elsewhere on the ship, two castaways skulked in the belly of the beast, talking quietly between themselves. It was easy enough to crawl their way upward, killing a couple of crew members and taking their clothing. Now they could move about relatively unhindered. Their mark had to be aboard somewhere, now it was just a matter of tracking them down.

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A couple of hours passed with no incident and no interruption for the little gnome, the large lion remaining curled up and purring as he slept, though at one point he did roll onto his back, baring his belly for a few long minutes before curling back up. Not long after that he would give a deep yawn and stretch, slowly coming awake.

"Anything interesting happen while I was out?" he asked, his eyes of molten gold seeking out the small for of the Little One.
Tika watched over her large, fuzzy charge while he slept. For the time being nothing untoward had happened. She was actually enjoying the peace of the cabin. The drone of the engines, the soft scratching of her charcoal, and Kion's purring all blended into a calming song. She gave a wide yawn, her eyelids feeling a little droopy. Eventually she couldn't keep it up as she drifted away. Her sketchbook still cradled to her chest and charcoal in hand she leaned against the wall dozing off.

The sound of Kion's voice rattled her awake. She sat fully upright with a little snort and rubbed her face, smearing herself with some charcoal. "Nothin' at all," she grumbled and cleared her throat. Ok, so she wasn't the best sentry who ever lived. Both a little groggy neither seemed to notice the door was open. Two figured loomed in the doorway wearing crew uniforms. Tika scrubbed her eyes again as she looked to the open door.

"Oy! Rude! Never heard of knocking?" She demanded. The pair said nothing. They simply drew daggers. Tika growled. The cabin wasn't the best place for a fight. Too small. Too cramped. "Just a day of peace. S'all im askin."
The two crewmembers stood in the doorway a moment and one looked at the other. "I thought it was a half-orc, not a pneumafera? And her hair is bright orange, not pink..." the man said to the other.

The other man seemed confused as well, and shook his head. "Has to be them. Only gnome I seen all day on this damn ship."

Then they moved, rushing into the room in a move meant to obviously overwhelm the two. Kion's huge axe was obviously useless, but the claws and fangs of the great white lion would likely prove to be enough.

Meeting the charge of the two men, obviously not crewmen by their actions, the roar of Kion carried down the corridor and he engaged with them without fear or hesitation, long black claws now unsheathed and slashing bloody furrows across the chest of one man as the other did manage to stab the lion in the shoulder with a vicious downward swing from overhead.

Kion turned on him, almost wondering why any human man would engage a pneumafera in close quarters combat. They would likely lose almost every single time, as power and speed would overwhelm them. They might beat an animal of the same type, but an animal that was able to think and fight as any human?

Foolish.

The throat of one man was slashed open, a gout of blood spurting on a nearby wall as he gurgled, and Kion threw the other man back as he tried to get at the Little One. There was hardly any room for her to get by, unless she wanted to brave scuffling under Kion's legs, and the man that was now the only one alive was pinned to the wall by his throat.

"Who sent you?" he snarled. The man cowered a bit, but managed to gasp out an answer.

"S'posed to... kill the... little gnome.... female. Sabo... tage..." he managed to gasp out.

Tika picked up on their conversation before the attack. Her pointed ears wriggled a little. Half-orc...pink hair. They were after that engineer she and Kion had seen! Yet by the time she had reasoned it through a brawl had started. Kion's roar was deafening. Tika shook her head a little as the ringing in her ears subsided. She drew her little knife but was fairly well blocked in. Two humans and a Pneumafera made the cabin and even tighter squeeze.

She could only really watch from the back as Kion was stabbed. For a moment she made to leap in and help but then that same human's throats was ripped right out. In the bloody chaos the other tried to get through. Tika growled and lashed out at his fingers with her knife. She managed to slice his digits before Kion threw him back and against a wall.

With the fight over Tika slid between Kion's legs. "Wait wait..." she squeaked. "Who's sabotaging what? Said pink hair before. With a half-orc...they're after t'other gnome." Tika paused and frowned. "Why'd ya come here then? Engineer's gonna be in the engine room ya stupid biggin.
 
Kion relaxed his hand as his little gnome... ~"his"?! when did he start thinking like that?"~... and he let her handle the negotiations.

"Not... engineers... just looking... for.... gnome..." he managed to gasp out.

About that time the ship shuddered and the sound of shrieking metal reverberated through the vessel before it listed to one side and then klaxon bells began to go off.

The man struggled in Kion's grasp. "Too late..." he whispered.

The ship, now canted to the starboard side, gave another violent shudder. Violent enough that it would throw Kion into a stagger, his grip on the man's throat lessening enough for the man to break free.

"We might all be dead." the man said, gasping out and clutching at his tender neck.

The ship started a descent. Controlled and not at a horrible angle, but certainly not normal. The ship gave another shudder and it was then that Tika would recognize what that was. People trying to bring the stop the descent and bring the ship back upright.
"Yeah, got it...looking for gnome. Not all..." he began but was cut short by the sudden shudder and screech of metal. If possible her skin went whiter as the bells went off. "The Gnome was..." Cut short again by another shudder. She felt Kion stagger behind her. Lower to the deck Tika only slid a little, suddenly leaning against Kion's right leg, the back of her head bumping into his hip.

Tika's eyes widened at the third shudder. She understood. The biggin pilots were trying to right the ship. "Let the tiny biggin go. Got a cousin I need words with." She cracked her knuckles and jammed her little knife back into her boot. With luck the other gnome wasn't much of a fighter. "Need t'get t'the engines. Save us an airship, maybe get th bounty. Get this girl back flyin' negotiate for a bigger room." Tika grinned up at the lion. Quite the little opportunist.

With the ship chanting and shuddering the going was difficult. Tika was actually enjoying herself. Sliding down p-ways and even down bulkheads where possible. As they got lower in decks the heat rose. If they were canted to the starboard side then it was those engines that had difficulty.

The room was filled with steam. A thick, hazy cloud and boy was it noisy. Tika shoved her fingers into her ears as she lowered herself to the deck. Luckily steam rose so she had a clearer view. Also, it was white which would help hide Kion. She saw nothing but knew what would draw someone. Tika began to fix what she could. Broken pipes isolated and mended. Valves turned to full open closed to proper alignments. The steam was starting to clear.

"Oy!" Came a squeaky shout. The pink haired gnome launched out of the steam at Tika but the red haired gnome had been ready. The two went down in what was likely the most adorable grappling match ever. The half-orc ran from the steam cloud with a massive axe in hand right at the white lion.
Kion followed the little gnome along as well as he could, the human he'd almost killed shadowing along behind them as well. Kion actually felt a little bad and like he'd misunderstood the situation... but when confronted by a man with a blade you didn't hold back. It was kill or be killed.

By the time they reached the engine rooms, the lion was panting a little, trying to keep cool. Like so many of his kind, he did not sweat, and required the intake of air to help keep him cool. The steam in the area also eradicated his sense of smell, and so the lion was operating in sub-par conditions. The little squeaking shout and the sudden appearance of the pink-haired gnome made the lion blink, and then both females were rolling around in a strangle cute ball of gnome.

Kion had little time to react to it though, as the half-orc, perhaps about eight inches shorter than he was, charged from the mists with an axe at the ready. Kion only had his fangs and claws, but the axe would still give her some reach. He rushed her, hoping to gain the upper hand, and sure enough she was only able to strike one way with the axe - from overhead - and Kion anticipated the move and as the blade struck sparks off the metal floor, bouncing off the steel, he stepped on the handle with all his weight, breaking her grip and the axe now on the floor. Then the lion was one her, the green skinned half orc bellowing as they fell together. Her hands were fists, bludgeoning at his ribs and torso as his claws sought to slice her flesh.

By this time the human finally caught up, and canted his head to the side at seeing the two females rolling around on the floor. It might have even been a little erotic were it not so important as to who won. Yet the roars and growls from the back of this engine room causeway was what attracted his attention the most, and with his dagger in hand he crouched low and headed toward the sounds.
The cacophony of the two battles was strange indeed. On the one was the roaring and bellowing between the two giants. Claws against fists in a brutal fight of death. On the other were shrill squeaks and screeches as the gnomes grappled. An unwritten law of their people, no weapons against one of their own. They kicked and it and pulled hair as they wrestled for dominance. No one seemed aware of the human that had arrived as well.

The half-orc fought with surprising strength. Perhaps not so surprising given her pedigree. Trying to break his ribs and damage organs was difficult while trying to keep claws and teeth off of her. Out of the corner of her eye she caught the glint of metal. With a roar she hooked a leg around Kion and rolled. She sprang off the lion and grabbed the broke haft of her axe. A pained screech distracted her just for a moment. "Catty!" The human lunged but the orc flipped him with ease. Right into the engines. One scream and some crunching then the human was gone and the orc vanished into the steam.

Tika had the other gnome, Catty, pinned. Arms behind her back at an odd angle. Just as she gained her victory she found herself raised up into the air. Catty sprang to her feet rubbing her injured wrists. Tika flailed her arms and legs to little avail. "Let us leave in peace lion or your little friend follows the human!" The orc shouted.
Kion hit the deck hard. Not hard enough to truly injure him, but delay him long enough. The human was reduced to a pulp in the gears of the engine, and then the half-orc was gone. He heard the scuffle of the gnome women stop and then heard the threat of the large half-orc. The axe on the deck didn't have much of a handle, but it was enough to grab with one hand, and Kion called out, "How do I know that? If I let you go, how do I know you'll let her go? Our fight isn't with you, not until you tried to kill everyone on this ship. I might not give a shit about anyone but my little friend, but I care about our hides an awful lot." he called out.

Like all his kind, stalking in silence and now with the cover of the steam, Kion slowly began to circle around, the acoustics of the metal filled engine room making it hard to pinpoint his location. He could only hope that Tika was ok. Were it not for him, she might not be in this position.

Lowering himself to the ground he crawled along, making sure to keep the axe-head from hitting the floor as he moved toward where he had seen them last.
 
Tika squirmed and kicked as the orc issued her threat. The orc was plenty strong enough to hold her out like an angry cat. She stopped when she heard Kion's return shout. Tika felt somewhat guilty. Especially when Kion said he cared about their hides. They wouldn't be in this position if not for her. Damn it all.

The orc looked around for the location of the lion. She had heard his return call but couldn't pinpoint the sound. Still she held out the gnome, her bargaining chip. Quite frankly she was in the same position as the lion. Just trying to protect her little friend. She looked down at Catty who was nursing her sore wrist. Damn conscience...full bred orcs didn't have one. Then again, she wouldn't know Catty if she were a full blood.

"Weren't trying to kill everyone!" Catty suddenly piped up. "Woulda landed safely! Just early?" Tika stopped flailing and looked down to the other gnome. "Wait...why?" The red haired gnome asked as she simply hung there. "Business. Not yours," Catty said with her nose in the air. Fair enough, Tika could understand privacy. "Still, interrupting our trip too. Rude." Catty stuck her tongue out and Tika followed suit. The orc rolled her eyes and sighed.
Kion had moved in a way that now he could see the orc and the other gnome... or at least their feet. The steam kept several inches off the floor, and that gave him an advantage so long as he stayed as low as he could. He paused though, as he heard them talking, and the other gnome said they weren't trying to kill everyone on board. That could change things, but he needed to get Tika out of trouble. Kion had no problem with diplomacy, but this situation was going to end at one extreme or the other.

"I need your promise that if I come out, that you'll set my friend down." Kion called out, watching the feet he could see. Tika's were not on the floor so he could only imagine she was being held off the ground.

As he finished speaking he stood, slowly, fur matted a bit as he stood in the steam, but he could hope that they did not see him, and by now he was close enough to charge if need be. But with Tika in the grip of another, he had to admit he was worried about her. With a little sigh to himself, and as a show of good faith, he tossed the head of the axe onto the floor.

"That was the head of the axe you left behind. I'm dropping it as a sign of good faith. Now, set down my friend so we can go." he called, legs coiled beneath him and ready to spring.
The orc listened and looked down to Catty. The pink haired gnome gave a small shrug. They had lost already, why make it worse. For a time the orc considered just what to do. Meanwhile Tika frowned a little still dangling by the back of her shirt. A loud, metallic clatter rang out. The head of the orc's axe. She looked towards the sound. He had disarmed himself to save his friend. Once more she looked to Catty, her face softening. "Very well lion," the orc finally said and lowered Tika to her feet.

Still stooped down she scooped up Catty and put the gnome on her shoulders. "For such little things you lot are a burden." Catty snickered and hugged the orc's half bald head. Tika couldn't help a grin as she watched the two. Clearly they had been companions for a while. It was weird to see a gnome so attached to someone.
Kion listened, and peered intently though the steam, padding just a few feet closer on all fours and then he saw Tika's feet hit the ground and the other gnome clamber up her friend. Standing now, he strode forward, seeming to almost materialize out of the steam, and even though he knew she might kick him in the toe for it later, he scooped Tika up and set her on his shoulders much as the other gnome sat on her friend. He eyed the orc for a moment, but didn't ask any questions.

"As promised we will leave in peace, but I will tell you that I hope nobody else dies because of this." Kion said.

The orc and her gnome simply nod, say their farewells, and about this time the sounds of shouting and booted feet can be heard as a number of crewmen hustle down to the engine room to see what is going on, leaving the four with little time to escape.

"Shit!" Kion cursed softly under his breath and then actually looked at the other two

"This way." the orc said and would hurriedly lead them down one small path, which soon led out of the engine room, and there was a hatch, rather large and big enough for even her and Kion to squeeze through it. The orc bent and undid the hatch, where it obviously led upward, and peering up Kion could see that it was a hold of some sort baggage perhaps. Kion said, "I'll go first." and would gently set Tika down. The lion moved up the short ladder and sure enough it was one of the huge cargo holds. He laid on his stomach and extended an arm down. "Grab hold, it will go faster." he said, and would help pull the others up.

The orc and Catty jumped when Kion emerged from the steam. Tika just looked at him in relief. It was short lived when Kion quickly snatched her up and put her on his shoulders. Not unlike a parent finding their errant child. She struggled a moment but ceased when she found herself up on his back. Though she did pull a small face. His fur was soaking wet. The biggins said their polite goodbyes while the gnomes nodded curtly to one another.

Then sprinting footfalls and shouts. Tika held on as Kion ran after the orc. The orc seemed to know the area well and led them to a hatch. Kion set her down and quickly scurried up the trunk. The orc plucked Catty off her shoulders and handed the gnome up to Kion. Then she grabbed Tika and did the same. Once the gnomes were up and settled the orc grabbed his hand. She kicked against the wall to help propel herself up as he pulled. With the group all up Catty stepped up to the hatch. Once it was closed she pulled out a vial and poured the purple liquid on the hinges. The metal hissed, warped and rusted before there eyes. "Woah!" Tika's eyes widened. "Not bad, yeah?" Catty said with a smirk. "Not bad? Sprockets, never thought of somethin' like that!"

"Yes yes, well done. Now can we get out of here before they come looking in here?" The orc said with a heavy sigh. Catty just gave a snarky grin. The orc shook her head and picked up her little gnome. "Thanks, by the way." She said to Kion. "For heaving is up here. Sorry about attacking you...and threatening you," she said as she turned to Tika. "Just don't ever hurt my fluffums again," she said with a smirk. Catty giggled. With a curt nod the orc headed off. Tika looked over at Kion. "Hope you're alright..." she paused and looked away, her little ears turning red. "And...ya know...thanks..."
 
Kion listened to the exchanges with interest and as the other little gnome and her orc went on their way, Kion turned to Tika. "Of course you are welcome. I would not have grabbed you there at the end and put you on my shoulders but for fear of some trickery. I apologize for putting my hands on you without asking. Though I must say, the way your ears flush is adorable." he finished with a little snorted chuckle.

Looking around he saw the path that the others had taken and paused a moment. "I see now other exit, and would imagine there's not too many paths out of the hold. Unless pressed I say we wait a few moments. If there are people watching the hold, then two pairs of people, both with gnomes, will certainly raise suspicion." he said.

By now they had got the ship righted and Kion knelt down a little. "They never did state their cause did they? What were they planning I wonder." he asked as he looked at Tika. "Do gnomes often wrestle as such?" he asked. It had been quite the sight, and he was proud to know that 'his' little gnome had won. His mind wandered to wild gnome fighting pits, where people would bet on the outcomes...
Tika glowered as her ears only turned redder. "Don't worry about it," she muttered. Truth be told she didn't mind in the least. Even at the time she knew he was doing it to protect her. Even though she had managed to care for herself for many years she found it oddly refreshing to have someone else care. Not that she was about to fully rely on the lion for her well being. It was merely nice to know someone cared. Even just a little.

She nodded with his plot, it was sound enough. Better the other pair pursued than them. Despite the pleasant exchanges at the end she harbors just a bit of ill will toward the half-orc and pink haired gnome. She didn't quite care for being used as bait and a bargaining tool. Especially when she had won her match with the other gnome fairly. Her eyebrows raised at the lion as he pondered the intent of the pair then jumped right to gnomish fighting.

"Most, yeah. Not fair usin' weapons. Unwritten rule for Gnomes. Never really aim t'kill, Gnomes don't breed s'much as biggins. Lots never have children at all. Make our population smaller if we kill." She gave a small shrug. It was logic after all. Hell, some Gnomes died virgins. Her mind shifted back to the other pair. "Paid probably, or angry. The pair I mean. I...think she was unique. The gnome. She loved the orc, more than like a friend." Tika pulled a small face of disgust. "Gears a little twisted, in love with a biggins. Bit gross to see really."
Her ears practically glowed, even in the dark, and Kion did his best to hide his smile. As she explained about gnome fighting he did perk up his ears. "Interesting. That does make sense though. You beat her fair and square though, and that will be something she remembers for a long time." he said, that swelling of pride at Tika coming. Though as she went on to explain how those two were more than just friends, and that they loved one another, their actions made more sense. "So it's forbidden to love anyone but another gnome then? That seems rather exclusive." he mused. But, it was none of his business, and after a moment he said, "I suppose we should look for a way out of here. Hopefully there is more than the one exit." he said, and would begin to walk along the pathways between the various pieces of luggage, looking for any light that might creep in under a door or the like.

It didn't take long and Kion pointed. "There." he said, and sure enough, there seemed to be another hatch like the one that led here, a small ladder going up, and light filtering downward. "Not sure where it goes, but I suggest we check it out. Might be better if I undo the hatch and then let you look, since you're smaller." he said, walking up to the ladder and peering up at the hatch. Keen ears didn't pick up anything that might give an indication of what was above, and Kion hadn't paid any attention to the many maps of the ship that were available to try and discern where they were in relation to their cabin.

"Forbidden?" Tika tilted her head some at the lion. She was genuinely surprised he got that from what she had said. "No...didn't say that did I? Gnomes barely socialize with Gnomes. Don't even have laws and such. Th'fighting's not even law. Just standards. Loving another race, just kind of gross. Do what we want really. Yeah...you biggins...so sensitive..." Tika shook her head a little with a perturbed sigh. The silence drew out a little before he decided they should finally get a move on. Tika hopped to her feet and followed him along. After a little searching they found another hatch with light streaming from it. She nodded in agreement to his plan. Once the hatch was cracked she clambered up the ladder. With a little heave she opened it a small crack.

It was just a passage way. Likely and emergency escape route of some sort. She saw no feet. Likely the crew was fixing up anything broken and passengers were squirrels away in their cabins. "Coast's clear," she said down to Kion. With a mighty push she heaved the hatch back open. It was still clear. She scrambled out of the trunk and back away so Kion could climb. Once he was up she shut the hatch. "Just look like guests out for a stroll now," she said with a confident grin. "C'mon, let's find the cabin."

It would take a while to find their room. Inside it was still a mess. Blood on the walls, dead man on the floor. Tika heaved a sigh. "Well...shit..." she said as she nudged the lifeless human with her boot. "Can't just have a quiet flight huh? Well...wait here..." As quick as her damaged ankle could take her she was gone. The little gnome was gone for around half an hour. When she returned she had a small army of staff behind her. One was apologizing profusely, wringing his hands. The others eyed Kion as they began to clean up. "Right this way then," said the obsequious human. He led them further forward on the airship. Stopping at another cabin door her unlocked it to let them in.

This cabin was a great deal larger. It had a full sized bed even Kion could stretch out on, a desk and a chaise lounge. It even had its own wash room. "Is there anything else my lady?" The man asked in a high, whistling voice. "That will be all. You may go." The Gnome held her chin high and flicked her hand dismissively. The man bowed and backed away before turning to go. Tika smirked and waved Kion inside. She hopped on the lounge and swung her little legs back and forth. "Biggins are too funny."
 
Kion shook his head. "No, you're right. You did not say that. I know many that only keep to their own kind, and nobody but pneumafera love the pneumafera." he said in a factual manner. He chuckled though and said, "I am not sensitive. Things are how they are, and I was merely curious." he told her.

It did not take long to get out of the cargo hold, and as they made their way back to their room, and then saw the carnage within, Kion exhaled sharply. This was not good. But then, as before at the port, Tika took control, and Kion could only wait, and wonder - though eventually she did return, with humans in tow and soon they had another room altogether.

It was only after the humans left that Kion asked, "My lady? Just what did you tell them?" he asked, smiling as he took a seat and lounged back. His golden eyes were alight with mirth, and it seemed Tika was quite the resourceful little gnome.
As Kion settled into the room Tika opened her back to retrieve her sketch book once more. Her sketching had been rather rudely interrupted last time. At his question her smirk turned devious. "Told him I was the gnomish princess traveling in disguise, didn't I?" She giggled darkly. "Humans bend over backwards when they think they got royals present. Said th'man was an assassin. On an important diplomatic mission I am. Even got a big, scary, Pneumafera body guard. Saved m'life and all. Reprimanded them on security, demanded th'room cleaned and a new one. Stunk of blood. Would want big beastie smelling it. Might get blood crazy."

Yes she was very resourceful and not at all concerned with such fibbery. It didn't really hurt anyone so she didn't see such lies as a problem. "Little awe, little scare and BAM humans do whatcha want. Easy as oil." She laughed again and flicked to the drawing she had been working on. With a little tilt of her head at the image and flipped the page again to better draw out pieces and parts for the design she had settled on.

"Could take another nap iffin ya like. Could almost be mistaken for a house cat. Almost tempted t'rub yer belly." She giggled again. Despite the sheer size of her companion she had found him sleeping fairly disarming and adorable. Which was saying a lot, coming from a gnome.
Kion's brows rose as she told her story and then it was only a moment before he was laughing. A deep rumbling sound that Peanut had heard before, and Kion leaned back to regard her. "You're always full of surprises Peanut, but wonderful surprises." he commented.

"I can definitely play the part of big scary bodyguard. Just make sure I don't go blood crazy." he said with a chuckle, and smiled at her, showing teeth in a way that made him look more bestial than he might otherwise. He seemed to ponder a moment. "A nap? I do have to say, I am quite fond of them. My smaller cousins can sleep up to twenty hours a day, or so I hear. I always do better on a full stomach though. Maybe we should visit the dining car? Your Highness might even get us a free meal!" he said. The ticket they'd bought included a few meals, mostly breakfasts, but Kion had no problem milking this for what it was worth.

"On second thought, maybe a nice bath and a hot-air dry will do me some good. I would wager you'd like my fur smelling nice and fresh and being fluffy. Have to keep up the appearance of your fluffums." he said with a grin. "And rub my belly? Hmmm.... we'll see." he said, and stood as he began to remove his weapons and armor. There had to be a bathing area close by.

Tika snickered at Kion. Her biggin friend was too funny. Food on his mind almost right away. Though she wondered how well the ruse would continue. Hopefully they would encounter the same humans again. He was fairly big and likely needed to eat a great deal more than she did. She was gad, however, that he didn't mind her tricks, lies, and thievery. This trip would be much more difficult if they had to be honest all the time.

Right from food to a bath. Tika couldn't help but laugh. "Stinkin', wet fur....not a good smell for dining," she said through her giggles. "Can't have my fluffums bein' not fluffy, yeah?" Tika scooted off the lounge and opened the door to the wash room. Nothing but a headband sink. "Sprockets and springs this is no way to treat a princess!" All sarcasm she laughed again. "Who ever heard of a wash room with no tub, I ask you." She closed the door and put her tiny hands on her hips. She opened the door to the passageway and looked around. "Ah, not to far, few doors down," she said as she went back to the lounge and her sketch book.

"If yer good I'll brush yer fur," she said, grinning as she picked up her charcoal stick.
 
Kion was, like most males, food-centric in a lot of ways. He did require a lot of food to keep operating at full efficiency, and like regular lions in the wild, when the opportunity presented itself to gorge, he took it. He was often without food for days at a time, depending on assignment and locale.

"I agree about wet fur and dining." he said, and his golden eyes looked over at her when she referred to him as 'her' fluffums. Of course, he was, but it sounded interesting and she was checking around for a tub as he pushed off his armor, and soon he was in nothing but a loincloth, and he grabbed a clean one of those from his small pack.

Tika found the washroom proper and soon Kion was headed that way, though threw back over his shoulder as he exited the room, "I'm always good." and with a deep chuckle he went to get his bath.

The tub was huge, even large enough for him, and Kion picked an unscented soap to wash with, since it would soon be useless anyway, and not provide much scent unless he used it all the time, or did little physical activity. Scrubbing down he stepped from the tub when he was done, and marveled a little at the huge hot air dryer provided - which routed heat from the engines, but not steam. Soon he was nice and dry and slipping on his clean loincloth (since he was sure that Tika might not appreciate his hanging balls and large sheath), he went back to their room.

He was quite clean, his white fur like arctic snow. "Better?" he asked.
"Uh huh," was her response to him always being good. Then again she had yet to see the contrary. In fact, if one believed the fortune tellers that categorized folk into nine personality types she was certain he was lawful good. She liked to consider herself chaotic good. Sort of good anyways. She never did anything to really hurt people. Unless they attacked first. She never lifted her eyes off her book as he left.

She hadn't gotten very far sketching when the door opened again. Too caught up with possible materials. Tika looked up at the lion. His fur nearly gleamed it was so clean. She suddenly tossed her book in the air and folded her arms over her eyes. "Gah so bright! So clean! If yer claws and axe don't scare baddies th'blindin' white will!" She lifted her arms just a little to smirk at the lion. Very much glad he wore at least a loin cloth. She'd seen actual animals about, their dangling bits swaying. Not the prettiest of pictures.

"C'mere tangle mane. Don't need you gettin' dreadlocks," she said with a beckoning hand, the other delving into her bag. "C'mon, I'll be gentle." He would have to settle on the floor while she stood on the lounge. If both were seated he was be far too tall for her. Despite he usual brash and almost hectic mannerisms she was very gentle. Each tangle and knot was tended with the utmost care, never once yanking or tugging. "Know a thing or two about hair us Gnomes do."
Had Kion known what she was thinking he might have argued the point, but as it was, time for philosophical conversations was plentiful, and actions would speak louder than words. As he re-entered the room, her reaction brought a laugh and the huge white lion moved to sit on the floor, his broad back facing Peanut as she started to work on his hair. She was gentle and soon his eyes were closing as he purred that deep contented purr of his.

It had been a long time since anyone had actually taken care of him, and in that moment Tika was part of his Pride. "Maybe one braid or two, to keep my hair from my eyes Peanut." he said as he purred, and he leaned back a bit into the little gnome. "I know you know about hair. You'll take care of me. Maybe after this you'll come and have a drink with me?" he asked hopefully.

If Kion ws honest with himself, he was liking this little gnome more and more. She was definitely rubbing off on him, and were he a housecat he'd be curled up in her lap and kneading her clothes. The sudden desire that he could do such a thing was odd, but he couldn't deny it. It took a little while but soon his mane was smooth and shining, and Kion turned to smile at the little gnome. "Thank you very much. I hope it was not too much trouble for you, and I'll try to be good from now on." he said, and then looked down at the small bleeding wound that was the only thing to mar his white fur. It was where the man had stabbed him earlier in the other cabin. He'd forgotten all about it.

"You have anything to clean that up, Peanut?" he asked hopefully.
Tika grinned as Kion purred. It was rather adorable she had to admit. As she combed she hummed a quiet yet jaunty tune. Despite the fact she only wore her hair in twin tails or a braid, or twin braids, she rather liked playing with hair. His mane was especially fun. Soft and thick. She had a strange urge to ruffle it and bury her face in it. Strange that. She managed to resist those urged. At the request of a braid or two she said, "sure thing fluffums." She paused for a minute to figure out just how she wanted to do it. Her hands fluffed the hair close to her forehead to see how they naturally laid then nodded to herself.

"A drink? Suppose I could be persuaded," she said with a grin. In fact a drink sounded quite good. They'd had a rough few hours. What with their chase, the assassins, more assassins, the airship nearly crashing. "Alright, ya persuaded me." She said after a moment with a laugh. With care she braided the front of his mane tight to his head and continued one around each ear. It looked pretty good and would do the job of keeping it out of his eyes.

"Sure, sure, anythin' for my fluffums," she said as she put her comb away. As she did that he asked about cleaning something. Looking up she saw the seeping red patch. Wincing she remembered. He had been stabbed. Again. Hand still in her bag she pulled out her two little jars. Tika jumped down from the lounge and stood in front of the lion. With him seated and her standing they were close to eye level. Funny, she had never really paid attention to his face. It was very far away after all. Kind, noble. Those words flitted across her mind. She shook her head a little and made her mixture. She rubbed the mixture to the wound and pinched the skin together. With her little arms she stood quite close to the lion, eyes intent on the wound. Slowly she withdrew her fingers and watched a moment to ensure it would hold. "There ya are. Good as new." She reached up and playfully flicked his whiskers. "Good kitty."

Tika moved away and returned the small jars to her bag. "So, 'bout those drinks. Humans got a knack fer gossip. Get lucky maybe, free food and drinks. Gotta impress that princess," she said with a devious giggle.
As she agreed to a drink Kion smiled broadly. "Great! You treated me to food and drink earlier, now it's my turn." he told her, and sat with his eyes closed as she would braid his hair to keep it from his eyes. He hoped they got to relax, at least for a few hours, before some other event interrupted what was supposed to be a quiet bit of travel.

By the time Tika was done he had two thick braid on either side of his head, which did serve to keep the hair from his eyes, and he purred happily. "You did a wonderful job!" he praised her and would stand when she indicated she was through, the little gnome barely coming to mid-thigh, and Kion careful about where he faced so she didn't get a face full of parts before he started to get dressed.

Then, as she once more tended to his wound, he breathed and let the goo stitch him together again, and as she flicked his whiskers and called him a 'good kitty', he smiled and lifted one of her tiny (comparatively) hand to his mouth and placed a little kiss on the back of it. "Your Highness." he said with a twinkle in his eyes, getting into character for their roles outside of the cabin. "Do you prefer Highness, or Exalted one? Maybe Mistress?" he asked with a wink.

He finished dressing, deciding to leave his armor behind, and only taking one small sword, leaving his larger sword and his axe behind. "Shall I walk with you, or carry you?" he asked, curious on how she wanted to make her entrance.
 
Tika laughed a little as he kissed her hand. Not only did it tickle but it was amusing. "Highness works. Then again, supposed t'be undercover aren't we? Maybe just Tika." She said as she moved out of the way. Just as he wasn't planning to stick part in her face she didn't care for the experience either. She packed up her pencil and sketch pad. Though Tika and Catty had exchanged items Tika was wary of design theft. The odds were low but she didn't want to chance it. Not that placing it in a bag was exactly high security.

"I think...walk with. Attacked from behind or in front you can cover easy. Would make sense if you were a real body guard, yeah?" Tika headed out the door. The corridors were still fairly empty. She wondered if most people just slept during their travels. There plenty of signs to direct them to their destination.

This was where all the passengers had gone. Tika halted in the door a moment. She didn't care for crowds overmuch. Especially crowds of biggins. With a little huff she continued on. The bar wounded was well over her head but only came to Kion's waist. The humans gathered moved to make room for the ferocious looking lion. The bar keep cranes his head up at the tall lion. A little frown of concentration crease his brown. He leaned forward just a little and could see Tika, if just barely. Realization dawned but he quickly relaxed his face. "Yes, what can I do for you?" The human asked. "Apple whiskey!" Tika called from below the bar.
Kion smiled and walked with her, keeping a close eye out, though he didn't expect any attacks. Entering the dining area, they approached the bar, and Kion pondered whether it would be dignified to lift Tika up so she could be seen. He doubted it, and the sooner she got that harness done, the better.

The barkeep did manage to see her, and she piped up when asked what she wanted to drink, and Kion stayed dutiful to his 'job' and said, "I'll just have a dwarven stout." he said, deciding to stay away from the harder liquor. Not that the stout was anything but its namesake. Kion bent to whisper to her, "Would you like me to lift you to a chair, Highness?" he asked, only teasing a little. In fact, Kion found he rather liked lifting Tika. She was small and warm, and smelled really nice. If he didn't have fur she'd see him blush most likely.
The barkeep nodded and moved off to fill the orders as promptly as possible. Tika looked around at the sea of legs that were giving the tall lion a wide berth. Truth be told if she didn't know Kion she might give him space as well. As it stood she found it amusing. If anyone to be afraid of in that bar it wasn't Kion. Unless you attacked him of course. Tika was broken from her musings when Kion bent to whisper in her ear. She giggled quietly both from his quip and his tickling whiskers.

She tilted her head back regally. "Though being lifted around like a sack of sprockets is undignified I do tire of staring at biggin groins." Though she made herself sound imperious the little sparkle in her green eyes belied her amusement. She lifted her arms so Kion could lift her and deposits her into one of the tall seats. Seated in the chair she came up to Kion's chest. It was certainly a different view and her little legs dangled a good couple feet from the ground.

The keep returned with their beverages. Tika had to pick up the glass with both small hands. She raised her glass up to Kion. "To you my friend," she said with a smile.
The small quiet giggle that he was sure nobody heard but himself made Kion smile. He was already quite fond of the little gnome female but as she raised her arms to be picked up, Kion definitely felt something else stir within his breast. He could say that he liked her, was maybe even a little smitten by her. But this... this was wholly unnatural wasn't it?

He wanted her. As a lover and in the most carnal of ways. Those thoughts ran through his mind as he lifted her slight form, nostrils flaring at the smell of her. He would have blushed were he human. But he wasn't. The lion wasn't even sure how that would work. She was so small. Yet that made the thought even more intriguing, visions of her writhing in pleasure, stretched and penetrated deep while he...

She was toasting him, and Kion managed a smile and raised the pint of stout. "No, to us." he said, and would touch his mug to hers. Tilting back the drink, the yeasty sweet and bitter taste of the stout filled his mouth.

He was going to need something stronger.

"Thanks for the new room. It will be easier for me to stretch out now." he said and gave her a smile, trying to push the obscene but arousing images from his mind.
 
Tika's snarky grin turned into a smile. She clicked her glass with his and took a drink of the apple whiskey. It was sweet but burned as it went down. Such a good burn. She felt warm right to her toes. The drinks were wel earned. It had been a rough day. Though it struck her suddenly that she hadn't even know Kion for a full day yet. A strange thought. It felt like an eternity.

She looked back up at him and the smirk returned. "No problem," she said as she took another sip of her whiskey. "Can't have my fluffums all squinched up." Tika laughed quietly, remembering how he had had to curl himself into a ball in the other cabin. This new cabin was far better. "Then again..." she mused, resting her chin on her first. "Looked awfully adorable all curled up. Said that already though. Wouldn't even think ya were a big, strong biggin." She looked over at him with a small smirk before her eyes drifted. Once more she stared at the crowd of biggins who gave Kion a wide berth. "A'course people'll judge right away. Figure yer some big scary thing." Maybe it was the whiskey talking. It didn't take much for a gnome with their small size. Gnomish drinks were far weaker than human ones. "Not much better though. Figured ya were some big, dumb cat. So...guess...I'm tryin' t'say....sorry and...thanks. Lettin' little me tag along."

This time her smile was almost shy, not quite but almost.
Kion downed the stout and then ordered an apple whiskey like Tika's. The smile she gave him, and then once more calling him 'my fluffums', had the pneumafera feeling warm in all the right ways. As she called him adorable he knew she wasn't meaning it in the way he hoped and yet he allowed his mind to entertain those ideas, and the somewhat shy smile she gave him only helped fuel those wishful thoughts. He tried to push them out of his mind, and yet they persisted.

"Your very welcome, Little One. Though we have not known one another very long, I cannot envision this endeavor without your lovely presence. The honor is mine." he told her, and took another drink. "I do have to wonder just what the Eye wants with this blade, and what sorts of powers it might contain." he mused. "I am sure that it is awfully important, and if things so far are any indication, we'll meet opposition all along the way, trying to stop us, or wrest the blade away from us. Just keep healing me up and I will keep you safe." he told her.

Her own comments had brought what she would now recognize as a smile. "I suppose I can be big and scary when I want to be, and if anyone tries to hurt my Little One, well, they've earned that much." he told her, and laid one massive hand on her shoulder for the briefest of moments. It was a hand that, should he desire, could grasp her skull and crush it. yet he would never do such a thing. In fact, his claws were retracted and his fingers were gentle and warm.

"So what do you think those two down in the engine room were trying to accomplish? I still don't understand just what their goal was, do you?" he asked, changing the subject and trying to push his lewd thoughts from his mind.
He wasn't wrong. It was likely they would face a great deal of opposition. All the more reason she was glad he allowed her to tag along. Though her concern of contribution wasn't entirely eased by his statements. She never needed anyone to keep her safe. All her years she had fended for herself. Slunk in and out of tricky situations. It was only recently had had gotten into more trouble than she was used to. Foolish really, getting involved with things concerning The Eye. Bunch of weird Biggins. Still she was happy to tag along with Kion. Even if he could have done this quest alone.

Tika sagged a little under the weight of his massive hand. It was warm and soft, the fur lightly brushing her neck and sending little shivers down her spine. She smiled and patted his hand, her own roughly the size of his palm. It was a sweet sentiment and she was a little fond of his own pet name for her. His little one. Despite her independent streak it was nice to have someone to care. She could hardly deny that she enjoyed it to some extent.

"Dunno," she said before taking another drink of the sweet and burning whiskey. "Sabotage if I were a gambler. Know for it Gnomes are. Steal designs, inventions, make sure the thief pays. Usually keep our secrets and creations. Sometimes sell 'em t'biggins." Tika knocked back the rest of her drink and let out a contented sigh. "Hey! What's say we take our drinks an' go on deck? Hear the sun set's real pretty way up here." Tika raised her little hand for another round. He was already ahead of her by one but she wasn't about to race him. Probably end up stone dead before he even got drunk.
It was news to Kion that gnomes would be so destructive, stealing designs and destroying other's things for ransom. It seemed kind of petty. But each race had their own ways, and who was Kion to judge? However when she posited the idea of going out and up on deck, he smiled. "Sure thing!" he said, and without waiting for her permission he lifted her and hoisted her to one broad shoulder, letting her sit there, her little feet dangling down by his chest and he kept a hand on her thigh, the large palm big enough to cover that soft expanse, to keep her steady as he headed out of the galley area and toward one of the higher observation decks.

They passed the other gnome and half-orc in a corridor, a shared nod as they avoided one another, and Kion moved up to what was dubbed "C" Deck. There were two others that were higher, but the lion stopped at this one first, the huge hardwood floored area surrounded by steel railing and a transparent barricade roughly five feet tall to prevent folks from doing something stupid and tumbling over the side. From her perch, Tika was completely over the barrier, but Kion held her tight.

"What would you like to see?" he asked her.

Tika gave a little squeak as Kion suddenly booted her up. She wobbled a moment on his large should but steadied herself. The massive, warm hand on her thigh helped a great deal. Once settled she giggled quietly, drink still in hand. Her face felt pleasantly warm. She ducked down as they left and headed up to one of the lower observation decks. Her eyes went wide as they passed Catty and her half-orc friend. She honestly didn't think to see them again. The small nods were shared as they went on as if nothing had happened.

Up on deck the fresh air was invigorating. She stiffened some as Kion approached the railings and barricade. For a moment she was just a little concerned being over the barrier. Yet the warm, comforting presence of Kion's hand calmed her. He wouldn't let her tumble over the edge. "Sun set I suppose," she said with a tiny shrug. It was indeed beautiful. Mountains in the far distance, the city is Skali just a dot on the river. Tika wrapped an arm around the back of Kion's head, leaning over just a little. "Sure is pretty huh?" She smiled some. It was a little before the sun would dip to the horizon but the sky was ablaze in reds, pinks, and oranges.

Tika rested her chin atop Kion's head as she stared out across what seemed like the whole world. "Miss traveling. Spent too much time in th'city. Besides the money, pretty glad I met' cha and we're traveling. Not much for settling down. Suppose you're the same, eh?"
 
Kion felt her wobble a bit and then stiffen out on the deck. "I have you Little One. Nothing will happen to you while I am around." he assured her, purring a little as she rested her chin on his head. He could only agree with her sentiment. "Most of my kind stay put, happy enough to remain upon our islands. I think that perhaps I got the wanderlust that might have been meant for several of my kind, and thus I seek to explore and travel much more than most. I have to say I love seeing the world, and meeting interesting and lovely people." he said, giving her leg a little squeeze at the last part.

The sunset was indeed stunning, and were they in a different circumstance he might have kissed her under those brilliantly colored skies. As it was he rubbed the side of his head on her leg and purred.
Tika giggled quietly at the sentiment as the squeeze to her side. "Think I'm lovely eh? Well...I think you are too." Her giggles only intensified as he rubbed her leg with his head and began purring. She lightly scratched behind his ear, amused with the lion. If she didn't already know better he was just like a household kitty. "Can't say I disagree though. Seein' th'world an' all." She gave a small, wistful sigh. Truly she was happy to adventure again. Strangely she even liked the company. Her kind weren't know for having companions. To meet another gnome with one was quite a shock.

The sun had finally hit the horizon. Illuminating the world in a brilliant red. Her fingers stopped scratching as the watched the play of colors. She glanced down to see the play of color on Kion's white fur. A smile crossed her face as she looked back to the expansive world bathed in the soft light. She gave a little yawn, resting her cheek against Kion's head. The long day, alcohol and warm presence of the lion was making her just a little sleepy. A content sort of tired. They likely wouldn't have many of those days to come.
"I do." Kion agreed, his voice low and rumbing along with his purr at the sentiment that he did not shy away from, and that content purr only deepened as Tika admitted she liked him too, and he heard her sigh. He was glad that she was back out on the road, and that he was the one she was with, the one to protect her.

The color did play on his freshly scrubbed fur, the whiteness of his hide muting the colors a bit, but for a moment he looked like a big pink lion. Tika rested on him, and Kion smiled, knowing that her small body was likely tired after all the goings on earlier in the day. It seemed like ages ago that she had stolen that food from the restaurant and they had moved onto the ship, but even that small memory made him smile. Tika wasn't above stealing for their benefit, and he was glad for it.

"Are you ready to head back to the room, Highness?" he asked, teasing jut a little, but not minding calling her that in the least.
Everything was calm and right in the world. At least for the time being. She wondered if Catty and her half-orc were watching the sunset together. It struck Tika that the setting could be considered rather romantic. Even as Kion asked if they should retire she glanced around. Indeed other pairs were enjoying the sunset as well. Chiefly pairs of matched races and mostly humans. Though there was a pair of dwarves. "Not quite yet Fluffums. Th' sunset isn't over." Though she was admittedly rather tired she felt too content and happy. As if leaving the observation deck would immediately squash that feeling.

The colors grew more and more saturated as they sun sank further and further down. The final sliver of sun flashed brilliant fire before finally retiring for the night. A dusky purple filled the sky and slowly stars came out to shine down. "Haven't watched that in years." She said after a little while. Tika sat up and gave a stretch with a wide yawn. Her little legs stuck straight out as she reached her arms over her head. "Glad we had some peace t'watch that. Seem t'attract trouble you do," she said with a little laugh and a gentle flick to his fuzzy ear.

Tika liked Kion more than she was willing to admit. Kind and protective, strong and fierce. She didn't actually mind his protectiveness around her. Normally it would put her off. "Maybe it's a good time t'head in then. Could use some shut eye."
"Ok." Kion readily agreed, and patted Tika's leg. Watching the sunset with the little gnome was quite fine, and he chuckled as she teased him. "I am the one that attracts trouble? Oh, I believe you have that backward Little One." he shot back, but was obviously in good humor and teasing her as well. Her stretch was quite adorable, and Kion made sure she didn't fall.

Once she said it was fine to go back inside he turned and would head that way. "I am up for a snack to take to our room. Is there anything you might like?" he asked as he made his way to the galley car once more. The appetite of the lion was voracious, and it took many calories to run his immense muscled form. The cook at the galley informed them that there was some roast boar left from dinner, and Kion informed him that he'd take whatever they had left and to bring it to their room.

The lion then moved Tika so she was sitting more in a piggyback style so she'd not bump her head on the corridor ceilings, and made his way back to their room. Setting Tika down the lion gave her bottom a little pat and it was mere moments before one of the porters delivered a large tray, the remains of the pork roast delivered as promised. "Now this is the way to travel!" Kion announced, and would shut the door and take a seat at the end of one of the longer couches close to the bed. The roast had jacketed potatoes, steamed carrots, and a thick gravy as well. "Want some?" Kion offered. It had also been delivered with a gallon of the stout that Kion had ordered earlier.
 
Tika snickered at the lion. He wasn't wrong. She often attracted trouble. Though, until recently, she could handle things herself. She was still convinced that was his doing. Her eyebrows quieted when he mentioned food. "Again?" She said with a smirk. "Gonna become a chunky house kitty," she teased with a playfully flick of his ear. The chef was more than accommodating for the massive lion. The rest of a roast boar? An awful lot of food. Then again if it was just going to go to waist what did it matter?

The gnome gave a small squeak of surprise as she was adjusted on his back. She couldn't say she didn't appreciate the gesture. Her scalp had been becoming dangerously close to the overhead. She rested her little arms across the lion's head as he headed back to their much larger and more comfortable room. He lifted her down and she gave a loud squeak of surprise at the pat on her hindquarters. "Easy there Fluffums," she said with a good natured laugh.

As the porters arrived she scrambled onto the couch. "Except fer fightin' in th'engine rooms, think I agree." At the offer of meat she shook head head some. "Had enough t'day." Tika picked up her sketch book and leaned into Kion's side. He was pleasantly warm and soft to lean against, not to mention strong. While he ate she went on to keep sketching the harness, changing and tweaking the idea. Yet it felt strangely difficult to concentrate. Warm and comfortable she felt herself growing sleepier and sleepier until she eventually fell asleep curled up at Kion's side.
 
"Hey, it takes a lot of food to run a body this big. Normally I might even use the excuse that I don't know how long it will be before I eat, or even where my next meal will come from. But with you around that mitigates that quite a bit now doesn't it?!" he teased, and yet made no indication that he'd not be stuffing his face once they got back to their cabin.

Once there, her reaction to the little attention to her small behind had the lion smiling. Just the other day he'd have sworn she likely would have tried to fill him with holes at such a familiar touch, but today she laughed it off. It was a good sign altogether. "Sometimes I'm all hands." he said to her, though grinned, his teeth showing for a moment before he would sit and then welcome the porters and what they brought, taking comfort in the fact that Tika seemed to curl up against him and fall fast asleep. The lion didn't mind, and once he was done he carefully wiped his hands and then curled up himself, pulling the tiny gnome to his chest as he curled around her, making sure to lock their cabin door before he let his eyes drift shut, his nose pressed into her bright orange-ish red hair.

----------​

When Kion awoke he could tell it was dark, and his eyes almost seemed to glow in the low light as he looked around the room. Tika was still cocooned in his arms and the lion cast his gaze across the room. Something had awakened him, and he was trying to figure out just what it was. Then it hit him... they were no longer moving. The huge airship had set down somewhere, and it didn't seem like it would be a scheduled stop.

"Tika." he whispered to the gnome, his muzzle almost pressed to her cheek. "Wake up, Peanut. We've stopped." he said, keeping his voice low.
 
Tika didn't stir in the least when Kion readied for sleep. Limp as a cloth doll she flopped comfortably in the white lion's long, strong arms. She gave a little yawn and nestled deeply into the soft fur. Her gnomish dreams were warm. Steam and heat, strong arms hammering metal. It was vague but a good dream.

Tika's eyes flew open at her name. She rarely heard it. Usually she heard 'Little One' or 'peanut.' It took a moment to get her bearing. She was so comfortably warm, held by a warm cloud. A warm cloud made of iron. Whispered tickled her cheek as Kion spoke. Her stomach gave a little flip as she realized just what was happening. Not so much the darkness or the silence of the engines. More so the strong warm of Kion's chest against her back, his mane draped around her neck. She wriggled a little and sat up, her ears burning like a forge fire.

It too a moment for her to understand why he has roused her. The engines were silent and the ship was dark. Her eyebrows pulled together as she strained to listen. It was ungodly quiet. "Not supposed t'stop yet, yeah?" The little gnome turned toward the feint glowing of Kion's eyes. "Repairs maybe or..." she was overtaken with a wide yawn. "...Catty and her orc lover? Maybe outta stay quiet for a change. Was havin' a good dream." She rubbed her eyes with a little First, still sleepy and a little cranky at having to wake up so suddenly.
 
Kion shook his head. "There were a few scheduled stops, but even then they'd keep the engines running. It's just too quiet." he told her.

Just then, a light could be seen coming through the little porthole on the door, and a soft knock could be heard. "We're just checking on passengers. There's been a horrible accident in the engine room that is taking some time to clean up. No need to be alarmed." the voice said, and then the light disappeared as the footsteps faded down the hall.

Kion breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad it's nothing, and I am sorry to wake you up Little One. I was worried is all, and need to keep you safe." he told her and patted and rubbed her back. "You can go back to sleep. I hope you have good dreams." he told her, and would curl up a little, leaving room for her to escape his embrace if she wanted, but certainly not pushing her away at all.

The lion would soon be back to sleep, though he kept one ear trained and after about an hour the engines could be heard firing u again, and little vibrations ran through the ship. Kion breathed a sigh of relief and was glad for it. They needed a break, and so far this little trip had been full of all manner of things that seemed to impede their progress.
 
"True..." Tika said slowly. She hated to admit he was right. She just wanted to go back to sleep. This adventure was becoming far to...adventurous. Yet if something was wrong they should probably see what was happening. It could be assassins...again. Just was she was resolving to get up a light flashed into their cabin. Her hand went to the knife in her boot.

All was well. Tika heaved a sigh of relief. Horrible accident her bottom. That had been utterly deliberate. Her own sigh of relief reflected Kion's. She turned to look back at the lion as his massive paw rubbed and patted her back. A little smirk crossed her face in the darkness. "Keep me safe eh?" He was quite the protective one. Yet she liked it. It was rare for Gnomes to be like that. Strangely it was nice to have someone care.

"Thanks fluffums," she said as she reached over and ruffled his mane. For a moment she thought to leave where they were settled. Yet she had been so comfortable cuddled up against him. Tika hesitated a moment before laying back down and turned to nestle herself against him. "G'night Kion," she muttered against his mane.

She hadn't a clue when the ship got airborne once again. It hadn't taken long for the little gnome to fall right back asleep.

Tika was awake early. With no windows she wasn't certain what time it was but she had always been an early riser. With a yawn she woke and blinked some. She had stayed well curled up against the lion. Her ears burned a little. She should have moved. It was so comfortable though. Her eyebrows furrowed in mild confusion. She had enjoyed it perhaps more than she cared to admit. Silly of course.

Though looking down at the lion she smiled. He was a good kitty after all. If she was honest with herself she liked how he treated her. She reached over and lightly rubbed the fur on his belly. It was soft and fluffy. Though she kept her motions slow, not trying to wake him.
 
Kion slept lightly, or tried to, but stirred a bit when the ship fired up and started to move. Seemed the crewman was right, and Kion allowed himself to relax, the tiny gnome spooned against his chest. His dreams took many turns and the close proximity and smell of the little female brought the sort of dreams that often led to a raging Morning Glory. The fact that Tik decided to rub his tummy, unaware of this, only helped speed along his arousal, and though he did not completely sip from his sheath his loincloth was soon nicely tented, the fabric pushed away from his body by his emerging cock, and glimpses of the thick bright red phallus could be seen as Kion rolled onto his back with a murmur of want and pleasure, unaware of the touches happening in reality, but dreaming of very similar touches by the small halfling woman whose hand couldn't even fully wrap around him even though he dreamed of her stroking his cock.

"Little One..." he murmured in his lucid state, and his hips rose a little,his half emerged member now straining at the fabric barely holding it in, and wanting to fully extend from his body. His head lolled to the side and his chest rose and fell as he breathed, and in his visions the little gnome clambered atop him, her tiny legs not even reaching the bed on either side of him as she pumped his cock with both hands, her orange-red hair framing her angelic face as she looked down at him with lust-filled eyes and kissed the tip of his cock...

Another soft murmur left him and then Kion began to stir.
 
At first Tika didn't notice anything amiss. She just enjoyed rubbing the soft, white fur. It was like having a big, sentient kitty kat. Her gaze was focused more towards his face. Sweet and sleeping repose. When he rolled over and murmured in his sleep she giggled a little. It was unintelligible and adorable. As far as the gnome knew he was dreaming of chasing giant balls of yarn. She learned rather quickly she was dead wrong.

First her murmured again in slumber. This time words she understood. His endearment for her. Her brows pulled into a thoughtful frown. Was she in his yarn dream? He moved again, his hips rising. She looked down and went stock still. Now that was rather hard to miss. Her hand snatched away as if he were suddenly made of hot coals. Her gaze locked on the straining loincloth that just barely covered his morning excitement. Her face burned bright red all of a sudden. Had she done that? More importantly, what was he dreaming of? Suddenly she realized it wasn't likely large balls of yarn.

A mild panic set in as he began to stir. Tika slid down from the couch they had shared and looked around wildly. This was not a conversation she wanted to have. Before he could wake she dove into the bed and covered herself with the blankets. Turned toward the wall she held still and tried to relax her breathing, though it was coming out in little shudders.

Tika's mind whirled as she lay there, trying to pretend to be asleep. Maybe she had misheard. Certainly he would be dreaming about her and get that...excited. Right? He was so big! In more ways than one. No. That was silly. It wasn't possible. She needed an ego more to her stature. Surely she had heard wrong. The bigger question was...why didn't it disgust her more? Gnomes rarely sought companionship with their own kind let alone other species. She should cringe at the idea he might possibly think of her in that way. But it didn't. Quite the contrary. She felt oddly giddy at the idea
 
Kion slowly roused and became aware of his condition, which caused him to wake more quickly, knowing that Tika had been wrapped in his arms last hew knew. Luckily she no longer was, though at the same time he felt a sense of... loss almost, at her absence. Despite her hiding place he knew she was there, her breathing elevated and her heartbeat quick as well. Which meant she knew he was awake. Kion winced.

"Little One? Are you alright? I... I didn't try to... I mean, I didn't hurt you...?" he asked, already worried that perhaps in his dream-addled state he might have grabbed her or tried to... No, he couldn't have, right? But he was suddenly worried that this little gnome he found himself drawn to was going to be driven away by him.

By now the worry over her and his awakened state, had made the part of him that had slipped from its' sheath retreat, and though it had left a rather large wet spot due to his heavy precum, he was now at least presentable, though he slipped on some pants. "I'm sorry Little One." he said, his tone heavy with apology.
 
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