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Tiger-Lily

Instinctively she jumps back but still catches some of the water on her fur. She hates being wet. She shakes herself vigorously to get rid of as much as she can, chosing not to follow that up with any washing as she is not sure if this water might be nasty.

What has been going on?

Soot

She came in following Tiger-Lily's entrance and was managed to escape the initial water, though some of Tiger-Lily's shake off hit her.

She wrinkled her nose and watched the events.

Bringer


The big cat jumped back and snarled, instinctively shaking as much water as he could from his fur.

>Seeker-On-High<

Seeker shivered. This was bad. Very bad. They hadn't gotten any leverage at all, and now he was wet. Nothing good came of getting wet.

He looked about for someplace higher and drier to perch, in case the spraying continued. And maybe a chance to spot something he was still missing. Her house. How could it be her house? Old Man McGee's house had been Old Man McGee's house for ever and ever (or at least as long as he could remember hearing tell, which was more than two years, so nearly forever). That and the poor, drowned cat who had tried to help, surely. Which might be cats soon if he couldn't work this out.

A name, something. Somewhere there had to be a name to cage the spirit with. If only he could spot it.

Terror

He hissed and shook himself -- he had a lot of fur and despised being wet. It took SO long to dry

That impressive coat did help him look even more intimidating when he puffed up. Assuming, of course, that anything he did could scare the spirit, which in truth he doubted.

"Anyone have ideas?" he asked the group, standing his ground for the moment. Spirits really weren't his forte.

Tiger-Lily

"Perhaps she died here.."

Her voice is a whisper.

All those memories of her previous burden dying come flooding back. It was a awful time. She had been bereft and abandoned all at the same time.

Shadow

The shadow of a cat stood his ground, seemingly unfazed by three-dimensional water.

"It is only a threat if you follow through on trying to drive me out, little spirit. I will be kind and merciful, and I will not yet take offense at your own display, though I advise against getting these others wet as I do not speak for them in that regard. Now, will you behave like a reasonable being, or will you continue to splash about like a kitten falling into a water bowl?"

Shadow has the distinct impression his words are angering the spirit. Reason is rapidly departing the creature. It puffs up much like a cat might before a confrontation.

All the cats now feel the increase in water in the room as if the entire room were caught in that moment before a big rain storm. In this case though it is a squall about to happen. The air is thick with salt and water. Fur stands on end as energy is palpable.

Bringer


While the spirit's attention seemed to be focused primarily on Shadow, Bringer took the opportunity to slink around in behind it.

He wasn't sure why he did it nor how it might advantage him, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

>Seeker-On-High<

"What was the name of the boat?" Seeker yowled out, almost before thinking about it. Maybe it would distract the spirit, maybe it was worthless even trying. But that could be the secret, or part of it. He was sure the boat was involved, at least.

The spirit's attention turned towards Seeker and softened. The impending squall lessened. A soft voice issued from it "Merry Marlin. "

Tiger-Lily

She decides to try to capitalise on the change of attitude and try a different tack.

"Are you here for a reason? Can we help?"

She is not sure what reaction this will have but better to try something polite first. At least that's what her mother had taught her.

>Seeker-On-High<

Merry Marlin... What could that mean? Marlin... Was that a name? No, it was a fish, he was fairly certain, though he couldn't recall ever eating such a fish. Or Merry... Or Mary? Probably not. They sounded alike, but calling a person a fish seemed a wrong way to name something. But fish made him happy whenever he had some, maybe they made people happy, too. That much made sense, if nothing else did.

But while he was thinking, Tiger-Lily spoke up. Kindly and quietly. That was wise. They couldn't really bluster and threaten a spirit when they couldn't hurt it, and until they knew more, they couldn't.

"We'd like to help, if we can," he added, trying to make his voice sound calm, not worried and panicky like he actually was.

Soot

Talking was better then conflict, but perhaps the spirit alone wasn't the only way. Perhaps the Burden as well could be talked with he was asleep after all. "To visit the one here perhaps?" The question was soft, nearly a purring sound.

The spirit continued "I miss him. It is cold, wet, and lonely where I was. So when called, I came back. Of course I agreed to the bargain."

>Seeker-On-High<

"Bargain? What bargain? Who's bargain?"

Seeker was on firmer paws now, the mystery starting to take form. He had a hint at what was really important.

"What price?"

Tiger-Lily

Well they seem to be getting somewhere. Seeker's questions drill down into the heart of the matter. She stays quiet waiting for the answer, not wanting to distract the spirit from answering.

The spirit seems to want to answer Seeker but each time she starts she is unable to say anything. Finally she says "forbidden" almost spitting the word out.

Bringer


"Who forbade this telling?" the big cat said in his most reassuring voice.

Shadow

The Shadow cat held his peace for the present nap, as the spirit now seemed cooperative. He waited, and listened, and scratched an itch behind his ear with an incorporeal rear leg.

Tiger-Lily

She is trying to understand what is happening here.

This spirit is somehow connected to the burden that lives here. She was unhappy where she was and offered a chance to return in her present form but there was a price to pay and she is prevented from saying what it was.

The thing that bothers her most though is that the spirit says she was cold, wet and lonely before. Does that mean that her previous burden, Miss Amy, is that way too. That thought upsets her.

Soot

The smaller cat spoke up thoughtfully. She addressed the spirit for the first time. Her words were drawn out and slow.

"Perhaps, since the Burden sleeps, you would wish to speak with him? Maybe that would make you less lonely?" There was also the chance the conversation would let information spill that could help them since the spirit appeared constrained.

"Walking in his dreams, for conversation, is something I would lend my aid to."

>Seeker-On-High<

Seeker looked down toward Soot with a nod. "Yes, that could do. And the rest of us could stand watch, here and above, so we aren't interrupted."

He wasn't at all good at dreams, losing focus and wandering off after other, more interesting, things. But if Soot could guide, maybe they could make that work.

Tiger-Lily

She turns to look at Soot, approval and surprise in her eyes. This is a talented group she has joined.

Shadow

His eyes, glittering in the darkness, were upon the spirit: How it responded to the offer was the crucial thing here. He watched, and waited.