Cleared easily at the Crystania/Falcor border, the steam train chugged steadily into the majestic Skalian mountains. Views on both sides were spectacular, with clear waters from the many lakes, and deep green of the surronding forests. Even this low, snow lingered, reminding the young woman of the mainland of her home, the country she wouldn't see again for a long time to come.

In the seat opposite hers, a child regarded her thoughtfully. "Are you homesick? You're not from here. I can tell by your eyes. You're very pretty, you know, but a bit exotic."

"Thank you," her companion laughed. "You're very pretty too, although your lipstick is a bit...much."

The little girl laughed merrily. "I'm a Coppette."

"What's that?"

"You're coming from Crystania and you've never heard of the Coppelias?" The child shook her head in wonder.

"Ah, yes. Nancy did mention them to me. I suppose they're quite the rage now."

"I snuck away to see them, but it was worth it! They're the best ever! Nobody dances like that! They're all in unison, like perfect dolls! We Coppettes are their biggest fans. We all wear bowed mouths, and try to make our eyes look as enamelled and sparkling as possible."

"Ah, I see!"

The little one raved on until they reached the station and disembarked, where she was met not only by a large and regal steamcoach, but an extremely irate major domo.

"Your highness, where have you been? If the station master hadn't been kind enough to send word, we have thought you were out in the woods. And your face! What have you done! Painting like a trol...." He reined himself in with some effort."

"I'm not a trollop, Karel. I'm a Coppette!"

Despite the fact she had filled in his blank with a word she shouldn't have known, the major domo pressed on. "That again! Well, your parents will have a LOT to say about that, and..."

"Leave Tamara be now, Karel. She's safe and sound." The coach doors opened and a tall blond man emerged.

The young woman, who had been watching the exchange, admired the man, who was not only handsome, but appeared kind, and, judging from the haste with which the child threw herself in his arms, was much loved.

The man turned his attention to her. "I was expecting my old friend, but you're definitely not Tan. He's pretty, but not like you." He bowed in her direction. "Allow me to introduce myself. "I'm Djoni."

Karel interjected. "May I present His Royal Highness..."

"No," said Djoni, laughing. "You may not. I'm sure this lovely lady is very tired from her journey, and I don't even know her name."

"I'm Chiasa, Tanaka's my cousin," she replied, holding out the package she had so carefully guarded. "Here's your special 'concoction' from Thorson. He said it's quite a good supply and extra strong as requested."

"Marvelous! I believe I'll have a dram with dinner. You will dine with us?"

"Oh, please do," chimed in Tamara, grabbing Chiasa's hand. "She's pretty, isn't she, Djoni?"

"Very."

"But I promised to catch the next train back to Wolfenhague. Uncle Hayao insisted."

"And well he should," Djoni said, gazing at the surrounding hills. "The moon will be very full tonight, and the some of the wolves of late seem to be of a different breed. But the train won't pass through for several hours, and we'll be safest in the dining area above, where there is song and light."

He held out his arm and Chiasa took it, smiling. As they climbed the stairs, Karel glanced back. The trees were turning dark with the evening mist, almost menacing.

"Safe. Yes, pray that is so for all that be, for the moon glows redder now, and the gypsy wagons gather. Soon, we may be beyond potions."

Then he turned and followed the laughing trio.

(OOC) This is an introduction and preview to Wayward Squirrel 5: The Wolves of Falcor. Over the next few days, the files you need to introduce or reacquaint yourslef with the world of the Squirrel will appear. Please sign up on the OOC page for that purpose, but feel free to post in character and react to the story here.

Protectors, please answer Winton's call and come to the Squirrel. Falcor needs you! I'll dance for you. I promise!

Love, Tamara <3

mmm, I think I might actually have time for an Adventure this year!

:D

(runs too the wardrobe, and grabs a bag to start throwing clothes in....mmmm....what could witchy need for an Adventure?)

Quite suddenly, Myra awoke from a strange dream, shuddering. She couldn´t remember exactly what the dream was about yet remembered the screams and the howling of wolves very vividly.

And there was red paint everywhere, was it blood? Oh no, it was some kind of makeup, blush? Lipstick?

The alchemist sat up yet closed her eyes again, trying to get a grasp at the dream again but it was gone. Only the unpleasant feeling remained, like you have it often when you wake up like this, confused and only remembering shadows, vague as a mirage.

Shimmershadow sent soothing thoughts through their telepathic bond, feeling his friend´s discomfort. He lifted his head and stretched his forelegs in front of the fire, then tossed his silvery mane and puffed, a soft sound which swirled around in the treehouse like the ring of an elven bell.

Myra got out of the bed and embraced the young unicorn. „I am so glad you´re with me!“ she murmured and by feeling the solid body of the colt under her hands, she felt safe again. However, something deep inside told her there was a time arriving which called for the unity and friendship of the Chimeriad team......

Teislyn frowned over some of the reports the other teachers had left for her, when a cold nose bump against her arm a few times. "Ahhh! Lini, stop doing that! You startled me!" She scooped up the little Lure and snuggled her for a bit before asking what was wrong. Burrowing into her humans vest, Lini sent a small wave of emotions to Teislyn.

Teisyn hugged the Lure and asked "why such feelings Lini?" Lini shivered and burrowed further into the vest. Something must be going on out there to have Lini in such a fit. Teislyn knew she had to send a message to soon and see what was going on.

Willow was getting quite frustrated! She knew her glasses were near, she had laid them on a table in order to enjoy playing her lyre to those at the tavern yet was anxious to read the message given to her by the tavern owner. Apparently it was an urgent message. If only she could find her glasses! Hearing a slight giggle she glances up to see a little girl about the same height as she was while sitting. A sweet voice holds something blurry out to her..

"Ms, are these yours?"

Reaching for them, feeling the shape Willow gives the girl and big smile, cheeks slightly red with embarrassment and freckles standing out prominently.

"Thank you Lass, you are so kind to give me my glasses....."

Placing them on her face, she blinks at the girl then blurts out..

"My.. how pretty you are!"

Watching the tavern owner's daughter Charis run behind the bar understanding her shyness, Willow smiles slightly before her worry overcomes her.

"It would be good to see the other Protectors but I wonder what the trouble is"

Proceeding to pack up her lyre carefully, she climbs the rather steep steps to her room and packs her meager possessions in a rag bag folding each item with care. Saying her goodbye's to the tavern owner Willow accepts a sandwich for the trip..not having to pay any board as was the price of her entertainment.

Searching for the quickest route, Willow got on the fastest and cheapest transport aimed toward the Squirrel. The first happened to be a pony and cart with a pile of hay on the back, hoping to get a train ride at the nearest larger city. Perhaps she could meet up with more and they could ride together...

Chook was in the middle of a battle when the hair on the back of her neck stood upright and a shiver ran down her spine. She knew that feeling and it only ever boded ill. Quickly she dispatched the remaining foe, gave the young man a lecture regarding right and wrong and leapt on her horse. Once astride she whispered in his ear "Find the Travelers". And they were off. No doubt to another adventure.

Jianni's fingers caressed the lute's strings, he did not have to look at his audiance to know they were spellbound by the shadow images of Kolcheck the Wanderer, greatest of the Travelling People's heroes in his battle against the Storm King's Seven sons. He could feel the hoarseness of the Nobles' breathing. Knew that he would be approached with a proposition. Court Bard. No more sleeping in hedges or playing for board and bread in tavernas, it would be feather beds and sitting at the ArchDuke's right hand at feasts. Giorgi would be an honest squirrel at last, he thought smiling at the squirrel's outraged chittering in his mind.

Danger! His fingers faltered on the lute for the barest of seconds. The shadow images swirled and the familiar cast of characters shifted to that of a pale young girl. Danger! The fine hairs at his neck raised like a wolf's hackles. He rose, bowed hastilly to the well fed Duke and his pretty daughter "I is needed. We is needed" he amends as Giorgi leaps to his shoulder

Who needed a feather bed anyway?

"Summons." said a tiny, drunken butterfly winged faerie. Dace waved her hand to shoo Buttercup away from the lamp and therefore out of her light as she tried to get just the right amount of solder onto the wire in front of her. A small beer scented gust from the faerie caused the solder chip to tumble off of the ring and into the fire stone underneath Dace's newest hobby.

"Dammit Buttercup. Can't you see that I'm busy?" Dace sighed and then winced as several other pieces of solder went skipping about on the table. She slammed the tweezers down and looked at her best friend/worst companion. "What is it?"

The faerie finally landed and hiccuped, then handed Dace the minuscule letter. After reading the irritated look on Dace's face the faerie plucked the letter from between Dace's fingers and cleared her throat. "We've been summoned to the Wayward Squirrel. Some new adventure it seems! The letter wasn't very clear, it just said to get there as quickly as possible."

Dace nodded and held up one finger to pause the conversation. She opened the junk drawer at her bench and rummaged around until she found a "lurking device." It looked shockingly like a modern phone but it only contacted one person. Dace unlocked the screen and pressed "call."

"Yes, hello ? It's Dace, your cousin. Did you get your summons yet?" She nodded and Mmm hmmd for a few moments and then spoke again. "If it's not too much of a burden, can you come and get me? I can take my barge up into Glen Meadow and park it there. I'm sure my parents won't mind looking after it for a bit, plus I haven't seen them since Christmas. Oh you can? That's wonderful. I'll see you in a few days then!"

Dace put the device down and tidied up her bench. "Buckle up Buttercup, it looks like we're going to Subeta!"

#

Frieda receives a cryptic message

The royal transport Happy Wanderer rocketed back to Omen from Atebus after Lady Frieda and her life mate Weldon concluded another successful mission to their large medical clinic in Ziara. The flight between the moon and the home planet took twenty-eight hours and so they had another twenty-six hours left before they entered atmosphere. Sir Isaac Newton was in the driver seat now and so it was time for bed. Stripped to her skivvies, Frieda climbed into the weightless sleeping sack with Weldon and snuggled close. She loved weightless snuggling. The young couple would soon enter into a short hibernation for the duration of the trip.

She didn't expect her 'lurking device' to alarm during this part of the voyage, she had given her flight controller back on Omen, Merril Starchild, strict instructions to limit all communications to emergency priority only, in other words, strict radio silence. She took her 'lurking device' from it's holster at her bosom and gazed into it's screen. Weldon stirred and blinked heavily, "Who is it?"

Frieda's eyebrows shot up. "It's from somebody named Tamara, calling for all the Protectors to come to the Wayward Squirrel." She wiggled out of the sleeping bag and buckled into her console seat. "I'm needed ASAP in the Nexus. I'll have to prepare to leave for Terra as soon as we land. I'll have Merry get Passion Flower fueled and ready. In the mean time, I need to contact our team."

Weldon just smiled dreamily. "Just come back to bed as soon as you've sent your messages my darling." He yawned with a squeak, "We're still eighteen hours away from wakeup call. I'd like to have a little of that time with you alone if we could."

Weldon loved his mate dearly and indulged her in her adventures with the Protectors. It was good for her to get out and experience some danger from time to time. Her role as a Master Healer, bureaucrat and business owner often left her nervous and edgy. Adventuring brought back her vim and vigor. He chuckled to himself. Already he could hardly wait to hear her stories.

Eventually, they arrived at Subeta without incident. Frieda and Weldon landed Happy Wanderer on pad number two at their compound on Omen Island and quickly disembarked. Merril, Madison, and Niki emerged from the hanger, passed out hugs and helped with the luggage. Merril tugged on Frieda's flight jacket, "I had the night crew stay overtime to get Passion Flower fueled as you asked. There are three extra cores loaded in the accessory bay so that you can make all the hyper jumps necessary between Terra, the Wayward Squirrel and here."

Frieda didn't even bother to remove her flight suit, she made her way directly to her small interplanetary fighter pod to begin her pre-flight check. She was going to leave as soon as possible.

The pirate ground crew towed Passion Flower from her showcase hanger and out onto the tarmac, attached the auxiliary power supply for starting the engines and assisted Frieda with stowing her luggage. They saluted her as she approached the boarding ladder. They loved her and one of the pirates had tears in his eyes as he saluted... with the wrong hand of course.

Weldon was at the bottom of the ladder and he had the most adoring smile as he appraised his beautiful mate. "Come home in one piece this time my love."

She fell into his arms and kissed him until they were both breathless. "I love you Welly. I'll want pancakes for dinner when I return." She climbed up the ladder, buckled in, closed the canopy and started the engines. She waited for the ground crew to safely remove all equipment and the wheel chocks. Finally the flight officer signaled that she was clear for take off. She saluted her crew, released the brakes and roared off the tarmac into the West.

Frieda hadn't flown Passion Flower for a year, not since the last time she reported to the Wayward Squirrel. But the little craft felt full of spit and vinegar and so she activated the afterburners released fuel from the aft thrusters and engaged the hyperdrive simultaneously. It was her signature stunt, the explosion of the fuel left a star-shaped glow in the sky as she disappeared into hyperspace.

She wasn't going straight to the Wayward Squirrel, she had contacted her cute cousin Dace () that she would arrive on Terra to pick her up in Glen Meadow. Here is where she would also pick up her little friend Doom, the honey badger who lived with her oldest son and his mate. Frieda felt that it was a shame that she was on Protector business, she would love nothing more then to spend some time visiting her children, her aged parents and her older cousin Sparky Wheezle. Maybe she could visit on her return trip. Still, she was very excited to be able to spend some time with Dace and to go adventuring with her, Buttercup and Doom.

The trip to Terra in hyperspace would take a few hours, so Frieda checked the flight computer to be sure it would hold course, set the wakeup alarm and reclined her cockpit seat. Perhaps she could get a few hours of sleep in the interim. Little weasel-girls always needed more sleep.

As Sequoia emerged from the deep vegetation in the forests of the Skalian mountains the view before her took her breath away. She couldn't remember the last time there was still snow this time of year. As her constant companion Cypress (a young weasel) came to stand by her side she gently gave her a little pat.

"Oh my dear one, it wont be much longer, we will arrive at our destination soon."

"Chirrup, chirrup", was the response of her tired little friend.

Above gliding effortlessly in the sky above her was Bonsai her falcon, who let out a shrill cry.

Not only were they her companions but they were always there to help her in any battle, with Bonsai in the air and Cypress on the ground she was able to gain all the intel she would need. Both had been trained to spy and assist her when called upon. They were a part of Sequoia, and she a part of them.

Sequoia's tall muscular frame was sore from all the traveling. She had begun this journey from the village of the Tree Dwellers in the deep forest. Trained by her father Redwood the War Chief, she had a bow in her paws from the time she could walk. Word had spread through the land that a warrior was to be sent to the village to meet with the one called Frieda, the whole tribe gathered to decide who would make the journey to assist her. After much debate and against the wishes of her mother Oak, Sequoia was elected to go. This brought pride to her father, it was considered an honor, Sequoia must do her best.

Her 6'5 body was glistening with sweat despite the low temperatures. Her ears and tails drooped with the exhaustion but she knew she must make it to the tavern. Something was going on in these woods, something she knew she had to report. A chill went up her spine when she heard the distant howls of wolves. She must not stop, she had to push through and reach her destination before nightfall. As Sequoia straightened her armor and checked her quiver and bow, she knelt down to speak a silent prayer to her Gods. She must press on...

Strumming her mandolin softly, a tired Atrueheart looked around and spotted Squirrely manning the bar of Squirrely Mcgee's Offtime Saloon. With a wink and a smile Squirrely nods her way and then pours a cider for True and walks over and places it at True's elbow.

'You're looking tired my luv!' Squirrely stated as he placed a hand over her strumming fingers, bringing a halt to the music. 'Something amiss?'

Smiling wearily Atrueheart grabs the cider and downs half of it and then pats Squirrely on the cheek. "It's just been a long year hon. Don't fret so!' Looking around and then sniffing the air she catches a strange scent. ' Ummmm... I think something is up.... a strange wolfish odor wafting through the portal. I think I'm going to need my Fallen Angels because I have a feeling the protectors are about to be summoned!'

Handing her mandolin to Squirrely, a suddenly energized Atrueheart laughs gaily and heads for the stairs to her room. Jinx, her faithful companion, chitters excitedly sensing something is afoot! Squirrely hangs the mandolin behind the bar and barks out 'Last Call folks!' Turning to Ingrid and hands the keys to her with an admonishment to finish the cleanup and lock up tight. Squirrely then heads up the stairs after Atrueheart chuckling under his breath: 'Here we go again!'

witchy starts digging in her endless backpack spoons, dried fruits, beans, beans, beans, and more beans, tomatoes ~ Looking up at the girls, she says, "Don't forget! I've got to be cooking for camp! How am I suppose to be adventuring, and cooking at the same time?!" ~ beans. we're going to be eating a lot of beans. dried beans. canned beans, fresh picked beans, beans traded for cows. ~ "Oh!" witchy pulls some sort of cloth contraption out of her magic bag "HERE IT IS! she waves it around and shoves it under SpringJoy's and Kaiidth's noses "The PERFECT little gadget to carry the dumplings in! You can carry them in this little papoose contraption! They'll be snug as a bug in a rug! Are you SURE you don't want to bring them with you? We wouldn't want you to worry about them. I wonder if we will be traveling on the Floating Frenchman, again. OH! Did I tell you I bumped into that handsome dog, Mithrandir? That man sure knows how to travel, let me tell you." witchy goes back to digging in her bag, you hear her mumbling, but you can't make out what she's saying, her head is getting a little far into the bag (Tea looks at her digging in the bag, and wonders if she pushes witchy, will she fall into her bag and get lost?) Suddenly, witchys head pops out of the bag,

TERRENAANIMULA!! HOW are you going to be adventuring with us, if your Boss is going on vacation next week!? Are you going to miss the first week of adventure? We all know that your boss will make you work longer hours, because he's not there (the bum)"

witchy goes back to hunting in her bag AH HA! Here! she pulls out a camera NOW we can take pictures so Terrean will know exactly what we're doing without her. TEA! you'll have to do your own stunts till the Cat gets back." "OH! My Wicked Cauldron! can't cook anything without my cauldron. and NO Dark Matter this time Tea! My eyes are still purple from that candy explosion we had, and my hair has never turned back to red!!" witchy grabs her bag and runs off to get her pot

Her companion Crow, Elvis, flaps after her, wondering what she's going to next.

Here you go, hun. First post for Madi.

Thanks sweetie. I had her hair and eye color wrong! Can she wear a wig as part of her costume??

She might, since she does wear makeup, but we still need to recognize Madi.

Thanks hon.