This is the continuation of an ongoing RP between me and some friends of mine, you may watch and read but no joining.<br/><br/>02:42:38 : Sikhoten_Tiger summons Fire with a rrrRRRRROOOAAAAAARRRRRrrrrrr<br/>02:44:19 : Fire_Gryphon swivels his head in the direction of said road, yet his ears go towards the squawk. Two calls. One is more urgent than the other, though, and Fire heads directly towards his lord, Bitsa.<br/>02:49:18 : Sikhoten_Tiger lays in his laying around spot awaiting for the arrival of Fire, though given the non-distinct nature of a roar he's not sure how he managed to make it call so specifically for Fire, either way he's happy with the result and chuffs at Fire with a smile.<br/>2007-03-13 02:54:06 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] Fire_Gryphon just knew it was he that was called for. Stepping into the tiger's presence, Fire bowed low. "You wanted to see me, milord?" His tone was calm, even, not showing the least amount of anxiety or exhaustion at having run here.<br/>2007-03-13 02:56:07 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] "Indeed we have much to discuss before I eat you again tonight so sit down and get comfortable" *The tiger stretches himself out a bit, offering his flank as a comfy spot to be if he so wishes.*<br/>2007-03-13 02:57:53 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] Fire_Gryphon did so wish, and padded over to the offered lounge. Laying himself down gently against the soft fur, he stretched out. "Tonight will be my departing night, then? If you believe I am ready, I will trust you, even if I myself am unsure."<br/>2007-03-13 03:00:29 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] "You won't depart tonight but you'll be given all the information you'll need to do so, as well as be given some funds to pick up some items that will be required for your trip. First off tell me what you do understand about your task." *The tiger asks*<br/>2007-03-13 03:04:43 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] "Well, from what you have told me, I will be going to another planet. One with similar atmospheric conditions to this place here. There are tigers there that need our help, need protection from the humans. So I will be going, observing the pockets of tiger populations around that world and studying how they live in relation to the humans. Make notes, and when everything has been surveyed, I will return here to report to you and suggest ways in which we can help those tigers out." Here, the gryphon makes a pause for a moment, but continues, "I will be going through harsh environments and living on my own, in the wild, and keeping myself hidden entirely from the human populations."<br/>2007-03-13 03:10:18 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] "Good very good, now there are some specifics that you'll be doing at these locations. One is you'll be bringing these crystals that you'll pick up in town when you go for some other supplies as well, you'll need 8 of them 6 for each of the important locations which you'll be visiting as well as 2 extra for other places of interest. These will take a sort of picture of the place and allow people with the ability to teleport there meaning that once you're back we'll be able to move back and forth with ease. You'll also have to pick up a teleportation crytal attuned to a location that we'll set in Siberia allowing you to get out of a situation if it looks dire enough, do you understand?" *The tiger asks*<br/>2007-03-13 03:14:24 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] "I- I think so. These crystals will serve as teleporters... but only between each other? Or will I be able to recall myself to any of them whenever I wish? And which town will I be picking these up in? Will they be large or bulky?" So many questions, but that was necessary as it would be pure idiocy to go in without knowing and understanding everything he could.<br/>2007-03-13 03:47:31 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] "Not quite they're different crystals. One acts as a marker and you'll need one for each location o... the tiger thinks for a moment and then shakes his head. Sorry I seem to have forgotten a few you'll be going to 9 different locations and get 12 crystals, you only need to heat it with open flame to activate it, something which you should be able to do pretty easily I'd guess" *The tiger says before continuing onwards.* "Now before we carry too far from that these are the places that you'll need to mark with these crystals. Kerinci Seblat, Taman Negara, Jigme Dorji, Jigme Singye, Royal Chitwan, Kanha, Ranthambhore, Corbett and the Sundarbans. These are located in 5 different nations and if you can get any information on their goverments without revealing yourself it would be useful as well these are Nepal, India, Bhutan, Malaysia and Indonesia."<br/>2007-03-13 03:54:12 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] Fire_Gryphon was listening quite intently, but he knew important information when he heard it. He immediately pulled out a notepad and pen designed for his claws, writing down the locations furiously. "Okay, one crystal at each place. 12 in total. So that means 3 extras. Are those spares, or am I supposed to use them at other landmarks?" he asked as he wrote. "And I am not sure yet about gaining information about the human governments, if they are as dangerous as you seem to imply. It has been a while since I have had to do any real spying. But I will try; I understand that knowing how they operate may help in stopping them from harming the tigers."<br/>2007-03-13 04:03:38 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] "Those are extras, if all goes as planned though or if you see a spot that you think is valuble to visit again then you make use of them, it's probably best to use them on your way back though since you'll be sure to have marked all the places that you need. Now you should also know that the places you mark should be well concealed so that big obvious things like me or Fluffy can teleport there without worrying about being spotted. I don't expect you to learn much about the goverments, just keep your ears open for what you can learn, keeping your cover is top priority. Now the other crystal you'll be picking up will be a one-use teleport spell, you've only need to grasp it, picture the location we're going to tie it to and say 'Siberia'. Is that all clear?" *The tiger asks idly stroking the gryphon with his big paw*<br/>2007-03-13 04:09:31 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] Fire_Gryphon nodded after a moment. "So far it is farily straight-forward. Everything you've said seems logical and makes sense. Except the crystals, but I predict I will understand them more when see them, or at least use one." Closing his eyes, he ran through what you had said already, working out more questions on the dorections thus far. "Can the crystal be activated by accidental flame? Say, lightning strikes, or torches? Not that I plan on simply dragging them about, but you never know. Where will I be getting these crystals, and is that unique, one-use crystal to bring me back here when I am finished?"<br/>2007-03-13 04:20:32 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] "They are unique one-use items and you will have to bring them back, they can be activated by accidental flame electicity and the like wouldn't affect it in any way but you'll still want to keep it protected. These will be already ready for you at the shop in town where you'll be getting whatever other gear you think you'll need, you just need to say how many as they've been paid for in advance." *The tiger explains* "Now would you like to start discussing your route now?"<br/>2007-03-13 04:23:16 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] "Yes, I think that fills me in on the broad details of what I will be doing. Already looking like a hefty job, but I will do my best and hope to do the Order proud." No matter what outward appearances of confidence the gryphon showed, inside he was feeling a bit of worry and hesitation. This was not the simple vacation he had illusions of at first!<br/>2007-03-13 04:38:55 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] *It certainly wasn't just some vacation, Bitsa hadn't been kidding when he said that this was likly going to be one of the most difficult things he'd ever done, but with somewhere around 34 000 km of traveling expected over a vast range of climates and altitudes one wouldn't be exaggerating to call this the trek of a lifetime.* "I'm glad to hear it, I'm sure you'll do quite well in all this and learn quite a bit about both yourself and the world in the process" *The tiger smirks a bit, scritching under Fire's neck affectionatly a bit before continuing* "Your route will start near the end of the Amur river on the border between China and Russia, the latter on the north the former on the south, stick to the north side if you know what's good for you. You'll leave me and travel up the river pretty much as far as it goes keeping yourself out of sight of course as you work along the river, following the border until it turns to the South and a lake called lake Hulun, it will be marked on the map I provide you. Now at this point you'll have to start travelling directly south-west until you reach the Gobi desert. You understand?" *The tiger asks*<br/>2007-03-13 04:42:57 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] Fire_Gryphon was weak to those scritches, leaning his head up to give slightly better access to the gentle claws. A low purr started, even though they were talking about such serious business. Still, he heard everything said, and jotted down some points to remember with a nod. "Yes, I do. How long will you accompany me for? Just seeing me to the other world, then I am on my own from there? And thank goodness for maps, I say!"<br/>2007-03-13 05:03:31 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] Sikhoten_Tiger 's affection was in part because of the serious buisness they were contemplating a method of convaying his appreciation and trust in the gryphon that he could do this, hopefully giving him some of the confidence he lacked through the gentle scritches which worked down through his chestfeathers. "Indeed, now once you reach the Gobi you'll want to follow it as much as possible staying in the hottest and driest regions as you go eastwards towards the Taklimakan desert. Once you reach there you'll want to work along the southern most edge of the desert until you reach the point in the desert that's the furthest to the south, from here you'll be going up into the Tibetan platau and working your way south. Now 600 km south of there you'll start to run into a chain of lakes in the high mountains, you'll want to follow these towards the south-west so that you'll make a good exit out of the mountains. There will be a point where the chain of lakes come close to a long glacier that runs parrallel to your route up to there at this point you'll want to pass by it on the eastern edge, moving directly south and near another smaller glacier to the west. The land will dip down considerably below 5000 m and at that point you need to seek out the two biggest mountains in sight and seek out the valley between them. These mountains will be Dhaulaguri and Annapurna, to the west and east of your route respectively. Any questions? Getting through the himilayas will likly be the most difficult part for navigation, I don't want you getting lost."<br/>2007-03-13 05:11:33 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] That gentle touch was certainly appreciated as the tiger explained all this. He could not even picture in his head the incredible distances he would be trekking along this! And not only would he have to make his way along this route, but also keep himself in good condition. Fit, healthy, fed. Easy enough here, but on an alien world how would he fare? "Well, to be honest, since I have no idea of the geography and all the names are foreign to me I can't even picture any of this in my head. I will keep all the directions you tell me, but I will most definitely need this path outlined on a map. Words can only take me so far without specific landmarks to look for." He did not want to get lost either! Along a river, to a lake, carrying on to a desert, then through the hottest point of the desert and into some mountains, high altitude, and even a glacier! How many climates would he need to prepare for?! "And a couple of things. Why the hottest and driest part of the desert, and I suffer from the thin air found at high altitudes like any other. Do you have a solution to that?"<br/>2007-03-13 05:20:27 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] "Staying along the hotter regions of the desert will both keep you from prying eyes and keep you on your course. You'll have to ensure that you have enough water for a few days with you when you cross over that, which is part of the gear you'll need to be getting. As for altitude you should be able to avoid going over 6000 meters for the most part as you'd want to stick to the valleys instead of going over the highest peaks all the time. However if you want to keep your course at all you'll have to go over some of them, given such conditions I'd -highly- stress the importance of only moving in the day and in good weather." *The tiger explains. Indeed Fire would have to prepare for pretty much every climate known to man, with the possable exceptions of the most hospitible ones!*<br/>2007-03-13 05:24:41 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] Fire_Gryphon nodded to the explanations. Again, more sense. The first reason for the hotter parts was what he was thinking himself. Water, though, might be interesting. Water was not a light fluid, and carrying enough for a few days of travel through a desert, along with everything else, might be a trial in itself. "Yes, of course. I am surely not foolhardy enough to traverse paths like this in the dark! Those kinds of gryphons don't make it through their first five years of flight, normally. Or if they do, certainly not in any shape to be flying much more in their lives. Will I be planting any of the crystals along this route so far?"<br/>2007-03-13 05:33:40 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] "No you'll be doing that only after you're out of the Himilayas, you'll be able to see for yourself that for the most part there are no regions suitable for tigers to live along your route after departing from the Amur. I'm glad to hear you know not to move in the dark there, because you might get into the habit in the desert to escape the heat. The mountains will also provide a lot of water and food so once you reach there you should do better, and I expect that you'll want to take some time to get some food hunted down at that point and of course some water." *The tiger slid his paw down to his flank and rubbed gently there settling him some.*<br/>2007-03-13 05:38:54 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] Fire_Gryphon leaned further against the side of the great tiger, using the comfort of the fur as a balance to the thoughts racing through his head now. "More questions. Hope you don't mind them. One, why must I trek all this distance if there are no tigers along the way? Two, do you think it would be wise to travel mainly in the dawn and dusk through the desert, resting during the middle of the day? And three, you have lived in both worlds. Is hunting there comparable to here? Without the ressurections, of course. That is something unique to this park, I think."<br/>2007-03-26 20:55:02 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] "Not at all, better to ask them now and be prepared then the altnernative. You have to trek all this distance because there is no other way, we tigers are far dispersed from each other, in no small part because of the elimination of the connecting populations in China that would have once made our kind a unified whole. It would likly be wise to keep to the morning and evening hours in the desert to keep from the heat od the day, which will naturally have it's affects on your progress but some things cannot be helped. Also hunting will be comparatively quite hard to the park, not only are there no ressurections but the wildlife is quite a bit more resiliant in it's ability to get away from preds, usually it takes 10 tries for a tiger to catch it's prey, I expect you will come accross some of the same frustrations." The tiger explains nuzzling at the top of Fire's head idly.<br/>2007-03-26 21:02:47 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] Fire_Gryphon did not meet the great tiger's gaze as he was tended gently to. The black gryph had much to think about concerning this journey and, as Bitsa said, it would be best to be prepared before starting. "And you can only get me into this Siberia place, I suppose. Well, that is fine. The trek will give me time alone, to build my own skills in surviving in entirely new environments. It sounds very tough, but I am confident I am tougher!" The smaller critter did seem full of confidence, but that was a trait given almost all gryphons. To be utterly sure of their own abilities was simply part of them. But even as he said this, more thoughts came to his head, the next question coming only seconds after the exclamation of confidence. "Oh, magic! I'm not sure if you can work magic yourself, or know much about it at all, but how does the culture accept such things? I have heard of places that shun it, places that embrace it, places that don't even acknowledge it!"<br/>2007-03-26 21:08:35 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] "Magic, as far as everyone from my world but for me and some who know me, dosen't exist so using it with extreme caution is a bit of a must. That said when there's no physical evidence of what you're doing you don't have to worry about others picking up on the use of magic, nobody will know... I think." The tiger said nodding gently.<br/>2007-03-26 21:14:34 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] "Okay. Magic will be kept to a minimum. Actually, doing such will help more than hinder, I think. I sometimes think I become too reliant on magery, for everything from hunting to simple comforts to battles. Refraining from it will be difficult, but I think very good practice for me in the end." Fire took a deep breath then and closed his eyes again. "But to go along with that, what about objects of enchantment, such as my pouch? Carrying everything will be quite a bit easier if I can take it with me, but I can do without it if need be. Umm, other than that not many more questions come to mind that I won't find out when I get there."<br/>2007-03-26 21:17:53 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] "I think objects of enchantment should be fine, but really since we're pitting magic against advanced technological detection there's always a possability that something will be more problmatic then we'd expect." The tiger explains stretching and yawning a bit. "Would you like to pick up some of your gear now, or just rest for now?" The tiger offers.<br/>2007-03-26 21:21:25 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] Fire_Gryphon replied immediately with "Gear first! It may be that after we remember something or think of something new after getting what gear I will need. You can never be sure what will be overlooked. Well, until I end up needing something and not having it, that is..." But even as grim as the situation may sound, and the thought of needing something important and not having was a little chilly, the gryphon laughed at the thought.<br/>2007-03-26 21:23:14 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] Sikhoten_Tiger smirked and shook his head a bit at the gryphon before presenting him with a few silver coins, though they didn't look like much there was quite a bit of weight to them. "Ok, take that and get what you think you need"<br/>2007-03-26 21:29:18 [Fire_Gryphon -> Sikhoten_Tiger] Fire_Gryphon nodded and reached out to accept the coins. They went right into that pouch he was talking about and always had with him. "Will I need to pay for the crystals, or can I leave them out of my purchasing? And where do I get these things, I have never seen a shop around the park..." There were essentials he knew he needed to get, such as fire-starters (flint and tinder even, perhaps), emergency rations, first aid kit, water rations and such. After that, the non-essentials but useful in many situations: rope, metal spikes, simple tools, weapons, supplemental food. But this all depended on availability and cost, of course. Many things for outdoor survival Fire already kept with him, and he could live by himself without such extras under normal conditions. But against the unknown, it was folly to assume he could survive without such things.<br/>2007-03-26 21:31:40 [Sikhoten_Tiger -> Fire_Gryphon] "The crystals are already payed for, so that at least you won't have to worry about. Everything else you'll have to work out on your own, it's not exactly my field of expertise anyways" Bitsa explained, a fervent 'no gear' user his entire life!*<br/>[23:09] OnyxGryph: "Heh heh, I suppose not.   You are more of a 'roughing it' kind of tiger, aren't you?" he observed with a bit of a chuckle.  "Well not paying for the crystals is one less worry, for sure.  These coins should certainly be able to cover anything I do not already have.  Hmm, so that pretty much leaves the biggest question:  when do I leave?  You said something about getting me acclimatized to the desert heart, if I recall correctly.  Is that necessary, or would you rather get me out there ASAP?"<br/>[23:13] SikhotenTiger: "Well that's up to you really, if you think you're able to go without then we can do so, if not then you can spend the next week going in and out of my gut" The tiger says, grinning broadly and slurping his chops a bit, leaning his head down to slurp over the top of Fire's head basting it gently with his saliva and drawing a slight murrr from the big tiger.<br/>[23:17] * OnyxGryph ducked his head a bit, dipping his beak-tip towards his chest as that broad muscle combed his feathers back.   But as soon as the tasting was done, he lifted it back up with a gaping grin on his face.  "Well, of course as a gryphon I am sure I could handle it.  But then, it never hurts to be more prepared!  Besides, if those tigers are anything like you, I think I need to spend more time with you before I observe them.   My experience with felines is rather limited, I must admit."<br/>[23:21] SikhotenTiger: "Well perhaps a preliminary tour of Siberia might work well?" The tiger says smiling some as he nuzzled along the wet patch he'd made, nibbling at the gryphon's ear gently.<br/>[23:25] OnyxGryph: "Oooh, yes!   That would be very useful I think!  Give me a chance to get used to spotting them and such.  WIth your help, of course.  I have a lot to learn, I am sure."  The ear flickered a bit between your lips as you nibbled, his slight spicey scent rising off him with help from the dampness.<br/>[23:32] SikhotenTiger: *The tiger chuckles a bit and nods.* "Well I'll be sure to take you around a bit... you should probably meet one or two of my mates at least, just to know the sort that you're going through all of this for" The tiger says smirking some as he suckles on the ear briefly before releasing it.<br/>[23:35] OnyxGryph: Fire did not mind the suckling in the least, and even leaned his head towards it.  But he was not about to press the matter, more important things were on his mind that simple physical interactions.  At least, for now.  "One or two?  Okay, umm, I have to ask.  How many mates do you have?!"<br/>[23:36] SikhotenTiger: "Nine" The tiger says firmly nodding a bit.<br/>[23:39] OnyxGryph: "Nine!  Woah...  Errr, sorry.   We obviously come from different societies.  I was just brought up in a rather monogamous family," he explained his rude outburst, or at least what he considered rude.<br/>[23:41] SikhotenTiger: *Bitsa was more or less used to that sort of reaction and instead had an outburst himself, of laughter, shaking his head as he calmed down he finnally responded.* "Well amoung tigers at least the males usually keep a very distant relationship with their mates... I'm an exception in that regard and it keeps me tremendously busy"<br/>[23:45] * OnyxGryph felt his nares redden a bit, joining the laugh with his own tentative chuckle.  "Yes, I suppose it would...   But you certainly seem to get by well enough, and I bet you do quite a good job of taking care of them and making sure they are in good health, too.  Do all tigers share your sentience?"<br/>[23:47] SikhotenTiger: "No, but if you know what to look for you can see that none of them are far off, they all have personalities and can think in some specific ways that would boggle some sentient minds. It's one of the things that I'm trying to introduce to my kind" The tiger says.<br/>[23:51] OnyxGryph: "Ahhh.  ALright.   Hopefully I will learn fast; being able to understand some of their habits and mannerisms will be a huge help."  Fire closed his eyes and took a deep breath before asking his next question.  "Alright, carrying on, I can get my supplies tomorrow, I guess.   Should we leave in a couple days then?"<br/>18:43:52 Sikhoten_Tiger: *The tiger -shifts- into Siberia with gryphon in tow, snickering or otherwise landing them in the middle of Siberia in early sping which meant it was still pretty damn snowy but signs of life re-awakening could be seen here and there sprouting out.*<br/>18:47:38 FireGryph: The gryphon may never get used to such a shifting in environments. One moment they were in the park, safe in the laying around spot, and now in a totally different place, a foreign place to the gryphon. Clear skies brought cold air and blindingly bright sunlight reflecting off the snow, shining into Fire's eyes as he blinked them open. "We are in 'Siberia,' correct?" he asks as he looks about and gets used to the surroundings.<br/>18:50:00 : Sikhoten_Tiger blinks and turns to Fire, snugged against him for the ride and nods. "Of course, where else would we be" The tiger on the other hand was rather used to this particular shift, perhaps in large part because he felt more comfortable here anyways and getting up onto his paws the tiger releases Fire and starts to pad off through the glazed snow, the surface quite crusty from some mild melting and freezing on the surface. "C'mon now"<br/>18:50:58 : Tamara is currently alseep on her den, digesting the last of a recent meal, a deer she caught and devoured with much greed and happiness. She shifts a bit on ehr sleep, but remains layed on her side, sprawled a bit on the big stone thats erves as mattress on ehr den.<br/>18:53:19 FireGryph: Having avian fore-paws, the gryph was already feeling a slight chill in those legs. He might be tempted to use his own powers, but they would only serve to make him sink deeper in melted snow. Lucky he had a light body as he stepped carefully to keep up with the great tiger. "This is your home, where you were born? It is beautiful..." The small gryph's eyes dart about, looking back and forth as he gets himself accustomed to the scents and sounds.<br/>18:56:36 Sikhoten_Tiger: The sound would be silence, but for the crunching of their paws through the snow there would be absolute silence as they walked through the chilly Siberian wilderness. Scent would prove the same as it only managed to stuff a chill up into the avians nares. The tiger would be leading accross a relatively open area towards a steep ravine, padding along smoothily with his swishing tail and Fire in tow. Once he reached the edge of it, he could look over a good chunk of his forest home as he smiled, looking back at Fire. "Yes it is."<br/>19:00:06 : FireGryph stepped to the cliff edge and looked over easily, leaning out over the open air. "Oh my...." Even having being a creature with wings, flight cannot give a view such as the one from a cliff-edge. "And this all turns to desert? Hard to imagine that... I can see why you carry such a thick coat of fur, now!"<br/>19:06:34 Tamara: ((Well, I'll wait til you are on my den to post.))<br/>19:07:08 Sikhoten_Tiger: (( kk ))<br/>19:08:55 : Sikhoten_Tiger chuckles a bit and smiles, flicking his whiskers as a gust comes up at them, chilly as it carried the taste of snow in the air before the tiger turned to the side and started to walk along the side of the cliff working to where the ground evened out a bit more to enable him to leap down into the ravine which he would too soon enough.<br/>19:11:22 : FireGryph followed his lord along, lost in the region, on a strange world. Not entirely strange, as the physics were very much the same. In fact, so similar that Fire forgot that he was on a different world entirely, and not just in a different part of the previous one. The black gryph thanked himself for having spent so much time on the ground as of late, since walking was not always an easy task for those with wings. But it natural for this particular one, at home in both sky and on the ground. "Where are we going, milord?"<br/>19:15:26 Sikhoten_Tiger: "To meet a tigress of course, you wanted to know what you're doing this all for... she's from the park mind you so she won't be quite as... wild as what you're liable to run into, but it's a good place to start. Oh and the desert is quite far from here yet, it's a big world after all." The tiger explains as he winds his way down the floor of the ravine who's walls steepen considerably until they're rocky and cliff like with big blocky overhangs.<br/>19:18:54 FireGryph: The gryphon had no fear of heights, of course, and as such the cliff face was not a problem as he followed along. "A tigress from the park? Hmmm, do I know her, then?" he continued to question as the pair made their way along towards the destination.<br/>19:21:50 Sikhoten_Tiger: "Probably not, she dosen't hang around there much now, she's settled quite nicely here" The tiger smiles a bit at that before continuing onwards before turning aside into the rock where it apparently had broken away to make a small overhang, though she couldn't be seen immediatly the tiger seemed to know where to find her and nuzzled at her shoulder gently to wake Tamara.<br/>19:29:01 : Tamara shifts some as her shoulder is nuzzled, then she sprawls and yawns some, strirring ehrself. She did already recognized Bitsa's scent, and alos got Fire's. But she's not really worried about the unknown scent that is accompanying Bitsa, hence why she takes her time to wake up. Her eyes blinks some, and she smiles at the bgi tiger, nuzzling him some and letting out a low churr. Then, still laying on the rock, she tilts her head to look at Fire, curious, ears perked up. The feral tigress is slightly smaller than Bitsa, but not by much, and has the usual fur pattern of the tigers. The only thingthat proves she's not your average wild tigress is the small ruby wolfhead earring attached to her left ear.<br/>19:31:32 FireGryph: As soon as they rounded the corner, sharp grypnic eyes picked out the sleeping tigress, and Fire stopped then and there. Out of respect, Fire made himself appear smaller, slicking down his feathers and taking on a stance that showed his place under Bitsa's command. Tamara was certainly fit to be the mate of Lord Bitsa, and even though fire did not know it yet, he could make that guess. It was better to be safe than sorry, after all! As such, the gryphon remained quiet until introductions were made, even though his eyes darted about and inspected the den, and Tamara herself.<br/>19:34:45 Sikhoten_Tiger: The tiger would purrr gently as he nuzzled and nosed at Tamara, enjoying the returned affection before he took a step back from her, allowing her to more easily see past his big body and at the guest he'd brought along with him. "Tamara, meet Fire, he's a friend" The tiger said reassuringly as he stood to the side, his swishing tail announcing his contentment.<br/>19:40:46 : Tamara gets up on all fours and nods. "Nice to meet you Fire." Then she sits on her haunches, yawns again, clapping her jaws and licking her lips and nose some before looking at Bitsa. "What are you two doing here?"<br/>19:42:50 : FireGryph bowed low to the tigrees, ducking his head till his beak-tip touched the ground. "Pleasure is mine, milady." The gryph chimed out politely before raising up to his feet again. That would be Bitsa's question to answer, as he had a better idea of that than the gryphon did.<br/>19:46:59 : Sikhoten_Tiger choked laughter and grinned broadly at the two introductions, the contrast an irresistable source of comedy for the big tiger. Once settled down the tiger would turn towards Tamara and explained. "Well he's going to be going on a little trek... well no, a big trek really and since it involves tigers I thought it would be a good idea for him to meet a few before he left, he certainly seemed eager about the idea too." The tiger said.<br/>19:52:52 : Tamara looks at Bitsa and frowns a bit. "A big trek you say? A trek to where? And I don't really see how I could be of any help for him... I don't know your world..." Then she looks at Fire. "Why did you wanted to meet some tigers before departing for your trek?"<br/>19:55:48 FireGryph: The gryphon took a half second to clear his throat before replying, "If I am to be working with tigers a great deal, I believe it would be a good idea to spend some time getting to know some before going out on my own. I already know that you great felines can be dangerous, and putting myself in the way of harm without any preparation seems foolhardy. However, I had no idea Lord Bitsa had planned on bringing me here to you, Lady Tamara."<br/>20:01:09 : Tamara chuckles at being called 'Lady Tamara'. "I am no Lady. Just Tamara will do it, Fire. Well... I don't know what I could teach you about us tigers, really..."<br/>20:02:14 Sikhoten_Tiger: "You knew I was going to take you to see a tigress though, jeeze, make me sound like I'm throwing you into the ocean without knowing how to swim!" The tiger protests, mostly in jest before nuzzling at Tamara gently and saying in a growly tone. "You certainly are a lady" The tiger grins broadly nuzzling at the side of her neck some.<br/>20:04:03 : FireGryph relaxes some at the tigresses behest, beak parting to gape happily now as he watched the two. Such care and love for each other was always a joy to see! "Well, actually, I think an ocean is about the only place you are not throwing me!" he jokes right back and sets his rump down.<br/>20:06:41 : Tamara mraws some and nuzzles back, smiling. "So flattering you are, Bitsa," she replies witha sostf tone, her lvoe for him obvious, her ears lopsided a bit. "Well, as far as I udnerstand it, you might one day finds yourself going on an udnerwater mission for the Order of the Stripes, if this bgi tiger here finds some striped being living on the ocean!" she says, laughing some.<br/>20:11:27 : Sikhoten_Tiger chokes laughter a bit and he rests his chin on her neck, nibbling at her ear gently as he looks over at Fire in amuzment his paw gesturing the gryphon close to meet Tamara a bit better. "This is what's happening, I have a good idea about what's going on with tigers here in Siberia, but there's several thousand tigers out there that are outside of Siberia that I know next to nothing about. Fire, being a gryphon is good for getting places reasonably fast and getting over terrain that would probably force me to stop. Also being faster and smaller he's quite a bit less noticable then a big haulking tiger. As such he's off on a journey to check out tiger's abroad."<br/>20:21:34 : FireGryph knew about some underwater striped critter, but kept his beak shut about them for now. Instead, he wandered over as suggested and took a more comfortable seat within reach of the two tigers. "Wait a minute, you don't know about those other tigers?! Hmm, so you are sending out there, in a vague direction, to study some felines which may or may not be friendly in the least, by myself? Hey, this just keeps getting better and better!" But all he said was in a rather cheerful, bright tone of voice. More humourous than any worry or fear.<br/>20:28:06 : Tamara mrowls some as Bitsa rests his ching on ehr neck, and she adopts a slightly submissive stance, ehr ears lopsided some, her head slightly low, her tail shwishing slowly, and her body going quite still, as if not to disturb Bitsa. She chuckles some at the way Fire explains his mission. "Remind me to never work for this Order of yours..."<br/>20:30:46 : Sikhoten_Tiger totally sighs and shakes his head a bit. "I told you! I gave very -specific- directions and a list of targets to visit! It's not that I don't know -anything- about the tiger's there, I just have no first hand knowlage. All the information I have is from humans and I'd like to get some more detailed info on the area." The tiger harrumphs a bit, not impressed with how Fire was painting him out to be more reckless then he was.<br/>20:33:15 FireGryph: The gryph had meant it as a joke, not being serious! "I know, I know. I trust you not to throw me around like that. Hence why I serve you, because you do not treat those under your service like catapults or trebuchets. I really am looking forward to this, as well, honestly!" Fire ducks his head in a bit of a sheepish bow, then turns to Tamara to speak next. "But of course not! SOmeone has to stay home and make sure Bitsa here keeps himself healthy!"<br/>20:37:39 : Tamara smiles and glances at Bitsa. "Don't worry, he can keep himself healthy alone." she says, grinning. "Well, if you're going out in the unknown, just be oreoared ffor everything. Tigers will most probably jump on you at sight or quite. Use your wits, brain and wings. It will help you a lot, especially your wings."'<br/>20:42:00 : Sikhoten_Tiger grumbles a bit before letting out a bit of a frustrated sigh at Fire, rolling his eyes a bit before looking to Tamara and lapping at the back of her neck gently working up to the back of her ear. "Thank you fore that productive input dear." The tiger says pointedly, looking at Fire with a bit of a sneaky grin.<br/>20:46:23 FireGryph: It would seem the gryph was in a bit of a comical mood tonight, but was not finding the proper audience here! "Aye, thank you for the advice. I had not thought that the tigers would go after me that readily, being a fellow predator myself. Granted, I have not dealt with many creatures of the lesser sentience, so I would not know. But I suspected them to be rather more wary of a creature that could cause irreparable harm." The look his lord gave was not lost on the gryph, but it was not acted upon outside of a small grin.<br/>20:53:52 : Tamara shakes her head a bit, and pads towards the gryphon, a soft smile on her muzzle. "Ok, let's try to be a bit more serious. Tigers, even in the wild, won't attack you at sight. Unless they're completely insane. They'll take their time to observe you, evaluate the danger you might represents and such. If they think you mean no harm, or you are not a threat, you'll probably not be attacked. There are easier targets for them, as tigers attacks mostly to get food. However, tigers get angry quite easily, and if you get on their bad side, you're most likely to get attacked by one or several of them." She pauses and looks at Bitsa. "A feline attack is swift and usually deadly. You will not have a second chance. Stay always on your toes once you'll have reached tiger's territory. You don't know what might happen. And tigers are not the only threat. Humans withw eapons are another. And they are likely to shoot you on sight, simply because of what you are."<br/>21:03:02 : Sikhoten_Tiger smiles a bit as they get a bit more serious, he wasn't opposed to humor, but when treks were on the line one couldn't be goofing around! He's about to start making an explination of things himself when Tamara steps in, to his suprise. He's happy to hear how much she's come to understand about her wild bretheren and as she speaks she gets a, perhaps distracting, grooming along the back of her neck, the tiger affectionate as she speaks. "One thing I heard said once is that tigers don't survive through pure strength or energy. More that it was the survival of the most sensible that drove tiger evolutions."<br/>21:07:48 : FireGryph nodded, takign in this lesson with perked and open ears, and an open mind. "Aye, from what little research I have been able to do since being first informed of this trek I have read some things that lead to the same conclusion. Here, in this world, it would seem that every creature has some advantage to survive outside of sheer strength. But that means the tigers have to be craftier in order to catch their prey! I shall keep my eyes and ears open as I make my way through their territories, for sure. But are the humans really that violent, that reasoning with them is a lost cause?"<br/>18:41:31 Tamara: I don't really know this world, save for this part of Siberia. But it looks like the humans are similar than what they are in most dimensions, so you be careful when you go on your trek. Stay away of any human cities. And watch out for groups of humans gone hunting. They could very well target you. As for how tigers behave here, I can't really tell you...<br/>18:47:44 Sikhoten_Tiger: "I'll say this, not all humans are bad and some are even quite admirable, but it's not really a risk you want to take because of the extrodinary violence they'll bring down upon you if you run into the wrong sort. So there's no need to kill them on sight or anything silly, but make for damn sure they don't see you because many won't afford you the same luxury." The tiger says seriously.<br/>18:51:16 FireGryph: Fire nodded in understanding. "Alright, I will be sure to do my best to stay away from them, then. And you have said that gryphons are nothing more than a myth here on this world. That would make it doubly dangerous for me to be spotted. Locked in a lab and stested is not on my to do list!" The gryphon cracked a grin there. This may be a serious matter, and he knew it, but there was no reason for the three of them to be so gloomy about it. At least, that is the way Fire figured. "So, no humans. But I would like to more about the tigers before I go searching for them. Hard to find much of anything without knowing what to look for, right?"<br/>18:55:18 : Tamara grins and nods. "Well, tigers will most likely also make sure they are not spotted by humans. Humans tends to hunt and kill every predator that threatens their domination over the food chain, and tigers are on the list. So you'll most probbaly have to search in secluded spots, forests far from human civlisation and such, maybe small islands, as it is known for a fatc that tigers loves to swim, unlike most felines."<br/>18:56:55 Sikhoten_Tiger: "Well it's a bit of a mix and depends which park you're going to, do you still have the list?" The tiger asks, flicking his ear gently, sort of a test to insure that Fire did indeed have an idea where he was going to be going through all this.<br/>19:02:02 FireGryph: "Of course! I keep it in my pouch, safe with everything else I had to pick up," he said and pulled out the little notebook, showing as proof that he did still have it. "But what I have not really gotten yet is a map of my route, or of this world. So I have no idea where I am really going. Names mean nothing to me here. All I know is that we are in Siberia now."<br/>19:03:12 Tamara: I guess you'll have to go south. Tigers in Siberia are pretty much wtached by Bitsa.<br/>19:06:39 : Sikhoten_Tiger nods and erfs some... he sorta forgot about that one thing, while he knew the route once must take it was based on a plethora of maps he'd seen in his time, now stitched together in his mind. "Umm Tamara, do you have a human form?" The tiger asks curiously.<br/>19:08:42 : Tamara looks at Bitsa. "Yes, I do. Why do you ask?"<br/>19:09:13 : FireGryph blinked and looked between the two. "Ummm, is something the matter?" he asked after seeing the reaction of Bitsa.<br/>19:12:17 Sikhoten_Tiger: "I have no map and I think if I tried to buy one the human storekeeper would freak out a bit. Ergo, Tamara could you, using the money off one of the killed poachers from the last while, go down to Vladivostok and get a good high detail topographical map of Asia." The tiger said.<br/>19:16:07 : Tamara frowns a bit. "I have no idea where that Vladivostok of yours is. I guess it's the same town than in many dimensions I traveled, and, last time I went tehr,e ti was quite a dangerous town. Plus I don't speak a word of Russian... And playing a lost tourist in Vladivostok is out of question. It would make me very suspect for them. Tourists do not go to Vladivostok..."<br/>19:25:21 FireGryph: "Wait, you don't have a map for me?" came the incredulous answer from the gryphon. "Hmm, that would make things rather difficult for me..." Indeed! He had no idea where he was! Even the word 'Russian' did not ring any bells. He had only ever heard of this place called Siberia, and the other few places Bitsa had outlined for his destinations. "I can't exactly go anywhere without a direction."<br/>19:26:52 Sikhoten_Tiger: "Well, not often... but there are occational people who come in from the west to check on The Siberian Tiger project that they're funding so well" The tiger says, explaining some. "I did give you some directions, but yes it would be difficult to put it all together without a map"<br/>19:30:11 : Tamara frowns more and headtilts. "Siberian Tiger Project? Well, if ti involves scientists or charity donator and such, then I guess it would make my story more believable, yes..."<br/>19:34:55 : FireGryph could hardly believe that the hmans here would be so untrusting and hostile towards even their own kind as Tamara suggested. Surely there must be some rational people on this planet! But his mind was not really on how to get it, since he had no idea about the culture and had no real way of obtaining a map here. The gryph did not even know where the closest city, town or village was! "With all due respect, lord, your directions were only useful to me with a map. These landmarks you gave me have names, but I have no idea what name applies where without knowing something of the world here. Gobi, Vladivostok, Tibetan Plateau? I would not know one desert from another, and a wrong turn could mean leagues of difference!"<br/>19:38:04 Sikhoten_Tiger: "Yeah the Siberian Tiger Project, one of the reasons that tigers in Siberia are doing better then the rest of the world, they do good work and I've a great respect for their people. They're probably the only reason why I don't hate humans outright. You'd just have to act like you were an accountant of some sort and a bit lost, you could act a bit touristy as well and just say that you forgot your own map of the world." The tiger says.<br/>19:41:49 : Tamara giggles a bit at Fire's comments. They're quite true, and she nods in agreement. "So, you bring someone from the pakr to this world, ask him to go on a worldwide mission for you, and your forget to give him a map? My, you know hwo to organise a mission, don't you?" She says, sticking her tongue out playfully at him and laughing some. "Well, yes, I guess I could act like I am lost and such. It would probably be sufficient to get a detailed topographicla map of this region, and a general map of the world. But I don't really think this will be sufficient..."<br/>19:43:41 : FireGryph hid his grin rather well, he thought. But then the tigress said something that piqued his interest. "Not sufficient? What would you suggest I have with me then, if such maps are not enough?"<br/>19:46:44 : Sikhoten_Tiger frowns a bit. "I knew he'd want a map I was just at a loss of how to get him one..." The tiger said nosing at Tamara. "What do you think he'd need beyond that though?"<br/>19:55:45 : Tamara noses Bitsa back, still grinning a bit, then looks between the two. "Well, I don't know what exactly your mission is, but I guess you'll need some way to keep track of what you saw and such. And, well, maps are good, yes, but technology has evolved beyond pen and paper, my dears. It is not that I doubt your skills, Fire, but, in the event of you getting lost, do you think you will be able to find your location on a map quickly enough? Even topographicla maps can be hard ti udnerstand for someone not used to use them... and maps are anyway centered around humans compounds and the like, which you are to avoid."<br/>19:58:28 FireGryph: Fire hmmed and nodded. What she was saying made sense, but was she suggesting that he take something more technological? "Oh, I totally agree with you on the point that maps can be tricky, and that technology has advanced greatly. But I do not want to rely on something that requires power to operate when I will be without it for so long. And I must have the maps, if for nothing more than backups. Unless you have an idea of some device which can act as a map for me without needing to worry about a power supply, I am thinking a map would me the only way."<br/>20:05:08 : Sikhoten_Tiger tilts his head a bit and looks at Tamara. "What would you suggest, that we can get a hold of that is" The tiger said, curious.<br/>20:08:37 Tamara: Well, humans made up that thing... erm, forgot the name... whatever, it's a small device with a very detailed map on it, that sues satelites to pinpoint your location with mroe rpecision than what youc ould ever get with a paper map. On some of the worlds I traveled, they ahd version with solar panels on them, so you did not really needed a battery anymore. You could get oen, and alos the paper map, just inc ase. It would make your trek muche asier.<br/>20:10:51 FireGryph: "A GPS device," the gryphon supplied rather readily. He had heard of them, and used one before, albeit an inaccurate one. "As I understand, such devices are not easy to come by, at least not with the precision that you speak of. Not cheap at all. But if we could get our hands on a small one, with that solar power, it may prove quite handy. Again, though, there is the matter of manipulating it." With a smirk, he held up his taloned claws to show what he meant.<br/>20:14:19 Sikhoten_Tiger: "While I agree that this would all be quite useful both the difficulty of obtaining one and the nature of the task at hand makes it not the best thing to pursue. I think with the directions given him and a map to track his progress he'll be just fine." The tiger says, confident that this would prove enough for Fire.<br/>20:16:12 : Tamara looks at Fire's taloned claws, then sighs, ehr ears dropping a bit. She nods at Bitsa. "Ok..." is her only answer.<br/>20:19:44 FireGryph: The gryphon was, as always, confident in his own abilities as well. Maps had always served him sufficietnly in the past, so he was comfortable with using one here. "Back to the matter of getting one, though. I suppose that the Lady could go into this town and get one, but perhaps we should make plans in case they turn her away or she gets into some trouble." He offered it up as in idea, but was perfectly okay with that idea being shot down as a little too cautious. It was simply his over-wary mind in a new world that had him thinking so very paranoid.<br/>20:22:00 Sikhoten_Tiger: "Well if she gets turned away, we'll deal with that when we get there, if she gets into trouble that she can't get out of... do your best roar and I'll come in to do my best to get you out." The tiger says confidently, sure that if he came down to it, he could manage to get her back to safety.<br/>20:23:12 : Tamara nods. "Ok. I hope it won't be necessary though..."<br/>20:24:39 FireGryph: "So do I, but you can never truly be sure... Thank you very much for helping with this endeavor, milady!" Fire gave Tamara a courteous smile and ducked his head in another bow to show his appreciation, even if the gesture was not much.<br/>20:26:44 Sikhoten_Tiger: "Ok, so you can get that which is nessesary for your tip to town and then return here and I'll get us in closer" The tiger says to Tamara.<br/>20:29:54 Tamara: Well, I'll just have to get the money from the poachers, then I'm good. *She replies, smiling some. She get in a corner of the den, grabs a small bag, and comes back to the two.* There. All the money. *She says, opening the bag with oen paw, which spills some money on the ground, more than enough, it seems for some maps.*<br/>20:32:19 FireGryph: This would be Fire's first look at the currency used her ein this world, and he recognized it immediately from certain times in the park. Nothing like the gold coins a certain owl used, but seemingly much handier than those bulky things. "Hmmm, so this is where those bills and coins come from... Huh, strange that there would be connections to this world already..." he commented, but said nothing else as he picked up a quarter and looked it over.<br/>20:35:49 Sikhoten_Tiger: "I think currency is just a commonly used thing, regardless of the world." The tiger commented idly before snugging the two of them close and gathering a storm of snow aroudn the trio shifting them to a place a few kilometer's north of the city outskirts, near the road from the airport.<br/>20:40:49 : Tamara looks around and grins. "I think I'll never get sued to this way of teleporting around..." She says as she shakes some snow off her fur. Then she shifts into her human form, naked at first, but quickly clothes adapted for such a cold region appears on her body. She grabs the bag of money and looks at the city's outskirts a few kilometers away. "Ok, see you in a bit guys." Then she walks waway, humming quietly as she goes towards Vladivostock.<br/>20:43:44 : FireGryph certainly had to agree with Tamara on that about the teleportation! One moment they were in a den, the next out in the frigid snow again, a few kilometers away! But the gryph recovered fairly wuickly in the chilly air as the tigress turned human and donned the clothing. "Stay safe, Lady Tamara!" he chirped in momentary goodbye as he watched her leave. "How much time do we have, do you think, milord?"<br/>20:45:06 Sikhoten_Tiger: It was more like a few hundred kilometers away, ergo why he made a point of accelerating the process with teleportation! "Good luck dear" THe tiger says nuzzling her gently even in human form.<br/>20:45:29 Sikhoten_Tiger: "I'm not sure the tiger would say to Fire, flicking an ear gently and pondering. Certainly enough to discuss things."<br/>20:48:37 Sikhoten_Tiger: (( do we want to wrap things up for the day? things must be getting late for Tam ))<br/>20:49:09 FireGryph: ((I'm just bustling about in the kitchen, so I do not mind if you need sleep, Tamara.))<br/>20:49:31 : Tamara reaches the city soon enough. She has a bit of difficulty to find ehr way, and soon she ahs to ask for her direction to some locals. Most of them speaks only Russian, which doesn't helps. But they all points ehr towards the port, where she has greater chances of finding someone she can speak with. All in all, it takes her one hour to get to the port. She still hasn't met anyone who can udnerstand her, and it's quickly getting frustrating and stressing.<br/>20:52:39 FireGryph: The gryphon nodded to his tiger lord. "Aye, discuss. But I was thinking if perhaps now would be a good time to pick up those crystals you wanted me to have. Then again, if we leave here, we leave her alone in the city."<br/>20:53:03 Tamara: ((we can continue for a bit))<br/>20:56:30 Sikhoten_Tiger: The people of the city would prove friendly enough, though many were pretty timid in approaching the obvious forigner. Those that weren't would be as helpful as possible with their hand gestures leading her towards the docks where forign boat crew hung out and cultivated a more multinational area. Bitsa in the maintime would blink a bit at Fire and shake his head. "No I want to make sure I'm available should she need it, I'm asking quite bit of her after al"<br/>21:01:18 : Tamara sighs in relief when she finds peple who speaks a language she cna udnerstand. After some discussions, and a bit of walking, escorted by some of the foreign boat crews; who can't help but look at her with obvious envy, she get the maps she wanted.<br/>21:03:49 FireGryph: "Of course. Just an idea, all it was. I am sure she will do fine, though. She is bright, capable, intelligent," he spoke back and turned his head to look towards the direction of the city, fidgeting only slightly as he sat in the cold of the snow.<br/>21:09:01 Sikhoten_Tiger: The place would offer a series of maps as well as overview maps allowing her to get both high-detail as well as well as the overview 'Asia' map. "I know, but I'm not about to just leave her there either" The tiger snugs Fire close though to his furry body providing some warmth for him, smirking and slurping over the top of his head.<br/>21:12:04 : Tamara buys the more detailed maps of the region she can find, along with the general asia map. Her big sack of money makes some people stares, but nobody says a word. She buys plastic maps, for plastic is less likely to rip if it gets soaked by something, like melted snow or such. Once the map are nicely folded in the bag provided by the shopkeeper, she exits and looks around, seeking her road back to the point she left Bitsa and Fire.<br/>21:13:46 : FireGryph grinned and lay his ears down under the tongue, leaning back to take some of that warmth. "I understand. She is very beautiful. I think I can see why you two have become so close. That mix of stunning looks and keen intelligence, and the personality to go with them, is harder to find these days. Or so it seems." It was idle chatter, to a degree. He meant his words, but this would perhaps take their minds off the serious business of this trek ahead, and of the worry that would be eating at them both from the inside.<br/>21:16:47 Sikhoten_Tiger: "Well there was more to it then just that, but yes she certainly is lovely, we've been through a good bit together, I can only hope that things continue as such"' The tiger says, smiling broadly as he nuzzles at Fire.