((Well, I think it's about time to get this back under way. My hand is by no means healed, but I feel confident in my ability to keep this thing going now! ^_^ I'd intended to make this an incredibly long post to get things going again, but...after fighting with it for ages and ages, I decided to shorten it some. I'm still not satisfied, but honestly, I'd mess with this forever! As I get used to posting this again, my posts will - hopefully - grow once more to include the detail I normally posted with!<img alt=":D" src="./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif" title="Very Happy"/>)<br/><br/>Disa's hiss of pain slowly turns into a weakened groan, the enormous, red-skinned girl sagging weakly down onto her knees. It was a testament to the Oni's toughness that she'd even survived the initial assault - the trio of blades look like they'd neatly pierced though where her heart and lungs would be, a blow that would have normally been almost instantly fatal. Still, she clasps at her chest for a brief moment, and with another groan, topples to the side in a heap. Cyria is forced to skitter along the Oni's shoulders and plant herself on the ground to avoid being trapped beneath the considerably weight of the big, red-skinned girl.<br/><br/>The oni's apparent demise brings a small smirk of satisfaction from the feline, who immediately pulls a little cloth from a small bag at her side. Without so much as a second thought to the Oni, she sets about the task of wiping the trio of blades clean, clucking her tongue noisily against the roof of her mouth "Tasty as she'd be, if I'm going to have prisoners, I've no desire to wag her around all day. Likely a smidge on the heavy side, aint'cha love?" Planting a foot against the back of Disa's head, the feline pushes slightly, but does not elicit a response from the downed girl "Smells good too...Mmm. Anyway."  Seemingly satisfied her blades were cleaned, the catgirl tosses the bloodied cloth to the side, taking a few moments to idly survey the group. Much like the Oni, she seemed hardly concerned at all about the numbers that were stacked against her - and given how easily she'd seemed to drop Disa, it was no real surprise.<br/><br/>"So, mortals. Yeh - I don't smell the touch of the ancients on you. Must be true. Interesting." Sure enough, Cyria's 'fall' from Disa's shoulders had put her pretty well within arm's length of the feline girl. From such a close vantage point, it's all too easy for Cyria to see the slight tensing of the girl's arms and legs as her gaze fell upon her, as if waiting - eagerly - for Cyria to attempt to scurry away, to flee from her immediate area. It very much looked like the gaze of a predatory cat, waiting to pounce...<br/><br/><br/>...And yet, the pounce never came. The few brief, tense seconds pass uneventfully, and soon enough, it's almost like the feline simply grew bored with her presence. The cat finally simply reaches in and pats Cyria lightly on the cheek, a coy smirk replacing the eager, predatory look upon her face "...No need to look at me like that, dear. As delicious as you smell, and as empty as my belly is....I've far more interest in keeping you - all of you - alive. After all, who knows what advantages the secrets you may offer will bring." Almost as an afterthought, she adds "...Sides, I can always eat the least helpful. Pity the snake offered herself up to 'tubs' there."<br/><br/>Thygor's voice draws the feline's attention, her ears perking up and swiveling in his direction. For a few moments, she regards the big reptile with a mixture of curiosity and amusement, her tail swaying back and forth in short, curt flicks as she listens to the big beast's words "Do I like the war?" She echos, actually seeming a little taken aback by the statement. Idly drumming her fingertips upon her belly, she 'hmmms' to herself, clearly rolling the question around in her head "...Yes and no. The cuisine is exquisite, for example." Affixing Thygor with her steely gaze, the feline girl smirks, showing off small, sharp-looking teeth that glimmered faintly beneath her lips "There's a measure of excitement in the hunt. Though..." Seeming to think better of discussing her feelings on the matter, she simply shrugs.<br/><br/>It's not until Thygor mentions a 'dance of blades' that she again responds, this time with a short, low laugh "Ahahaha! I'd prefer to take you prisoner alive. Corpses are no fun. Now, though, you've gotten me all interested in this offer of yours. I assure you, I can pack a considerable amount in my belly - and empty as it has been recently....well, you get the idea." Again, she lightly drums her fingertips upon the soft, smooth flesh of her belly, drawing further attention to her exotic features. She was certainly an oddity - her face and belly and chest seemed almost human, complete with soft looking skin, lightly tanned and enticing. It was a stark contrast to the thicker, more rich fur that covered her ears, arms, legs, and the long, lithe tail that sprouted from above her firm little rear.<br/><br/>"Tell me of this offer. I'm listening. And please, refer to me as Ve--" She pauses, seeming to rethink her words when Alura introduces herself"...MISTRESS Veria." Veria's eyes alight upon Alura, and though it's difficult to really read the catgirl's expression, there was a certain...'sparkle' in her eyes that could have only been flattery ".....As, until I drop you off, you all officially belong to me. Don't worry though - I protect my property. And treat it fairly."