Open [Kniran Gardens] Cats Got Her Tongue (Kavala)

[Salara Kel'Halavath]

50th Summer, 517 AV The Kniran Gardens The park was a sight to behold, arching avenues of colorful flowers and lush green plants, the artisan lake a shiny mirror to magnify the stones, benches, and gazebos into multitudes. And birds! So many trills and tweets, squeaks and chirps, the flash and whiz of their wings all about - a true temptation. Surely one or two wouldn’t be missed? Salara crouches atop a large stone bench, motionless underneath breeze-blown trees. The sea winds waft and dance gently with the folds of a bright red scarf loosely tied about her neck – token ‘collar’ identifying her as ‘Someone’s.’ Waiting with only the occasional twitch to the very end of her tail reveals her wakefulness. She’d been there all morning and into the afternoon without luck. They were quick, these bright songbirds. She’d waited patiently for the birds to disregard her presence and land nearer; but each time she pounced from her perch they’d flutter away trilling alarms, nothing but wingtips whipping her whiskers. There were some strange ones to be sure and not knowing their names she named her favorites. There was the Red Warbler – a noisy batch of red birds with sooty black crests. Small flocks of Purple Jades flitted around the bushes. There was even an odd little bird she called a Croaker. It spent a lot of time around the water’s edge. She didn’t think those looked very appetizing. Her very favorite? She called it a ‘Cur’ because it reminded her of a little yippy dog. Most often she tried for these ones just to silence their yappy cries. As she considered plans to bring birdseed with her for bait next time, her statuesque efforts are rewarded as a fat long-feathered bird lands near. It had a funny strut that poked it’s grey head in and out of a ruff of blending orange, yellow, green, and blue feathers. If possible, her body becomes even more ridged as it bobbed and pecked closer, closer. Adjusting her hips with a slight shift of back feet, a tick passes then hind legs push scrabbling back claws across the stone bench as forepaws stretch reaching for the tender cooing morsel. In an instant it was done. Razor sharp claws pierce the feathery ruff as she skids past the point of impact, sliding to a stop with a mouthful of feathers like a beard bristling about her muzzle, a thin trickle of blood leaks from the corner of her mouth at a crunch. Jerking her head up to toss the mangled carcass to her back teeth she crunches it into a more malleable shape to swallow. And WHAM! Something solid slams against the top of her head with a screech, “PIPPIN! OH!! You’ve kilt Pippin!” A lot shocked and slightly stunned, it takes Salara a moment to finish gulping her food as another WHACK jars the back of her neck. “OH! You petchin’ cat! I’ll Know You!” Gagging slightly on her meal, Salara gathers her feet beneath her to dart under the stone bench and race down another path away from the cane-wielding woman before she could get in another hit. A wail of, “My Poor PIPPPPPINNNNN,” follows in her wake. But something wasn’t right. The cougar shakes her head, gapping her jowls, trying to work her throat to finish swallowing the bird. Slowing from trot to walk, she hacks without effect. Working her tongue around the obstruction at the back of her throat it seems one of the bird’s scaly legs had become wedged between her back teeth. Mewling in distress she tries to rake her front dewclaws against her teeth to dislodge the feathered body slowly blocking her breath. There was just enough sense through her panic to know that if she shifted she would surely suffocate so she needed to find Fallon to help her. Shaking her head again with a useless hack she takes a few more strides forward wondering how the ground was so much closer as her knees buckle. Her sight dims under gray mists to black. The cougar lay sprawled flat on her side with only a slight wheeze pushing life-giving air into starving lungs.

[Fallon]

Fallon’s wrist itched. An uncomfortable, irritating sensation, worsened by the fact she was not allowed to touch it. It would cause damage, they said, put in an infection, they said. The inspector begrudgingly grumbled, and upon their suggestion wrapped a bandage around it. A fresh, barely chimes old tattoo. All in the name of proving her Kuvan status, she still carried the form around with her stating what she had achieved. Signed and dated, all official work and something she would catalog away in good time. In the meanwhile however, the now new inspector of the city was left shuffling through a collection of papers and keys within her gloved hands.

Incredibly cursive font, written in common but still difficult to read. Her eyes were left to narrows as she stepped along, a ring of keys laced tightly in among her fingers, lips twitching to the words. She had previously run into Salara after her lunch time meetings – with barely enough time to learn she was in the gardens -, before receiving a handful of paper work was thrusted at her by an official. With that she was sent off to go and get her Kuvan mark. By the time that was over most of the afternoon had been spent away stuck in the tattooist and the low amused chuckling. As a result, the inspector felt unclean. Her teeth were set on edge, the scratching sensation in her mind clawing in and sinking. It seemed, regardless of her previous back work that hugged her skin, that the sickening feeling of needles would never truly leave her.

"Who would think it? A Kuvan who doesn't like needles. Now, hold still."

Regardless, efforts had been made and paid off. She had no right to complain. Not when something much more exciting was afoot. Coin exchanged, documents as proof of ownership, the Scarred Wolf Investigations was open once more. In principle at least, she had the keys to the office and some furnishings had been moved in on request, but ready for the public to view? A couple more days was all she would need, more so by the time she sent Salara loose with a list of errands. They had to make quick and tidy work, less be left behind and fading into the background of the Riverfall scene.

Gardens open before her now, the inspector gave only a quick pause to see where she was going. Green stretched out before her, the air seemingly damper – her gaze slid in the direction of the lake – and featuring frequent spots of shade. Trees, cool air, a breeze that seemed pleasant enough. It was understandable why Salara had chosen here to relax during the heat of the day, and the inspector made a mental note to follow suit. Rolling the papers up, she managed to stuff them awkwardly into her belt pouch with the keys. A quick reminding pat to the kukri at her hip, and then the waterskin, the inspector quickened her pace. Along the path, hand raised above her brow, she continued her measured steps and paying little attention to the various others in the park. Training, meditation, relaxing, it seemed like a good enough place for it.

Her eyes fell to the shade of a tree, the sun casting a shadow across it and lying was the shape of the cougar. Red scarf draped across her neck, the pretend symbol of being her property, it still left an uneasy feeling stomach. How long would such an illusion last? How long would it keep them both safe? It did not help that she was against such practices, and the city being filled with it left her uneasy. It was an ever niggling Sighing, Fallon marched herself over. It seemed as if the Kelvic had taken to napping, something the mentor would quickly put an end to. Several strides away now Fallon called out, ”Taking a cat nap are we, Salara?”

There was no immediate response. A sound similar to heavy breathing catching her ears, the cougar was in a deep slumber. The inspector tried again, ”Salara, up and at them. We've got work to do!” Still no response. With a frown Fallon closed the gap. She tutted arms folded as she walked from back to front, ”So, supposed to be a guard huh? Lot of good that is…”

Wheezing. That's not snoring,

The inspector knelt down next to the cat, gloved hand wriggling forward. Half closed eyes, body more collapsed than sprawled. Her hand hovered there, gaze peering to the mouth that hung slightly ajar, Shallow breaths. Weak ones. Something… isn't… Her hand went out to gently shake the cougar, mind momentarily denying what it saw.

I don't know how to deal with this. I'm not…

”Hey. Salara. You…?” she did not need to finish her question, the cold chill of reality slamming into her. Hand paused, she withdrew it and turned her gaze upwards to the rest of the gardens. The mind whirled, clicking and calculating through the options before it picked one. Air filled her lungs, her voice rising up from her stomach into a loud, carrying and authoritative bark, ”Oi! Someone get help! Something is up with this cat!”

[Senesha Chamra]

Senesha had been enjoying the weather and the out of doors. Not that this was all that different from how she spent most days, when she had the time to do so. The plants and the shade were calming enough to allow her mind to wonder, which was her main goal. She would find a comfortable place to sit and allow her mind to go here and there until she hit upon something she could work with. In this case she had stretched out and prepared to do just that.

She might have been relaxing a little too much, the wind and the shadows caused by the branches were making delightful patterns on the ground, and Senesha watched them for a while, fancying that she could see one shape or another out of them, and conversations from passers byes, along with the sounds of birds in the trees soon caused Senesha to fall into a light sleep, figuring a cat nap couldn't hurt her, she allowed herself to give into the urge.

It was then she heard the sound of some ones voice closer to her and not in the pleasant tones of people enjoying themselves in the park. Shaken from sleep as she was it took her a moment to sit up and collect her thoughts, blinking owlishly and likely forming an amusing picture for any one who happened to have seen Senesha in her half state of sleep.

Collecting her thoughts and trying to tame her hair, she swung her head around, trying to locate the source of the sound. Pulling herself to her feet, she headed towards it's source. Not sure what was going on, but with a sense of curiosity pulling her forward she tried to figure out just what she might be walking into.

It wasn't long before she was able to see what was going on. Although she could half guess something was amiss by sight alone. "What happened?" She asked, sounding a little lame even to her own ears. She looked around as she waited for an answer, hopping to see something that might make it clear while she waited for a reply.

[Kavala]

Taking three young people on an outing was akin to suicide, especially when they got worn out and the day grew long. But Kavala did it anyhow because the Healer knew it was important to have family time. It was also important for her boys that they get some time in at the Sasarans, so Kavala had decided to make a day of it. First she took the boys to spar, then decided to picnic in the Kniran Gardens to end off the trip.

The Healer was known in the city. And it was the nature of the Akalaks to take charge of her sons training when she dropped them by for some combat training and frankly for some male bonding time with the men. Training the Kuvay'Nas Warhorses had somewhat spread the word that she had two fatherless sons, and that knowledge had turned into the fact that though they didn't have actual fathers present, they did have male figures to look up too... all over the city. So when she dropped by they were usually greeted with open arms and the boys spirited off by willing males who took them under their wings and taught them how to fight. So it was that Kavala had spent the morning patching up minor wounds for the Akalaks and humans at the Sasaran while Tasival and Ralac sparred with adult males.

Ia'del had helped her. Her little Konti daughter had been born with a Rak'keli's mark so she was not unwelcome among the men soothing bruises and minor cuts and scrapes. When they were done and the boys were exhausted, Kavala took the children to the park, spread out a big blanket and decided to feed the and let them play.

So it was that the Konti was close by, sprawled out on a blanket, with a feast of picnic foods suitable for children laid out before her. She had a six year old that was armed to the teeth looking over the three of them vigilant had having taken his recent lessons seriously. The two younger children, both four but not twins, were curled up with children sized meat rolls - Ralac with beef and Ia'del with fish - nibbling away. Kavala herself was eating too, enjoying the summer sunshine and being surrounded by flowers.

The scent in the gardens were incredible. Small puffs of grass seed and dandelion fluff floated in the wind adding to the sheer beauty of the place. The sun was not directly overhead, so it was casting shadows that provided shade in and around some of the bigger trees and brush that graced the gardens. The Konti was happy. Her little family was settled down and the boys were worn out pleasantly enough to not be handfuls the rest of the day.

They were talking about the morning; discussing the moves the boys had learned. Kavala was patiently listening to all the excitement knowing the boys had done well. She was not secluding them at The Sanctuary. She was trying to raise them to their own traditions and knew they would have volunteers to guide them through their rites of passage as soon as they came of age.

Ralac was busy nibbling an apple slice when the cry came out. Kavala heard it and swiveled her head. She was on her feet in a moment, grabbing her backpack that also had a small medical kit in it, and scooped up Ia'del. The Konti girl was four, but she was on the small side and could not run like her brothers could. "Come with me. Do you hear that? Someone needs help." She said, gesturing to the two boys to follow. Tasi came forward and grabbed Ralac's hand and the two boys raced after their mother.

Kavala bounced up to the scene, a four year old on her hip, dressed in traditional Riverfall leathers, armed to the teeth, with two small boys following her. She nodded to the two women already there and was wondering why one was yelling and the other one was looking around, both not working on the cougar. The little girl she carefully set down at the shoulders of the cougar while the boys joined the little girl, flanking her with the larger one between her and the big cat. Kavala unslung the backpack and knelt down next to the prone cougar and reached out to touch her head. The Konti knew what was wrong even before her hands made contact. The desperate sense of not getting enough air filled her and she could feel something lodged in her throat. The Konti gasped for air, shook her head, and tried to clear the sensation out so she could work on the choking cat.

"She's choking on something... not getting enough air." The Konti said carefully, running her hand down the cat's neck. She met the big animal's eyes and spoke directly to her.

"Hang on, beautiful cat. You're going to be okay. I know you can understand me, Kelvic, so don't fight me. I'm a Healer and I'm going to get you some air before I figure out what's caught and how to get it out. It's going to hurt, but it won't be permanent damage, okay?" The Konti said, her voice calm as she dumped her backpack and rummaged through it. She took a big metal tube out of the pile and closed her hand around it. Her hand flared for a moment as her gnosis cleansed and made the tube safe to use. It was a strong metal thing, about four inches long and an inch wide.

Kavala grasped the tube with one hand, and shifted so she was on the other side of the cat from her children. She didn't tell the Kelvic what she was going to do. Instead, she just did it. The Konti drew one of her Tamo Daggers and made a fast deep cut in the cat's throat, well below the jaw but above the chest, feeling for the ridges of veins and arteries and making the cut well between them and away from them. She used the dagger she'd cut with to pry the flesh apart then she thrust the tube on. The people surround the cat could hear air suddenly hiss through the pipe allowing the cat to begin breathing unobstructedly.

"I know it hurts. I know I know... we can fix that in a minute. Just breathe. Concentrate on breathing in and out. I can see the bulge in your neck where something is lodged in your throat. As soon as you take two or three good breaths, I'm going to work on getting whatever it is out of your throat." She said.

Then, turning to the two women who were strangers to the Konti, Kavala looked up and gestured to the big cat. "Can you two hold her down... gently.. just by the shoulders and pelvis. Make sure she stays down. Tell her to breathe... in out in out... that kind of thing. I need to see what's obstructing her breathing." The Konti said, moving back from the cat to shift around to where she had a good look at her mouth. "I can't give her anything to relax because I'm betting she can't swallow, which is why she can't breathe, and anything I do send down her throat with the tube in will end up in her lungs, definitely not where we want it to go." The Konti explained, keeping a hand on the side of the kelvics face.

"You are being very brave. Just a few minutes longer. You are going to be fine. Relax. Breathe with them." She said softly, enforcing her words with a big dramatic inhale.

Her clinic had syringes and medicines that would calm the cat, but her backpack had only the rudimentary things she might need of the children or one of the animals got hurt. The tube she carried for the big dogs she always took with her, except today because they'd been visiting the Sasaran.

To the two women, she spoke quietly. "You are doing well. Keep her calm and breathing." Kavala reinforced, wanting this cat to live. "Kids, stay back please." Kavala cautioned, not wanting her trio to get too close to the adults in case the cat started struggling. The children, urged by Tasival, moved back a few steps. They were still closer than Kavala liked, but they could easily scramble if things turned bad.

Kavala spoke again, intent on gently explaining what she was doing as she did so. "Okay, hon, I need to open your moth and feel my way around and down your throat. I think whatever is blocking your airway is pretty high up still where I can reach without using surgery. Please don't take my arm off ... I know full well you can with those sharp teeth." The Konti folded up her webbed fingers and gently slid her arm into the kelvic's mouth after gently prying her teeth open. Kavala hoped the cat wouldn't struggle. She had no way to sedate her and no way to sooth her other than using her voice.

The Konti's voice was calm when she spoke again.

"You wouldn't believe how many things my dogs swallow that are too big for them to do so. I've done this multiple times, even once to my oldest son there. Don't worry... we can talk about how you probably should chew your food before you swallow afterwards." The Konti said, still fishing around with her hand. She felt something sticky, wet, covered with cougar saliva and perhaps what she thought was ... feathers? Bony scaled legs revealed themselves under her touch and she grabbed what she could with her hand, knowing it was a big fist she was making and pulled first to one side then the next, trying to dislodge whatever it was without damaging the cougar's vocal cords or throat more than it was already. She yanked hard then, suddenly, back out the way her hand had come, trying to pull at least part of the mass away from the feline's esophagus. As she did so she tapped her mark, pouring healing into the throat itself, knowing that part of the cat's problem at the moment wasn't just the food she was choking on, but the fact that her throat was bruised and swelling as well.

The saliva helped, and with one big effort the Konti tugged again, trying to dislodge what she'd finally decided was a rather large bird without loosing her arm.

If it came free it would depend on how relaxed the cat was as well as how much she struggled. Kavala sent a silent prayer to Rak'keli that the feline would believe her and lay still even with what had to feel like a slit throat and a permanent dam in her windpipe.

[Salara Kel'Halavath]

Light through grey mists, Salara’s consciousness returns with increased airflow from being motionless upon the stones. Immediately aware, words jump through her mind - Don’t Panic. FEAR. Don’t Panic. FEAR. Don’t Panic. The litany wasn’t doing much to keep her from panicking which begins stealing breath again. Slipping into dizzy at the edge of darkness, Salara desperately reaches into her mind for calming distraction until help arrived. ~~ ...Karyk comes around the corner of the cabin with a fresh deer haunch tossed over his shoulder. Looking about, that grin of his flashes when he sees her gently rocking in the chair that he’d had made for her first mother’s day gift. She didn’t know how he’d gotten the order to Syliras and the chair back again before the kits were born. Not surprising really as she knew he’d go to all ends to take care of his family. It’s what she loved about him most. Just as they did when he saw her joy in receiving the chair, his eyes dance with love and pride as he steps upon the porch to press his lips to her forehead, silent so as not to wake the babes resting swaddled and tucked into her arms. Two beautiful golden blondes with the deepest brown eyes that could look into their parents’ souls and know.… ~~ ‘… get help! Something is up with this cat!’ The cougar’s glazed eyes take on some focus as relief washes through her while muscles having clenched at the first shout relax. Fallon had come. Large tears begin a trail darkening the fur along her gap jawed muzzle. Don’t move. Don’t move. Fallon would get help. She was about as scared as she’d ever been; but not going through this alone suddenly meant more to her than she could have realized. Closing her eyes she tries to relax, breathing as deeply as the obstruction would allow. Then another voice full of calm confidence speaks as tear-filled eyes like molten gold meet a pair of such crystal blue as to seem shimmery in a halo of white. Groaning deep in her chest Salara holds the gaze showing this healer all her fright and pleading. That solid look from the healer didn’t command trust it personified it. After a stare Salara deliberately blinked both eyes in consent and waited as the woman disappeared from her view to prepare. Anxiety at the unknown begins to creep in, escaping through a wheezing whine that grows into a squeal of pain at the Konti's dexterous cut and jab, which ends abruptly as pressure on her lungs releases through the pipe in a hiss. Having bucked about a bit through the sharp administrations her body collapses boneless for a chime hollowly sucking life-giving air around a throat seemingly branded with fire. At least she could breathe. The hard part was over...until she heard the healer direct Fallon and someone else to hold her down. Rolling eyes, her mind begged otherwise and only the healer’s confident touch upon her face held her still; but her breath began whistling like a heating tea kettle while weight settled upon her shoulders and hips until she could push her mind to follow along with the breathing pattern. Salara offers another long stare and deliberate blink, welling a deluge of tears that continue as she shuts her eyes to concentrate on the breaths Fallon was following along with. In and out. Staying alive. In and out. Wishing it over, try as she might her jaws would not open of their own without the gentle insistence of the healer’s fingers. With tongue lolling against the healer’s fist she forgets that her mouth and nose no longer provided breath so she struggles against the weight holding her body down, four paws cycling until realizing she wasn’t choking. BREATHE. The healer's calming gabble provides her a distracting indignant moment when she wanted to explain that she Had intended to chew more. Then feeling the woman’s fist tighten in the back of her throat, Salara’s muscles tense as the bird jerks hard, twisting her neck left to right then stretching it long making her throat feel as if it were being torn inside out and wide open. With a sharp whine and sloppy gagging hack it pops free. Emotionally and physically overloaded she lays distressed, too frightened to move. A crowd had been gathering. Lookie loos and rubber neckers watching the scene unfold. The extrusion of the bird's carcass was met with cheering and a round of applause, a few ‘Way to go doc!’, and several green-faced gags that dodged away quickly. But one voice rose shrill above the others. “See? That petchin’ cat ate my poor Pippin!" The late bird's owner pushes herself through the crowd clearing the way with her cane like a staff to shake it at the prone Kelvic. "Serves her right to choke on him! If she don't die I wanna know whose gonna to pay for this!” She doesn't once look toward the pitifully mangled carcass that Kavala had tossed to the side. Instead she glares at each of the three women in turn. It seemed to this woman that the price was the cougar’s life or a settlement of some fashion.

[Fallon]

Fallon was not a doctor. In fact, her medical experience was minimal. A graze, a bruise, a shallow cut from being careless she could handle - but this? So when the first woman came over she merely looked blankly, unmoving from her crouched position. She shook her head mutely, another careful peer as she shifted her weight. She saw the small flicker of acknowledgement from the Kelvic, but she did not press for more.

The inspector held her breath, throat tight as anxiety began to grow. She had to keep a level head however, allowing herself to panic would do only more harm.

And then the itch came. A scratch that only grew with pressure. Her eyes were forced to move away, snatching onto the now approaching. Konti. Children following behind. A local she reasoned by the manner she was dressed. The eyes shifted in calculation. About her height. Fulfilled stereotypical Konti looks. Firm and definite with movements. Purposeful and confident Fallon reasoned by how quickly she came over and began her work.

But the unsettling feeling continued, even as Fallon shifted around and to the back of the cougar to give the space needed. Judging by the speed and reaction, it became apparent that the Konti was much more proficient in the medical arts. The quick analysis of the situation, cause announced without hesitation. Yet still that pressure continued, a sinking feeling of familiarity resting there.

When instruction came Fallon firmly nodded, her hands moving to gently rest upon Salara's shoulder. She resisted having her fingers tense, her stomach knotting as the Konti began to work. Impromptu surgery, the inspector pause as she considered what to say. Her gaze moved away from the tending, focusing somewhere on the middle ground and the landscape of the gardens. Would it be alright? Or was that wishful thinking?

Fallon gave a quite whisper to Salara, the once knotted feeling in her stomach easing as she focused on what she could do, "Salara... Salara. Keep breathing. In and out. In and out..." her mind flickered to the basic exercises of breathing for meditation, "Breathe in... one, two, three and out, one, two three..." The easing in her stomach grew colder, a chill in her pit that rested there. The words repeated, an almost mantra as she felt the sensation spread into one of focus. The words were directed to Salara, and despite the attempted softness they grew more definite with each passing tick, "Breathe... Breathe. In and out. You can do this..." Ice, that was the feeling that laced her throat now - numbing almost as it traversed her tongue. Gaze shifted, boring into the back of Salara's skull intently, "Calm Salara... Calm."

She saw the Konti move to her hand into the Cougar's mouth, but her words continued to hum between them. She made no move from her current position, if anything bracing slightly as the work went deeper. The emphasis held, a cold damp upon the back of her neck forming as she continued to speak in almost a mantra, "Calm... breathe in... out..." A twinge in the back of her throat made her stop, a low, growl of discomfort. She shook the sensation off, attention turning to the Konti, "Work a lot with dogs huh?"

The cold left, retreating back to her stomach. Her eyes gave a blink, focusing now on the Konti. The arm gave a tug, seemingly grabbing onto something. The inspector braced, anchoring down as whatever was blocking was pulled free. Cougar writhing beneath, a sickening sound reached her ears as the blockage slumped to the ground. Fallon removed herself, resting back onto her haunches. Arms trembled, eyes blinking through a sense of fog - only now aware of the observers. So wrapped up in the moment, she barely had time to register her thoughts when the shrill cry came. Fallon winced, and released an uncomfortable, annoyed growl. Her brow creased, a hard frown flickering down to the Kelvic, and then across to the other women. A low sigh, she exhaled, "Would you excuse me, for just one moment."

In one swift movement the inspector stood. The frown peeled back, easing firstly into a face of neutrality before easing into a smile. A flicker of teeth, a step towards the seeming offended party. Hands came clasping together, fingers pointing towards the elder - and distinctively shorter- lady. Another local she reasoned quickly, her gaze moved and shifted up and down and calculated. But the smile stayed and maintained, form gently bending down to the woman's height.

"Well, good afternoon to you ma'am. Such a pleasant day with a rather wonderful demonstration of the medicinal arts," stage one was reasoning, or more reminding of the situation. The blue-green orbs bore down, the smile hovering and growing in size, "The miracle of life if you will. Gives us all such a great will to survive and do." Confuse, swarm, and overload with information - even if there was a slight throbbing sensation circulating around Fallon's skull. Tension she reasoned, brought on the stress and sudden relief to the situation, "Alas, I am much saddened to hear about the rather finite end to your dearest companion..." In honesty she did not give a damn that this Pippin met a rather abrupt end. Everything died eventually, "More so under such dreadful circumstance... Do you not agree?" The inspector's hands moved, taking out a notebook from her large belt pouch before haphazardly balancing the ink vial and quill.

"I would here by would like to offer you ma'am, an invitation at a later date to discuss this distressing occurrence caused by my... associate," the nib was dipped, writing flowing across the page - the address of her business being written - "And perhaps arrange some form of suitable compensation for your losses. After all, would it not be unbecoming for a wonderful lady such as yourself to mar your image in such an unrefined location such as here? Neigh, the S.W.I. would see that you be met in a place suitable for your status," Stroke the ego, pump the personality. Writing finished, her quill was lowered. A ripping sound as the page was torn out, neatly folded with one hand and offered to the lady, "What say you, ma'am? Pippin would not want to see you like this, no?"

[Kavala]

Kavala ignored the old woman and her nonsense. Her immediate urge was to treat the Kelvic and get her on her feet again. To the Konti, the cat hunting the bird was so much a part of its nature that the cat couldn’t help it. Her chewing and swallowing techniques, however, left a lot to be desired. Kavala figured she’d just gotten carried away in the pounce and capture which had caused her to attempt to swallow the bird whole.

Stroking the cougar’s neck, Kavala made soothing noises as she continued to work. She left the other woman, the human, to deal with the human. They both probably spoke the same language and knew what each other were talking about. The Konti, on the other hand, did not.

“Your name is Salara? ” Kavala asked, stroking the cat’s neck again, picking up her cues from what Fallon had said. The woman was a good coach and obviously cared about the big cat. They might have even been bondmates. That was a good thing. It would keep the cat calm. Kavala was an animal healer, but she had no misunderstanding on how much damage a big cat could do if angry, scared, and hurt. Talking them down took longer and longer especially if they were strangers.

The old woman though. Kavala could take her or leave her. Wildlife wasn’t owned and Salara didn’t certainly need to be chastised by someone for doing what her very nature dictated her to do: Hunt. By now the Konti had her hands well out of Salara’s mouth and was stroking her throat, pushing soothing Gnosis into the area, taking down the swelling and bruising. It was obvious the big cat was breathing well again, so the Konti went down to the metal tube still sticking out of her neck and carefully checked it over. “Emergency tracheotomy have their places… but when the airways clear we need to repair them as well. This might hurt again sweetling, but not for long.” Kavala grasped the tube and with a slight twist pulled it free. She immediately covered the wound with her hand, the appendage glowing as the power sunk deep into Salara’s throat and closed the wound both in the trachea and in her neck muscles. Last Kavala closed the skin and sat back, giving the big cat room.

“You should be good as new.” She offered, looking thoughtful. Kneeling on her heels she looked around to check on the children and make sure the old woman and the younger one who knew Salara wasn’t getting into it too badly.

Salara would be free to move around if she needed too and her neck and throat would feel a whole lot better.

[Salara Kel'Halavath]

Huffed and puffing with jaw set stubbornly the woman jabbed her cane into the ground but a little doubt flicked across her face as Fallon suddenly straightened. Unconsciously one foot leads the next into stepping back while her mind is occupied in convincing herself that Fallon was being genial. Some instinctive level recognized the wrongness; but a fog of domestication draped across the truth and so she was taken in by the master manipulator. Easy prey. Nodding along with pleasant words her jaw relaxes and a small smile begins playing about her frown-marred mouth. Sympathy and understanding was even better. “Why yes, it was dreadful,” she nearly gushed as her eyes followed the gloved fingers into retrieval of notebook and implements. A crease puckers her brow between eyes set overly close not seeing what she’d hoped and expected - a coin fat purse. Flicking back up to meet Fallon’s gaze, her ears begin hearing again ‘…invitation….later date…’ You could see on her face that this wasn't going the way it was supposed to, “But, yes, but...” Her eyes stray between quill, cougar, Kavala and back. She perks up again at ‘suitable compensation for your loss,’ verbally stumbling over Fallon’s words in full agreement. “Why yes, of course! S.W.I. you say? I will come, by your leave, most certainly.” The page rips free, is offer thus, and she takes it clutched to her breast posessively as if were a promise written on Fallon’s mother’s life. By her blank blink as Fallon tosses her departed pet's name back into the fray it’s obvious that she’d already forgotten the cause. “Ohhhh, Pippen,” belated reminiscence of her earlier grief filled cries, she looks about to ensure witnesses of the same promise that she had heard. Magnanimously she straightens to her tallest shorter height, “On the morrow then, so that you may tend your beast today.” Decisively tapping her cane twice upon the cobbles she turns to walk through the crowd and either doesn’t notice or chooses to ignore the wide isle made to allow her passage. @>~>~~ Hearing a familiar screech through the pounding of her head, Salara struggles to rise even as pain flares brighter. A wheeze and part effort to growl gurgles through the makeshift windpipe. The healer calls her attention back by name recalling her to the effort of being still. Fallon could certainly handle the banshee just fine without her. Not accustomed to being stroked or petted (till then there had been only one who could) the soothing sensations across her throat encouraged further relaxation so that she only grunted as the pipe was pulled free. A soft glow accompanies the spreading warmth of blood vessels reconnecting while swelling reduces as a current strengthened from heart’s effort regains circulation. Irritated muscles calm while the flesh closes across the open wound to end with fur twisting in an odd little swirl atop that had never been there before. But whatever administrations the healer had provided had not helped her ringing ears or the sparkles that danced in her vision. Her head felt as if it were pressed in a blacksmith’s vice, but that didn’t stop her from rising from the ground to a less defenseless posture. Then that hateful sound drags her away from herself and back into the outside world, ‘Ohhhh, Pippen.’ Considerably less miserable yet far from in a good mood she watches mute with astonishment as Fallon lets the waspish woman get away. A deep growl rumbles harshly across the tenderness of her throat that turns thoughts into words she does not realize come aloud, “Whack me with that petchin’ stick?! Why I’m gonna plug poor Pippin up your fartsy arse with it!” Her vision goes dark around a tunnel of light centered on the woman’s retreating backside. Preparing to lunge after the woman, who’d by now begun tapping more quickly but fortunately hadn’t broken into a run yet, Salara’s catamount scream comes out something sounding more like “DITCH!” Shocked dead in her tracks, muzzle dropping open in an O, her eyes widen to saucers as she looks to Fallon in wonderment then to Kavala with awe and a hint of budding worship, “What goddess Are you?!” How odd to feel her feline lips form around each word. She shouldn’t even be alive having already been clubbed, choked, and had her throat torn open. It was her only explanation for the miracle.

[Fallon]

Smiles and charms, it seemed to work well. While the Konti behind was left to it with her ministrations, the inspector merely presented herself with an air of calm. Understand, sympathise and manipulate. She did not look back, instinct told her Salara was in good hands. With careful nods of feigned understanding, there was the polite shake of the elder's hand, lips curled upwards into a smile, "Of course, of course. Yes, yes, the one and only. I very much look forward to your visit."

There was a brief tenseness to the squelching sound of surgery, a small crease in the brow while her palms sweated. It was the other reason she did not immediately want to look back, a small element of squeamishness had taken over. With a small, curt nod the elderly woman left and Fallon was left to shooing away the rest of the onlookers. Careful gestures, flicks of the hands and definite points got it across and by the time the snuffling and the reassuring words of the Konti most had left. And then she heard Salara speak. She had assumed at first the Kelvic had chosen to take on her other form, the vocalisation confirmed that. Fingers pinched at her brow, a sigh of slight exasperation escaping. Fallon released a mumble, "Get in line, Salara."

A pivot on the heel, the one professional expression slumped. Exhaling, shoulders hunching, brow creasing deeper, she clasped her hands together head turning downwards in expectation to see two humanoids. Instead there was the Konti and the large cat. The orbs scanned, lips pursed, chin tilting in challenge as she attempted to assess the situation. Eyes blinked, moving to the Konti then the Kelvic and then back over her shoulder. Was she missing something? Was it her imagination?

Salara spoke again and her gaze snapped onto the target. Hands twitched, a cautious step closer as she peered intently on the Kelvic. She seemed enamoured with the Konti, and giving circumstance it was understandable. The green-blue orbs shifted, a deeper study onto the stranger taking place as she picked out the telling traits.

Dressed like a local. Konti. Healer - judging by work here. Mother? her gaze moved to the children that hovered nearby, Presence and similarities suggest yes. Very skilled. Clean work. Fallon's back of her left hand gave an unpleasant itch, niggling once more. A snort, she let the gaze roll back to the Kelvic, "Konti, Salara. Well... seeming at least. You are, well, Konti correct? I mean, you look it, I..." her head tilted to the side, before she offered her left hand forward to shake as if suddenly remembering herself, "Apologies. Fallon, Investigator. I thank you... for well. Helping my mentee. This could have been worse."

Withdrawing, she took a perch next to the Kelvic. A cautious, gentle pat on the side her hands animated while she tried to think of some level of calm. A puff of air she turned to the matter at hand, "What is considered correct compensation for this service? I mean. What do I owe for this?" She gave then a perplexed look to Salara, "I thought Kelvic's could not talk when well... in that form? How are you feeling Salara?"