Such a long way from home (open to anyone)

[Sheherazade]

Sheherazade sighed, she was so far away from the desert in Persia. It was quite a long journey too, if you were on camelback especially. "Well, I guess we'll set up to sleep here," she said to the camel.

They were inside a forest, near the path. She had no idea where they were going, but figured she'd find out in time.

After Sherry had finished putting up the tent and tying up the camel, she burned some sacred incense to protect the area. She went inside and decided to read a book she had gotten recently.

[The White Cat]

Crouched behind the shielding thicket, Nadhera watches the newcommer with some interest. Beside her Tok quietly fidgets. Holding still and silent is all well and good when they are hunting, but the lemur finds this spying business to be quiet dull. As the woman goes about setting her camp, Nadhera takes the opportunity to examine her exotic clothing.

.. I wonder how far she has traveled.. and how lost she has become to find herself here..

Her blue eyes wander to the strange looking mount tied to a nearby tree. It had been difficult to convince Tok that this hairy, slightly foul smelling creature wasn't here for the impish primate's amusement. To the playful lemur, this hulking animal that towered before them was not something to fear. It was simply a larger target. Luckily this part of the forest was free of fruit trees, so Tok remained blessedly lacking of ammunition. Still, Nadhera knew boredom was setting in upon her pet. She didn't have much longer to observe. Returning her thoughts to the steed, her eyes trail over the bulbous swellings along its back.

"I think that it is called a 'jamal' Tok.. I have seen it in the picture books." she murmurs to her companion as he snatches an unsuspecting beetle who dared to pass through their hiding place. He quickly scans the camp site once more, munching animately on his evening snack. His little nose scrunches in displeasure and he lets out a soft grunt.

Nadhera nods absently, her gaze now following the woman as she disappears into the newly erected tent. "I know.. I smell it too.. perhaps she burns it to keep the insects away.." she whispers, a delicate hand reaching out beside her to scritch the lemur's back. "At least it isn't an entirely unpleasant aroma." Turning to look down at him, she shrugs faintly. "It could be worse you know. Need I remind you of the incident with the skunkweed and the rabbits?"

Tok squawks, glaring up at her in agitation for mentioning such an offensive memory. A finger hurriedly raises to her lips. "Sshh! She might hear.." Quickly glancing back, she notices there is stirring from within the tent. Ducking further into the brush, Nadhera quiets, wondering if the woman noticed.

[Sheherazade]

Sherry's head snapped up. Her delicate ears had picked up a noise as she listened to the one person conversation. 'Jamal'? Oh, they meant her camel! She silently got up and wrapped a shawl on her head and shoulders.

"Hello?" she called out. No answer. "I know you are there, so please, kindly show yourself to me."

Whatever it was, she meant it no harm, as long as it meant no harm to her.

[The White Cat]

Nadhera gives Tok a muted scowl. Now look what you've done.

She flicks his backside. Tok lets out another squawk and leaps out from the brush. With haste he climbs up the tree they were hiding behind, settling himself on a branch overhead. Inspecting the woman who has emerged from the tent, he chitters at her animately and rubs his posterior.

Nadhera remains hidden within the foilage, seeing if Tok's appearance will appease the woman. She looks like an ordinary human.. surely she didn't hear our whisperings.. Thoughtfully she scruntinizes the girl. Perhaps, like everything else here, she is more than she seems..

[Sheherazade]

Sherry looked at the little creature and laughed at the silliness of it. "Whoever else is there, I know you are. I have excellent hearing." She didn't have much patience tonight, as she was getting tired, but if the person out there was friendly, she would be hospitable to them. And if they didn't, well, too bad for them, they're loss.

[The White Cat]

Nadhera sighs quietly to herself. Apparently the woman would not so easily be appeased. Glancing back through the forest to wards the direction of the horizon, she pauses thoughtfully. She can't meet the woman now. Not like this. Not whilst in this form.

Knowing it was probably going to cause the woman some agitation, Nadhera carefully retreats back into the wood. She had never intended for the newcomer to notice them. She'd have to remember that it was not safe to talk to herself when spying on strangers. Behind her she hears Tok chitter at the woman again, then the rustle of leaves as he also withdraws. The lemur would head off in a different direction no doubt, just in case the stranger tried to follow. Fickle as the little imp could be, he did his part to protect his mistress.

Making her way back to the estate, her inner monologue incessantly fights to foul her mood. Would it be such a crime for her to enjoy the company of another while she was locked into this humanoid form? It was her natural state after all.. well, before the curse. Irritated, she attempts to shake such musings from her mind. It would do more harm than good allowing herself to interact like another human being.

Fooling herself into believing she had any chance of recapturing the life she once knew wasn't going to help her now. Even if she could revert to a strictly night schedule, even if she could find others who would accept that and choose to join her, what then of her people? Those back at the estate who had once happily enjoyed their relatively normal lives. They were not forced to take a human likeness each night as she was. Even now they try to make the best of the plight that has been cast upon them. How could she ask them to find happiness in spite of their situation if she herself were permitted to cling to denial?

Nadhera's eyes drift to the horizon again. Although the view is blocked entirely by the forest around her, she knows instinctively that it is close to midnight. There were at least another 6 hours to be entertained in this state. Perhaps she would be able to meet the newcomer after day break. As she had decided long ago, it was better to be known as a very gifted cat then a cursed human. Life was simply less depressing that way. As she disappears into the thicket, she idly wonders how the stranger will take to meeting a talking cat..

[Sheherazade]

When no one showed up, Sherry decided to just go to sleep. Little things like that didn't annoy her. She returned to her tent and lay down to sleep, her scimitar close enough so she could protect herself if need be. That and being a light sleeper were her advantage. She slowly drifted off into sleep.