RP:A Feline Welcome

Synopsis: Daisy meets Zahrani at an Enclave of felines, and finds a new place to call home.

The Isran Collective Enclave

Zahrani casually strolls along the balcony and catwalks overlooking the main alleyway that leads to the Enclave, the Jaguar woman clad in a combination of devout sleeveless robes and tempered steel plate armor. A black feline muzzle, accompanied by the occasional braided microloc extends from a grey hood accented with yellow embroidered sacred geometry. An amulet of Cyris rests against her breastplate, clinking softly with her quiet steps. A pair of well-trained arms, covered only by velvety black fur and subtle black spots, carry a shield and spear.

Daisy has absolutely never been in this part of town before! Little feet pad down early morning quiet streets while the kitten breathes in the salty air. Mmm. Those were the days, right kitten? She smiles and looks up at the sky to let the sun warm her face. But oh-ho! What is this in the sky? Ah well not *in* the sky but by the sky. Next to the sky. Absolutely next to the sky. She lifts a paw to wave at the Zahrani because who cares if someone wants attention or not? The readyforbattle stranger will have the attention anyway.

Zahrani looks down at the small golden feline waving at her. Placing the spear on a rack, she waves back before speaking in a mid tenor, "Good morning, stranger." A nearby tiger lass, about 14 years old and built similarly to Rani, pokes her head out of an adjacent window, regarding Daisy with a small smile and wave before withdrawing. The Jaguar paladin continues after a pause, "If you're hungry, thirsty, or just bored, you're welcome to come in. Our Enclave is for the Isran Collective and our guests. My name is Zahrani... What is yours?"

Daisy waves back at the quickly vanishing young one before turning her attention back to Zahrani. "Daisy." She smiles again, did she smile before? Hard to imagine the kitten not and there are those who will slaughter anything who dares to make her blue. But today is for smiles and waves and bouncy little steps. So she smiles and looks around a little. "I'm wandering."

Zahrani nods at Daisy's response, before putting her shield away when another Cenril feline takes over the position. The paladin descends to street level, standing just shy of 6 feet. "Would you like company while you are here? The courtyard is lovely this time of day." And most times of day, but the sunrise is hitting it just right.

Daisy figures this is a very safe or a very dangerous place to be, considering all of the security. Why so much security? She looks around. It seems nice, yeah? Yeah. But just because things are seeming, doesn't mean that is the truth. She beams up at the giant of a lady, who isn't really a giant, but everyone is tall to the very small if you think about it. She beams and nods and pets a paw on her tummy. "Do you know the best place to eat?"

Zahrani ponders for a moment, before adding, "Well, if you want to eat inside, we still have some breakfast left." The security was mainly for protection against Cenril's gangs and out-of-town malefactors. The paladin then gestures north, "There's also the Ginger Snapped bakery and Tea Room, near the bank. Ask for Nirali, tell them Rani sent you, she'll get you a cup of tea with whatever you order." The tiger lass pokes her head out again, chiming in youthfully, "I recommend the smoked fish and cream cheese on a fresh slice of bread, whichever place you choose."

Daisy takes in all the suggestions and directions and notions of ways to fill her empty belly. Tiger babies cause commotion, lifting her attention back up to the window where heads are poked out of. Does this one have a sill filled with growing things? Probably. Most of them do so for the convenience of druids, this one absolutely does. That flower there? That pretty little flower with pretty little petals trying to live its best life waves a leafy arm before getting taller and taller and taller until it kisses that tiger baby's nose. "I like fish and toast."

Zahrani hears her tiger apprentice 'eep!' at the flower that boops her on the snoot. Glancing up with a slight look of awe, she turns back to Daisy with a feline grin, "Grand-Mother is going to like you..." As if on cue, an aged salt-and-pepper furred cat-lady approaches from the hotel's foyer, garbed in a summer dress and a shawl over her head. A staff rests in her right hand, deep mahogany with flecks of fluorescent green. "Let Grand-Mother be the judge of that," responds Roahin as she places a paw on Zahrani's shoulder. Amber eyes scan over the diminutive feline guest, before giving a motioning gesture, "Come in, come, come. We shall sate that appetite." Her tone seems almost annoyed, but a sneaky grin on her lips shows otherwise.

Daisy grins at the little girl then bows her head respectfully at the elder. She knows a few things about a few things and even a few things about a few other things as well so you can be sure she knows manners. Not that respect is deserved just because someone is old, but this grammy is offering food that isn't just of the cookie variety Daisy usually keeps in her bag. "Thank you." And she trustingly follows the ladies to wherever they might be keeping the foodstuffs. "I can share too."

Zahrani walks with Daisy and the colony Matriarch to the courtyard. The elder leads them to a small table near the kitchen, sitting under an arched trellis crawling with native vines, large leaves and fragrant blooms providing shade and comfort. In the sprawling grassy area, children kick a ball around, mostly feline but also accompanied by kids from elven and human working-class families. A male feline with a more tattooed elf-like appearance constructs a barrel for preserving food. The smell of smoked salmon and bread wafts from the kitchens. Within moments, sliced bread with cream cheese and smoked fish could is delivered by a rather imposing, but sharply-dressed, Jaguar feline. He’s about a foot taller than Zahrani, wearing a linen shirt and slacks, complemented by a necktie, vest, and sleeve garters. Rani offers him a warm smile, “Thank you, Kadiir.” The dapper male offers a wink, before speaking in a polished baritone, “Can I get you anything else?”

Daisy follows Zahrani to that table and waits to sit until everyone else has their place before finding her own. She climbs up there on that seat then tilts her head back to look waaaaay up at the very tall and very fancy and very booming voiced feline. Woah. She doesn't usually feel small, but today she does. "I like this, thanks." She replies in a quieter voice with a smile.

Zahrani || Kadiir nods, before departing from the table. Rani passes plates and cutlery to the Matriarch and Daisy. Roahin deftly takes a slice of bread with schmear and fish and puts it on her plate. While Rani pours them tea, the elder woman asks Daisy, "So what brings you to Cenril, my young friend?" Rani listens intently, taking a satchet of black tea from a wooden box at the center of the table and allowing it to steep in her cup. The smell intermingles with that of the vine's flowers; it's a lovely morning, all told.

Daisy politely waits her turn for food and tea. Now is not the time to scarf and shovel, kitten. This isn't that sort of company and now is for talking anyway. You were asked a question. Go on. What are you doing out here by the ocean? "I missed the sea." It really has been a long time since you've been on a ship, hm? Yes quite a long time since the sails and barrels and anchors. She shifts her gaze to the littlest one. Did she come with them? The one from the window. "Do you sail?"

Zahrani turns to find Raahin did indeed follow them, taking a seat next to her mentor. At the question from Daisy, she responds, "Sometimes." To which the matriarch elaborates, "Our older children sometimes help us fish, or we charter passengers..." She pauses, enjoying her breakfast, while the black Jaguar woman speaks up, "Perhaps you can show me your favorite place to see the ocean in Cenril, if you still want company later." A pause, then gestures to the smoked fish, "Eat as much as is comfortable. We are well-supplied." The feline may not be a mind-reader, but she knows a hungry kitten when she sees one.

Daisy perks up at that offer! She isn't poor or malnourished or without by any means, but who the heck can pass up a free meal? Not this girl. No way, no sir! She fills her plate and eats a little more heartily by now. "I can." Of course you can! And you will because, "You seem nice." Oh don't talk with your mouth full, you are not a barbarian despite what those men in the tavern said about you. She swallows and has a little tea before speaking again. "I keep them safe... and alive."

Zahrani shrugs, "I try to be." The black Jaguar is quick to adopt kindness and patience as her first resort. There always seems so little of it where it is needed most. At Daisy's last sentence, the Matriarch chimes in, "'Them?' Who are 'they'?"

Daisy 's eyes shimmer with memories of adventures past. Good times were good even if you were a stowaway at first. Stowaway yes, but useful too. Especially when they found out what you can do. "The sailors." Pirates, girl. You can say it. "They need oranges at sea."

Zahrani 's eyes light up at the explanation. "Of course." The elder feline woman then adds, "I don't extend this invitation to newcomers often, but...if you wanted a place where you always felt welcome...a place that you could help support and be supported by...The Isran Collective could be your home, while you are in Cenril." What Daisy does outside of the city would be Daisy's business, of course, as long as it didn't adversely affect the Enclave. Raahin, the young tiger lass, adds, "We haven't had new members since the invasion a couple years ago." A story that the felines of Cenril would no doubt tell Daisy.

Daisy is more than happy to have another home! A girl can't have too many safe places to be in this world and a warrior cat enclave with good food is just the kind of place Daisy would like to be safe in. "Thank you." Remembering her promise of sharing, she digs in her bag of things and stuff in search of things and stuff. Ah hah! There it is. A small paper bag rolled up at the top. There are a few bits of this and that in an organic greenery type of manner, but those are carefully plucked away and tucked back in her bag. "For you. Maybe later."

Daisy dropped 10 Chocolate Chip Cookie.

The felines accept the gift. Raahin takes a couple cookies to her brother Hamza. He would no doubt be pleased. The Grand-Mother is also pleased, eager and curious to see how Daisy fits into the Collective. Rani speaks, "Then welcome, Daisy. I'm sure the others in the Enclave will be eager to meet you in time." There is plenty of time in the coming days for Daisy to 'know the ropes' and the people coming in and out of the Collective.