Cat is alarmed by the ruckus in the tent and comes to check things out and finds Alice having a meltdown



She quickly helps her to direct the mecha-cats out of the tent in a friendly but firm way, just like handling the mules, to avoid her getting bitten to pieces again
Nyaa calm down Alice Nya they just followed Ashley panther Nya!
You girls still have to stay outside Nya we can't all sleep in the tent and Yulya's gotta rest Nya!

Cat prepares a space under the cart near Ashley's clothes and the mules, hoping the cats will spend the night there.
Cat turns to Yulya, slightly worried
Nyaa that's a bit troublesome Nya! Who controls them when Ashley's a Panther Nya? She's too carefree Nya! Do you think the mecha-cats Nya,  they could even attack us Nya? If Alice annoys them or something Nya? I wouldn't wanna have to go against 5 of them Nya...

Alice to the rescue!

Nobody brings dirt into my tent...
Nobody!

lol Yulya thought the noise was bad - but then it became much worse
no idea how we will get the mecha summons out of the tent though

[Thursday, Spring 20, 18:00, Clear, 14C]

[After a long day but just fed and watered, Sandra and Sophia are both in good spirits and happy to be out of the pen and into a wide open space with plenty of forage and water about. The cool air feels good after all that pulling and walking. The pleasant weather is helping their mood. The quiet of the prairie is comforting. They have an initial excitement of being able to sleep in the outdoors and not in their crampt smelly stables. Starting Score +++++]

Ashley Nya! Don't let them invade your space Nya. Signal them to back off if they go for your stuff Nya!

"Alright relax!" Ashley puts her pack in the cart.

Nyaa take it easy Nya I can only handle one mule at a time Nya! Make sure your summons don't engage them in any way Nya! Sandra Nya and Sophia Nya don't have to love your summons Nya it's enough if they ignore them Nya!

"We'll see..."

[Beatrice]

Give her some time Nya and wait a bit Nya! ... See Nya? That what happens if they only associate you with food Nya!

[Cat's exclamations and heightened worry is mirrored on the girls][-1, Score ++++]

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Nyaa remember girls first of all you focus on me Nya what's going on over there isn't important Nya.

[Cat's soothing tones and common directions reassures the girls that this is normal][+2 Score ++++++]

[Olga]

[The loud noise has startled them][-2 score ++++]
[Sophia is scared at first][-1 score +++]

Cat again directs Sophia's attention to her by raising a hand then walks a round with her before slowly approaching the cats again. Then she moves Sandra and Sophia to a greater distance.

[Cat's calm and busy attention makes the girls feel more comfortable][+2, Score +++++]

[Nixie]

Cat immediately moves in front of Sophia, gives her a verbal cue with the click of her tongue and is able to keep Sophia under control with the come-a-long rope. The mule soon realizes that struggling causes more discomfort than calmly retreating alongside Cat and she so keeps her attention at the large but calm Barbarian. Cat angrily calls out to Ashley to keep her summon under control
Ashley Nya! What did I tell you Nya!? I can't handle them both Nya!

[Cat's harsh tones puts the girls on edge][-1, Score ++++]

"We're calm Cat, just breathe, you're the Mule whisperer, be confident." Ashley begins the summon.

After a startling bang, an overwhelmed handler and a scary monster appearing before them, both mules are literally shaking with fear.[-3, Score +]

Ashley Nya! Make Nixie move away a bit Nya and face the other way Nya. She should pretend we aren't here Nya!
Cat leads Sophia on a zigzag path, sometimes slower, sometimes faster, back and forth from Nixie while everyone else remains calm, also not paying attention to her. This way Sophia can understand that everyone is aware of Nixie but nobody perceives her as threat.

Cat's direction and careful attention to Sophia has deescalated the situation for her, but Sandra was neglected.[+2, -1, Score ++]

Cat laughs at the interaction
That's the way Nya! They gotta learn to keep their noses off us Nya!

Cat's jovial demeanor and light hearted tone reassures the mules[+1 Score +++]

[Ashley Panther]

Cat steps in and directs Sandra's attention to her.
You focus on me Nya no need to worry about Ashley right now Nya!
Cat leads Sandra away to the cart and lets her take a sniff at Ashley's robe without getting close enough to chew on it, then right back to Ashley Panther, circling her in a spiral path so Sandra can compare the scent while staying focused on Cat's commands. Then she leads both mules away so they can let the experience settle - ad receive their treats.

The sudden shift is confusing to the mules, they're growing wary of this game and can't take much more, they're overall anxious of what's next, but Cat's actions has reassured them well.[-3, +2 Score ++]

[In the end Sandra forgets the whole ordeal when she receives her treat, Sophia is slightly better but still wary.][-1, +1 Score ++]

Though left shaken, they are also left reassured and have bonded further with Cat, they are reassured by her in a time of trouble and will respond favorably next time something scary happens as long as Cat reassures them. They're slightly less secure then they were before but that will fade by the morning as long as nothing further disturbs them. Bringing them closer to their baseline.

[From here on out, I will track their mood and stamina, currently they have a mood of ++(2) and a stamina of 0, Maximum for both is 10, stamina is replaced after a long rest, mood slowly heals over time or is boosted by positive experiences and eroded by negative ones. If they go below 0 mood you will start to see them complain, further deterioration will cause further acting out they will attempt to escape the situation at -5 but will stay within a few hundred feet, and at -10 they will throw a tantrum, possibly breaking things, and attempt to run back to Neverwinter. As long as they're together, their moods and staminas are averaged and they will act together as a team and will not separate willingly, they are a reassurance to each other and have bonded.

[Thursday, Spring 20, 19:00, Clear, 10C]

After dinner Yulya goes to rest in the tent but is frequently woken by weird summoning- animal and Alice noises

After the show, Ashley Panther pushes her way into the tent, vocalizes to a sleepy frazzled Yulya and curls up in the corner.

Yulya is left supposing she'll have third shift.

Shortly after, Yulya is almost asleep when Nixie pushes her way in, tracking sand, followed close by Olga and Mr. Bigglesworth.

A whirring din of motors and gears play a symphony of dissonant rapture. Their every movement the machinations of machinery. The small space is warmed by these hot bodies and within a minute Olga starts panting, the rhythmic noise is akin to a well water pump, and Nixie begins cleaning herself, the only part of her not making noise is her tongue.

The constant ticking, whirring and humming of their mechatherial parts are the essence of audio anarchy--the worst color of noise.

[Ashley can't dismiss her summons in her current form. She barely recognizes them as 'hers'.

Meanwhile, Cat and Alice are making more poison [3/5] and the girls have decided to munch on nearby grass even though they've already been fed. Please keep track of their feed.

[Thursday, Spring 20, 23:00, Clear, 10C]

The poison batch was successful without interruption.

[Interactions required, please decide what you want to do next. You are about 5 hours to the rest stop and 10 hours to the Triboar Trail. At the head of the Triboar trail there is a minor rest stop area that is sometimes but rarely used by traders to look over their carts and tend their animals before continuing.

Ashley approaches the mules and raises her arms, "I'm only going to offer this once, so get while the getting's good, go on smell me."
Sophia and Sandra seem more interested in her pack.

Ashley Nya! Don't let them invade your space Nya. Signal them to back off if they go for your stuff Nya!

Cat? Get ready.

Cat isn't too happy about Ashley's carefree approach. She gets the rope and knots a come-a-long rope for mule training and puts it on Sophia who is more likely to cause trouble.
Nyaa take it easy Nya I can only handle one mule at a time Nya! Make sure your summons don't engage them in any way Nya! Sandra Nya and Sophia Nya don't have to love your summons Nya it's enough if they ignore them Nya!

Ashley directs Cat to stand near the mules and keep them calm if she can, "Now remember girls, these are our friends." Ashley casts Summon Dragon Wasp and Beatrice appears with a small pop in a puff of purple smoke that quickly dissipates.
Sandra could really care less as the buzzing of this large wasp-like thing fills the air, Sophia is a bit more skeptical and takes an uneasy step back.

Cat follows Sophia back, giving her some space.
Give her some time Nya and wait a bit Nya!

Ashley raises her palm and commands Beatrice to land on her hand.
The large beast dutifully lands with gripping claws retracted and Ashley brings her down to her face, rubbing her soft furry body against her cheek, "See? Frieeeend." Ashley approaches Sandra first and the indifference is clear, she sniffs it cautiously then lowers her head as if nodding. "Very good Sandra!" Ashley pats her with her free hand gently. "Now Sophia, you're not scared are you?" Ashley approaches slowly.
Sophia moves her head away and eyes it with a hint of distrust but as Ashley approaches, she comes around and attempts to mouth the wasp as if she's some kind of treat. "No no, this is frieeeennnd, not fooooood. Good?"

Cat rolls her eyes about Ashley's attempt to communicate with the mules
See Nya? That what happens if they only associate you with food Nya!

she summons the next guest. With a wave of her hands, a fair bit of purple smoke and a loud pop that startles both mules almost to the point of revolt. The loud noise has startled them.

Cat quickly moves between Sandra and Sophia and the loud noise, looking at the mules and directing their attention towards her
Nyaa remember girls first of all you focus on me Nya what's going on over there isn't important Nya.
Cat struggles with both mules at the same time. She can direct Sophia to make a 360 turn and keeps her busy with other things but Sandra is on her own for now.

A sleek Mechatherial Lynx named Olga appears as the smoke clears and Sophia is having none of that, none at all. Yet Sandra doesn't seem as agitated, she could care less in fact, just another thing smelling of Ashley, not any problem at all.
With Cat's coaching and placating, Sophia turns around and with a snorty bray that seems to indicate she's okay now she gingerly sniffs the lynx. The lynx's quiet indifference seems to reassure her. Olga licks her paw and looks around, finding Mr. Bigglesworth, she pounces on him and they begin to play. Sandra is very interested in the fun, she seems to have made fast friends with Mr. Bigglesworth and is interested in watching him, while Sophia is more reserved, stepping slightly back to avoid the rowing cats.

Cat again directs Sophia's attention to her by raising a hand then walks a round with her before slowly approaching the cats again. Then she moves Sandra and Sophia to a greater distance.

"Okay girls, here's the big test." Ashley begins to cast, attempting to call her biggest 'baby', "This might be loud..." With a thunderous boom, causing all the birds within half a mile to flap away, a large plumb of purple smoke lifts to reveal the cunning glare of Nixie, the Mechathereal Panther.
This time, both mules are literally shaking with fear, Sophia rears up in near panic as Nixie crouches. Looking as if getting ready to pounce on these mule-sized morsels. Ashley quickly steps in.

Cat immediately moves in front of Sophia, gives her a verbal cue with the click of her tongue and is able to keep Sophia under control with the come-a-long rope. The mule soon realizes that struggling causes more discomfort than calmly retreating alongside Cat and she so keeps her attention at the large but calm Barbarian. Cat angrily calls out to Ashley to keep her summon under control
Ashley Nya! What did I tell you Nya!? I can't handle them both Nya!



Cat prays to the Catgod that Sandra doesn't start to run as she has no means of stopping her. As she remains frozen, Cat turns around,moves Sophia between Sandra and Nixie and then leads both away for a small walk and to drink some water. They slowly approach again a few minutes later as Cat tries to keep the mules focused on herself

Of course Sophia, the sandy colored equine, isn't convinced.
Sandra is putting up a brave face but Cat would notice she's still nervous. It's not easy to meet a sister that could hunt you successfully if she chose to. Mules are no match for a moose either.

Ashley Nya! Make Nixie move away a bit Nya and face the other way Nya. She should pretend we aren't here Nya!
Cat leads Sophia on a zigzag path, sometimes slower, sometimes faster, back and forth from Nixie while everyone else remains calm, also not paying attention to her. This way Sophia can understand that everyone is aware of Nixie but nobody perceives her as threat.

With Cat and Ashley's help, they convince Sophia that Nixie is safe and in the end the extra work pays off, she's less nervous than Sandra in the end.
"Now for the final exam, let's try this out." Ashley puts her pack, boots, socks and other garments in the cart and with just her robe she begins the process of transformation. Her skin begins to grow long indigo hair and smoke surrounds her as she morphs into the creature known as Ashley Panther. The robe drops and she picks it up in her mouth, dropping it in the cart some awkward effort. She then approaches her big friend Nixie.
Nixie bristles as Ashley, the bigger of the two, approaches slowly. Nixie starts curling her lips and hissing slightly. Ashley Panther hisses back more aggressively and her hiss startles the mules again as she shows her dominance over Nixie. The two circle each other and posture, then as you're almost sure these about to fight, Ashley panther begins licking Nixie's neck and head in a motherly way that calms Nixie right down. The purring commences.
Sophia is closer to the two and surprisingly summons the courage to smell Ashley Panther, then nuzzles her with her nose. Ashley responds by licking Sophia's muzzle which Sophia quickly pulls away, that was a little too friendly for her.

Cat laughs at the interaction
That's the way Nya! They gotta learn to keep their noses off us Nya!

This time Sandra looks quite puzzled and seems to be interested in seeing Ashley's robe perhaps in an effort to find Ashley. Her worry intensifies.

Cat steps in and directs Sandra's attention to her.
You focus on me Nya no need to worry about Ashley right now Nya!
Cat leads Sandra away to the cart and lets her take a sniff at Ashley#s robe without getting close enough to chew on it, then right back to Ashley Panther, circling her in a spiral path so Sandra can compare the scent while staying focused on Cat's commands.
Then she leads both mules away so they can let the experience settle - ad receive their treats.