Snowaters Meets Runner

by: Mr. David R. Dorrycott

Runner (c) Rodford E. Smith

Searching a fabric stall for her latest project Snowaters suddenly looked up, something had caught the felines eye. Glancing up she noticed a small wood elf wandering through the crowd. 'Funny, she doesn't appear to belong to this planet' Snowaters thought. Dropping the satin/silk blend back into a bin she walked towards the unusual woman.

Runner fought her way through the crowd, being small was often a pain and in this crowd she defiantly missed her old body. Something was tickling her mind. As yet she had been unable to lock onto the strange feeling but it was getting stronger. Bracing herself, the tiny figure shoved deeper into the mass of flesh, desperately trying to reach the relatively open space of the center.

Snowaters was having her own problems with the crowd. Signaling her ship she ordered Kalith to feed her an overview. Although this forced her to stop, closing her eyes she was able to see the square from above. Still, even with this advantage the elf was hard to pick out. Snowaters was buffeted, cursed, and shoved around by the busy crowd. Finally she spotted the smaller woman nearing the fountain in the squares center. With a sigh she opened her eyes, losing the scene from above as she focused on the fountain. Using several minor infighting tricks she edged towards her target. An hour later and the crowed would have thinned to almost nothing, taking refuge from the desert heat for an afternoon nap. Right now it was a mass of sweating flesh flowing in hundreds of directions, making navigation difficult.

Runner climbed the fountains short retaining wall. Given this slight advantage she was, for the first time, able to see over most of the crowd. Still, whatever had drawn her here, whatever it was it was getting stronger, and she still couldn't see anything unusual. Slowly the little elf edged around the narrow wall, being careful not to fall in. Although invitingly cool the water looked a little fuzzy for her taste.

Snowaters broke free of the crowd, slipping past a fat merchant and his servant. She quickly spotted the elf, a third of the way around the fountain from her, edging slowly towards her. Following the elfs example she edged around the dirty fountain. Although the space was relatively clear still there was the occasional body jostling against her. Moving as quickly as she could the scholar closed on Runner.

When the feline broke free Runner was shocked. Such a small person to hold such power she thought. Stopping she waited for the other woman to reach her. 'Yuk' she thought, 'Another cute and furry female.' Gods she wished for her old body, as the heat increased so did the crowds smell, making breathing difficult.

Snowy stopped near Runner, seeing her clearly for the first time. For an instant her old self surfaced, then images of Kela and Aries slid over the elfs image. Calmed she extended her hand to the other. "Greetings, I'm Snowaters, from the Science ship orbiting above. May I talk with you?"

Runner had found it easy to read the felines surface thoughts, although there appeared to be a heavy shield just beyond them. Her first attraction had caught the elf somewhat prepared, but the sudden collapse of that attraction, followed by pure scientific curiosity was more frightening. Certainly this woman was the source she had come looking for, but even in her old life she had preferred the occasional life and death fight to a visit from this kind of scholar Still, it could be worse she thought. Sshe could have been a Priest.

Taking the offered hand the elf started to step down when the crowd surged forward. Snowaters was slammed against the lighter woman, knocking her deep within the filthy fountains embrace. Sputtering, Runner staggered upright in the waist deep waters, algae dripped from her fur, water pouring off her clothing. Shaking water from her hair she saw the feline giggling, her eyes bright with humor. 'Ok, you think that's funny try this' Runner thought. Focusing her power she sent a stream of algae laden water into the cats face, knocking her to the ground.

The crowds sudden surge caught Snowaters by surprise. She felt herself impact the elf, felt the elf's hand pull away from hers, heard the splash as she herself fell to the ground. Kicking out she folded someone's knees from behind, causing them to fall into the crowd. For a moment there was an open space allowing her to stand. Looking into the fountain she saw the other standing, water and algae streaming off her. In spite of herself she giggled, tried to cover her mouth, and failed. Runners water spray caught her by surprise, knocking her back to the ground. Shaking her head she contacted Kalith. Games huh, I'll show her games she decided.

Runner was trying to scale the fountains wall when Snowaters stood up again. Low from the outside they were almost too high for her to reach from the inside. Coupled with the heavy algae making footing impossible she was in a fix. Strong hands dug into her blouse, she felt herself lifted from the water. In moments she was able to scramble out by herself. Looking around she spotted the other standing, wiping algae and water off her clothing. "Come on, lets find a bath, this stuff stinks" Snowaters said, then turned and dove into the crowd.

Shaking more water out of her face Runner decided that sounded like a good idea, she might even get the cat to pay for it. Noticing how the crowd moved away from the stinking mess the feline had become she grinned and followed, through a suddenly empty tunnel provided by the crowd. She didn't notice the light shower of white powder drifting over her, to melt in the water on cloth and fur, soon becoming a sticky sweet mess.