Advent Of A Gunslinger

“Si. Of course,” he confirmed with a nod, “We didn’t have much time to talk, and I’m not sure when we’ll ever get the chance to do so again--given that we’re set to part ways after this. So I figure I may as well enjoy what time we have left.”

“...Good. I’m glad he’s still willing to speak with me.” The bird lady was relieved to hear that. Things had gotten better between them both, so she wanted to keep up that positivity. “That makes sense. I appreciate you asking. I’m doing just fine by the way. Though, I can’t say I’m exactly thrilled to return home.”

Vido remembered her reasonings, and deduced that she still had anxiety over her past. “Ay, I understand that. But don’t worry. With how successful you are, the royal family would be a fool to ignore your accomplishments.”

“Maybe...but I wish it was that simple,” she said with a sigh while turning the wheel, “Even though I’m a pirate captain, in the eyes of the laws of the land back home, I’m still a commoner and can’t even be around my best friend.”

Laws that still irked the griffon even now. “Muy ridiculo,” he spat with an annoyed mewl, “Ornithia’s got it’s head on backwards if they’re still acting as if we’re in the middle ages. Not even Griffonstone is that much of a culo over it!”

“...As much as I agree with you, the law’s the law,” she responded coldly as she kept her gaze focused on the open air in front of her. “Even though I’m a pirate, I can’t just do whatever I want. Ocypete’s father probably had his reasons…”

Vido didn’t agree with that at all, but held his tongue on the matter. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her again. “Fair enough. But I’m sure Ocypete would want you to be happy above all else. We all have the right to make choices--and I chose not to be like the other griffons from my home. I’m sure you can do the same if you try.”

“...If I try, huh...we’ll see about that…” Celaeno didn’t respond right away. Instead, she kept her focus on the horizon, and finally said, “I’ll think about it. Thanks for your supportive words, Vido.”

“No problema. Just make sure you do what you want above all else. Screw the rest of the world,” he said with a confident trill, “Got that?”

Celaeno giggled, “Hehe. Okay--okay--you’ve convinced me. While you’re here, let’s just make small talk, okay? Get away from all the heartache for a bit.”

“Oh, alright then. What would you like to talk about, Cel?”

“Hmm...what’s your favorite type of fish to catch?”

As the two of them engaged in casual conversation, everyone would be unaware of another airship that was flying nearby and hidden among the clouds…

Meanwhile, in Panthera…

When Mio and Spitha woke up the next day, they would awaken to the scent of what smelled like a hearty breakfast...

“...Hhhhh…” With a light hiss and a mewl, Mio got out of bed and bent over to stretch his body out on all fours like a domestic cat--his abdomen against the floor, and his rear raised into the air. “Rrrrr...that was probably the best sleep I’ve had in a while. How about you, Spith?”

The dragon woman rose up from the bed. Her scales reflected the morning sun’s rays elegantly as she spread and stretched her wings. “...Ahhh...that was very good, yes. Very nice of the royal family to give us quarter in exchange for our help…”

Mio started to sniff the air, and caught wind of what smelled like bacon, eggs, and potatoes… “Mm...what’s that?”

Spitha got out of the bed, and sniffed also. She could tell what it was right away. “Is that breakfast? I wonder…”

The tom wasn’t going to waste time waiting. As soon as he was done stretching, he stood upright, and walked out of the guest room. “Come on, miss. Let’s go find out.”

Curious, the dragon woman got up and walked after him--though not before making the bed and putting the sheets back into place.

They left the room, and made a hard right out of Mau’s office. From there, they travelled down the hallway towards their residence, and came upon an average-looking living room where the carpeting of the parliament building ended and sleek hardwood floors began. To the right, there was a couch in front of a fireplace and a coffee table with a few potted ferns. To the left was a sliding glass door that led to the outside where a large pool could be seen.

“Oh my…” Spitha thought to herself, having never seen such a luxurious backyard before.

Meanwhile, the kitchen was located just ahead, and there they could see someone--a familiar feline shape working a stove.

“...Good morning?” Mio said slowly as to not alarm the individual at the stove as he rounded the corner.

“Hm?” A head turned to greet them, and they could see it was King Mau wearing a simple white apron as he cooked. “Ah, good. You’re up. Figured that we could discuss your plans for action over breakfast.”

“Oh...wow, that’d be...amazing!” Mio mewled, but quickly contained himself as he cleared his throat, “Ahem...if it’s no trouble that is.”

“No trouble at all,” Mau replied as he sprinkled some seasoning in one of the pans, “I always do this when I have time for BB.”

Spitha found herself staring at the various pans of food cooking on the stove, surprised at the sight of the king cooking his own food. “Wow, I...excuse me for staring. I just never would’ve expected that the king would be willing to cook for himself and his wife.”

Mau chuckled as he stirred the contents of another pan. “Well, it’s much better than letting servants do it. They do enough as it is--plus, it’s far better when it comes directly from me to Bombay, you know?”

Speaking of which… “Rrrrr…” With a tired purr and a stretch of her arms, Bombay emerged from their master bedroom nearby. She was wearing an oversized blue sports jersey with the numbers ‘05’ on the back that draped over her form like a sheet. “Morning, dear…” she mewled as she approached Mau, and placed a loving kiss on his cheek. “Thanks for lending me one of your shirts. I’ll get started on my laundry soon.”

Mau returned the gesture with a kiss to her forehead. “No rush, sweetheart. I’ll help you when I’m done with breakfast. I hope you don’t mind if our guests eat with us as we discuss business.”

Bombay ceased her affectionate gestures on a dime, and glanced at the dragon lady and young tom. “Oh yes. I don’t mind at all. Please, make yourselves at home,” she greeted them, and went to sit down at the dining room’s table nearby.

“Thank you very much,” Spitha replied.

Mio also showed his gratitude, “Yes. You’re both very kind. Though…” He turned his attention to the tom in the kitchen. “I’m actually very interested in what you’re doing, sir. Mind if I help?”

“Oh, perfect--can you grab me some of the chives from the fridge?” he requested while sliding two pans back and forth over the stove with both hands. “My hands are kinda full.”

“No problem.” He turned and entered the kitchen to begin assisting Mau with the meal preparation.

Spitha giggled as the tom stepped away. She went and sat down at the dining room table next to Bombay. “That smells amazing--does he cook for you often?”

“Often?” Bombay snarked with a smug expression, “He does it whenever he gets the chance. Sometimes it’s to the point where I have to beg him not to.”

“How sweet,” Spitha trilled, “It sounds like he really cares about you. You’ve certainly picked a good man.”

“You can say that,” the she-cat purred as she stretched her arms out, “But it’s more like we found each other. But that’s a story for another time.” She put her arms down, and leaned against the table. “Though, while we’re on the subject...tell me about you and the spectacled one,” she said in reference to Mio, glancing towards the kitchen, “How did you both meet?”

Spitha’s cheeks turned a shade of crimson behind her red scales. “...E-excuse me?”