Bynx is still technically in Flo's pack but I moved his map icon down a little so I can keep track of it in case he decides to come out and stretch his legs.
Bynx pokes his head out of his carrier and sniffs distastefully at the stale air and probably-stinky-mist, too.
"Maow!"
Sort of. The bones right in that area aren't anchored like yours or a human's are! So if we can get our heads into a space, the bones shift and flatten out so the rest of us can squeeze through.
He then lifts his head slightly and makes a trilling sound, clearly pleased.
Though Bynx is, for a moment, reluctant to give up his hard-earned prey he finally relinquishes it to Florence's hand. But not before singing the group the triumphant song of his people.
"It's you, you're still you -- and you're intact, see?! I like what you did to the place -- your enemies are nowhere in sight! Did you pick clean the bones and then eat them too?! Great job!!!"
"Rrrow!"
Um...yes. Yes I did. They were delicious.
Bynx casually licks a paw, having decided that he likes this version of the last few hours' events much better than his own.
Bynx takes a moment to stretch his legs before taking a sitting position in front of Florence. His tail twitches back and forth with irritation as he looks up at her.
"...Maow?"
Really? I barely get any time with you except before bed and in the mornings, and now the first time you let me out in the field in ages and you want me to stay behind?
After another moment goes by, Bynx rises and begins padding back down the corridor towards the entrance.
"Maow."
Fine. But you owe me, okay? Let me out to stretch more, even if we're in the field. Anubis gets to run around in the field all the time and it's not fair that I have to stay in the carrier!
Bynx's tail lashes back and forth in a state of agitation; he was certain that the strange-looking feline wasn't quite what it appeared to be but he also wasn't sure that he wanted to risk tangling with it.
No...I haven't seen that one before. There's something strange about him. I don't know if I like it!
"Since when do dogs collude to rescue either? All the stories I've heard like that was just one dog, one human. And all the dog usually did was sniff out who was missing and go get a human! The human or humans still had to do all the grunt work getting Timmy out of the well or whatever."
There's a moment of silence.
"Mryaow?"
"And why would the dogs be green? I'm actually not really sure why the cats would be green either but maybe they got into some paint or something..."
"He's got it all wrong. It had to be dogs! Since when do your kind hang out in packs?! Pigs will fly when cats will muster, and I just don't see it happening ever!"
Bynx looks over at Anubis, his ears flattening against his head a little bit, tail swishing slightly.
"Maooow..."
"Sometimes we hang out in packs! What about lions? And they're just really *big* cats, you know!"
Before settling in to rest, Bynx sits and listens attentively to Kosei's story, even if no one else does. When it's finished, he chirps and purrs and trills contentedly.
*Prrp! Rrr-rhh!*
That was a fine story! It's nice to know that *some* of you know how to heed our wisdom.
Although Bynx didn't mind going inside the little pyramid with Stelle his nose objects to all the dust collected inside and he quickly falls into a fit of itty bitty kitty sneezes and has to retreat. He trots back over to Florence's feet and flops down, rolling over to show his belly.
"Maow!"
She'll be fine, I don't think there was anything in there. And anyway, you should rub my belly - it'll make you feel better!
Though he doesn't partake of the spring except perhaps to drink from it (later, after Zilchus and everyone else is done bathing if they choose to bathe) Bynx decides to stick near Zilchus for most of the rest of the day. Florence would be fine without his protection for a little while, especially since most of the others were still with her.
He lounges about much as the warrior does, getting sand in his fur and enjoying the sunshine on his belly.
Bynx's ears perk up as first Nidhi and Stelle begin singing into (at?) the big hole in the ground. He trots over a little closer and decides to join in.
Bynx also hops out of the chariot, but remains close to it. He'd narrowly avoided being turned into a frozen treat only yesterday and so he's not feeling as adventurous as he might normally be.
"Maow."
I do like the chariot! About time we actually get to travel in *style*.
A combination of preternatural reflexes and the spells of the group allow Bynx to bolt out of the way as the wave of cold washes over the area. Hissing and spitting, Bynx retreats to the (relative) safety of some fronds near the water's edge.
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Bynx has Improved Evasion and so takes no damage on a successful save. He then withdraws very very fast to his new map position :)
Enjoying the opportunity to be free of his carrier while Florence and the others dither around with the ceiling, Bynx stretches and then looks up at Annie.
Bynx, having been allowed out of his carrier during the research, flattens his ears against his head and moves to hide behind Anubis since he seems to be the most sane being in the room right now.
Yelling! Why all the yelling??? It's too noisy in here!
Over on the railing, Bynx's ears flatten against his head as Anubis begins to wag his tail and nose about. His fur fluffs up a bit but being smarter than the average cat, he's got enough sense to not be too mean to the new person's pet. He does bat at Anubis' nose though, claws sheathed.
"Maow!"
What's wrong with you? Can't you talk, like a proper people-friend?
From his vantage point up on the nearby railing, Bynx watches Stelle and Anubis closely. He didn't have any objections to the halfling's presence, but her canine companion...
Bynx starts, both dismayed and annoyed that he apparently wasn't as stealthy as he thought he was. But maybe he could still help Florence and her friends, even with having been seen. He skitters back towards the group as she'd told him to do, but not all the way - not yet.
Here, people, people, people...
______
On mobile but Bynx will head back towards the group, stopping about halfway there next to the wall. Just to make sure, we all hear the voices?
That evening while the group examines their finds, Bynx watches the proceedings with interest. He even occasionally offers his own two coppers, especially as Florence examines the various scrolls.
"Maow."
He bats a scroll of Magic Missile out of her hands.
You don't want that; it doesn't suit you.
"Maow!"
He purrs loudly as she examines the scroll of Hold Person.
Ooh, that one would be good if we run into anymore people like these Scorched Hand folks!
"Maow...?"
He gives her what seems to be a quizzical look when she reaches for the scroll of Sound Burst.
Unable to do much to help Florence or her companions, Bynx stands vigil just outside the doorway. His eyes dart nervously back and forth, watching for further threats.
Out of harm's way for the moment, Bynx stops and holds his ground - not intending to enter the fray again but not quite willing to abandon Florence or her friends, either.
Bynx yowls as the skeletons approach, one of them managing to nick his tail with a swing of its kopesh. This was way more than he'd bargained for and so he has no problem heeding Florence's call to get out of the fray. He turns and quickly darts between her legs and heads back down the front steps.
As suddenly as it had come over him, Bynx feels the odd fear begin to ebb and fade away. However there was still Zilchus screeching at him for some strange reason. He darts into a nearby corner and thinkers down defensively.
I didn't do anything! Why's he yelling at me!?
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Going to go ahead and assume the fear fades/is fading at this point.
If he weren't so scared, Bynx would've found Zilchus' words positively insulting! A tiny, lucid voice in the back of his little cat mind makes a note to leave the head of his next kill in Zilchus' bed, if they all don't die a horrible death first...
As the sarcophagus is opened, Bynx's fur stands on end and his eyes widen with fear. Just as Zilchus flees, so too does Bynx - uttering a chilling, "MAAAAAAOOOOOOWWWW!" as he goes.
