Autumn really was the season of disappearances, wasn't it? Between the WEF putting out requests regarding stolen animals, children reported going missing in the swamps, and civilians seemingly vanishing into thin air, one might wonder if there is some malevolent mechanism acting towards the continued disruption of peace these days. Or perhaps the old soul had simply sheltered herself too much in her family life to notice the signs until she was forced out of the blissful bubble.

Yet another request would beckon her into Sol City once more after that blasted old fox, Marie Yata, forced her out of the gilded capital the other time, this time from one of Florentio's long-time regulars back in the days when he operated as a community doctor. Animals were not his expertise per se, but professional veterinarians were very much a luxury when it came to non-farm animals, so much so that sometimes people approached regular doctors in desperation. Florentio could never quite say no to them, though he loved to excuse this on the part of pragmatism... though it was more that he really didn't want to break the heart of their fragile, animal-loving daughter. She could at least understand the latter, even if she absolutely did not enjoy the prospect having to play surgeon due to her muscles being infinitely steadier than his as an unfortunate, but expected result of her dedication to her bloody craft.

Thankfully for Ambika, the locale was a district far, far away from where the Phairot manor stood. Maybe she could get this job done without triggering any unwanted attention this time. The long-time regular in question was what one could simply describe as a happily single cat lady who has given up on love ages ago and was content to spend the rest of their days with felines of all types. In fact, the darned Sylvan Elf actually brought in a leopard at one point.

With that, Ambika made her way to the Sylvan Elf's house post-haste while keenly observing whatever she saw on her way.

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SPOILER: Click to show

Quest Name: Fur Ball
Participants: Two or more
Location: Anywhere
Post Requirements: 5 posts per person, 200 words per post
Description: A small community, town, or village has been reporting that people have been going missing, with no bodies turning up. They have requested your help in investigating the sudden disappearances. Your investigations lead you to find that a local pet or community animal has been eaten and replaced by a Morphleon, who is preying on the locals while disguised as their beloved pet. Find the disguised Morphleon and kill it before it eats the community, or you.

After hearing rumors of missing kitties in Sol City, Sir Meowsalot had headed there seeking to rescue them. Right now, his companion Sancho Pawza was seeking food and rest as usual.

"Don't you think we should find somewhere to eat and rest?" Sancho suggested, practically pleading.

"Soon, Squire." Meowsalot replied, his own stomach starting to rumble a bit.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Meowsalot caught sight of a grey-haired lady walking briskly alone. He turned to get a closer look. Hair the color of kittyhoarder!, he thought. He grabbed Sancho's paw and began following her, trying to catch up to her.

"Meowsalot, what are you doing?" He whispered.

Sancho realized Meowsalot was following the woman. "Leave this woman alone!"

"Shh! We don't want this evildoer to hear us before we strike!" Meowsalot whispered.

Sancho massaged his forehead with his paw.

When the duo caught up to the mysterious woman, Meowsalot jumped over her, doing a flip and landing in front of her. He spun around to face her, hissing. He swished his sword back and forth, thrusting it skyward.

"Stop, evildoer!" Meowsalot exclaimed. "You, madam, are a hoarder of kitties and will be brought to justice now!"

What. Just. What. Her, a hoarder of kitties? She who absolutely loathed domesticated felines back in her darkest days due to the lack of sounds generated by their footsteps having the perpetual capacity to make assassinations that much harder? Her!? Ambika was utterly disinterested in dealing with any of this and was tempted to just ignore the random accuser, until she took a proper gander at the darned lunatic.

Is that... Is that a walking, talking cat? Ambika groaned internally. Gods, Felicia, where in Charon did you even find such a creature? Did she even want to know? Probably not, in all honesty. That the feline referred to her as a hoarder of kitties certainly piqued her interest, though. Maybe this blasted feline was the cause of her summons. With that in mind, Ambika put some magic in her legs, leapt forward[1] with her kusarigama[2] in hand and used the momentum to have the chain wrap around the delusional feline, careful to ensure the sickle wouldn't point at it as it twined. She was far from equipped to deal with any kind of injury.

Ambika then set her sights on the feline's companion who stood a distance away.
"Do you want to end up like this? If not, follow me." She raised the chained feline, gripping the ends tightly to make sure her victim did not get any bright ideas about breaking free and preparing one of her improvised hookshots[3] to reel in the other one if that need arose.

And with that, barring a sudden escape performed on the part of the mysterious feline(s), Ambika would proceed to drag her chained captor to Felicia's home.

Felicia's house was an old, relatively weedy place with vines growing all over the walls, but the owner of the house liked it that way as part of how she remained attuned to nature.

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[1]Long Stride

SPOILER: Click to show

This spell can only be activated and used by the owner of the spell, only affecting their own person. The next time the owner would jump, they can instead jump three times their normal distance. This allows them to jump over gaps or obstacles, or even scale high walls. This spell only effects the next jump and must be used again to gain the effect an additional time.

[2]The Kusarigama

SPOILER: Click to show

The Kusarigama is comprised of a Kama or Sickle, and long piece of chain with a weight attached at the other end. You can use this weapon to grapple people or objects and pull them towards you a short distance, as well as attack with the sickle or weighted side at range.

[3]Improvisation Engineer: Anchor + Spidersilk Wire