The group had settled into a comfortable evening at Sterling’s cabin. The fire crackled merrily in the hearth, and the room was filled with the pleasant hum of conversation and laughter. Tixo, ever the curious and playful Tabaxi, had been exploring the various nooks and crannies of the cabin.
It didn’t take long for Tixo to discover a small jar hidden away on a high shelf. His keen sense of smell identified it immediately: catnip. With an excited grin, he managed to knock the jar down and open it, releasing the fragrant herb into the air.
Almost immediately, Tixo’s eyes lit up with a wild gleam, and he started zipping around the room with incredible speed. His friends watched in a mix of amusement and exasperation as Tixo leaped from furniture to furniture, his movements a blur of energy.
Ren chuckled, shaking his head. “Here we go again.”
Xul sighed, his usual stoic demeanor slightly ruffled. “We need to hide that catnip.”
Onyx and Riggs, both highly amused, made no move to help. Riggs even cheered Tixo on. “Go, Tixo, go! Show us those moves!”
Greyson, though still slightly offended from the haunted house debacle, couldn’t help but smile at the sight. “I suppose it’s entertaining, at least.”
Ryuji, ever practical, tried to catch Tixo. “Alright, that’s enough, Tixo. Let’s calm down.”
But Tixo was far too fast. He darted under chairs, leaped over the couch, and even scrambled up the curtains, leaving Ryuji and the others in his wake. Thorne tried to use his floramancy to gently ensnare Tixo, but the nimble Tabaxi dodged every attempt.
Wei watched the chaos unfold, his usually calm expression growing increasingly tired. He exchanged a glance with Thorne, who shrugged helplessly. Finally, Wei decided enough was enough.
With a determined look, Wei spread his wings and soared upward, grabbing the jar of catnip that Tixo had knocked over. His wings beat powerfully as he flew to the highest point of the room, holding the jar out of Tixo’s reach.
Tixo skidded to a halt, staring up at Wei with wide eyes. “Hey! That’s mine!”
Wei, still hovering in the air, gave Tixo a stern look that clearly said, “I’m tired of this shit.” Without a word, he secured the jar in a high, unreachable place, making sure Tixo wouldn’t be able to get to it again.
The room finally began to settle down. Tixo, realizing his fun was over, let out a small, disappointed sigh and plopped down on the floor, his energy finally starting to wane.
Sterling laughed, shaking his head. “That was quite the show, Tixo.”
Rex, who had been observing the chaos with a bemused smile, nodded in agreement. “You’ve got some impressive moves, but I think Wei has you beat.”
Tixo pouted, but a hint of a smile played at the corners of his mouth. “Fine, you win this time, Wei.”
Wei landed gracefully, folding his wings and giving Tixo a fond, yet exasperated look. “Maybe next time, Tixo, we can find a less chaotic way to entertain you.” he wrote in a nearby sticky note and slapped it into the Tabaxi's forehead.
Tixo grinned, his usual mischievous spark returning. “Maybe.”
As the evening continued, the group relaxed once more, sharing stories and laughter. The catnip jar remained safely out of reach, and Tixo, despite his earlier antics, enjoyed the warm company of his friends.
And while the chaos of the catnip had brought a flurry of energy, it also brought a reminder of the bond they shared, one that could withstand even the most unexpected of zoomies.
