Mashup - fur fun and excitement!

Chapter 5 - Let me be your Liraque Mari

When the door to the large room opened, the figure in the cloak looked up from the round table he was sitting at. "Please come in and have a seat. Are you ready for the evening?" There were traces of amusement in his hollow sounding voice.

Amaratsue raised an eyebrow and twitched an ear as he walked to the wet bar and poured a healthy glass of Silver Howls. After tossing a few ice cubes in it he walked over and settled down at his seat. "I would ask what the hell you think you are doing but I know it would be pointless. I am sure you will let us know eventually." He was feeling somewhat annoyed with the robed figure but it was pointless to demand answers.

The figure laughed. "Relax and watch. I do have a reason for what I am doing and I think you will approve. Give it time and you will understand." He picked up a stack of cards and started shuffling them. "Break out your money and get ready to be taken to the cleaners." There was definite amusement in his voice.

About then there was another knock on the door. It was immediately opened and several others walked in. Luna was looking faintly amused, Rusty was frowning, and the Bear was definitely not amused. He roared at the figure before settling for a massive bottle of honeyed mead. The damn thing looked like it was a mug made from a pony keg. The other two grabbed something to drink as well before settling down.

Before anyone spoke there was another knock on the door and Queen Jasmine walked in and she was simply looking amused. "I will deal with you later. I am going to find a Magical Item just for you, something which will make you hate what you are doing to my son and soon to be daughter." She settled down at the table and pulled out a stack of money and set it in front of her. "Whoever used the spelled money last time is getting their tails removed this time."

The Goddess and Pack Lord walked in and both growled at the figure as they collected some drinks. They settled down at the large table and glared at the figure. "We are not amused at what you have done. It had better be resolved soon or else." Once the Pack Lord was done he pulled a People bone out and after handing it to the Goddess he pulled several others out and passed them around.

The last two to walk in didn't bother knocking. The first was a shadowy feline with hints of Native American trappings. The second was another feline though she was smaller than the others. She was looking amused as well. She settled down at the table with a cup of catnip tea.

The Feline gave the robed figure a generic hiss. "I am not pleased with you involving my neko's in this, whatever you are doing." She wasn't going to admit that her curiosity was definitely piqued and starting to drive her nuts.

The figure grinned. "Relax all of you and all will eventually be revealed. Now finish putting your money on the table and shall we get started?" The figure kept shuffling the cards. Once the others put their money, or their versions, on the table everything vanished only to be replaced with chips. "Shall we start with Five card stud?"

The others traded looks and frowned. "Other than we trust you as much as we can affect you I supposed." Rusty's tails were twitching as he was speaking. When the chips appeared he organized them and grinned. "I am going to take you to town as well. I am going to take your money and then go and have a drink or three at your expense. Start dealing or else."

The others pretty much said the same other than the Bear. He settled for a loud frustrated growl. Even as he was growling the figure was starting to toss cards out after having Amaratsue cut the deck. Everyone knew that powers were going to be used during the card game and the other games following the cards.

~~~

Jim had heard the comment about furries and then he glared at the dog person. "Deal with it and answer my question, where are we and what the fuck happened?" Even as he was snarling his eyes were traveling around the room and he was so damn confused. There were several people with ears and tails, as in plural tails, some in funky clothing with some odd implements in their hands. Others had pistols, swords, and even little knives. The ones who looked like Dog people didn't have any weapons though several were standing.