//------------------------------// // Unpleasant Welcome // Story: Pony Side Story // by Catrina37 //------------------------------// Chapter 3: Unpleasant Welcome "Within moments, the guards outside opened the doors for Catrina's clan, where they were greeted by the Moochik...” Rep continued telling. Catrina and her gypsy cat family came in just as the guards opened the doors for them. They went into the palace, and strolled down the Grand Hall, taking in the sights of everything it held. They strolled until they approached another pair of guards who were guarding more doors. The guards opened the doors for the clan. This time, it wasn’t just to let them through, it was to let them in the throne room, where the Moochik resides. Sitting upon the throne is the great Gnome Ruler of Tambelon, the Moochik himself. Standing next to him is his centaur general, Torarc. "Welcome to Tambelon," the Moochik said as he greeted them. "Lord Moochik," Catrina's father said as he bowed, "I am Ioz, of the Romani Gypsy Cat Clan. My family and I have come by caravan to share our magic with your fair city." "The pleasure is mine, Ioz. It is an honor to meet you," the Moochik said. Just then, as the Moochik and Ioz continued to introduce themselves, Rep and his family came into the room. Rep's father was the first to take notice of what was happening, and when he saw the Clan, he gasped with horror. When Catrina's father Ioz heard the gasp and saw Rep and his family, he gasped as well. "Papa? Is something wrong?" a concerned Rep asked. "Oh there is, Son!" Lt. Chamel shouted, "Lord Moochik!" Rep's father stomped toward the Moochik and the Cat Clan and said, "Sire, you cannot invite them in!” “And why ever not, Lieutenant?” the Moochik asks. “They are Abyssinians! They are cat creatures well-known for being con artists and thieves! And gypsy cats are the worst of them all!" "Yay! Well we know a lot about you Sheegana chameleons! You lizards have been known for taking advantage of your shape-shifting abilities and using your powers to bully others into giving you what little they have!" Ioz roughly said. "A downright lie if I ever heard one! I'm ordering you and your family to get out of our kingdom and go back to the trench you came from!" “And I’d like to tell you to crawl into the nearest hole leading to Tartarus and stay there!” Lt. Chamel pointed his spear at Ioz just as he hissed and reared his claws. Catrina timidly got behind her father. Rep could see the ruckus that was happening in the throne room and ran to stop it, especially because he feared for his father's safety. When he reached his father, he pulled his tail. "Dad, stop!" he cried. Then, he and Catrina saw each other and looked each other in the eye. When their eyes locked onto each other, both kids gained a feeling they have never felt before, and were not familiar with at all. They also didn’t know why they never noticed each other before. Ioz and Lt. Chamel were about to charge at each other when General Torarc got between the two of them. "Stand down, Lieutenant! That's an order!" General Torarc commanded. "Yes, General!" Lt. Chamel saluted. The Moochik stood himself up from his throne. "Lt. Chamel, you and your family don't have to attend their show. But whether you want them here or not, all creatures are welcome in Tambelon no matter what! You and the lizards are prohibited from harming them!" he tells the lieutenant. "Whatever you say, Lord Moochik." he obeys with a bow. Lt. Chamel took Rep by the arm and walked with him in hand. Rep turned around and got a good look at Catrina while he waved to her. Catrina waved back to him before her father took her by the arm out of the throne room. **** Later...in the palace courtyard... Lt. Chamel was telling his sons why he was outraged about the Romani Cat Clan as his sons watched him pace. "I can't believe the Abyssinian Gypsies have been welcomed by the Moochik," he shouted, "His diplomatic moments are going to be the end of Tambelon one day!" "What's the big deal, Papa?" Rep asked, "They are just a family of cats." "The big deal, Rep, is that this family of cats are Abyssinians, a race of cat creatures well-known for being tricksters. They con, steal, and lie in order to get everyone's hard-earned money. That is why I'm ordering all three of you to stay away from those cats, especially their leader!" "Yes, Papa," all three sons said. Chamel and the family soon departed from one another, each going in separate directions. Chamel was headed for the family home, while two of the boys left to play. Rep stayed behind because he couldn’t help but have second thoughts about the whole thing. He was thinking about the girl cat he saw earlier. “That girl...she was...beautiful.” he said to himself, before going off to catch up with his brothers. **** Meanwhile, at the caravan... Catrina is getting the same lecture from her father in their caravan. "I'm telling you this now, Catrina. Those lizards are nothing but trouble.” “Why, Papa?” “Because they are Sheegana chameleons! They are sneaky shape-shifters who use their powers to intimidate others and take whatever they can get their hands on. Especially Abyssinians! And they’re even more dangerous when working in a royal guard!" he yelled, "Luckily, the Moochik is willing to give us a chance. I'm warning you, Catrina. Stay away from those lizards. They will do nothing but cause harm to you!" "I will, Papa!" a panicked Catrina said. Her father left the caravan. As Catrina looked out the window and into the palace, she couldn't stop thinking about Rep. "But that lizard boy seemed so nice," she said.