Egyptan

Your journey through the forest had started out just like any other...you walked along the path, admiring the quiet of the lazy afternoon, until something interesting caught your eye. Like any normal person, you followed it just a bit too far, and now had gotten yourself completely lost. Having no idea what to do, you kept walking...only growing nervous as afternoon faded into evening, and evening into twilight. The sun was changing the sky all different shades of colors; first orange, then gold, then red...and now, as the last rays drained away, purple. The stars, the insomniacs of the universe, were just beginning to twinkle in the deep richness when you spotted a light out ahead of you. Without hesitation you charged forth, thinking it was some weary traveler and you had found your way back to the road. If not...well, at least it was someone else who might know their way around here, and could help you on your way.

Pushing past a bush, you were sweetly surprised to see a cottage sitting amongst the trees. The light came from, not only a fire that sat out front, but the rim of strange looking torches that gave the whole area a pleasant glow. Noticing movement, you glanced to see a young girl lighting one of the glass encased lights. She was a quaint thing...brown hair falling in slight waves to her shoulders. A gray T-shirt covered her torso as loose fitting jeans sat on her waist. She walked barefoot from one torch to the next until they were all lit, then sat back and sighed gently, pushing the glasses she wore up onto her nose again. That was when you noticed the bundle she held in the crook of one arm. It was the size of a puppy or kitten, and the girl had wrapped it in a blanket. Gently rocking the bundle and humming a soft tune, she treated it like a baby as she walked to the fire and sat down.

Not wanting to upset the girl, you slowly step forward, saying in a voice that was meant not to alarm her "Excuse me...Miss?" When she looked at you, she did seem a bit startled, but more surprised then afraid. After a moment, she offered you a smile, her gray eyes reflecting the light from the fire. "Yes? Can I help you?" You smile as well, walking forward a bit more. "Actually, if you could point me in the direction of the road..." you began, but that was when you noticed just what her little bundle of joy was...

牋牋牋牋牋牋牋牋牋 A cocoon! This girl was treating a cocoon like it was a little baby! Your eyes widened and your jaw
                   dropped a bit in amazement. The girl sat there for a minute, then promptly began to laugh from the
                   look on your face. You felt a little foolish, but also angry that she could sit there and laugh at you
                   like that. "What's so funny?" you ask indignantly. She sat chuckling for a few more moments
                   before shaking her head. "I'm sorry...that's just how everyone looks when they see Cacora." "Is
                   that what you call it?" you ask, taking a seat beside the young woman. She nods her head, looking
                   down at the cocoon, beaming with pride. "Is...it yours?" you question, not sure if you want to
                   know. She looked at you with wide eyes, then begins laughing again. "Oh no...no, no, no...Cacora
                   is an Egyptis cocoon. Oh, how rude of me...my name is Jennifer," she says, offering you a hand.
                   You shake it, introducing yourself before giving a curious look to the cocoon. "If you don't mind me asking...but...what's an Egyptis?"

"An Egyptis," Jennifer began. "Is a foxlike creature that was brought here to live in the Egyptan Desert. Travelers took them there because they were being hunted into extinction on their home world. You see, their fur is exceptionally soft and are highly prized coats and shawls." You nod softly as she paused to swat a fly away from the cocoon. "The difference between them and the foxes of our world are that these beauties have five tails and two sets of wings. They also have different abilities over the elements and the supernatural...plus the ability to communicate with speech." "Speech?" you ask. "These things can talk?" Jennifer gives you an almost scolding look. "Yes, Egyptans can talk with humans...through many different ways. Some use words, others communicate with their thoughts...almost all of them are dream-talkers." "Dream-talkers?" you ask, not meaning to interrupt.

"Yes, dream-talkers. All Egyptans are attracted to dreams, and can talk through them as well," she smiled, looking down at the cocoon. "That's how I got Cacora. My dreams were so vivid and so numerous, I attracted a group of Egyptans to my home. A mother enjoyed a dream I had about owning my own Egyptis so much, she left this cocoon with me. I've been treating it like my own child for weeks now. I can't wait for it to hatch!" she beamed, then blushed softly. "I'm sorry...I get so excited when I think about it. I can't wait to see what tribe this little one will be from." "Tribe?" "Boy, you don't know much about Egyptans do you?" she smirked, and you shook your head. "No, I'm afraid I don't."

"Egyptans come in different colors, each color standing for a different tribe. Each tribe also has different abilities. Like the Fire Tribe can control fires, White tribe members control the ice and cold, and so forth," she paused for a moment, thinking. "If I remember correctly, the people who brought the Egyptans took along members from thirteen different tribes. There could be more by now...there's been so much breeding with them...but I'm not quite sure," she sighed.

"I'm also eager to see if Cacora will be a boy or a girl. That's going to be a real treat." "You're not sure?" you ask, feeling a bit amazed by all this information. With a sad sigh, Jennifer nodded her head. "You can't tell when they're in their cocoon stage. I just call it Cacora because I got tired of saying "the cocoon" all the time," she said with a grin. You smile as well, then notice it has grown completely dark outside, but not wanting to impose, you don't bother asking if you can stay.

"You're not going to try and travel now, are you?" Jennifer says with concern as you stand. You hesitate, then nod. "I don't want to be..." you begin, but Jennifer quickly cuts you off. "Nonsense! Come, stay the night...I have a spare bed you can use..." and without another word she gets up and disappears inside. You blink, but not wanting to upset the girl (after all, she had a group of Egyptans on her side), you follow.

Jennifer gives you a warm meal and a place to sleep that evening. Over the night you wake to find glowing eyes peeking through the windows; some looking at you, the others at Jennifer and the cocoon she still held close. They widen slightly when they notice you've caught them, then disappear into the dark. More Egyptans? Now you really were glad you had stayed.

The next morning, Jennifer points you in the right direction to the road. She also gives you an amulet that seems to glow as it touches your hand. "That will help you get back here in case you want to visit us again," she said with a smile. "After all, Cacora won't stay this way forever." You smile and nod, thanking her for her kindness...then take off towards home, thoughts of the Egyptans still dancing in your mind. Oh yes, someday you'd definitely come back to see how that little cocoon was doing...