Alistair reached over and tussled the little girls hair. "I just want her to be happy and healthy."
"I know, my love." Tamanari stroked his cheek with her thumb. "I believe you can make that a reality, and..." She grabbed his hands in both of hers before she continued. "I'll help you. We can give this little angel a good life. Together." She kissed his hands.
"Tama..." Alistair smiled softly and kissed the tip of her nose. "Thank you." Alistair's ears perked back up and his tail started to wag back and forth once more.
"Hmhm. I'm glad to see you perked up a bit." She giggled softly as she reached up and brushed her hand over the silver ears atop his head. "I'll get you to town tomorrow. I promise."
"Tama..." He stifled a moan as she brushed her fingers over his ears. "Okay. I'll hold you to that, love." He placed his hand on her cheek and kissed her lovingly one last time. "You should head back. It's pretty late."
"I was hoping you hadn't noticed." She pouted and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Must I?" She pleaded and buried her face in his neck.
"For now. I want you by my side, but as things stand now, it would only cause problems. First our freedom, then we work on our future." Alistair had to struggle against his desire to spend the night with her. He overcame this desire and gently pried her from his arms. "Go, go now. Before I beg you to stay." Alistair really didn't want her to go, but he didn't have a choice. 'If they discovered us, I could lose my life. Or worse, jeopardize our chance at freedom.' Alistair looked to Keiko.
"I know, my sweet Alistair. I'll come back in the morning with good news." She blew a kiss to her wolf born lover as she walked out of the pen and into the night.
"Good night, my love." Alistair whispered after her. "Damn..." Alistair sighed and flopped back on to the hay bed next to Keiko. "Please still be here when I wake up." He whispered softly and kissed her forehead.
"Papa..." She whispered in her sleep.
"I'm here, baby. Papa isn't going anywhere. I promise." He cooed softly and stroked the little neko's sleeping head. She calmed down and a soft smile formed on her angelic face. "That's right, Keiko. Papa's here. You aren't alone anymore." He continued in that soft, comforting tone.
Alistair spent most of the night awake by his daughter's side. When the sun started to rise over the horizon, Alistair left Keiko's side to prepare breakfast.
The sun finally crawled over the top of the mountain. The rooster began his morning ritual. Keiko awoke to the smell of bacon. "Mmm. Something smells good." Keiko sleepily rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Papa?"
"Right here, Keiko." Alistair walked into the pen carrying two plates in his hands. "I didn't know what you would eat, so I made a bunch." Alistair chuckled softly and placed a plate on Keiko's lap.
"Is this...really all mine?" Keiko asked in disbelief. Eggs, Bacon, sausage, bread. Even fruits were put on her plate.
'I know that look. When you are used to only getting leftovers, a feast like this is almost magical.' Alistair smiled and placed his large hand on top of Keiko's head. "Of course, darling. Papa made all this just for you. Eat your fill. I even have seconds cooking. What we don't eat now, we can have for later." Alistair pinched her cheek gently.
"Ow. That's mean, Papa." She fake pouted and stuck her tongue out at her papa.
"Why you!" Alistair grabbed her plate and put it aside so it wouldn't spill.
"P-Papa...?" Keiko scooted backwards while giggling.
"I'm gonna get you for that." Alistair grabbed hold of Keiko and tucked her under his arm. "Now it's tickle time." He laughed as she giggled and squirmed around, trying to break free.
"Hahaha. Papa! Papa stop!" She tried to protest but every word was interrupted by her giggling. "I can't breathe! Stop tickling me. I give!" She laughed as the tickling subsided.
"Okay. Ill forgive you this one time." Alistair joked. He placed Keiko back down.
"Just once?" She pouted and picked up her plate to begin eating.
"Don't make that face. It isn't fair." Alistair looked at Keiko.
"I guess I found your weakness, Papa." She giggled mischievously.
"Ah, you can't do that every time, though. If you abuse it too much, I'll start becoming immune and you'll lose your secret weapon against your Papa." He grinned and watched her face go white. "That's right. I'm thinking any more than three times a week and it'll start affecting me less and less." Alistair smiled. 'Got her. That should prevent her from looking at me like that every time I say no.'
"You're right, Papa. I'll save them for really important stuff." She giggled sweetly.
"It sounds like you all are having fun." Tamanari's voice echoed into the pen.
"Ah, it's Lady Tamanari!" Keiko jumped up and ran over to her Papa's lover. She wrapped her arms around Tamanari's waist and hugged her happily.
"Hehe. Yes, it's me, Keiko." Tamanari crouched down and hugged Keiko to her chest. "Did you miss me already?" She cooed and looked to Alistair. She smiled softly and winked at him.
"Mhmm. I did." Keiko giggled happily. "Papa made a lot of good food this morning. Can you eat with us?" Keiko questioned as she pulled away from the embrace.
"I already ate. However, I noticed that Alistair made extra. We can take it with us and have a picnic later. How does that sound?" Tamanari stood up and smiled at Alistair.
"Okay." She smiled and ran back to Alistair's side. "Papa?" Keiko extended her arms towards Alistair.
"I think I know what you want." Alistair smiled and wrapped his arms around Keiko.
"Hehehe." She giggled happily as he wrapped her up in his arms.
Tamanari watched the scene unfolding in front of her. 'You would never guess they weren't a real father-daughter combo.' She giggled softly to herself. "I got permission for us to visit a nearby town today. Who's your favorite?" Tamanari grinned at Alistair.
Alistair pointed to the young neko who had squeezed herself into his lap. "Her." He grinned and stuck his tongue out at Tamanari. "And you."
"I'm your favorite, Papa?" Keiko looked up excitedly.
"Of course you are, Keiko. You're my darling little princess." He smiled and kissed the top of her head.
"Hehehe. Papa says I'm a princess." She giggled some and looked back to Tamanari. "Hey, Tama. What's the name of the city we are visiting?"
"Denerim, The Free City State. The oldest branch of the Merchant's Guild resides in Denerim. It's a bustling trade hub, but nowhere near as impressive as the Capital." Tamanari explained.
"Oh, I've never been to Denerim before. It's part of the old kingdom, right?" Keiko looked to her Papa.
"Yes, that's right. Any buildings from before our country's civil war is called the old kingdom. Denerim is one of our oldest towns. It has stood the test of time for many generations." Alistair took over the explanations as he rubbed the top of Keiko's head.
"I can't wait!" She giggled and sighed happily as her Papa rubbed the top of her head, a few soft purring sounds escaping here and there.
"Thank you, Tama. Really. I mean that." Alistair smiled at his lover.
"I don't need your thanks, my dear sweet Alistair. Just get everything you need today. I can't promise I'll be able to do this a lot. If your strapped for money, I can and will help you." Tamanari reached out and placed her hand on Alistair's cheek.
"Thank you, my love. I should be alright, though. I just need to visit the monster supply shop and I should be fine. Keiko, you ready to go, Princess?" He looked down at his lap and chuckled softly. "She fell asleep on my lap. How adorable." Alistair smiled as he moved some of Keiko's hair away from her face. "I'll let her sleep a little longer. It's about a days journey to Denerim, right?"
"Yes, we will be spending the night in Denerim and then leaving the next evening. It should give us plenty of time." Tamanari watched as Alistair rose from the ground while lifting Keiko with him. He made it look so easy. "This way, Alistair."
"Yes, Lady Tamanari." He put his professional act on and followed after her.
"We will be leaving for Denerim shortly, my lady. It's an honor to be your carriage driver." A massive, burly looking man spoke as he opened the carriage door.
"Allow me, Lady Tamanari." Alistair walked up to her side and offered his hand for Tamanari.
"Most kind of you." She took Alistair's hand in her own. She squeezed his hand and smiled as she stepped up the sides of the carriage.
Alistair climbed in after her, gripping Keiko tightly against his chest. The inside was nice. Decorated in all manner of materials that only nobles could afford. The wood used was very gorgeous ashen wood. Sturdy and expensive, but very reliable wood that only grew at the bottom of active volcanos.
"The artisans who sculpted this carriage. They were a master in their craft and took great pride in their work." Alistair whispered and ran his hand over the wood beside him.
"You can tell all that, just by looking at the wood?" Tamanari was astonished as she watched Alistair work his hands over the wood.
"Most of it's merely guesswork. I look at the work and base my current observations on what I've found in the past to be true. I've always liked noticing patterns." Alistair shrugged and looked to Tamanari in silence.
"That's an...incredible talent, Alistair." She responded and turned her gaze to the world outside the carriage.
Snow capped mountain peaks surrounded the valley in which the Kawagami Estate resided. There was a path through the mountains, a canyon. Water carved through the mountains thousands of years ago, creating a path to traverse. "I always forget how breathtakingly beautiful these mountains can be." Tamanari whispered in awe.
The sun filtered down, reflected by the snow covered peaks. Dazzling rays danced around the inside of the carriage. "Wow...I agree..." Alistair soaked in the sights for as long as possible. 'This is where we will travel through when we are free.' He thought to himself.
Five hours ticked by slowly as the carriage bounced along the cobble stone path.
"It'll be dark soon enough. You think we should wake her up now?" Tamanari whispered to Alistair.
Alistair looked down at the sleeping angel in his arms. "You're probably right." He brushed the hair from Keiko's face and kissed her cheek gently. "Time to wake up, Princess." Alistair whispered.
"Mmm. Five more minutes?" She pleaded sleepily and rolled over onto her side. She gripped Alistair's shirt into two balled fists.
"You don't play fair, Keiko." He frowned in defeat.
"Now you know how I feel when you give me that look." She teased and reached over to Keiko. "Time to wake up, Keiko." She gently shook the little girl in Alistair's lap.
"Hnng. Fine, okay. I'm awake." She pouted and sat up slowly. She rubbed her eyes sleepily as she looked out the window. "Wow. It's so beautiful..."
Their travels brought them through the great, wide safari. Unsettled and unspoiled. Creatures of all varieties called this place home. "Papa! I can see the Liger Cubs!" She half shouted and pressed her face against the window.
One massive creature stood on four legs, over looking a giant den. This liger stood over five feet tall. Below and in front of the den, were three tinier versions of the adult liger. They were the size of an adult dog. The three pups were playing around and chasing each other back and forth. "Yeah. They sure are full of spunk. I want one." Alistair smiled at the thought.
"You...want a pet liger?" Tamanari stared at him in disbelief.
"Of course. Just imagine riding that thing every where. It can be a body guard. It can help fight monsters. I'm taming one, once we're free. You want a pet liger, Keiko?" Alistair placed his hand on top of Keiko's head.
"Really, Papa? You'll get us a liger as a pet?" Keiko looked up at this man who seemed full of confidence and boundless potential.
"That's right, Princess. I'll get us one." He proclaimed and laughed loudly.
"This man..." Tamanari whispered and shook her head back and forth. 'But if anyone can, it's you, my love.' She smiled and sat in silence as she watched the father daughter pair exchange ideas. Mostly things they wanted to do and places they wanted to see with their own two eyes.
The sun eventually began to sink behind the mountains. They came upon the entrance to the last obstacle between them and Denerim. "Once we clear these woods, we'll have reached Denerim." The carriage driver called back to his passengers.
The last of the daylight was gone. Their path ahead was illuminated by only a single lantern. "Be on guard. I smell death ahead." Alistair growled as his nose crinkled at the stench of undead.
"I know. I can feel them." Tamanari turned around to the carriage driver. "Stop. We'll look ahead on foot. Stay on your guard, there is undead in these woods."
"Aye, Lady Tamanari. I got an eerie feeling when we first entered these woods. Mutt, keep the lady safe." The driver pointed his finger to Alistair.
He just shrugged and nodded for Keiko to follow him. "Come on, Keiko. More undead to kill."
"Right! On my way, Papa!" Keiko unhooked the guns from her hips and dashed after Alistair.
"On my way! Don't leave without me." Tamanari called out as she dashed after the pair.
"Lady Tamanari? Are you an adventurer?" Keiko looked back in surprise.
"Of course. I'll have you know that I possess dual classes and an evolved class. I'm an Elemental Priestess in service to the Goddess Zeta, Mother of All Life. I can handle myself in a fight darling." Tamanari responded to Keiko's question.
"Hah. I should have known." Alistair let out a guttural laugh as they dashed further into the woods. "They are close." Alistair unsheathed Hina.
"Awww, yeah! I've been itching for a good fight!" Hina shouted happily.
"Let's do this. All Mother, Bless your children and bathe us in your heavenly light. Enhance Defenses!" Tamanari chanted as light sprang forth from their bodies.
"Thank you." Alistair smiled at Tamanari. 'Having a member who can buff and play main support role should make things easier.'
"There they are!" Tamanari stretched her right arm out to the side and came to a sudden halt. "Lioness that dances through the moonlit sky, powerful and untamed! Heed my call and hasten to my side!" A magic circle formed in front of her right hand. "Come forth, Zeta's Rod!" She stuck her hand through the magic circle.
"What...the...?" Keiko watched in astonishment.
A plain looking rod was pulled from the portal. The power radiating from the rod betrayed its appearance. Massive divine energy pulsated from this rod every few seconds.
'That's...incredible...' Alistair's jaw dropped.
"Papa! Pay attention!" Keiko scolded and pointed her guns at Alistair. Four loud gunshots rang out and whizzed past both sides of Alistair's face. The wind generated from the bullets velocity, caused his hair to blow and a few pieces were knock from his head.
Alistair turned around to see two zombies drop to the ground behind him. "Nice shot, Keiko. I was just waiting for them to get closer."
"Sure, Papa." Keiko giggled at his obvious fib. She turned around and fired a dozen more shots, taking out six more zombies.
"Flame Lance!" Alistair bellowed loudly. Four massive lances made of fire sprung to life. "Go forth!" The lances came to life as each one targeted a separate zombie.
Their howls of pain were quickly silenced as the fire rapidly burned and spread through their rotten corpse.
"Zeta, Mother of All Life and she whom cleanses all impurities. Scatter these lost souls and return them to their rightful place." Tamanari chanted as her body began to fill with divine light. "Mass Turn Undead!" She shouted loudly. The light leapt from her body and radiated outward in a large circle.
The other two dozen weaker zombies were instantly killed. The only remainder were piles of ashes.
"How dare you!" A voice fumed from the darkness.
"Who's there?" Tamanari put her guard back up.
"Show yourself, coward!" Alistair growled.
"What a vicious little mongrel you are." The voice mocked Alistair.
"Papa!" Keiko ran to his side and gripped the bottom of his shirt tightly.
"Show me your face and I'll show just how vicious I can be!" Alistair growled back.
"Do you know how long it took for me to make so many undead?" He spat out in anger. "All that time wasted! No matter." The voice chuckled violently. "You will just have to make up my army. Such massive power emanating from you. I wouldn't be surprised if you turned into an Elder Lich." He chuckled ominously. "I'm no match for you on my own, but don't worry. I'll be back for you three." The voice echoed loudly and then grew softer as the seconds ticked away.
When silence finally fell on the forest, the group exhaled their held breaths. "That voice...it radiated pure evil." Tamanari gasped deeply as she tried to catch her breath. 'It felt like...I was being strangled...' She thought and gently caressed her neck.
"Yeah. I'd hate to run into him in a dark alley." Alistair joked.
"Haha. Good one, Master." Hina whispered and laughed along with him.
"Keiko. Help me search their remains." Alistair walked up and searched several piles of ash before he found small bag of coins. "Valis...?" Alistair sighed and closed his eyes. "That means these zombies were made recently. He must be making these zombies from living people." Alistair gripped the coins tightly in his balled fist.
"It would be one thing if he was merely robbing graves. Necromancy is still a forbidden Dark Arte, but at least grave robbing isn't a capital punishment. However this..." Tamanari waved her arm over all the ash piles. "This is unforgivable." Tamanari crouched down and began praying.
Alistair picked up Keiko in his arms and held her close. "Don't worry, Princess." Alistair cooed and gently rubbed the little girls back.
"I'm not worried, Papa. I have you here to protect me, right?" She giggled and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
'Then you are a lot stronger than me.' Alistair thought and smiled weakly. He looked down at Tamanari as she began to stir. "Alright, Princess. We are heading back to the carriage."
"I'm coming, too." Tamanari rose to her feet and dusted her dark blue skirt off.
The three of them arrived back at the carriage. "Everything well, Lady Tamanari?" The carriage driver questioned as the three of them climbed back inside.
"Yes. Just a few pests that needed swatting." She yawned softly and curled up in the seat. "Well, nap time." She closed her eyes and fell into a light sleep.
"Me, too, Papa." She yawned sleepily and climb up on Alistair's lap. "Goodnight, Papa." She whispered and buried her face into his chest.
"Good night, my sweet, darling Keiko." He whispered softly and kissed her cheek. He gently rubbed her back until he heard her snoring lightly. 'Good. Guess I'll follow suit.' Alistair wrapped his arms around Keiko tightly and closed his own eyes, too.
Morning arrived without any disturbance. The sound of wheel and hoof hitting cobblestone roused Alistair from his slumber. "Mmm." He groaned softly as the sun danced around on his face. "Fucking sun." Alistair cursed and sat up slowly. Keiko was still laying on his chest in a deep sleep. 'Good.' Alistair thought and clutched his chest. 'I keep waking up, thinking this is all a dream. I'm glad it's not.' He picked a few strands of hair from her face before placing his hand on her cheek. "My daughter, huh?" He whispered softly and smirked. "Thank you, Keiko." He gently caressed the sleeping child's face with his thumb. He looked out the window in silence.
Hundreds of people were crowded around the gate of a massive walled-in town. The driver did his best to avoid them, but that task became more difficult the closer they grew to the gate.
Tamanari peeked open one of her eyes when she heard a voice. 'Alistair?' She thought to herself and smiled sweetly. 'He is so gentle. I don't think I'll ever understand how he remained so kind despite having spent his life in servitude.' All she could do was watch her lover and listen.
"Tamanari." Alistair spoke her name and looked up at her with a smile.
'Shit. Did he notice?' Tamanari sighed and opened her eyes as she slowly sat up straight. "Good morning, Darling." She whispered sheepishly.
"Good morning, love." He whispered as he peeked behind her at the driver. He was focused on getting through the crowds of people in front of Denerim. "Come over here." He whispered softly and patted the seat beside him.
Tamanari blushed and looked behind her. She quietly slid over beside her lover and snuggled up against him. "You are so bold. We could get caught, Alistair." Despite her protests, she wrapped her arms around him and latched on tight.
"I don't care. I can run now." Alistair ran his hand over his bare neck. 'No bomb collar on me or Keiko. We could run now, but...' He looked over to Tamanari and smiled. 'Master Kawagami would surely send people after us.' He looked down to Keiko on his lap. 'I don't want that kind of life for her.'
"What's wrong, love?" She reached up and cupped his face in her hands. "Something's on your mind. I can tell. Just talk to me." She whispered softly.
"Tama..." He whispered her name. 'I made her worry.' Alistair frowned and turned his head to the side. He gently kissed the side of her wrist and nuzzled his cheek against her palm. "Thank you, Tama." His tender gaze met her golden hues.
"You have no need to thank me." She shivered when he kissed her wrist gently and nuzzled his face against her hands. His tender gaze set her heart ablaze. Her gaze drifted down to his mouth. She pulled his face down close to hers. Their lips inches apart. Tamanari grinned and moved her lips closer but never pressed them together.
"You're being so mean." He fake pouted. When her lips drew near, he leaned in quick and stole a kiss from her sweet lips.
"Now who's being mean?" Her fingers caressed her lips and she sighed happily. "One more, love? Just to help me get through this lack of intimacy we have to have today."
"I repay meanness with meanness." He smiled softly and rubbed his nose against Tamanari's nose. "Anything for you, my beautiful Tama." He pressed his lips against hers firmly.
When their lips met, Tamanari closed her eyes and tightened her grip on his face. The two shared a long, passionate kiss. Their tongues met and as they pulled away. "I love you." Alistair whispered.
"I love you, too." Tamanari returned his affection and pulled away from his embrace. "It shouldn't be much longer. I'm going back over." She grabbed his hand and kissed it gently before sliding back to her side.
"Papa?" Keiko sleepily rubbed her eyes and sat up slowly.
"I'm here, Keiko." He cooed and placed his hand atop her head.
"I'm glad." She laid back down on his chest and snuggled closer, purring softly.
"Hehehe." Alistair giggled softly. "To adorable." He gently rubbed the top of her head.
"I'm adorable, Papa?" She giggled softly as Alistair stroked the top of her head. 'I love you, Papa. I'll tell you out loud one day.' She thought and opened her eyes. She looked up at him and giggled again.
"Of course you are. Papa wouldn't lie to you like that." Alistair gasped in disbelief. "My own daughter thinks of me as nothing more than scum!" Alistair covered his face with his arm and started crying loudly.
"Aw. You made him cry, Keiko." Tamanari frowned and watched the scene unfold. A small snicker escaped her lips but she managed to stifle it for now.
"Ah, no, Papa!" Keiko panicked and froze for a second. 'I broke Papa's heart?' She wrapped her arms around him tightly and hugged him. "No, of course not, Papa! I don't think that. I know that you wouldn't lie to me just to hurt my feelings. Please don't cry." She pleaded.
"You mean that?" Alistair wrapped Keiko up in his arms and smirked at Tamanari.
Tamanari shook her head and sighed. 'Shameful, Alistair. I mean really, you can be such a child. And yet...' She sighed and looked at her lover with tender eyes. 'And yet I can't help but love you even more.'
"Papa...are you teasing me?" Keiko paused for a second. "Papa." She said sternly and locked eyes with her wolfborn father.
"Fine. I was just teasing you." He admitted.
"Lady Tamanari." The driver called to the trio. "You would be better off going on foot from here. It'll take a little longer to get through customs in this thing."
"Thank you. We shall do just that. Come along." She motioned for Alistair and Keiko to follow her.
"Yes, Lady Tamanari. Stay close to my side, Keiko." Alistair held his hand out towards the young neko.
"Fine, but I haven't forgiven you yet, Papa." She folded her arms across her chest and puffed up her cheeks.
"I'll make it up to you." Alistair grabbed her hand and pulled her close. "There's a ridiculous amount of people trying to enter." Alistair remarked at the mass of figures packed together like sardines.
"I'll hold you to that promise, Papa." She squeezed his hand and silently chuckled to herself.
"They are probably fleeing from the war." Tamanari shrugged and looked around slowly. "The continent has been at war for some time now. Denerim is a Free City State with no allegiances. It only makes sense innocent people would flee to a land with no war."
A massive stone wall stood before them, with four identical wooden gates on the North, South, East, and West. "Wow." Keiko gasped in awe.
"Yeah. My thoughts exactly." Alistair nodded in agreement.
"Let's go." Tamanari stepped forward and started making her way towards the massive wooden gate.
"I've already told you lot, there is no more space in Denerim! Please clear the way for travelers and citizens." A decorated guard barked out orders. "Find haven elsewhere, you'll find none here. Wait--" The guard went to wave his hand to dismiss them but froze when he took a second glance. "You three don't look like refugees fleeing a battlefield to me. What can I help you with?" The man stood up straight and put on his professional face.
"Here on business. Just until tonight." Tamanari spoke up and revealed several stamped pages of writing.
"Ah, Lady Kawagami. We've been awaiting your arrival. Head on inside. Please ignore the rabble. Open the gate!" The guard shouted behind him.
The loud screeching of metal chains and the creak of aged wood fell over the crowd, silencing them from their outrage. The gate touched down with a loud crash.
"Thank you. Be careful out here, Captain." Tamanari curtsied and motioned for the two demi humans to follow her.
"Alright. Everyone clear a path. My lady is coming through!" Alistair walked in front of his lover and started to clear a path through the mass of refugees and guards.
Shouts of outrage and protests followed the trio inside. "Welcome to Denerim." Tamanari smiled and looked back at the other two. "Where would you like to go first, Alistair?" She smiled sweetly at him.
"Well, first I would like to visit the Monster Material Shop." Alistair admitted. 'Come forth, that which devours my will.' He thought to himself and his chest appeared at his feet. "Just give me a few minutes to gather everything together." He started digging through the chest, pulling out bag after bag of what Tamanari guessed must be monster materials.
"Damn it! Let go!" Alistair growled. "Seriously?" Alistair sighed as the top half of his body was pulled down into the chest.
"A-Alistair?!" Tamanari panicked.
"Papa!" Keiko grabbed his waist and started pulling on his lower body.
Alistair sighed as he looked at the inside of his chest. "Really? You pick today of all days to try and eat me?" He slapped the chest and sighed again. "Why do I even bother keeping you around?" He questioned rhetorically.
"Papa are you okay? Say something!" She called down into the chest.
"I'm okay, Princess. He just does this from time to time." Alistair replied and started digging through the many bags that littered the inside of his chest. 'I should have more. Bingo!' He thought to himself and grabbed hold of the bag furthest from him.
"He?" Tamanari was intrigued.
"Okay. That should do it." Alistair sighed and threw the empty bag to the side. Scattered all around the inside of the chest was a fine, pink dust.
"Ah-Ah!" The chest started moving and shuddering with each passing second.
"What's going on?" Tamanari asked and backed away slowly.
"3. 2. 1." Alistair counted backwards from three.
"Achhhooooooooo!!" The chest sneezed so loud and violently that it coughed up Alistair's upper body.
"Asshole." Alistair cussed and dusted himself off as he picked himself up from the ground.
"What the hell was that?" Keiko whispered and walked up behind Alistair. "Papa?" She gripped the bottom of his shirt with with both her hands.