"What is your plan, Loong?" Forest asks her friend, giving him a small nudge. We wait eagerly for a reply. Are we doing what I think we're doing?
"First of all, Milo," Loong turns his head to the tabby. "Do you want to join our event?"
"Uh… well," Milo hesitated. She doesn't like having the attention. I'm not sure why she dislikes it so much, but she's been that way for as long as I've known her.
"Mom, you should join us, it would be fun!" Gingercat perks up, tilting her head, waiting for a response. She'll say yes, I'm sure of it. I'd be surprised if she says no. Milo looked back at Loong for a moment.
"My answer is yes." Milo finally answers, sighing. Loong nods, turning to Forest, whispering something. Well, I'm glad Milo decided to stay. She needs to be with us more often.
"Stand still, everyone," Forest says, her soft voice echoing off the stone tunnel. "Sit back, relax, and allow me to perform a magic trick." Well, that's quite the sentence. I haven't heard anyone say that for ages.
The green-brown dragon creates hundreds of beautiful green leaves, and they dance in circles around each of the cats. The layer of leaves quickly gets thick enough that I can't see anyone else.
A strange feeling shoots up through my body, making my thick black fur bristle. It feels like a tension in my muscles, but also a very flowy sensation through my spine.
I look down at my legs. They are definitely longer, and my tail is more shaped too.
The green leaves flutter gently towards Forest. The green dragon smiles as she sees our change. I wonder how many times she's made disguises for others.
"Ah, good idea Forest," Loong says, nodding towards his friend. It feels weird being a wolf. I'm not sure I like it. It's weird being higher off the ground, having longer legs.
"When we get out of the tunnels," Forest explains, "you will become your normal selves again." I know we just became wolves, but what for? We really don't need to be a different animal for anything. All we need to do is rest for now.
"I know we just became wolves, but," I meow, glancing up at Loong and Forest. "We've gone through enough in one day." Loong and Forest nod with understanding as we all settle next to one another.
"I agree," Leona says. The bengal cat begins to lick Gingercat's soft fur. "This little stinker needs to sleep. She's always bouncing off the walls."
I wake up, comforted by the feeling of warm bodies around me. Leona has her head on her dark paws, whiskers twitching every little while. Gingercat is snuggled up between Leona and I, her tiny white paws pressing gently against my belly. I have my tail placed over top of the kitten, just to keep her warm. She needs more heat than Leona and I, since she's much younger than we are. Milo's sleeping a bit further away, her tail tucked over her pale nose.
Looking over at the dragons, I notice the two are still awake. Forest's large red wings are tucked neatly at her sides, and Loong has one of his front legs set over her fluffy shoulders.
"Don't you two need to rest?" I ask. Forest lifts her head slightly, ears perking up as she hears my voice. She yawns before closing her eyes, sighing.
"No," Loong answers. He begins to whisper, "I thought you remembered that."
"We have different needs from most," Forest reminds me. "We need leaders, enemies, friends, tribes, and our own places."
"Sleep is something we can live without for up to two weeks." Right. How could I forget that of all things? What else have I forgotten about dragons?