"I could care less!" Arianna sneered. "Return me to the palace at once! When my father hears--"
"Be careful what you wish for, little princess, "Orenia smirked, her silver eyes narrowing amusedly. "How many cats do you suppose the royal palace contains? Which do you think you will find first, your father or a feline's belly? Keep in mind," Orenia continued, tapping the table, "this array is the only thing allowing you to communicate with humans...but maybe you think you can marshal an army of mice to protect you?"
"How dare you threaten this princess!" Arianna was so infuriated and frustrated that she lost herself in her anger. "Do you think you can survive-- squeak squeak squeak!!"
Suddenly, Arianna lost the power of human speech, as Sahpec reached out a paw and shoved the beaker she was in out of the array. Too irate to care, Arianna continued squeaking at the top of her lungs.
"Now, now, Sahpec," Orenia smiled dotingly as she gave Sahpec another scratch behind the ears. "We mustn't be rude to our guest, especially one of such high stature," Orenia chided gently, her voice dripping with sarcasm. However, a moment later her face fell as her gaze traveled to the window. "Unfortunately, I don't have time to deal with such trifles for now. See to the little princess' accommodations, and I'll take care of it when time permits."
Giving Sahpec one last pet, Orenia turned to leave, ignoring Arianna, who was beginning to run out of breath. As she exited the room, she paused at the door and called back, "Oh, right, Sahpec, you may use the cypher charm, I'll work out a better solution later."
Sahpec narrowed his slitted eyes at the beaker, where Arianna had finally exhausted herself. While generally oblivious to the feeling of others, Arianna could not help but feel the general annoyance in his gaze. Finally, Sahpec leaped off the table, and with his tail in the air, stalked out of the room. Arianna could not decide if she was relieved or terrified to be alone. Being in an unfamiliar place with strangers, her situation was beginning to dawn on her, even though she stubbornly refused to admit to it. Arianna crouched down slightly, a bit intimidated by the size of everything around her.
Suddenly, Arianna heard someone entering the room and looked up.