Sometimes in life, you make a mistake, and you pay for it every day for the rest of your days.

Every village in the Highlands (and some in the lowlands) deal with the N’yari as a chronic presence, suffering raids and kidnappings according to the inscrutable whims of the cats. They are a fact of life, the same as rain or taxes. When Han was a few years younger, and truly coming into her strength, she believed some things in life were less certain than she’d been taught to believe. If she could just beat up the N’yari really really good, then they’d be too scared to bother her village anymore! It was the perfect plan.

Except that after she’d chased off the first bunch, a raiding party of even bigger catgirls took their place the next moon. And the next moon. And the next moon. And the moon after that, too. Until, one fateful night, Machi of the Ōei and her handpicked battle-sisters paid her village a visit.

Words were said. Some stuff happened. A terrible fate befell many a tree and rooftop. And. Well. Han’s plan succeeded. N’yari don’t come to her village anymore. Because Machi’s claimed that territory for herself. And she’s not going to let anyone else raid there until. Uh.

Until Han agrees to come with her. [i]Willingly.[/i]

So. Yeah. While she was still living with her parents, Machi and her band would regularly appear at random intervals to propose...adopting? Fighting? Marrying? Kidnapping her? Frankly, she’s not sure if she can call it kidnapping, but there’s just not a better word for it? She really thought things would get better once she moved out, and if you’re curious how well that’s worked out for her, may she direct your attention to the giant catgirl holding up the [i]one[/i] barge on this entire river that contains a Han.

(Striking, in the one moment she wouldn't have interrupted for the world.)

So how does one deal with persistent suitors(?) from the N’yari? Observe the tactics of the wizened hunter, whose patience has run out years ago:

Step one: Tap Jazumi on the shoulder.

Step two: Apply left hook to N’yari at maximum speed.

Step three: Savor the sight and sound of a catgirl soaring through the air, landing in the river, and failing to cope with her new aquatic lifestyle. (These few seconds are for Han. This is Han’s Special Time. It's what makes dealing with all [i]this[/i] actually possible.)

“What’s the matter, Jazumi?” She squats on the balls of her feet, grinning impishly. ”I thought you [i]wanted[/i] the river.” With a N’yari-free spot on the deck to call her own, Han flips the cloth bundle off her back. In a whirl of white fabric she stands tall [s]for her[/s], the [i]patta[/i] gleaming on her right arm, crude blade pointed squarely at Machi. “Or is there a [i]better[/i] reason you idiots came this far off your mountain?” she growls above the rain.

And out of the corner of her mouth, a whisper: “Stick close to me, bud. I’ll get you out of here.”

[Fight roll: 4 + 2 + 2 = [b]8[/b]. Going for opportunity for allies (free Lotus!) and seize a superior position (by launching Jazumi into the river) Jazumi (or possibly the other N'yari?) picks 1 from the list too.]