Strange Rider

[mulan]

The market place was getting ready to close, the vendors trying to peddle anything that might go bad- while others began to pack up for home. The sound of hoof's echoed down one of th emptying alley's. A few of the vendors gave low whistles at the horse that slowed to a walk, others gave a strange look at the rider.

Mulan had learned that if she traveled as 'Ping', it was easier to get responses. So she'd put her gi back on and tied her hair up. Cri-kee slept safely in one of the belt loops as Ping dis-mounted and began walking Khan through the streets.

"I don't think Mushu would come to a desert, Cri-kee..." though Khan had enjoyed the challange of running over sand.

[Aladdin]

Aladdin had been out for a stroll and it was on his way back to the palace where he heard tales of a strange rider in Agrabah. Wanting to check it out for himself, he ventured back into the market place. This strange rider was easy to spot and while different looking he may be, the thing that shocked Aladdin the most was the mention of Mushu.

"Hey!" Aladdin called out, running up behind the person. "You know Mushu?"

[mulan]

Cri-kee gave a yawn and perked his head up from Mulan's belt- hoping onto the girls shoulder and tugging at her hair. He chirped and pointed around.

Ping turned around at the voice, her eyes widening as she smiled, "Yes, uhm- how do you know about him?" she was looking Aladdin over- well he didn't look like someone that would be -too- upset if Mushu had caused any kind of problems.

"Or did you see him? Maybe?" she asked- remembering to lower her voice >>

[Aladdin]

Aladdin wasn't too sure if this person was friend or foe, so he folded his arms across his chest and said suspiciously, "Well that depends on who's looking for him."

Abu mimicked Aladdin's movements, but then looked curiously at the purple cricket.

[mulan]

Mulan blinked, "Oh!" she gave a small bow, "My name is Ping. Mushu's a friend of mine." as she straightened a flash of worry crossed her eyes, "Do you know where he is?" Finally after looking everywhere, she had found some information on her tiny guardian.

Cri-kee gave a small chirp, looking warily at the monkey and trying to hide in Mulan's collar.

[Aladdin]

Well a friend of Mushu's he could talk to!

"Hello, Ping! I'm Aladdin. I don't know where Mushu is, but I know what happened to him. We were at the House of Mouse and Maleficent and Captain Hook tried to stop him. Mickey, Donald and I tried to help, but they got away." Aladdin glanced around. "Do you think he's somewhere around here?"

[mulan]

She didn't listen past 'they got away'. She narrowed her eyes in confusion, "Wait- they got away? with...Mushu?" Mulan glanced at Cri-kee, the small cricket sharing her worry.

Ping shook her head, "No- I've been looking everywhere." she said sadly, leaning her hand against Khan. The horse nuzzled it in an attempt of comfort.

"Who are Maleficent and Captain Hook? I need to find Mushu."

[Aladdin]

"You've never heard of Maleficent or Captain Hook?" Aladdin asked in disbelief. "They're villains! I don't know what they want with your friend, but I can help you find him!"

"Hey!!!" chittered Abu, clearly not happy with Aladdin's decision.

"And Abu will too," added Aladdin, taking the monkey's message the wrong way.

Abu smacked his forehead and ran his paw down his face.

[mulan]

Cri-kee laughed at Abu's reaction. He understood very well the idea of being dragged along on adventures.

Mulan stared at Aladdin in surprise, "You'd....help me?" Well he had mentioned that he tried to help Mushu before.

Ping looked at Khan, the horse just shrugging in answer, before she gave a nod and small bow.

"Thank you." she smiled at Abu, "Both of you."

[shanyu]

In the shadows of an alcove, watching over the two conversing goodies was a falcon, its golden eyed gaze set on them with great intensity.

[Aladdin]

Abu waved a paw at Ping. 'Yah, yah....' He did a double take when he saw that Aladdin was scowling at him and grinned sheepishly at the stranger.

"Hey, it's no problem," Aladdin said with a friendly smile. "Why do you think someone would be after Mushu?"

[mulan]

Mulan sighed and looked at the young man, "I really can't think of anything. He isn't well- he's not really that threatening."

Though he had mentioned that the 'tiny' size was not his real size- she wasn't sure if he hadn't been exaggerating though.

"He's- tiny." she held up two fingers to give an emphasis to the 'tiny' part.

[Aladdin]

"Hmph!" Aladdin crossed his arms. "Well if I know anything about Maleficient and Captain Hook, it's that they're very sly and there's always a hidden motive."

Abu plopped down on to the ground and stroked his chin, thinking.


"Does he... do anything?" Aladdin asked. "Because size doesn't always matter." He looked down at Abu and the two exchanged a smirk, both of them thinking of their big blue buddy.

"Our friend Genie lived in the smallest home you can imagine, but the-" Aladdin mimicked Mulan's hand gesture with his fingers, "Itty bitty living space, didn't affect his... phenomenal, cosmic powers."

[mulan]

Mulan glanced at Cri-kee who gave a small chirp and shrugged, "He's our family guardian- but I'm not sure what sort of powers that would give him..."

She rubbed her chin in though- really she'd never thought about how strong or powerful Mushu was. She always found him just right how he was.

"Still. He -is- a dragon. There might be more to him then I know." She looked at his fingers as he spoke about Genie before looking up at him.

"Genie?"

Cri-kee gave a small curious chirp, tilting his head and walking down Mulan's arm.

[Aladdin]

“Yeah! Genie’s a…” Aladdin shrugged and gave her a sloppy grin. “Genie. I tried to make out some markings on this old lamp Abu and I found in a cave and by rubbing it, I set him free. Once you do that, a genie is bound to you unless you wish for its freedom. Mushu’s bound to your family, just as Genie was to his former masters. If Mushu’s as powerful as him though, then we’ve got a big problem on our hands. We’ve got to get him back.” Aladdin slammed a fist into the palm of his hand for emphasis. “If only there was some way to find out where he was.”

[mulan]

She jumped a little when he slammed his fist into his hand, blinked carefully before raising an eyebrow.

"Guardians are a little different- and powerful or not...I still want Mushu safe and sound."

He had no idea how relieved she was that he was so willing to help her, she bowed deeply.

"Thank you Aladdin."

[Aladdin]

"Hey, no problem," he replied, assurance in his voice. "I know what it's like to have friends in trouble. We'll get him back, you just need to remember to keep calm and not panic."

Abu gave a firm nod in agreement.

"Why don't we go find Genie?"