Chapter 2
	Three feline faces smiled in Star’s direction just a split second before the greeting hugs began. Starpelt immediately felt the tensions from the day’s events fade away as the soothing effects of sharing empathic feedback with other Chakats washed over hir. Shi smiled at the three Chakats as they each introduced themselves to hir. 
	The first of the three was a sleekly built, cheetah-patterned Chakat. Shi had straight, snowy-white, waist-length hair. Hir fur was also white, with spots that ranged from black around hir shoulders and down hir spine, to light grey along hir limbs and face. Shi had strikingly crystal-blue eyes that danced with a mischievous glint as shi returned Star’s smile. Shi wore a silken top that matched hir eyes and seemed little more than a sarong for one’s breasts. Starpelt immediately made a mental note to find out where shi could find one of hir own.  “I’m Chakat Wintershade, daughter of Whisperwind and Kashmir.” Wintershade said, hir voice ringing pleasantly in Star’s ears, the voice of a singer.
	“But you may call my sister Trouble.” Said the next Chakat with a smirk, earning hir a raspberry from Wintershade. This Chakat’s colors were identical to Wintershade’s. However, while Wintershade was cheetah-patterned, this Chakat was tiger-patterned. Hir hair was slightly wavy and cut at shoulder length. Shi was also a bit larger and more muscular than Wintershade especially in hir lower body. Shi looked like shi did a lot of running and working out. Shi wore a light grey halter that was only a little showy. “I am Chakat Blizzardstride, daughter of Kashmir and Whisperwind.” Shi said, hir voice a husky contra-alto that reminded Star of a beautiful human woman shi had shared a dorm with while in college.
	Starpelt’s reminiscent thoughts were interrupted by a purring chuckle. “Mmmmm, looks like your lovely voice has caught yet another fan, my love.” Purred the third Chakat, bringing a blush to Star’s ears. This Chakat was completely black like a panther, save for hir hair which, while black at the roots, gradually lightened to a deep, rich, red at the ends near the middle of hir upper back. Hir build was lithe and graceful like a dancer’s. Shi wore a top similar to Wintershade’s that matched hir hair, and a golden choker around hir neck.  Shi gave Blizzardstride’s cheek a lick-kiss and leaned happily into the larger Chakat’s arms as shi smiled knowingly at Starpelt. “I’m Chakat Shadow, daughter of Nightrose and Moondancer.” Shi said, hir voice soft and smooth, like silk to the ears.
	The four of them fell into all manner of conversation then. As it turned out the sisters were natives of Chakona. Blizzardstride had been on Terra for the past two years because shi had been contracted as an assistant coach for a college Chakker team. While there shi had met Shadow and the two had completely fallen in love. Wintershade had come to visit hir sister a month ago and had been overjoyed to hear of this new development in hir sister’s life. So much so that shi had decided shi would not leave until shi had convinced Blizzardstride to take time off and come home to introduce Shadow to the family. 
	“You should have seen the lengths my sister went to in order make this trip happen. I had planned on making the announcement when my contract was up next year but Winter just wasn’t having it.” Blizzardstride explained, eyeing hir sister with a rueful smile.
	“Blizz was never the social type. Mom and Dad had begun to get worried shi’d never find a mate. So, when I saw these two together I just had to make sure my big sis didn’t let this one get away!” Wintershade laughed, returning hir sister’s smile with a grin of hir own that reminded Star of Gate’s foxy grin.
	“Winter’s enthusiasm is certainly well met but, being ‘the one that got away’ never crossed my mind for a second. Blizzardstride is… Incomparable.” Shadow purred, as Blizzardstride nuzzled hir lovingly. Starpelt smiled at this, clearly feeling the love the two held for each other.
	"Well, I'm a musician, a flautist. I'm here with the San Fran Philharmonic, and this is my first time going to Chakona." Starpelt explained. "I've never even been off Terra before. This ship is absolutely amazing!" Shi added excitedly.
	Wintershade giggled at Star's wonder "I had a feeling you were a first timer, if you think this ship is amazing, you're gonna love Chakona."
	"I had heard there was an orchestra traveling on this ship and that they'd be playing shows during the trip. But surely, that's not the only reason they're here?" Shadow asked, earning hir a nod from Starpelt.
	"That's right we're playing four shows on the trip to Chakona. Two of them are tomorrow, and the other two are six days from now. When we reach Chakona we'll be travelling all over the planet doing shows in major locations every two days for the next two weeks. After that, it's back on the ship for the trip home during which we'll be playing the same four shows we played on the way out here." Star explained sounding as if shi were both pleased and dismayed.
	 "Wow, that's one incredibly busy schedule you've got ahead of you! Sounds like a team getting ready for the play-offs." Blizzardstride remarked with a wry grin.
	"Tell me about it, I'm so excited, but I also know I'm gonna be exhausted by the end of all this, and from what I've heard this is just the beginning. If all goes well with this tour, the SFPO board of directors wants to send us on similar tours to Voxxa, Cait, and even Raksha!" Star said, elaborating further. 
	The four of them continued to chatter and laugh, enjoying each other's company as if they were old friends. Out of the blue, Wintershade said. "So Star, tell us about your sheath." with a sly smirk. Starpelt was completely taken aback, blinking in surprise until shi suddenly realized shi'd been baited and fell for it completely. The other three giggled as Starpelt blushed and wagged a finger at Wintershade. 
	"Now I see why your sister calls you Trouble." Shi cried, laughing along with the others. "The sheath on my back contains a bamboo flute. It's a type of Japanese flute called a Shakuhachi, and it's my favorite. The tones these flutes can produce are absolutely beautiful, haunting and inspiring at the same time. This particular one was given to me by a dear friend I met on a school trip to Japan." Shi drew the flute from its home and smiled down at it as shi held it in hir hands remembering the words of the fox morph who had given it to hir. 
	"The flute does not make the music, the music lives within you. Remember this, and the flute will always sound the way you want it to." He had said to hir. Starpelt wondered, as shi always did whenever shi held hir shakuhachi, whatever became of that dashing young fox. Starpelt raised hir eyes from the flute to find all three of the others grinning at hir knowingly.
	"Your first love I presume?" Shadow asked simply, looking Star in the eye. Starpelt nodded "Yes, I suppose he was. My class was there for two weeks and he and I became very close friends in just days. He was one of the guides' assistants on our trip and in his downtime he would sit and play this flute while watching the sunset. I would sit with him and listen to the beautiful music he made. Over the course of the trip he began teaching me how to play and when the trip was over, he gave me this flute." Shi explained, a wistful note in hir voice as shi recalled the memories fondly. 
	At that point there came the sound of tapping upon a microphone. Starpelt turned hir eyes toward the small stage in the center of the lounge. There shi saw what appeared to be a small jazz group set up. The members were all cat morphs. One stood behind an elaborate looking keyboard, his fur was black save for the bright orange Tabby stripes on his arms and in his hair. He wore a black T-shirt with a stylized paw print on the chest done up in rainbow colors. His pants were also black with a bright orange stripe down the outer side of the legs. His eyes, which were a brilliant shade of jade green, gave no indication to the unhappy feelings Starpelt could feel lurking behind them. With him on the stage was a drummer who was an all white Persian cat dressed in a red tuxedo, her blue eyes openly showed the displeasure that the keyboard player's eyes kept hidden. A third cat, with a coat that was a smooth, bluish grey, stood next to a large bass violin. He wore a blue polo shirt and grey slacks. His green-gold eyes looked out over the crowd with an almost bored expression. Whatever had the other two upset didn't seem to faze this guy at all as he went about tweeking his bass' tuning. Looking over the three of them Starpelt couldn't help but think there was something amiss. 
	"Ladies, gentlemen and all of those in between. I am Scratch Musikatt and we are Scratch and the Shatterspheres!" the keyboardist announced into his mic while his fingers danced across the keys in a catchy melody. His voice was smooth, with a hint of a deep purrr in it that was very pleasant to the ears. "At this time I wanna introduce you all to the best jazz band on OneWorld Starlines! Everybody give a round of applause to my Percussionist, the Duchess of the drums, Stella Starbeats!" at the intro from Scratch, Stella spun her sticks deftly and started into a saucy jazz drum solo that left the audience cheering. Starpelt noted that while a slight grin graced the cat's lips her eyes retained their unhappy edge. 
	"Next, my Bassist. The Sultan of the strings, the Gypsy prince of smooth, Nomad Kasimov!" Scratch called out, to which Nomad responded with a rousing bass riff and solo that Star had to admit would make some of the orchestra's bassists envious.
	"Unfortunately, our flute player Joe Whistler was not able to make the show tonight due to... Technical difficulties. But, I'm sure he'll be back in with us by tomorrow. In the meantime, the show must go on, so sit back, relax, and get ready to jam!" Scratch added and Starpelt didn't miss the pause or the rolled eyes from Stella. Now shi knew what had the band on edge, Shi began to wonder what had caused the discord between the band members when suddenly hir thoughts were blown completely elsewhere.
	 Hey, we know a flute player! Shi's a professional and shi's even got hir own flute!" called out Wintershade. Starpelt's shocked eyes turned to hir at the same time Scratch's did. 
	"Oh really?" the cat asked with a grin as his eyes flicked from Wintershade to Starpelt who still had hir flute in hir hands. "Whaddya think gang?" He asked the other band members. Stella shook hir head while Nomad just shrugged, still looking bored. 
	"I.. Idunno... I wouldn't want to impose." Starpelt stammered, hir ears red from being suddenly put on the spot. Shi gave Wintershade an exasperated look that was answered by Wintershade's mischievous grin. 
	"Nonsense! You've played in groups before and before audiences too. This is no different, go on up there and show 'em whacha got!" Wintershade said making sure to say it loud enough for Scratch to hear it.
	"Sounds like shi needs some encouragement folks, let's give her a hand! " Scratch called to the rest of the audience, "Show us whacha got! Show us whacha got!" He began chanting, punctuating the phrase with clapping. In a matter of seconds, the whole audience had taken up the chant. Starpelt clapped a hand over hir eyes and shook hir head as shi laughed. Finally, she threw up hir hand and cried out "Ok, Ok! I'll do it!" 
	The crowd cheered as Starpelt got up from the table. Shi gave Wintershade a look "I am sooo gonna get you for this." Shi chuckled. Wintershade grinned back, "Oh I do hope so." Shi purrred and Starpelt suddenly realized shi'd been baited once again. With a smirk, shi winked at Wintershade and headed for the stage. Starpelt mounted the stage amid the applause of the crowd, and Scratch put an arm around hir shoulders. 
	"You really a pro? Who ya play with?" Scratch asked, to which Star nodded "Yes, I play with the San Fran Philharmonic." Shi answered, earning hir a raised eyebrow from the cat. "Classy..." Scratch replied with a grin. "So, what's your name sweetie?" He asked. "I'm Starpelt, daughter of Moonsong and Riversprint." Star answered with a smile. "Ok kewl, here's the skinny. We're gonna do some R&B blues riff, listen for the changes, watch for my signals, oh and uh... Try to keep up." Scratch explained with a wink. Star grinned and nodded turning to face the crowd and took a deep breath, hir eyes flicking over to the table where the other three Chakats sat watching eagerly. Blizzardstride nodded confidently, Shadow smiled encouragingly and Wintershade gave a thumbs up.
	"Substituting our own Joe Whistler tonight we have the lovely Shir Starpelt, everybody give her a warm welcome!" Scratch announced as he resumed his place behind the keyboard. Star waved to the audience as they cheered and then readied hir flute. Scratch began playing a rolling jazzy melody with one hand on the top tier of his keyboard while his other hand played chords on the lower tier. The top tier was programmed to play in a soft jazz organ voice while the lower tier played in the voice of a piano. Nomad's bass thrummed in concert with Scratch's chords and the beats of Stella's drums. Starpelt closed hir eyes, letting hir mind flow with the music. Shi kept hir empathic senses focused on Scratch, feeling for his signals. The idea worked perfectly, as hir senses let hir know exactly when he wanted hir to come in. As shi began to play shi continued to let hir mind roll with the music, allowing it to guide hir playing. 
	Star was so into the music that before shi knew it the set was over. The audience applauded as Scratch thanked them and announced his band members and Star once again to even more applause. Then he was shaking Starpelt's hand, "I wanna thank you Starpelt. That was really cool of you to step up, and damn, I gotta say you were spot on!" he said. Star smiled "Thank you Scratch, I had a really good time tonight." Shi replied, pulling the cat into a hug. Scratch returned the hug happily and then looked around at his band.
	"Look, I think I speak for the whole band when I say that you are welcome to come jam with us anytime." Scratch said, to which Nomad nodded in agreement.
	"Shi's certainly a hell of a lot better than that good for nothing brother of yours." Stella sniffed, earning hir a black look from Scratch.
	"Stella, now's not the time." Scratch groaned, a pained look on his face.
	"Hey, it's not my fault your brother's a drunk. He could actually become a decent musician if he could stay sober." Stella shot back, with a disapproving frown that reminded Starpelt of Mr. Jankis. Scratch's shoulders slumped in defeat, there was nothing he could say. Starpelt laid a hand on his shoulder and he turned a weary expression in hir direction. Shi could tell this was a problem he had been dealing with for a long time.
	"You are right for supporting your brother, but do not let his bad choices detract from your own life. Everyone must find their own path." Shi said softly, projecting comfort to him as best as shi could. Scratch sighed and nodded, "You're right. Thanks Star." He said. Starpelt smiled and softly patted his back before turning to leave. 
	Back at the table, Wintershade was the only chakat left. "Blizz and Shadow went back to the cabin. I was wondering if perhaps you'd like some company tonight?" Shi explained, earning hir a grin from Starpelt. "Were you now?" Star replied coyly causing Wintershade to mirror hir grin. 
	"Hmmm, I think I'd like getting into Trouble tonight." Starpelt growled playfully, as shi hooked hir arm with Winter's and the two of them headed for the turbolift, tails entwined.

T.B.C.