You scale the trunk of the huge maple tree, trying not to think about how far down it is. You refuse to look, which is probably for the best. Your palms are slick with sweat as it is! You clutch branch after branch, wishing there was an easier way up here. You mention this to both pixies, and are answered with silvery laughter.
'The felines like it this way,' Rikale tells you with a shrug. 'They prefer places that seem inaccessible to those who they would, in many cases, rather not be found by. Perhaps at a later date we could add stairs, or a ladder...'
'No no, Rikale. That's no fun! We need these humans to stay in shape!' Kalika winks at you. 'Look at you, panting and puffing already.' You remind her that while she can fly, you have to pull yourself up branch after labourous branch. She clucks her tongue in mock concern. 'Well now, have you ever flown? Let me tell you, it isn't easy!' She mutters something about humans knowing everything, and continues up the tree.
A sudden movement catches your eye. You pull yourself up on a sturdy branch, sitting easily against the trunk of the tree. You nearly fall off when a large, white cat lands on the branch next to you. You wonder at where he could have jumped from, and realize that the answer could be nowhere. He has wings.
The large cat studies you with intense blue eyes. His whiskers twitch, as does the tip of his tail. A considering look fills his eyes, and he turns to the two pixies. 'What,' he asks, 'is that?'
'What do you think, Gradity?' Kalika asks the white cat. 'It's a human. What else could it be?'
Gradity sniffs you and sneezes. 'That's what I thought. But it was not the answer I was hoping for.' He glares at you and licks his paw. 'I am Gradity, by the way. You probably have not ever met a creature such as I, have you? No,' he says as you shake your head, 'because there are few of us. You see winged horses, winged lizards, but what about winged cats? No, we aren't that popular. Because we're too smart! People fear us!' The great cat lets out a roar and leaps into flight. 'Watch yourself,' he calls back to you. 'I doubt the others will be thrilled to see a human!'
You shake your head as if to clear it. No sense in climbing to the top of the tree now.