(Violetclaw's P.O.V.)
As I tried to think of a plan, Iago nudged me to see that Cassim and Sal'uk has finished talking and Cassim is walking up the stairs to a doorway.
"Here's our chance, Iago. Be quiet as you fly and follow me.". I claimed calmly as I shifted to a parakeet. We lifted off the floor, and flew up to the ceiling, fairly following Cassim in a distance. We followed Cassim in a series of hallways, to a room that contained Cassim's livings. He sat down upon a mattress of woven hay and fabric, and sighed heavily.
"Sometimes I wonder how I had gotten into this.". muttered Cassim. I nodded to Iago with a signal, and he understood, nodding back. He landed upon a ledge slightly up of Cassim's right, and I took a spot upon a shadowed rock made loft far from Cassim, shifted into my black panther form.
Iago chuckled, "Beats me, man, but I got to admit you got style in robbing these rich caravans.".
Cassim startled up, looked around, "Who's there? If you are spirits, stay away from me!".
I shifted my feline voice into human, "Relax, King of Thieves. My comrade and I are simply on a mission to figure out the Forty Thieves, and it looks like we're in luck with you.". I purred loudly.
"Yeah, what she said!". Iago nodded, smiling, and lifting off the ledge, landing upon the mattress, looking at Cassim who's shock-still and staring.
I chuckled, "The parrot is Iago, and you may call me by my names whichever you choose.". As I lumbered down, my eyes wide and open toward Cassim who's looking toward my voice, and gasped slightly as he saw my eyes.
"Who-o are you?". nervously asked Cassim. I purred as I came into sight, showing off my panther form. Cassim gulped audibly.
I smirked, "My animal name is Violetclaw, and as human, the name is Dunya.". I finished the last sentence with a flourish as I shifted into human.
"You are such a show-off, Violet!". Iago commented with a crooked smile. I raised an eyebrow.
"Quit teasing or you will never get that peach of the deal earlier, Iago.". I softly reprimanded him. Iago shrugged his shoulders bashfully, nodded to agree. Cassim kept on staring and watching our banter.
Cassim narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "Are you here to steal from the Forty Thieves? Because I could easily get them here and kill you for trespassing.".
Iago spat harshly as he hovered up close to Cassim, "Stealing?! Uh-huh, no way. Through it could be nice to steal, but I can't because of Violet here. We're honorable for now, and we only trespassed into your hideout only to see how and where the Forty Thieves came to be.".
I snarled softly, "Iago, control yourself. Do you want to be pinned again?". Iago stared at me gaping, and sighed, shook his head no, and landed back upon the mattress.
Cassim only raised an eyebrow, "How did you do that, change like that, I mean?".
"I am a magical shapeshifter. I could understand all animals when I am human, and able to speak their dialects naturally, and shift into any animal of any nation at will. Plus I receive visions from my cousin, Baelfire aka Soulheart who understands humans intellectually, and smarter than his black panther individuals, he received visions from me as well.". I calmly spoke with a smirk and a wistful smile. Cassim simply nodded while Iago smiled, already knowing it. We all striked a conversation well into the night, and went to bed upon our claimed spots.
We woke up, set a routine for a few days with Cassim until he told me of his story, and I happily told him that Aladdin is alive and is in Agrabah. Cassim was shocked and surprised. Within a night, he told his old fellows that he was planning to stake Agrabah out for sometime, and he replaced his old position to a wiry, sturdy man named Sikul with Sal'uk as vice leader. And so two days before Aladdin's birthday, with myself disguised as his horse, and Iago hid in the satchel until we were well out of Mount Sesame's line of horizon, then Iago was happy to be out and flying. Together, Iago and I guided Cassim back to Agrabah in record time.
Cassim hopped off me, staring at Agrabah, looking like he's having flashbacks. I shifted back to human. "Cas, are you all right?". I asked gently.
"Dunya, I could never thank you enough for this gift. My own son alive. How could I give everything away to search for a foolish dream?". Cassim looked at me gratefully with a sad frown.
I smiled encouragingly, "Cas, I was lost like you once, and a very old friend of mine gave this advice, 'The past is in the past, and look forward to the future.' And I always had followed it ever since, and now I am telling you this advice, and you got a son, he got great friends, and he has a incredible girlfriend as well from what my cousin said. You will be fine, Cassim, and you got me and Iago to guide you along.". I finished with a helpful glance at Cassim.
Cassim smiled, and suddenly he hugged me, and whispered, "I know. You're a great woman, Violetclaw Dunya.". I hugged him back, and pulled back.
I smirked, "And you're a good man, Cassim.". He nodded, and Iago squawked loudly.
"Alright, enough hugging, I gonna get sick! What are we waiting for? Let's go!". Iago grumbled loudly. I laughed, and I shifted into a peregrine falcon, gesturing for the boys to follow me. Iago flew alongside me as Cassim followed by foot, running and sprinting, heading through the boroughs and marketplace toward the palace. This is going to be fascinating and awesome. Been awhile since I saw my cuz. I couldn't wait to meet everyone, including my new cousin, Safi. Imagine, a son and father reunited, and a family of cousins and brothers reunited as well!
