The streets in Chinatown were pretty crowded, but Liz didn’t mind. Or rather, she was forcibly ensuring that she didn’t mind. She wasn’t going to allow ghosts of the past to keep her from enjoying herself. Not today!

She’d never been to Chinatown before, but of course she’d heard so many things about it over the years, even before she’d ever lived in New York City. It totally lived up to the hype.

The blonde had decided to visit on the day of a celebration. She wasn’t really well-read on Chinese culture and history, but she believed it was something to do with a traditional harvest event or whatever. Anyways, the streets were full with happy people and happier merchants as the party vibe permeated everything. Decorations were all over the place and a lot of people were dressed up in particularly eye-catching clothes, even many of the clearly-tourists..

All in all, it was a pretty fantastic day to visit Chinatown. “And with this many people in a party mood, nothing’s going to spoil it!” she said to herself as she took a picture of a woman in a traditional costume and elaborate makeup and headdress.

She should’ve known better than to ever utter those words.

Jericho found himself in deep...uhm...Jericho found himself in a hot steaming cow-pie, so to speak.

It started just like any other day, he'd decided to go to Chinatown, slip off into an alley, and shift into a bull. Nothing like seeing people's reactions when there was a random-ass cow just walking down the street, right? But what he didn't expect was to feel a cattle-prod, and then be brought to the ground by someone way too easily. And that was how he found himself in a pen in the back of...some shop. Honestly the Texan bred, literal cowboy couldn't say he hadn't been in these situations before. But he had to play it safe. There was enough separation to keep the bulls from attacking each other, but he didn't plan on sticking around long enough to find out what the needed them for.

He steadied his breath, and in a moment, where a bull had been, was a tall, tan, long haired gentleman dressed head to toe in denim and sporting a black cowboy hat. Carefully, he slinked over, merely undoing the latch on all the pens. Then, he removed his own before slipping back into the pen and shifting back. The cows were already freaked, but once Jericho kicked open his own gate and started running amok...well, the others followed suit.

Liz thanked the smiling vendor as she walked away with her bubble tea. She took a sip and sighed in a commercial-worthy fashion. Now that was the stuff! Guaranteed to brighten one’s day and make everything better!

Except it wasn’t doing that. Liz frowned. The tea was delicious, for sure. And yeah, she was happy about it. But she wasn’t happy. She was feeling agitated. Cramped. Penned in.

Liz stepped into an alley to escape the crowd and leaned back against a wall. She closed her eyes and forced herself into a deep breath. “I am in control,” she said. “I am not in danger.” It was odd that the anxiety had swelled in her so much and now anger was pulsing and---

“This isn’t me,” she realized. Relief washed through her even as suspicion arose. If she wasn’t feeling anxious and angry or whatever so strongly, than what was?

That’s when the general hubbub of the active street was pierced by a loud cry.

”Caita! Stampede!”

And the first of several cows began to thunder around.

Okay....maybe this part wasn't the best idea. The bulls were free, and whatever was going on behind the scenes with them was now officially shut down. Being the son of a rancher he knew full well this wasn't legit.

But now there was a stampede in Chinatown, and he was leading the herd. He needed to get away. Needed to find someplace safe to change back, and just go home and watch this s*** go down on the news. Yeah, that's what he'd do. So as they were running, the lead bull, a reddish one that stuck out from the rest that were black or white, broke away from the rest and slipped into an alley. Which sent people scattering and he kind of dented a dumpster in the process.

Meanwhile the rest of the bulls were now scattering and wreaking havoc in their panicked state, as evident by the sound of crashing, windows breaking, and streetside food carts being knocked over.

Anger, fear, joy, triumph pounded through Liz and the woman had to brace herself against the sturdy brick wall of the alley. In doing so, she dropped her tea. “Oh no, oh no oh no,” she said as it all connected. A herd of cows and bulls were running up the streets, and unlike Spain, the people here were not prepared.

“This is why I can’t enjoy nice things,” she groused before taking a deep breath. Those weren’t her emotions. They weren’t. And there were enough positive ones that she could somewhat think clearly.

Liz stepped over her splattered drink and into the streets of chaos and she released her breath. Immediately, a wave rippled over the cattle, calming them and pacifying them. Much of the rampage ceased, but in a few few the emotional clash sprouted confusion and bewilderment. “Shhh,” she spoke unnecessarily as she focused on broadcasting serenity and tranquility.

Liz walked further into the street and made her way to the center of it. So many people had fled and ducked into alleys and buildings at the sight and sound of the rush. Street carts and little vendor stands were smashed and their goods were strewn across the pavement. But now, many of the cows that had just been racing flat tack were just ambling around, nuzzling various items and checking to see if there was any good food.

Liz alone strode into the midst of the bulls and cows. It wasn’t all of them, she knew, but most of them. Others had already slipped beyond her range before she was aware of them. But these were no danger at the moment. “Now where did you come from?” she asked softly.