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 Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:14 pm
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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:37 pm
"Of course they can't see me." The man mumbled and rolled his eyes. Most of these people were spiritual bricks. Save a few. Maybe this fox guy would actually acknowledge him, though. Since Atticus and Mr. Kitty refused to do so.
Speaking of Mr. Kitty...
"Hey Riyo. Look over there."
Riyo, who'd been watching the fox like everyone else, glanced back at the man to see his finger pointing towards another area of the room. A bed... But there was someone on it.
And for a split second, her mind became panicked and confused. The blonde hair and blue eyes almost made her think of her own Mother. But her panic was quickly laid to rest... For on this woman's face was a warm, loving smile. Her lips muttered a single name... Neko.
Riyo's eyes gradually shifted away from the phantom figure and to Neko... They were not met with the same happiness seen just seconds before. She'd been right. He had lived here previously. Along with what she could only assume to be his parent. But... What had happened?
Before she had a chance to ask, he practically fled out the door. And, as he disappeared outside, Riyo's little feet carried her out to follow.
Atticus, who'd been too busy staring off into space to really notice anything was happening, perked up as he noticed Neko going towards the door, and Riyo gradually following. "You really shouldn't do-" Too late. "That."
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:47 pm
The feline wasn't taking this well, there was no doubt in Kitwana's mind. He said not a word toward Neko as he appeared to be trapped within his thoughts, and after several long seconds he hastily took his leave. Kitwana watched him go, and Riyo thereafter. It mattered not, whatever he told these people remaining, he was certain they would pass the information on to them.
If they didn't believe him? Well, that would be their problem.
"Don't worry about him, sometimes it is difficult to face the past. " Kitwana said, and shifted his attention to Mitsu when she spoke to him. As unenthusiastic as she was about her realization, the fox smiled. "Indeed I am, my dear." He recalled the card that she had drawn as well. It seemed that this entire group was on the road to great changes, even if they didn't know what those were just yet.
"The fin, I believe she was taken to Galloway." Kitwana said bluntly to Blade as he was urged to prove his knowledge. At least, it seemed to the fox that this is what the human was trying to do. "I am convinced that she is alive, and well." As he spoke, the fox lowered himself to sit on the floor again. They were going to be here for awhile, he figured. "Though, it is not only this girl you need to concern yourselves over. You are all in great danger."
[Feel free to skip Hitsuzen and Yuki this time, please. They'll be posted for next round.]
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:10 pm
Blade tilted his head lightly when it seemed that Mitsu knew of this fox from somewhere before. He wasn't really sure what the situation had been, but it didn't sound like Inu was too thrilled with Kitwana. This made him a little more wary, but he was still willing to listen.
For a quick moment, he glanced out the door to check on Riyo and Neko in case they were still in view. Before he could really look, he heard the fox begin with the elaboration, pulling his attention back inside. It was a bit shocking to hear how far she had been taken, and it made him wonder why there of all places.
That aside, the last thing Kit said was of interest to him. Of course, it could have just been thrown in, but it'd be nice to know the reasoning. So, looking down at the gypsy fox, he asked another question.
"Would you mind telling us what exactly this danger is?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:26 pm
Mitsu seemed to realize all to late that her voice didn't exactly sound excited. It wasn't that she didn't want to see the fox again but for some reason it seemed odd that she was able to remember him and nothing else. Where was he from, where had they met, why was there a card? Memory was a funny thing for her. Some things stuck and other things didn't. "I...I'm sorry," Mitsu smiled embarrassed now. "I...I d-didn't mean to sound....unhappy. It's g-good to see you again." Stuttering from embarrassment Mitsu took a step back cheeks flushed pink. Without another word she stepped behind Yuki to keep herself as hidden as possible.
Neko barely took notice of the fact that he was being followed. His mind was so focused on what he had seen that reality was a blur at the moment. In the haze of thinking it took Neko quite a while to stop and when he finally did he realized where his feet had unconsciously taken him. A good distance from the house was a willow tree, large and beautiful. Its vine-like branches draped down like a curtain concealing what was beyond them.
Hesitation....what was he afraid of? Neko reached out and touched the vines but could not bring himself to draw them back at first. The feeling of sadness washed over him as he finally made his move drawing back the elegant curtain and stepping forward.
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:30 pm
Riyo was amazed at how... Zombie-like Neko had become. He didn't acknowledge her presence... Heck, she half-thought that he hadn't even noticed her yet.
Where was he going? What was so far from the house out here? She... She had a few hunches.
Nevertheless. She kept her distance and followed quietly. When he paused, she paused. And didn't take her eyes off him...
Until the willow tree. It was so... Big... And the way the branches dangled down.. How elegant.
And as she was admiring the tree... Neko disappeared into it. She looked down just in time to catch his leg disappearing. "oops." She whispered and snuck up to the willow tree. Popping her head in but trying to keep out of detection range.
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:19 pm
Under the tree was surprisingly dark. The branches and vines managed to shield the earth from a great deal of light but somehow there were flowers amidst the large tree roots that sprouted from the ground. There was something off about the flowers, something magical. How else would they be able to grow where there was little water and barely any light?
Bright white in color with a hint of red around the edges. They grew in clusters trailing up and onto the tree itself.
Once passed the vines Riyo would find Neko pressed up against the tree's base staring down at the ground. In front of him was a small stack of stones neatly arranged to mark something though what was unclear. For the first time, Neko realized that there was someone there with him. Not daring to turn around Neko continued to stare at the stone marker wiping at his eyes to prevent any tears.
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:34 pm
It took Riyo's eyes a few seconds to adjust to the dark, but once they did, the amazement didn't stop. This place was so pretty. Especially the flowers. As strange as it was that they could grow here...
And then her eyes met with Neko's back again. And there he stood... Just... Staring at the rocks on the ground. Her speculations looked to be about right...
She.. Wanted to say something. But what? Are you alright? No, it was fairly obvious he wasn't. Where are we? Probably not a good way to disclose the fact that she was there...
"That woman in the house... Was she your Mother?" Her voice was softer than usual. She didn't want to be a crack of thunder compared to the silence. And... Didn't want him to jump either. Because for all she knew, he still hadn't realized she was there.
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:44 pm
She had spoken to him and it took Neko a moment to respond. First he nodded and then came the rough crack of his voice as he spoke. "Yeah.....I think so." There was no denying it. She looked the same on the day she had died, the same as Neko had always remembered her. Her illness may have sucked the life out of her but her beauty still remained. Golden hair that would shine in the sun, brilliant blue eyes, and a smile that would usually make all the pain go away. However, this time, it only seemed to haunt him.
Continuing to keep his back to Riyo he spoke up again. "It's been a long time...since I've been here." Kneeling down Neko touched the top of the stone marker before he began to clear away the weeds around it to make it more visible. It didn't take him long but once he was finished he continued to sit there.
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:56 pm
Think so? Isn't it hard to forget such a familiar face? Riyo never forgot her Mother's face. But that was more of a bad thing than a good thing... Probably not the same situation here. Not by a long shot.
Quietly, Riyo made her way into the big willow tree and stood next to Neko, eyeing the stones he was trying to brush off. "Why.. Has it been so long?" She hesitated to ask, but she was curious now. From what she could tell, the woman looked very friendly... Very happy to see him. And the little home they'd shared looked like it had been so warm at one time. What made him want to stay away? ... If that was indeed the case.
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Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:44 pm
"It's...complicated." Obviously he didn't want to talk about it. At least not yet. It was something he was still rather ashamed of, something that still haunted him. Placing a hand on the stone marker Neko whispered an apology before standing to his feet again.
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:58 am
The denial of the fox's miscalculation left Yuki looking even more confused. He followed the furre's gesture and, of course, saw nothing. Despite that fact, it weirded him out. Was there really something there, or was this fluff ball trying to make him feel like a fool? He pushed the thoughts of that aside for now, there were more important matters at hand.
Hitsu hadn't been as bothered by the fact that Kitwana had pointed out a nonexistent member of their group, or so it seemed. Brushing it off as a joke, or an attempt to cover for his error, she simply let herself in once Neko took his leave and sat herself down without much hesitation. Looking back toward the doorway, Hitsu frowned a little before looking back to the fox. Riyo had gone after Neko, so whatever had him upset, she'd surely be able to help. No need for all of them to follow after him, right?
With a long glance outside in the direction that Neko and Riyo had run off to, Yuki lingered by the door. He looked into the house a moment, hesitating. He wasn't sure if he should follow, or remain here. He doubted that there was any real danger here, but even so... He did not know this fox, Atticus was questionable, and he wasn't still fully decided on Blade. Leaving Hitsu and Mitsu alone with them didn't seem like the most brilliant idea. So, he remained in his spot and listened quietly in the background.
"Galloway?" Hitsu had questioned, when the city had surfaced in the conversation.
Yuki made a brief noise to silence her, but soon after couldn't withhold a response of his own. He laughed shortly, "Tell us something we don't know, Fuzzy. We're not frolicking in the forest just because we fancied a stroll. You should know that, if you've been following us for this long." Honestly, did this guy think he was smart? This was all some sort of trick, he knew it.
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:01 am
Kit gave a soft chuckle in response to Mitsu, and smiled. "Don't worry about it." He assured, waving a forepaw absently. "I'm not used to enthusiasm, anyway." It wasn't a joke, typically a gypsy wasn't a welcome sight anywhere aside from amongst their own. "But thank you, Mitsu."
The young feline girl had questioned him, and Kitwana nodded in acknowledgment. "Galloway is one of the human settlements on our continent, Hitsuzen." He explained, "Very, very far from here. To the northeast, beyond the desert and grassland, within a frozen wasteland."
Just as he turned his attention to address Blade, the one closest to the door had spoken up. Not kindly, either, from his tone.
It was quickly becoming clear to him that at least one of the men in his presence believed he spoke nothing but nonsense. He raised a brow lightly at Yuki's clear mocking, but otherwise showed no outward irritation. "I speak not of what you have encountered... But what lies in the path before you." He looked the man over quietly a moment, lingering a second longer on the tail, and his bright teal eyes. He shared many similarities with the girl sitting before him. Perhaps this was the 'Yuki' she had spoken of back in his shop. There was a familiarity about him, and that realization accompanied by the memory of Miss Hitsuzen's reading... Recalled a little more of his dream.
He visibly frowned, before shifting his gaze to Blade. "I know little of the intricate details, Sir." Hopefully, that was not what he expected. "I do find confidence in telling you that this journey that you believed soon ending has barely begun. You are all becoming deeply involved in something very sinister, though the identity of the cause is just beyond my Sight..." He paused a moment, thinking. Some of his knowledge came not with vivid images... He just knew.
"You will cross paths with others on your way; Be warned. Not all may be trusted. Tread carefully, speak carefully... Or else you may bring destruction upon yourselves and your true allies." Another long moment of silence, as he tried to elaborate on fragments of his visions. One of several faceless beings stood out from the rest; "I recall a man dressed in white, I sensed an intense darkness from him... Madness... A hunger for power, for domination..." Hidden hackles prickled on end, as the fox remembered him; Suto.
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:28 pm
Riyo hadn't really expected any kind of satisfying answer. But this made it clear that whatever it was, he blamed himself for every bit of it.
"You don't have to tell me. But, whenever you can't hold it in anymore, you know I can keep a secret. And I won't flinch." A comment made to show it didn't matter how bad it was. She'd keep her speculations to herself on this one.
It bugged her. Riyo wasn't sure why.. But it bugged her. That there was something eating at him, and there wasn't anything she could do about it. These people had done so much for her. How was she supposed to reciprocate?
Atticus quietly listened to the discussion going on around him, noting that the fox could see that foul demon. Perhaps this wasn't completely a crock.
Without really thinking about it, he reached a hand into his coat pocket and pulled out his pipe. Good old Atticus. No respect for anyone or anything.
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:26 pm
Blade let out somewhat of a sigh as Kitwana described the place. Hopefully they wouldn't really need to head there; going to the arctic wasteland was not something he wanted to do.
But as the fox continued to talk, he just shook his head to himself. What was said was rather vague, and could be just a typical ominous fortune as an attempt to sound important. Shifting a bit, he rubbed the back of his neck, really not sure what to make out of all of this. On one hand, it could all just be a load of bull, as Yuki seemed to believe.
Still, he wasn't quite so quick to dismiss everything said. It was rather suspicious, but he had a feeling completely shrugging off these words wasn't the greatest of ideas.
"These are all... rather.. generic ominous type things you're telling us. But I suppose it wouldn't hurt to take some of that advice. We still don't know why Poke was taken after all... not to mention that Neko was poisoned too last week."
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