Welcome to Gaia! ::

Gods, this was really stupid. Go to some planet that she had never even heard of before just to deliver a cargo bay full of supplies to people she didn't even know. What a way to waste time. Even if Zee had encouraged her to do it, she wasn't happy about it. How did she even let him talk her into this in the first place? Lousy friend, she'd kick his a** once she got back home...

Rhia kept walking away from the ship she had landed at the edge of the clearing; her gaze searching the town for someone behind the thick lenses of her sunglasses. Anyone, really, just so she could hand over the cargo. She reached up and took the cigarette from her mouth, puckering her dark lips slightly and blowing smoke towards the sky. Her long ears twitched in annoyance and she stopped when she came even with the first small building, placing the cigarette back between her lips. Spreading her bi-colored wings out slightly, she rested her hands on her hips and her tail flicked back and forth.

"Where the hell is everyone?" She shouted at no one in particular, her voice sounding annoyed beyond all reason. This was going to take awhile, somehow she just knew it. Though she did kind of liked the way the place looked, it wouldn't be too bad staying here for a few hours or maybe even a day or two. She did want to get back home, but she wasn't that thrilled about being cooped up in the ship again for so long. She had never been keen on staying in one place for very long.


"Is there something I can do for you?" The voice came from a young looking fox-like male who looked up from a machine. She wasn't Silva, but it didn't hurt to be cautious. He stood, placing his machine on his chair and stepping forward, ready to attack if needed.

He wasn't a fighter, though. He was a computer nerd, more comfortable with hacking files then hacking people to pieces. All he could do was hope he didn't have to show his lack of ability.


Rhia's ears twitched and she turned her head to look at the boy. Not boy, really, more like a young man. She took the cigarette from her mouth and blew smoke out through her mouth and nostrils, giving him a small, cynical smile.

"I'm looking for whoever's in charge here," She said, the tip of her tongue playing with the left piercing in her lower lip before she placed the cigarette there. "I've got some supplies they need to unload."


"She's... otherwise occupied." Loki said, relaxing slightly. A delivery. He could handle that. "I'm her son, Loki. I can deal with it if you want." He paused, not liking the idea of doing a ton of lifting all by himself. "Look around for a second, I need to get my... companion. He's good at that lifting thing."

He motioned to the village before heading to drag Scagg away from his work. If they were going to keep a space pirate for a pet he might as well be useful. He found the eight foot tall man staring blankly into the woods and almost groaned before dragging him across the camp, not bothering to ask what the problem was. Scagg was just... like that, after all.


Rhia watched Loki as he hurried off to get his 'companion'. She tilted her head slightly as she turned her attention back to the small town in front of her. Well, it wouldn't hurt to look around, so why not? She folded her wings against her back as best she could and started to walk through the town, her tail swinging leisurely back and forth behind her.

She only walked a few paces before turning back around to watch Loki and the man he had gotten head towards the ship she had flown here. She narrowed her eyes slightly and adjusted her sunglasses, a little pinprick of curiosity hitting her. It was kind of pointless to walk around the town without knowing anyone or what any of the buildings were. It would be better if she had a guide, and besides, she was curious about the people that lived here now. Never really consciously making a decision, she slowly started to head back to the ship.

"I can help if you'd like." She stated as she stepped up behind Loki and his friend. It would have been an extremely odd thing for her to offer her assistance without being asked first, had the two known her better. Though her voice was still flat and no smile apparent on her face, she was trying to be friendly.


"Yeah? Thanks." Loki said, glancing up from where he and Scagg were heading for her ship. "Think you could open the hatch? I think I've got a transport rig..." He turned, looking for the tell-tale shimmer of a cloaking device. "There."

He didn't notice anything wrong with the idea of her offering to help, he figured most people would at least try to appear friendly. Unless they didn't care about how others viewed them. He had met a few of those type, too. He uncovered the gig, driving it towards the ship. "I threw this together after the last ship came." He said, stopping by the ship where Scagg was waiting patiently.


Rhia pursed her lips together for a moment, not really sure why she had offered to help anymore. Then again, did she ever need a reason for doing the things she did? Shaking her head a little, she brushed a stray strand of red and gold hair away from her face before stepping over to the back of the ship.

There was a small keypad on the left side, and as she punched in a combination and waited as the back hatch of the ship slide open, she turned her attention back to the fox like young man, "There's only a dozen crates or so, it shouldn't be hard."

Her tail flicked back as the door hit the ground with a soft thud, creating a ramp of sorts. She stepped onto it and walked into the ship; her large boots made a hollow thumping sound as she went. She reached the small cargo bay of the ship and turned around to look down at the two, one hand on her hip as she took the cigarette from her mouth with the other. She blew smoke out towards the ground before speaking, "You want to start bringing them down, or you want to get the rig up here to load them?"


"I'll get them." Scagg said, relaxing slightly. This female had just shown up. She wasn't the one that Silva had told him about, she couldn't be. Besides, she looked like she ate space pirates for breakfast. He jogged up the ramp to the cargo, hauling one box over his shoulder and tucking the other one under his arm. Then he carried them to the levitating platform that Loki had prepared before going for the next one.

"..." Loki watched silently, his mind on something else. There were a few masks left, but no more guardians, and Ice had said-- He scowled, looking at the female again. Not the geisha girl, she would be too delicate for this one. But the samurai-- He stopped, not knowing if he should force another person into taking care of a kid they might not want.

But then again... she had offered to help... An evil little smile played on his lips. She hadn't said HOW she wanted to help, after all.


Rhia quirked a brow at Scagg, but didn't say anything. If he wanted to play the tough guy, he could go ******** eat rocks for all she cared. She put the cigarette back into her mouth, only to notice that she had smoked it down to the butt. Letting out a soft growl, she opened her mouth and pressed the lit end onto her tongue; extinguishing the smoldering embers. She tossed the cigarette butt into the cargo bay before walking over to the stacks of crates.

Bending down, she lifted one of the largest crates up with what seemed to be no effort at all; setting it onto her shoulder and holding it in place with her arm. She reached out and snatched one of the smaller ones in her other arm, her head tilted a little to the side to accommodate the crate on her shoulder. She turned and walked down the ramp, setting the smaller box onto the rig before sliding the larger one off her shoulder. She turned and caught the grin on Loki's face. She let out a soft snort and headed back towards the ship, though her words held a slightly amused tone, "What the hell are you smiling at?"


"Just thinking of your payment." Loki replied, then stopping with a flush. "I mean, it's a good one, we pay well and--" He stopped, feeling like an idiot. "Look, let's get this stuff back to the camp and I'll pay you." He muttered, watching Scagg haul three boxes this time.

Scagg couldn't see where he was going. But he could hear them talking, so he headed towards them, the boxes teetering slightly. The faster they got these loaded the faster he could get back to his post. Silva was nearby... too near. His boot ran into the edge of the gig so he dropped the boxes before jogging back up the ramp for the last few.


Rhia grinned at Loki's comment, her large fangs glinting slightly. She briefly wondered if the young fox-like man knew just what his first statement reminded her of. She was tempted to drop a teasing innuendo in his direction, but restrained herself. She stuck her hand in one of the pockets of her low riding pants, content to let Scagg get the rest of the boxes. She pulled out a pack of cigarettes and tapped the pack against her hand, grabbing the protruding cigarette with her lips before sticking the pack back into her pocket.

She sat down on the edge of the rig and touched the end of the cigarette with her fingertip; the end instantly lighting. Taking a long drag from it, she took it out of her mouth and blew the smoke out in a long, soft sigh. "What's wrong with joker over there?" She asked Loki, nodding her head in the direction of Scagg as she replaced the cigarette between her lips.


"I called him away from guard duty." Loki told her, pulling out his handheld gamestation and pulling up a game. "He's wanting to get this over with so he can go back to work."

He looked over, nodding slightly as Scagg dropped down the last boxes. "I can handle it from here, Scagg."

"Sure thin', mate!" Scagg replied, nodding at the female slightly. "Ma'am." He said, then jogged back to his guarding position, leaving them to finish the job.

"You can either sit there for the trip back or walk. I don't have another chair in here." He said, treating her like he would Ice. He still hadn't gotten used to being surrounded by females.


Rhia sniffed softly and watched Scagg go for a minute before turning her attention back to Loki. She took the cigarette from her lips again and gently rubbed her forehead with the knuckle of her thumb, blowing smoke out her mouth as she spoke. "He's got one hell of an accent."

She put the cigarette out, though it was only half gone, the same way she put out the first one and then flicked it into the cargo bay. Standing up, she walked over to the keypad once again and tapped a few buttons; causing the hatch to close. She ducked under the closing door and came to stand next to the rig for a moment.

"If you don't mind, I think I'll skip the riding and walking and just fly back." With that, she stepped away from the rig and opened her wings, each one spreading out from her back to at least eight feet in length. She turned around and gave Loki a salute with just her index and middle fingers. "Just be careful. If you're going to travel under me, I've heard from a few people my wings kick up a ******** windstorm when I flap them."

Rhia then crouched down and jumped into the air, the jump taking her up about ten feet. She flapped her wings once and soared up to about twenty feet, content at that height to glide the rest of the way.


Loki snorted, wondering exactly what she had meant by the accent comment. Yeah, Scagg had an accent, but not many people said much about it. After a second, when the wind had died down, he headed back to the camp, dropping the supplies into their spot before heading for the house. He wanted to dig out the cash and the mask before she showed up.

He ran through the door, not even noticing Io sitting in the kitchen with a few pets, and headed for Ice's room to grab the wallet and one of the masks. He was back on the front porch before Io could even wonder what he was up to.


Rhia watched Loki from the air as he entered a building. Though she was only twenty or so feet in the air, it felt good to fly. She liked it best up here, where no one could reach her and she could be alone. She couldn't stay in flight forever, no matter how much she wanted to.

Reluctantly, she circled once over the building Loki had come out of a moment or two ago, and then swooped down in front of it; turning her wings forward so she landed softly on the ground. She adjusted her sunglasses again and ran her hands through her two-tone hair as her wings stretched a final time and then folded neatly up against her back.

"You don't have to pay me you know," She said as she came to stand in front of him. "I didn't do this for money, someone I know back home asked me to and I agreed." She crossed her arms under her breasts and raised a slender brow above her sunglasses, "In fact, I doubt I'll accept any money you try to shove into my hands, but I will accept a drink if you have something."


"No cash, huh?" Loki repeated, shrugging. "Sure, I'll get you a drink. But I'm sure there's something else I can give you... how about a mask?" He pocketed the wallet and held out the mask with an innocent smile. "I think you'll like this one."


Rhia quirked a brow for a moment and stared down at the black and white mask. What... the hell? A mask? Of all things, he wanted to give her a mask? Sure, it was kind of cute, but what would she do with a knickknack like this?

"I..." She gave him an incredulous look and her tail flicked back and forth. "What exactly am I supposed to do with it? I don't wear masks, and I'm not exactly one to hang it up on my wall either."


"Well, I doubt he'd like either of those options, so you'll do fine." He said, smiling widely at her. He jerked as a hand dropped on his shoulder from behind, turning to choke as he realized Io was looking at him. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Um... right. Guess I should tell her..." He muttered, earning a nod. "This is my sister, Io." He told Rhiannon. "She came from a mask. Like the one you're holding." Then he waited for her response, sure it wouldn't be a good one.


Rhia raised an eyebrow, at first not really believing what he had said. She looked Io over, not really seeing anything different about her than she had on other species back home. Except the shorter woman was wearing a strange mask...

A mask.

"Oh, ********." Rhia spat, lifting up the black and white mask and shaking it in front of Loki's face. "You're telling the truth? You knew about this and you still gave it to me? Me? Of all people! Gods, how stupid are you?"

Her tail lashed in the air angrily and her eyes flashed crimson. How she wanted to throttle the little beast! A low, throaty growl emanated from her, her lips peeling away from her fangs as the sound escalated into a soft snarl, but she held onto her temper as best she could. She didn't really want to hurt him, but damn, would it feel good! Only later on, of course, she would regret doing something to him, so she had to quell that feeling now.

"You don't understand," She stated as evenly as she could, trying to be reasonable even though her eyes still blazed and her body was still tense. A muscle worked in her lower jaw as she clenched her teeth. "You don't want me raising a kid, I'm not... child friendly."


Loki shrugged. "You said you would help. We're out of guardians on this planet, and without a guardian this mask won't get the chance for life at all. Whether his guardian is kid-friendly or not. Hell, you think colonist are the touchy feelly type?"

He motioned to the camp. "Every single one of them has killed to make this place liveable, fought tooth and nail for what little peace we have. The kids know that as well as anyone. Besides..." He glanced over at Io. "They grow up faster then normal kids. But if you're too much of a coward..." He was about to get his tail handed to him, he knew it. He could almost hear Io laughing at him. "I can take him back."


Rhia was squeezing the little mask exceptionally tight, and she loosened her grip on it when she realized this. No sense in breaking the damn thing in two, right? Though the sneer had left her face, she still looked extremely pissed off and ready to smack someone.

"You don't understand," She ground out again, not sure what else to say. She looked down at the mask and ran her thumb over its nose, her brow creasing in thought. She couldn't just open her mouth and tell Loki everything that had happened in her past, everything she had done. Everything she was still liable to do. That would not be wise, and besides, she just met him and she technically didn't know him yet. She had never opened up to anyone before, not even her closest friends. But still...

"Do you do this with everyone that comes here?" She asked, looking back up at him and, though she still seemed to not want the mask, she showed no signs of handing it back over. "Just shove a mask in their hands and say 'here, it's your responsibility now'?"


He shrugged, remembering Ice doing exactly that before. "This is about survival, lady. Easy as that. An entire species relies on us. And Ice has brought home pieces of masks more often then any of us like to admit." He motioned to the mask in her hands.

"He was lucky to get this far." He stated. Io nodded, watching the female silently.


The right corner of Rhia's mouth twitched, but she was silent for a moment. Lucky to get this far, that was something she had heard too often in her life. In truth, she was one of those beings; she was beyond lucky to have survived the war that wiped out ever last one of her race except for her. Sometimes she still puzzled over why she had been spared...

She looked down at the mask in her hands, still a little unbelieving that it held a life inside it. She sniffed softly and ran her tongue over her lower lip, the tip fiddling with the piercings there for a moment before speaking in a milder tone. "So... it's a boy? You called it a he."


G_E shrugged, not minding at all that anybody had offered her a match. Let them make a fire then. Merci' was considered a pyro, wasn't she? It wasn't that big of a deal...

Her attention ahd been given to the woman with the black wings. G_E wasn't too happy with the cigarette in her mouth, but that couldn't be helped and it wasn't her business.

She lifted an eyebrow as Loki handed her a mask. Oh lord... the woman didn't seem to happy about that. Bits of their conversation met her ears and she smiled, half-heartedly and wandered over to Loki, Io and the woman.

"Actually no, they don't just thrust one of those at you. I believe the child chooses it's gaurdian. I was here quite a while before my son found me."


Loki looked at Gee for a second, suddenly worried. What if he was wrong? He turned, looking at Io, who shook her head. It almost made him jerk as her voice drifted into his mind.

The boy approves of this one. She said, nodding towards Rhiannon. He's starting to become aware... slightly.

Loki nodded, turning to look at Rhiannon. "Yeah, it's a male. And yeah, seems he's chosen you. And now that that's decided, I have an ionic gate force field to build." He turned, heading back for his post. She would have to find somebody else to shove the mask off on if she still wanted to get rid of him. He had work to do.


Rhia reached up with her free hand and gently tugged on her long ear, causing the hoops to clink together softly. She snorted as she watched Loki go, still pissed off and confused about... well, everything. She blew smoke out through her nostrils, not even bothering to take the cigarette from her mouth,

"Great, ******** wonderful. I've been 'chosen' by a mask." She muttered, giving Io half a glance before turning to assess the woman who had spoken. She adjusted her sunglasses and tapped the mask on her thigh, having no clue what to do with it at the moment. "And you are?"


Chae had finally gotten over her giddyness, and realized that a ship had landed.

*Great* she thought. *leave it to me to miss THAT*

She must have been more perturbed than originally thought. Which was pretty damned bothered.

Walking from the house, she saw the small group gathering, and beyond two forms swinging their legs from a limb high up in a tree.

Smiling slightly, and partly mortified that they were so elevated that they could fall, she began to walk across to join the others.

"Ice toss that young'n to you?" she asked the stranger. "She has a habit of doing that, without explanations. I spent the first few weeks here thinking it was an elaborate joke made to all new arrivals."


G_E watched Loki go, with an amused look on her face. She hadn't really ever spoken to the boy before and he seemed to shy away from women.

She looked towards the other woman and watched the smoke leave her nose. It was so tempting to just reach up and throw it away... but she was not going to make that mistake again. Damn, people got angry when she threw their cigarettes away. Her mind whisked back to her first meeting with Silva. That wasn't something she'd like to experience again.

At the thought of the dangerous man her eyes wandered to the trees, almost positive he would jump out at any moment. Shaking herself a bit she suddenly smiled, holding a hand out to the other woman.

"Name's Green_Eyes, I had some strange parents... Mostly everybody calls me G_E or Gee. You?"


Rhia turned her gaze to the woman that now joined them (chaeval), and took a long drag from the cigarette in her mouth. Gods, how many of them were there?

"I haven't met an Ice yet," She said, taking the cigarette from her lips and blowing smoke towards the sky. She lifted the black and white mask and waved it at chaeval, "But yes, this was dumped on my before I knew what the ******** it was."

She turned her attention back to Gee and raised a brow at the hand she offered, totally ignoring it as she placed the cigarette back into her mouth. She didn't mean to offend the woman, if that was going to happen by her refusing to shake hands, she just wasn't one for physical contact. "I have many names, but most people just call me Rhia."


"Chaeval" she greeted. "Or Chae. "Hey you" has been used on occassion as well, although that can get confusing." she pointed to the tree beyond. "That little girl is Shiva...and Nika is with her. And yes, they both came from Masques. We don't know alot about that...we're trying to find out. When we aren't up to our ears in simple survival that is." she lowered her voice. "Can't blame you for not dancing from a new burden, but I can tell you that the life you have in your hands relies and cares for you."

SHe shrugged and sat down. "You could always abandon it."


"That's possible." G_E nodded, amused, "I think my mother had some Native American background, I've enver though of that before. All of my sisters have Christian names."

Her smile fell a bit when Rhia didn't take her hand, but she shrugged it off. Not everybody was up for physical contact. Bizzy, G_E's daughter, was like that.

"Nice to meet you," she nodded at Rhia and sat down beside Chae, watching Shiva and Nika in the tree.

"I wouldn't abandon him, though. He may grow on you."


"Meh." Chae said. Literally, he mouth moved in a sigh, and that was the sound that emerged. She had not actually WANTED the girl to abandon her mask...she was trying reverse psychology. Or being as blunt as possible. Someone who could abandon a little bit of life, helpless and alone as it was...hardly would do the Masque credit if she did not do so for this one and only occassion.

At least to her way of thought. That was, after all; why SHE had carried Shiva about for so long. Even when convinced everyone else was laughing at her for believing a mask could come to life.


Rhia's mouth twisted slightly in a grimace as she looked up at the children in the tree, her tail swaying back and forth. Abandoning the mask was an option, but somehow she didn't think she'd ever be welcome back here if she did that. Not that she cared what these people thought of her, she was simply thinking of if Zarien ever wanted her to come back here with supplies. That was it.

Nothing more.

"I suppose I could chuck it out into the woods or something," She said, her muscled shoulders rising and falling lightly in a shrug, "But I think I'll hold on to it for now, though I may feel differently when it turns into a kid."

She thought of her daughter and how she had turned out, which Su hadn't turned out that bad really, she was just... odd. Again, the demoness shrugged and lifted the mask to look at it. "Does anybody know anything about it other than it's a he?"


Chae shook her head. "I hadn't even seen that one before." she replied. I think Ice might be able to tell you a bit...or maybe even Io. I don't think many of us knew anything before they grew. Some of us still don't know much." she laughed, not a totally happy sound. "One of these days, I think i might actually be able to pin Ice down and get some answers."


G_E smiled glad that Rhia had decided not to abandon the poor boy.

"I don't think you'll feel differently," she shook her head, truly believing her words.

"Nobody knows much, the children themselves can't even remember," she smiled at Io, "I think they regain most of their memory when they become teenagers though... I could be wrong... after all I'm just assuming."

She laughed, "It would be nice to know..."


Io said nothing, not that they would have understood her even if she had. She shrugged slightly, reaching out to touch the mask briefly before turning and walking back into the house. Rhia would find out soon enough...

And for the others... well maybe they were better off not knowing at the moment.


Rhia took the cigarette from her mouth once again, seemingly not able to keep it there for any length of time. She slid her tongue along her lower lip before blowing the smoke out her mouth in a soft sigh. Maybe Gee was right, then again maybe not. She kind of felt like she wouldn't be able to handle a kid now, not after regaining the other half of her soul. She watched Io for a moment before speaking, looking down at the mask as she touched it.

"I don't know, we'll see how I feel when he shows up." She said, tapping the ashes from the end of the cigarette before putting it back into her mouth. She turned her shielded gaze to Chae and then to Gee, more or less directing her question to both of them, "And Ice, she knows about these masks, then? Where the hell is she?"


Chae shrugged. "I dunno. She comes and goes faster than anyone I've ever seen. Doesn't like to be a standing target, I guess." she smiled ruefully. "Not like us, at any rate."


G_E wathced as Io touched the mask in Rhia's hands drowsily, yawning.

She jumped a bit, surprised at the question.

"I haven't seen her around for awhile..." She shrugged, ignoring the feeling to go and look for the one so many of them considered leader. Ice was strong, she coould handle anything.

"Maybe she's rade hunting?"


Rhia sniffed softly and gently rubbed the underside of her nose with her knuckles, blinking a few times. She lifted the mask and looked at it again, turning it over a few times in her hand. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad; they started out as children, right? That's what everyone was saying, there's no way she'd be able to care for an infant, but a child was different.

"So this Ice person knows a lot about these masks, but she's never around?" Rhia snorted softly, "Everywhere you go things are always the same."

She reached up with her free hand and gently flicked the mask's nose before knocking on the forehead with her fist. "What the hell am I supposed to do with it until it becomes a kid? And what's a Rade?"


G_E watched Rhia examine the mask amusedly. She'd never seen anyone so... well... she couldn't exactly say what, exactly, but it amused her and that was okay.

"She's around," G_E nodded, "She's just... always being kidnapped or something but she comes out just fine in the end. I suppose that's why so many of us consider her our leader."

She laughed a bit as Rhia knocked on the mask's forhead, "I wouldn't do that if I were you... I'm pretty sure that the kids can remember some of their experiences as a mask after they grow. Hitting it might not be too wise."

She sighed, picking at some grass, "Rade are -uh- predators, I suppose. They're huge and nearly impossible to kill. I doubt Ice is hunting them actually, that would be damn foolish."


The feathers on Rhia's bi-colored wings ruffled a bit, but she didn't say anything. If she wanted to knock on the ******** mask, she would do just that and no one would tell her otherwise. But instead of mouthing off Gee, she merely lowered the mask again and looked over at her.

"I've killed many things in my lifetime. Gryphon's, Dragon's, even Plague Beasts, if you know what those are." One of her eyebrows raised over her sunglasses and she ran her free hand through her hair, "Those are a b***h to kill, what makes Rades so different?"


G_E leaned back, suddenly recieving some angry vibes from Rhia. That woman obviously didn't like being given advice... but then again, she probably didn't need it.

She fidgeted a bit, playing with the hem of her shirt, "Well, I can't say I've seen a dragon before, let alone killed one. It's just... the rade are actually almost an organized group of people. They aren't like normal creatures. They think and are capable of speach."

The truth was, until she'd come to Masquerade G_E had had no experience with killing. Her skill with a knife had come with long, intense practises and not with experience. It had been easy enough to kill the snakes, even if it had been the first time she'd ever killed anything, because not only her life had been in danger but those who she considered family could possibly have been hurt.

There was no way she was letting Rhia know that though. So what if she hadn't killed a dragon?

Actually killing a dragon was pretty impressive...


Rhia again raised a cynical brow at Gee, sensing a slight change in the woman's aura. A little trepidation was there now, slight, but Rhia could pick it up. Good. Let the woman know she could handle herself against any foe that stepped foot before her. Hell, she had even held her own against a god for awhile. Now that was something to brag about.

...And had the circumstances been different, she would be bragging about it.

"You don't want to see a Dragon up close," She commented, realizing she had burned another cigarette down to the butt. She took it out of her mouth and stuck the smoldering end on her tongue, extinguishing it and then idly twirling it between her fingers. Her tail flicked back and forth as she continued talking, and she almost seemed to be enjoying herself. "They're big, ugly bastards, at least most of them. Some of them are nice looking, and friendly too, but the majority of them just look at you as a bite-sized snack. Plague Beasts on the other hand aren't even intelligent enough to come up with a strategy, they just attack you. Ugly as hell, those guys, all of them. Just a big mass of gooey, ******** mucus it looks like. And they've got eyes all over, big bloodshot eyes that never blink. They're worse than the damn Dragons to kill, mind you, because if you leave even the tiniest bit of them, they'll come back."

Rhia blinked a few times, realizing she was rambling. Worse yet, she had developed a small grin on her face. She wiped the smirk from her dark lips and cleared her throat, reaching up and gently tugging on her long ear. "Uhh, anyways, it's just that they're both hard as hell to kill, you don't want to tangle with either of them. Though I have, and I've killed them both too."


Fauve wandered back out onto the common grounds. Her golden curls hung around her masked face, she'd been very careful to put the ribbons that Io had gotten for her back into her hair. Her blue eyes scanned the goings on, there was a woman she didn't recognize standing with Gee and Chae. She adjusted the sleeves on her dress and made sure she looked clean and her dress hung correctly. Fauve glanced over at where Merci was still standing holding that odd child's hand...

Alright... so she didn't like him... true she had just met him but she wasn't about to be happy about sharing her guardian... the little twerp... She reached her hand up into the air and mentally called out for her pet. It wasn't long before her duck sized dragon was perched up on her shoulder. Fauve had long ago gotten used to the weight there.

Merci glanced at Haisyn and held up one finger, "Be right back I want to see whats going on" She turned and walked over to Gee, elbowing her lightly in the ribs to get her attention. "Hey, whats going on?" Merci looked up at the kind of odd looking woman and nodded, not offering her hand to Rhia. "Hi, haven't seen you around before..." the mask caught Merci's attention and she smirked a little bit, "So they got you huh? I just hope your's is less trouble then mine..."

Fauve heard Merci and her eyes narrowed a little bit 'And what, may I ask, is so wrong with me...' Fauve folded her arms and walked over to stand next to Merci. She had a good two inches on her guardian now.

Merci was a rather... height challenged woman with short red hair. She had green eyes, fox-like ears and a tail. Upon seeing Merci the fact she's extremely well armed is apparent. Two well taken care of and well worn pistols are located under each arm and one at her waist, along with several bladed weapons scattered around her body.

The little boy holding Merci's hand came up to a little above her waist. His wings would be something that stood out about him, along with the slightly crooked halo that hung a few inches above his head. A beanie rests over his blonde tipped brown hair. The kid gives off an aura of nonchalance, and his green eyes are wandering around showing his bordom.


Rhia turned her attention from Gee to the newcomer and once again raised a brow. Either people here found it okay to butt into someone else's conversation, or they were just being 'polite'. She waved the black and white mask at Merci, giving Fauve and the boy holding the shorter woman's hand a once-over before disregarding them.

"Yeah, I suppose you could say that." She ran her tongue in between her teeth and her left cheek, her tail curling and uncurling as she lifted the extinguished cigarette. "Is there any place I can put this, and where can I get something to drink?"

She hadn't really planned on staying here and engaging in chit-chat with the locals, she had just wanted to dump the ******** cargo off and head back home. But now it seemed she was stuck with a mask that would turn into - of all things! - a kid, and it seemed that everyone here was perfectly alright with allowing the mask to be taken by a demon of her.... protocols.


G_E listened carefully to Rhia's discription of dragon's and plague beasts. If she'd ever had to ecounter either one, it would have been the Dragon over the Plague Beast. Killing wasn't one of her strong points, and as much as she liked adventure and danger she would choose to never see those creatures.

When Merci' nudged her in the ribs she turned around to smile at her, eyes growing wide as she noticed Fauve.

"Not much..." she shrugged, "I'm just chatting with Rhia, here. Fauve, you're looking as beautiful as ever."

She lifted an eyebrow as Haisyn and Ashy appeared moments later "And Ashy too! Jeepers... you kids grow faster then weeds.."

She turned back to Ria when the other she spoke, "You might just want to keep him near you. They tend to grow into kids instantaneously."

"A drink? Uh... we could go back to my place I guess. Or somebody else's. Are you going to need a palce to stay?"


Rhia once again ran her thumb over the masque's nose, but didn't look at it this time. Did she need a place to stay? She hadn't planned on staying overnight, but now that she had this thing...

"I don't think I need somewhere to stay," She said after a moment, reaching up with her free hand and gently scratching the skin just under her left horn. "I didn't really plan on staying here for very long. I just had some supplies to drop off, but if I do need a place to sleep I can just sleep in my ship."

Her dark lips twisted into a wry grin, the piercings there catching the light and sparkling dully, "Then again, I didn't plan on becoming more or less a mother again either. Just a drink would be fine."

Kenshi silently approached the building; a small, dark brown bag hanging from his right shoulder. The bag was basically empty, save for a few items that he normally carried around with him, though he wasn't quite sure why. He wondered if it was too late for anyone else to still be up for a moment, but had his question answered when he came to the porch and spied a young woman sitting on a swinging bench. He absently tightened the black belt around his waist as he climbed the steps and stopped in front of the door. The lights were on inside, so perhaps more people were still awake. He would have come out during the day, but he didn't really like the sunlight. Besides, his masque and his clothing blended in well with the night, and that was the only time Rhia was... pleasant.

He turned to the woman sitting on the bench and noticed she was wearing a masque, just like him. This was the first person he had met aside from his Guardian and her feien, and his dark eyes twinkled as he allowed a small smile to appear behind his masque. He took a step towards her and bowed his head slightly, Hello, would you like some company, or would you prefer to be alone?


Wha? Io jerked from where she was examining the woods. Oh! You must be the new masque. The samurai. She gave him a slight smile, motioning to the swing. Take a seat. I'm good for company.

She paused, listening to the voices in the house for a second. Although they're planning a party in there. It's probably more interesting in there then it is out here. I'm just a little too old for that kind of stuff.


Kenshi listened for a moment, his head cocked to one side as he heard people talk inside. He shook his head lightly before walking over to the bench and taking a seat next to Io.

I didn't know there was an age limit to parties. He commented innocently, looking up at the stars and holding back a sigh. He slipped the strap of his bag from his shoulder and set it down next to his feet. Leaning forward a bit, he looked back over at Io, I don't care for parties much either. Besides, it's nice and quiet out here. My name is Kenshi. He smiled slightly and inclined his head once more, though he left his greeting open since he didn't know her name. It's nice to meet you..?


Io. Io replied, smiling slightly. And I'm afraid that's not the only reason I'm not in there. I'm not the most... popular masque around these days. You'd probably be better off avoiding me. There was little emotion in her voice, as if she was just making a statement. She shoved against the porch again, swinging the swing slightly now that he was sitting down.

Besides... someone needs to pull guard duty.


Kenshi studied her in silence for a moment, folding his hands in his lap and leaning back against the swinging bench. I don't see any reason to avoid you, Io, I just met you.

He looked back up at the stars and listened to the muffled voices coming from inside before copycatting her; his boot more gently pushing off the porch and causing the bench to swing.

You're the only masque that knows me, so technically I must be more unpopular than you. Though it sounded more like a joke than anything else, the boy was quite serious in stating this, which probably made it all the more comical. Is guard duty meant for only one person, or may I stay out here with you and keep watch?


Nah, they just don't know you. They know me, and they don't like me. But that's okay. They just don't understand... She stopped, as if biting something back.

Guard duty is for anyone willing to face down some of the creeps that roam the forest. If you're willing to, I'm not one to say no. You fight?


Fight? Kenshi blinked a little stupidly at Io, that thought never entering his mind. Ignorance was not bliss in this masque's case, and he unfortunately had a tendency to miss the most obvious of things. I suppose one that guarded something would have to be ready to fight, if something dangerous presented itself.

He leaned forward once again, resting his elbows just above his bent knees and lacing his fingers together, looking off into the distance. I haven't really given fighting much thought yet, let alone ever been involved in one. I guess I wouldn't make a very good guard at the moment, since I don't know how to protect those I would be guarding.


Io looked at him for a second, frowning slightly. After a bit she stood, heading for a side door. If something happens, holler. I'll be back in a second. She said, heading into the house, but avoiding the crowd.

A few minutes later she reappeared with a set of sai, flipping them so she presented him with the handles. I try to give every new masque a gift of sorts. Something that connects to the past. These are yours.


Kenshi watched Io leave, return, and then thrust something towards him before he could even examine what it was she was holding. He blinked a few times and reached out, gently taking the two sai from her. They were slightly heavier than he had expected, but for some reason that didn't surprise him.

Thank you. He said after a moment, not really sure what else there was to say. He set one of them in his lap and held the other, turning it over in his hand and gently prodding the end with his fingertip. He looked back up at Io, giving her a quizzical look from behind his masque and cocking his head to the left ever so slightly. I don't think I know how to use them properly though, but I will try. Maybe I'll be able to guard someone properly in the future. He smiled at her, feeling a little confused about the 'past' comment, but content for now to not question it.


Just remember the pointy end goes away from you and you'll be fine. Io said, dropping down and looking at the stars. I like the dark... She said, not really thinking of her words. After a second she turned to him, almost glaring.

Now don't go and do something stupid like get a crush on me, okay? I've had it happen before, and trust me, it doesn't end pretty.


Kenshi was about to comment, rather sarcastically, about the 'pointy end going towards the bad guy' thing, when Io snapped at him about having a crush. He blinked a few times and looked over at her and, had she been able to see his face, she would have seen a rather serious look that made his features oddly resemble his Guardian's; a look that plainly said 'you must be so insane'.

Where exactly did that come from? He raised one of his eyebrows under his masque, another trait he had picked up from Rhia, but he shook his head a little. I suppose it doesn't matter. I don't think you need to worry about that, He continued, reaching over and picking his bag up. He lifted the flap and rummaged through it for a moment, moving things around, before carefully slipping the pair of weapons into it. He set the bag back onto the floor near his feet and looked up at the stars.

I don't think of myself as one to fall for any girl. Besides, I believe that you are a little too old for me, even if I wanted a relationship.


Io blinked, then relaxed, grinning slightly. You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that. But age doesn't really matter here. People turn into teens at strange times, and guys that were once old enough to be my father are now only kids. It's... confusing, to say the least.

In fact, for a while, the guy that I was crushing on-- She stopped, shrugging after a second. He was a kid when I was a teen. I used to dress him in skirts since he liked to wear kilts. But he's gone now... and I don't know when he's getting back. If ever...

She sighed, making the swing move again.


Galilee trudged to the door with the lights. He leaned out, Io...oh...I didn't know you were busy...it can wait.


Io turned, looking at Galilee for a second as she tried to decide what to do. She didn't much want to deal with him, especially after what had happened at the auction. The auction for the masque that was sitting beside her.

But if she blew him off like she wanted to, she would be accused of being an even bigger witch then she already was. But wait... hadn't he been the one to call her a b***h in the first place? With that she smirked, amost viciously.

Don't bother, I'm sure I'll be busy then, too.


Kenshi was quiet for a moment, looking up at the stars as the bench gently swung back and forth. I'm sorry, Io, that must be hard... losing the one that you care for the most.

Absurdly an image of his sardonic and impossible-to-get-along-with Guardian flashed into his mind, and he almost laughed out loud. Sure, he cared for her, and she was probably the person he cared for most at the moment, since she was pretty much the only person he knew.

He blinked when he heard a voice and leaned forward a little bit more, looking past Io to see a boy that looked around his age - and wearing a masque - poking his head out of the doorway. He looked up at the teen, a little surprised, as she shot a rather rude comment to the boy. Was this why she said that the others didn't like her? Maybe, but he wasn't going to judge her on one sentence she gave someone, especially since he didn't know the boy or how it was between the two of them.

It's alright to help them, if you want to. He said - rather nonchalantly - to Io, looking up at her and shrugging his shoulders slightly as he pushed on the porch with his foot to get the bench swinging again. I don't mind being alone.


... Io sighed, looking at the masque beside her and shrugging. Alright, kid, but you're going to help me with whatever it is he wants. For some reason I just don't feel like dealing with someone that calls me a b***h. So go ask him what he wants.


Kenshi looked up at Io and blinked, but nodded his head once. Alright, I'll go and ask him. But if he requested your help I don't see how I would be able to help you.

He slid off the bench and stood, absently brushing the seat of his pants off as he walked silently over to the door. For a moment he simply looked at Galilee, his face unreadable behind his masque. After his assessment of Galilee's outward appearance was complete, he bowed his head slightly.

Io would like to know what it is that you require her assistance with?


Send a kid to do a man's job... Galilee glanced at Io. He looked at the new mask, She's taller than us, I hoped we could get her to hang some lights...since the only other teens here would just blow them up. But I guess she's too high and mighty to help us kids. She forgot she was a kid like us.

He looked past the new kid to Io, Forget it...I'll just ask a guardian...

He looked back at Kenshi, By the way, we're having a Halloween party...all the masques were invited...you don't have to come, but it'd be a chnace to meet everyone. We're all in here decorating and getting it ready....you're welcome to help out if you like.


Io looked at Gali for a moment, snorting. It's not the kids I have a problem with. It's the kids that think they know what they're talking about when they don't. Not to mention attacking without all the facts. But go ahead. Ask one of the guardians.

She shoved herself to her feet, walking towards the woods, her hands shoved in her pockets. I'm going for a walk.


Kenshi frowned slightly behind his masque and looked over at Io, then back at Galilee. He blinked a few times, seeming to be frozen to the boards of the porch as he watched Io walk away.

Very interesting... if this was how everyone acted, perhaps he should have just stayed with Rhia. He clasped his hands behind his back and seemed at a loss as what to do or say for a moment before looking back over at the boy in the doorway.

I doubt that I could help, since I'm rather short. He shrugged lightly and turned away, heading back for the now vacant bench on the porch. He sat down and leaned forward, picking up his bag and placing it next to him. I don't mind being alone, you can go back inside to your friends if you want. He gently pushed against the porch with his booted foot and the bench started swinging again; his gaze turning away from his bag and back up to the night sky.


Galilee sighed and walked over. He took Kenshi gently by the arm and hauled him to his feet. Come inside...meet the others. We have cookies and punch. You can help with other things...being short isn't a bad thing.


Wait... what- Was all Kenshi could get out before Galilee hauled him to his feet and started leading him towards the door. He twisted his other arm around and latched onto his bag, taking it with him as the other boy walked towards the entrance to the building. Though he didn't really want to go inside, he didn't want to be rude and simply pull his arm out of the Galilee's grasp. Then again, Galilee hadn't really waited for an answer before hauling him along... in fact he had kind of demanded that Kenshi go with him back inside.

I don't think I really want to go inside just yet, He said, trying to sound polite. Please let go of my arm, I will come when I want.


Nika watched Galilee's short exchange with Io, not surprised at how they treated each other. The new boy, however, surprised him. He seemed to be perfectly happy alone, most of the others became sulky and sarcastic. But the boy seemed at peace.

He waved to him and gave a short nod before folowing Io. He wanted to find out what was bothering her so much.

'Io,' he called, 'Can I come for a walk too?'


*Kataio and Zahar finished up cooking the last batch of cookies. The seperated them into two bowls, a smaller and larger one, and carried them into the main room.* Cookies are served! *They placed the bowls on the coffee table.* Don't eat them all in one go though...

Zahar smiled at the room, suddenly anxious about the party. Her eyes scanned the room and she found Galilee. She bustled over to him and the new mask boy. 'Hello, my name is Zahar.' She nodded a hello to the new mask. Her eyes were happy and soft when greeting Kanshi, but when she turned to Galileeher eyes showed that bit of stress. 'Are things going all right for you Gali?'


Kenshi gave Nika a quick, assessing gaze as he waved and passed by. His masque was strange, but pretty. The boy craned his neck around to watch, noting that Nika seemed to be heading after Io. He looked back ahead at Galilee, finally having had enough of being dragged around like a sack of dirty laundry. He gently tugged his arm free from Galilee's hand and came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the room.

He blinked a few times as he slipped the strap on the bag onto his right shoulder, bowing his head slightly to the girl that had introduced herself as Zahar. He didn't really want to help with any party they were planning - parties weren't really something he liked to take part in - but he wasn't going to be rude.

Hello, Zahar. My name is Kenshi.


Galilee put his hand down, Sorry..I didn't mean to drag you. He looked at Zahar, Things are going alright...but I can't get these lights hung.


Zahar smiled at the two for a bit longer then said, 'I should go for a bit. I think... Punch yes... the punch needs to be made.' She gulped brushing her hair nervously out of her face. 'It was nice meeting you Kenshi' She turned and bustled off into the kitchen muttering quietly the whole way.


Kenshi watched Zahar go for a moment before turning back to Galilee. It's alright, I just don't like being ordered to do things, you can ask and most likely receive better results. My name is Kenshi, by the way.

He gave Galilee a small smile, his head inclining slightly before he looked back the way Zahar had gone. Do you think you should go after her? Something seemed to be troubling her.


Galilee. Galilee tapped his chest watching Zahar. And no...I think it's me.

He looked at the lights in his hands and set them on the back of the couch. Then looked at Kenshi, If parties aren't your bag, you're free to go. But all the other masque will be here....excpet miss high and mighty. She thinks she's too good to hang with us since she's been a teen longer than the rest of us. She acts like that anyway.


Zahar hurried to make the punch. 'How could I have forgotten the punch. I was in here the longest.' She muttered a few more things as she poured the different juices into a medium sized punch bowl. She lined up the empty cartons in a neat row. Carefully she lifted the punch bowl and stepped off the stool onto the ground. She walked slowly into the living room again her wings fluttering to keep her balance as she placed the bowl down. 'Punch is done. Enjoy.' She nibbled at her lip and then moved out of the room again sparing a look for Galilee and Kanshi.


No, it's not really that. Kenshi made a slight face behind his masque, glancing over to Zahar before looking back over to Galilee as his shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. I don't really know what it is, I suppose. I've just never really been to a party before, and it seems more like a waste of time to me than anything else...

He stopped himself from continuing and shook his head slightly. A sigh was building up inside him, he could feel it, but he held it at bay. I will stick around for awhile if you'd like, perhaps I could assist someone if they need it, or just meet some of the others.


Galilee watched Zahar a bit, then looked at Kenshi, You never get anywhere being alone.

He walked over and looked at the punch, then at Zahar. He smiled, What kind did you make?


Zahar jumped slightly, and turned her whole body to face Galilee. 'I... It was a mixture of apple, grape, and strawberry. It was the only kinds we had readily available in the fridge.' He eyes darted around Gali. She paused at his mask and looked down. 'I am sorry if I intruded earlier. I was not thinking.'


Maybe I like where I am now. Kenshi said quietly as Galilee walked away. He lifted his head slightly and looked around at all the decorations. For some reason the majority of them seemed absurdly ridiculous to him, and it made him smile slightly behind the white and black confines of his masque.

He clasped his hands behind his back and tilted his head for a moment, undecided on what to do before he silently turned and started for the door again. If they needed any extra help, he would be on the porch for awhile longer, they could always come and get him if they needed.


Galilee smiled, Sounds good...I see them add serbert sometimes to punch. Kali brought some scary green liquid she calls swamp water.

He looked at her, then shook his head, You didn't intrude...I think I did...on him and Io. He seems more antisocial than you and me put together. I guess he doesn't want to hang out and meet anyone. Maybe I was to brash in asking...I just wanted him to come meet us...

Galilee shrugged, toying with a fake spider on the table.


Zahar looked up at Galilee. 'I think we just need to show him that we can accept him. He is quite new. Let him come with time or else intorduce him to everyone and let him go off on his way. Like the rest of us he probably still has some lingering mannerisims.' She patted his shoulder. 'I am sure that Io is not so bad. You should give her a second chance. I really do not remember why you two are fighting, other then the costume issue.'

Costumes?! *Kataio had heard Zahar mention the word.* I almost forgot! Is it that time yet? *she looked around at the masks and the gaurdians*


Kenshi quietly exited the building and stepped out onto the porch, sitting back down onto the swinging bench. He slid back as far as he could and lifted his legs off the ground; folding them up underneath himself as he leaned back against the swing. It rocked slowly from his movements, but soon it stopped and lay motionless. Slipping the strap from his shoulder, he set the bag down onto the bench beside him and then folded his hands in his lap; listening to the muffled voices coming from inside.

He wondered for a moment if he had been rude, but he dismissed that thought quickly. He'd go back in a little while; he just didn't want to be inside at the moment, he liked the quiet darkness the night provided. Turning, he lifted the flap on his bag and gently pushed aside the two sai; rummaging through it until he came across a small, leather pouch held closed by two strands of thick string. He extracted it and ran his thumbs absently over the smooth surface, his mind wandering as he gently rocked back and forth and set the bench swinging again.

Kenshi silently wandered towards the town, glaive grasped tightly in his left hand. His bright, blue eyes were fixed on the floor in front of him as he walked, and he was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice where he was until there were buildings on either side of him. He stopped abruptly and set the end of his weapon onto the ground, looking around for a moment before he actually entered the town. Now that he was here, he suddenly felt uncomfortable, like maybe he should have just stayed outside the ship and waited until Rhia calmed down, not go wandering off on his own.

He cleared his throat softly and lifted the end of the glaive off the ground, walking some paces until he was no longer just at the edge of town; a brief and vague sense of claustrophobia trickled in the pit of his stomach for a moment as he was encircled by the unknown buildings for the first time. He stopped again, his gaze slowly sweeping over everything as a small frown drew his brows together.

Was there no one here?

That was odd, he and Rhia weren't the only ones here... perhaps the inhabitants of the town were all inside? He blinked a few times and then slowly starting walking again, mind made up that if he didn't meet anyone in the next few minutes he would just go back. Though he wasn't really looking forward to confronting Rhia again so soon.


Kenshi's strides slowed as he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. His head swiveled to the side and he spotted a pair of people walking in almost the exact opposite way that he was walking. He stopped again and watched them for a moment, indecision keeping him from doing anything other than frown. He narrowed his eyes after a moment and blinked a few times, noticing that they were wearing... masks.

His interest was peaked by this right away, and he turned in their direction and slowly started walking towards them. He didn't really feel like talking to anyone at the moment, but then again he didn't really feel like being alone the entire time he was here. He already made up his mind to back to Rhia (and talk this time), perhaps meeting someone other than the demoness would make him feel better.


Fauve had taken Kasai's hand and started walking with him towards where the cargo ships land. She was going to say something to Kasai when she heard something behind them... putting a small pressure on his hand she slowed down and stopped. Fauve looked down at Kasai and then turned to look at Kenshi. She recognized the mask as the one that was just given to that weird winged woman earlier. 'Hello... did you just wake up?'


Kenshi froze a good amount of distance behind the two as they stopped and the woman turned around, though he wasn't far enough away to miss her question. He set the end of his glaive onto the ground again and bowed his head slightly. Yes, I woke up not long ago. The one who is to care for me needed... time alone, so I decided to come here.

He raised his azure eyes up to the pair again and studied the woman's beautiful, butterfly like wings for a moment, though he soon turned his eyes back to their faces with a small, inward smile.

It was rude to stare.

My name is Kenshi, are you the only two here in town?


Cin followed Merci' and the new woman Su back to the encampment. "Su, I hope you don't mind but I salvaged a few parts from your ship." Cin blushed slightly gesturing to her bag. "We have two fallen ships other then yours and I am hoping that we might be able to get one of them working agian." Then shrugging slightly she added, "plus I tinker a bit on my own and the wiring and circuits might be useful."

Kasai, how are things going with getting the bedding ready.

We are in the store house now...we should probably have some things together by the time the new person gets here. Kasai was smiling slightly and seemed very upbeat at the moment. Turning to the masque he hadn't met yet he waves, Hello...there was a crash, the others should be back soon. We are getting some bedding around for the new person, would you like to help us carry them back to the house? Kasai goes into the store house and starts setting blankets and pillows aside. Fauve I think there is are a few cots in here, we can try and get beds for them later.


Fauve turns and gestures for Kenshi to follow as she goes into the storage unit with Kasai 'Not really, there are a few guardians and other colonists more toward the common areas in town itself. My name is Fauve, this is Kasai..' She started looking around 'There should be some kind of cot or something in here......' She trailed off and started rummaging around until she came across a couple. Her eyes crinkled and she didn't look happy.. 'Ugh.. their covered in dust..' She reached out and grabbed them with as few fingers as she could and pulled them out..


Kasai laughs slightly and takes the cot from Fauve, I have it - don't worry about it. My duster can keep the dust off of my clothes. Kasai starts out with the cot trying to carry it the best he can with his shorter stature. You will need to grab the pillows and blankets though.


Kenshi stood for a moment as he watched the two disappear into the storage building. He wondered if they had met Rhia, and if so, had she treated them like she had treated him? That didn't really matter, he supposed, just because she was that way didn't mean they would automatically assume he was as well. He leaned his glaive against the wall just outside, before stepping in after Fauve and Kasai. He sidestepped out of the way to allow Kasai to leave with the cot and he looked back over to Fauve.

Do you need assistance with anything? He asked her, trying not to seem uneasy. I will help you, if you need it.


Fauve glanced down at Kenshi and looked at the pile of bedding... 'Well I can carry that.. do you want to get the second Cot? I... kinda have an aversion to dust... makes me feel all.. ookie...' Fauve leaned down and picked up the blankets and pillows. 'There was a crash... and it seems we have one survivor... but that other woman may want a place to stay later so we're hauling out two cots...'


Kenshi silently walked over to the other cot and looked it over for a moment. It was rather big, and he wasn't so sure how well he'd be able to carry it. Then again, he didn't need to carry it; dragging it would do just fine, since they were bound to clean it off when they got to wherever they were going anyway.

Is the survivor alright? He queried quietly when he had the cot in a somewhat cumbersome grip. He turned slightly to look back over at Fauve as she held the blankets and pillows.


Walking along Kasai pulls the cot into the new house, then he turns around waiting for Fauve and Kenshi to catch up.

From within Cin and Kali's home a loud crash can be heard, shaking his head a bit Zeke looks over the edge of the work bench blinking his eyes at the partially put together machine that now lay on the floor. It seems that that shiny thing had not been too fun to play with, flapping his wings happily he bounds over to the next shiny thing hoping to explore it.


Fauve blinked a little bit and shrugged 'Merci? How is the survivor?'

Merci looked up for a second and then back down.. 'She's fine.. she's walking on her own and everything...'

Fauve looked back down at Kenshi and gave him a reassuring look 'My guardian says that she's fine.. we should get the bedding back they should be on their way...' she didn't want him to feel like he was being ignored but the had a task to complete.. she followed after Kasai.. walking slowly so her now longer legs didn't leave the two boys behind..


Kenshi stepped out of the building after Fauve and followed her, walking at a perceivably slower pace than the other two. He kind of felt like an intruder, even if they had allowed him to help, and he didn't like it. It made him wish Rhia hadn't been so cruel to him, perhaps if she were here he would feel better.

As he and Fauve joined Kasai, he bowed his head to the other boy. I don't think we were properly introduced, Kasai. My name is Kenshi.


Kasai starts setting the the cot up once he sees Fauve and Kenshi on their way. We did get an extra cot Kenshi for the other woman...I do beleive she is your guardian, could you let her know where we set everything up at? As Kasai set up the cot he pondered the changes in Fauve, she was just as lovely as he remembered her but now even more so...and even more unattainable. Cin had told him once on her planet when someone came of age they were given a gift. He thought he might want to give Fauve a gift, maybe Cin would have an idea with that. Blinking Kasai looked over to Kenshi and then put his hand out to the new boy, Nice to meet you, he says smiling, if you want to look around sometime my friend Galilee and I could give you a tour of the camp.

Zeke was absolutely giddy, the shiny things really were very entertaining. The last one had fallen also but as it hit the ground a strange blue light had shot from it. Wondering if the others would have the same effect Zeke hopped along the work bench some more.


Fauve looked at the two cots and shrugged 'We got the stuff here... someone needs to make breakfast... I'll see what I can scrounge up from around here somewhere... the survivor will probably need some food not to mention the rest of us as well...' She looked around.. she hadn't really tried cooking but figured what the heck.. she knew there was some food at their house.. she looked back at Kasai and Kenshi 'Can you guys finish the beds while I get some food together? Kasai... umm.. maybe we could talk later too..?' She stepped back and turned on her heel walking back toward the house she and Merci shared with the Feirra's...

Merci looked at Cinder and a small smile creased her face.. "yea... Thanks Cinder... I don't mind, just really hard... it's going to be hard to not cloister her..."

Fauve made her way to the kitchen and started opening cabinets, she pulled down stuff for pancakes and her eyes turned up in a smile... pancakes and maybe some eggs.. she could do that.....


Kenshi set the cot he was holding down near the one Kasai had brought over and hesitantly grasped the other boy's hand, shaking it. He offered Kasai a small smile, before he started to set the cot up. This cot was for Rhia? He doubted she would find the gesture on their part warming.

I'll... I'll tell her about it later. He replied quietly to Kasai's remark as he finished getting the cot set up. He straightened and looked down at the bed thoughtfully for a moment before slowly turning away and heading back towards the storage unit. Excuse me, I need to go retrieve my glaive..


Kasai started making the bed and then to Kenshi, That is good, let her know that the cot isn't a permanant thing either. We will get some beds and stuff in here as soon as we can. He nods at the other boy as he sets off to get his glaive. Then concentrating he calls out to Fauve, Talking with you later would be my honor. Kasai's mask darkens as he blushes slightly and finishes the beds. With that done he sets off toward his house, he hadn't had breakfast yet either and knew there were waffles there. He didn't know what Fauve was cooking but he decided he would eat a waffle and maybe bring some of that cheese that Cin had in the fridge to her. As Kasai approached the house he heard a crash from inside...breaking out in a run he burst the door open.

Zeke looked over the edge of the table at the last piece of equipement that had fallen, the baby hat glared down at it. None of the others would light up and dangit he wanted to see the flash again, it seemed so cool. Bouncing along he came to the next piece of equipment, it was tiny unlike the others. Getting closer he pushes it with his nose.

"Back off you! I saw you making a mess of the house...I don't know what you are but you better watch it!" Mycroft's voice quavers slightly as he talks to the hat baby obviously frightened.

Sniffing at the piece of metal Zeke's eyes got big when he heard it talking. This was the most interesting thing! Grabbing the wrist com in his mouth Zeke bounded off of the table and made for the door. He didn't know where he was going to take his new friend but this place just seemed to messy to him now. He wondered slightly who had left all the stuff on the floor.

Help! Help me someone! I am being kidnapped!

Cin, that hat thing is running off with Mycroft...I am going to go after it and get him back! Turning without bothering to look inside the house Kasai runs after the hat baby, it seemed to be making it's way toward the garden.


Kenshi reached the storage unit a few minutes after he had left the cot with Kasai. He was walking extremely slow, mainly to prolong the solitude so he could think more. He was positive Rhia wouldn't want to leave the ship, she valued her... privacy. Though to the samurai the woman seemed to be even more antisocial than he himself.

As he picked up his glaive and turned back around, he spared a glance in the direction of Rhia's ship. He couldn't see it from his current position, but he knew where it was and for a moment, contemplated on going back. But he hadn't been gone that long, and he guessed from the way the demoness had acted that once she was mad, it took her awhile to calm down.

Not knowing where else to go at the moment, unless he wanted to wander around aimlessly and risk getting lost, Kenshi started back in the direction Kasai and Fauve had led him earlier. As he neared the building that Fauve had gone into, he noted a young woman standing in the doorway; a fox tail swishing behind her. He blinked a few times and his pace slowed for a moment before he came to a halt a few yards away from the building, suddenly wondering if there were in fact many people in there; he wasn't so sure he wanted to join in if there were. Perhaps he should just wander around the town by himself for a little...


Sukku's ears gave a violent twitch. Having good hearing could be a pain sometimes. The fur along her tail bristled in warning, making itself look comically puffy. Ears becoming erect, she excused herself from the company of the others and turned around, padding from the door.

Someone or something was watching her; she could feel it.

Coming out to the porch, she looked about, pale brows furrowed again. What she was looking for was in plain view however. Her head jerked back a bit, brows shooting up behind her bangs. She readjusted her glasses and took several more steps forward, squinting.

Was that a...samurai?

Shoulders becoming sore, she turned and swung the pack off her back and onto the porch's floor with a small grunt. Too many books...turning again while rubbing her shoulders, she looked back at the masked samurai child and held back what was going to be a definate cooing noise.

"Aa-ee...Hello there. Who might you be?" she queried, tilting her head and walking to the steps leading from the porch. So tiny! she thought fondly, smiling.


Kenshi watched silently as the young woman with the fox tail turned and wandered a few steps from the door to stare at him. He felt his shoulders straighten slightly and his body involuntarily tense as she issued a soft keening noise before abruptly cutting it off. He set the end of his glaive onto the ground and gave her a small, hesitant smile even though it was hidden behind his mask.

Hello, He bowed his head slightly to her, though he made no move to close the rather large gap that stood between the two. My name is Kenshi.


He had simply bowed his head...could he talk?

Her ears twitched and she hopped down the steps, her curiosity becoming great. Folding her arms behind her back as she approached Kenshi, she leaned forward a bit and tilted her head. She wasn't too far from him, but she wasn't too close either. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable.

Her honey eyes bore down into his, lips pressed in a definate line across her face. She seemed lost in thought before she gave a brief, fanged smile in his direction.

"Don't suppose you can speak, huh?"


Kenshi straightened his shoulders a little more as she came closer, his hand tightening on his glaive as he watched her curiously. Though she wasn't all that close to him, he still felt a little... short. She appeared to be almost a foot taller than him, and he was glad she didn't just traipse right up to him so he'd have to tilt his head back to look her in the face.

He blinked a few times and his brows drew together in a frown, his crisp eyes narrowing slightly at her question. He cocked his head to the right a little and gave her a look of confusion, though it was mainly hidden. What exactly was she talking about...?

What do you mean? He asked her, his soft voice slightly incredulous. Of course I can talk, do you not hear me?


Now he looked as confused as she.

Lips pouting and brows furrowing, she mirrored him...or at least, her eyes did. She cocked her head a little ways he did. Her tail began to sway back and forth behind her and in one sudden, ungraceful movement, she plopped on the ground in front of him, hand to her chin.

"Can you understand me?" she queried, a little slower than usual. Sukku situated her tail on her lap, and her ears perked up, causing her hat to bounce on her head.


Kenshi blinked as she flopped onto the ground and then huffed slightly. His hand absently wrung the glaive in frustration and he leaned forward slightly; narrowing his eyes at her. What was going on? He had talked to Rhia without any problems, and Fauve and Kasai as well... had the telepathy only been temporary?

At the thought his eyes widened a bit and he pursed his lips together. What if that was it? What if he was now stuck mute and would never be able to communicate with anyone ever again? Sure he normally preferred being alone, but that didn't mean he didn't want to converse with people when they were around him!

Yes, yes, I understand you. Why can you not hear me? He asked, his normally quiet voice rising slightly in exasperation as he made each word sharp and clear. As an afterthought, he straightened again and then nodded his head to her. Perhaps he could no longer speak using telepathy, but at least she would be able to understand that.


Kasai looked up grinning as he tried to clean Fauve, Kenshi she can't hear you. Only other masques and your guardian can understand you. Cin tell the new woman that he doesn't understand. Turning back to Fauve he starts cleaning her masque again.

Cinder blinks slightly and then realizes that 'Sai is talking to her. "Sukku, Kenshi can't talk - he is like the other masques. None of them can talk, they can only communicate with other masques and their chosen, a chosen is like a guardian." Cin looks around and grabs a broom, sweeping she starts trying to get the flour off of the flour. "Do you have a mop somewhere? The oil is making it impossible to get some of this up with a broom." Cin looked at Merci' waiting for her to answer.


"So you can!" she said, grinning. She continued to stare up at him, brows knitted. Maybe he couldn't talk because of the mask...her mouth formed a small 'o'.

"Maybe it's the ma-" she cut off abruptly at the sound of Cinder's voice. Listening intently, she was surprised to learn that he couldn't talk to her...but he could indeed talk. Her tail bristled a bit in frustration, and she sighed, beginning to climb to her feet.

"Well...that's upsetting! I wanted to talk to you!" she said with a small smile. With a thoughtful look, she began to wonder what it'd be like to take care of a masque. Must be interesting....

"Ah, well...you nodded so I s'pose you can understand me. I'm Sukkubus! Sukkubus Everwind. Nice to meet you," she introduced.


So, Kenshi could still talk, but with only certain people. He didn't really find the sense in that, but perhaps it wasn't supposed to make sense. It was rather disheartening to find that out, and he felt slightly bad for the young woman as she looked rather disappointed as well. It would have been nice to talk to Su, but perhaps this had some hidden purpose that he yet grasp.

I am sorry you cannot understand me, He said softly to her, more as a reflex now than actually hoping she all of a sudden and quite miraculously understood him. He bowed his head slightly in greeting as she stated her name, and frowned behind his mask. I suppose it doesn't matter if I tell you my name or not, but she said it a moment ago, perhaps you heard her?

Kenshi looked over to Cinder and after a moment of hesitation, lifted his glaive and tilted it in her direction.


As Kasai was getting ready to go clean himself up he heard Kenshi talking to the woman. You will get use to the all the not being able to talk things. Many of the colonists have learned charades and so have we. But until then - Cin tell Sukku that his name is Kenshi and he wanted her to know that. Kasai sat waiting to make sure that Cin was going to answer him.

Wait, what am I now a third party translator... As she said it Cin wished she hadn't, but was also glad that Kenshi couldn't hear her. As she was working Cin wondered slightly where his guardian was.

Just tell her, please? Kasai raised his firey red eyes toward his guardian.

Cin smiles and looks over to Sukku, " Kasai wanted me to let you know that he wants you to know his name is Kenshi." Then going back about her work Cin is happy to see that the batter seems to be getting cleaned up nicely.


So his name was Kenshi! This was a breakthrough. Turning back to Cin, she grinned and gave a wave.

"Thanks!"

Turning back, she smiled at Kenshi, one ear held up while the other flopped down lazily. Her tail began sweeping back and forth and she held back the urge to pat him on the head. He was a samurai. Samurai child, but a samurai nonetheless! And plus, Kenshi had a helmet on and that rather defeated the purpose of patting him on the head...

Sukku snapped back to attention; she cleared her throat.

"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Kenshi! Maybe one day we'll be able to talk to eachother," she said hopefully. The dominant white tuft of fur on her tail coiled upwards, her smile one of warmth and friendliness. She was startled quite suddenly when Io tapped her on the shoulder.

She hadn't even heard her coming!

Sukku twisted around and tilted her head quickly causing her hat to just about topple off her head. She stared at the masked girl for a moment before the item she was holding was thrust into her hands. Sukkubus's fingers clamped over it in reaction to it, and she looked confusedly at Io's retreating figure. What was she supposed to do with it?

Her thumbs brushed over the smooth surface and the young fox woman finally looked down, eyes widening suddenly in amazement. It was a masque, somewhat rounded and the color of snow: crisp, white, and pure. The eye-holes were somewhat upturned and the area where your cheeks would normally have hidden had the barest of blushes. Small, crimson lips completed the mask, giving it a graceful appearence.

In all its simplicity, Sukkubus thought it beautiful.

But she was confused, as one would be when something lovely and foreign was entrusted upon them...what was she to do with it? And what was it for?


Kenshi noted that they all seemed preoccupied with each other at the moment, which made him feel a little less uncomfortable and made it easier for him to duck his head and silently wander away from the buildings. He slowly made his way through town, bright eyes wandering here and there as he took everything in. It was nice to be alone, but the people he had met so far were very kind, and he didn't mind their company all that much.

Perhaps in a little while he would try his luck with Rhia again, but for now he simply continued walking along the outskirts of the town, slowly going in a circle and heading back towards the demoness's ship.

She shouldn't have come. She shouldn't have...really.

Sukku stood before the door of a large ship located at the edge of a clearing. Well, it was much larger than the one she had come on, that piece of junk...Her eyes were trained unblinkingly at the door, her hands fisted as if she wanted to either punch it or knock on it. If she lost her nerve now, she might as well do the former; she sighed.

Calm down. Calm down. Calm down!

She had been standing in front of the ship for a good half hour now, contemplating whether or not to take a chance and knock on the door. There could be only two outcomes if she did:

It was either her mother in there or it wasn't.

She began shifting from foot to foot now, hands relaxing only to become tense as she smoothed down her shirt. They shot up immediately after to push her bangs down and to comb through her short blonde hair. She was becoming more annoyingly nervous by the minute. If only she had come with someone more than her unresponsive mask, her flittery fae companion, and her sleeping mouse. If only...if only...

If only she had dragged Zarien along.

He had such a way of comforting her...he had to be one of her best friends next to Rayven. Her palms pressed together and she bowed her head. She missed being in their company, in his company. It was a hard battle she fought with herself constantly. The fox girl knew not whether she liked him or if she didn't. Even if she did, it was probably too late. She was his friend, that was all. That is all it will ever be, she reminded herself.

A violent twitter near her ear snapped her from her reverie.

"Come on, you silly human! Are you going to knock or do you want me to?" Metta squealed angrily, Sukkubus's anxiety driving her crazy. She swooped back and forth by the girl's large fox ears, settling once on her head before getting up to swing back and forth in the air again. This was driving her bonkers!

"Please don't push me, Metta," Su replied sourly, throwing the faerie a disgruntled look. Really, the support Metta was giving was something she could live without! She pressed a clammy hand against her geisha mask, sullen that it couldn't respond verbally yet.

Or mentally.

Taking a sharp intake of breath, Sukkubus closed the distance between her and the door and raised a loose and shaking fist, tentatively giving the ship a knock. Although nervous, it was a firm knock...she half hoped that no one would answer, and the other half prayed that someone would.

But for seven long years, no one had answered her...no one had helped her. She was all she had now on this planet if it wasn't her mother. She bit down hard on her lower lip, feeling her stomach drop somewhere below her navel and her heart give a shuddering flutter.

Please...let it be her...let it be mama...let her...let her still love me...


Rhia's long ears flicked suddenly, causing the numerous hoops in them to tinkle together as a knock sounded through the ship. She opened one eye to a darkened room, but she could see as if it were as bright as midday. Her tail curled lazily into the air and she went to stretch her wings, but her right one bumped into a solid mass on the bed next to her. Blinking the sleep from her bright blue eyes, she looked over to find Kenshi asleep next to her; his small arms wrapped around her right arm and his head resting against her shoulder.

A smile spread across her lips as she looked at the boy sleeping, his armor neatly set on the floor next to the bed and his black hair slightly mussed. The demoness gently extracted her arm from his, being as careful as she could so as not to wake him, before sliding down to the foot of the bed so she didn't have to climb over him. She had taken her boots off sometime before she and Kenshi had dozed off, and her bare foot landed on a mound of fur that squeaked in surprise. She jerked her foot back up, just as surprised, and blurted out a few obscenities.

"Didn't see you there, you okay?" She asked the red Faemouse as she poked her head up, ears perked, and looked up at her owner with shiny, black eyes.

"I okay." She piped, looking over at the sleeping masque boy. Her ears dropped slightly and she lowered her voice... or at least as much as she was able to. "Ken-Ken still sleep?"

"Yeah, he's still asleep," Rhia said softly, glancing back at him before planting her feet on the floor where no animal slumbered. "Keep it down for a little, okay? He needs to rest."

"Okay, Rhi-Rhi." Pyra dropped to all fours and scampered over to Paddy who was sleeping on a shirt that had been tossed onto the floor. Pyra circled around him once and then lay down next to him, her head near his.

Rhia shook her head slightly, a small grin on her face as she watched the Faemice for a moment. It was a good thing she brought them with when she thought about it; they helped lighten her brooding nature at times. She reached over to the small table near the headboard of the bunk and grabbed her sunglasses; slipping them on as she turned and exited the room.

Stretching her arms above her head and causing her hands to brush the ceiling, she wandered down the hall to the door. It dawned on her then that someone knocked; someone had actually come here and knocked on her ship. Clicking her tongue against the roof or her mouth softly in annoyance, she stood in front of the door and punched the button on the keypad that started the door opening.


Two large ears twitched and a furry head nosed its way from its hold within Sukku's backpack. Voices had woken Forte up, so he was very curious as to see and know what was going on. Looking over his shoulder before twisting around - and thus freeing his wings - he pressed his cold nose against the back of his charge�s neck.

"W'a's go'ng on?" the Faemouse asked sleepily. Sukku had jumped slightly, her train of thought broken as she was touched by cold. She gave a nervous laugh. She contemplated whether to tell her furry friend or not...he might not understand; she bit her lower lip.

Metta stole the words from her mouth.

"She's gonna see if whoever the person in this ship here is her mother!" replied the faerie with a harumph. Slow people tended to make her irritable. Forte wasn't slow though, he was just attempting to keep himself conscious

"Oh..." he said not fully understanding anyway. "Kin I watch?"

Again, she went to answer him, only to be cut off - but this time it wasn't by Metta. The door before them had moved.

And was still moving.

Someone was answering the door, she realized. Sukku was caught between staring and turning half her body and running. She was torn; she had no idea what to do! She had wanted to see her mother all these years, but when it really came down to it, she was damned terrified of seeing her! Her eyes shut and she clasped her hands, spewing out what seemed like an intelligible greeting.

"HelloI'mSukkubusAndIWasJustWonderingWhetherYouKnowMyMotherRhia?"


Rhia blinked a few times as the door touched the ground, creating a ramp of sorts, and a young woman was presented to her. She seemed to have creatures with her that were oddly like the ones Rhia had; Paddy and Pyra, and then Malus who was God knew where.

Rhia lifted one arm and leaned her forearm against the metal doorframe, her hand hanging limply as her fingers toyed with one another. Whatever the girl had just said, the demoness hadn't caught a word of it and looked rather irritated. For a moment she was just going to tell the child to ******** off when what she had said started to slowly sink in. Everything went in one of her large ears and out the other, except two key points in the run together sentence.

I'm Sukkubus.

My mother Rhia.

Her eyes narrowed behind the thick, black lenses and for a moment she stood, silently staring down at the girl's fox ears and the bushy tail behind her. She tried to call forth a mental image of her daughter as she had been seven years ago, back in the Haven, but she suddenly couldn't. Though on the outside she remained passive and pissed off looking, inside she felt a sudden jolt of uneasiness. She couldn't even remember her daughter's face now...

Sukku wandered down the hallway towards her mother's room, a small, red book clutched in her arms. It was nighttime, and the child - no more than six or seven years of age - was almost asleep on her feet. As she stopped in front of the door, she grasped the cold metal of the doorknob and pushed the door inwards a little. Poking her head in, she blinked her large, sleepy eyes, "Mama?"

"Come on in, hun." Rhia, a much different looking one, sat on the bed with the covers drawn up to her waist; the night lamp at her side casting a warm, golden glow across the room. She smiled, her blue eyes sparkling dully, as her daughter shuffled over to the bed and set the book down onto it.

"Did I wake you?" She asked softly, climbing onto the bed to sit near her mother's feet.

"No, it's alright. I was already awake." Rhia ran a hand through her short, pale pink hair and patted the bed beside her. Su silently complied and crawled over to her mother, taking the book along with her. She slid under the covers as Rhia held them up for her and snuggled close to her mother's warmth. At that moment both of them turned their eyes towards the window as there was a flash of light, followed shortly by a deep rumbling sound.

Su blinked, her eyes widening slightly, and Rhia smiled; gently smoothing the girl's hair. "It's alright, the storm will pass soon. Is that why you came, or did you want me to read the book?"

At her mother's words, Su calmed down slightly and smiled, handing the book over. She slid down under the covers more, until just her head was visible, and she rested it against her mother's shoulder. Rhia's large fox ears flicked back and forth for a moment before she opened the book to where a metal bookmark sat, the shiny surface engraved with strange symbols and started to read softly...

Rhia blinked a few times, her hand slowly lowering from the doorframe as she looked down at the young girl, Sukkubus.

Her daughter.

Seven years... gods, it had been so long. She hadn't even been sure she would recognize her daughter if they ever met, but now she realized that after the initial confusion she would know her daughter's face anywhere. But that wasn't what hurt her right then. The realization that her daughter had grown into a beautiful young woman without her hurt; she had done fine on her own. Just as the demoness knew she would. But it wasn't the same now, she couldn't just scream "Daughter!" and then cling to the girl. She couldn't just accept her and pretend everything was alright. Not now, not anymore, too many things had happened. She had changed too much...

"Rhia you say?" She finally said, her voice flat and unemotional. Her wings rose slightly behind her and her tail swayed in the air as she ran her tongue over her lip piercings. She had to be careful, she didn't want the girl going crazy when she found out that she was indeed the Rhia... or at least she had been in her past life. She cleared her throat before speaking again, "My name is Rhia, and I... once knew a Sukkubus."


If you seal your eyes tightly and keep them shut that way, even if it's for a small amount of time, they begin to ache.

And if you say a run-on at two times the speed of a normal person, you tend to need air.

So quite slowly, Sukku's eyes flickered open, unfocused as she looked at the young woman before her. She let out a slow breath, and as she inhaled, she felt somewhat light headed. Her fox ears flickered and perked upwards as she straightened, relaxing slightly but still retaining the look of a deer caught in the headlights.

She licked her lips and tried to tear her eyes from the woman before her. It seemed ages before her appearance sunk in, and even more time to register that this was not her mother. It just...couldn't be. She not only didn't look like the mother she had had, but she didn't feel like her either. If one's stomach could drop any lower, Sukku's did.

And it took her heart down with it.

Tears could be so instantaneous - they just...came up out of nowhere. She clenched her jaw and swallowed them and any possible sob that dared attempt make its way from her throat. Her heart. She would not cry. She would not cry. She would not cry.

During this short time, Metta had watched the two's actions in rapt silence, knowing enough that something like this should never be interrupted. Her pale hands clenched slightly as her sheer wings ceased fluttering, and in doing so, the fae-child glided her way towards the backpack upon Sukku's back. She would not interfere with something she knew nothing about. She may have been rude, but she would never be that rude. The tiny faerie retreated into a pocket upon the bag.

Forte, however, was peeking over Sukku's shoulder curiously, his ears comically high. His oil-black eyes stared in awe of the many 'shiny things' this Rhia contained. He let out a chittery giggle, ducking down and staring in an entertained fashion at the woman.

Sukku sniffed and attempted to compose herself. Alright...just leave. It was easy enough, but she couldn't. And it was a good thing her motor skills stopped working at that moment.

She...her name's Rhia? She knew...a Sukkubus?

Her bright tail wavered and began swaying back and forth. The fox child stood in her spot, but was sorely tempted to leap forward an interrogate the woman until her ears fell off. She swallowed, almost choked, and offered a warm - but confused - smile.

"Um...r-really? I um..." her tongue was caught. What could she say? She had no idea to respond! It wasn't as if this happened everyday! "I...I'm sorry for bothering you and coming unannounced. I just...I was hoping to find my mother and I...I guess...well, you see, my friend Zay - er, Zarien - told me to come here and he um, well...he said that I'd find my mother..."

She held up her hands.

"B-but, I crashed here, so it might not be the planet he told me about. And! And...and well, I just...I thought you were - this is gonna sound so silly 'cause you look so young! - but, but...I thought you were my..." she trailed off meekly.

"...my mum."

She fell silent and took her lower lip into her mouth, her dulling dark amber eyes boring into the ground. She sniffed again.

"Again...I apologize for bothering you, Miss R...Rhia. I should...go now."


Rhia ran her tongue in between her lower jaw and her cheek, watching Su and her companions from behind her sunglasses. If it wasn't her daughter, she sure as hell looked close. Though it had been about seven years, one could only change so much during the course of that time. And normally they stayed recognizable.

When the girl mentioned Zarien the demoness's long ears perked slightly, causing the hoops in them to clink together softly. Gods be damned, so it was her daughter...

Rhia wasn't exactly sure if she should be happy or pissed off that her daughter was here. She sure as hell was angry with Zarien for sending Su here, but she couldn't really blame the girl for coming; she did apparently want to find her mother. But that was just it... was she really the girl's mother anymore?

Her eyes flickered for a moment and her lips instinctively pressed together, searching for the cigarette that was for once non existent. She wasn't this young woman's mother. She wasn't! She couldn't be, she was so different from how she had been before, when she had loved and cared, how could she possibly explain to Su what had happened to her? The fact of the matter was she couldn't, she was not the same person Su remembered, and so she simply wouldn't say anything more.

"Yes, you should go." She said flatly, her face hiding any emotion she was feeling. Just as she turned away from the girl, a small, blue blur flew by her head, followed by two squeaking forms; one flying and one running. The blue blur - a small, long-haired faerie - laughed merrily as he zigzagged through the air, Pyra close on his tail and Paddy scampering along the ground after them.

"Come oooon," He called; his butterfly like wings beating extremely fast. "You almost have me!"

Pyra, who seemed to be having as much fun as he was, though she was at least three times his size, flitted after him and squeaked happily. Paddy, who was the only one on the ground, seemed to be having slightly less fun than the other two, but still was happy enough to keep up the chase.

Malus, the faerie boy, zipped past Su's head; sparing only mere inches. Pyra on the other hand, gave the girl's head at least a foot of extra room. Paddy raced past her feet only to skid to a halt a few feet later, craning his head around to blink curiously at the fox ******** hell," Rhia muttered, her shoulders heaving slightly in an aggravated sigh. She clenched her jaw muscle for a moment before yelling to the trio, Get your asses back in here, you better not have woken up Kenshi you little nuisances!"

Malus and Pyra stopped abruptly and turned back to Rhia; Pyra's ears drooping and a sheepish look on the little faerie's face. Paddy blinked a few times and his head lowered along with his ears. So much for their game...


Words hurt as much as a physical blow, even if they weren't meant to be mean.

Sukku's hands had become unbearably clammy; they pressed together for warmth, but gained none. She hadn't any to spare. Her lip almost bled, she bit it so hard as the woman called Rhia agreed she should go. She should. She should. But...

She couldn't.

In her heart, she didn't want to.

Pressing her lips together and running her tongue over them, a forlorn and distraught looking Su nodded, turning around to head back to camp. She was stalled however, as a blueish blur shot by her face, followed by a red one. Sukku side stepped, thoroughly surprised, and almost tripped over backwards over another creature as it came barreling after the others. She couldn't even say anything, because at that moment, her backpack began thrashing.

Or more like, Forte began thrashing.

The abrupt motion caused her to yelp in surprise, twisting around to look back at the giant rodent squirming within her backpack. He looked thoroughly excited, his black wings unfurling and his large ears twitching frantically. Finally, with all the motion that ensued, he tumbled from the bag and were it not for his aerial abilities would have landed in an ungraceful heap on the ground.

Metta on the other hand, was wrestled from her pocket, her hair mussy and her brows furrowed deeply. Pulling herself from the folds as Sukku dropped the bag, she stood in a weak sort of fashion atop the canvas, lips parting slowly.

"Forteeeeee!" she crowed, fists kneading her hips. Her sheer wings quivered with annoyance as she stormed over to the faemouse...on her feet. Honestly. That meant she was really mad. Forte ambled towards Paddy in an excited manner, since he was the closest one. Craning his neck forward, his nose wiggling, he looked at Paddy with doleful black eyes, ears arched upwards in glee despite Rhia's apparent anger...or annoyance.

She knew she was supposed to be leaving...but she couldn't help herself. Sukkubus turned and smiled as well, watching the little fiasco in a child-like manner: curiously intrigued. She giggled.

"Seems we have similar, um, friends," she said gently, padding up and kneeling behind her winged mouse.


Rhia's ears twitched in annoyance at Su's remark and the whole situation in general. God damn little vermin, they pissed her off so easily.

She should have left them back home to torture Zarien and Azy...

The demoness dug into one of the pockets in her pants to produce a slightly crumpled pack of cigarettes. She hadn't meant to fall asleep with them still in her pocket, but hopefully they were still usable. Extracting one, she examined it to make sure it wasn't bent before sticking it into her mouth between two of the piercings in her lip; the end lighting when she brushed the pad of her index finger across it. Her large ears were perked slightly, listening for sounds inside the ship. So far, she didn't hear anything except Kenshi's deep and even breathing, so thankfully the little buggers hadn't woken the boy up.

Meanwhile, Paddy's small eyes widened and he let out a loud squeak as Forte approached; his ears swept back and his tail stiff. He whirled away from the strange Faemouse after only a second or two and scurried over to Pyra as she flitted to the ground, her own ears pricked curiously. Paddy halted next to her, his large eyes silently questioning Forte and the older creature smiled, gently patting Paddy's shoulder.

"It okay, Paddy." She said in her highly squeaky voice. The purple Faemouse was so far the only one Pyra called by his actual name, and no one knew exactly why that was. The two Faemice stood side by side and waited to see what the newcomer would do next; Pyra smiling merrily and Paddy looking wary and somewhat frightened, though less so now that Pyra had reassured him.

Malus hovered in the air a moment longer, until that is, his clear azure eyes caught sight of Metta. He ran all ten of his slender fingers through his absurdly long hair, the appendages getting caught in more than a few tangles, before he lazily flitted down to her; his opalescent wings looking as if they beat a hundred times a minute. As he landed, he brushed his bright hair back over his shoulders and bowed deeply to the other faerie, causing a few of the shorter, cerulean stands to fall across his forehead.

"Hello, milady." He said softly, his right hand taking one of hers and bringing it to his lips. He placed a soft kiss onto the back of her hand, his lips barely even brushing against her skin before he released it and raised his head. A small, decorous grin lit his slightly feminine features as he spoke again, "My name is Malus, and you are?"

Rhia, her order momentarily forgotten, simply snorted as she took the cigarette from her mouth and blew smoke towards the sky. Wonderful, her pack of insane creatures was socializing with other insane creatures. That's all she needed, more overgrown rats traipsing about her ship and another faerie flying here and there; though she highly doubted this one would act as if it were James Bond.

Five minutes, tops, then she'd herd them all back into the ship and let the girl be on her merry way. She could deal with her pets, and even the masque boy and the faerie, but the last thing the demoness wanted right now was more 'friends'. In fact, that was probably the last thing she wanted ever; friends were always bad, and brought nothing but pain and hardship. It hadn't even taken her a third of her life to figure that one out, and she'd be damned (not that she wasn't already damned, mind you) to go through that particular hell again.


Forte looked so excited he could have wet himself.

The faemouse became thoroughly puzzled when Paddy retreated, a tad too oblivious to become offended with the act. Instead, he leaned back, wire-ball tail slowing considerably in its wag, and his black wings folding; one, long ear flicked.

"Harro!" he said abruptly, his voice containing a buzz. "I's Forte! I mouse too, yoo see?" The male mouse's ears flapped, a wide and rather silly grin spreading over his face. "Nice meet yoo...wha's yer names?" Ears laying back and tail falling still, Forte tilted his head and sat quietly (finally), making it seem as though he couldn't handle mental thought and physical movement at the same time.

Metta, on the other hand, crushed her tirade to a dull roar before silencing it completely. Cheeks flushed, she gave Forte's back a raspberry before turning and almost running into Malus, who had flitted down before her. She was taken aback with surprise, her tawny eyes widening marginally and her sheer wings arching back to catch her if she dared fall.

One second, an angry flush had stained her cheeks, the next it was replaced by a flattered blush. She practically glowed when he kissed her hand in a gentleman-like manner. Something she did not expect, but when she did a retake and realized he was indeed a fae like herself, she didn't much expect anything less.

Despite this, the faerie girl curtsied gracefully, dipping her head. "I-It's nice to meet you, Malus," she said politely, becoming modest and almost nervous; a unusual transition from her head-strong personality. "My name is Metta...."

Sukkubus watched, laughing a bit at what was taking place. Getting up, she moved back to her backpack, picking up the limp and forlorn looking bag, before digging into it. She extracted a bundle of cloth and pressed her palms against it, letting out brief sigh of relief.

She's fine...

Uncovering her white mask, Sukku wrapped the scarf around her hip and placed her delicate item between her leg and the cloth. She made a makeshift bag as she did this, making sure the mask was secure. Finishing, she made her way back to Forte, although her eyes were trained on Rhia. She wanted to know so much more, but this woman didn't look like one who would be open to talking. Sukkubus felt so helpless now...she had no way of finding out whether this woman could be her mother...with a solemn face and her honey hued eyes inquisitive from behind her glasses, her look was reminiscent to the ones she gave newcomers at the Haven when she was a child.


Pyra's large smile remained on her face, though Paddy was still not too sure about the newcomer. The red creature pointed to herself, and then pointed to Paddy as she named them both, "Hi-Hi. I Pyra, he Paddy. Nice meet you too!"

Her ears were pricked and her wings fluttered, even though she wasn't flying; she seemed very happy to have met another Faemouse. Paddy's ears were still folded back against his skull, his tail hanging limp behind him and his small, black eyes trained warily on Forte. Pyra gently patted his head again, giving him a reassuring smile before looking back over to the shadow Faemouse, "You live here too?"

Not even three yards away, the two small Faeries seemed like experts at conversation when compared to the larger, slightly clumsy Faemice. Malus seemed extremely interested in Metta, and thought that perhaps it would have been wise to tie his hair back for once, for at the moment it merely gave him a twinge of annoyance every time it slid in front of his eyes or became entangled in his wings.

"Metta, what an enchanting name," He purred softly, his crisp eyes sparkling. "Surely we have not met before, for I would have remembered beauty such as yours."

In typical Malus fashion, he shot her a wide, dazzling smile full of straight, white teeth. It had been a fair amount of time since he had seen another as small as himself, and he was quite pleased the first one he saw was female. "May I ask how long you're going to be staying in my immediate vicinity?"

Rhia watched the whole scene with less interest than one would have thought possible; her cigarette slowly burning down to nothing as she repeatedly took long drags from it and blew the smoke towards the sky. Her ears perked slightly at the sight of the white masque Su was holding, but that was the only indication that she had even noticed it.

So, they dragged her into this ******** mess too. She thought ironically, a flash of anger coming to life inside her at the thought. Not them, per say, Zarien was the one that told her to come here. He was so going to pay when she got off this mudhole of a planet and back to her own home.

The demoness suddenly flinched slightly as there was a soft crash from inside the ship, her ears flicking violently as the sound reverberated painfully through her skull. She turned away from the group outside and peered down the hall, her tail twitching.

Rhia?

She felt a slight pressure lift from her gut as she heard the masque boy call to her, a silent sigh of relief coming from her parted lips before she glared down that hall, "Kenshi, what the ******** did you do?"

I did nothing, I was sleeping. The samurai stepped out into the hall from the sleeping quarters, his armor still missing and a small grey cat cradled in his arms. He looked back into the room and then over to Rhia, his azure eyes still a little groggy from sleep and now a hint of confusion. There are more Faemice in here, they knocked some things over.

"Ah, I figured some of them would hatch soon." She commented softly, glancing back to the others before stepping inside and walking up to Kenshi. She peered into the room and found four Faemice sitting in the middle of the room and looking at her as if they had done nothing. She would have almost believed their small, innocent faces... had there not been countless items strewn about the floor around them. Two appeared to be exactly the same in every way except for a mark in the shape of a hand that was on their stomach; one had a left handprint and the other had a right handprint. The other had... a ******** candle on its head, and the last one seemed to have sparkle-like spots on its green body and antennae.

"I'll deal with you four later," She growled, causing all eight ears to droop and all four faces to fall sadly. She reached out and absently rubbed Kenshi's back affectionately, a gesture she had not done to anyone in a long, long time. "Did you get enough sleep?"

Yes, I'm fine.

"Good, you can come with me and try to round up the others." She turned and walked down the hall, followed by Kenshi and, in his arms, the small cat. Walking down the short ramp and onto the ground outside, she adjusted her sunglasses and placed her hands on her hips. Kenshi followed and stood by her side, looking rather tiny next to the winged demoness. As his bright eyes landed on Su, he smiled slightly behind his masque and gave her a small wave, causing the cat to mewl halfheartedly at having been disturbed.


Smiling in a manner that could have melted any's heart, Forte nodded his head vigorously, causing his ears to flap. At the geniality that emanated from Pyra, the white and blue faemouse inched forward, his tail bobbing at his backside.

"Nice to meet Pyrrra!" he stressed, head cocked to the side. "N' Paddy too! N' yah, I live herr too!" He began bounding around the two, his black wings fluttering. He plunked down behind them and pawed the ground, looking up at Sukku, whose eyes were currently fixated on the owner of Paddy and Pyra. He shrugged and with a sudden idea brought on by his whimsical state of mind (plus earlier's incident) Forte nudged both faemice and scrambled back before crying out, "Yerr it!"

With a heavy flap, the mouse took into the air and circled around their heads, letting out a childish laugh.

Metta, on the other hand, seemed to be feeding her ego with every word leaving Malus's lips. Her usual - how would you say? - bitchy demeanor left at the drop of a hat, and was replaced by...could you call her polite as of now? Great transition. Then again, she was in the company of her own kind...and not lowly humans.

She bit back the sneer that would have scarred her face just then.

"Why thank you," she replied, dipping her head slightly, and brushing the strands of her hair that impeded her vision. "And as long as I may, if it's alright with you."

Her coral pink lips smiled and her words hinted slightly at the fact that no one could control a faerie, therefore she wouldn't leave this area even if Sukkubus told her to. She'd love to see her try though; her eyes lit up deviously at the thought.

The halfling girl watched as Rhia left for a moment, wondering briefly if she was always that rude. Her cheeks colored at the thought and she looked towards her feet, biting the corner of her lips. That was mean of me... Although it seemed to be a nice day out, a chill stole over her slight frame and caused her tail to bristle.

This...could be her mother. Although this Rhiannon was somewhat rude and maybe cruel, a little cold and cynical and.. - oh, back to the topic - she just wished it were her. She had spent such a long time searching, going through hell and back, just to find her mother. If only she could, if only she could be held for only the briefest of moments by her...

...It wouldn't make her feel so empty.

Her arms came up instinctively to wrap around her mid section. Honey eyes were averted to some far off spot, ears hanging lankly at the sides of her head. She didn't even hear when Forte laughed and shot into the air, or even when Metta chattered happily to Malus. Blood drummed within her ears loudly, color rushing to her face again.

All this for nothing. Not a hint, not a clue...

There was one similarity between the two women, though: their silent vows to strangle Zarien whenever they got off of this planet.

Looking up, Sukku smiled at the sight that graced her eyes. She did, however, crush the jealousy that coiled within the pit of her stomach. This woman wasn�t her mother! What did she care if another child stood at her side without feeling the awkwardness she felt now.

"Hiya, Kenshi," she greeted kindly, grinding her former thoughts into a fine powder. "Hope you're alright." She nodded briefly, brushing her blonde hair from her face. With a thought as sudden as Forte's, she scooped up her belongings (that weren't alive) and took several steps back, avoiding ever looking at Rhiannon.

"Y-yes, well," she began unsteadily, before pressing monotony into her voice. "I should go now. I'm very sorry for ever disturbing you, miss. Take care. 'Bye Kenshi."

This came out from stiffened lips and dead-panned eyes. She didn't say much to her other companions; they knew enough that if Rhiannon wanted them gone, they'd leave faster than she could shoot a curse at them. And plus, Sukku didn't want her own heart wrenching emotions to keep the others from having their fun. Turning sharply, she began to exit the area at a fast walk, just before breaking out into a full sprint, lying to herself.

What burned her eyes was nothing but the wind. She wasn't crying. She wasn't crying.


Paddy, still looking slightly wary of Forte, turned in a circle so his face was always pointed at the shadow Faemouse as he circled around them. Being skittish by nature and prone to distrusting everyone (even Rhia, whom he still held a good amount of fear for), he didn't want to let the larger Faemouse out of his sight for a single moment.

Pyra on the hand, seemed extremely delighted to have found another Faemouse aside of the ones she lived with, and her small black eyes sparkled happily. She watched Forte curiously as he scampered around them, her large ears perked and her tail still. As he nudged them both, Paddy let out a high pitched yelp that made the fire Faemouse jump. When Forte spoke a wide grin spread across her face and her wings quivered before she too shot into the air after him. Paddy, letting out a soft whimpering sound at being left behind, sat undecided for a moment before bounding across the ground after the two in flight.

"It is quite alright with me, my dear. A Fae as fair as you may stay as long as she wishes it." Malus crooned softly to Metta, his voice deep and rich. His bright eyes sparkled mischievously and he reached out again, grasping her hand and gently pulling her closer so he could fan her neck with his warm breath. He grinned and lightly touched his lips to her ear, "Mayhap we might find a more quiet, secluded place to continue this conversation. What say you to this, milady?"

The Fae didn't really wait for an answer as he used his free hand to brush countless strands of azure hair over his shoulder; his butterfly like wings once again beating faster than the eye could see. He took to the air, gently but firmly insisting that Metta follow him as he refused to allow her hand to slip from his. Within only a few moments, both of the small Faeries had disappeared from sight.

Kenshi smiled to Su, but felt something in the air. Something between Rhia and the girl, and it wasn't quite right. He stroked Amaya's head, eliciting a deep purr from her, and cast his eyes towards the tall woman at his side. She seemed to be staring intently at the girl, but there was something that he saw in her expression that puzzled him for a moment.

Are you alright, Rhia? He asked softly after Su had spoken and turned to leave. Rhia stood still as she watched the girl leave, what was left of her cigarette smoldering between her lips.

It was Su, her daughter.

And she was just letting her leave; walk away without knowing who it really was she had just met. But it was different now. She was different, she had to stop thinking about how things had been and start focusing on how things were. She exhaled loudly through her nose, causing smoke to stream out from her nostrils, and turned her head to look down at Kenshi.

It's different now, there was no going back. If she reminded herself of this enough times perhaps it would stop hurting so much...

"Round up the vermin when you get a chance, okay? I have a headache and don't want to be bothered with that." Without another word she turned and stepped into the ship. The masqued boy looked after her for awhile, even when she was no longer in sight; his brows drawn together and his lips pressed into a thin frown behind his masque.

Something was definitely amiss here, but he couldn't place his finger on it...