Ayame had grown quiet, though occasionally a fresh wave of anger would wash over him and his tails would lash. He had grown frustrated with the information dump, unsure what to think when the world he had been told about was vastly different. The world his parents had spoken of before they sealed themselves away was one of prejudice and hatred, and now this group challenged that memory. These people claimed to belong to a world he had only dreamed of, and he wasn't sure if he was willing to risk the safety of people he was entrusted with to discover if they spoke the truth.
Yet, a part of him was curious, and it showed as he intensely watched Coralie and Samhain. It seemed the mention of Tomoe only grew to irritate him, mouth tightening harshly as he bit back some very ill-chosen words. They had no clue the amount of damage this nervous wreck they seemed to be fond of had done. This barrier issue was his fault, and Ayame wasn't about to forgive the small man anytime soon. Finally, a question arrived that causes him to nod immediately.
"Yes." He stated, firmly. "To protect our people we would have to deal with anyone who broke the sacred law, whether it be Meimu or Tomoe. I feel I've proven this point already, as Tomoe is faintly related to me anyway. Our duty comes first."
He had grown quiet after, allowing the hallowed hybrid to speak. Finally, at the question to sit someone more comfortable and receive medical attention he turned to look at Nagoro, raising an eyebrow in question. "We can offer healing assistance." He tentatively offered, eyes drifting to the Priestess briefly to confirm she might help as well. She offered a faint nod. There, that was settled. For now.
Then, Bebe spoke.
His eyes snapped to her, having grown mildly interested whenever she spoke. It seemed Bebe had a better grasp on their view of the situation, which was especially helpful due to Ayame's dislike of explaining his own thoughts and opinions to outsiders. Ruby eyes watched her critically, body relaxing ever so slightly at each following word. There it was again, the promise the outside world was safe. His eyes drew towards the darkness behind the newcomers before rolling back to scan over the group, landing back on Harley.
She really shouldn't be standing there if the world he had been told about still existed.
Callixtus had begun fumbling about with their words, leaving a mild irritation in Ayame's belly. He wasn't a patient sort, but he stood there, doing his best to calm his twitching tails as he waited. Finally, Bebe approached, flipping the .... camera (that was far more advanced then he knew, but it resembled a camera.... right?) towards him. Stepping close enough to practically touch Bebe, the 6'5 man loomed over the camera, watching as each picture flipped through. He made room for Nagoro to join him, grunting softly.
"So it seems." He admitted to Bebe, watching each picture with fascination. At times, he'd flick his eyes up to confirm someone within a picture was still in the group, mentally logging away faces.
Someone new had finally spoken, and Ayame was caught from his trance, head snapping up to lock in on Fidel. Destiny? Slowly, he glanced at Tomoe, snorting at the thought of it. This man? The one who had clumsily ruined almost every festival and failed almost every test? He didn't protest, instead watching as Tomoe had turned his gaze to Fidel with an almost shocked expression. It was clear Tomoe hadn't considered he was of any use to the universe, his confidence at an all time low.
Destiny, huh? Ayame wasn't so quick to agree, but he allowed the Fey's addition to the conversation to file away quietly in his brain.
He wasn't too delighted when Zahneel spoke, his distaste for her showing as his mouth tightened and pulled back. The questions she posed left a sour taste in his mouth, eyes narrowing harshly. Now, normally, he'd never give a response, but the hot-tempered man was not quite fond of the grimm and wanted nothing more then to silence her for the time being.
"That isn't your concern." He hissed, ears pulling back. Admitting to the weakness of their people? He wasn't about to do it.
"We are running out of stones." The Priestess offered, voice reaching through the crowd. Ayame's body tensed, eyes flicking away as he bit back a response. It was clear what she said had shamed him, arms folding and body distancing himself from the camera.
"We won't survive much longer, even if we were to let all of you go and resume our peaceful lives. I predict we have another twenty years, perhaps thirty if we continue to watch over the amount of stones we use per imbuing."
Silence followed, in which Tomoe had lowered his head mournfully. The weight of what the Priestess had said left Ayame mute for the time being, his eyebrows furrowed in frustration. He seemed to have shut off, refusing to make eye contact with any of the members and locking himself back into a cold and frigid anger.
Luckily, Callixtus spoke once more, prompting Ayame's curiosity in the camera to return. He stayed with his head turned and arms folded, but his eyes flicked to watch the elf. Tambre interrupted his train of thought, watching he pull out a picture and stepping aside for Nagoro to take it, instead focusing on the hybrid's words. A few months before she never thought she'd be friends with certain races, how new was this peace?
Her last statement seemed to interest him, mouth tightening slightly as he mulled it over. Get to know them. They'd be stuck within this forest, anyway, it couldn't hurt to get to know the names they loved dearly or the world they claimed to hail from. It wasn't like they were going anywhere.
Now, what the hell were the intruders doing, again?
He had almost missed the part where they had begun grabbing each others hands, too focused on who said what and the claims they made. Now, he stepped back, fully taking in just what was happening. Blinking, all anger left his body as instead a mildly irritated but briefly amused smile touched his face.
What the hell were they doing?
Caught briefly in his amusement, he startled easily as a new face spoke, head jerking to make eye contact with Xerxes. An impossible situation. That was the first thing he could 100% agree with.
Tomoe hadn't expected to be reached out to, jumping as a hand gently touched his. He wasn't about to deny Rei's offer, though, accepting her hand gently and wrapping small fingers around hers. Comforting. This was at least something to stop, briefly, his panicking. Squeezing her hand gently in gratitude, it seemed Tomoe had finally snapped out of his previous state, eyes flicking up to the group.
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 6:13 pm
Nagoro listened as Coralie explained herself, though he had nothing more to respond with. He was busy taking in her words and thinking about them - mulling them over... She - and many of the others - had made it seem so easy to just... open their borders and integrate with the rest of the world without anything bad happening. There were always drawbacks to such huge change, and he needed to know what they were before he could come to a conclusion.
He turned his attention back to Samhain, then over to Ayame and nodded. "Yes, I am the head healer in our village." He responded after a moment of consideration. "Bring your injured to the front if they are capable of movement. I will cast a circle." As Bebe spoke up and offered the pictures, Nagoro joined Ayame in moving forward to see them. This... camera was very different from their own, but it certainly served its purpose. They didn't even need to wait for the film to develop. Interesting... "So far I think you understand where we are coming from better than your companions. Perhaps it is because your people had a similar situation..." He nodded, vaguely looking over a few more of the pictures while he considered...
This group at least seemed to be getting along. They were even... gathering hands? What a strange display of affection. It... helped, though. He turned his gaze to Fidel, listening as the Fey spoke of destiny and Tomoe's potential role in it. Was it possible? He had already concluded that this event was inevitable. Perhaps... it was. Destiny that Tomoe would perform such a colossal mistake that would expose them to the world before they were ready, but possibly when they needed it.
Zahneel spoke up again, and Nagoro's ears flattened back against his head a little. "Respect is something that you automatically show for your fellow person, and actions retract from it. I will repeat once more that Meimu was doing his duty to scare off intruders." He narrowed his eyes, though quieted as she mentioned the dwindling population. Ayame clearly disliked talking about it, but the Priestess answered the question for him. Not that she needed to... there was no denying that the end was drawing close for them.
"It is as she states. Our population is dwindling, as it tends to happen when isolation occurs." He trailed off, eyes sliding back over to Bebe. How had her race survived in isolation..? They had the addition of the Naga he had yet to see, he supposed....
Tambre drew his attention next. He took the picture she offered, though remained focused on what she was saying. "There are enough of you here to cause suspicion if you all recount the same story." He stated in response to her initial question. He held the picture back out for her to take.. He knew about Chimera from his own family - a race of isolationists that only dealt with the outside world when they needed to. It was not that surprising to hear that she held such beliefs about other races. Unlike the Chimera though, his people did not have the advantage of mountain seclusion to keep outsiders out for very long if they were to remove the barrier...
His attention was drawn next to Gaius - he... couldn't tell what this boy was. Perhaps another Hallowed? "That is true, but if we were to release you and you were to tell tales of what you saw... more of you would return, in greater numbers, with the sole intent of magically removing the barrier. Though it has been tried in the past, I do not think it has ever been tried in earnest. Whether it would withstand such strain, I do not know, nor do I want to find out." He shook his head a little. Honestly if Tomoe had had the best intentions for Naoki and Meimu, he should have asked a fellow villager for assistance... it wasn't as if they were unfriendly or unhelpful...
He fell silent for a moment, looking over the group, then finally to Ayame and the Priestess.
"It seems that we have considering to do. The Hallowed Grimm is correct, we cannot stay out in the forest like this forever. We should take them to the outskirts of the village for now and let them rest. Treat their wounded. We will deal with Tomoe later. We need to discuss this with the others on the council." He nodded, motioning with one hand back in the direction they had come from.
Niamh's body relaxed at Nagoro's words. No, they weren't out of this yet, and no Tomoe wasn't for sure safe yet but... This was so much better. They were considering the words they all had said, they were even not killing Tomoe right away. She turned her head to Xerxes, and gave him a hopeful smile, her eyes bright with hope. "We'll make it through this..." She whispered to her new friend, and bounced on her toes, before turning her head to face the elders again. "Is there room for us all, for the night, or will we need to set our tents up, sirs?" She tried to be more respectful, now that she was no longer so terrified.
Tangled Puppet
Nepsah
Yushika
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 6:56 pm
Samhain felt like collapsing down on the ground, glad that his request had been met favorably. Finally things where changing and even better some one that had a better grasp at healing than he did would look at his friends. They could get healed, and it looked like things where finally calming down, which was good. His throat was starting to hurt from all the talking he had done today… and it had been him and not Salem. However he still had to hold it together because Harley had run over to him for help. Maybe it was just because he was a friendly face but that didn’t matter. Still he nibbled at his lip as he looked back to where Tomoe was. He knew talking about the man seemed to upset the elders but… he remembered too many incidences where he had screwed as a little kid and what had followed with angry people.
“I don't know your procedure is for people in Tomoe's position but while you are deciding… can he stay with us while you wait to figure out how to deal with him?” Samhain asked keeping all the nervousness out of his voice. He worried about how the village would treat the kumiho if this was how the elders treated him. He didn't want an angry villager taking out any frustration with the boy.
Tambre took back the picture and sighed, shaking her head a little. "If your stock of stones are dwindling, isn't it in your best interest as a society to reach out? Your people can't continue thriving without offspring. Maybe what Tomoe did is a veiled blessing." She bit her tongue a little, knowing what she was about to say might anger them, but she felt it needed to be said. "And excuse me for saying this, but just maybe what Tomoe did will be what ends up saving your people in the end. Is it really worth executing someone who might very well be who saves your people? Rather you agree with me or not, at least consider that what we're telling you is the truth. There is no more war or need to hide and we mean you no harm." She wasn't sure what good that argument would do since they were stubborn, but she was going to put it out there anyway.
Yushika
nepsah
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 7:26 pm
Nashira looked over her shoulder when Azure came behind her and hugged her and Cal, and the rest of their friends and smiled. She felt warm when she was with everyone. It was nice. As she listened more to the elders, she relaxed a little. When they finally agreed to heal those who were injured, she let out a heavy breath. With a glance to Bibi, she gave the other geist's hand a squeeze before releasing her hand to turn to Callixtus. "Will you be ok to walk?" She asked softly. "Samhain gave me some pain medication earlier, so you may lean on me if you need to." She offered to him before looking to Harley and Samhain. She reached out and placed a gentle hand on Harley's shoulder. She wasn't sure that she had any words for the girl just yet, but she wanted to let the other know she wasn't alone, and that she had done a wonderful thing today. She was proud to call Harley her friend, if the hybrid would allow her to call her as such.
Eyes turning to the elders, Nashira gave her head a slight bow. "Thank you." She said softly. "For at least agreeing to help us recover." She glanced at everyone, those injured and those not. "I hope in the morning when everyone is well rested, we can talk like rational adults." In truth, all the yelling everyone was doing earlier had really stressed Nashira out, more then the topic of never leaving. "I would love to hear more about your laws and customs." In fact, she wouldn't mind studying here, would the elders allow it. "It is a shame we can't organize an exchange program." she was talking mostly to herself, but also to the two elders. "I would not mind studying here."
Strawberri Stardust
Bibi
Obnoxious Obscurity
Callixtus
Nasaiki
Samhain
l Duckeh l
Bebe
ashes to the wind
Harley
-Ghastly Demise-
Azure
Yushika
elder
nepsah
elder
Lural
Shirtless Lunatic
Offline
Nuclear Noxi
Fashionable Trickster
Offline
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 7:56 pm
They weren't dying tonight, and by the sounds of it, they were getting healed too. Callixtus sighed in relief, barely managing not to burst into tears. Instead, he chuckled softly, overwhelmed by all the emotions he had dealt with in the past few minutes? Hours? How long have they even been here to begin with? It felt like days. "Oh. Umm, if you would like to look at more photos later, I think I might have some shots of the campus on there still . Err, I attend Grendel which is a university. I'm studying art... Umm." He mumbled to the frankly intimidating elder, still feeling quite awkward... But at least he wasn't having a panic attack. That was a definite improvement. "Err, I know that we were a very unpleasant and unwelcome surprise for you but, well, thanks for hearing us out, I guess."
He shrugged. Now that he wasn't shaking quite so bad, he took the camera back from Bebe, flashing her a small smile. "Thank you." Not only had she helped him with his camera, but her words also seemed to have saved their sorry selves. She had probably helped more than he ever could. He'd have to give her a hug or something later. For now... He turned his gaze to Nashira. "I am fine to walk." He said with a small smile. "As long as we don't have to climb over any more boulders." He chuckled softly and shook his head. "I suppose we ought to move to the front so we can get healed, I will be quite glad for the both of us to get patched up. Then I hope we get to rest after this. I am exhausted."
Yushika
Nepsah
lural
l Duckeh l
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 8:28 pm
Things seemed to be calming down. Less yelling, but things were still a bit tense. From her hiding place, she tried to listen but couldn't focus much on what everyone was saying. When Samhain addressed her, her large Imp ears perked up. She had her eyes closed as he talked, but as he praised her and reassured her, she slowly opened them to look at him. "I-I guess you're right..." She couldn't bring herself to smile at the complement, but she appreciated each word. And with the quick hug, she felt that he truly meant it.
There was another hug from Azure as they went on to talk about how much he cared and cherished them. Friends. Harley was happy that she meant enough to them to be considered a friend. They were all her friends too and if she had to be stuck here with anyone, she was glad it was her friends.
The hybrid was so caught up in all this that she didn't know if her tears were from fear or happiness. They were all starting to hold hands. Bebe showed them pictures from her camera and gently smiles touched their faces. She too had pictures of her mom and other family members from when she was a bit younger to show off. The Elders' words softened, though they seemed to remain firm in their decision. They even offered healing for those who needed it. Though as their talk moved to their cache of stones, she could see the worry on their faces.
With hiccups gone, she wiped the tears from her face. She rummaged in her pack and produced her phone. Nashira's hand on her should helped steady her nerves and her words gave her an idea. She approached the ruby eyed elder that seemed to eye her then most. Or maybe it was just her imagination, all eyes had seemed to be on her before she hid. "U-uh..." Her golden eyes were more glued to her phone than anything. "I h-have some pictures too.... If you want to look at them. They're just my family. M-more Kirin and vacation photos." Her voices got quieter as her uncertainty grew. Maybe she should have addressed the priestess. They seemed kinder.
"When my mom came to see what the outside world had to offer, she found many who were so helpful and curious about her culture. S-she was met with warm smiles and welcoming arms." She remembered the stories she would tell as she brushed her hair before bed. "W-what I'm trying to get at is.... She dug her cloven hooves into the ground nervously. "As N-nashira suggessted, what if their was an exchange program? Or host families for those who are skeptical?" She was hoping that she was making sense. "Since I'm a prime example of the outside's kindness, someone could come with me... If they wanted to!" Her face was growing hot as she talked, flustered and frustrated as she fought her urge to stay quiet.
Bridgette listened to the others and watched the elders. She moved closer and now was very neer her friends with how those who were holding her hand had moved. She watched and looked around. She nodded at what Tam said along with Rei and Aurora. She was worried about Rei and was glad she was with Aurora to help stay up right. She was rather tired too and thought sleep for all and healing for those who needed it sounded like a good idea. "It would be very greatly appreciated if you would help our injured and let us get some rest. And like the others have said if your souls stones are dwindling then maybe having some sort of trade with the outside might help to save people. Doesn't that count for something? It might help your children and grabdchildren and their children." She chewed on her lip and watched her friends and the others around here very worried. She looked at them and made sure they were doing alright by. She smiled over at Bibi who had started this hand holding that seemed to have confused the elders. She smiled and was glad Tomeo and Claire Had been included too. "Oh! An exchange could be really good for all to learn about each other and get to see the good sides of both."
yushika
nepsah
strawberri stardust
midnightglow18
Lady aria starstone
Kivras
verityhattress
koiasi
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 8:55 pm
Nagoro looked to Niamh, somewhat pleased that she was calmer now. He supposed the offer for a place to sleep helped with that. "No, there is no need. They are beyond the barrier and we are not going to open it again. We have space for you to stay." He shook his head in response. To Samhain's question, he spared a glance at Ayame and the two seemed to share an unspoken conversation before he nodded and looked back to Samhain.
"Tomoe will be permitted to stay with you. However, I will be placing a spell around the borders of your homestead that will activate if he leaves." He chose that moment to stare intently at the other Kumiho, notably neglecting to state exactly what would happen if Tomoe decided to leave. That was probably on purpose...
As the wounded were gathered to the front as he had instructed, the Elder began pacing in a circle on the outside of them, muttering incantations under his breath. The ground beneath them lit up in a circle with spiral patterns on the inside, then slowly dulled into a low glow. "If you remain within the circle, your wounds will heal over time. We will rest here a little to allow this to happen before setting off. More immediate healing can take place at the village." He then turned his attention to Tambre once more.
"We are considering it, that is why we will be calling for the other members of the council when we return. Talks will commence tonight on the future of our race, and your own fates." He nodded, eyes flicking to Nashira and Harley. "Please do not misunderstand, we have not stated that you are free to go or that we intend to open our barrier up permanently. We are simply moving you to a safer place for the night so that you may rest and recover from your injuries while we discuss what to do from here." As much of a miracle as Harley's existence was, he still needed to talk this over with the other village Elders. It wasn't something that his and Ayame's village could decide alone, despite being the top of the hierarchy.
"For now, sit in the circle and rest. We will begin moving when it is safe to do so." He nodded to the glowing pattern on the forest floor, then moved back to Meimu and Naoki, offering his hands to both of them.
[If your character was injured, state that they have moved into Nagoro's healing circle to remove that status now.]
nepsah Crew
Malevolent Mage
Offline
Lural
Shirtless Lunatic
Offline
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 9:01 pm
Nashira decided it was best not to point out that she hadn't actually suggested she herself wanted to leave. She would gladly stay a while to learn about the kumiho, and to try and teach them about the world beyond their boarders. But that was for another time. Instead, she moved into the circle with Callixtus and the others to be healed.
Yushika
elder
nepsah
elder
Obnoxious Obscurity
Callixtus
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 9:25 pm
It took all of Bebe's willpower to stay rooted to the spot and not edge away as the elders approached her. They stood almost uncomfortably close; Bebe didn't have a problem with personal space, but she was scared the elders might react poorly to the display. Conversely, it seemed that looking through the photos seemed to clam them slightly and lend weight to their arguments. She let out the smallest of sighs, before looking up into the eyes of the elder standing right beside her. At his comment on the history of the bakeneko, she bit her lip and shrugged slightly."We used to be nomads, but once we were caught within the swirling sands we were never alone, we had the naga. It sounds like.. it sounds like you knew what community was, but then it got torn away from you. That's... much harder to deal with than isolation from the start. I can't really claim to understand your people thanks to my culture and history,"she said softly, hoping she didn't come across as argumentative or dismissing."No matter what you decide, this forest is beautiful and... and I'm glad I came on this trip, still. I made friends and, well, meeting the remaining Kumiho has been an honour. And so exciting!"Some of her old self was returning and she turned excitedly to face the elders,"I know you have a lot to discuss with your people and you don't want us getting in the way, but maybe you could spare someone to tell me - us - more about your culture and history? I'd be so grateful!"She looked at them imploringly, her eyes wide with eagerness and delight at the idea of learning about a whole new race to her. Turning as Callixtus approached her, she smiled and delicately handed his camera back."The photos were a great idea, Cal! You're a real lifesaver,"she praised with a grin,"and I still expect copies of these photos if we ever get back!"It seemed the doom of their situation had already lifted from the energetic bakeneko. As the elders healed the various members of her group, Bebe's belief that they'd all misjudged the Kumiho seemed confirmed. They weren't cruel or unjust; here they were healing intruders who had sustained these injuries in an attempt to ruin their isolation. She smiled admiringly at the elders, though they must have been far too distracted to notice.
nepsah
i edited my post to respond to their comment on the bakeneko ! my bad
Yushika
Obnoxious Obscurity
grandma duckeh Crew
Vicious Lover
Offline
eldritch stardust
Kawaii Prophet
Offline
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 4:30 am
Listening to everyone around her, Zahneel found herself monumentally grateful for Bebe and her quick thinking sincerity. She'd turned tear filled eyes to Ayame, noting the body language that meant she'd pissed him off good and proper. Rather than argue, she merely shrugged sadly and whispered, "It kind of is if you're forcing us to stay here."
Except the priestess spoke up and Zahneel groaned and buried her face in her hands to hide away from the world for a moment. It was worse that the grimm pack, then. Because the Kumiho didn't have anyone like the nixie to help them survive. If they were facing extinction and only had fear-filled, hateful tales of the world outside to go by, she couldn't blame them for how they'd reacted to an unwanted invasion of students.
She was distracted again from her own thoughts when the other elder addressed her. Taking her hands from her face, she looked up and wiped brusquely at her eyes. Her tone, however, was as soft and respectful as anyone could have wished.
"I don't deny Meimu his right to be dutiful, Elder," she said, voice hiccup-y with held in sobs. "I simply wish he could have chosen a way that didn't result in an innocent creature, with no knowledge of your thoughts or ways, having bones broken. The frog knows nothing of your barrier or traditions after all. How is it fair or right to condemn it to pain and suffering? I can't take back what I called your grandson," she admitted. "Though I am sorry I let my anger at his actions be taken out on you and your, umm... compatriot."
Almost to herself, she whispered, "I don't like to see innocent things get hurt."
She followed along with everyone else, relieved that Tomoe was being left with them for now while the elders called their council together. She slid her camera back into her pocket and as her fingers withdrew, they brushed against her music player. Taking it out, she fiddled with it and considered using it to simply block out the world for a little while. But since she didn't know what the elders might think, she edged closer to the teal-eyed Kumiho as that one seemed the less likely to dismiss her out of hand. Eyes going wide at the healing circle, she shook her head in admiration.
"I've never seen healing magic like that," she said. "It's amazing. Umm, since we have to wait, is it okay if I hold on to this?" she held out the player for inspection. "I swear it's nothing bad. It just lets me listen to music and audio-books. I even have recordings of my friend's piano compositions on it. Um. You can listen if you want?"
Now that the immediate confrontation was over, it was clear just how small and child-like Zahneel still was. All she wanted was to rest, curl up against Neptune's back and float away on the dreams that Eliza's music always conjured in her head.
nepsah
Yushika
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 6:03 am
Aurora went into the teal eyed elder's healing circle. She still had hope that they could work through this now and they could all go home and maybe some of these people would want to see their world and get stones so they could start their next generation and hopefully learn more than the last. Aurora nodded and then said. "Thank you, does your magic work on the same principle as other healing magic??" She described a chapter from a book she had read, curious to compare notes on this. "And I respect that, but at least we have a place to start and aren't fighting for the moment." Aurora said softly "Calm minds can get through a problem, much better than panicked minds." Aurora turned to Meimu and Naoki "You know I was worried about both of you alone in the woods, don't you have any bad guys or creatures that could have hurt you going off on your own??"
Patches had let out a little 'eep' when the flashlight had been knocked from from her hands. The light spiraled in the air and she caught just a glimpse of the small, colorful child that rushed by. Those were a lot of tails, she thought anyway. It wasn't too much longer after that that Claire blew the whistle that was to signal them all to return. Oh good, all of the children had returned safely then. She was relieved to be heading back in the direction of lantern Claire had set up.
"I'm just glad everything worked out. Though I honestly don't feel like I helped all that much...." And she was pretty sure there were still some pebbles stuck in her hair from when that gray little monster child had thrown some at he earlier. She had just been trying to share some of her gummies. Had she been like that when she was young? Hopefully not...that bad anyway.
Patches stuck to Mahuyah as she talked to the kid that had knocked her flashlight away. Aw, he really was such a cutie. That was enough to put a smile on her face, and the fact that he obviously felt sorry for what he had done. Not long has passed before she could tell something seriously wrong had happened though. Tomoe was in a panic, trying to talk to him was basically impossible now and Patches didn't think she could really do anything to help. In fact she was pretty unsure about what to do in this situation period. They had obviously trespassed into someone's territory that wasn't trying to be found. Whatever Tomoe was...it was obvious they were in hiding at least. She could understand that well, after all she was from the territories in the north where the Grimm had hidden for so long with the help of the Nixie.
There was a loud voice, calling out to Tomoe and then things got blurry and messy from there. Patches actually let Mahuyah take the lead on this one. She truly did feel like a trespasser on these lands and she could understand why these elders were going...above and beyond in their actions. Her ears were lowered on her head as they talked about executing Tomoe. She understood that what he had done was bad, but at the same time it was also contained. In a way anyway. They weren't allowed to leave and the barrier was going back up now. She was sure if they all were forced to stay for an extended amount of time others would come looking for them. Surely someone would turn to magic to take down the barrier at some point as well...
Well, this was honestly just a mess. Some people were yelling, others were panicking and she just stood behind Mahuyah and watched the whole scene unfold. She did at least wave toward Azure and the elder when she heard her name mentioned, quite happy that the Fallen was referring to her as a friend. The bottom line was that no one knew if the peace between Above and Below would last. Things were certainly improving, but people were bound to butt head from time to time. It was impossible to keep everyone happy all the time. Their group was at least a good example of how all of the races could come together peacefully.
It seemed things were starting to calm down with the help of many of her fellow adventurers. She took the chance to finally speak up herself, addressing either of the Elders that would be willing to answer her question. "Might one of you, or perhaps someone else in your town, mind sharing some of you stories or traditions with us? I'm certainly not looking to steal any of them or share them with others outside of this place if you don't want us to. But I would love to know more about you. In exhange I'd be happy to tell you more about my own people, or Below in general. Sorry, I'm not expert on Above and what it's like outside of this barrier. But I have tales about the Grimm, the new Grimm. We've changed quite a bit since you would have last known us. And the Nixie, I know a great deal about them as well. I feel like it would be a good way for us all to start understanding each other better." Patches had at least made her way out from behind Mahuyah then and was speaking calming to the Elders and Priestess before them. She really did want to know more about them, if they were willing to share anyway.
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Things seemed to be calming down. Less yelling, but things were still a bit tense. From her hiding place, she tried to listen but couldn't focus much on what everyone was saying. When Samhain addressed her, her large Imp ears perked up. She had her eyes closed as he talked, but as he praised her and reassured her, she slowly opened them to look at him. 
Aurora went into the teal eyed elder's healing circle. She still had hope that they could work through this now and they could all go home and maybe some of these people would want to see their world and get stones so they could start their next generation and hopefully learn more than the last. Aurora nodded and then said. "Thank you, does your magic work on the same principle as other healing magic??" She described a chapter from a book she had read, curious to compare notes on this. "And I respect that, but at least we have a place to start and aren't fighting for the moment." Aurora said softly "Calm minds can get through a problem, much better than panicked minds." Aurora turned to Meimu and Naoki "You know I was worried about both of you alone in the woods, don't you have any bad guys or creatures that could have hurt you going off on your own??" 
