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 Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:55 pm
Quote: I showed Loki where Silva was. I don't know if I was right in doing it or not. I'm not sure of much lately. I wish I was... I used to know exactly what I should do, should be. I knew that I was supposed to be a leader, a warrior, and above all else... a princess. Above reproach. The man I loved distrusted me. My family, my friends, my world fell apart with a single lie. And I can't... I can't work up the same burning hatred that fueled me through the years of imprisonment. That might change. But right now all I can seem to do is fight back the urge to act like a silly teenager, obsessed with bad boys and pretty clothes. In my past life I would have hunted down the poacher, slitting his throat for the blow that he gave me. Watching in vicious enjoyment as he fell at my feet. Ice still has that urge, I can see it in her eyes. But... a second chance is something that I never had. Not until now. And I'll lose it as soon as they remember. I know I will. I can't help but want to give that chance to others. Even as I realize my own is only temporary. Why does Ice treat me as she does? She protects me, indulges me, treats me as her child, even as she runs the planet with a velvet covered iron fist. Even Loki has seen her harsher side. But all she does is make a simple statement and I feel guilty as all get out. I don't know why that is. But I've seen her kill. I've seen her ruthless. But... I don't know which the real Ice is. The overprotective mother? The woman that would deal with the devil to kill off the Rade? Or the woman that worried about cold-blooded killers dying from an uncontrolled rift? I don't know. But I can feel myself becoming a little more... like her. Or maybe I'm just starting to see new aspects of myself.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:56 pm
Quote: I'm thinking about writing a story. Ice writes stories all the time. She says they help you realize something about yourself. By how the characters act in certain situations, and... well, some other stuff. I'm not sure how much she was making up, though. She doesn't usually lie, though. Which is kinda strange, since she's always making up tales. I guess there's a difference, huh? Well, I haven't figured everything about my story out yet. I might just come up with a main character and pretend that I know what I'm doing. But I think the really good stories always have some sort of pre-planning. Some sort of beginning, middle and end.... I think I'll figure out the end first. I like happy endings, usually. They leave everybody smiling and happy. But sometimes sad endings can do that too. Ice made me watch the movie "Big Fish" a while ago, and the ending was sad, but I kind of liked it. So maybe there doesn't have to be a happy ending. But since this is my first story I think I'll stick to happy. I bet it takes a lot of work to have people crying through their tears. So next I need the beginning. Well, maybe not next, but I should probably start out with something not so happy. You know, so the ending has more impact. It'll need a main character. Someone that I like to write about a lot. Someone strong and brave, but she'll need a flaw, too. If she's too perfect then I'll get mad at her and try to kill her off. *Snickers* And then the dragon flew down and bit off the heroine's head! The end. Or not. Ice says that no death should have no meaning. Even in stories. If you're going to kill somebody off you should use that death to benefit the storyline. *Rolls her eyes* You wouldn't believe how often I've heard THAT before. But it brings up an interesting idea... What if the heroine of the story DOES die at the beginning? What if somebody who wasn't supposed to be anything but a minor character... has to take her place? So you'd have this non-heroic heroine running around trying to kill the dragon that killed the REAL heroine! And what if she thought, secretly... that the heroine needed to be killed? Oh, I don't know... maybe I should think about this a little longer. I think I want a bad guy, too. One that pretends to be a good guy. And says that he's helping the non-heroine because... um... because he loved the first heroine! But he'd have to have some sort of motivation... like he was really after the dragon's gold or something. And he would have some strange habit... like having a pet lizard that he called Charlie. Or maybe not. But he would be strange. Maybe a pervert, or a gun-addict... or a pyromaniac. Or all three. That would be... interesting. A perverted gun-toting pyromaniac. It sounds like a bad anime sweatdrop Oh well. I'm sure I'll come up with something! Sooner or later...
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 1:59 pm
Io's story part I The sound of wings beating against the air was the last thing she heard. Her last thought was "I should scream... why can't I--" And the world went black for the heroine of this fair tale, leaving the proud dragon perched on the topmost tower of the castle. The villain had won. ***************************** *Four weeks later* "Apples! Apples! Get your apples here! Miss? Would you--" "Sorry, can't talk now." Gin shoved her way past the apple cart, almost running into another cart only to dodge at the last second. She was a woman on a mission, after all. Finally she stopped in front of the local bar's back door, slamming through it with an angry look on her face. "What in the heck does this--" She pulled out a parchment, waving it in front of the bartender's face. "Mean! I brought good healthy meat, George. I expect to be paid for it!" "An ye were." The large man replied, looking resigned. "As much as I could, tha' is. The people o' tha village are broke, lass. Tha dragon, what with his stealin' an' pillagin--" "Do you think I care? I worked HARD to keep my herd from being that damn dragon's late night dinner! If I can do it then so can they!" She was irate, looking as if she had just came in from being trampled by the herd she talked about. She was of medium height, not too pretty, nor ugly, with short spiky hair and the clothes of a farmer. Her pants were grass stained, her top laced with untreated leather, the only thing of value a single gold circlet that decorated her uppper right arm. George sighed, looking away from the circlet as he cleaned his glass. "If they don't 'ave money then I don't 'ave money. Gave ya ever'than I 'ad, I did. 'Aven't been paid in a month. Even 'ad ta fire tha evenin 'elp. Cept fer Roza ova there." Gin blinked, then sighed, her shoulders slumping as she saw the truth in his eyes. "That's because she's your girl." George said nothing, just shrugged slightly and looked at her. "T'is a hard life we've been given. An' will only get 'arder unless tha beast is killed. I would go, but--" "Roza is expecting, isn't she?" "Aye." They both fell silent, not really knowing what to say. "Look. This is fine, whatever. I need to get back to my herd." She shoved away from the bar, not looking at him. "And... congratulations." "Aye... and I wish could be a 'appier time." George replied softly, watching as she walked out the door, her head hanging slightly. She was a good woman. A strong woman with a good heart. But her past was something that she had been running from for too long for her to be called brave. *************************** TBC...
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:01 pm
Part I continued Gin headed home, her shoulders slumped as she thought of how to tell her partners. They wouldn't be happy, of course, but something told her they had been broke before they met her. And they would be broke again, she thought dryly. She looked at the field of green grass, scowling at the sight of a man sleeping under one of the few scattered trees, his legs crossed out in front of him, his hands perched on his chest. Her lambs didn't even seem to notice him, grazing happily a few feet away. But it still irritated her. "Dean Connel, I thought I told you to stay off my land!" She shouted, jumping the fence and storming towards him. She stopped, glaring down at him. He cracked open an eye, grinning at her crookedly, completely unintimidated. "Your aunts said they needed to go somewhere." He told her, closing his eyes again as if to fall asleep. "They aren't in control around here and you know it! Those are MY sheep. I pick who guards them!" "Tell that to them. Now do you mind? I'm trying to get some sleep in." He yawned, drawing her eyes to the strong muscles of his neck. She scowled, looking away. "Then go sleep in your own field." She muttered, crossing her arms over her chest. She blinked as she saw him wince. "Wh--" "I had another reason for coming here today." He said, his expression cold. "I need to say goodbye." "Well good riddence. It's about time--" "I'm going after the dragon." He said, cutting her off. "He's burnt his last field. Taken his last child." "You're just a farmer, Dean. You can't--" "I can. And I will. But if I... If I die--" He stood, looming over her by a few feet. "I want you to take care of my land. It's what you've been wanting, after all." She stared up at him, stunned silent. It was true, she had coveted his land, the large field right next to hers. If she had that land she could double, no, triple her spread. But-- "Like hell I will." She told him, feeling rage take over. "You're going to run off like some damned hero intent on getting yourself killed! As far as I'm concerned your land deserves to rot. Just like you." She turned away, hugging herself slightly. His hand reached out, as if to touch her, but fell short, confusion flashing over his face for a second before he nodded. "Fine. Be like that. I'm not one to stop you." She heard him walking away, but said nothing. It was his choice to get himself kille-- "Like hell it is! Dea--" She jerked, seeing that he was already out of sight. With a grunt she sat down under the tree where he had been sleeping. She needed to talk to her aunts, she thought. They would know what to do.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:05 pm
Part I cont. A few hours later she was still sitting under the tree, watching her sheep with a scowl on her face. Her... "Aunts" as she called them, were still not back. They had a habit of getting lost, after all. The last time they had decided to take a trip she had found them looking confused in the middle of Dean's field. That was only next door. She smirked, looking at the sky, the child's moon hanging low, the lazily drifting clouds crossing in front of it. It seemed like such a peaceful place, she thought, wincing as she heard a roar. Until one found out about him. She groaned as she heard the wings flapping above head, shoving erself to her feet and grabbing her blade. "GET AWAY FROM MY LAND!!" She shouted as the dragon landed, one large claw snaking out to grab one of her lambs. The long neck turned, his cold red eyes focusing on her. "I said GET OFF OF MY LAND!" She shouted again as he moved towards her. She could feel the sweat dropping down her back, her grip on the blade handle getting clammy. She could almost swear she saw amusement in his slitted eyes. "You dare tell me what to do, child?" The voice was booming, almost knocking her on her butt as she fought the urge to take a step back. "This land is mine. These sheep are mine. What is yours is mine now. And you can do nothing about it." His long, forked tongue licked out, brushing slightly over her cheek as she gave him a disgusted look. "That's funny. You don't taste nearly as sweet." "What?" "As your sister." He shoved himself into the air, his large wings flapping so hard that it sent her tumbling to the ground. He still had the lamb clenched lightly in his claw as he flew away. She woke with a scream, bolting upright and rubbing her arms as she realized how cold she was. "A... dream." She muttered to herself, "Just a dream..."
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:06 pm
Io I'm not going to fall for him again... I might be his friend, but I won't love him. Not again. I wouldn't be able to handle it... It would hurt even more this time, I think... I think my story is going okay. I'm not as good as Ice is, though. But that's okay. I'm doing this for me, not for everybody. I'm the only one who will see it, anyways. I'm starting to think that it's okay. You know... doing things for yourself. Little things, like writing a story, or a poem, or drawing a picture. I never used to think like that. I think I'm going soft.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:08 pm
part I continued "I'm telling you. It's those darn alien abductions. They come out of nowhere." The voice made Gin look up, sighing in relief as she saw her aunts coming over the hill. "And don't even get me started on the probing!" "Of course I won't." Tamera replied, rolling her eyes. "Because I don't have to. You go on all by yourself." Kori nodded, ignoring the last comment. "Exactly! Because you know as well as I do that I won't be able to sit for a month!" "You are SO full of it sometimes." Tamera sighed, turning and looking at Gin. "You look like you've seen a ghost. Did something happen while we were--" "Being abducted by aliens!" "Um..." Gin blinked a few times, thinking over the last few hours. "Dean left to hunt the dragon. I uh..." "Oh..." "That can't be good... What did he take with him?" "I... I didn't ask. I was too mad to even think about it. He should know better! He's not a dragon slayer! The last of the dragon slayers... died." Gin went silent, looking at her hands. "Not the LAST one..." Kori muttered, earning a glare and an elbow to the ribs from Tamera. "So... you just let him go?" "What else could I do? He does what he wants, I do what I want, that's how it's always been. It's not like we even LIKE each other much. And if he gets himself killed then... then good riddance! He deserves it for being so hard headed and difficult!" They were silent for a few seconds, then Kori shrugged. "So when are we leaving?" "I can't. Somebody has to take care of the sheep." "You really think your sheep are more important?" Tamera asked quietly. "Or are you scared?" "I'm not scared. I'm just practical. Someone has to feed the people of the village." "Fine. Then we'll watch the sheep until you get back, won't we, Kori?" "Well... I guess. Fine. Don't get yourself killed." Kori muttered, watching the girl she had grown fond of closely. Gin was afraid... but she was too proud to back out now. "I'll need my things.* Gin replied. "I don't know where they are." Kori headed for the house, bringing back a large blade and a warrior outfit. "It's not made for your new height, but it should still fit halfway decently." She said, handing the objects to Gin. She reached up, pulling the pendent she wore around her neck off and handing it to Gin. "Just in case." Tamera spoke next, running a quick protective spell over the girl before pulling her into a hug. "I've been waiting for you to make this decision." "That makes one of us." Gin muttered, feeling trapped. "I can't promise that I'll come back. I can't promise that Dean will be alive when I get there, but--" "You'll do your best, right? That's all you CAN do." Tamera said, sighing and letting go. Gin nodded, heading to the house to change. She would win. Not because of Dean, not even because of the dragon. But because she would NOT be defeated by the b*****d that killed the heroine of the story. Especially when that heroine happened to have been her sister.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:10 pm
Part II She had been walking for days... watching the skies for the dragon. He hadn't been out. It was starting to worry her. She sighed, gripping the long branch she had turned into a walking stick and staring at the mountain range in front of her. If he wouldn't come to her, she thought grimly, then she would have to find him. "HEEELLLPPP!!!" The scream made her jerk, blinking at the sight of two blonde females racing down from the mountains. "YOU HAVE TO HELP US!!" They shouted as they got closer. They were panting, out of breath as if they had been running for a while. "What is it? What happened?" Gin asked, pulling out her water jug and handing it to them. They took turns finishing off the bottle before the one with the darker hair spoke. "The... The dragon. He's attacking our farm." She said, wiping the water away from her mouth. "We need help." "Fine." Gin said, her expression going grim. She should have expected this, she thought, starting to walk in the direction that they had come from. "She thinks she's going to beat the dragon!" One of the girls said incredulously. "She's got to be crazy. But heck, as long as it's not me." The other replied before jogging after Gin. "Where you goin?" "To slay the dragon, of course." "But why you goin that way?" "You mean... your village isn't that way?" "Not village. Farm. And it's that way over there." The other sister said, pointing in the direction Gin had come from. "Then why did you come running from THAT direction?" "We were out looking for help!" Gin groaned, turning in the direction the second sister had pointed and resuming her journey. "So... how long have you been looking for help?" She asked, somehow already knowing the answer. "Oh... a couple of days now." "Yep! There's not many people in these parts, you know." The second sister told her. Gin's right eye twitched. "In fact, you're the first person we've seen since that one guy. But he was... um..." "On a mission!" "Right! What she said!"
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:12 pm
Part II continued It wasn't long before Gin had the firm belief that mountain air made people wrong in the head. She was trying to ignore their strange conversation as she trudded along side of them to their alleged farm. It has hard to do because half of the time they would be laughing at something entirely unexplained. And they never bothered to explain it, either. She turned, about to mention how futile going to the farm to defeat the dragon would be now that it had been gone for a few days when the world seem to fall out from under here. She screamed, feeling herself fall for what seemed forever, then hit the ground with a muffled "THUMP!" She felt that thump all the way through her body, her teeth barely refraining from biting off her tongue. "Oh... well that's not good." She heard one of the sisters mutter. After a few seconds two blonde heads peered over the mouth of the hole. "Are you alright?" "Where..." She took another breath, not able to speak without gasping yet. "Where did this hole... come from?" She finally gasped out, mentally checking to see if anything was seriously boken. Her ankle twinged slightly, making her want to groan as the two faces went blank. "Um... Did you dig this?" One asked the other curiously. "I prefer explosives, myself." The other nodded, looking proud for some strange reason. "Sure did! It took me forever! But that dragon won't be able to get out of it! It's THAT big!" "Oooh... impressive." The other sister replied, nodding. "Welp... we should probably go find some new help. This one isn't coming out any time soon." "Wha--" Gin started out, only to groan as the faces disappeared, leaving her there as their voices filled the air. "HEEELLLPP!! HEEELLPP!!!" They shouted, the voices growning fainter as they got further away. Gin looked around, noting something. "But... can't dragons fly out of holes?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:14 pm
Io Maybe I'm avoiding some issues with this story... Actually, I know I am. Have you ever been so in love with someone that it hurt when he walked in the room? I have... I was, I should say. Back before the curse there was this... guy. Yeah, isn't that how it always starts out? But this is different. Well... kinda. Before the curse there weren't any ruins to explore, really. The king kept his planet safe and healthy, making sure that all of the houses and temples and other things were kept in good repair. He believed that the people were our future, and we should treat them with respect. He was a great king, very kind and generous... he was a little silly sometimes, though. He got off on tangents and liked to invent things. But he was still a good leader. He had a small family, his wife having died in childbirth. I always felt sorry for him because of that, he seemed so sad every once in a while. But because he had such a small family of his own, he liked to bring in children from other families. Maybe for a month, just to have them trained by the royal officials, maybe longer. It was one of them that I fell in love with. I used to follow him around like a puppy when I was just little. But as I grew older I felt the need to protect myself... I think that was probably my biggest mistake. But maybe it wasn't. I mean just look at-- *At this the hand stops, hesitating before returning to the paper* Just look at Queen Dido from the old stories. Because she loved a man and confessed it she ended up having to kill herself because her reputation was shot when he left her. I don't know anymore... I just don't know.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:15 pm
Part II continued Gin stared at the sky, feeling her back burning in pain from the last five falls. She almost didn't have the strength to try and climb out again. She groaned, shoving herself to her feet and loking at the wall of dirt with a scowl. Her nails were ragged and bleeding from her last attempts. It was enough to make her wish for a knight in white armor. And EVERYBODY knew how annoying THOSE guys wee. Reluctantly she shoved her thoughts aside, taking another step towards the wall only to jerk as she heard someone singing. "Hello?!! Hello up there!!" She shouted, feeling hopeful. A few seconds later a man's head peered over the side of the hole. He was the strangest man she had ever seen, his hair shaved on the sides of his head, but long and spiky down the middle. He was wearing a ripped up tunic and looked as if he had seen better days. "'Ello." He said, cocking down in the hole. "What'cha doin down there?" "I fell." "Why'd you go an' do a thing like that?" He asked. "You'd think a hole this big would be noticed." "It was covered with grass and stuff." "Oh." He moved to stand, making her jerk. "Wait! Can you help me?" "Help you with what?" "Get out of the hole." "ooooh..." He stopped, looking thoughtful as he sat down next to the rim. "Nice day, isn't it? Think it might rain, though." "....." Gin felt her eye develop another twitch. "You got a rope?" She finally asked, blinking as a coil was tossed down to her. "I meant--" She sighed, forgetting about it as she looked for a large rock. She would tie the rock to the rope and toss it up there, hoping it would catch onto something. "Hey... ya ever been fishing?" The man asked, making her blink. "What does fishing have to do with anything?" "Well, I was lookin for a fishing hole. You seen any good ones?" He blinked, moving out of the way just in time as her rock slammed past his head. Soon it came sliding back as she tugged on the rock, falling back into the hole with a thump. "Why ya throwin rocks, lady? It's not very nice!" "I'm trying to-- Oh, forget about it." She muttered, heading for the other side of the hole. "I'm gonna need my rope back when you're done!" He called, making her teeth grit as she tried again.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:18 pm
Part II Cont. After what seemed the twentieth time, her rock held firm. She tugged it hard, making sure that it was properly moored, then started walking up the wall of the hole, pulling herself up with the rope. She was almost to the top when she heard a loud CRACK! and felt the rope tension give. She fell backwards, sure that she would hit the ground and break her spine when she suddenly stopped. Slowly she opened her eyes peering at the strange man holding the other end of the rope. "Ya coulda ASKED me to pull you out!" He muttered, pulling the rope hand over hand. She dangled, shocked that someone that skinny could pick her up. Finally she was standing on the ground, looking up at him. "Um... thanks." "Not a problem." He said, winding up his rope. "I needed my rope back." He draped it over his shoulder and walked away, giving her a half-hearted salute as he did. She blinked. "That was... definitely NOT a white knight." She finally muttered, then turned to look for her stuff. With a groan she realized something... she had left it in the hole. She shrugged and started walking. No chance of getting THAT back. The BOOM of thunder almost seemed appropo then as the sky opened up and rain poured down on the set-back would be heroine. "Great... just... great." She muttered, and kept on walking.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:20 pm
Quote: It's here... It's... dammit... I don't know what to do. I'm just going to have to wait... I hate waiting. It's so near... yet so far off. I'm going to ask Ice for some time away. She's got an alternate who might be willing to take me in. A normal place where I can take college classes with her and be a regular teenager... or something like that. I don't want to be here right now. I don't know WHERE I want to be... but not here. Not when-- Well... it doesn't matter. I'll be taking this with me. A way to keep in touch with myself.
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Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 9:28 am
Io frowned, looking around the room Ice had set her up in. It wasn't bad, her guitar and her lavalamp by her bedside, a nice light purple and white decor that, while not perfect, worked well enough. She was happy... kind of.
She had met the "pet" of this world, an arrogant little jackass that called himself "Silva" even though he was only four inches tall. Silva would HATE that, she thought, smirking again. The REAL Silva, that was. She shrugged, standing and heading for the door. She was getting cabin fever.
This world was different, to say the least. The most dangerous creatures around were the little yapping terrior dogs that seemed to roam the neighborhood. Rade Snacks, she liked to call them, raising an eyebrow in derision as they tried to intimidate her.
This Ice... she wasn't as powerful as the other Ice at first glance. She had to walk to the fridge to get something, and hardly ever opened rifts... but that was on the surface. Io had found out where the power was going by accident, actually, stumbling upon the door to the alternate dimensions one day when sneaking onto Ice's computer.
This all meant one thing. She had an open door to her home at all times. Just as long as she didn't let that little d**k of a fairy see. Ice had told her that much when she had asked. But it felt good... so good to know that she could travel back and forth whenever she wanted.
She would have to use it sometime.
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 1:02 pm
Io crept through the door between the worlds, reaching up to scratch the raven that sat comfortably on her shoulder. He had been a gift from one of the Masquerade Guardians, and was quite beautiful in her opinion. He feathers shined with health, his eyes were bright and curious.
"So..." The voice made her jerk, looking over at the feien standing in the room, staring at her. "You got a bird out of the closet. Why do I not believe that?"
Io groaned, slapping the palm of her hand to her forehead and feeling the mask under her fingers. He wasn't supposed to have found out... Ice was going to kill her. She sighed, moving in closer, not noticing the weary look on Silva's face.
That's... not a closet. She finally muttered, turning and locking the door. But I suggest you forget about it. Ice will never let you go through. You're too small and helpless.
"Small? Helpless?" He repeated, outraged. "You don't know what you're talking about." He jerked slightly as she leaned down, noticing the blood red eyes of her bird watching him with something close to lust. "And why did you bring home that thing? It probably shits on the carpet."
He'll be in my room. She replied, smirking as she noticed his fear. It wasn't of her, but it was good enough. Whats the matter? Is the big brave feien scared of the widdle birdy?
The raven let out a "CAW!" Making Silva nearly jump before he scowled.
"I was just thinking of the best way to cook it." He replied, his scowl turning to a vicious grin. "Baked... or fried."
She stood, glaring at him with hatred. Stay away from my bird, you little s**t. Or I'll tell Ice about those porno mangas that you keep ordering online.
He glared at her as she walked out of the room, feeling a strange sensation as the bird turned his head over his shoulder and watched him all the way out of the room. He wasn't sure... but he thought it might have been... fear.
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