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"Did you hear yourself? Oooh we need a goal. Ooh, we need more information. Who died and made you the bossy leader?"

Though Alessa might have not noticed the fog suddenly creeping all around her, blocking everything from sight, it was hard not to notice Gabrian out of all people crossing his arms, giving Alessa a derisive snort. "Seriously, do you ever get tired of hearing yourself talk? I sure do. What next Fearless Leader, going to lead us straight to our deaths? I mean, we're just been sitting here, waiting to die at this point."

((OOC: ONLY Alessa can see/hear this event, and anything involved in this event))

Tsetsiliya smiled as Alessa dove for the corn, even if the others seemed more reluctant. The ghoul was pleased she could do something for her peers, since she could not assuage their anxieties about missing friends entirely. She reached up to pull a few stalks down and pluck the cobs; it would be best to tuck a few away, in case the others were hungry later. Perhaps if she and the nagual teamed up, they could convince the others to at least try it.

But just as easily as things seemed to have loosened up, everything changed at once. Crying was heard from somewhere in the stalks, and Gabe disappeared into the field like a flash. Immediately Tsetsiliya was over near LW, who looked ready to charge after him. "H-he is saying we should stay.. !" Truthfully, she was just as curious, and unnerved. Staying together - safety in numbers was her mantra, and it had gotten her through Christmas Town. Now the three ghouls were left in confusion and fear, that was quickly taken advantage of by an attack.. one of the cloaked figures from earlier.

She watched as LW battled her heart out against the cloaked figure, and she ached to help. But what could she do? She couldn't even lift her mace. As though to prove the point, she looked down at the item and, to her great surprise, managed to lift it this time with ease. Was it because she had warmed up? Or.. upon closer inspection, the weapon seemed to have changed, much like that of Gabrian's and LW's. The mace felt warm in her hands, and what looked like a sun was burned into the metal handle. It felt lighter, somehow.. what had caused this?

LW struck the finishing blow, and the figure disappeared, leaving a pendant in its wake. Tsetsiliya watched with nervous eyes as the she-wolf picked it up, and as though the end of battle had summoned them, Gabrian returned from the fields, towing Carthusia behind him. Her heart swelled at the sight of her. "Y-you are alright!" But a corn cob came hurtling past her head, aimed straight for the nix's head. And shortly after a green-haired demon had appeared, one that the poludnica remembered as being Carry's date from the demon party.

Then the conversation began, then the arguing, and Tsetsiliya felt as though she were shrinking back from sight. These people have long been friends with one another, each with deep bonds and worries and concerns.. certainly, she liked them, but on the whole she felt as though she were rudely intruding where she shouldn't be. There was no need for accusations from the party, as her mind made up the negative words as it went. The conversation shifted to arguing, but even then the poludnica knew that it was out of concern. Would there be that much concern if she were to slip off? They had friends they wanted to find, and all she was doing was being a tag along. A terribly useless tag along.

Her head gave a gentle shake, just to herself. There was no need for any rash behaviors. She chastised herself for her train of thought. The ghoul had set out on this mission and by Jack, she was going to finish it. LW had invited her to join them, so it would be terribly rude to leave without notice. She chanced a glance in Carthusia's direction, and the poor thing looked awfully miserable. Given her recent experience, Tsetsiliya could understand the desire to wash it away.. perhaps the lack of smell would make her feel better. Thinking of her friend's state pulled her away from her puddle of anxiety, and she walked over to the demoness, untying the soaked sash at her waist as she went.

"I-it is not water," she said, "but it is being wet with water. If you are liking it, I give to you to help clean, until we find water." She held up the sash to Carthusia, and water started running down her arms from the moist cloth. There was no doubt that she was happy to have Carry back among them safe and sound, and the pride demoness was no more a traitor than she enjoyed stays in the Princess Corner. She could not run off feeling sorry for herself when her friend clearly had a more distressing time.

But something had caught her attention. Just around Carry's side, the ground sloped just enough to give a wider view of the cornfield (although with the poludnica being so short, there still wasn't much to see). However some of the stalks rustled, and she heard the sound of something falling over.. but there was no breeze blowing. Was there somebody in the stalks? When the sash was transferred, she turned to the stalks and approached with two wary steps before calling out.

"H-hello.. ?"

The she-wolf winced at the bantering back and forth. Really, they didn't need this. LW didn't think he would, but what if Alessa went too far? What if Gabe left again?! She didn't...couldn't think on it. Her mind was too unstable. She also didn't know what to say right now to either the nix or the nagual. "Guys..." Her voice was small and lame even to her ears. All she managed to do was look back and forth between the two. She felt...trapped between them? LW didn't like the feeling. Gently, she reached up and removed the nix's hand from her head, placing a light kiss on that, taking the offered arm warmer from Alessa. LW carefully slid it over her arm, hissing very softly when she bumped the cut there before she moved to check on Carry and Livi. She spotted Liya moving that way and the she-wolf offered her a smile.

Once closer to her, LW said softly, "Please forgive them." She nodded back towards Alessa and Gabrian. "Everyone's nerves are just fried, I guess." Including her own. Every small sound (and that awful and annoying crying sound was still able to be heard) made her uneasy. Every stalk of corn that swayed pulled her gaze towards it, hand starting to reach for her weapon. The she-wolf was very much aware she needed to get a grip on herself before she lost it.

"Y-You're really alright..?" She asked Carry, just to find some comfort in hearing this again. And then the stalks rustled and her eyes darted around until she found a spot that swayed differently from the others. Liya had noticed it too and approached it tentatively. LW's heart started to pound with fear again. Was it that creeper again? Or another one? Should they run? Jack! What should they do?

Whether it was the breeze that carried the familiar cinnamony-vanilla scent to her nose, maybe a soft groan of recognition, or something else she didn't care to dwell on. LW knew, from the bottom of her heart, who was out there. Without even thinking about the foolishness of the act, LW rushed passed Liya right into the stalks of corn. Her heart was pounding again, but for an entirely different reason. Please let him be breathing. Please let him- "REN!" LW cried and dropped to the ground next to him, eyes wide with fear, worry, relief, and too many things to name. He was a mess. Bloody and beaten. Battle. He must have had a battle!

Hands shaking, she placed them against her best friend. He was real alright. And BREATHING! Oh thank the stars in the sky! "Ren! Ren, please say something. Oh Jack please say something." The she-wolf wanted to cling to him. Hug him and never let go. The only thing stopping her were his injuries. They made her cuts look like paper thin slices. "Ren...?" The sound was choked. No she was not crying! She just...had something in her eye.

"Liya!" LW called back. "I need help! And...something to use as bandages." They needed to get the gryphon out of the stalks. It wasn't safe in these. You couldn't see people sneaking up on you. Not bothering about much modesty (hey! she DID have a bathing suit on under her clothes), LW pulled off her long sleeved shirt and wadded it up. Very gently, she dabbed it against areas she saw (and smelled) a lot of blood.

((Sorry about leaving, Lu! Nap turned into sleep >> ))

It was the talking that had captured his attention. At first, he had wondered at so many voices before rational thought made it clear that they had to be other students. Though he couldn't hear what they were saying until he got closer, he already recognized quite a few of them. As soon as he saw them all, and that they were relatively all right, a relieved smile crossed his lips. But he didn't need to say anything as he was glomped by Carry. Oh thank Jack she was all right!! Without hesitation, he gave her a tender squeeze before... he noticed the smell, it was really impossible not to notice the smell or where it was coming from and his head shifted back to take a much better look at Carry. What on... why was she so filthy?? He had definitely missed something and though everything in him wanted to ask about it, his lips were firmly sealed. It was beyond rude to say a ghoul smelled, especially one's ghoulfriend.

But he soon joined the group of Gabe, Alessa, LW and.. he knew he had seen Tset before, at the S-Day dance, he was quite sure, but her name wasn't on the tip of his tongue just yet. But he smiled happily at seeing them all and nodded to alessa. "I'm glad to see you're all safe as well. I.. have no idea what's going on, as I woke up on the beach not that long ago... I'm sorry you couldn't find me, Carry... I didn't mean to worry you..." But then, Carry lapsed into what had happened to her and his brows jacked up so high, they disappeared into the fringe of hair covering his forehead. She had been... dragged off?? And hurt?! What?? Anger flooded his system and his grip on Carry tightened just that much more. Also he felt guilt eat at him, regardless that he knew well it couldn't have been helped.

He hadn't been there and even if he had... no no. He didn't allow himself to sink further and he focused. Acting stupid now wouldn't help anyone at all. But then, so many things seemed to happen at once. Alessa, in a way he had never seen her before, was angry about something and taking it out on Gabe. He really hoped that it had something to do with fear and not just because she needed to vent. It wasn't a good idea to take out aggressions towards one's friends. The way the two of them were behaving was a growing cause of concern, more so than what was happening with the fog and these hooded people. As LW came over, he shook his head gently, his eyes showing with understanding. "That's not surprising, but right now, we need to focus. It's hard to do so with so much uncertainty going on, but it's not a good idea to feud amongst ourselves... it could be what these people want. And if what Carry said was true... then this fog can also heighten the nerves.. make one 'crazy', perhaps?" He was definitely sure of one thing now. They needed to find safer haven than standing in the middle of cornfields... and fast.

As the wet sash was handed to Carry, he took it from her and was working on cleaning her off a bit when the stalks rustled. His eye narrowed into focus as he made sure Carry would be protected but seeing that it was Ren, although a badly hurt Ren but him nevertheless, he slowly relaxed his tense muscles. "If you need more cloth, let me know. I'm not against tearing up a few shirts to help him." It was jut clothing anyway. 'Honestly, my dear..." a change of focus was needed as he looked back to Carr, his typical grin on his face, "I leave you be for a boring trip and look at the chaos you get into. Is this a talent?" It was more than obvious he was teasing. "Luka would be sad to see you in such a state."

The pointed, 'I think you're being terribly immature, selfish and stupid' look that Gabrian shoot Alessa as she spoke seemed to do all the talking for him. After all, he'd determined that despite the fact the Nagual was being anything but helpful with her random bouts of violence, it was apparently her way of showing she cared (granted, he thought she was going to have to go to anger management classes or something like that, but still). That aside, there was also the fact he was making both LW and Tsetliya feel clearly awkward and upset with the bickering, and as such, decided to drop it. This trip wasn't about winning silly arguments; it was about survival, was it not?

His head turned towards Carry as she took her time relating the longer, less abridged story he'd related to her, his hand moving through LW's hair until she took hold of it, pressed a kiss into his palm and then pulled away to cover her wound with Alessa's arm warmer, "Of course it's not your fault, Puppy. I never said it was," there was a small smile tugging at his lips as he took a step away from her and chose to lean against one of the very few trees that littered the path and cornfield, "I just said you were a trouble magnet. I think you were born that way and frankly... I wouldn't change you for the world anyhow. Not a single hair. You're perfect, just the way you are," his gaze stayed on her as she tended her own wound, but the smile vanished, and the narrowing of his eyes seemed to indicate that if he ever got his hands on whom had hurt her, he'd eat them. He didn't care if he couldn't access his serpent form; he'd eat them regardless. Somehow. Even if it gave him indigestion.

"They're obviously delusional, and possibly more than a little mad," he drawled out to Carry and LW, "They pointed out this island makes you insane, did they not? Something tells me they did not go unaffected. As far as the blank spot in Carthusia's memory goes.... who knows," he clicked his tongue over his sharp teeth before continuing, making a soft clicking sound as he crossed his arms over his chest, "Maybe it's a good thing you can't access those memories. Maybe you're not supposed to. Who knows what can of worms that might open for you?" his gaze turned towards Tsetliya, watching as the small ghoul offered the taller demoness her wet sash, a smile upon his lips again before he chuckled, "Isn't she? I don't know, Carry. I think I might have to adopt her before you do and..." he paused as he heard the rustling of corn stalks. Before he could say anything, LW jumped into action, revealing the source of the sound to be Ren, whom looked.... worse for wear actually, "LW, love, don't touch him, wait a moment, don't touch!" it wasn't that he didn't trust his ghoulfriend - it was just that... well, the gryphon looked seriously beat up and the scent of blood was in the air. He was worried that in her concern and relief at seeing the other boil alive, she might do more harm than good, "Give me a second," he crouched down by Ren and then unclasped his cloak from around his shoulders, giving it over to the werewolf, "Here. Start tearing that up,love, while I take a good look at him, will you?" he paused though, when Tseliya seemed to know what she was doing, allowing her to talk and explain.

The nix demon inspected the gryphon, soon enough determining that most of the damage seemed to be on his hand and arm, which... looked broken, actually. He agree with the small demoness and nodded his head, then snaked his arms around the boil's back and under his legs, lifting him up bridal style, very much reminiscent of what he'd done back at the boat, "You two can use my cloak - I don't really need it here. I'm going to carry him out of here and into the main path; you two can work on him while I hold him up - try to wash off the wound. Ask Alessa to help you and...." his gaze turned towards Alessa automatically as he spoke, his brows suddenly raising to hide under his bangs, "... What is she doing?" this was said softly, his gaze on the nagual as she seemed to be er... bantering with thin air, "I er.... I totally dropped it, so what the Jack is she doing?" He only just barely noticed Livius joining him, and he offered the Envy demon a smile, "It's great to see you in one piece, Livi. I was worried when I didn't see you near the beach. but then... we hardly say anything," he gave his friend an apologetic smile again, as if to indicate he'd be right with him as soon as he tended to er... the problem in his arms, actually, "Can someone check on Alessa? I think something's up with her."

Ren was not exactly unconscious, persay, but he definitely wasn't awake either. He was in that weird state of delirium between mostly blacked out and partially able to hear. And what he could hear was a lot of very, very strange things.

First off, there was still that incessant sobbing. It was ringing in Ren's ears, and it was growing louder. He could not figure out who it was, and he could not figure out where it was coming from. It almost seemed as if it were all around him, surrounding him from every side, and it was making his head spin, the increasing pressure causing a sharp pain behind his eyes. They were closed at the moment, due to him not exactly being fully conscious.

The second thing he heard were the voices. They wavered in and out, going from high pitched to low pitched. For the most part, Ren couldn't distinguish anything about them, or understand what they were saying, but then he caught a whiff of a very familiar scent; lavender and spice Although why exactly it was familiar, Ren was not entirely sure. Where had he smelled that before? His brain struggled to comprehend just what was going on.

All he felt were some corn stalks pressing against his back.

Oh, and some pain. Lots and lots of pain.

"...garblegarblemumblemumble...REN!"

Yes, that was his name. At least it was, last he checked. But who was saying it? That voice sounded...familiar. Familiar and soothing. Like warm chocolate melting over dough. Who did he know with that kind of voice?

"Ren, please say something. Oh Jack please say something!"

Hmmmm... Ren thought, mentally racking his brains. I know I've heard that before...

Something cold hit his skin, something else wiping it off. Was that water? It certainly felt like water. And it kinda hurt. Whoever was doing the wiping was pressing down on his injuries. A lot. And there was another voice now; actually, several, all of them mixing together with one another, sliding, morphing, melting, until Ren could not tell who was saying what or which voice was doing what. They all sounded the same to him.

"Here. Start tearing that up, love, while I take a good look at him, will you?"

Hm. That voice was familiar too, but not like the others. The others were higher, while this one was lower. At least, that's what he thought. He wasn't entirely certain. Maybe one was stronger and one was weaker. Or one was quieter while the other was louder. If only that damned sobbing was quieter...

Gentle hands touched him again; his face, his legs, his stomach, then his arm - which, considering that he'd been stabbed through the hand (That was what had happened, right? Why did it seem so long ago?), hurt the most.

"...ow."

Ren still didn't open his eyes, but the small grunt of pain that escaped his lips anyway. He could feel someone moving closer to him, and then, quite suddenly, his world tilted and he was up in the air, held against a familiar figure.

...why was he familiar again? It was a he, right? Ren finally forced himself to open his eyes, looking upwards.

...only to see his father's face. His angry father's face, blood sliding down his cheek. With a shout of surprise and panic, Ren flailed, his arms and legs kicking out as he struggled to free himself. The movements gave him enough leverage to drop to the ground, breathing heavily, and Ren held a hand against his chest, looking up at his father with wide eyes.

"What are YOU doing here?" he gasped out. His father smiled. And held up a knife.

Ren felt his heart seize, and he staggered backwards, stumbling against the stalks of corn.

"Keep away from me!" The scream erupted before he could stop it, terror flooding through his veins. "Don't touch me!"

The reaction Gabrian got from Ren was not the one he was expecting. In fact, the moment the other boil opened his eyes, the nix had been expecting a smile, or otherwise, some sort of warm gesture. Instead, he saw fear and panic clouding the gryphon's eyes, and before he could so much as ask what on Halloween was even going on, Ren flailed, shoving himself harshly away from the demon. Fearing his friend would injure himself further in his panic, Gabrian released him, allowing him to fall on the ground; what else could he have done? It was either releasing him, or risk further injure to his already mangled hand, "Ren?" the look he received was bewildered and wide eyed, almost as if he were causing the gryphon great distress. It was a look that Gabrian had never gotten before, and while it was true that he wouldn't have minded such a look on a human's face... it looked foreign and completely out of place on his friend's features.

The words that were thrown his way were even more confusing than Ren's general behavior, and the nix took a step forward, "I've been here from the start - what are you talking about?" another step forward, and the other boil stumbled back, staggering and falling against the corn stalks, forcing the demon to stop his approach, "I just-"

"Keep away from me! Don't touch me!"

Gabrian froze, his eyes wide for a moment before he blinked and attempted to figure out what was going on. Finding absolutely no explanation for the whole ordeal... hurt flashed across the nix's features, the hand he'd been outstretching towards Ren, slowly recoiling back, his teeth gritting together. It was clear he'd been about ready to say something when Alessa suddenly screamed his name out with enough force to cause him to jump and whirl around, his heart pounding in his chest. For a second, he'd thought he'd been about to be attacked from behind, but rather than find an opponent... he saw the Nagual ghoul rush off alone inside the corn stalks, "Oh, geez!" talk about irony.

His gaze shoot towards both LW and Tsetliya, "Stay here," a pause, and then he motioned towards Ren, "Please tend to him. If he lets you. Something's wrong here. Something's very, very wrong," it was clear to him that something was off, and Jack damnit, he wasn't about to let it get to him. That in mind, he pushed hi way into the corn stalks, looking for the lost Nagual ghoul.

((Exit post! I will be back very briefly!))

His father had disappeared. Ren stared after his retreating form, attempting to reign in his breathing, which was stuttered and labored. No way was he going after that b*****d; no way was he going to even take one step in his direction. He didn't know the reason behind the bolting, but Ren would just let him leave.

Leave and never come back.

"Please.. you are not to be moving around so.. your arm.."

Who was that? That voice was familiar too. Ren turned his head, blindly searching for the source of it. It was a quieter voice; quiet and gentle. Unusual. Unexpected.

Unwanted. Come on, Renaissance, why would you want help? You don't need help. Besides, that sounds like a GHOUL'S voice. Who needs help from a GHOUL? Not you. Not you at all.

Who was that? Someone was speaking in his ear. Ren shook his head, tilting it to the side as if trying to dispel water from it. No, no, that was all wrong. He knew that voice, didn't he? Yes, he did, it was -

No. No, that wasn't right either. Who was that ghoul? She did look familiar, did look -

Was that blood? He knew that face. It was like looking into a mirror at his own reflection without the freckles.

"Medieval?"

Ren's voice was hoarse as he stretched out a shaking hand towards his twin sister. "Medieval, what - "

Her face was bloody; a scarlet liquid coursed down the side of her cheek, down her neck, her arm, until it reached her hand and the fingers there.
The fingers that were dirt streaked, blood streaked, and clenching -

...what is that..?

"Medieval," Ren said, as his sister took a step towards him. She was raising the knife now, slowly, surely, a glint of malice in her eyes as she advanced in his direction. "Medieval, please - "

It wasn't working. Why wasn't it working?

Because you're WEAK, Renaissance. You're weak and you're pathetic and you have no right to have anyone close to you.

"KEEP AWAY FROM ME!" Ren shrieked, a panic as cold as ice shuddering through him, and he staggered backwards, pushing anything, anything at all in between him and Medieval. "GET AWAY FROM ME!"

The cut on his hand had reopened.