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 Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 6:58 pm
 RP that occured May 30, 2004:[color=white] Ares quietly glided towards the familiar house, feeling more heartache than she could possibly bare. She didn't cry, she didn't even frown...her three red eyes looked distant, however, as if she were merely hollow; an empty shell. Upon reaching a window, she peered inside, looking to see if she could see anyone.On the windowsill was Arturo, rapier held out, fingers gripping the "hilt" of his cocktail rapier tightly. After a moment's pause, he made a few delicate steps and executed some rather fancy bladework, though he spotted Ares out of the corner of his eye halfway through it. Without a word, he flew to the latch and yanked it open, the window swinging inward. "Ares," he said, landing in front of her, smiling quietly. Ares' feet touched down onto the window sill and her wings relaxed, and she looked up at him. She was silent, only looking up at him, her tail limp behind her save for the slight twitching. The fingers of her right hand curled up into a tight fist as she thought, many things running through her mind. Of course...Arturo would know how to deal with this. He'd lost many friends...so he'd know what to do, right?
"Arturo..." finally came her choked voice, hardly audible. It hurt inside, even if she didn't show any pain. Did it always hurt...? Without another word, she flung her arms around him in a tight hug, shaking slightly.Arturo started for a moment, but his empathy immediately recognized Ares' sadness and he wrapped his arms around her, stroking at her soft blue hair. "What's wrong?" he asked softly. "S-Seamus...." she said quietly, almost a whisper. "Neko told me that...Seamus....." She shook her head a little, burying her tanned face into Arturo's chest. Or, at least what she could reach of it.Arturo's expression didn't change, but his stomach tightened at the mention of the green feien's name. The feien that had plotted to kill him with Sunil - thank the gods that hadn't worked out. "Neko told you what?" Arturo asked, keeping the coldness out of his voice. Now was not the time to be hostile - his Ares needed him. She could feel her eyes burning, but no tears would come. "She told me...he'd become a gem...she said that's what happens when feien die..." Ares' voice was still ever so soft, choking on some of the words. How could this happen?? She'd just gotten his forgiveness...everything would be back to normal. And now...he was gone for good.Arturo was silent for a moment, yellow eyes hard as flint. While he had never much liked Seamus, he knew Ares' pain all to well. Seamus had been a loved one to Ares, much as he hated to admit it, and knowing that loved one was gone forever... "Ares," he began, his voice a soft sigh. His expression softened and he rubbed her arms, unsure of what to say. Arturo had expereinced death, of course. But he had been the one needing comfort, not the one giving it. "It's not fair..." she whispered. "I never...I don't understand. Why did this have to happen?" Fate was a terrible thing, it was. While she would never go as far as wishing it was her instead, she hated the fact that she'd be living with this pain now, a pain that would never completely subside. "I, I didn't know who else to come to... Arturo, how did you ever deal with this?"Arturo led Ares to the edge of the sill and sat her down, seating himself next to her. Arturo folded a hand in his lap and used the other to rub at his neck. "Caterina was one of the first to go, you know. She might've actually been first among our group. Her death was very sudden, and such a shock - none of us truly understand the cause, and I'm not quite certain I understand it now. When she died, I sort of..." Arturo trailed off, searching for the appropriate term. "I emptied myself. A purge, if you will. Although I didn't understand her death exactly, I sensed that more were to follow. I hardened my emotions so that I wouldn't feel anything, and I didn't. Or maybe I did, and I just didn't let myself feel it." Arturo lifted his bright eyes to Ares, face serious. "I don't know if that was the right reaction or not. I'm not sure if you should do the same - in fact, I don't think you should. Point is that everyone deals with death differently. My friends, before they died, spent most of their time weeping; they were scared, and in mourning. While I don't think you have anything to be frightened of, it's okay to have your grief," He ran a finger down her cheek, his touch warm and comforting. "I know you want to cry. It's all right." Ares looked down at her hands which were folded in her lap. "I...I do want to cry. I've wanted to cry ever since Neko told me several hours ago," she said softly. "But, I can't. I feel sad...I feel terrible on the inside."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, her left hand tightening into a fist. "I just...I can't seem to cry. No matter how much I want to...I haven't cried since I grew up.""It's hard coming to terms with sadness, sometimes," Arturo said quietly. "Our mind refuses to accept it, as if we were in denial. It doesn't want to realize the truth. That could possibly be stopping up your emotions." Realizing that he sounded too much like a textbook and less like a loving mate, he wrapped an arm protectively around Ares' shoulder and kissed the hair at her temple. "Give it time, love. Be patient with yourself." Ares closed her eyes as he kissed her temple, her face somber. "I suppose I'm a little scared. I don't want Merri to see me being weak...I want him to be strong, so I try to be strong..."
She rested her head gently against Arturo. Being here, listening to his voice, did help her a little, though the pain still continued to tear at her heart. "Why did it have to be him, Arturo...?""Ares, you don't need to block up your emotions because of Merri." Arturo said, almost scolding. He felt vaguely hypocritical, as that was exactly what he had done, but he decided not to comment on it. "Besides, he's not here. Nero's not here. Ruya is not here. You can behave however you want here." Arturo gently rubbed her shoulders, thinking before he responded to her question. "I don't know," he replied slowly. "But it's not your fault, Ares. It's no one's fault. And there is nothing to be done except accept his death and remember him, but move on." Move on...she had to do that a few times, hasn't she? This time wasn't so easy, however. Opening her eyes halfway, she looked up at him, almost hesitant to ask something she'd been wondering. "You....you won't be leaving...right? You'll live a lot longer, won't you...?"Arturo smirked grimly. "You can see the past, Ares. Tell me, can you see the future?" The future... "No...no I can't..." she said softly. However, that made her wonder if it were possible to do so."Neither can I," Arturo replied, shrugging. "Live each day as if it were your last, I suppose." Tucking a finger under her chin, he lifted her head and gave her his tenderest smile. "Love, I don't intend to be leaving any time soon. Not if I can help it. I've cheated death once - I bet it'll leave me alone for a while." A rueful smirk. Cheated death once...? That's right...what little Neko knew about Arturo she'd told Ares: in order for Arturo to live, he needed a bonder, which was Puchiko. "Live each day as if it were your last..." she echoed quietly, looking up into his gold eyes with her three red ones. She'd heard that from Kori when he was still around. So it really was good advice.
"So long as I have that hope then..."Arturo kissed her softly, fingers tracing down her neck before he pulled back, nodding. "I don't want to leave you, Ares. And I'm rather stubborn - nothing will happen to me, I assure you." Ares kissed him back, hugging him again when he pulled away, nodding slightly. "Thank you...Arturo," she said quietly. "Thank you for helping me..."Arturo rested his forehead against Ares, angling away from her eye to avoid any awkwardness. "I didn't do anything, Ares. Just feel better. I'll be here until you do, and after." Now, she finally began to cry her silent tears, sniffling a little. Closing her eyes, the salty liquid spilled over her cheeks, her wings folding over her shoulders as she decided to stay here for at least a little bit. "You did more than you can possibly imagine," she whispered quietly, her tail curling around herself a little.Arturo brushed away Ares' tears with his thumb, hugging her close and stroking her hair. "It'll be okay," he soothed.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:00 pm
 May 30, 2004[color=white] Ares
Today should have been a good day. It was peaceful for once; no interruptions, no screaming, all was calm. It's too bad things can't always stay that way...
Neko informed me that Seamus had died. At first, I didn't understand my own reaction, because I was very calm. I felt almost nothing...only a slight twinge of pain in the bottom of my heart. However, being comforted by Sasuke and Laharl, the pain began to grow, and I knew I had to see Arturo. After all, he's gone through this before, so he'd surely know how to deal with it.
I spent a great deal of time there, just talking to him about it at first, but most of the time was spent in silence. I feel safe in his arms...like he's protecting me from the horrors of reality. This pain is truly terrible, and I hope one day it will subside. But for now, I must live with it, and be strong for my family. I hope they never have to go through this...that they never have to know death like this.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:09 pm
May 31, 2004[color=white] I've decided to go on a little trip with Domonic. He's doing further research on water magic, and asked for my assistance...so I'll be taking him around the other planes so he can see about finding new information. I feel bad for leaving my feien behind, but where I'm doing will be very dangerous for them. I don't need another death on my hands...the little ones especially don't need it. I expect to only be gone a few days, anyway...no harm in that, right? Though time in different dimensions tends to go by a lot faster...hopefully Domonic will be all right. I'll just have to be careful. Maybe I'll stop by the Haven before we leave...in case something happens. I just have this feeling deep down that something terrible may happen...no, I can't let them know that. Fate will be playing tricks with me, I can feel it...but I will NOT let my feien suffer because of that. I'll...I'll just shut down the computer while I'm gone. They'll never have to see this...so that they won't worry. I'll only be gone a few days...just a few days...
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:36 pm
Event #1: What in the World? A new discovery of death and rebirth.[color=white] "Hey Neko," Domonic called from further inside the cave. "Come look at this!" Curiously, Neko stepped through the darkness, looking every which way for attackers. This world was very unstable, and not only could she feel things moving within the shadows, but she knew there was a current war going on. This was news the human man didn't need to know, however. "What is it?" she asked, finally reaching him. Her gold eyes grew a little wide at what she saw. A man and a woman lay covered in blood, badly wounded, and seemed to be fading away. No...there was something different about them. The man...the two seemed to be wrapped in a blanket at first, but Neko's sharp eyes could see that the man had wings. The woman, however, was more obvious. Her own ears and tail flicked slightly as she noticed the body also had cat parts. Domonic took a step closer to the two, wondering if they were still alive. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that they weren't. "It seems they've been dead for quite some time," he muttered, closing his blue eyes as he ran a hand through his short, spiky blond hair. "Who could have done such a thing?" "Dragon..." Neko whispered quietly, finally recognizing the wings. "A black cat..." Looking into another close corner of the cave, she noticed anything figure slowly fading. "A hawk... Domonic, do you remember what we saw earlier? They appeared to be human, didn't they?" He had to think about that for a moment, since they'd been in the cave for so long. "Yeah, it seemed that way...they were looking at you strangely, though. Nearly had to fight our way in here," he replied, standing up from his crouch, adjusting the messenger bag he carried from his left shoulder. Something wrapped within the man's tail began to glitter, attracting Neko's attention. "I have a feeling we should get out of here as soon as possible," she said quietly, moving closer to the two disappearing bodies. "But first..." Neko wasn't exactly a treasure hunter, but she was one for research. Reaching down, the demon hanyou carefully touched the glittering item, watching the dragon man flicker. Domonic blinked a few times, watching his friend. "What are you doing?" he whispered. He could hear something moving closer to where they were. "A test before we leave," she merely replied, grasping the object within her hand. The man seemed to disappear completely as the tiny object shimmered, and grew firm in Neko's hand. Opening up her fist, she smiled slightly at the small onyx gem she now held. "Just as I thought." Just as she took hold of the gem the cat woman was holding in her hands, shattering cries and noises sounded throughout the cave. Neko let out a feral shriek, covering her ears with her fists as her tail bristled in both fear and anger, her ears being too sensitive to the high-pitched noises. Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see the gem projecting the image of the hawk man shatter, causing the image to fizzle out. Domonic wasted no time. Quickly grasping onto Neko, blushing while doing so, he began to mutter a spell in ancient language. He kept his voice quiet so as to not attract the attackers that could be heard closing in on them. "How could one still be left alive?" came a rough voice. "You said we got 'em all!" "I t-thought we did!" A different voice...there seemed to be a group of them. "I didn't think they could be any daring to surface!" "No matter...find her! Kill the man with her, as well. Betraying his own kind...how absurd. Those wretched beasts think they rule this land...we found it, so it's ours!" "But did they not live here before us?" "TRAITOR!" There was a painful cry before something seemed to be squished, then splattered somewhere. "We don't tolerate traitors." "Mingfnor!" Domonic said in a panic, him and the demon hanyou in his arms disappearing from sight. While it would have been easier to let Neko jump them to another dimension, he knew well enough she wouldn't be able to in the state she was in. As to where they would end up next was beyond him...all he knew is that for the moment they were safe.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:38 pm
RP that occured June 2, 2004:[color=white] Ares sat on the window sill, one hand curled in her lap, the other resting against the wood. Her three eyes were closed as she concentrated, watching images flash within her mind. Longer...longer... Ares could almost feel as if she were standing in the forest the wood had originated from. Unfortunately, the image didn't last long enough for her liking, and she opened her eyes slowly as it stopped.Tosten had been fluttering along that familiar direction that would lead him toward Ares' home... he hadn't been intending to go there at first but when he spied the familiar building below him he recalled the promise he had made her the other day at the shop. In fact, he really hadn't visited her at all in a long time. This called for a visit! He swooped down to the old open window, hovering momentarily as he found Ares there, eyes closed as though she were asleep. He silently touched down on the edge of the sill beside her, crouching down to stare... and that was what she would see when she opened her eyes. Two wide, mismatched ones blinking back at her a few feet away. "... Hi Ares!" He beamed. Ares blinked a few times, her mind swirling with puzzlement as she stared at the bi-colored eyes. Had she not been to calm at the moment, she probably would have jumped about 10 feet. "Tosten...?"
Her tail flicked slightly, her red lips curving into a pleasant smile. "Tosten, I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. Are you feeling better?"Tosten closed his eyes pleasantly, giving a big smile that could even be classified by goofy with how he put no restraint on his shine of cheerfulness. "Uh-huh!" He sat himself back, fluffing his wings twice their size as he rustled them in a cozy manner. "What were you doing? Are you sleepy? You looked kinda tired when you were doing ... uh, whatever you were doing." He babbled curiously, cocking his head to one side. "I was practicing my recall ability," she said calmly, putting her other hand in her lap. "It seems it's been getting stronger.""Oh!" Tosten said as though he understood, though give it a few seconds and he twiddled his fingers together awkwardly. "So... what's ree-call ability?" Ares couldn't help but giggle silently. "I have the ability to see little pieces of the past," she explained. "It's easier on objects than people at the moment.""Really?" Wide eyes blinked twice in surprise and he peered about them, trying to decide what she might have been trying to see. All he saw was the sill and walls nearby, that had to be boring stuff to look into. "That's neat! Do you see cool stuff? You could tell everyone stories about it - can you see the past of my paints?" Tosten looked at her wonderingly. Ares nodded. "If I tried, I'm sure I might be able to. However, I can't say that I'd be able to tell stories," she said with a slight smile. "For instance, here..."
She patted the window sill lightly. "The wood to make this was different from the wood used to make Neko's desk. I see a different forest here than I do over there." Her black and blue wings shifted on her shoulders slightly, her tail curling around her body a little. "It's quite peacful."Tosten looked down at the sill as she patted it, tilting his slightly. She saw a forest from this? He rested his hand upon the sill and closed his eyes dramatically... "I see black." He announced then opened his eyes amusedly. "Oh well - so, thats what you do here? You sit at home and see stuff thats not here? Or not now?" He inquired puzzledly. "No, I don't do this all day. It's just become part of my meditation, is all. Lately I've been just looking after Merri," Ares said softly, looking over towards the desk where the young feien was sleeping. "I wish I knew how to get him to be stronger...he's too afraid of going to the shop. He's normally lounging about, sleeping, or asking for something to read."Tosten followed her gaze to peer toward the desk as well, squinting some in hopes of making out the sleeping feien. "He's afraid of going to the shop? Oh..." He scrunched up his nose, trying to think over an idea in his head. How could someone be that scared? Well he only recently learned fear, he could understand scary could be really, well, scary! "I can help!" He offered at random, having no idea how. "I mean, I can talk to him.. and maybe if I tell him about the cool stuff at the shop he'd want to go more? Cause its not that scary at all." "Hmmm...perhaps coming from someone else, it might help," she said, thinking for a moment. "Though, don't be offended if he doesn't listen. He won't even give Tahki the time of day when she tries to convince him to go, and...well...you two are quite similar sometimes."
Ares looked back to Merrimack again for a moment. "I do hope he gains more courage, though. I can't take care of him forever."For once, Tosten felt a little insulted. "I'm not like Tahki." He puffed back, wringing his hands together mildly as he felt guilty to protest the comparison. He didn't dislike Tahki but he didn't want to be considered like her. "I can talk to him." He added on stubbornly, looking down and stretching out his legs off the edge of the sill. I mean, he got Merri not to be scared of him so quickly, maybe he'd listen to him over this too? Besides, he felt he could understand him better with what had happened. It reminded him why he was here and he looked at Ares sidelong. "It would probably be better when he is awake."
Noticing his glance out of the corner of her eye, Ares looked back to Tosten, a little concern showing. "You've come to tell me something, haven't you?" she asked quietly.Tosten hesitated, looking back down to his feet where they dangled from the window sill. They swung a couple of times like a child on a swing, nodding quietly. "Well, um, I said I would. Do you remember?" He peered sidelong to her. "But just so you know its all different now, okay? I'm not as sad anymore or anything. Really!" "Yes, I remember," she said with a slight nod. "And I understand."Tosten twiddled his fingers together a moment then blurted out at once, trying not to make a drama out of this. It was simple, it was over, Yasha was going to help him - no need to be sad, so stoppit! Ahem. "Well, you know, Sunil... she hates me now and stuff. It was really awful." He softened his voice but remained steady and serious throughout. "She screamed and she said she was sick of me and really bad things... and then she tried to hit me. Nero stopped her." Recalling who Nero was to her he looked up to Ares excitedly. "Nero is a really great son, you should be really proud! He saved me, I was so scared I couldn't even move but Nero? He was brave and stopped her." Ares frowned slightly. Sunil couldn't possibly have meant that, could she? Well, it WAS Sunil. However, she smiled slightly upon hearing about Nero. Sounds like his father... "Tosten, are you truly alright? I know it's hard to lose a friend..." She knew he wasn't as sad, but she wanted to be sure he would be okay. After, she'd recently lost someone very important to her, and unlike Sunil, he wouldn't be coming back.Tosten hesitated and nodded slowly. "I guess so... I mean, I can just be sad and I don't wanna be sad cause... she won't care if I am. She was really so awful." He swallowed and shook his head, shooing away the thoughts and offering Ares a smile. "It'll be okay! I talked to Yasha and she's gonna help - she's really smart, Yasha, you know? I really like her. And I got Gogol with me, and he always makes me feel good." He paused then insisted again innocently. "But Nero really did help me so much. Can you tell him thank you for me? I never did, and I haven't really remembered when I last saw him." Ares nodded, closing her eyes for a moment. "So long as you're alright, everything should be fine," she said quietly. "I'll be sure to tell Nero."
Opening her red eyes, she smiled a little at Tosten. "What ever you do, Tosten, don't ever lose your light." Whether he would understand was beyond her.And he didn't. Tosten just inclined his head wonderingly and rustled his wings curiously. "My light...?" Well he didn't think he was all that shiny or bright. What light was there to lose? Speaking of light, he glanced up and gasped. "Aah! Ares! It's so late, I should be heading home!" He scrambled to his feet, pausing when on his knees to lurch closer and give her a farewell hug. "G'night Ares - I'll come by another day, soon!, to talk to Merrimack. I wanna try to show him its not scary." With that declared he fluttered his wings into the air so to head home in one hurried rush. Ares hugged him back, ruffling his hair gently. "I look forward to seeing you again, Tosten," she said calmly. "Be safe heading home."
She waved goodbye to him, watching him leave.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:40 pm
June 2, 2004[color=white] Ares
I spoke with Tosten the other day, and then again today. He didn't seem to be doing very well...I hadn't seen him in at least two weeks, and even I knew something was wrong. He just wasn't himself...and he told me why. Sunil had scared him...she tried to hit him. ...I can't see anyone hitting Tosten without a reason, and even if they had a good one, I still can't imagine the poor feien being hit. On purpose. I wonder how Ruya holds up with that woman? More than likely, not every well. I just hope she'll be alright...
I finally got around to finishing that large book Neko found for me. It was on a real queen...I think. Neko said the queen wasn't from this world, but a different one. That she was a real queen. Queen Elizabeth...I wish I could have met her.
~~~~~~~~~~
Tahki
Whaaaaaaa, Neko left for a trip!! ...But...she left a few days ago. Noooo! I want her to come back! Neko Neko Neko come baaaaa
I met lotsa new feien the last couple of days! It was so cool! There was this really neat fuuuurry feien! She had red hair all over!! But kinda creepy eyes...but she was cool anyway! She said the fur was a mutation. ...Mutation.......I think Merri has one of those! I wonder if I have one?
I also met A...Aaaarr....Arith! She's only a bloom, though...I wonder what she'll be like!! Maybe she'll be my friend, too!! I can't wait to meet meet her...it'll be cool! I gave the man a feather to give her when she arrives. I hope she likes it! I h
Oh! Oh! I saw pretty lady again!! I'm told her name is Yeande...I wanna be like heeeer!! I wonder if I'll be pretty like her when I get big? Oh! I met a really pretty man, too! His name was Ail... ...Aileron! ...Will Merri be pretty like him?? Oh! Maybe Nero will be, too!! But Nero's pretty anyway. ...We'll all be pretty!!
I saw Tooosten the other day! He said that Ares had to be guarded when she was a bloom. Like a princess! Does that mean Ares is a princess?? She still has knights, too!! Like Arturoo! And I think Tosten is a knight too! Um...OH! I WANNA BE A KNIGHT!! I WA
Maq was so cool! He was...boxing? I think that's what he called it!! He said Tera went somewhere too...hmmmm...I wonder if she went somewhere with Neko?? No, Neko took D with her. Hmmmm...hmmm....Maq caught one of my feathers!! So so now he has one toooooo... ...I wonder how he'll care for my feather...
~~~~~~~~~~
Merrimack
Mommy said I should try to write in here today, because I haven't been doing enough. She said I should write about the last time I visted the shop...oh well.
I met someone named Tosten. He...he came over after talking to mommy. ...He TOUCHED me. Just like that yellow feien. What is it with everyone touching me?? He even did it twice! Hmph...then he started telling Tahki and me some stupid story about how he knew mommy as a bloom, and how she had guards and stuff because she was 'special'. Of course mommy was special!! She's my mommy.
Tahki seems to think mommy's a princess. Nooo, mommy is mommy. Even she doesn't think she's...okay, so sometimes mommy says she feels like she's superior somehow, but she doesn't like to show it. I don't think mommy wants to be royalty anyway, does she? ...Well, if she is, it doesn't matter to me. Mommy is mommy...that's all there is to it. And she's my mommy.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:42 pm
June 3, 2004[color=white] Tahki
I was feeling sad, so I took Merri to the shop with me today!! It was fun! I saw Maaaaq, and Q, and Tosten, and Aria, and Si
I meeeeet Neruo! He has reeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaally curly hair! Oh oh, he gave me a feather!! I put it next to Ra's feather...I wonder where Ra went?? I haven't seen him in a long time!! Hmmm...hmmm...I hope he's oka
Q seems to be better now! I was so happy!! No more reeed on her leg! Oh oh, and Maq did a cool trick with his swooord! It was cool! I can't do that...I can't use swords! Juubei's teaching me out to throw needles instead! Neko cut off the tips of needles for me a while back and she said I should call them shurik
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:43 pm
Event #2: A Shread of Light! Neko finds new hope.[color=white] "Domonic..." "Please don't..." Moving his fingers away from Neko's lips, Domonic wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "Please don't say it. I'm almost begging you," he whispered, his face red with blush. "You know I can't do this," Neko said quietly into his ear, resting her hands on his arms to try to pull herself away from his embrace. Domonic continued to hold her, pressing her more against him as she tried to pull away. He left as if he were holding onto her for dear life, like he'd die were he to let go, though he wasn't harming her. "I told you before. I have someone, no matter how long it's been since I've seen them," she tried to explain, her ears drawing back a little. "Besides, this isn't like you. You're too shy around girls...never had the courage before to say anything. Perhaps there's something in th--" "No!" he cried. "I...this is truly how I feel." Domonic rested his own temple against hers, not being too much taller than the demon hanyou. "All those stories...the legend you'd become in that village, how could I not feel this way? And now meeting you, coming here with you...it's become more clear to me." "Domonic, you're still young. That happened at least 1,000 years ago, and I haven't aged even a minute since long before then. If anything did happen between us, you'd d--" "I've already considered that!" he interrupted, knowing what she was going to say. "My heart still doesn't change. I'll never be able to live as long as you...but I will live much longer than a normal human." Finally releasing the cat girl, he gently took Neko's head in his hands, stroking her tanned cheeks once with his thumb as he looked into her gold eyes with his blue ones. "You won't even consider...?" Somehow all this contact was causing Neko's markings to react, the black marking on her forehead glowing softly, the gold markings on her cheeks shimmering. Even the ancient runes on her body were starting to fade into place. No normal contact could do this...so why was it reacting this way? And why with Domonic? "I told you, I already have someone," she repeated again, averting her eyes from his gaze. "Who you haven't seen in almost 10 years," he commented, removing his right hand to move a little bit of Neko's red flipped hair from her face. Neko looked back into his gaze. "N...okay, so it has been about that long. But --" "You're not even sure if he's alive, are you?" Domonic asked with utmost seriousness. Neko closed her eyes, biting softly on her lower lip for a moment. Raising a hand to his, she moved it from her face, and turned to face away from him. "Call me loyal then," she muttered. Those words struck her hard, as it was something she'd been wondering every day since she saw her love last. The pain she felt was obvious, as Domonic could see it. Hesitating a moment, he wrapped his arms around the demon hanyou again, pulling her against him as he held her in a more loving embrace. He rested his forehead gently against the back of her head. "You're afraid..." he whispered into Neko's hair. "Afraid?" she questioned, her ears perking up a little. "You're scared that I'll disappear like him." His face seemed to turn even redder, closing his eyes for a moment. Domonic seemed to have knack for hitting things right on the nail. Neko lowered her head a little, looking towards the ground. "If you lived for as long as I have, you would be too," she retorted quietly, her voice a little shaky. She rested her hands on his arms, not trying to free herself this time. This touch was comforting to her, even her markings agreed with that as they didn't burn like they usually did. Domonic leaned over a little and kissed her jawbone softly, his arms slipping down her body to rest at her waist as he nuzzled her cheek against his slightly. "I would never leave you completely," he assured her, opening his eyes again. "While magic can't keep me alive forever, perhaps there's another way for me stay with you." "I can't ask you to live forever, Domonic," she replied, turning her head to look at him, not seeming to mind how close he was to her now. "I can't even ask you to live longer than you should be living already." His blue eyes were gentle as he looked into her golden gaze, lifting one hand slowly to rest against the side of her face, his thumb running gently across her chin before joining the rest of his fingers. "Then let me spend that time by your side," Domonic muttered softly, slowly closing his eyes as he leaned closer to Neko, his face still stained with blush, brushing his lips lightly against hers. Neko didn't stop him from touching his lips to hers. She didn't even stop herself from kissing him back. She merely turned around in his arms, wrapped her arms behind his Domonic's neck, and kissed him deeply, her tail flicking happily behind her.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:49 pm
The entry that was here was ripped out from the tiny notebook in which the feien are currently writing in while Neko is gone. There is a little red paint splattered next to the book, little pieces of torn paper scattered about in various places. A single black, glittery feather adorned the top of the tiny pages that were showing, a tiny leopard guarding it.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:58 pm
(June 7, 2004)Tahki's eyes snapped open, having been asleep on the window sill as usual. The room was darker than usual from the night...peering outside, she noticed the moon had been covered up by dark clouds. Maybe that's why her dream had turned so horrible? Tahki got up slowly onto her knees, her long, blue streaked black hair spilling over her shoulders. Or maybe it was because she was sleeping on her stomach...it was hard to tell. Her yellow eyes looked around the darkness for a moment, until she found a familiar shape on the nightstand next to Neko's bed. Crawling over to the edge of the sill, the little red and black feien took flight, landing next to the adult that was sleeping. " Ares...?" came her tired voice. Seeing only well enough to know where the feien was, she shook her slightly. " Ares, I had a bad dream..." Ares' three red eyes stayed closed, but it was slightly obvious that she was awake, as her black tail thumped lightly against the nightstand, flicking. " You shouldn't bother me with such things, Tahki," the black and blue feien responded coolly. " Just ignore it and go back to sleep." " But but but...it was really scary...!" the young feien protested quietly. " What if it co--" " Go back to sleep, Tahki," Ares snapped slightly, furrowing her brows. She hadn't been sleeping well either, so she felt she needed all the sleep she was able to get. Tahki pouted slightly before giving up for the moment, retreating back to the window sill. Glancing back up at the sky again, she sighed softly, wishing the clouds would disappear. Touching her tiny hand to the cold glass of the window, Tahki closed her eyes, and part of her nightmare flashed within her mind: the broken window, something red along the tips of the pieces. Snapping her yellow eyes open again, she jumped back, a small flurry of feathers escaping her wings. How could she just ignore that?? She just felt that something was terribly wrong, and she hated not knowing what it was. Lacking better judgment, she quickly flew over to Merrimack, who was sleeping soundly on the desk. " Merri...? Merri??" came her now more panicked, but still quiet, voice. She shook the other young feien gently, hardly able to see him. " Meeeeerriiiiiii..." Merrimack's eyes twitched slightly, staying closed, a hand tightening into a fist as he rolled over onto his other side. Maybe if he ignored her, she'd go away. Tahki didn't give up, though. " Meeeeeerriiiiiiiiiiiiiii..." " What do you want??" he growled finally, snapping up into a sit, twisted around so he could glare at her with his orange eyes. Tahki looked a bit shocked, surprised by the way he reacted. " I...I had a bad dream..." she complained to him, calming down slightly, now looking rather sad. Merrimack lifted an eyebrow at her, blinking sleepily. " And you think I care why?" he replied haughtily, twisting back around to try and lay down again. Something stopped him from laying down, however. His long ears picked up a soft sniffling and nearly silent sobbing from behind him, and he merely sat there for a few moments, just listening. Why did that sound make him feel so weak? So...helpless? Sighing softly, Merrimack turned around completely, his eyes more or less adjusted to the dark. Tahki was sitting on her feet, fists clenched in her lap as she bit her lip to try to calm herself, tears rolling down her cheeks. She felt so horrible inside, and no one seemed to understand. No one else seemed to feel what she did right now. Merrimack's eye twitched slightly, watching the tears. He's never seen them before, but he already he knew that he hated them. Those things called tears. " Oh, come on...don't cry," he sighed, crossing his arms across his chest. " You're not so weak to actually cry." Why was he helping her? Perhaps it just felt right...he wanted her to stop. He actually wanted her to be back to the hyper-active feien he had met when he first arrived. He was only answered by more tears and sobs, however. Tahki couldn't help herself at this point. Now it was more of a matter of missing Neko than the bad feeling she felt. Merrimack frowned, feeling his own fragile emotions begin to shatter. " Tahki, stop it," he ordered. " Just...stop it." " I-I'm trying..." Tahki sobbed quietly, rubbing her eyes with her hands. " B-but I c-can't...they w-won't stop." What was he supposed to do? What does mommy do when I'm feeling really scared? he thought to himself, snapping his fingers as he remembered. Despite how little he tolerated the feien in front of him, Merrimack found he tolerated tears even less. He pulled the older feien into his arms and hugged her, hoping it would help. The sooner she stops crying, the sooner I can get to sleep, he told himself, trying to justify his own action. Tahki again was shocked by the reaction, hardly able to believe the many colored feien to be doing this. He was hugging her...? Though, it was very comforting, as she could feel herself calming down. She wrapped her own pale arms around him, the tears slowly coming to a halt. Once she felt that she'd be able to try to rest again, she looked up at Merrimack to thank him, but he was already asleep. Afraid of waking him, Tahki stayed where she was, and soon fell asleep.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 8:01 pm
Event #3: Home again, home again! One more detour, the final straw.[color=white] Neko stretched out her arms as she sat down on a nearby tree stump, her tail wrapping around a loose root sticking out of the ground. It had been so long since she'd been able to travel like this, but she was growing worried, wondering if her "family" back home was all right. It had been at least a week since she stopped feeling their presence, and a week since the nightmares had begun to start. Going home would probably be the safest idea, and the better choice at this point. "What do you think? Have you gathered enough information?" she asked Domonic, slipping off the black bandana she was wearing on her head. Domonic was quiet for a moment, looking a little paler than usual. His breath was irregular, his voice was hoarse, and recently he'd broken into a cold sweat. This could be very well seen, and heard, and the condition seemed to only get worse. Though, being as stubborn as he was, he wanted to continue, as they were nearly done. Something in particular seemed to be wrong, however, and it bothered him. "There's just one more thing that I need, and then I'll be done," he could barely say, his blue eyes growing heavy. "Perhaps after we rest..." "We can't rest here, I told you that," Neko scolded slightly, furrowing her brow with concern. "It's too dangerous here...perhaps we should just go home now, and continue this la--" "No, we've come too far to give up now!" he cried, maybe a little too loud. His head began to spin, and he leaned against a nearby tree, his messenger bag falling from his shoulder. "I only need one more thing..." The demon hanyou sighed softly, relaxing her tail as she stood and made her way over to the human. He was weak, and she knew he wouldn't last another day where they were. Neko's ears flattened slightly as she looked at him, placing a fingerless-gloved hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. "I understand that...but trust me. You won't last much longer out here," she tried to explain. "I don't want to give up either, but dying and giving up are two completely different things. I can't heal you here...I can't even heal myself, as we already discovered." Neko's gold eyes eyed the bandaged gash on her arm for a moment. "We could go home, rest safely, and come back at 100%...now that I know how to get here, it shouldn't be too difficult." Domonic shook his blonde head lightly, it taking everything he had to stand where he was, to merely stay awake. "Neko, what if it's gone by the time we get back? Time runs a lot differently as we're traveling through dimensions...you said it yourself," he commented. "You said that including the time we spent in-between dimensions, it's supposedly been almost 8 months since we left your home, but it's been around 2 weeks back on Gaia. If we went back, how much time would have gone by here then? What if it's too much?" She hesitated for a moment. He was right...too much time could pass, and the information he needed could be lost forever. "What if I took you back, and got it myself?" "No offence, but with all your knowledge, you wouldn't know what it is I'm even looking for. Most of my personal findings on this trip you already knew, remember?" "Tell me again why I can't just teach you everything I know?" she said jokingly. Domonic looked at Neko a little blankly. "Because then I wouldn't have learned it myself?" "Stubborn little brat," she laughed, resting her hands on her hips. All this time, it hadn't occurred to her that her markings were glowing, the twin gold markings on Neko's cheeks shimmering as well. "I suppose that's just something I fall for in everyone." He didn't seem to hear the last comment, as he realized something. Why wasn't the air affecting Neko? "Love, this forest. Where did you say it was again?" Domonic asked, pushing himself away from the tree he was leaning against, his hand gripping the trunk slightly for support. Neko's ears perked up slightly, her tail flicking with curiosity. "It's in one of the dark realms, I think. Why do you ask?" "The dark realms...didn't you tell me once that they were ruled by demons here?" "Well...yeah. That's why I was reluctant to come here," she said, wondering where this was leading. "I told you the air would be poisonous to you, if that's what you're getting at." It wasn't the poison that had worried him. While his cold felt cold, something felt like it was burning inside of him, something trying to rip its way out. "Who rules this realm, Neko? And why aren't you changing?" "Changing...?" Neko's tail began to bristle as she felt something evil begin to approach. There were five dark realms, the main kingdom being the Shadow Realm ruled by Vrael, she thought to herself, trying to remember. The four surrounding realms were each ruled by the four dark lords...three of them died not long after Vrael first death. Leaving...only one... "Oh...s**t..." she hissed, the markings on her body beginning to burn against her flesh. "Why didn't you tell me sooner??" "Tell you what?" Domonic asked, a little confused. "You mean you didn't notice...?" Neko frantically looked about, her tail lashing in fury. "You don't understand...we have to get out of here! This is part of Shadow's realm now, and if we DON'T leave, he'l--" "Find you?" hissed another voice from behind. It may have been too dark to see, but sound was all she needed to strike fear into her heart. Her golden eyes grew wide as she heard the voice, freezing for a moment before whipping around in time to see one more horror that she would never forget. There was Shadow, one hand flat against Domonic's shoulder blade. And there was Domonic, his eyes wide with fear and pain, a hole blown right through his shoulder. "This time, Neko," called the demon, letting the human drop to the ground, golden eyes gleaming in the moonlight, "I will kill you."
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 8:02 pm
June 7, 2004[color=white] Ares
Something doesn't feel right anymore. I don't know what happened...I don't know what's going on...but something is wrong. I can understand me feeling this, being much older and having been with Neko for so long, but Tahki feels it too. I'm worried. I may not show the other two, but I'm worried...something wreches at my heart when I think about my bondmate, and now I worry that Tahki may not be able to take much more of this. I know Merri doesn't seem to care, but even he's starting to worry a little. Neko...give us a sign. You're alright...aren't you?
~~~~~~~~~~
Tahki
I had a bad dream. Is that what someone calls a bad omen...? I know something's wrong, now...well, I don't KNOW, but I feel it in my bones! ...It's not a good thing. I'm worried! Neko come home come home come home!!! I wanna know you're okaaaaaaaaay!! Take me with you next time...as you always said, curiosity killed the cat, and this cat's been long killed! ;_;
I went to the shop to try and cheer up. It worked!! I met Fionn today...he's got really pretty soft wings!! He was spiiiiiiiiinning me around, and he's reeeeeeaaaaaally tall, and I met Miyako too! He's also reeeeeeeaaaaaaaally tall. And I gave him a feather!! He put it in his hair, hee hee...
Merri's been acting a little nicer to me. ...I wonder why that is??
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 8:04 pm
June 9, 2004[color=white] Merrimack
Mommy took me to a shop that had other pets like hers in it today. I was really starting to like Laharl and Sasuke, because they've been protecting me like they have mommy. So, she suggested maybe I get a pet of my own...
I was scared at first, because mommy made me go inside by myself. So many little cats and dogs...and a couple of big humans. Then Aileron showed up (I think he was hiding in the rafters?). He's not so bad...I'm not sure about him still, but I suppose he's alright, for someone big. He helped me pick out a kitten...she's kind of a reddish brown, she's really soft, and she's all cuddly. I guess that's alright...I mean, she IS a cat. Hopefully she won't be TOO cuddly when she gets older.
I named her Winter. Aileron said something about gingers being loyal...and it reminded me of someone I know. So, her name is Winter. She's my Winter.
Winter seemed to get along with the others right away. Sasuke kind of just stared, then padded off somewhere, and Merick was a little skeptical at first. Winter was a little scared of Laharl when mommy and me got back, but I have a feeling that was because she'd just flown for the first time and was a little nervous in the first place. They like each other, though, because she was huddled up against him for a while. She really likes Kori, too...I think that's because Kori's acting like her mother. Hmm, I wonder if Winter had parents like me?
While I'm writing this, Winter's curled up on my feet, and she won't move. Oh well...it's not so bad. At least my feet are warm. I wonder what Neko will say when she comes back? She better not be mad...she's got enough pets around here to last her a life time, it should be okay for me to have one too.
Oh! I almost forgot...Aileron has this REALLY BIG fox-like creature. He scared the wits out of me while I was there, and mommy mentioned something about Neko having large pets like him. So when we got home, mommy introduced me to Yami. He's a celestrus...the only one that doesn't try to eat her. Yami wasn't quite as big at Aileron's guardian, but he was still rather large. (Celestrus are about the size of normal house cats.) She said she'd show me Candy tomorrow...she said that she was a lot bigger, and might be a little scary at first, but she's a sweetheart. I suppose we shall see, hm?
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 8:06 pm
Event #4: A Fight to the Death! Neko's final stand.[color=white] Neko grasped at her shoulder, trying to hold the deep wound closed. She was tired, frustrated, and just plain angry as she continued on, doing her best to swing at Shadow with her hardly good arm. Of course, he wasn't unscathed either, a deep gash in the side of his right leg, and a nearly broken wrist. He wasn't nearly as weak as the demon hanyou, however, merely because this was his territory. His domain...and he fed off the shadows, unlike the cat woman. Landing a counter blow right into her mid-section, Shadow thrust Neko right into a nearby tree, and quickly pinned her there, tightly grasping her throat. "Why don't you just give up? You know you can't win," he jested, pointing a hand towards his double-bladed glaive. The slightly large weapon lifted out of the ground in which it was sticking out of, glowing a faint blue as the demon telekinetically moved it into his hand. Neko claws at his hands, her feet lashing out to either kick Shadow, or try to weaken the tree. Even though she was drawing blood, he didn't seem to care. "I'll...never for...give you!" she choked out, struggling to breath. In a swift motion, she thrust her left leg upwards, slamming the heel of her boot hard into Shadow's jaw. Shadow grunted as his head jolted back, stumbling back a few steps upon releasing her. He shook his head rapidly before rubbing his jaw, glaring at the woman in front of him. The next attack wouldn't be so simple, and it would be deadly unless dodged correctly. The weapon now back in his hands, he grasped his glaive tight in his hands, and swung out at Neko with full force and control. "$#@%" Jumping back barely in time, Neko cringed as she felt the cold tip of the blade rip across her torso, the force of the attack alone knocking her off to the side. Grasping at her stomach, she cursed herself mentally, biting her lip to keep herself from screaming in pain. There had to be something to fight back with...but she hadn't brought anything with her. Not even a knife...wait. Domonic had a dagger in his messenger bag, didn't he? Her golden gaze glanced over towards the body of the human, and she noticed a slight twitching. He was alive...? Not waiting to attack again, Shadow slammed part of the pole of the glaive into Neko's head like a baseball bat, sending her flying into yet another shadowy tree. Slowly, he stepped over, his heavy boots, carrying him just close enough to the demon hanyou so that he could reach her with his glaive. Neko, unable to move again at the moment, kept hold of her mid-section in hopes to help stop the bleeding. She felt dizzy, hardly able to see straight, and she finally screamed her feral cry of pain as she felt something slowly tear across her right eye, right over the scar she had never let completely heal over so many years ago. The demon smirked, flipping up the blade he cut her with and licking off the crimson liquid. "My...isn't this ironic," he sneered, looking down at Neko with his piercing gaze. Stepping a little closer to her, Shadow promptly lifted a heavy boot and gently placed it on the woman's neck, a sadistic smirk plastered on his lips. He pushed down only enough to cause her problems in breathing. "So long ago, this is exactly how we were, on this very day, except I do believe you were the one standing. Seems like the tables turned, hm?" Shadow pushed down a little harder as he leaned forward to listen to the soft wheezing. "I would have let you live...you and your new little toy. But, alas..." Reaching down, he gently stroked the new cut along Neko's eye, as if he were proud, nearly laughing as he listened to her scream from the sting. "You caught me on a bad day." "Step away from her," came a hoarse voice, a soft glow beginning to illuminate the shadowy forest. The moonlight had been covered by clouds, hadn't it? Shadow stood upright, but kept his foot on Neko's neck. "Pardon?" "I said step away from her," the voice said more forcefully, something moving as he spoke. The demon hissed slightly, turning towards the human body he'd left a bit a ways. Why was it moving? And...why did it appear to be glowing? "You're still ALIVE?" he scowled, finally releasing Neko. Domonic stood, though weakly, holding something in his left hand. The hole in his shoulder was there, but it didn't appear to be bleeding as golden runes shimmered along his flesh. For a moment, there were large, white wings adorning his back, but they seemed to disappear as quickly as they had shown themselves. While he didn't understand it himself, he was just glad to be alive at the moment. "I have a gift for you," he coughed, standing as tall as he could, lifting the dagger he held in his hand. It wasn't glowing, but it looked as if it would in broad daylight, very visible even in the darkness. While too small to be a short-sword, the dagger was rather large, and hardly seemed like something that would throw well. But Domonic drew his arm back, and threw it anyway, stumbling and a bit surprised at the strength in which he had thrown the object. Shadow didn't bother dodging the weapon, allowing himself to stagger back and drop his glaive as the short blade sunk right into his chest. Wincing, he took hold of the hilt and yanked the dagger out, waving it at the supposed human. "You b*****d. That actually hurt!" he sneered, slowly closing the space in-between them. "I hoped it would," Domonic smirked a little, dropping to his knees, his breath still heavy from the poison in the air. "That's not an ordinary dagger." The demon lifted a brow, beginning to feel a burning sensation in the hand he was holding the weapon. Glancing over to the short blade, his eyes widened slightly, thrusting the dagger into the ground. "A relic?!" Neko took this time to gather herself the best that she could. Having managed to barely get to her feet while Domonic distracted Shadow, the demon hanyou grabbed the double-bladed glaive that was now on the ground. Using it as a support for a moment, Neko gathered all the strength she had, and charged quickly towards Shadow. "I don't know how, but I managed to find that on my journeys. It'll be your last look at it, however," Domonic jeered, closing his eyes. He knew what was coming, and he folding his hands weakly together as if to pray. Once again, the large white wings flashed behind him. "That...that's impossible..." Shadow denied the sight. "You can't be..." Neko wouldn't let him finish, as she changed right into the demon, thrusting one of the two blades of his own weapon right into his throat. She turned away as she pushed the blade slightly further, just to be sure, and dropped the glaive as soon as the weapon had grown heavy from the limp body, collapsing to the ground afterwards. "May you rest in peace," Domonic whispered.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 8:08 pm
June 11, 2004[color=white] Ares
I've realized that lately, I've been becoming more restless as the days go by, and I can't truely be at peace anywhere. When I meditate, I've been thinking of Neko, and I grow more troubled as her trip rolls on to becoming two weeks. Where is she? Why hasn't she come home yet? I hate to say it, but I really do miss her. Though, she's not the only cause for my inner turmoil.
I've been avoiding the shop lately. It's not intentional...Tahki leaves before anyone says anything, and I prefer not to leave Merri here alone, even if the cats are here with him, and Laharl. I trust them, really...but I'd hate to see Merri to become lonely. He doesn't like going to the shop, but perhaps I'll have no choice but to drag him there, even if he's kicking and screaming.
In the meanwhile, I've been practicing what little fencing I know. I found my balance has gotten a lot better since getting my tail, however...there's something different. I don't feel the same when using this sword. I feel like something is missing...as if a part of me is rejecting my practice. I don't feel the peace I once had when I was a child. Neko DID purchase for me that second sword, however. Perhaps I should experiment with the two...
~~~~~~~~~~
Tahki
Neko...Neko come back home...I'm worried!!
~~~~~~~~~~
Merrimack
I know this may sound strange, even for me, but I'm starting to worry about Tahki. She came home really late from the shop and woke us all up with her crying. It seems things are getting worse around here, and it's all Neko's fault...that stupid woman! If she hadn't left, none of this would have happened. ...Right?
Before going to sleep, Tahki was babbling to mommy and Sasuke something about being worried about Yeande now. She's been molting a lot more lately, and while slightly irritating, I suppose it makes sense with all that worry. Hmph...why can't she just go back to being NORMAL? Maybe I just don't understand because I don't feel the same way...and mommy can't seem to talk to Tahki well enough (though they have been talking a lot more lately). I wonder if helping Yeande would help her, though?
Well, it seems we have on more addition to the tiny cat family we have growing. Sometimes I wonder if Laharl is lonely, being the only dog...well, no matter. He'll be fine. Now we have Trowa, a rather silent pixacat. He somehow reminds me of Sasuke in the fact that he doesn't talk a lot.
Tahki went and got him from the shop I had gone to to get Winter. She was saying something about another Neko buying it for our Neko...was she referring to that annoying Chibi Neko that's wandering around the house? Oh well...it's not so bad. ...Stupid demons.
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