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"Yatta!" Taeyeoung had been playing quietly with some of the toys that a certain little 'spirit' of his had found hidden away in a small trunk in the back woods of the forest near the Main Town.. The spirit didn't much like going into town, as, well, she wasn't very social, and, even though she was dead, she still felt like people were staring at her..

But, that was beside the point.. Tae was now lifting a small stuffed dog of some sort into the air. It had four legs, though, one was cut and had to be sewn up as the stuffing was slowly tumbling out of it, and the paws were dirty, as was the once white underbelly.. It had been played with a lot, dragged around by another small child, perhaps..? One eye had popped off a long time ago, and had been replaced with a dark colored button that almost matched the bead of the other.

Dark brown stains rested against its back and forehead, revealing it was, in fact, very old, and worn.. Xi-Xi, meanwhile, idly wondered if they shouldn't wash it first.. It looked horrible.. It needed to be cleaned, but, Tae was still playing with it like it was the best thing since sliced bread.. His guardian spirit just laid down beside him, shifting from her astral form to change into at least half human.. She hadn't been a guardian long, so she couldn't really change into a complete human yet, though, she knew no one else could probably see her..

But this point, she didn't care, so long as she was with her little Tae, she was fine. He provided all the entertainment, love, and affection that she would ever need. And she, in turn, provided wisdom and guidance to the little one.

Soon enough, she found that the boy had found a small pendant in the box. He lifted it up, blinking a bit, "Wow, it's so pretty!"

He was fascinated as the colors swirled from green to blue to purple as he lifted the gold chain up into the light. The pendant itself was in the shape of a small wing of some sort, a black wing, with a small gem hanging down from a tiny clasp below it, but, the other gem was worn, old, and gross looking almost.

Xi-Xi blinked when it glittered into her eyes, blinding her for a moment, all she could see were white and purple multicolored spots in her vision. She grumply squashed one with her fingers, though, it did little to no good, seeing as it was completely useless. She moved closer, only to see a piece of paper inside the box where the pendant had been, Tae, what is that..?

Tae let out a faint mew and took out the paper, blinking a few times at it, he'd turn it one way, then the other, and, finally he shrugged, tossing it over his shoulder. Xi-Xi meeped, and used breeze to keep it from fluttering off into the small pond nearby. She shifted the paper with the wind in order to read it, unable to lift it with her own hands, she had to keep spinning and twirling with the breaze in order to actually read it.

Voor hen die de ketting van goud, en forsake deze vergeten woorden van oud raken. Is gegaan met ye aan een andere tijd, waar er geen doel, reden, noch rijm zijn. she read it aloud quietly, head tilting to the side as she tried to translate it. The only word she could really see was 'forsaken' and, anything that said that word in it, couldn't be good. She blinked when she heard Tae yell, and turned sharply, moving forwards, TAEYEOUNG!

"XI-XII~!" his hand was, at this point, disappearing into the earth. It was like it had melted suddenly and was swallowing him hole! She reached out her own, grasping his and, soon, she too was thrust into the world of unknown. Her eyes were shut, until she could actually feel the air gushing on her cheeks. She was a spirit, she wasn't supposed to feel anything! And so, her eyes would slowly peek open. She could see Tae, now clinging to her hand and trying to claw his way up into her open arms. She finally grabbed onto him, and turned her eyes about.

It was like walking into another world. Their surroundings were simply blue, blue, blacks, golds, and purples that swirled and danced around them, much like the pendant that Tae still wore about his neck. He no longer cared about the gem, apparently, as he was too busy sobbing against Xi-Xi. Neither of them could explain why they were in this sort of warp.. She, especially, had no idea what was going on!

And so, she found that the two of them were spat out, and, when her boney a** connected with a wooden floor, she yelped, and rubbed her lower back, "Oww.."

Tae was still clinging to her, tail fluffed out as large as possible and pupils contracted to tiny dots.. She lifted her hand, and idly stroked the top of his head as she turned her eyes about the current place they were in. She could smell the dirt, grime, and, just about old-ness floating about in the air. It actually made her sneeze twice, and she rubbed her nose, lowering her gaze to her little child she smiled faintly, "It's all right, Tae.. We're okay.. I think.."

"Xi-Xi! You can talk! And.. And you're warm! And you smell like kiwi! And.." grrwl.. Apparently, Tae's babbling had made him hungry. Xi-Xi, too, soon found her own stomach was starting to rumble a bit. She placed her hand over it, quietly telling it to shut the hell up, she slowly stood, taking Tae with her by holding him in her arms on her hip.

"Let's see where that thing spat us out at.." she muttered, and, soon began to move from the darkened room. It wasn't long before she found the boards were almost purposely creaky, letting out squeals of protest as she placed her weight down onto her foot and continued moving forwards quietly.

As the light became slightly brighter, she noticed that the place had no furniture, save for some old fashioned junk that was half covered in sheets, half covered in muck, mold, and dust from time.. Tae had already burried his face into her neck, whimpering about being hungry and scared..

She soothed small circles onto his back as she quietly began to move forwards more, eyes turning this way and that as she took in the surroundings. Soon, she shifting her hand along the cobwebbed wall, screaming out as a spider crawled up her arm and she could have SWORN it waved at her! She leapt to the side, shaking her arm off wildly as Tae cried against her.

Instantly she went into mother hen mode, "Shh~! Shh, it's okay! It was just a spider!" she tried, and, soon, he calmed down, eyes half lidded as he stared about, "This room is ugly.. They painted the walls purple.." he muttered.

Xi-Xi hadn't really been able to determine what color anything was, yet.. And she soon found a light switch. She flipped it on, hearing a faint 'bzzat!' sound, and, with an almost lazy flicker, the lights came on, casting an almost ghastly yellow glow about the room.

It was a dining room, apparently, and, Tae had been right, the walls were painted purple and there was faint white lining along the lower part of the floor molding. The floor itself, here, was carpeted, but, apparently there was wood underneath, as it creaked with each step she took. A grand table was placed in the middle of the room, seating at least fifteen people, she idly wondered who could have lived here..

There were settings for all the chairs, namely the two fairly LARGE ones on either end. Apparently the lord and lady of the house were supposed to sit there.. She idly pressed her hand against the red aphostry, and, soon enough found that it was, in fact, warm. Someone had just been there!

But the plates were thick with dust from what looked like it had been years! She ran her finger against one plate that had been colored brown.. Only to find that in her finger's wake that it was a pure white with blue wrapped around the edges. She placed Tae down, hushing him and telling him to stay close as she began brushing the plate off completely.. She found it was in fact very fine, and very expensive China. She blinked at her reflection, brushing some dust off her cheek her eyes flicked to the side.

And there she saw something she would never forget throughout the rest of her life, be it spiritual or not. In the reflection on the glass, there was someone hanging from the entryway of the room. A young man, actually, with thick brown hair tied back in a ponytail, though half had fallen out and over his shoulders. He was wearing old style clothing, much like the mid century, Vicrtorian age, maybe, including the white tights, black slack capri style pants, the huge flowing collar at the neck tucked into a black vest and white shirt.

She screamed out, dropping the plate and it crashing onto the floor in front of her. Tae let out a yeowl as it had landed on his tail, and grabbed the appendage, sniffing and starting to cry from the pain. She leapt down, "I'm so sorry, Tae! Are you all right!? Here, let me see.." and with that, she began examining the appendage, trying to forget that image in the back of her mind..

Namely those sad, sorrowful eyes.. It was like the plate's reflection only made them darker, as they appeared to be a hazel brown in color. She idly made sure that Tae's tail wasn't broken as she stood, and, would soon turn around after picking him up, "Let's see if we can't get you something to-"

She turned only to be face to face with the man that had only been hanging moments before,"eat.."she squeaked. She stared hard at the man, and fell backwards, eyes wide and glaring almost at him, "STAY AWAY!"

She lifted some random object, she had no idea what it was, only that it was metallic, and, she didn't know much about horror stories, so maybe whatever it was would deter the thing away.

Alas, she was waving around a tiny tea-spoon. Her arm flailed slightly, and, the spirit that was currently standing where he'd first appeared was a bit.. Confused. One slender brow had rissen as he tucked his hair back from his face. Upon doing so only pronounced the thick black scar across his white, almost blue colored skin.

Though, Xi-Xi couldn't see it, she was still waving the spoon about.

Xi-Xi's POV - type thingy..

Xi-Xi sighed faintly, shifting to swirl about Tae's body a bit more, she'd watch as his owner moved into the house once more, having just gotten home from school, she looked tired, too.

The little Zahdl had been very strange that day.. He wasn't bouncing about like normal, and, in fact, he wasn't even really talking much, save for the faint mews and purring from Xiao's hands as she pet and scratched his ears.

"Well, you ready for our big day out? I did all my homework at school, I have no tests to study for, and I'm ready and set to go!" the woman lifted her arm, flexing her bicept wiht a victorious grin on her face.. Tae, meanwhile, just smiled faintly, and lifted his arms upwards towards her, "Up.." he said weakly, mewing faintly, pitiful..

Xi-Xi couldn't help but notice the worry lacing over Xiao's face as she lifted the small creature, burrying her nose against his fur, and, soon, wrapping him up in a blanket, seeing as it was kind of chilly outside, "Well, let's go then, scamp!"

With that, she'd turn, and, start out the door, locking it behind her.. Xi-XI kept close for now, observing the two. Both owner and ownee were acting strange, in fact, they both acted like they had no energy at all. Xiao had an excuse, though, as she was a college student trying to get a job and money in order to move out of her family's place entirely and stop mooching off of them.

But Tae had been feeling and acting strange all day.. He hadn't moved from his bed since Xiao had left, and, even though Xi-Xi had been trying to urge him to get something to eat, the little bopper would roll over onto his side, curl up into a tight ball, and whimper into his pillow. The guardian spirit was worried about her small friend, but there was nothing she could really do about it..

She turned her eyes towawrds the owner, soon enough, and sighed. What was going through Xiao's head? Maybe the woman was just thinking it to be a small cold or something? Was she even really as worried as most mother-types would be..? Xi-Xi couldn't tell, she hadn't known the woman long enough to really be able to decipher it..

--

Xiao's POV- type thing..

She sighed, she really was worried about Tae, really, but, the boy wouldn't give even the faintest hint as to what was wrong with him.. She lifted her hand, idly brushing along the small creature's ears with a smile.. The little child just purred into her hand, tilting his head upwards and back into her palm, as though saying 'more pettin's!'

She quietly obliged, and, soon enoguh, got into the car, "How about we go to the Gardens today, Taeyeoung..? Wouldn't that be nice? Just a day to ourselves, enjoying the pretty flowers..?" she knew that Tae loved going to the Gardens, he would always dance around and play in the grass, always getting absolutely filthy..

He simply let out a faint mew, huddling up in the blanket in Xiao's lap, and, soon burrying his face against her belly. Xiao squeaked, lowering her eyes towards him she'd smile, and shake her head.. She turned her eyes back, turning in the seat faintly as she backed out of the driveway, and would soon start down towards the road, and start driving, being careful and quite on how she went about it.. She was tired herself, and a park visit would be easier on her, as all she would have to do was watch Tae, instead of walking and running after him..

She sighed, letting her head droop a bit, and, would lower her gaze towards the small bundle in her lap as the Zahdl would mew faintly, eyes closed, apparently dreaming.. She lowered one hand, stroking along his back through the blanket as she drove one handed for now.. The Gardens weren't that far away, thank goodness, so she wouldn't have to worry about a very long drive, or Tae getting carsick, either..

She turned the car soon, and, would park in the small lot off to the side, putting the car in park, she'd soon nudge Tae, "Ne, Tae, wake up, honey.." she nudged him a bit more, but, he didn't seem to be waking up.. She blinked a few times, and, would soon lift Tae into her arms, leaning back against the seat, "Tae, are you feeling okay..?"

The small creature kyuu'd at her, soon opening his eyes, lazily, to watch the other with a faint smile, and, soon, would lick her cheek, his way of saying he was okay.. She didn't believe him, though, "Let's go home, then.. You're not feeling well.." she let him down on her lap once more. But the small Zahdl would let out faint mews in protest, gripping onto her shirt and tugging slightly, wanting to go out..

She sighed faintly, and, soon enough, she'd open the car door, turning to lift the other into her arms and hold him close as she stepped out.. Her eyes turned towards the small pathway, and she started walking, still holding the small creature in her arms, she'd find her favorite spot in front of the oak tree open.. Good.. She moved towards it, and sat down, resting Tae beside her, "Aren't you gonna run around a bit and enjoy yourself, Tae..? We're at the Gardens now.."

--

Taeyeoung's POV - type thing..

He felt tired.. Mostly, just too tired to really do much else than hug onto his care-taker's shirt.. When she mentioned something about running around, he winced, turning his eyes upwards with a faint smile.. He slowly pushed himself up, blanket tumbling down his shoulders. But, it wasn't long before his arms gave way, and he just fell onto the blanket once more, whimpering..

Something was wrong, he knew it, but, he didn't want his care-taker to worry.. XI-XI was already freaking out, really, and it was to the point that she was constantly buzzing into his ear.. He sighed faintly, lifting his chubby hand he'd wave it lightly about in a 'stop it' sort of way, and curl up at Xiao's side against her leg, "Dunwannago.." he muttered..

He had a feeling that Xiao didn't understand really, and, he would lift his eyes, smiling as he rested his chin against her thigh, "Wanna spend time with you.." he managed out, lifting a hand and soon the other, kneading into her leg and purring as he curled up beside her. Apparently, he didn't want to have as much fun as normal. Right now, he was too tired.. He'd been tired for the past week, and he hadn't eaten much, but, he hadn't told Xiao that, she'd flip.. The little creature was just so tired.. He turned to lift his eyes towards the other, wanting to see her reaction.

She looked really worried about him, and, he couldn't help but smile at that, he was glad.. That she was caring enough about him.. He liked that, he loved being cared for.. It made him feel all cushy inside and stuff.. Fuzzy all over, even more so than he already was.. He smiled gently, and, slowly, he would shift to crawl into her lap, and curl up into a loose ball there.. He wanted to sleep for some reason, and he'd happily sleep the entire day away, so long as he could still smell Xiao's scent, he'd be all right..

He was vaugely aware of her moving, and, she was standing.. His eyes opened groggily, and he protested quietly, hand rising to press against her arm, but, he knew he couldn't change her mind when she spoke, "We'll spend time together at home.. Baby, you're sick, and we need to get you home.." she'd hug onto him lightly, wrapping him oncem ore in the blanket, and heading down the path.

Tae turned his eyes towards the flowers that had been calling out to him, but.. He just didn't have the energy to really go and play.. He didn't feel like it for some reason.. He was tired, weak, wanting nothing more than to just lay back and rest in his caretaker's arms.. And he was glad at that at least.. When she opened the car door and got in, his ears pushed back. He hated the sound of the car's engine, it was always too loud..

He whimpered to himself, and, soon, would start shifting to burry his right ear against her naval, "Too loud.." he whimpered, and would lift his hands over his ears.. They were growing extremely sensitive for some reason, and it hurt.. He didn't want to be this sensitive.. It was too much.. It sounded like someone had stuck his head under teh car hood and turned it on.. Xiao could only stroke his head and fur as she drove, not turning on the radio, or anything, like she normally did..

He found them back at the house in the Barracks soon enough, and would turn his eyes upwards, blurrily trying to make out shapes as Xiao lifted him and held him like one would a small cat in her arms.. He merely curled up in them, and, hearing the door unlock and the both of them climbing in, he'd smile. She turned on the TV to one of his favorite movies, making a few pillows into a nest for him, she'd set him down on it, "I'll get us some snacks.. We'll spend all day watching tv so you can sleep and nap and whatever you want.."

He mewed faintly, curling up in the large pillows.. The blanket smelled like Xiao, so he could deal with it for now.. He turned his eyes towards the screen once more, eyes half lidding as he tried to decipher the blurbs dancing around the screen.. He wanted to watch it, really did.. But, by the time he heard Xiao returning, he couldn't keep his eyes open, and had fallen asleep..

--

Xi-Xi's POV - type thingy..

The guardian spirit was now more scared for the little one than ever.. She hadn't been really briefed by the other spirits on what was supposed to happen to the Zahdl.. For all she knew, Taeyeoung was dying right in front of her, and she couldn't do anything!

She sighed faintly, watching as Tae curled up in the pillows and fell asleep shortly after arriving back home.. Xiao shortly returned after getting a few fruit snacks and some fruit pieces with sugar on them.. She licked her lips, hell, if she wasn't a spirit, she'd be inhaling the peach slices, but, as it was, she was dead, and currently stuck with Tae..

She missed his energy, actually. He was normally a lot of fun to watch, really, but, now that he wasn't feeling well, he was boring to watch, and it was more interesting watching paint dry.. She shifted to sit atop his hip, watching as Xiao draped another blanket over him, which, in turn, slipped straight through Xi-Xi's form and right ontop of him. Xi-Xi snorted, Hmph, doesn't even care I'm here, does she..?

She only watched Xiao for a while longer as the woman turned the TV off soon enough, leaning sideways, her head would rest on the pillow, body turned the opposing way to rest her cheek against it, and to actually be sleeping close to Tae.. Xi-Xi couldn't help but smile, the woman was sweet enough, anyway.. She yawned herself, and would soon fall asleep as well.. Seemed it was the smart thing to do, everyone else was sleeping..

--

Xiao's POV - type thingy..

Xiao grunted when she finally awoke.. It was late at night, she could tell by how dark it was outside.. She muttered to herself, shifting to brush her fingers through her hair and push it back from her eyes.. Tae was whimpering, curled up tight into a ball.. She felt her stomach drop soon enough, and, she would slowly move her hand to start brushing along his ears..

"Ssh.. It's okay.. I'm here.." she wasn't going home that day.. She'd stay the night here at the Barracks with the little one until she was sure he was all right.. She was curious as to what was going on, and she didn't know of anyone that would be able to help them, really. Where there any doctors for Zahdl..? Was there some kind of office that she hadn't been aware of..?

She sighed, sitting up, she'd yelp when her ankle popped, grimacing at it, she'd rub the appendage, only to hear a faint mew, and, soon, she'd spot Tae waking up, turning towards her, and reaching his hand out weakly, tears in his eyes.. He apparently thought she was leaving.. She hushed him quietly, laying back down and letting her hand tangle with his, "I'm not going anywhere.. I just had to get up for a second.."

The little one merely sniffed, and would move to crawl over her, and rest on her stomach and chest, face burried into her collar bone.. She blinked a few times, "Did you have a bad dream, Tae..?" she lifted her hand, resting it against the back of his head and stroking his fur once more.. He nodded meakly, gripping onto her shirt once more and whimpering out, "I hurt.."

She blinked a few times, then sat up, one arm curled under his legs to keep him up, while the other wrapped around his lower back, "You hurt..? Where does it hurt, baby..?" she was worried about it now, more so than before.. The little one couldn't answer, shivering in her arms and whimpering to burry his face deeper into her neck, "It hurts.. All over.."

His tail was limp over her arm, breathing in shallow, shakey breaths.. She was worried more than ever now as she rubbed lightly against his back, smoothing out small circles against his spine, "Ssh.. I'm here.. I wish I could take away your pain.." and, soon, he'd start crying quietly against her shirt, faint mewling sounds apparent as he would clutch even tighter..

She didn't know what was going on with him, but, now she was scared she was going to loose her little friend..