Welcome to Gaia! ::

Raccoon paused, eyeing the large gate. He couldn't deny the sense of peace the trees brought him. The feeling of calm. The shaking even began to subside as he moved closer. Yet he couldn't help it as he paused, eyeing the dark trees cautiously. What if this feeling of calm and happiness was simply a ruse? A way to get him to relax before... He shuttered. No he didn't like this one bit, he should just turn back around. He started to, meaning to head right back out the portal, past those strange little creatures and the other's, both known and unknown, and right back to wherever was not here.

His mind gave a jolt at the thought and he felt himself drop to his knees as he begun to shake so terribly. Raccoon looked upwards, eyes going to the center and portal where he had come from. He could just go back through the portal and back to...

His mind drew a blank. He didn't know what was on that other side and to be honest he wasn't sure IF it was even better then where he was now. But this dread crept up in the pit of his stomach and made him physically ill to even think about it. He thought about going forward into the dark flora and glowing flowers. His body relaxed, the shaking subsided. He went back to picturing himself walking back out those doors and he retched so hard his eyes watered.

The little spirit raccoon shook it's head and gently smoothed down Raccoon's hair. "Easy now." The voice was gentle now, calming. "Let's go forth. There is nothing gained by walking backwards."

Raccoon blinked slowly and got up, turning back to the island gates. "Alright..." he whispered as he headed past the gates. The relief was so strong his body slumped on the nearest tree. Slowly he lowered himself and just sat, his body shaking with tiny tremors.

((Feel free to yell at me if the colors, mainly Raccoon/Jamie's color, is to light and is hard to read. I tried playing with it to make it read-able but still to offer contrast between Raccoon/Jamie and Spirit Raccoon))

Startled, Raccoon jerked around, his eyes wide. His hand gripped at his chest and he had to just stare a moment while he tried to form a thought that wasn't of the 'let's scream like a baby' train. "H...." he stopped and took a breath, "He...." He shook his head in frustration and swallowed. "Hello." He finally bit out. He took in the man's look and was rather surprised. The way he was dressed stood out, it was even more wild then Bear's hat, and that was saying something in his mind. "A..." He shook his head. "Are you of this place?" he asked softly, carefully pushing himself to his feet.

The little spirit eyed the stranger, perching carefully on Raccoon's shoulder. After a moment he nodded in greeting, not seeing any malice in the man's approach.

Raccoon blinked in surprise. "No?" He thought a moment, reconsidering the man. "I would have thought with your strange clothes and odd tail pattern that would would be a being of this place..." his eyes widdened. "I..." he began to shake, terror filling him at the thought he had offended the stranger. "I only ment... you...I...." he shook. "You dress so colorfully and theatrically.... magically... like this place..." his voice quieted to a whisper as he spoke, hands wringing his tail nervously. His eyes cast downward. "I only know myself as Raccoon...and I...." he chanced a glance up at the man. "I... I was hoping for company.... to... to find what this place means...." he looked around as much as he could, eyes darting about. "And why I feel so safe here..." the last part said softly, almost to himself. Raccoon glanced another look at him. "But I understand if you.... recede your invitation..."

Raccoon jumped at the touch, head snapping up to look at Kuzma. "O...oh... ok...." he said softly, taking a deep breath. He smiled softly in response, his body relaxing at the reassurance. "Thank you." He let out a last shutter as he took another breath, looking around himself. It didn't seem as if there was much in the way of choice. Left, right, straight ahead, or back. His eyes darted towards the gate. "Anyway but backwards." He nodded with conviction. His face flushed, growing hot. "Sorry.. that was stupid... that sounded stupid..." He shook his head. "Um, I think... I think we should head along these trees and bushes here. Perhaps there may be something hidden in the trees and shrubs. If I wanted to hide or hide something, I would do it in trees. They are so dark here." Reaching out he touched one of the trees beside him. "I am not sure, Mr. Kuzma, how long you have been here...." he blinked. "To be honest I don't know how long I have been here either...." A shake of his head. "But that aside... did you see two odd creatures when you entered? ....Were you told anything when you came here?" He looked at Kuzma, tilting his head slightly. He knew those creatures had told him and the others he knew to find these things, but he wasn't sure if there was a reason for Kuzma to be here. And if there was he didn't want to be selfish and force such a kind man to just follow him around and do as he wished.

The small spirit flickered and jumped out of the way as Kuzma's hands came to rest on Raccoon's shoulders. He left out a huff,shooting a glare at the squirrel. "Excuse you." he hissed, more to himself then anything.

The spirit snorted. "Of course I am really here. How rude." He shook his head. Jumping away he posed, waiting to lead the way in whatever direction they picked.

"Sorry... about him." Raccoon shot what he could muster of an "angry" look at the little spirit. "I'm not sure where he came from... but he did seem to lead me here. He's been a little cross, I might have called him a thief on accident..." He smiled sheepishly. "Anyway.... yes lets go... um..." he looked side to side and pointed. "Around left? Let's head around that way and see what we find." He smiled. "Perhaps there will be someone of this land, or treasure!" He couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up at such a childish though. The feeling was so foreign to him, however, that he stopped, blinking in confusion. "Who laughed?" He looked around, unable to comprehend that the sound came from himself.

The little raccoon shook his head, a small smile on his face. He headed on ahead in the direction Raccoon pointed, wanting to check for danger ahead.

Raccoon blinked, looking suspicious and confused. "No... I...I don't think I'm serious. At least I don't try to be..." he said softly. "But I don't laugh... I mean I never feel like laughing. You have to be....happy...and safe to laugh don't you? I mean I am not...sad... or anything... but I can't say I feel like laughing." He frowned, looking at Kuzma. "Is this a trick? Did you laugh? And your playing a trick on me?" Looking around he shrunk into himself a bit. "That isn't nice..." his voice went soft. "To trick someone... because I know... it really couldn't have been me.... it had to have been you... or..." his eyes darted around, his tail flicking wildly. "Someone else... stalking us..." His voice was barely a breath. Eyes wide, he looked at Kuzma. "....Do you think someone is following us?" He looked around again. His breath quickened and he hugged himself. "....I just... I know I couldn't have...made such a happy sound...." Raccoon shook his head. "It just isn't possible."

Raccoon yelped, his eyes widening at the glowing key. They grew even bigger as the little paws, face, and finally squirel appeared behind it. He had never seen a white squirell before. Had never seen a glowing key or black bushes to be honest. But for some reason the squirell struck him as weird. He blinked as it materialized, shooting a look at Kuzma. "I told you it wasnt me." He said, though his voice was quiet and more awe filled then anything else. "I wonder if its been..." As the little creature darted off with the key he yelped again. "Wait! We need that!" He called. He bounced a moment on the balls of his feet, wringing his tail. He needed that key, or so the creatures had said. He needed to know what was all this.... His eyes darted around looking for his little spirit raccoon....guide thing. But the ornary fellow had disappeared into the bush like the squirell. "We need that key." He said agAin, his voice resolute and as firm as he could manage. "Come back!" He yelled weakly as he lurched forward, running after the glow from the key.