*Never say Never*

[Tiff'blz]

Birds were quiet today... A bad sign? Her head hung low as she watched her steps. Yes, Beatrix had tried to make her feel better, but it wasnt exactly that Cassie was sad. She was just confused. She knew that Inu was dead..didnt she? A hand drifted up and touched that spot under her eye that used to sport a heart shape. Its gone.. Doesnt that mean he is dead? Her grey eyes shifted across the leaf covered forest floor, spotting just little spots of moss that were struggling to stay out from under the smothering mass of dying leaves. She scoffed at them. "If you cannot beat them.. Join them." She muttered. Why? Well, even she didnt know. She shrugged, thrusting her hands into her jeans pockets and flipping her hair back over her shoulder.

She looked up, tasting the rain on the air. The clouds just then covered up the sky and blocked out the last of the meager light of the dusky day. "Hmph.." Again, not a good sign. She shook her head, whatever, let it rain. Maybe it will wash away her thoughts. . . As if.

[Marr-bles™]

SMall white paws moved in unison with the man beside her. THe cat eye's looked up to her master, giving a small meow letting him know that she was still down there. Zhane looked down and smiled to the cat still walking. He carried a huge backpack on his back as he trudged through the forest. AFter hearing about his parents moving away from Dotado, he had to travel back to Dotado on foot. Surprisingly, his parents were well off and couldn't offer him a ride. Some parents. He walked slowly wondering if he'd ever get there. Finally he leaned against a tree. "I'm tired, Mouse... come here... I wanna see if we're anywhere near the town... or if there's anyone around." He asked the cat. Mouses' ears moved slighty as he asked, as if the cat actually knew what he was saying. With a mightly leap, the cat jumped into his lap, and Zhane held her close, taking a deep breath. THe exhailation of the breath, brought an exact duplicate of it right beside him. THe cat in his arms lay still for a moment before weakly moving.

"Mouse two, let me use your eye's..." He said to the cat and as the cat did at first, Zhane's form was still as the duplicated cat started to run off. It passed by the tree's quickly as it's vision was Zhanes' eye's allowing him to see what the puppet saw. Instantly the cat stopped seeing a girl in the forest. She seemed distressed some how, but also, she seemed calm. Weird! The cat let out a Meow and turned around wondering if the girl saw it.

The cat's ghost returned to the duo, and as the ghost form jumped back into the cat, Zhanes eye's shot open and he moved to get up. "Looks like there's someone else in this forest other than me!" He held the cat to his body, letting the cat rest in his arms. He paced himself to the exact spot where he'd seen the girl. Instantly he smiled seeing the beautiful creature standing before him. Well, what a find! He shook his head slightly, and ran a hand through his hair before making an appearance.

"Why, hello there... please don't be alarmed... I was just wondering if you knew how much further it was to Dotado... Well, more like town?"

[timeshift]

Ari feels a new companion. a strange yet familiar sense overwhelms him. He reaches out with his mind. the message is simple "find me" it is a message he has sent out countless times.

This is different he thinks to himself. too long to respond. Why has this one not answered? is it trapped? and if so does that explainer the pain? SO Much pain!

/Only once.... at the side show ... when he lost his friends...... Ari was feeling Loss!
Loss and not his own. Ari called his friends to help him find the source of pain he could not clear from his head. This was urgent. He could`t turn it off..

[Tiff'blz]

Cassie heard a distant meowing, but when she looked up there was nothing there. She shrugged and scratched her shoulderblade distractedly when someone showed up in front of her. "Whoa!" She exclaimed as she whipped her arm back around in front of her. " Where did you come from? Umm.. Dotado?" She turned her head around and pointed behind her. "Its back that way. A long way that way.. I seem to have wandered quite a way from home.." She muttered. When she turned back she couldnt help but see that little white cat. "You.. you're the one I heard arent you? Why arent you pretty?" She squated down and held out her hand to the cat, wondering if it would come to her. She looked up at the boy. "What are you doing way out here? Other than trying to get to Dotado of course." She said shrugging her shoulders. She flipped her hair back, letting it all hang behind her back. It laid flat against her shirt, and blended in almost perfectly with the gray.

Suddenly she felt a tug at the back of her mind. Find me.. She stood up quickly and spun around. "What was that?" She said out loud, not thinking for a moment that the man behind her knew what in the world she was talking about. She squinted against the dark gloom that the clouds cast upon the trees, trying to find the source.

[Marr-bles™]

Zhane smiled to the woman coming closer to her, looking as she spoke about where to go. "I came from back there, of course! All that way, huh? I've been traveling for about a day and a half... trying to find my way back to the home I once knew... but... it's alot different when you have to walk the whole way there... It's funny you know? My parent's couldn't even offer me a ride here... To bad..." He told her and watched as she tried to get the cat to come to her. Hestitating the cat neared her hand, and acted as if it nodded to her question. "Me-ow..." It's little voice had a vibration in it emphasising on the ending. Mouse rubbed her head on Cassies hand and turned around going back to Zhanes side, and instantly jumping up into his arms, then on his shoulder wrapping her tail around his neck. "THat's my cat, Mouse... and she wasn't the one you heard earlier.. it was a puppet I sent out..." He told her petting Mouse on the head. "I'm on my way to get a house... My parents have reserved me a house inside of Dotado.... but I just can't seem to get there soon enough... You know?"

Zhane watched her spin around, asking a question. He didn't hear anything... what was she doing? She was acting weird. He looked up at the tree's the same time she did, to try and find the source of her wanderings. "What's going on... umm... what's your name? Mine is Zhane..."

[timeshift]

Again Ari sent out that familiar call.... again the response was undefinable. By now he should have received at least a image from this unknown companion. he was well attuned to this being a snake, and from what he cold tell a snake of considerable attributes.

Was this the time his ability's would chose to fail him? alone in a strange place? something unusual was in the making. Ari reached out with his mind to find all his other friends were in order. All was well save this unusual situation where for the first time his authority had been seemingly questioned.

[Tiff'blz]

Cassie shook her head. "There... A voice... In my head.. Calling me.." She muttered as she stared into the trees. She turned in a slow circle. She pinpointed it, walking delicately in that direction. "Umm..My name is Cassie, and yes I realize that parents can be fickle beings." She shook her head, " I think I can see why.. They didnt want you to leave yes?" She asked, moving tree branches out of her way to move into the woods and off of the cleared path. She looked back. "Well are you coming or not Zhane?" She asked, her eyes looking like gray glass as she resisted the pull in her mind. "Someone is calling to me.. and .. I just .. I have to go.." She paused. "I have an almost irresistable urge to change into my snake form, but something tells me that if I do I will lose all self control.. My will wont be my own anymore.." She muttered, walking into the darkness, watching intently as the clouds shifted and gave her just a little bit of light at an opportune moment.

She stepped into something that looked like a clearing. She came across a man dressed mostly in black and dark grays, eyes as red as blood. He was just standing there as if he was concentrating on something. Cassie hung back, keeping the brush between her and the dark figure. Was this the person calling her? If so.. why?.. and How?

[Marr-bles™]

"A voice?" He said in a whispered tone, his eye's instantly looking around. Maybe he should have used his puppet to explore the lands more before moving back. How could a voice call out to this girl and not to him. Shouldn't he have heard it before? Makes sense right? He followed her a step before stopping again and listening and watching her. CAssie huh? Nice name... I like it... She seems nice, but there's something about her that bothers me. Something isn't right... for her to hear things I can't. Wonder what it is... should I follow or just go about the way that she pointed me? Well, Maybe she can show me the way after this little excursion. I'll stick with her, Cassie! He nodded his head to Cassie.

"Yeah, I guess they didn't want me to come back here. I was at school, until just recently. My parents moved away and expected me to just move where they are, but I want to stay here where I know." He told her watching her go through the bushes and stuff. "Well, you really don't think I'd leave you to follow a strange voice that only you can hear... seems dangerous. He felt a cold chill run down his back hearing that she could turn into a snake and taking over her mind. I knew this girl was strange.. I just hope that she doesn't turn into like a poisonous snake or something... A viper... python... or something worse... He felt himself mentally gulp loudly and followed her despite what he just heard.

Zhane walked into the clearing where she was and his eye's went to the guy in the feild. Dark dress... a shade of red in his eye's... He backed up slightly, around a tree and stared at Cassie. "What does he want? I mean, is he the one you heard?"

[timeshift]

Ari feeling a little uneasy, decides a different approach may be in order. Now humans have appeared in the picture. If ever was a time to locate this new found friend it was now. risking venerability he allows himself his deepest trance. come in peace my friends, join me in the clearing .
Knowing he shouldn't`t risk a long contact he pushes as deeply as he can penetrate the forest.
Soon as he releases the call.... he hears a familiar rustling through the bed of the forest. His friends approaching, he hopes to find this new mind among them.
Looking to the humans in the distance he wonders if he should warn them of his friendly gathering or if he should remain an apparent bystander.
Just as he considered feigning a bystander a old familiar friend began moving round and climbing the length of him to drape around his shoulder.
Ahhhhh he thought to himself..... cover is surly blown but with this particular friend he has always found it was a all or nothing deal.
As the Python settled draped around his waist and across his shoulders, Ari tried to find a suitable introduction. Even now as the forest floor came to life he looked to proper protocol for the situation.
Mabe a simple........
Ari steps forward and offers his friendliest possible" hello", which comes out quite noncommital. yet hopfully non confrontational.

[Tiff'blz]

Cassie heard the call, as plain as she could see that the man in front of her was most definitely the one sending it out. She stepped forward, just as he did, her eyes glazing over as she doubled over. Her mind was too strong to let someone just control her like he was trying to. Though it was quite obvious that he had no idea that she was the one that he couldnt get to listen. She stumbled forward and almost stepped on an entire forest floor full of snakes. They were of all different sizes and lengths... She gasped and her eyes could not help but to rip through them all searching out one in particular. She tore her gaze away to look at the man behind her. "Yes.." She said in a voice that was not quite her own. "Yes, he is the one..and I dont think I know what he wants.. But.. I have a feeling he wants.. Me? .. To answer his call yes.. Snake caller..Cant you see?" She asked, waving a hand to show all of the snakes even though it was hardly necessary when he had a rather large python draped around his neck.

She watched him carefully. "Hello..." She muttered as she looked in the teeming mass of snakes. "Do you talk to your snakes?" She asked him slowly, wanting....needing to know if he knew Inutaisho.. Her Inu..

[Marr-bles™]

Zhane turned from behind the tree to take a look at the guy again, kinda getting the same feeling about Cassie when he first met her. Great....what am I getting myself into? Maybe if I took the escence of one of these snakes, I'd be able to understand what is going on. The animals I create duplicates of.... i understand what they are thinking... feeling... maybe I could do that, but I can't protect myself if I do.... if a poisonous snake gets a hold of my body. He shuddered slightly to the thought of a snake bite, but he looked around at all the snakes appearing out of nowhere. He looked to Cassie to see what she was doing.

"Caa.....ssie? Um.... What am I going to do... I don't want to get bit! I mean.. you know!" Zhane stood still in his tracks and held the cat far up away from the snakes, protecting his precious cargo. He was afraid for his cat, but he could tell she was ready to attack with the claws now starting to dig into his skin. "Shhh... Mouse! STay calm!" He told her and instantly he felt the cat's tense muscles soften, but still ready to attack if a snake was to turn on Zhane, her master. "What is a snake caller.. i mean all these snakes... are going to him... Don't turn if you can help it. We dont know his intentions.

Zhane's eye's went to the man again, seeing the snake resting on his shoulders and could only wonder if his attempted to make a snake puppet would help him understand. He watched the scene waiting on anythign to happen. Waiting on the guy to answer Cassie's question.

[timeshift]

the question reeled in Ari`s mind, how to answer this. Yes he could call them, yes in a way he communicated not speech their minds a little to simple for that.
That was it! the new mind was complex! He realized now the mind he had tried to reach was more than serpent and yet.
Facing the girl he answers carefully , Yes I communicate with them they are my companions and mean no ill will, I sought a mind not among them and now they are free to return to the forest. save my friend Loa here. Ari Gestures to the python draping him like a protective cloak. Loa comes when I call but seldom leaves if things seem interesting regardless of any coaxing.
Ari notices the girls companion seems uneasy and sees him clutching a small animal protectively. in a attempt to put the mans mind as ease he calls out a bit loudly. Loa has recently eaten and seldom risks claws for a meal.

While the conversation is a pleasant break, Ari still wonders about the complex mind and what this might mean for his trying to communicate with it. Always it has been simple calls and commands. Could this new creature really understand? How many of this kind might inhabit this area? What do they look like? a understanding and fierce companion may come in handy!
Ari thought quietly to himself " I hope this creature is a hideous mutation to strike fear when needed, That would be ideal!
On the other hand Ari mused it would be hard to engage in a conversation with the likes of this young couple with a hideous mutation rather than Loa, Loa was making it difficult enough. If only this once Loa would listen and move to a distance. Human conversation was definitely in order.
Ari spoke again "I am Ari I come in peace" as soon as the words left his mouth he wanted to take them back.
your making yourself sound like a alien dude! what a first impression

[Tiff'blz]

Cassie frowned. "Not all snakes are small minded thank you!" She spat out, immediately jumping to the defense of Inu. "I have a snake..a friend..Called Inutaisho. Can you call him?!" She screamed stomping her foot and closed her eyes to bite back the tears that burned the back of her eyelids. " I need to know!" She said, her voice going soft from desperation as her body could no longer sustain the force it took to shout.

Inutaisho.. " Her eyes couldnt hold back the tears as she looked back at Zhane. "Do not worry about your beautiful cat.. I will not let harm come to such a precious animal." She said softly, trying her hardest to sound reassuring. She smiled slowly, but the smile did not quite reach her eyes. She turned back to Ari. "My name is Cassie. I have a link with a snake..but after the war.. i lost that link. I do not know what happened to him and I thought him dead." She said it slowly as she leaned up against the trunk of the tree. She ended up right next to Zhane and she hoped he did not mind.

Back then Cassie looked much different. She had chesnut brown hair and crystal clear green eyes that shown brightly and full of life against her natural tan. She was always accompanied by a snake that was wrapped around her upper left arm. She always talked to him, not really caring if people thought she was crazy because she was the only one that could hear him and she usually sounded like she was talking to herself. Inu's little green head always rested on her shoulder, right below her collarbone and usually fell asleep while she talked, though he didnt mean to..usually. Cassie loved Inu, to the very depths of her soul, she knew that she was meant to meet that snake.. During the attacks, Inu changed in front of her for the first time. He grew into a version of what she looked like in snake form. He was still green but for some reason had streaks of red and black, tiny specks of yellow covered his scaly belly. Cassie was shocked but said nothing, expecting to be able to talk to him later about it. But she never got that chance. Inu was a special snake. He always stayed in the form of a racer, but with a bright shade of green rather than the normal black or dark brown that most racers sported. Cassie figured he liked the speed of that particular breed, just not the color. He was too outgoing to just blend in.

Her thoughts carried her away as she remembered Inu as he was. " Bright green.. A racer.. Completely special.. His mind would make the most intellegent of men cringe at his brilliance. He is smart, witty, and is the most wonderfully caring snake you would have ever met. If you know him..You could not have forgotten him."

[Marr-bles™]

Zhane held on to the cat in a different position, putting her against his chest as the cat used it's claw to climb ontop of his shoulders, wrapping her tail around his neck again. She haunched down on his shoulder, almost ready to pouch. She hissed slightly enough just for Zhane to hear. He noticed this and tilted his head over and touched her head with his hand, rubbing her ear and immediatly hearing a purring noise.
Seldom risks claws for a meal... How reassuring. Zhane still didn't trust this guy, making sure that his hand was still on the cats head.

HEaring Cassies sudden outburst, he knew something was going on. A snake named Inutaisho? Her snake? Wow, It seems like she once had someone close to her as Mouse is to me? I don't know what I'd do without Mouse... it was because of her... that my life was spared so many years ago... and the source of my powers found out. Of course she was just a kitten then, now's she's much wiser and stronger. She could take on a snake or two if she wanted, but she heeds my thoughts and words. I wonder if Cassie will ever be reunited with her snake friend?

Zhane stayed quiet for a moment, not knowing when the time would be good to introduce himself to the guy. He seemed like someone that could offer alot of help to this girl. Zhane smiled seeing her lean against the tree beside him. He felt the moment right, slightly touching her shoulder for comfort, but removed it immediatly a second later. The last words Cassie spoke gave him the time to speak for himself and hopes for Cassie. "My name is Zhane... My friend Cassie really wants to know if you can reach the snake... Can you?" He asked, as the cat on his shoulders leaped up on the tree branch above his head as the snakes began to move about around their feet again.

[timeshift]

Ari felt the pain again, this time he hadn`t tried it was just there, the girl had made a simple request but she had also made him "feel" her loss. He reeled at the implications. Could she force he emotions on others? why would she do this? Ari Knew loss all along and didn`t need help feeling it. he also knew if he could help he should.
Cassie's companion was obviously concerned and Ari knew nothing he could do would ease his mind quickly. again he reached to his friends without explanation and hoping the two would understand, while he was doing this his only defense would be Loa, and apart from looking fierce Loa just wanted to observe. Loa was Ari's Gun without bullets so to speak. Ok the call had been made.
Ari spoke calmly not sure of the outcome of his call.
I have reached out to all in the area, understand that my ability to communicate is based more on simple commands I can bring them close but it up to you to discern your friend. They will do you no harm.
if I could do more I would it causes me no discomfort.
Looking again at Cassie Ari longed to communicate on the level she spoke of with her friend. then maybe Loa would understand he gets heavy after a while.