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Post by Tiff'blz on Aug 19, 2007 21:53:48 GMT -5
Cassie felt the reassuring pressure of Zhane's hand as he lited it on her shoulder just briefly. "Friend..been a while since I have had someone call me that.. Inu is the only one that truely understood me..and he called me a fool hardy, pig headed, thickskulled ignorant child.. " She chuckled softly. "And I do believe he was right. " She said with a thoughtful smile. She turned back to Ari. " I am sorry, if it were that easy I think I would have found him by now. But I think our link has been broken." She said softly, touching the mark-free spot on her cheek. "There used to be a heart on my cheek..right below my left eye. I recieved the mark at the exact second that I met Inu.. " She brought her hand down harshly, actually smacking it on the tree that she leaned up against and winced, trying to not show the pain. It was nothing compaired to the pain in her heart..so she didnt feel it was right to complain about something so small. She covertly hid it behind her back. "I do not know what he would even look like now..If he has changed as much as I have, I would not be able to pick him out in a crowd I am sure.." She said, looking down at the ground in shame. She shuffled her foot around just a little, moving the pine needles around and she looked up. Sure enough a great old pine stood towering over her head. Reminded her somewhat of her conscience..
She looked up at Ari, seeing a pained look on his face. "Are you okay?" She asked him quietly, glancing back at Zhane and Mouse with concern. He had spoken up for her and put her words into a more meaningful sentence. "Thank you.." She said with a twinge of a real smile in his direction. She saw how watchful Mouse looked. "Do not fret Mousie..I will not let them hurt you.." She said looking up in the tree she had spotted the white cat. "Yet I do not blame you for getting out of the way just in case.." She laughed, a little doubtfully as she saw the snakes reappear from Ari's second calling. "You have quite a gift.." She said, gazing longingly at the snakes.
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Post by Marr-bles™ on Aug 19, 2007 22:15:03 GMT -5
Zhane looked up at the cat again, giving the cat a look of staying put, and the cat obeyed his look, now laying down on the branch. He knew Mouse felt better at the height, thus his fears of the cat were no longer there. He turned back to Ari watching the snakes recall back to him. Helping out a friend.... or overcoming fears of large sums of snakes.... which is more important Zhane? WHich one... Times up... I guess it's the friend. YOu already spoke out for her, now you must pay.
"Do us no harm? Are you sure? I mean, you couldn't completely control them.. I mean..." Zhanes fear was still there. He never knew he was afaid of snakes before until he was surrounded. Another metal gulp came to him as he neared Cassie's form, letting himself feel more comfortable being next to someone who knew the ways of the snakes. Surely she'd be able to warn him if there was an angry one among them, right?
"Well, CAssie... it's not everyday, I risk my life in a forest of summoned snake for a girl...!" He referring to the friend question, but gave a slightylaugh to the thoughts of Inu's words. "CErtainly, he was mistaken?" Zhane flinched slightly to the unexpected smack she made to the tree. That's GOTTA hurt! He said to himself and watched as though it didn't affect her. Interresting... she didn't make any movement to that... didn't she feel that? I think I did!
Zhane only nodded to Cassie, letting his vision stay on Ari, trying to take note on what he was doing. THis was definatly something you didn't see every day. "Can you not try to reach him if he was here Cassie? I mean, what if he is here... and he just dont' remember you?" Mouse moved slightly to Cassies words, letting out a lowered "Me-oowww". Definatly a smart cat! "Ari... Is it possible to sort the snakes out... I mean... try to find what Cassie said he stayed as all the time.. a racer?" He asked just as a snake touched his leg and wrapped around his foot, staying there for a second before moving along. Zhane let out a breath of releif seeing the snake go, and hearing a hissing sound from above.
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Post by timeshift on Aug 19, 2007 22:32:09 GMT -5
Ari thought a moment "I can sort by species and size but her friend can`t talk to me the way he spoke to her " sending the others back into the forest Ari felt a loss.
The first chance he had to get his foot into a normal human relationship just went up with the one thing he could do and his short comings at it.
Why just this once could he not actually speak with one of his friends.
She said this one was special and had intellect. if that were true maybe his call was too in-specific. Maybe he should look for that intellect and try on a understanding level, unlike with Loa who had now seemingly dozed off and showed no sign of slipping off his shoulders. Loa had eaten well and was getting too big for this.
This time Ari was going to try something his friends should not understand, this time would be different. He allowed his mind to focus and called a broad call but for Inu, Inu alone if he could understand should answer yet all would here. Maybe that unusual feeling before,
maybe this time it would answer. it must be that Inu is the snake that resisted! I was trying too simple! Ari called to Inu with a plea born of the pain he had recently felt, if this animal was near it MUST come!
Ari made not a promise and said no word as the others moved back to their routine as if never called. He would do this without getting anyones hopes up. as the call ended " where is good to find food around here? I am famished"
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Post by Tiff'blz on Aug 19, 2007 22:46:51 GMT -5
Cassie gazed at Ari sadly. "Yes.. there are places to get good food.. But you will have to wait, we will have to go all the way back to Dotado to get it." She said turning back to Zhane. "No.. he was not mistaken.. I have proven his words true over and over again." She heard the call that Ari sent out. Trying his hardest to pinpoint Inu. He was trying so hard.. He felt that pain? He felt her pain? Cassie cringed, not knowing that she had done that for him. But she couldnt help, nor could she or would she try to crush that little tiny ray of hope that Ari had just given her. She turned back, giving him a discrete glance, not letting him know that she knew what he had done, for he obviously hadnt wanted her to know. He didnt want to get her hopes up if the call failed, and Cassie could appreciate that. "Come one then." She said softly to Ari, beconing him to follow her and now Zhane to the town. She would hit two birds with one stone. She would get Ari food, and show Zhane and Mouse where the town was. Oh yes. She turned and looked up. "Come on Mouse..we're going to town, dont want to leave you behind." Then chuckled knowing that leaving that cat behind was the last thing on Zhane's mind.
She picked her way back to the trail. Speaking low to Zhane. "Well if you dont help out damsels in distress that often.. should I feel lucky? I do appreciate your effort.." She said ducking her head.
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Post by Marr-bles™ on Aug 21, 2007 16:32:12 GMT -5
Zhane looked up at Ari as his words answered his question. Sort by species and size but her friend can't talk to me the way he spoke to her. What was going to happen if the snake has somehow disappeared, either from death or capture. The snake wouldn't come and his new friend would still be heartbroken to the loss of her snake. Mouse let out a small meow as she got up and paced the tree branch watching as all the snakes moved back to their original area's.
"Well, at least he tried... I mean... Maybe the snake, I mean Inu... what if he's just too far away to hear that call?" Zhane tried to say something that would give CAssie hope, not knowing that Ari had tried to do the same by calling again. Looking to Ari again, he noticed the snake around his neck wasn't moving, a perfect sign that it was asleep or content. It sent a comfort towards Zhane considering the size of it. "All the way back to Dotado... It really can't be any farther than I've already gone already, and it would be nice to have company, Yes!"
His words spoke out after Cassie mentioned going to Dotado and taking Ari with them. Comforting to have a man who can call snakes and a girl that can turn into one. How lucky was he? Mouse haunched down hearing her name called and watched Cassie intently. As if on cue, she jumped down from the branch landing on all four feet and trotted over to the girl, stepping with her rythm of steps. Zhane smiled seeing the cat so comfortable with her. "Well, It seems that Mouse likes you. She don't normally isn't really socialble with stangers. Of course, I don't blame her..." Zhane mentally shot himself as he raised his arms behind his head, giving off a small laugh. "Well, consider yourself lucky... and myself, too. I guess as you say... I normally don't get the chance to meet a Damsel in distress!" Just as he finished the last word, he didn't see that she ducked so he was brutally massacred by tree branch. He laughed as he kept his cool.
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Post by timeshift on Aug 21, 2007 17:00:30 GMT -5
Ari knew his best had fallen short of the mark. He had tried to reach the intellect and received no response, But of course the intellectual snake may see his mind intrusions as a invasion. He hadn`t considered that, but it was a distinct possibility.
Until he could learn more about this strange creature he would have to be careful and hope it didn`t wander out of his range. He was amazed at the way he had continually made himself vulnerable during this brief encounter with strangers. Seldom did he ever drop his guard and now he was making a habit of it? Still they didn`t know he was weak in his calling state, but did it matter?
Watch it Ari thinking and walking not a strong point
Well the company was such he could use his vocal cords for a change. that was a boon. And the fact neither had attempted to kill or mame a true plus! the day is looking up! Ari for a change felt he could relax, So long had he watched over his shoulder. Far from the side show the memories could now be allowed to fade and new acquaintances could emerge. A new life started washing over him as he tried to keep up with the departing duo.
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Post by Tiff'blz on Aug 21, 2007 17:16:35 GMT -5
Cassie sighed. "Well I gue-" She started when Zhane hit the tree branch. "Ohh! ..... ... duck?" She said timidly, laughing despite herself as he tried to keep his cool. She looked back. "Ari, be careful, dont hit the branch!" She said, then stopped wondering what was taking him so long. She smiled nervously and looked down at Mouse, who had made herself quite comfortable walking next to Cassie. She kneeled down yet again to scratch the cat between her ears and looked up at Zhane with a smile. "Well it isnt .. that far.. It is a good ways though. You can see the tips of the highest houses from the outskirts of the town.." She said softly, sitting down with exhaustion.
A soft and sarcastic voice rung in from a seeming distance, sadly enough only to Ari's ears. "Yes?" [/b] The voice sighed deeply, swallowing the very last of his meal. The sound of something curling up, just a whisper of solid smooth scales on the ground was heard, possibly passing by his ears like a wind blowing. The feeling of a snake laying his head contentedly on itself as it lay in the sun was apparent. "You interrupt my meal.. I assume that you have an extremely good reason for this?"[/b] Eyes slitted and vertical closed only slightly, but looked as if they were focused on an undetermined point.
Cassie leaned back. "I am truly sorry..I do not know why I am suddenly so tired.." She closed her eyes, but got up at the same time, hoisting herself up by the palms of her hands pushing up at her sides. She shook her head. "I feel better now.. Strange.." She frowned and placed a hand up to her face, covering her eyes to peer over the last of the trees at the fringe of the forest. She turned in a semi-circle, focusing in on the town. "This way." She said, heading out the long trip home. It would take about three hours, she hoped they were in for the walk. She turned back, squinting to the two men and the cat ..and the snake.. behind her. Amazing that she had come alone, just to have a parade to bring back home.
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Post by Marr-bles™ on Aug 21, 2007 17:29:51 GMT -5
Zhane looked back at Ari waiting to see if he was going to try and catch up to the duo ahead of him. Zhane, who still had doughts about this guy, seemed to be getting more open with this guy. Well, he'd be spending enough time with him traveling back to town, so he might not be picky with who he was to hang out with. He rubbed his forhead where he smacked onto the branch, forgetting to duck. "You know... that actually kinda hurt! CAn't beleive I didn't see that infront of me. Maybe I need to have my glasses checked!" He joked as he watched Mouse stop suddenly and look back at him.
"ME-OWWW!" Zhane picked up the cat hearing the tone of the voice.
"Well, Mouse... I do not beleive that I asked for your comments!" He said. He acted as though he could actually talk to this cat. Mouse cuddled up to Zhane, letting her head rub on his arm and she finally relaxed. "Oh, right... Make me do all the walking. Your a very lazy cat, Mouse!" He said aloud, then looked to Cassie as she sat down for a moment. Zhane walked to her side and leaned against the tree, his gaze was upon her face as she closed her eye's, then turned to get up.
"You sure your okay? We can rest a bit longer if you need to. I'm in no... REAL hurry!" He said and took a few steps a head of her, but turning back a second later. "What's strange?" Mouse went along with the question followed by another 'Meow'.
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Post by timeshift on Aug 21, 2007 17:45:51 GMT -5
Ari was visibly shaken........... he had heard the voice like it was inside his own head. Stopped dead in his tracks, his new companions temporarily forgotten... The Call " forgive the intrusion, I seek a sentient serpent know as Inutaisho and had no intent to interrupt your meal only to reach the aforementioned."
It was true! he could communicate on a higher level! Joy of Joys! though this newest contact seemed less that amenable to his mental intrusion. Now in hindsight he felt maybe it was wrong to hope it was the frighteningly monstrous friend he had first envisioned. If he has taken offense to the intrusion hope would be he is small and diminutive.
Ari braced himself for a reply and hurried toward his company in the distance, what had Cassie just..............omph! oh yes the branch..... Ari scolded himself for his new found attention deficit.
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Post by Tiff'blz on Aug 21, 2007 17:59:35 GMT -5
Listening attentively to the sudden call that had hit him, Inu had almost choked on his food when the man said he was looking for Inutaisho. "Inutaisho?"[/b] Came the tentative and doubtful reply. "And may I be so bold as to ask why you are looking for said snake?"[/b] He asked it in a monotone somewhat sorely amused voice, not answering or denying that he was Inu. His head lifted and turned as if looking for the voice of the man that had spoken so clearly to him that he would have sworn that it had come from just beside him. " And.. Well.. Who is asking?"[/b]
Cassie heard Ari speaking softly and when turning back to see what or who he was talking to. "What was strange was that I suddenly felt better..but.." She shook her head slowly and placed a hand to a temple and rubbed it as if she had a sudden headache." But the feeling came back..right as Ari started talking.." She said peering at the man and watching as he completely disregarded her warning and ran right smack into the exact tree limb that she had told him to watch out for. She huffed and placed her hands on her hips and grinned at the silly sight. She leaned her head toward Zhane, not taking her eyes off of Ari, with a half smile on her face. "Well whether or not you are in a hurry, I do believe our friend here is and so am I actually.. I want to be home.. what little home I have.." She said whistfully. She actually had the money to buy a house..but who would want a large house? .. The emptiness would only echo that which had settled itself so deeply within her heart and soul.
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Post by Marr-bles™ on Aug 21, 2007 18:13:49 GMT -5
Zhane saw that Ari had stopped and stopped along with him, taking not additional steps. He watched intently on what was going on, and suddenly looked around him to see if he was calling the snakes out to get him or something. Releived to see that the forest floor wasn't moving after a few minutes, he remained calm. Mouse lifted her head to see Ari stop and jumped down out of Zhanes arms and walked near Ari. Her cat eye's stared over him and then looked around the forest.
"What's wrong Ari?" He asked, trying to shake him from his present situtation of running to the same branch he did. He subconsciously touched his forehead again, knowing where it hit him and cringed. "WEll, If I must say myself, I don't feel half as embarrassed now!" He said in a humorous tone to lighten the mood. He turned his sight back to Cassie. "Well, I am really wanting to find my house, but I didn't want you to be rushed if you didn't feel well." He told her instantly turning around and starting to walk again.
What are you thinking? She evidently wanted to get home, but curse my advise and words on being in a hurry. I really am in a hurry. I don't want to be caught out here in the forest late at night... with no provisions. At that second in his thoughts, he could feel his stomache growling. Great... I start thinking about food and instantly, I get hungry. Curse the timing. I wonder why she lives alone? Isn't she married or anything. I know she has a thing for a certain snake, but ... maybe that's why the house is so empty? WHo know's... I hope after we reach Dotado, we could still keep in touch. She seems very interesting to be around... Not to mention that Ari guy? Now, he kinda scares me, but what can I say...
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Post by timeshift on Aug 21, 2007 18:30:42 GMT -5
Ari knew he needed to keep cool with this but suppressing his shear joy at his new found ability! I seek said snake for one who calls herself an old friend, one who longs to reunite with said serpent, please do you know of this individual? ..................Cassie the name was a accident. Ari had not intended to divulge that information without knowing who he was communication with but she was too fresh in his mind. Her pain brought her name out by compulsion. Ari toppled on a root and rolled to the side of the path. He hadn`t stopped to make the call he did it mid stride and as his body unlocked he was disoriented. they will think you the clumsiest baboon! only a stroke of luck has spared that poor cat your bad landing !
Loa upset by the way he was dumped to the forest floor sulked off into the dark of a nearby pile of rocks, Ari relieved. He thought he saw relief in the cats expression as well.
In an attempt to save face and make light of his fumble, Ari made a exaggerated point of brushing himself off. "if for some reason we need make camp I can arrange a food delivery if one of you can provide flame, I fear if I start a fire the forest may be gone by dawn" Ari felt a knot in his stomach that the cat had approached and suffered a near miss that must have scarred its trust. it`s master would now even have more reason for mistrust such was Ari`s ability to make friends!.
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Post by Tiff'blz on Aug 21, 2007 19:00:41 GMT -5
Cassie sighed and smiled at Zhane. "Its alright, I knew you meant well.. And no I dont think we will need to set up camp anytime soon, it will take sometime to get to Dotado, but we will make it by dusk if we head there now." She said, watching Ari stumble she yelled out as he almost stepped on poor Mouse. "Are you okay?" She asked, right as she felt as if a train had hit her full force.
"WHAT?! LIAR! CASSIE DIED YEARS AGO!...You.. sir.. need not lie to an old snake.. I do not appreciate it.. How did you know about Cassie? How?! ... " [/b] The snake unraveled and stood up, angry and infuriated at the sudden pain that shot through his entire being. He had known such pain before.. But not like this. It hurt so much.. The loss of Cassie had massacred his selfworth and he had wandered around the old Cassis, no longer seeking human relations with anyone.. He wondered if snakes could cry... " I am Inutaisho.. Cassie was my only friend.. she was my link, as I was hers. . . She died during the war.. I would and could begin to call you all the things to come to mind.. But like I said.. I am getting old.. and tired.. The only person that could have kept me young passed away, and I cannot say I am grateful for you drugding up such a painful past." [/b] His head laid down, a defeated and somewhat pathetic view for anyone that had seen it. He gave up..
Cassie swayed and rested her hand against a nearby tree. "What the... Oh my God.. What is wrong with me? I feel pain, and denial? Whatever for? Ari..?" She paused, breathing heavily. "This is.. horrible.." Tears burned her eyelids.
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Post by Marr-bles™ on Aug 21, 2007 19:18:50 GMT -5
Zhane watched in amazment as the guy fell over to the ground, just narrowly missing his cat. Mouse quickly let out a yelp and jolted out of his way and ran into the forest a few feet away from the group, hiding in the bushes. He kinda let his mouth get crooked at the sight of all of it, but quickly let him mouth go back to a dull look. This guy about killed my cat! Where is Mouse at now? I really need to find her before any of the snakes that guy called earlier finds her.
"I'm glad we don't have to make camp, I've never really been camping before ever in my life....so this wouldn't be a very good experience!" He told them, now in a squatting position shuffling through the bushes to find his cat. "Mouse? Mouse.. please comeone! He didnt mean to do that..."
After a few seconds of calling out to the cat, Zhane stood up. "WEll, She'll come out when she wants to, or when we start to leave. One or the other first!" He crossed his arms up infront of him, his eye's still goign to the position that the cat ran off to. His facial expression showed that he was worried for the cat, but changed dramatically as he looked over seeing Cassie's unsteady on her feet. "CAssie? What's wrong? YOu okay?" He asked now totally worried about her and for the first time, the cat was the least of his worries. Something he rarely EVER did. "Sit down... just for a second..." He placed his hand on her back, trying to coax her to sit down until the feeling passed her. He looked immediatly at Ari, hearing that she said his name. What is this guy doing? Is he hurting her somehow? SHe can turn into a snake. This guy calls to them. Is he the cause of all this that's going on with her? What do I do? Cassie is my friend!
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Post by timeshift on Aug 21, 2007 19:27:15 GMT -5
Ari screamed out! "Cassie what would only YOU know about Inu! Tell me now! " Wait! for the sake of all thats good! WAIT! Again Ari unprepared toppled to the ground.
He had reached this animal and from what he new it was close! Ari settled himself on the forest floor and determined to convince Inu this was true without any more bruises. Inu`s intellect prevented the summon to work and disallowed Ari being able to pinpoint where and how to find him......... But he IS close.
A new but similar pain flooded Ari`s mind and body as Inu finished his rage........ Yes he felt rage, rage at Ari , at life. at the world, Ari felt a hatred for all that he saw responsible for his loss of Cassie. Ari had succeeded in and failed at his quest! He knew Inu was close but ...........No He could not Bear those emotions again! With Cassie it was loss and pain, with Inu it was More! Loss, Pain, Anger, such a hate! it made Ari Reel!
How could any sentient be so unforgiving! Ari for the first time felt frightened by contact....... He had said he could sort snakes by size, He could feel their mass when connected...... this creature had what felt like unmeasurable mass! Fear tore thru Ari that a creature capable of that anger was directing it at him! fear for himself and for any around him, What if Inu found them and didn`t recognize Cassie! should he share his fears? he noticed a rustle in the bushes..... Is it?.......Ari made out that cat moving close by but out of falls way.....he thought if any of us survive it`s that one......how many lives it have left?
"Cassie we need to talk" Ari ran to catch up to his new found friends.
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