Rabbit Soup

[Miyu]

Distances eyes fluttered open as a few snowflakes landed on her face. She was sleeping in a tree at the edge of a large opening. And it was COLD. She was using her cloak as a blanket it she really didn’t want to remove it, but she couldn’t stay here all day. Looks like someone is finally up. Distance looked over at Namir, he was lying on a branch to the right and was just a little higher up the she was. He looked comfortable, his one paw was hanging off the branch and he had a light dusting of snow covering his back. She reached up to pet behind his ear and wipe off the snow.

She was able to will herself to take off her cloak for a minute so she could untie the safety rope she attached to herself. After quickly untying the fraying brown rope she threw it in her bag. She put her cloak on and put up the hood up, the soft fur lining caressed her snow-white skin. The cold normally doesn’t bother her, but today with a combination of wind-chill and the dropping temperature she started to notice. I feel bad for people with a normal body temperature she thought.

She gracefully leaped from the tree and landed on the snowy ground. Not far behind her Namir started to descend the tree as well. She started to walk through the clearing, the snow crunching beneath her feet. She had to turn around to make sure her snow leopard friend was still there. He walked silently behind her, his massive feet that looked to big for his body acted like snow shoes. Distance wasn’t quite sure were she was headed but had a feeling in her gut that she needed to come to the mountains. She headed to the other side off the clearing, but when she got there she realized it was to thick to go in to. She stood there frustrated for a minute, before she turned to Namir and asked, “ So what do you suppose we do now?” Her voice sounded serene against the crisp and quiet forest. Well we could spend the day here, you wasted half of it sleeping anyways. Besides you don’t want to be in the middle of the forest when night falls she sighed. He was right, it was at least noon. She had always been a night owl but she had been traveling by day since they started their journey. Old habits die hard I guess.

They spent the next few hours in the clearing making a little campsite. Distance had set up a lean/to shack between two trees, while Namir collected firewood. When Distance finished her shelter she realized it was probably a waste of time and she would just end up back in the tree. She started a fire with two piece of flint she picked up in the last town she visited. They had probably forty-five minutes of day light left so Distance and Namir decided to scout out the rest of the clearing. She heard a small rustling in some bushes at the end of the clearing. Both Distance and Namir looked over as a really fat rabbit jumped out. Distance reached for her bow. But before she even had the arrow in place Namir stood there with the rabbit in his mouth. Don’t worry, he didn’t feel any pain.

She felt a little guilty for the rabbit, but nether the less her and Namir rushed back to their fire started to prepare it. The snow was sparkling in beautiful colours as the sun began to set, and the trees look surreal as the frost glittered in the light. She had just finished skinning the rabbit, she put it in a pot that she grabed from her bag and mixed it with water and some herbs Namir had brought her. Her water bottle was frozen so she just melted some snow and brought it to a boil. She set up the rest of the ingrediance to make some soup.

As the rabbit was cooking Distance and the snow leopard went to make a snowman. She threw some snow at the big cat, and he reacted by pouncing on her in a playful manner as the tumbled threw the snow. She had snow all in her hair, and water dripping down her face.
They both froze and look east as they heard a loud snap of a twig. Is it a bear? she thought to herself. But as she peered closer she saw a human shape walking upto the edge of the clearing. Even worse.

[Winter]

Deception ensured that Deviance was safely and securely within the shelter, subconsciously boiling the water as he strode through the chambers and back outdoors, placing his cloak over his shoulders, but choosing to leave it open rather than draw it around him, he did not want to appear suspicious to their new....guest? Companion? Friend? Any word would become true enough given the time, he supposed. Unless it's another Mischief , he smiled to himself at this thought.

He cloaked himself as he traveled closer to the girl, becoming once more visible under the shroud of the trees. As he strode towards her, a twig cracked loudly underfoot, he saw the girl start suddenly, looking tense and frightened, and cursed his lack of attention. If this were an enemy, I'd be dead now. The only way this could go worse so far would be if Lerithas were to spontaneously appear in the centre of the clearing. Judging by the behaviour of the summons recently, it was entirely possible that he would, and Deception muffled a smile picturing the expression on the girl's face if thirty feet of snake were to spontaneously appear around her.

Finally, he stepped out into the light of the clearing, staff stuck in the snow, hands raised, cloak hanging about his shoulders showing that he had no concealed weapons, and meant to convey a gesture of friendship. He smiled at the girl and spoke, as Lerithas suddenly coiled around his wrist, he winced momentarily at the irony. "I see that you are one of us...you are a Sin, unless I am mistaken," the girl still looked slightly tense. "Please, do not be afraid, I mean no harm to you. Would you tell me your name?"

[Akasora]

Looking down at his pig, Alashon, Madness could not help but feel a bit jealous. Scit was in control of the body at this point, both Zoph and Renia were fare in the mind of Madness so they could not feel the cold. Scit chuckled a bit and said, "you don't look could." Alashon kept wadling through the snow and head straight as if he was on a metion, of course I'm not. I have so much fat on me that the cold does not bother me as much as you. But I do however feel a bit chilly now. Scit stopped and knelled down to Alashons height. He opened up his arms and said, "your hooves must be freezing. let me carry you." But the pig ignored him and continued on waddling, I don't need to be carried. It is not that much further. Scit got back up and before he continued on walking he said to Alashon, "are you sure you know where your are going?" Once again the pig kept on waddling, Of course I know where to go.

Some time passed and Scit was starting to wonder if they were lost. "hey, where are we," He asked. Alashon just said, just a bit more longer. It was then that they saw the glow of a fire. Alashons head rose, Its over there, he said. Alashon started to run faster than anyone could expect a pig could run. Scit yelled to Alashon to stop but the suborn pig would not even slow down. Just the Scit was pulled back into the mind and Renia took over. "Stupid pig," he said as he ran full force towards the pig. Once he was a foot from Alashon, he relized a man and a girl that stold not to far from them. So he leaped at Alashon, tackling him and rolling them in between the two strangers. Scit now had taken back the body and sat with Alashon in his arms. Alashon turned to the man and said, excuse me but are you not Deception?

[Miyu]

Distance stared horrified at the man that just walk through the brush. She could see he had no weapons, or even meant any harm. But she could still not bring herself to say anything. Why must I always freeze up every time another tries to make contact with me? She looked down studying pile of snow that she and Namir had made from rolling around just moments ago. Her face felt very hot and she couldn’t think clearly. “h-h-hi…” she mumbled in a almost inaudible voice, still not making eye contact. She subconsciously started to inch away.

Feeling very uncomfortable with this situation, she tried to stand up to make things less awkward. When a pig dashed through the bush followed by another man with a hood drawn, she yelped and fell back down. Her eyes started to water, she felt like an idiot. calm down, CALM DOWN! she screamed internally to herself.

She felt the snow melt beneath her soaking her cloak, not to mention that her shoes were full of snow. Her hair was a mess and stuck to her face. She blinked a few times, and took a deep breath. Realizing how undignified she must look she looked up and tried to look at the two people in front of her.

[Seya.]

Silly, silly little boy. Get back in the camp! Back into bed!

He continued to trudge dejectedly through the snow. He hadn't given his boots enough time to dry, and now his feet were as numb as his face. Deviance blinked snowflakes out of his mismatched eyes and ignored the squealing red panda discontentedly sitting upon his shoulder. "H'left," the young sin mumbled sadly.

Clearly not with the intention of you following him! Berjanji chattered back, in a just-more-than-exasperated tone. Anything he said would not convince his young master at this point, it was clear. The kid wanted to be near his father-figure at all times, and it wasn't his fault that the man chose all the most inconvenient spots to visit during the day. The summon groaned mentally, before pushing his face into the crook of Deviance's neck, burying his small face in the boy's scarf.

The ten-year-old stumbled slightly over a fallen tree-trunk, tripping into snow up to his knees. His lower lip trembled slightly; he was cold enough, this wasn't fair! Wetness sank into his boots once more, and chilled his clothing. He sneezed twice and rubbed a hand across his eyes, to prevent tears. Why was he always being left alone?

There, there, Berjanji cooed, feeling the sudden, childish change in attitude. We'll find him. Just take a break for a few moments... don't want you to pass out all the way out here. Just take a breather.

Curling into a ball on top of the fallen tree trunk, Deviance nodded hesitantly. Which way to go now? He didn't have any clue, but there was no way he was going to admit that! Berjanji would scoff at him if he knew.

"Kay," he murmured back. "But only for a little. . . I'm not lost, but daddy might be!"

ooc: Someone give him some signal? He is so totally lost.

[Winter]

Deception looked up as a man crashed recklessly into the clearing. He saw that the silver-haired girl had become quite uncomfortable as the man flopped down in front of them holding a pig. "It's alright. I won't bite...but you don't have to talk if it's distressing." He rested a hand briefly on her shoulder, sitting down on the snow and keeping both the young girl and the man, still laying on the ground, within his view. The pig that addressed him looked up, waiting for an answer. "Yes," he said slowly, "I am Deception. I am not sure if either of you know yet what you are, but allow me to put your questions to rest. You are Sins. Humans who died, usually from an environment of hate or sorrow, and were reborn as immortals in service to the Goddess Taint, our Empress." He flinched as he reached her name, venomous memories striking deeper than these newcomers could comprehend...

"There are others, the Virtues...we have long waged war on them. Back in the old days, we had a magnificent palace, we were all together, close by. Purity, the Virtue's leader hunted us then still, but we had Taint's protection, and we were safe....and as happy as we could really hope to be. And we were a family then..." His eyes stung slightly as his old friends came to mind. How long it had been since they had seen one another....far too long. Eventually, as Taint's powers began to wane, she granted her abilities to two stewards to her throne. She needed to bide some time....restore her powers. It was a necessary sacrifice, given the pain she was enduring by that point, on a daily basis."

He sighed, seeing the Empress's eyes flash in his mind, as they so often had. She was aware of him for the moment, and he felt some security at that. "When she transmitted her powers...our castle became visible. The humans and Virtues attacked, and without Taint....we could not stand against Purity. We left, were driven into exile, here to the mountains of Lehaita...and the others west to the islands of Kham'Hur." Deception exhaled heavily, before continuing: "There is of course more to the story than that...Taint and Purity knew each other...when they were mortal. That is why Taint always emphasized our pacifism...without just cause, we were not to attack Virtues, sometimes not even then. But Purity...well, I have amnesia, I cannot remember my own mortal life. But I don't think that's it. It seems to me as though the Spirit of Purity forced her memories from her."

"Eventually...she weakened the spirit's hold. She saw what she had done...to her best friend, and couldn't continue. From what I have been told since then...she sacrificed herself so the Virtues would forget. Apparently it was her summon, Nitchenda who orchestrated the attack, showing one of us injuring Purity in the minds of the Virtues. From what I hear, the Spirit was quick to find a new host....I don't know much of her, this new Purity....but she could very well be a threat to us." He stopped, seeing them staring at him a bit wide-eyed. "It is a lot to absorb I know...but no less important that we all know our story. As Taint's departure has proven....the elders among us may not always be here. Anyway, I mentioned that Taint divided her powers between two stewards. Kham'Hur is ruled by Empress Vengeance, and this land of Lehaita, is my domain. I won't say we haven't encountered difficulties here...Taint's powers are...for lack of a better term, leaking out of me. I feel them growing weaker day by day, and my normal abilities aren't sufficient to complete the shelter. But we're all here, save those with Vengeance. And that's what matters.

He paused as Deviance touched his mind, and sighed. "One moment please." He made contact with the boy, telling him how to find the clearing, figuring he was better in Deception's own field of view than with those in the shelter who couldn't be bothered to watch him. Come along, little one.

As he finished his directions, he gasped suddenly as another presence hit his mind with great force. Leaning sideways, he wrestled into control, and saw a series of flashing images. A short redhead standing in a clearing....Elarkashaye...the Haven of Larks....the Empire Grounds. So she was safe...good. Another redhead, turning to Lark...Lust!? She was alright...and back! It was more than Deception could have hoped for. Another...a man, a monk of some sort? A virtue judging by Lust's treatment of him. They were talking. Then...Larketh?

Elarkashaye walked towards him....did she remember now? Deception stared in awe as the former Empress's eyes swirled, turning from their deep forest colour to the bright, shimmering green that had been haunting his sleep for years now. He gasped in amazement...the change in form, in the way she moved....it was instantly apparent. Taint was controlling the girl. She ordered the other two to hide. Looked at Larketh, pointed at them, pointed...north. To Lehaita. Larketh collected the others and took off. Lark....Taint? Stayed behind. The bright green glimmered from her eyes...and he noticed others. Honesty...the new Purity. He studied her while he had the opportunity. Similar in appearance to the old one, curlier hair though, at least. And...she seemed to be breaking down, at least from what he could see the Spirit was allowing her to indulge in weakness. Now THAT was interesting.

So....Lust...and this other man...were being brought by Larketh to Lehaita? Elarkashaye was sure to follow...soon. He whispered mentally to Lerithas. You know who you need to find about this, old friend. Go to Pride. Tell him what we saw. The snake vanished from around him.

For the first time in months...I end up in the right place. How convenient. Deception turned back to the others. "Sorry about that but something of interest came up. Now...if either of you has any questions. Please, feel free to ask."

His mind branched out, grasping desperately. Empress, he murmured sullenly, Speak to me.



ooc: If he wasn't supposed to know about Taint, Lust, and Restraint, I can edit that out, but I thought it would be neat if Taint kind of informed him

Also, if Taint wants to say a few words to him, that'd be...nice. I think she's powerful enough now to talk for short periods mentally.

[Miyu]

Distance blinked a few times, soaking up all the information she was just fed. Sins? Is that what she was, and she was immortal? She had already guessed it was something like that, seeing how she doesn’t age. She flinched as Deception put his on her shoulder. Distance looked up at him and took a deep breath,” My name is Distance, I don’t know how I know that but it just is.” She glanced at her snow leopard. He had been sitting close by. He was looking very tense until just moments ago when he realized there was no threat. Or at least that was what Distance assumed, “And this is Namir.” She continued. Pleasure Namir said to everyone.

Distance attempted to stand up for a second time. When she got to her feet, Namir walked over to her and rubbed against her legs. His fur was soft against her bare legs, and he was really warm. Almost to warm she thought. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and looked back at Deception. He seemed to be concentrating very hard on something. Removing one arm from her stomach she pushed some of her hair back behind her ear, seconds later it fell back in front of her eyes. Giving up out her arm back down, as her arm dropped it rubbed against her cloak. She noticed that the fabric was soaked through, she took off the cloak and draped it over her arm. She jumped a little as the cold hit her skin, she was wearing her normal outfit. A dress that falls just below her knees, with straps about an inch thick. It was flowing and easy to move in, but for anyone else it would not have been suitable for the weather. In a few seconds she had already gotten used to the cold and focused her attention on Deception again.

[Seya.]

Come along, little one.

Deviance looked up, through the woods to his left. "Kay," he bubbled out loud, as he got to his feet. Cold still seeped in through his boots and pants but hearing that voice gave him more warmth.

Well, head along now, Berjanji persisted. Deviance grinned youthfully and trotted off towards where he had heard Deception's voice from, being careful of twigs and branches that were in the path. Now that his mentor had contacted him, the line of mental energy was strong and replenished, and confusion was lost far behind him.

As he flicked back some branches a few feet ahead, he saw a human figure with long silver hair. Deviance put his tongue between his teeth and giggled, coiling down into a springing position.

Deviance, I don'---! Berjanji rushed to say, but he was flung from his young master's back when the boy leaped forwards and sprinted through the brush, diving for the person he had spotted from a ways back.

"I fooounnd yooouu!!" he cheerily exclaimed, flinging himself onto who he believed to be Deception.

ooc; haha. ;D

[Zee ♥]

Ooc: Ignore the broken English. In M'sia, we have lots of these sorts of conversation :B We call it Manglish. Yes, it sounds painful. XD

Asim hissed. I don't suppose we could get out of the cold? He complained against the chilling wind ruffling his fur. Rapacity didn't slow his running, but gave a grunt of reply. "We have to find him. Siapa tau (who knows) where he went!" He exclaimed suddenly, slowing to a halt. "Suppose he... hilang diri (got lost)..." He shivered. Lets hope it didn't come to that. Mind your English, not everyone would understand that. Asim said reassuringly, nuzzling his neck.

Calming down, he started walking again, and slowly he could hear voices further up from the footprint path. He shuffled through the thick snow quickly, and was there just in time to see Deviance leap-- at a girl with silver hair. "Dev! Thats not--!" He rushed out, but uhm. Too late.

[Miyu]

Distance! Watch out! Namir yelled at her, but before she could react she was tackled. “WAAH!” she screamed as the unknown person landed on her back. She fell towards the snow but she was able to catch herself on her forearms. Her heart was pounding, and she was trying to catch her breath. She realized that whoever was on her back didn’t weigh very much, she glanced back at her attacker to see a little boy. His expression was just as shocked as she felt.

She scrambled out from underneath him, and crawled a few feet away. She was panicking. He was an adorable little child, about ten years old with two different coloured eyes. She was staring at him trying to keep her breathing under control. He looked half frozen. His lips were turning blue and his teeth were chattering. She blinked a few times, She felt bad for him, not thinking she stood back up and approached him. She kneeled down next to the boy and picked up her cloak. Brushing off the loose snow she wrapped the dry part of the cloak around the little boy.

Her eyes started to well up. She burst into tears and hugged the child. “W-w-why m-must I-I-I be lik-ke this” she was sobbing on his shoulder.” W-why m-must I b-be s-s-so a-afraid,”

Her vision was blurry, but when she looked up, she was able to make out a new figure approaching the clearing.

ooc:it wasnt really my turn, but i had permission

[Winter]

ooc: Aww poor Distance with her fear of people. =3 That was so sad.

Is Akasora going to reply, or am I up next?

[Akasora]

ooc:sorry I took so long but I'm back

Madness sat and listened to what the man had to say. Schit help Alashon close in his arms. It was once Deception was done that Zoph took over the body. He stood in excitement, holding Alashon in his right arm, "Hells yeah." Then the girl spoke out about her name and he felt it was right for him to tell them of his. "Nice to meet you," he said excitedly, "the body I am in is named Madness however me and two of my old friends have taken over this body as well. We all decided to call each other a separate name. I am known as Zoph, the sissy girl is called Renia and the boring one is called Schit. Together it spells Schizophrenia. Cool right?!" Once he finished his speech a small boy ran in and someone jumped on Distance which scared her and she started to cry. Zoph rolled his eyes, "Stop crying ba..." He was cut off once again when Renia took over the body. "You poor girl," he/she said jumping over and hugging her, "don't cry, you have nothing to be afraid of." Schit then took back the body. Once he realized he was hugging the girl, he let go of her and stepped back. "Sorry," he said shyly.

ooc:sorry that I left stuff out

[Winter]

Deception could only stare as Deviance burst into the clearing and nearly bowled Distance over with a hug. The girl seemed deeply disturbed by the experience, and after wrapping Deviance in her own cloak she began crying into his shoulder. Deception stood beside them, not knowing what to do. Obviously Distance was not the most comfortable person in social situations.

Wrapping his own cloak quickly around them he patted the girl's back softly. "It will be alright...I promise. There's a lot of us in our shelter, but you can learn to talk to us at your own pace. We won't bother you if you feel uncomfortable," he paused a moment, "Not even Mischief."

He left the sobbing girl and small child alone, and pulling Madness gently with him, went to talk to Rapacity. He gave the young man a skeptical look at his inability to keep track of the young boy, but smiled afterward. "I'm glad someone decided to attempt to follow him..." He trailed off, looking at the young girl still hugging his adoptive 'son' closely.

Snapping back to the conversation, Deception spoke, "Rapacity..when they're finished there, would you mind showing them around, and...explaining a little more in depth if you could, from the history I've told you?" He motioned to the man at his right, "This is Madness, or variably Schit, Renia, or Zoph, depending what time you catch him. The silver-haired girl is Distance, and....well, she doesn't look too comfortable with close contact, as the name might suggest."

He rested a hand on the young man's shoulder "I'm sure you'll do fine. I'll escort you as long as you remain inside, but I'm not sure I should be wandering outdoors too much today. I believe..." he smiled, searching the thoughts that had been saved from the earlier conversation, "that I might already have generated some animosity today. Particularly from Fate."

"Anyways, you two feel free to get acquainted, I'm going to see if there's anything I can do about our...situation." He walked back to the log, rubbing Distance's back as fresh tears continued to melt into the cloaks piled onto Deviance. The boy looked slightly startled that the older girl was so frightened, but Deception shook his head. Let her finish, he spoke, giving a soft smile, I think she needs this. He quickly ran a hand through Deviance's hair, before turning back to the tear-streaked face buried in Deviance's shoulder.

[Seya.]

Deviance gave a slight nod, more of a thought than an action, but he knew surely Deception would pick up on it. "S'okay lady..." he murmured reassuringly, nuzzling his own face into the crook between her neck and shoulder. Her skin wasn't radiating heat like most peoples', but he was used to that-- and besides, the heap of cloaks wrapped around him assured his cozy warmth. He leaned his body towards Distance affectionately, but slowly, trying to make it clear that he wasn't at all a threat. His eyes closed and he smiled contentedly.

He mentally felt Berjanji sigh as the red panda stopped a few paces away, huffing but relieved that his young charge hadn't caused too big of a problem. Then Deviance's mind shifted to the others in the clearing; 'Madness', who he knew the name of only by seeing it in the boy's mind, with a strange alignment of three memories all confined into one; Rapacity, who looked a tad guilty, his foreign mind a bit more difficult to crack; Deception, who seemed to have up a barrier and so Deviance could only skim the top thoughts, and finally Distance.

Fear and shock and misery all swirled violently within her, and Deviance's senses recoiled slightly, afraid to get lost in the tumble of thoughts. Her mental pains all had jagged edges. Slow down, he pouted, subconsciously raising a hand within her memory stream as he would in the physical world with his telekinesis. Slow down or ya'll make it worse...

Hesitantly, but in control, he brought her panic and fear to a slower pace. "S'okay..." he repeated aloud, all the while calming her with his mind.

[Zee ♥]

Rapacity let out a small sigh of relief. At least he wasn't murdered for letting the boy out of sight. Not this time anyway. Almost as soon as he felt relieved, he tensed up again. Him, escort? He didn't mind, but he was usually shy amongst new people.

"Ti-- I mean, I don't mind." He managed weakly, though his posture seemed to go against what he said as he drooped visibly. Asim nuzzled him encouragingly, and jumped off his shoulders towards Distance and padded over slowly, hoping to help his master. Surely no one can resist hugging something so cute, right? He stopped by Deviance's legs, looking as adorable as fennec foxes could be and as patiently as he could, while signaling Rapacity to go introduce himself to Madness.

Shuffling awkwardly towards Madness, he stuttered out a small greeting, missing the warmth and comfort of his summon around his neck. "H-Hi. I'm, uhm, Rapacity. Nice to meet you, uhm..?" He trailed off, not knowing which personality was currently in possession.