Cherubplay

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He, on the other hand, couldn't show those same sentiments. Tavros did not want to invest his heart and emotions into something that he knew would not be very long term. If he knew that he was just going to end up leaving at the end of it all, he would not want to put himself, or Gamzee, through that. Tavros roamed about aimlessly, though he tried to make sure that he didn't get too far away from the singular road that ran through the Screechlands.

Vriska sat up after a few minutes of much needed warmth, then peered at the ocean curiously. She couldn't tell what Eridan wished from their current relationship, or what he wanted from her in general. He was definitely one of the worst people to try to read, but she guessed that she hadn't much room to complain. She, herself, couldn't be counted as someone that was very open and easy to talk to.

2014-07-05 02:00:07
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Eridan swam aimlessly for a while, then headed for the surface to see what the others were up to. He was just going to have to ignore the Vriska Problem for now. There was no use to stewing over it. Seeing Gamzee picking up camp he thought they might have been heading out so headed back to shore. He got back to where his clothes were, next to the rock Vriska was on, and picked them up, waiting until he was dry to put them back on. He started heading back to where their camp was with them in hand.

Having nothing else to pack up, Gamzee leaned against one of the restored trees and waited for Tavros to get back. He knew how he felt about the whole deal with a matespriteship versus not one, but how did Tav feel? he wondered. He thought it was probable that his friend had more experience with this sort of thing, so maybe thought differently about it? Tavros wanted to go home, he knew that. Maybe he thought it would be harder to leave if he attached himself to someone here? Of course, he thought, leaning back against the tree, they were both thinking from the perspective that only Tavros could travel back to Alternia. But what was stopping Gamzee from also going? Some transdemensional laws? Suddenly he remembered a few things, and if this sort of thing was indeed what Tavros was concerned about, maybe he had come up with a solution. If things weren't overly complicated with this between worlds travel, of course.

2014-07-05 02:18:46
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Tavros returned not shortly after to see everyone packing away, but everything seemed a little too quiet. The usual banter between the March Hare and the Mad Hatter had all but disappeared, and Gamzee looked to be more contemplative than anything. Shifting awkwardly, he pressed forward to gather his things, "Um, so, I am thinking that we will travel as far as we possibly can today, since getting to Undlegire will take so long. Perhaps if we continue going, even far beyond the time we would usually stop, we can cover plenty of ground."

Vriska shrugged, "Sounds fine to me, lad. I just hope you're prepared for the In-Between."

Tavros furrowed his brows, "The In-Between?"

"That unmarked space between Undlegire territory and the Screechlands. The In-Between." Rarely did people travel through it, and it had been rumored that it was full of ancient monsters and creatures that would swoop in and eat trolls as snacks.

2014-07-05 02:39:27
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"Have you been there before?" Gamzee asked. He'd heard some things, but not much about the area. Mostly insults about the monsters being purple bloods from the old days. He thought it more likely that it was actual beasts, though. He lived close enough to see the giant eagles in the Dewgrass Fields, so was more liable to believe giant monsters existed than the supposed trolls. He hefted his bag, ready to move on.

Eridan knew about as much, not having had to worry about it in the past. He dressed quickly and picked up his bag. "Maybe travelling at night isn't the best. Though I suppose we'll see when we get there if stopping is something doable or if we'll have to keep moving anyways....I don't suppose there's a way around?"

2014-07-05 02:48:49
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"I may have gone around briefly. Where else would all the treasure be buried?" Naturally, things of value from days past would be hidden in one of the more dangerous locations, but Vriska had yet to find anything of substantial value inside the In-Between. Even if she did find a massive amount of gold or jewels, she would not be able to spend it out in the open, as it would be much too suspicious for a cerulean to be so well off. Besides, she was content with her personal wealth, anyway.

"I am afraid not," Tavros answered with furrowed brows, "The only possible route around would take about a week, if not more. And I do not think any of us, uh, are too keen to travel through a location heavily marked my red on my map." Tavros may have been alright when it came to the caste system, but it would never be easy. A copperblood with three lowbloods may look well off, but he would hate to try to keep the stares and slurs down. No doubt any of his companions would jump to defend themselves, Vriska especially. "So we had better get going."

2014-07-05 15:56:40
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Gamzee shrugged. He was ready to go where ever, and could adapt to whatever they found. Vriska didn't seem ready to communicate what she knew or had experienced, so he decided he'd have to tell Tavros the little he knew. "There's supposed to be a bunch of fuckin monsters in there. Maybe you can do your communing thing if we run into one?" he shrugged again. They'd find out when they got to it. He always had some mushrooms, he figured. They could shrink down to hide more effectively or just grow large and potentially be too big to be preyed upon. It would also make traveling faster.

"UGH, well, a couple days in beastly territory might not be /so/ bad, I suppose," Eridan complained, but also ready to leave. He did /not/ want to travel through any red zones. It would be quite enough to get all those funny looks for being aquatic, but he couldn't stand acting subservient, not even to Alice. Maybe the other purple would be fine with that shit, but not him. And Vriska, he figured, would be equally displeased to get picked on with how highly she thought of herself.

2014-07-05 16:28:21
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He smiled weakly, "Yeah, maybe." Tavros wasn't very confident in his communing abilities when it came to Wonderland. Animals were one thing, but /monsters?/ If it came down to something ferocious, he was not sure how well he could burst through that mental wall of aggression with something he had never encountered before. It was a risk he didn't want to take, as one false move could mean the end of them all.

"Well, like you said, we had better get going, Alice." Vriska had long since gathered her things and shoved her pack onto her back, her hands on her hips with a newfound sense of adventure. This would be the more interesting side of things, she figured. She had never been to Undlegire before, but she could only imagine what it looked like. The people there may or may not be so kind, but she didn't care. There was less of a chance of them being confronted for any reason.

Tavros nodded and strayed to the black road again, remnants of sand clinging to his body as he moved forward, Vriska tailing behind.

2014-07-05 16:41:56
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Gamzee and Eridan fell in step next to the other two on the black road. The sea dweller didn't have anything to say, and neither did Gamzee for the most part. The walked in silence a while. Tavros hadn't seemed to sure, so the land dwelling purple had been trying to think of how they might get through with the least amount of danger.

"Tavbro...you can commune with birds, right? And small stuff? Can you all up and talk to them? Have them do things for you?" he asked. He thought, since Tavros was Alice and that was important, that his ability might be important to use during the journey.

2014-07-05 17:15:15
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"Oh, yes, birds are quite easy to commune with." They were also quick to grab the attention of, and Tavros found that birds usually were not too assertive to the point that he couldn't keep up the mental link, "They can do things for me, within reason, yeah." He usually didn't ask upon birds and other small forest animals to do much for him when he was in Alternia. It was usually just for company or some random, unorthodox request.

Vriska, a bit intrigued by the communing, listened with fascination but didn't comment. She was still a little worried about Eridan, who was still silent. She couldn't tell if he was thinking about something, or if he was quiet because of their previous misunderstandings.

2014-07-05 17:45:09
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"So if we all shrunk down real small, you think they might cart us through? Or maybe show us someplace safe if we need to hide from something?" he was leaving this up to Tavros. He wasn't terribly sure of himself. He wanted to help out, but didn't know if he was just being stupid by trying to think of something.

Eridan was trying to ignore what had happened earlier, which was somewhat easy with other worries raging in his think pan. He'd never been as far from water as he suspected they were going to go, nor had he been anywhere near a landdweller city for sweeps. The monsters they might run into were also worrisome. In short, Eridan was afraid. He fiddled with his bag straps nervously, trying to contain himself.

2014-07-05 18:12:27
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"Umm, perhaps? I have never actually tried anything, like that before, but it is probably well worth a try." It would probably be easiest if they were all shrunken down and rode upon the back of a bird as it soared over the In-Between. But, on the other hand, what if the bird was apprehended by something bigger and more imposing? Tavros couldn't guarantee that he could commune with anything like that.

Vriska, seeing that Eridan was edging into some kind of fear that she could see, -or perhaps she was conditioned to see- stepped into line with him and nudged his side with her elbow more forcefully than what was considered necessary. She gave him a confused glance, silently questioning, 'What the fuck's wrong with you, Marchie?'

2014-07-06 01:02:23
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"You know better than me, Tavbro," Gamzee smiled reassuringly. They would find a way through, he was sure. Tavros hadn't been wrong yet, and it seemed like he was being lead by some unseen force with all the messing about that was being done to him. He looked so worried though. "You okay?" he said after a pause, full of concern and a desire to help.

Eridan startled at the elbowing, a little fright in his eyes as he looked over at her but it was quickly replaced with stoicism. He shook his head at her silent question in answer: 'Nothing, I'm fine, Hattie.' He turned forward again to follow along, straightening and dropping his hands from his bag straps so he couldn't play with them. He couldn't tell Vriska, all she'd do was call him a wriggler and tell him to suck it up. At least that's what he thought she'd do.

2014-07-06 01:27:00
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It was clear that she was none too pleased with his answer. In fact, she was annoyed, and this was evidenced by the tight line her lips formed and the furrow of her thin brows as she crossed her arms and looked straight ahead again. She had tried showing concern for him, -in the most ruthless way possible- but alas, her good intentions were met with hardened indifference. That jerk.

Tavros hadn't even noticed he looked so concerned until Gamzee asked if he was okay, which ripped him from his thoughts and he gave a tiny, startled, 'oh!' Brown eyes flickered over to look at his friend, and he smiled sheepishly, "Ah, haha, um, yes, of course. I am totally absolutely fine."

2014-07-06 02:40:26
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What the hell was her problem, Eridan thought, disappointed she couldn't make fun of him? He bottled his feelings away, he'd just have to deal with it for now and maybe explode later. That was typical procedure, anyway, so why change it? She was his kismesis, as she had made quite clear, and wouldn't care about what he was feeling in the comforting way he needed right now anyways.

Frowning a little at the response, he touched his Tavros's arm gently for a moment in a comforting caress. "Doesn't really sound like it, Tavbro... Do you want to talk about it?" he asked. Tavros hadn't seemed nearly this worried about things the day before; maybe because they hadn't had actual people from his quest on board. Or maybe this whole In-between and communing pressure was getting to him. Gamzee didn't know what else it could really be that worried his friend so.

2014-07-06 02:56:52
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"I don't know...I just am worried." The In-Between did not seem like the type of place with any type of civilization within in, and that could only mean that they had to, ultimately, fend for themselves when it came to survival. He didn't know what kinds of monsters were inside it, -no one seemed too keen on giving up too much information regarding them- and Tavros did not think he would be able to provide much in terms of protection with his communing. "Do not bug yourself with my own, uh, worries."

They continued walking for the next couple of hours, and Vriska, even if she did want a break, did not reveal that. She shifted her pack on her back and watched as the stretch of sand of the Screechlands transformed to the knee-high white grass that swayed with the wind. This was all rather familiar to her; she had seen the grass devoid of color, the trees that looked much like the ones in the former land. To her, the In-Between was just an extension of the Screechlands; lacking hues and texture, a simple blank hollow form of its former exquisite nature.

2014-07-07 18:24:33
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Gamzee gave up trying to talk with Tavros, instead sinking into their usual silence as they walked. He could bring up the white rabbit later on. He was pretty sure his idea was valid, but nothing was for sure, of course. But if it could travel both ways to one land, and had been known to be interested in other strange maps, then he was pretty sure that it knew how to travel between worlds. And it could obviously bring others with it; that's how Tavros had seemingly been transported, after all. When they got to the bleached grassland he didn't pay much mind to it, but did wonder if Tavros would try coloring this too.

Eridan, still full of worries he wouldn't admit to, stuck close to Gamzee. He was the largest and at least appeared the most defensible, and something in his subconscious instincts had him drifting closer. The further he got from water the worse it got, even though his attempts at ignoring his internal turmoil. 'Don't be a fuckin wriggler' he chanted internally.

2014-07-07 18:43:04
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Seeing that Eridan was gravitating closer to Gamzee, Vriska wrinkled her nose somewhat and crossed her arms. Fine. If he was going to get all chummy with Gamzee, so be it. There were still three other quadrants open that he could fiddle around with if he was so inclined, and Vriska figured that she could do the same, bitterly or not.

So, with an upturn of her nose, she trotted over to Tavros's side, a hand on her hip as she spoke idly, "So, Captain," She initiated, "You've been rather quiet the entirety of this trip into the In-Between. Daresay, even /melancholy./ This is quite unlike me, but is something the matter?"

Reasonably surprised that Vriska even noticed or wanted to talk about it at all, though he suspected it was probably something underhanded, he shook his head, "No, I am fine, really. Thank you, though."

"Come now! I bet you have something on that thinkpan of yours, huh?" She nudged his side with her elbow playfully, glad to have something to take her mind off Eridan; Tavros was usually so lighthearted and chipper that she found that she could try to fix his mood. "Is it this trip? Perhaps a certain person?" Immediately, a blush broke out at the mention of a certain person, and Tavros shook his head, mouth parted, "No, n-no, it is nothing like that! I, uh. Let's just take a break for now..."

2014-07-26 23:19:10
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Gamzee watches their interaction out of the corner of one purple eye, but doesn't interject as she doesn't seem to be up to any harm. Seeing Tavros blush at her comment, he doesn't know what to think, frowning a little. What she'd said could be slightly upsetting...he remembered her backhanded jab at him the day before, but mostly Gamzee was slightly bothered about Tavros's reaction. He hoped he hadn't upset him somehow.

He also noticed Eridan wandering a little closer to him, and wondered what the hell that was about. He hadn't really been any nicer. The seadwelling bro did look nervous though. Maybe he, like Vriska, wanted someone else to talk to...certainly he couldn't unburden himself on his kismesis, seemed like she liked picking on people just generally; certainly her pitch quadrant would get the worst of that. Gamzee didn't feel like initiating though.

Eridan for his part was glad that Vriska was leaving him alone. He didn't really feel like talking yet, as it would still be in front of his kismesis, or if he really wanted to start anything with the purpleblood. He had to give it to him that he was strangely calm for all the stereotypes, but...he wasn't sure he could deal with the stress of potential rejection.

If Tavros wanted a break, all he had to do was settle somewhere. Gamzee and Eridan were content to follow where he led for the time being.

2014-07-26 23:56:31
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Vriska slowed to a stop as Tavros did, watching him curiously. The young troll seemed to brighten up a bit as the unofficial leader of a group he didn't know too much about, looking around the space before trotting out into the letting his fingertips smooth over the tips of the tall grass. The grass began to change color just slightly from the small touches delivered, and he grinned some, his mood lightening now that he wasn't really thinking much about what was going on. He spun around on his heel to look at his new little team of sorts, words on his tongue, "Let's play a game. Tag, perhaps?"

But before any real answer could come, a shadow passed over them. A predator. Tavros immediately thought of the gigantic bird that appeared in the first few moments of his knowing Gamzee. With a squeak of fear, he ran out the grass to stand with everyone else, a hand splayed over his chest as he peered up at Gamzee, "What was that? A bird?"

"No no, laddies," Vriska, with her weight settled onto one foot and a hand on her hip, grinned with her sharp teeth clearly displayed, " 'Tis the Jabberwocky. Winged, ferocious, and nearby."

2014-07-27 01:16:37
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All ready to ascent to a game, Gamzee crouched low when the large shadow passed over head, looking up to see what it was. Seeing the thing, much more terrifying than those nasty birds above them, he headed toward Tavros, but he'd already gotten back to them.

"Maybe we can all shrink down and hide in the grass, like what I do when the birds are around," he rooted around in his pack for the shrinking mushrooms he kept. He didn't have any sort of weapon on him, never really having needed one and not being allowed to have one because of his barbaric purple blooded status, unwarranted as that was except for the color. If there was a better place to hide.... He looked around desperately for better shelter as he pulled the pouch out.

On edge already, Eridan automatically went for his weapon. He pulled out a harpoon from his bag, ready to relieve some stress by tearing up a monster if it came any closer. He might have been freaking out about being away from water, but he never backed down from a fight.

2014-07-27 01:40:10
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Tavros crouched in the grass, worry sketched over his expression but there was a glint of curiosity in them. The Jabberwocky was completely black and seemed to be composed of various animals. It had a huge, snapping jaw like an alligator or crocodile, sharp teeth like a dangerous shark with talons and feathers ruffled around its neck. But its body was a bit long and flexible, much like a big cat, a scaled tail flailing behind it as it soared in circles above the sky, roaring thunderously as its humongous wings kept it in the air. He could sense something a little...off. Animals were not ferocious and malicious for no particular reason, and Tavros assumed the same went for monsters.

"What exactly is a Jabberwocky?" Tavros asked after a few minutes of complete silence. Vriska, interested as she had already began to pull a saber from the sheath attached to her bag, answered, "It's a monster, Chief. A monster formed from the various bits and pieces of animals. Some say it was constructed by the reds to start eradicating lesser trolls; you know, to control the population. No one's ever gotten any concrete evidence suggesting that but..." She held her saber in both hands, the sword glinting in the dim light, "One can never be too careful."

He stayed low for a few more seconds, thinking, then he stood, straightened out his dress, then looked to Eridan and Vriska. "Please, do stay here Hatter, Hare. I want to take care of something. If it becomes, too dangerous, then I will call for you both."

Vriska narrowed her eyes, "What are you thinking, Alice?"

"I want to talk to the Jabberwocky," He peered up into the sky at the screeching beast, "I am not scared of it. More like...concerned."

2014-07-30 20:06:49
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The March Hare's brows furrowed. He wasn't all that terribly sure about this quest in the first place, but this was almost more ridiculous than talking to mid and high bloods. A thing that conglomerated couldn't possibly have much of any intelligence or ability to speak back to Alice, no matter if he had communing abilities or whatever they were. Eridan supposed it wasn't really up to him, though he was too stubborn not to say something. "Isn't it a bit foolish for you to even try and talk to that thing? You're the catalyst of this quest; if something happens to you the rest of us can't do anything to further it." He continued, rather bitterly, "Certainly it's not /my place/ to question a high blood, or their motivations, but you are the only person any of the other high bloods are going to take seriously here."

Gamzee took all this in, and just looked concerned. Sure Tavros wasn't scared, but he sure was. The only thing he could think to do in this situation was hide, like he typically did when confronted with huge flying monsters. He knew however, from experience unlike the other two, that Tavros could commune with animals. But his friend hadn't seemed to sure of himself on that point earlier. If he wanted to try, though, it seemed like an okay idea just so long as he didn't get himself hurt. It looked like the other two could fight to help out...but what could Gamzee do? He looked up at his friend. "Do you want me to all up and stay with them, or, do you want me doin' something else?"

2014-07-30 21:02:38
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He knew he would be met with skepticism, and, honestly, Tavros couldn't blame them. He was not too confident in his communing with monsters, but if the Jabberwocky really was just a mix of /other/ animals, surely it would be like talking to beasts. Besides, he couldn't ignore what he felt, the nudging in his think pan to do what he felt was right.

"It is pretty foolish," He agreed, looking to Gamzee, then to the March Hare and Mad Hatter, then he offered a slim smile, "I know. And I understand that I am putting myself in a stupid amount of danger, but," He looked out at the sky, at the creature so pained in it, then tensed his shoulders, "But I have to do this. Otherwise I will never be able to leave, the Screechlands."

The Alice seemed to work pretty well with emotions and impulses, even though Vriska thought it was pretty dangerous, but she couldn't tell him no now. He was guided by something she didn't understand, and she guessed that that was how the journey was meant to go. Her lips pressed together, then she let out a sigh, "If you get hurt over this, you can't say none of us didn't warn you, you idiot." Was she actually getting attached to him? Vriska felt some apprehension about him going towards the Jabberwocky, who seemed to be circling a little closer in impatience. She hadn't felt pale for someone in so long that the feelings were pretty foreign to her. "At least take the purple with you, if only to calm some residual nerves."

"I want you to come with me," He answered to Gamzee, holding out his small hand to take his. Even if he wasn't scared of the Jabberwocky, he was worried about the outcome. He couldn't commune very well if he was nervous, and he would need all his concentration if he was to make this work. "Come on. We, uh, are going to walk out in the grass."

2014-07-30 21:15:25
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Eridan shrugged, humphed, and relaxed his grip on his harpoon, setting the blunt end on the ground for now to wait for the outcome of this venture of Alice's. He hoped the brownblood wasn't getting himself in any trouble. They were there to back him up though. He stood by his kismesis, waiting for the outcome of Tavros's venture into the grass. The Hare watched closely, not trusting that this monster wouldn't make a violent move, no matter how much the other troll seemed to know what he was doing pertaining to this quest. "Just don't die. And try not to get too badly injured, Alice."

'The purple' took Tavros's hand, holding tightly to steady his own fears and hopefully helping his companion's too. His Alice feelings had been right so far, so Gamzee would trust him. If that thing tried to hurt him though....well, hopefully his blood class's reputation would show itself to be true if he needed it to be to defend someone he cared about. Gamzee might have been frightened of the Jabberwocky but he wasn't going to let Tavros get hurt if he could help it, so followed with some determination.

2014-07-30 22:04:19
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The Jabberwocky swooped dangerously close overhead, enough to make the grass sway and everyone's hair swish around their faces. The beast settled into the grass, snapping and growling, it's deep red eyes staring at the four of them. Tavros, holding on to Gamzee's hand, took in a long breath and entered the grass calmly. "It is not often that an animal of any kind, reaches out to a communer like me," He explained, his free hand splayed over his chest, "But I can hear the Jabberwocky clear as day. It is, uh, in so much pain, Gamzee. It is just frustrated, like a wriggler. It just wants someone to listen."

The beast did not move from its stance in the grass, just snarled as Tavros and Gamzee got closer and closer. About halfway between the Jabberwocky and Vriska and Eridan, Tavros released Gamzee's hand and told him to stay behind. "Just trust me," He whispered, pressing his lips to his shoulder before giving Gamzee a reassuring smile, "I know what I am doing."

The Jabberwocky howled, lurching forward in ravenous instinct, but Tavros was prepared and stepped forward further, and the Jabberwocky slowed to a stop, looking almost curious. "I know," Tavros murmured, holding up his palms to show that he had nothing on him that was dangerous, "It hurts so much, doesn't it? No one is listening to you," Its growls turned into vicious roars, rows of jagged yellow teeth being displayed to Tavros, who only wandered closer, his skirts whipping behind him. "Everyone thinks, you are evil, that you are malicious. But you just want a friend, don't you?" The Jabberwocky, afraid and ferocious, shot out a clawed paw and scraped Tavros's shoulder. Brown blood rushed eagerly to the surface, and he winced, a gasp of pain on his tongue as he staggered some to the side and clamped his mouth shut.

While speaking aloud, Tavros was simultaneously communing, trying to forge a sturdy mental link that seemed to start kicking in. The Jabberwocky's howls of anger sounded more of sadness and pain now, and it slowly fell from an offensive stance to a lay in the dirt and grass, growing submissive and apologetic. The howls turned into sounds of sobs, the gigantic beast's body quivering like a shivering puppy. Tavros, pitying it, sank to his knees and panted softly, blood dripping down his arm and staining the ground, "You did not want to be some kind of beast," He murmured, planting a kiss to the beast's snout, "And it hurts me, so much to know that you have been suffering for so long. Trolls have hunted you, tried poisoning you, and you grew callous and cold but I understand." The Jabberwocky rubbed its snout against Tavros's chest in soft apology, its tongue coming out to soothe the wound it created.

"You poor, poor thing. Just a child throwing a tantrum, is all." He smiled, pressing more kisses to the beast's nose and between its eyes, giving a tiny laugh that was punctuated with physical pain, "People took one look at you and thought you were just as evil, as the intentions behind your creation. But do not fret, my dear," He pet the creature as gently as possible, laying his cheek against its nose, "We, uh, are not going to hurt you. I promise."

2014-07-30 22:24:01