Purple Honey

[santingo]

"My, that's a pretty long time," Dominique chuckled lightly, pondering about her answer. "Oh no.." He quickly gathered his thoughts, lifting his handsome head to the endless heavens before glancing back at her. "I was just asking. Alzon and I found this isolated location where there are natural hot springs and crystal clear lakes and maybe..we can all go there. Between you and me, things are very stressful.." He rambled.

"They threatened to eat us." Horis stated blandly, Belle whimpering mentally. She remembered several times when the two Kivi and their nightmare stopped themed. "..if we didn't surrender our goods. So it seemed after we were saved from that griffin, this journey was pointless." He spoke bitterly. "They stole our carts. We tried to fight but they're very powerful and insisted we should bow to them." Ragizere forced the happiest smile her lips could muster in response to his nuzzle, returning it back to him.

"It's happening," The female referred to the shifting to her humanoid form. It was always painful, as clearly seen by her groaning. "But I'll be alright.." she crooned. "It just hurts in the beginning but it'll be over."

[Baka]

"Yes...." Akkedia composed with a sharp almost whistley note as she looked down to the verdant blades of grass, being gently cascaded by the invisible tides of the hospitible winds. "I do believe it's been stressful of sorts to all of us.... When some things are resolved I actually insist upon us going there sometime....." she shyly smiled to her friend, knowing how strenuous this experience must have been on all of them.

"Hn, do not say that..... You can easily make another trip next year round and probably prosper just as good! At least you're still together..." With this the Nightmare's eyes travelled from Belle to Horis, remembering the father's devotion to his daughter in spite of the griffin's horrific attitude. "What... Exactly did they take though....?"

"Would you like me to get you anything or something to help? ... I'd like to help...." Plead the Chimera feebly as he winced sympathetically to her pain, his own claws tearing antsy treks throughout the ground beneath his paws.

[santingo]

"Such as the arrival of Dominius?" Dominique inquired, staring at her with glistening eyes. Mentally, he flinched, fearing the question might hurt his friend. Yes, he had Gonbe genes traveling through his blood but that did not help Akkedia in this situation. "But once things settle down, it'll be nice to go for a swim.and have a picnic." Averting his glistening eyes to the limp corpses., an urge stirred inside of him. It was not hunger nor involved violence. It was the urge..to steal. Knowing his actions might be frowned upon, he jammed a single hand into their pockets to search for any valuables.

"You're a true friend my friend," Horis smiled, eternally grateful for his encouraging words. Belle was just as content, staring in the direction of the two kids as they conversed. "All of our stuff. Our food. Our clothing...and a book."

"I know you would," Ragizere forced the sweetest smile her lips could muster. "You could help me by not worrying. I'm used to this pain already. Although, it does take a second or two to acknowledge it." The female panther flinched, feeling sensations of agony sweep throughout her body.

[Baka]

Akkedia brooded the thought over in silence, before she nodded sagely, bangs falling a bit into her eyes, producing a prolonged shadowy effect. "Yes, my friend. Such as the arrival of Dominius." Her voice, surprising even herself with this fact, was unusually calm for her own sake, not quavering as she was usually prone to during strong emotional bouts. She observed him mildly as he stole from the dead, though she felt a bit of guilt for letting him get away with it she had to figure, it wouldn't matter right? It's not like the deceased had any use for anything of monetary or even just physical value.

"A book?" Mithoo didn't justify his previous sentiment with a response, this old nightmare wanted answers as well, hopefully determining a premediative strike. "What sort of book?"

Laboris furrowed his brows in concern, though he said nothing for the longest time as he puzzled whether or not to worry. Of course he should worry! But he tried not showing it as he feigned a smile, for her sake, as she'd directed him not to fret for her sake. "Why don't we step aside and rest somewhere until this pain stops...?"

[santingo]

Maneuvering his slender digits carefully, Dominique successfully managed to retrieve what little treasure the deceased had from within their oversized pockets. After five years of his career, what little did it matter? Thieves were opportunistic hunters, right? A pang of guilt did not strike this young lad. His only goal was to put golden coins to good use, even if it was morally wrong. Settling onto his skinny bottom once his task was completed, he bit onto his lower lip, unsure of what to say. His attention was captured by the whistling breeze, which sent chills down his spinal cord. "My, that's cold.." He muttered more to himself, pulling knees to his chest while cradling himself by folding both arms around his folded legs.

"A special book," Horis grieved, feeling foolish for loosing it to Chatiot, who obviously was up to no good. "It has very powerful spells inside of it. I was on my way to bring the book to another person but I got robbed."

Ragizere did not protest, tensing up as the pain grew worse. It claimed her strong joints and muscles. Her golden eyes were watery and yet, there was a burning sensation whenever she blinked. Oh, why had the council been so cruel despite the fact that Dominius's original motivation was to stop the Ereu species from dominating the primitive world? She would never know. Nodding softly, she carefully made her way to a silver rock.

[Baka]

"Yes... Yes I suppose it is...." Replied Akkedia in just as soft a tone, she failed to realize the rhettoricalness of his statement, since she picked it up rather keenly inside her hallowed ears, in which the sensitive skin composing her pointed almost batty ears twitched frequently from the chilled draft. This and the fact that she had to hug her knees to her chest for the additional warmth, supplied this answer along with an involuntary shiver.

"Hm." Mithoo grunted, muttering other things in lower decibles, too low for human perception and even hard to pick up by Gonbe standards. But being a seasoned nightmare as he was, could not this great ancient beast know how to speak words without fear of his master or mistress of the time hearing him? Finally he cleared his throat, as though the small nickerings under his breath were merely to test the strength of his voice, only to be deemed unfit from congestions of sorts. "I am glad though that the majority of your group... Is safe.... That's all that's really important..." Then he lifted his cranium so his watery round little eyes stared into the abyss of the sky, in the deepest of sageful and seemingly pacafistic thought. "Very well." He snorted after a time and shuffled his weight just so that his spine curved more so than usual, and he could stare at the trader and father effortlessly from almost eye to eye level. "I shall personally seek out retrieving this book myself, after a few other issues regarding my other company are resolved..." -This was added with a glance to Akkedia and Dominique- "I don't think that afterwards they'd mind if I helped other friends as well. Tell the recipient to be a bit more patient and I'll see what I, as an old and 'frail' beast as I am, can do..."

Laboris tensed, feeling from slight to horrid extents sympathy pains for his friend, of course none were so violent as the extent of how Ragizere felt, but as all worried creatures had a habit of doing, when one got hurt or sick, the others felt just a dab of that pain to help them feel for their companions. Laboris, in a few self-inflicted winces himself just trying to fathom it, couldn't help but worry for his friend. And she had to go through this every century? Couldn't that then be enough torture for her? Why was it that after saving the world so many times, in the end they'd just dissipate whilst other souls of misery and wretch of much less deserving status were sent to be judged.....

[santingo]

Pulled knee caps protected his oddly skinny frame, due to the lack of constant consumption, from the sudden cold draft. Dominique averted glistening eyes back at his fellow companion before lowering his handsome head to observe the gracefully billowing of the verdant blades. Silence seemed to engulf both friends until the growling protests in his empty belly broke out. Indeed Jaixas had been accurate when mentioning how quickly and inefficient blood was.

Horis couldn't pry away the surges of guilt. If the entire party had been a tad bit stronger than Chatiot and his evil companion may have not fled with the powerful book in possession. His guilt seemed to melt away once Mithoo offered a chance to repair the damage. "Why thank you Mithoo," He ducked his burly head. "Souris, the man whom is supposed to get the book, is very patient." He smiled.

Ragizere grunted once again before a sharp yelp parted her mouth. It was happening. The transformation between her panther form and her human form was finally happening. Her entire outline glew brightly, like the halo of the silver moon on a clear night. The body carefully took the shape of a beautiful maiden standing no taller than six feet high. She was dressed in a fairly simple attire which consisted of a pale white blouse and beige trousers which crept no further than her knee caps. She was barefooted. Golden eyes, no different from her original form, glistened brightly. Her hair was red with white accents, like her silky pelt prior. Then, the agonizing pain was gone. It was finally gone! With a gentle hand, she brushed silky locks of long hair out of her beautiful face, casting Laboris an innocent smile.

[Baka]

Akkedia roused a sigh, barely, through her lips. Silent membranes twitched, recepting the growls with a quiet muse. "I suppose we should get food for you then. Maybe some more purple honey?" She only mentioned this simply because of the effect purple honey seemed to have on him, having figured this out only moments prior in fact when to the cost of her nightmare's injury she'd managed to make her friend yield from his bloodlustic frame of mind.

"Very well." Grumbled Mithoo, ears flicking back and forth in a similar way to how it would with a bovine, giving him a rather casual look; not usual for the worry-ridden old brute. He lifted his head and craned his neck to the highest it could go, trying to have a look of pride and honor, however this really only resulted to show how short his neck was, and he really didn't look much taller than he was when he stood on all fours. "Do not blame yourself, if it was either the lives of my companions and those close to me for even something of that caliber, I would have done the same."

Laboris, being a bewildered creature of youth that had never even before experienced a calamity or anything rather of that sort, blinked in astonishment at this transformation. Why look upon her differently though than with the doting gaze he had reserved for those few he trusted and cared for? Words spoken but softly and with the most amiable twinkle in his eyes he moved forth a solitary step. "Are you alright?" He asked, in spite of her smile-though it reassured him greatly- he had to be absolutely sure.

[santingo]

Dominique literally ignored his hunger, like this young lad had many times in the past. By now, it did not manner if there was food in his stomach or not, the young lad would only eat when he wanted to, not because he needed to. "I'm not hungry.." He answered Akkedia's questioned, having the nerve to lie about this fact and anticipated his fellow companion would protest. Surely his gut growled in protest but his mind simply agreed with his beating heart whom protested against the idea of consumption.

"Your words.." Horis smiled. "Your words are too kind. I thank you greatly." Yes, this father would go according to plan and tell Souris of their misfortunes however he was worried how the Shinoux would react. His glistening pale eyes averted towards the young hybrid, whom simply stared down at the billowing grass silently. "My, he's awfully skinny.." He gestured towards Dominique. "Surely, kids around his age would be begging for thirds." He chuckled.

Ragizere brushed the remaining silky locks of hair out from her beautiful face. Golden eyes were focussed upon Laboris. "Yes," She nodded. "I'm alright." That reassuring smile remained plastered onto her pale lips. "I just feel..a bit weird." She giggled. "After all, how else would you feel if you been walking on all fours for an entire century then becoming humanoid? But don't worry, I'll be fine."

[Baka]

"Nonsense." Now Akkedia wasn't one whom was used to protesting, she was used to winning protests, which she proved as if hilted with springs she bolted back up to her feet, admirable enough for a sineater as she dusted herself off, for the particular lighting and the soft breeze dishevelling her already untidy hair gave her a bit of a peaceful, almost amicable appearance. "Cmon, we'll get you some purple honey or maybe even some caramelized bananas or something." Upon percieving Horis from a distance she nodded. "We do! We need to get some kind of meat on your bones, I swear it must be unhealthy...."

Mithoo continued to keep his casual look, his brows furrowed slightly, but nothing further. Finally, after a moment of his condescending silence, he inclined his head. "Do not thank me as it is my duty to come to the aid of allies, one day you'll be able to return the favor, not neccesarily to me. But show faith and kindness to another when you have the chance, and that is thanks enough...." Could one believe he was a cold-blooded killer? Not with his soft and gentle approach to things, oh how most other nightmares taunted him when he dared sit back and loungue by a body of water, to stare into its waters at the grotesquity that he believed himself and ponder over the greater questions of his idle thoughts.

"Well I wouldn't know how that felt..." Laboris admitted rather dumbly, not understanding the concept that was rhetorical until after his words left his split lips. He winced slightly, realizing his mistake after its conception though he smiled still. "I'm.... Glad you're alright... Is there anything I can get you?"

[santingo]

Dominique opened his mouth to protest but no words parted his tan lips. After all these years, the growling protests in his belly were beginning to get the best of him. His system need food for the sake of making him stronger and having better chances of survival. Glistening eyes averted to Akkedia whom truly looked like a role model once she stood. "But I'm really not.." Upon hearing her suggestions, he smiled. He was part Kivi for nothing, right?

"I agree," Jaixas referred to Akkedia, trotting in their direction. "It's very unhealthy. I'm not sure how you even do it. Kids eat more than the average adult does. You need meat on your bones Dommy, so you can grow and get stronger."

"I understand," Horis smiled before blinking suddenly. "As much as I would love to converse, I must be departing. I know you'll frown but I'm truly grateful for your words. It proves that not of all the good has left this planet. Souris is patient but he'll need to know about the misfortunes as well as his two companions."

"Good bye Mithoo!" Belle waved softly, smiling up at him.

"Yes, good bye indeed," Horis bowed before walking with his daughter, side by side, out of view.

Ragizere couldn't help but giggle. "Don't worry about it," She lazily plopped down against a silver boulder, legs crossed in a butterfly fashion. "I'm fine." She said, glancing back inside of the cave where Aurura was keeping a close eye on the corpse.

[Baka]

Of course, Akkedia felt grateful that her nightmare agreed with her, it was always good to have the support of her comrades. Then again she was also curious, as to why her nightmares did happen to agree with her quite frequently. Some would consider her spoiled on this fact solely, which made her smile in thought, though she then added. "Cmon, please? At least try to eat, for me?" Even though she thought she had him there it wouldnt hurt to show a bit of politeness too, she reasoned.

"I shall meet with you all soon, fret not dear man...." His head lowered slightly, eyes narrowing as he thought about things, as he'd done many times, before he coughed slightly. "Now, please, be safe on your travels..." And he supervised their departure as a parent would, carefully and with a considerate gaze.

Laboris, finding this an unusual but expected circumstance, wandered over to her slowly and collapsed beside her, the shaggy tangles of his coat beating up a bit of dust, just enough that he sneezed, before with a twitching nose he glanced up at her. "If.... You say so..."

[santingo]

Dominique mentally shivered at the thought of consumption until Jaixas entered their discourse, deciding not to protest in the slightest bit. Akkedia and her nightmares were friends, almost like family, so getting into an argument was at the bottom of his to-do list. "Alzon and his nightmare always tell me that.." The young lad whispered. "All of the time.."

"Then why don't you listen to them?" Jaixas questioned curiously, not getting an answer in return.

"I'll try.." Dominique glanced at Akkedia.

"But master," Jaixas turned his attention to their female companion. "I would think it's best to save the purple honey and caramel bananas for last. His body needs the more important foods like meats for proteins and fibers from bread." He agreed with her her at some degree but disliked the idea of stuffing him with foods young Kivi are naturally attracted to.

"I'm looking forward to it and so is my daughter," Horis stopped for a brief moment, waving back at him. "Good bye Mithoo until we meet again." He waved. Meanwhile, closer to the kingdom, was a party of three, gathered on the golden shoreline, not no where in the vicinity of Ragizere and her chimera friend.

Souris, the Shinoux mentioned previously to Mithoo, was perched on the highest of the black stones protruding from the golden sands. This handsome lad around his late teenage years sat with legs crossed in a butterfly fashion. Dressed in a neatly buttoned up white shirt, black trousers and black boots, his attire had been fairly simple. A furry black tail curled around one of his legs. Messy locks of black hair with orange hair hung in front of his handsome face, covering much of his crimson blood eyes which were actually two shades of red instead of one. The Shinoux had been perched so high to avoid any possible contact with the ocean's majestic waves. The only reason why the three were here was because on particular person desired to see the ocean. And the most obvious fact was, they were waiting for a very important book.

Ragizere glanced down at him. Lovingly, she reached with a single hand to stroke his rather woolly coat, avoiding his horns. "Please don't worry about me Laboris.." She pleaded. "For me?"

[Baka]

"Alright." Akkedia didn't mind, her idea was only to get Dominique to eat, she tried tempting his Kivi side with sweets but so long as he had something to eat to keep him from keeling over with hunger, she would be satisfied with that.

Mithoo moved slowly after they'd left to the rest of his group, ears flickering with each of his bumbling steps before he stared at them, thin lids sliding over his eyes as he cleared his throat. "Well then what shall we get young master Dominique? I'd be happy to oblidge and help in some way...."

Izumi twirled a bit of her raven black hair out of her eyes, though the red bangs were obstinant about staying quite close to hanging in her eyes, the thickest shade of crimson. Her feet, bare as her makeshift shoes lay discarded not far away, twindled into the depths of the waves as the frothy salthingyer lapped about her ankles. She rather, was the only one whom wouldn't have to pay for such an action with burns, or worse in their friend the shinoux's case. Halli wasn't nearly so relaxed. The girl that looked no older than nine, incredibly pale and with fiery eyes that held contrast to her flesh but not her soft pink hair, was perched peciliarly on some of these same stones that her sister was negligent to. One of her legs was crossed over the other, and on occasion a wisp of smoke signalled from the stone, as it showed the resilience of her temperature combating the structure of the stone in a battle of heat. Sorry would be those that tried touching the stone sometime after, for her lack of control kept her at near molten temps when she was angry... Or impatient. Her garb was luckily made of a resilient material, actually it was a great Eastern sort of garb, formally considered a yukata. Hugging her small frame like loose robes the black attire was embrodiated with small red firebirds along the linings. "Why are we still here?" She whined, curling just so that her arms linked about one but not both of her legs.

He was silent, well as silent as he could be though a purr mingled with his silence. "For you, of course...." He mused, nuzzling her carefully so said horns wouldn't catch and worry over her with their ridiculous sharpness.

[santingo]

Dominique secretly opposed the very idea of consumption but he had no intentions on making his new extended family worried sick for his well being. The brute groggily stretched onto twos, watching Mithoo as he advanced towards them. "Meats and all the other good stuff.." Jaixas grinned up at his fellow nightmare. "Although, he shouldn't get any sweets if he doesn't eat." He persisted, just suggesting for the best.

Souris closed his eyes for a brief moment, feeling his beating heart jump out from its place in his chest even though no muscle in his body moved. This was so because the waves were beginning to get larger and larger. Upon hearing their phoenix friend, he sighed and adjusted his weight. "We're still here Harriet," He enjoyed calling her by her true name. "Because we're waiting for that book. Also, someone wanted to visit the ocean and someone else wouldn't allow me to go to the tavern." He pouted down at her.

Ragizere continued to stroke his woolly fur lovingly, staring into the vast distance of the sea. "Thank you," She smiled, not ceasing in her actions.