MH - S01 E03

<Darkling> It's a bright and sunny morning for your second day of school. This one will most likely prove to be a bit more interesting than the first, at least if you stay in school. Avaline, Tina and Izumi have managed to find each other on their way to school.
<Avaline> "Hello, ladies! Great to see neither of you spontaneously combusted or died in your sleep!"
<Tina_> "Hey guys!"  She smiled.  "Same to you Ava."
<@Mr_Rage> "Hnhn." Despite the distance, Izumi doesn't seem too bothered by her heels.
<Tina_> "So how much trouble do you think we'll all get in?"
<Avaline> "Enough to make an annoyance."
<Tina_> "Well, at least we had fun.  I don't think it will be too bad."
<@Mr_Rage> "We'll be fine~ Is normal to be mischievous."
<Avaline> "If they burn us at the stake I'll go first. That way I can come back from the dead and save you two."
<Darkling> The school is in sight now as you round a corner to the block it is on. Students are out in the yard talking, laughing, doing the normal thing teens do before class.
<Avaline> "I still want to blame my period if anyone asks."
<Tina_> "Maybe we can say we all synced up."
<Avaline> "We had to flee before our combined rage destroyed the school."
<@Mr_Rage> Izumi tilts her head, blinking, but quickly covers up her confusion.
Tina_ giggled.
<Darkling> Soon enough, you're in class. Elisa is sitting and waiting for you and smiling.
<@Mr_Rage> Waaave~ "How much I owe you?"
<Avaline> "Hi Elisa!" She moves in to take a seat.
<Darkling> "Hey guys." She passes out little folders to each of you. "Your notes from yesterday. You missed the rest of school, was everything okay?"
<@Mr_Rage> "Fine.~ Learn something new every day."
<Tina_> "Thanks a lot Elisa."  Tina said with a smile.  "Everything should be okay."
<Billy_Blackfeather> There's Billy finally coming in, hair wild and unbraided today. She looks as 'grumpy' as usual, sitting down amd buring her face in her arms.
<Avaline> "Did we miss anything interesting?"
<@Mr_Rage> The Asian reaches over, giving Billy a pat on the head that ends with brushing her nails over some skin, attention swiveling to Elisa.
<Darkling> "Mm. Not really." She says, sliding a folder over to Billy as well. "most of it was introductory stuff."
<Tina_> "Oh good.  That's what I thought would happen."  She said opening the floder to look at it.
Billy_Blackfeather murmers something like "Don't do that," but she doesn't bother to repeat or clarify.
Tina_ looks over at Billy and then back at the folder.  She shrugs and closes it.  No reason to argue with that logic anyways.
<Darkling> The second bell rings and class gets started.  Mrs. Herker gets up and starts the days lesson. No more day of luxury and chatting in class like yesterday it seems.
<Billy_Blackfeather> As seems to be a growing tred Billy doesn't seem to.care about the class or subject, annention usually on the inside of her eyelids or out the window.
<Darkling> At some point through the class there's some snickering coming from the far corner. Felicia and Luke seem to have thought something was funny.
<Avaline> Avaline glances in that direction looking solemn and dour.
<Darkling> Pretty sure they could have been talking about someone at your table, but who knows. Mrs. Herker clears her throat making them go quiet, then continues her lesson.
<@Mr_Rage> Izumi tilts her head, studying the pair.
<Tina_> Tina looks over in their direction, confused about their snickering.  She shrugged and turned back to the teacher, her notes scrawled with more swirly doodles than actual notes.
Billy_Blackfeather couldn't give a shit less.
<Avaline> Avaline returns her attentions to the lesson, paying the duo little heed after they were silenced.
<Darkling> The lesson continues a few more minutes before there is more snickering,
<Avaline> She ignores them this time.
<Tina_> Tina can't help but wonder what is so funny.
<@Mr_Rage> The Japanese girl wiggles her nose, glancing over likewise.
<Darkling> Definitely saying something about your table as Luke was pointing. You see him pass a note to another table to his buddy Sam.
<Tina_> Tina looked back at their table, then back at the other kids.  Were they talking about one of her friends?
Billy_Blackfeather lifts her head long enough to yawn, looking around.
<Darkling> Sam bursts out laughing, which of course gets the attention of the teacher who stalks over to his table. "What exactly is so funny about oral studies? Mr. Yates?"
<Darkling> "Nothing." He tries to hide the note under the table, a little too late and Mrs. Herker holds out her hand for it. Reluctantly he passes it to her and she opens it, looking for a moment before closing it.
Tina_ wonders if she'll read it out loud.
<Darkling> "Oral hygeine is not the subject you are supposed to be studying right now." The paper goes into the garbage. "And since you three were so intent on not listening to class, you'll ahve to do so over lunch instead."
<Avaline> Avaline looks at the teacher expectantly.
<@Mr_Rage> Izumi smiles between her fingers, giving Luke the look a carnivore might give a particularly slow deer.
<Darkling> And then the lesson continues.
<Billy_Blackfeather> Fun fun.
Tina_ shrugged and went back o her doodles.
<Darkling> The rest of classes finishes without any more incidents, bell ringing and students scrambling out of the room.
<Avaline> Avaline heads out, relieved at the lack of further incidents.
Billy_Blackfeather is almongst them.
<Tina_> Tina packed up her things and went to leave as well.
<@Mr_Rage> "Hnhn.~"
<Billy_Blackfeather> Lunch was next right? Right? Billy hoped, checking her schedule.
<Darkling> Not by a long shot. Your next class drones on jsut the same as the first, and eventually you are let out for lunch.
<Tina_> Oh good.  Tina couldn't wait to see what her mom had packed her for lunch.
<Avaline> Avalina snags a seat after claiming cafeteria food supplemented by an apple.
<Darkling> Elisa comes up and has a seat with her lunch. "I was hoping they wouldn't bring back meatloaf on the menu this year." she looks down at the quivering brown mass of what should be meatloaf on her plate.
<@Mr_Rage> Izumi wasn't in for any such surprise, opening a self-packed lunchbox that's almost excruciatingly stereotypical, the potato chips aside. Chopsticking rice into her mouth, she lets her head turn, taking stock of the cafeteria arrangements.
<Tina_> Tina sits with them and opens her bagged lunch.  Mom's cooking was so much better than the school's garbage.  Tina had tried it once, never again.
<Darkling> Luke, Felicia and Sam were notably absent from lunch, no doubt in detention.
Billy_Blackfeather has unsurprisingly isolated herself, sipping from a thermos what was probably leftover rabbit stew.
<Tina_> "Should we go sit with Billy?"
<Avaline> Avaline pokes at her meatloafthing with her fork, eventually trying a bite and making a face. "They should really have to list their ingredients with each meal. This meatloaf reminds me of a story."
<Darkling> Elisa looks to Tina, at Billy, then Avaline. "She doesn't seem tor eally want to be near us."
<Tina_> "Yeah but she's just grumpy."  She said.  Over to Ava, "What story?"
<Avaline> "I guess we could. If she doesn't like it she can move away from us. As for that story... it was a dark and stormy night. And there was a school, and a cafeteria. Not surprisingly a lot of students got sick from eating cafeteria food." Another bite of meatloaf. She chews it slowly.
<Darkling> Elisa pokes at her food, nibbling it a bit and nearly gagging.
<Avaline> "It kept up for months, and eventually the school was investigated. It turned out there was an abortion clinic nearby, and they'd been getting aborted babies from their trash to turn into cafeteria food."
<Tina_> Tina put down her sandwich.  "Wow.  That was really terrible."
<Avaline> "After it was discovered there were lawsuits. When the dust cleared everyone lived happily ever after except the school and the students, whose dreams were haunted by aborted fetuses. The end."
<Darkling> Elisa has put down her fork and is staring at her food. "That is.. so wrong."
<Tina_> "I'm not hungry anymore..."  She said slowly.
<Avaline> "At least my apple is safe." She takes a bite out of it.
<Darkling> "I'm going to go to the library and check to see how everything is there. I'll see you guys next class." Elisa gets up and dumps her food in the trash as she leaves.
<@Mr_Rage> "M'kay~"
<Billy_Blackfeather> Looks like Billy is done too. Thermos back in her bag she's up and moving.
<Tina_> "Oh, okay! Bye!"  She called after Elisa.  She looked back at her sandwich, the story almost completely forgotten.  She picked it up and stared eating again, watching Billy.  Maybe the girl just needed some space after yesterday.
<Avaline> Ava waves at Billy, just to be polite.
<Billy_Blackfeather> She catches the motion from the corner of her eye and looks, hesitating briefly before leaving the cafeteria.
<Darkling> The rest of the day goes past in a blur and soon enough the bell rings releasing all the children from the bonds of school. What to do now?
<Avaline> Shopping tiem nao!
<Tina_> SHOPPING!
<Darkling> Downtown isn't far off and the girls head there, Elisa coming along. "I could use a cute new sweater."
<Tina_> "Ooh and maybe some shoes."
<@Mr_Rage> "Why stop there?'
<Darkling> You pass a newspaper and magazine stand on your way. Seems the big thing in local news is someone having vandalised the logging operations that are nearby.
<Avaline> "I'm interested in the fabrics. Learning to stitch my own stuff."
<Tina_> "Oh hey, wait a second guys."  Tina stops to look at the newspapers.
<@Mr_Rage> The Japanese girl tilts her head back, watching Tina sidelong.
<Avaline> Avaline does too, deciding to be nosey. "Hello, what's this?"
<Tina_> She picks up the newspaper. "This is my parents' company.  Someone trashed it."
<Darkling> "Really? That's stupid."
<Avaline> "Hm... how bad is it?"
<Tina_> "I don't know.  But maybe it explains why they were so nervous."
<@Mr_Rage> "Nervous?" Is--is Izumi fanning herself with a stack of bills?
<Avaline> "I hope it wasn't anything serious. Maybe they just had bad food."
<Tina_> "Hmm.  They usually act pretty funny but they seemed more nervous than usual."  She shrugged.  "Nothing we can do about it though, unless we hear someone talking about it in school."
<Darkling> "You guys gonna buy something" The stall attendant asks.
<Tina_> Tina thinks about her allowance and slowly put the newpaper down.  It wasn't worth it.
<@Mr_Rage> Plop. A $5 for the paper. "Bring it with, we got place to be."
<Tina_> "Oh...You don't have to...okay..."  She said, taking the paper with them.
<Avaline> Ava moves along, mumbling. "That was really rude. You'd think people would want to oggle teenage girls a little more instead of shooing them away."
<Tina_> "Yeah, we'd definitely attract more customers."
<@Mr_Rage> "Money always prettier than girls," Izumi counters, back to fanning herself as they walk.
<Avaline> "My poor ego." Ava pouts.
<Tina_> Tina giggles, "Well, maybe not always."
<Darkling> "Well, what store are we going to?"
<Tina_> Tina looked at the others, almost certain they wouldn't want to go to her usual place.  "Yeah, where are we going?"
<Avaline> "Good question. I was thinking the thrift store, but if anyone has any better ideas..."
<Tina_> Tina's eyes widened.  "I love the thrift store!"
<@Mr_Rage> "Why not Balton's?" It wasn't super high class--nothing in this town was, for obvious reasons, but it was probably on the more expensive edge of things, more a place for a lone semi-retired fashion designer to pass his years than a real moneymaker.
<Darkling> "Oh, they always have the nicest things there." At least someone else had heard of it.
<@Mr_Rage> Izumi swivels, blinking.
<Avaline> "Doesn't hurt to look."
<Tina_> "Sure, why not?"
<@Mr_Rage> "Fufu!" And so the Japanese girl leads the way.
<Darkling> Balton's was right along the park, with the rest of the smalelr specialty stores. A chime jangles as they enter.
<@Mr_Rage> "Hiii~" Izumi calls out, adjusting her jacket.
<Tina_> "Ooh." Tina says softly, entering the place.  "Pretty."
<Darkling> "I don't get to come here too often." Elisa says. "Usually only when my parents want to have me dressed for a special occasion."
<Avaline> "I like it." Avalina says, looking around at various signs. Then she quietly adds. "I hope my purse likes it."
<Darkling> There's a call from the back of the shop, "I'll be with you in a moment!"
<Tina_> "I'm not sure anyone's purse but Izumi's will like it,"  She whispers to Ava.
<Darkling> The shop was full of wonderful looking clothes. Dresses and shrits, business suits and blouses. Though after looking at some of them, it's pretty clear this isn't a store for someone on a meagre allowance.
<Avaline> "Oh... my purse. My purse is being ravaged to death by the dark forces of capitalism."
Tina_ sighed after looking at some clothes.  "They're so gorgeous.  It would take years to buy this."
<Avaline> "Got a favorite? Maybe if we combine our powers we'll find something that fits all three of us somehow! And we can share ownership."
<Tina_> She picked out a fancy looking skirt.  "Ooh! What about this?"
<@Mr_Rage> "Fufufu~ If you want it, get it. It on me."
<Tina_> "What?  Really?  Oh...No I couldn't.  It's too much"
<Darkling> Finally the shopkeep arrives from the back. "Ah, ladies!" He flourishes his hands to welcome them. "What can I get you into today?"
<@Mr_Rage> "Relaaax." Izumi rests back against a heavy display, folding her arms. "I do anything for friends," the Japanese girl cracked an... oddly-tempered smile.
<Avaline> "Hm... if you're buying for us, maybe you should have a little feedback? Maybe suggest an outfit?" Avaline asks Izumi.
<Tina_> Tina nodded, agreeing with Ava.  "Yeah, if you're buying you should pick what you think looks best."
<Darkling> The shopkeep looks a little confused at being ignored by the girls. he was more used to women that wouldn't stop gossipping to him.
<@Mr_Rage> A canted head guides the shopkeep's attention towards her, Izumi standing upright. "They looking for something day-to-day, comfy stuff. Skirt, loose sleeve, that kind of thing."
<Darkling> "Well," He wanders around the counter and over to a rack sorting through some sundresses. "Let's see what we can find you!"
<Avaline> Avaline creeps closer to take a look.
Tina_ peers around the other side, wondering what he was getting.
<Darkling> He pulls out a long black dress with purple and fuschia flowers patterned over it and holds it in front of Avaline.
<Avaline> "Oh... that's just so me. The only way it could be more me was if the flowers were strangling a teddy bear!" She grins at it, clearly pleased.
<Darkling> "That's a lovely sentiment dear. Why don't you go try it on." he gestures to a mirrored door at the back of the room.
<Avaline> She takes the dress, and then she's off to the changing room!
<@Mr_Rage> Izumi lets out a laugh, hands to her hips, attention on Tina now. "Hmm~"
<Tina_> She looked down at her own worn outfit from the thrift store with a raised eyebrow.
<Darkling> "And for this lady.." He start looking around again.
Tina_ followed, wondering what he'd find for her.
<Darkling> He eventually settles on a orange and brown coloured dress that could look like an autumn forest floor. "Yes, I think this matches your style quite nicely." If her style was not thrift store clothes that was.
<Tina_> Usually it was, but this looked wonderful.  "Ooh!  I have to try it on now!" She said, taking it to the changing rooms.
<Avaline> Avaline exits the changing room wearing the new outfit and looking quite pleased about it. She starts to strike a pose, but notices the absence of Tina and stops abruptly, returning to a relaxed stance. "Wow, good thing I stopped myself."
<Darkling> "you look dashing darling!"
<@Mr_Rage> "Fufufu.~ If it make you feel powerful, never hesitate." Just to prove her point, Izumi strikes the pose Ava was about to, though the effect is... a little different, given their builds.
<Avaline> "Not powerful so much as dramatic. And in order for maximum drama I have to have an audience." Avaline grins happily at that.
<Darkling> Finally he finds a red dress with some sheer lacey fabric along the chest and sides of the legs, a much tighter fitting dress at that, for Izumi.
<Darkling> Elisa looks on with envy a bit.
<@Mr_Rage> Izumi hooks the hanger on her thumb, offering it to their fourth. "Mm? You want?"
<Darkling> She nods a little, "But I don't think that I can fit it as well as you."
<Darkling> "No no no darling. I have something else for you." He shuffles to anotehr part of the store."
<Darkling> He finally pulls out a sleek dark grey dress with a bit of a sheen to it. "This is for you my dear." She looks a little giddy and takes it off to the change room.
<Tina_> It only takes a minute or two before Tina leaves the changing room as well.  She'd left her glasses behind, they didn't really go with this dress.  She smiled and twirled for the girls who were there.  "What do you think?"
<@Mr_Rage> "You both look great," the Japanese girl grins wide. "Much better!"
<Darkling> "Splendid. Absolutely spendid. There is not a dress in this world that would suit you better!
<Tina_> "Izumi!  Go put on yours!"
<Avaline> "Looking good, TIna. I'd wear that, but you're wearing it. It'd be really awkward if I took your clothes."
<Tina_> "No, you can borrow my stuff any time you want."  She said happily.
<Avaline> "Thanks! Maybe I will!"
<@Mr_Rage> "Alright, alright~" Izumi disappears last, trailing a hummed song.
<Darkling> A minute later, Elisa peeks out of her room and looks around before shyly stepping out.
<Tina_> "Elise! You look gorgeous!"
<Avaline> "Very cute. You checked yourself out in the mirror, didn't you?"
<Darkling> She starts to thank you but the door to the store jingles and Felicia steps in.
<Darkling> Elisa shrinks back into her changeroom.
Tina_ watches Elisa, confused.  "What's wrong?"
<@Mr_Rage> Something warm bumps against Elisa from behind, the Japanese girl blinking.
<Darkling> "Well, if it isn't the little rascals." Felicia says smugly. "You should probably put those dresses back before you get them too dirty to return."
<Darkling> elisa emits a little eep turning around, startled.
<@Mr_Rage> 'Trouble?' Izumi mouths
<Darkling> She nods, mostly wondering how she got into the wrong changeroom and trying not to look at Izumi directly.
<Avaline> "Well, if it isn't Fellatio." Avaline says cheerfully.
<Darkling> "At least someone would want to throw me a bone, unlike you sad looking girls."
<@Mr_Rage> No, by all appearances it was Izumi who got into the wrong one. Or maybe she's only comfortable getting naked with someone else in the room, who knows. Returning the nod, she ducks out of the change room, striding out to rejoin the others.
<Tina_> "Well, if you're into eating dog treats we won't stop you."
<Avaline> "Completely walked into that, Fellatio."
<Darkling> "Better than the pole you walked into that screwed your face up like that."
<Tina_> "The same pole you use at your job?"
<@Mr_Rage> A scowl passes over the Asian's face, and she puts hand to hip, waiting for a lull. "Get out, or I make you get out. If you want trouble, pick better time and place."
<Darkling> "Trouble? You wouldn't know trouble if it bit you in the ass, you're too used to the getting people off easy, aren't you?"
<@Mr_Rage> Just like that, Izumi giggles, tapping a long nail to her lip. "Why, you want to find out? I not judge."
<Darkling> "Ew!" She makes a pretty disgusted face at that thought. "You need help. And likely medical treatment."
<Darkling> She looks clearly disturbed now. "I can't be here with this filth. I'm leaving, and might not shop here again. Ugh." She storms out.
<Tina_> "Wow Izumi.  You got her to leave.  That was really cool of you."
<Darkling> elisa is peeking out from the stall again.
<@Mr_Rage> The Japanese girl clucks her tongue, satisfied. "Prude girls always easy to tease."
<Avaline> "You were on a roll yourself, Tina. I could hear her inner dog arfing when you mentioned treats."
<Tina_> "I have no idea where those comments came from."
<@Mr_Rage> "Got good fire in you." Fishing through her cleavage, Izumi wags a bundle of bills. "Anyway~ Let's pay and go."
<Darkling> The shopkeep clears his throat, having witnessed everything, and happy to hear about payment.
<Avaline> Avaline nods, going back to change into her old clothes first.
<Tina_> Tina goes to do the same.
<Avaline> And then she is back, carrying her prized dress with her to the check out.
<Darkling> Elisa comes out, already changed.
<@Mr_Rage> Izumi wears hers out, counting out bills almost before the keep's given her the total.
<Tina_> "So where do we go next,"  Tina says, joining them at the checkout.
<@Mr_Rage> "Fufu. Maybe we get Billy a gift? Something she use..."
<Tina_> "Arrows? A skinning knife?"
<Darkling> "I don't know if she would wear a dress.."
<@Mr_Rage> "Skinning knife not bad idea..."
<Avaline> "I think she'd like that."
<Tina_> "So long as she doesn't try to stab us with it."
<@Mr_Rage> "Stay behind me, my implants kevlar-weave," Izumi jokes--or is it--before jogging ahead to look for a hunting shoppe to do just that.
<Darkling> Thankfully the town is small, and Mike's Hunt and Tackle isn't far.
<Avaline> Avaline snickers at that and heads off to the shop! She also heeds Izumi's  advice, just in case.
<Tina_> Tina's right behind them.
<Darkling> And elisa brings up the rear.
<Darkling> This shop is much bigger than the little dress shop. There was lots to chose from that fit the outdoors.
<@Mr_Rage> Izumi whistles, sweeping her bangs behind her ear.
<@Mr_Rage> *a lock behind
<Tina_> "Oh wow.  Sometimes I forget how woodsy this town is."
<Avaline> "I feel so out of place here... like I'll start growing hair on my chest if I stay here too long."
<@Mr_Rage> "Knives, knives... Over this way maybe?"
<Darkling> There was a few display cases of assorted knives. Everythign from swiss multitools, to tantos, buck knives, bowie knives and machetes.
<Tina_> "Anyone know which of these is best.?"
<Avaline> "Maybe one of these multipurpose thingies."
<@Mr_Rage> "Hnn!" Pouting and puffing her cheeks, Izumi wanders from display case to display case. "Swiss knife? Maybe, but Billy strike me as one-tool-every-job kind of girl."
<Tina_> "You think she's one of those girls who think bigger is better?"  SHe said, pointing at a machete.
<Darkling> "I'm not sure they'll let us buy that." Elisa says.
<Avaline> "Or maybe she thinks it's not the size that counts, but how you use it." She eyes a bowie knife.
<@Mr_Rage> "Let shoot for middle and let her decide," Izumi points to a buck knife.
<Tina_> "Works for me."
<Darkling> Elisa wanders away a bit before coming back with a small compound bow. "What about this?"
<Darkling> Then she looks at the price tag. "Oh.. uh.. nevermind."
<@Mr_Rage> The Japanese girl giggles. "What I say about money before, honey?"
<Avaline> "Sounds good. It's just too bad we can't get our names engraved on it. Then we could all talk about how we have our names on Billy's stabby thing."
<Darkling> "It's more than all our dresses together.."
<@Mr_Rage> "Mm. Not her style anyway, right? Maybe stick with knife, save bow for marriage."
<Tina_> "What she said.  Who is she marrying?"
<Darkling> Elisa goes and puts the bow back where she found it.
<Avaline> "She hasn't told me yet. Disappointing!"
<@Mr_Rage> "Fufu!"
<Darkling> An attendant comes by to help you out.
<@Mr_Rage> "Excuse," Izumi taps the case. "What knife you recommend for all-purpose? Gotta last lots of abuse."
<Darkling> He thinks, then pulls out a mid-sized tanto-blade buck knif to display. "This is covered in a hard titanium coating. One of durable ones we have."
<Tina_> "That sounds perfect."
<@Mr_Rage> A quick glance at the price, and the Japanese girl nods.
 <Darkling> He boxes it up for the girls, takes their payment and waves them on their way with a thanks.
<Tina_> "Should we find her now or wait for school?"
<@Mr_Rage> "Take knife to school?" Even Izumi gives Tina a look for that one. "We... find her later, I think."
<Tina_> "Oh. Right.  Okay."
<Avaline> "Mhm. School annoys her enough that she might want to use it on someone."
<Darkling> --------------------------
<Darkling> The forest was quiet for once, especially without the girls from school bothering you. Why did they try anyways, everyone knew you were a loner and didn't get along with other people.
<Billy> Something Gramps seemed to be forgetting too. He was the exception to the rule. Why would he encourage them? She just wanted to be left alone. At least they got the hint, she got to eat lunch in peace.
<Darkling> Gramps was just gramps, the senile old man. He did things on whim and no one could ever tell what he thought.
<Billy> Part of being an old Indian. It was the only explanation she had.
<Darkling> Maybe one day she would be just as old and senile and do things she wanted no matter the consequences. Though, she was kind of doing that right now anyways. Instead of being in school with people that were trying to be her friend she was out in the forests outside of town, lost from civilization.
<Darkling> Speaking of lost, this was a weird part of the woods she didn't recognize.
<Billy> That didn't happen often. She stopped, pulling her focus out of her ass and into her present surroundings.
<Darkling> Nope. This was a strange part of the woods. You must have gotten sidetracked thinking about school and stuff.
<Darkling> There were larger than normal boulders and trees drapped in hanging moss and vines, the ground was a little squishier than normal, but you hadn't headed in the direction of the swamps.
<Billy> Weird. Well, she could always backtrack. She decided to climb one of the taller boulders for a better look around.
<Darkling> Nothing. Nothing that you could see was what you would expect at least. It also had got quite silent.
<Billy> Not good. Was there something out here with her? A predator? That'd be just great, all she had was her knife.
<Darkling> Perhaps. There definitely wasn't any animals around. Maybe you scared everything away.
<Billy> "Am I that scary?" She sighed and sat down. Still, this quiet was nice. Maybe if she sat still long enough something would come back.
<Darkling> After a few minutes, nothing has made a sound yet, but it has seemed to grow significantly darker somehow.
<Billy> This was getting weird. She dared to peek up, looking for the sun or any clouds that may be rolling in.
<Darkling> The sky was a dark purple colour. Odd.
<Billy> Right. Time to go, She can tell Gramps, see what the ancient lore of her people had to say about it. Assuming her knew. Down the boulder and back the way she came.
<Darkling> Which way did she come? The trees don't look the same as they did before she sat down.
<Billy> "Shit." Maybe she came in from over that way?
<Darkling> Hmm, nope. Thsoe trees look twisted and sickly.
<Billy> "What's going on here?" She wouldn't admit it to anyone else but she was creeped out now, a little worried she'd actually be stranded out in the woods she loved to much.
<Darkling> At least she had some survival skills. She wouldn't starve or go cold if she looked hard enough.
<Billy> That was last resort though. How hard could it be getting out of this weird area? There have to be some familiar trees.
<Darkling> Well she could pick a direction and start walking.
<Billy> That's about her only option. That way it is.
<Billy> Barefoot she picks the most direct path, straight ahead, and walks.
<Darkling> Well, the forest doesn't seem to be changing at all
<Billy> That's...weird. She walks a little faster.
<Darkling> You get the feeling something is stalking you.
<Billy> She looks over her shoulder, wondering if she should stop to check...
<Darkling> A shuffling of a bush off in the distance. Something is back there at least. Whether it is following you or not, who knows.
<Billy> Typically wild animals had to interest in Humans so...lets keep going.
<Billy> Maybe this was why people bought those GPS things. Could she afford one? Might be handy if this happened again.
<Darkling> You round a tree to come back into the small clearing with that boulder.
<Billy> "No. No way."
<Billy> She turned around to took the way she'd just come from.
<Darkling> Thorn bushes behind her.
<Billy> She can't frown hard enough. "The hell is going on?" Okay, fuck it. Another direction, lets go!
<Darkling> More thorns and twisted trees.
<Darkling> This was not the forest you grew up in
<Billy> Oh come up. That way then! She twists and heads for a random direction with a burning determination.
<Darkling> The bush in front of her shakes violently.
<Billy> Woops-- she backpedals as quick as she can.
<Darkling> And backs up right against the boulder. Odd this clearing was much bigger before
<Billy> Now she was going to freak out. This was too weird. Up the boulder!
<Darkling> Turning around she comes face to face with the twisted snarling snout of a wolf that was much much larger than it had any right to be.
<Billy> "...oh god..." sha managed weakly, knees feeling weak. Most animals didn't mess with people but most animals weren't this big. What was a wolf doing here anyway? Was this it? Killed by some rogue wolf? Gramps' heart was gonna break.
<Darkling> It's lips draw back revealing crusted yellow teeth.
<Billy> Could she out-run a wolf? She had her doubts but it would be better than just waiting. What stopped her was a fear that any sudden movements might make it lunge. Shit. Instead she goes for her pocket.
<Darkling> Nothing in her pockets. But wasn't she carrying her knife? That couldn't be good.
<Billy> Time to risk it. She swallows and ducks, darting for open space with everything her legs can muster.
<Darkling> She slams through the thorn bushes tearing her clothes and arms and legs.
<Billy> "Gah- fuuuck!" She pushes through out the other side, still running but it was harder now with the pain in her legs.
<Darkling> More and more tearing and scratches, small lines of blood forming all over her body. She breaks into a clearing again, running right into the same boulder.
<Billy> It's not like she was running from the boulder though. The wolf. Where was the wolf?!
<Darkling> Something slams into you sideways, bearing her to the ground.
<Billy> All she can do is scream and throw up her arms, expecting this was the end for her.
<Darkling> She's pushed down into the ground, ddirt and mud mixing with her blood and cuts. The heavy foul breath of the wolf in her face.
<Billy> It...it wasn't biting? Attacking?
<Darkling> A bit of drool spatters down on your face and it let out a low growl. The thing had to be as big as a bear, there was no way you could get out from under it.
<Billy> What the hell did it want, then? She lowered her arms to get another look at it, cautious.
<Darkling> It waited a moment, then cocked its head looking eye to eye at you.
<Billy> She blinked, looking right back.
<Darkling> And in that second, it snapped, mouth grasping around her throat and tearing.
<Darkling> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<Darkling> You wake up on the bank of a stream, not to far from Gramps from the looks of it. That was a pretty strange dream.
<Billy> What the hell was she doing sleeping outside anyway? She had a bed for that. "Geez." She sat up and then stood, dusting off her butt.
<Darkling> Her bare butt. No clothes again. And she was covered in a few scrapes and bruises, and a fair bit of blood and dirt.
<Billy> "What...why?" It was still the same day, right? It wasn't morning. It couldn't be.
<Darkling> Same day, evening too. There's even a bit off a mess around her. Blood and chunks of matted fur. Even a broken bone of some sort.
<Billy> She swallowed hard, trying not to throw up. Throw up...what was in her stomach right now? She gave a wretch, turning to try and find the right path to Gramps.
<Darkling> It didn't take long before she saw the puffs of smoke from his chimney.
<Billy> She ran as best she could while being mindful of her nudity, yelling for the old man before she'd reached the steps. "Gramps!" She was practically crying. This had been different from the other times. Why was it different? What had she done?
<Darkling> He's on the porch, rocking in a chair and puffing on a pipe.
<Billy> "Gramps!" Now she is crying, climbing the steps to the porch and barely holding herself together.
<Darkling> "Nikiq? What is wrong?" He seems a bit out of it, slower than normal.
<Billy> She grabs him, huggy him with face buried against him as she cried. Why did she feel so terrible this time? She didn't expect the mess, that must be it. She did her best to explain, from the dream to waking up and the gory scene that had surrounded her.
<Darkling> He listens the whole while, patting her and making soothing sounds. "There, there Nikiq. What is done cannot be undone, but it can be righted. You cannot let yourself lose your grip. You must be stronger than this." He holds her up straight facing him, hands and arms much stronger than his old frame showed. "You are strong, you are full of heart. Do not forget who and what you are."
<Billy> Right. "Right, I'm a Blackfeather." There was some pride attached to the name, even for a teenage girl. One last sniffle and she sucked it up. For a moment she wasn't the apathetic girl life had turned her into. "What...what do I do now, gramps?"
<Darkling> "You live, you survive, you fight." He pokes her with a bony finger. "You go home, and clean up."
<Billy> "I...I ment about the uh...blood and stuff. What did I do?"
<Darkling> "You go home and clean up." he repeated. Not helpful, but it was something to do.
<Billy> "Okay Gramps, okay. I'll go home and clean up."
<Darkling> ----------------------