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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2011 2:12:49 GMT -5
The World of Inbetween. A world where those who lived in neither one world or another have changed a crevasse into a working town. Neither heartless nor nobodies lived in said world. The reason for this is quite simple. Those who live in the World of Inbetween only reach there when one a portal is closed while one is still inside it.
That was what happened to the party upon entering Red's portal. As soon as he had entered the portal with everyone he knew things weren't right. For one, since it was his portal, he could sense that something was off. It wasn't long before he noticed a strange hooded figure standing on the other side of the dark portal.
Unlike the hooded figure from before, this one was a bit smaller with a tighter figure. If Red had to guess he would have said that the figure was a female. The worry on Red's face was clear as his keyblade appeared in his hand.
How had someone gotten in front his portal without his knowledge. He had connected the portal to a place where he was positive that no one would see them entering, a secluded alleyway he had arrived at Disney Town before. Watching the hooded figure hold out its hands, Red began to sprint.
"RUN!" He screamed at the party. They needed to get out of the portal. Black thread suddenly sprouted from the figures fingertips. It attached to the edges of the portal. Pulling both hands backwards the threads pulled on the portal causing it to close.
They were left in darkness. It wasn't long before the pathway he had created began to fall apart. The portal only stood so long as it had an opening for an ending. With the ends closed there was nothing holding it together. With its falling apart Red found himself falling in the darkness. He had no idea what was going to happen next. This had never happened before.
Spotting Jean, he shouted to her, stretching out his hand. "Grab onto my hand."
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Post by Sprow on May 10, 2011 0:05:25 GMT -5
Stepping out of the portal, Jean found herself mightily confused. Disney Town sounded like some sort of weird world. If it was crazy enough to make Annalese excited, then it should be something goofy looking. This place, as she looked around, looked deserted and...well, not what she had been expecting. Just where were they? As she pondered this, she stepped out of the way of the others coming through the portal behind her.
Red looked just as confused as she was about the whole thing. Annalese stepped in and frowned at the setting. Sniffing the air, scrunching her nose, it was obvious that she was disgusted at where they were. "This isn't what I remembered!" she stated.
Jean just looked at her before glancing over at her four friends. Like her, they were just as confused. "...This isn't the town, is it?" Rowen questioned, a note of disbelief in his voice. He didn't think the place was what he had thought it would be either. None of them had a clue where they actually were. As they glanced around, it became apparent they weren't the only ones there.
Letting out a hiss, Annalese focused on the figure somewhere before them. She didn't like the smell that radiated off of them. There was definitely darkness there though maybe not as strong as the previous one's. "Who are you?!" she demanded but it was too late. The figure had outstretched her hands toward the portal they all just came through.
Hearing Red's voice, everyone turned to run but the portal was bombarded with a strange attack and closed on either end. Then, the very ground underneath them all started going berserk. The ground below them was giving out. Eyes wide, unsure what was happening, Jean looked around at the others. "Guys!" she exclaimed. The three that could talk responded in saying her name. All of them were enclosed in the portal when they had run in and it looked like now they were all falling into a void of some sort.
Afraid for them all, Jean didn't know what to do. Hearing Red's voice, she reached out to him and grabbed his hand. Since Annalese was close by, the vampire had latched onto her elbow with her hands. As they started to fall, Jean saw her four friends falling as well. Would they be separated? "Rowen! Ryu!" she called.
Oddly, none seemed to have heard her as they continued to fall. "Dyne! Sain!" Again, no answer as she and Red with the vampire in tow, all fell to who knew where.
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 13:08:58 GMT -5
Grabbing a hold of Jean's hand, Red tried to pull her closer. He had no idea where there four companions were. All that was left was himself, Jean, and Annalese. Darkness consumed the void as they continued to fall.
For Red the fell seemed to take hours. Every minute was an eternity. How much longer did they have until they hit the bottom? Would they all die upon impact? These questions tortured his mind as he tried to stay as near to Jean as he could. ”I’m sorry.” He shouted.
It had been his portal. Yet then again how did he know someone was waiting on the other side. How did they know exactly where Red’s portal would be? And that strange attack... What was it? Red remembered seeing black threads pull the portal close. What strange material could even do such a thing?
Looking down, Red noticed a small light. As they continued to fall it began growing bigger and bigger. Soon enough as it approached them, Red had to shut his eyes from how bright it was. As the light overcame them, Red felt a soft wind and change of air. That moment didn’t last long though.
Opening his eyes, Red just had enough time to see a pool of water six feet below them. Red shut his eyes as he fell into the water. For some reason he did not go crashing to the ground. In fact it was almost as if he had only fallen those six feet, and not however many miles they fell in the void.
Swimming up, Red’s head bursted out of the water. Eyes roaming as he treaded, he spotted land not that far off. To Red it seemed they had fallen in a fishing hole in what looked like the middle of a forest. Free styling over to the edge, Red pulled himself up. His eyes roamed for popping heads as well. He hoped Jean and Annalese were alright. The other four... wherever they were... were not here.
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Post by Sprow on May 11, 2011 18:34:23 GMT -5
Falling, that was all that took place for them now. As they fell through the darkness, Jean couldn't help but wonder what had become of the other four and if she and the other two would survive this. Were they all going to die right here? It seemed like it, it wasn't like she could fly or anything. Jean was fast but she never could fly. 'I guess this is the end then?' she thought.
Annalese didn't even move or say anything, just clung onto Jean. Looking at her, Jean wondered what she was thinking. Judging by the look on her face, she was afraid. That was a first, Jean usually saw the vampire unafraid or even uncaring about their situations.
When she focused on Red next, she heard him shout out to her an apology. Jean just shook her head. "It's not your fault!" It really wasn't his fault. How were they all suppose to predict trouble would find them in the portal? None of them had a sixth sense to foresee anything. Not even Annalese had the gift of foresight.
As they fell, Jean tried looking down at where they were going. At first, everything was the same as around them, nothing but darkness. Were the others falling too? Jean knew they hd to be somewhere but in all the gloom, there was no way of figuring out where they were. Then, something caught her eye. Looking at it, at first, it was but a mere speck of light. Then, gradually, it got bigger as they got closer. Something was under them that they were falling into.
'Oh great, here it comes!' she thought. Where Red was opening his eyes, she was closing her's and bracing herself for a painful and possibly fatal landing. So, she didn't see the water below them until the point where she felt herself submerge into something. Opening her eyes, she shut them again. 'Water?!' she thought.
Annalese had let her go as Jean swam up to the surface. Head popping out a few moments after Red managed to get out, Jean breathed in air and looked around. Somehow, they were in what looked to be a forest. The water they all landed in was nothing more than a large pond or lake. Spluttering a bit, Jean looked around some more. Nearby, she heard someone moving through the water and looked toward the source.
Red was there and he too looked fine. Unable to believe their luck, Jean too swam toward shore. "Red! You alright?" she questioned as she swam over. She no sooner finished her sentence when someone else erupted from the water's surface. Looking, she was surprised to find nothing but a disturbance on the water's surface. "...Huh?"
Annalese was on the land already and didn't look too thrilled in getting dunked in water. In fact, she looked like she was in slight pain. "Stupid water! I hate water!" she grumbled. Shaking herself free of water, Annalese plopped herself on the ground, muttering to herself as she did so.
Making her way to land along with Red, Jean finally climbed out. 'At least we're alright but...where's the guys?' she wondered. Taking a look around, Jean saw no hint or sign of them. 'Maybe they...fell somewhere else? Maybe they're in a different part of this world?' she wondered. '...Were they lucky enough too, to not fall to their demise? Even with water, Red and I should've been killed by that fall...guess it might be the same for them?' she wondered.
"Where...are we?"
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2011 13:47:40 GMT -5
Relieved was just what Red felt the moment he saw Jean break through the water. "Thank goodness." He murmured to himself. He was soaking wet, but right now that wasn't his biggest problem. They had no idea where they were. Not only that but Ryu, Sain, Dyne, and Rowen seemed to be no where in sight. Red could only hope that they were alright.
"I'm wet, but alright." He responded to Jean after she swam over to shore. It wasn't long before one Annalese appeared on shore. He felt sorry when he heard that she hated water. Red himself didn't mind water. He loved to swim. But he knew that not everyone like water. Ogre had hated it.
Glancing to Annalese he threw his arms around her. He really didn't care that he was wet. "I'm just glad your alright." He responded to her hating water comment. Turning to Jean he wrapped her in a hug as well. "I'm sorry." His apology wasn't for Jean. It was for Annalese too. He felt guilty for getting them into this mess.
But Jean had the right question. Where were they? It seemed like some sort of forest. But in what world?
"Now what are three youngins' like you doin' all wet?" An elderly voice came from behind Red. Spinning around he was surprised to find an elderly man in his seventies. He was dressed in tan shorts and a gray sleeveless shirt. His eyes seemed to be stuck in a squint, and he wore a smile. Red noticed a fishing pole on his shoulder.
Taking the initiative Red crossed his arms. "We kinda... fell into the water..." Red's voice trailed off. He didn't know if this old man would believe the truth. "Could you tell us where we are?"
The old man walked over to the three of them and sat down. He tossed his fishing pole into the water. "Why your in the Forest of the In-between." He said matter of fact like.
Red glanced at Jean and Annalese. What in the world was the In-Between? "I don't understand..."
The old man smacked his lips. "Not much to understand really. I'm supposing you were locked in a portal hmm? And fell through that void I betcha. This is the Forest of In-Between in the World of In-Between. Its where all those who are lost in-between worlds go. Don't matter if your in a gummi ship or in some sort of portal. They all lead here. You'll probably want to go into town and get yourself registered. The mayor will set you up with a place to stay."
Red didn't know what to say. He was a lost for words.
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Post by Sprow on May 13, 2011 0:48:58 GMT -5
Jean didn't notice the old man, he wasn't there at first anyways as she had clambered onto land next to Annalese and Red. Deep in thought, wondering where their friends were, Jean was worried. Still, she was glad that she, Red and Annalese were okay. If they were alive, then maybe they would be too somewhere else. None of them appeared to be anywhere near here. 'I just hope they can find their own way!' she thought.
Annalese scrunched up her nose when Red suddenly threw his arms around her, pulling her into a very wet hug. "AHCK! Water!" she exclaimed. Still, she didn't try pulling herself out of the hug. Hearing Red's words, she gave him a quizzical look, forgetting her dislike of water for now. "I'm a vampire! It takes more than that to kill me!" she said at last. Her tone though was gentler than her usual childish retorts.
A human caring for her sake made her wonder. Annalese wasn't used to being cared about. Most of her life, she had been hated. Her surviving relatives, even she couldn't find peace with them for they too didn't like her and she them.
Jean was pulled out of her thoughts when Red pulled her into the hug, apologizing to the pair of them. "It's not your fault, Red!" she stated. Annalese nodded in agreement to what the older human said.
Everyone was surprised to hear a sudden voice from behind them. Turning around, they found an elderly man looking down at them all. Judging by his facial expression, he had to be someone friendly. At least, that was what Jean could tell by looking at him. Annalese seemed unbothered by the man too. If Annalese sensed nothing, then it was safe to say right now that they would be alright.
Hearing the elderly man's words in response to Red's, Jean wonder if he was implying that they would never be able to get back out. "...Are you implying...that there's no way out of this place?" she inquired. Annalese looked from Red to Jean hearing that. Stuck here?! She didn't like the sound of that. Still, she had powers to teleport. Maybe she could try?
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2011 10:46:16 GMT -5
Red was thinking the same thing as Jean. Did he really mean that there was no way out? The old man reeled in his fishing pole. He brought the line up to his squinting eyes and let out a small laugh. "Silly me, I forgot to put on the bait." Reaching into his pocket, the old man pulled out a worm. Hooking it onto the hook he let the fishing pole drop into the water.
Feeling slightly disturbed by the fact that the old man had pulled a worm out of his pocket, he reiterated Jean's question. "Is there anyway off this world?" Perhaps the old man had not heard Jean?
Turning to him, the old man smacked his lips. "Why yes. The only means of getting off this world is through the Spine of the Inbetween. Of course traveling there is impossible with all the heartless about. Those who end up in the Spine usually don't survive very long. It's very rare we hear from people after they go to the Spine."
The old main trailed off. He paused for a moment to reel in the fishing pole just a tad. "Even if you did survive the heartless theres those goons you gots to worry about too."
Red didn't like the sound of this Spine of the Inbetween. Then again he wasn't liking the sound of this entire world at all. "Goons?" Red asked, hoping the old man would elaberate.
"Well you know. Them whipper snappers that eat hearts. Their a strange creature. You three were lucky. There are only two places one ends up in this place. Either here in this pool or at the top of the mountain in the heart of the Spine. Theres only been one man whose ever made it out of the spine. He only nearly escaped those goons."
"Described them as snake like creatures with the head of a human. Ugly as sin, is what he said. But if you want to get out of here, you need to go to the very end of the Spine. Then you just jump off the edge of the world. AHHHH!"
The old man rose to his feet as his fishing pole tugged in his arms. He began to reel it in as hard and fast as he could. All the while he tried to tug the pole back, trying to reel in whatever was on the other end of the line. "Almost gotcha. Almost gotcha." He mimicked.
Just as the old man was about to finish reeling in the line cut and the weight that bent the fishing pole before was now gone. "Damn you, ya stupid fish. This is the third line this week. Oh I'll get you, just you wait."
Turning to Jean, Red gave her a questioning look. The description of those goons sounded awfully familiar. Not only that but from what the old man said, Ryu, Sain, Dyne, and Rowen had probably ended up at the Spine if they were to take the old man's words as correct. "Maybe we should go into town?"
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Post by Sprow on May 13, 2011 22:35:27 GMT -5
Jean grew anxious as a few seconds slipped past. As if he hadn't heard her, the old man said something about not having any bait. 'For crying out loud!' she thought, clenching her fists. Red seemed to understand why Jean was so tense, asking the elderly man the same question again. Waiting on edge, Jean was all ears for the elder's answer. Her heart felt like it skipped a beat as anxiety began to slowly take over.
Annalese just remained plopped on her rump, listening to the humans talk. A slight frown formed on her face as she too waited for an answer. Hearing about there being a way out, Heartless just made her sigh and shake her head. She didn't fear the things. Sure, they could take her heart but she wasn't an easy creature herself. "Sounds like tales your kind would say of mine!" she stated, not at all phased.
Jean ignored Annalese's comment as she listened to every word the old man told them. Those who fell, usually ended up here in this spot or in the mountains, the Spine of the In Between. The mountains were where Heartless resided but also creatures that sounded a lot like..."Oh no." Just hearing that new piece of information just made a nasty chill go down Jean's spine.
If what the old man said were true, then Sain, Dyne, Ryu and Rowen were all on top of that very mountain. A sense of panic swept over her then as she imagined what horrors they were going through. Oddly enough, out of all the guys, she found herself worrying about Rowen the most. 'Knowing that idiot, he'd charge right into trouble!' she thought. 'Well, Dyne, Sain and Ryu should be able to get them all out of it...I hope!' she thought, calming herself but still feeling uneasy.
She was snapped back to the present when the old man cursed at the fish he had vainly tried to reel in. All the while, Annalese giggled in amusement. "Very wise fish!" she mused.
Jean looked over at Red when he spoke to her about the town. If he could read her well enough, he'd know her face seemed a bit pale. "Y-Yeah...let's go!" she said, getting to her feet. If those things that the old man described, were what she thought they were, it meant the situation for their friends was even more grim than their's.
From where they were, it wasn't easy to see the mountain range. If she did see it, Jean still thought she would faint. First her father, now them! 'Please don't get possessed or killed!' she thought worriedly. Walking alongside Red, Jean's only hint of anxiety was the pale look to her face. Otherwise, she was careful to try and hide her fear for them. On top of it all, she was worried if they would even manage to get out of here.
Annalese skipped alongside them, blissfully in her own little world and forgetting the fact she was still wet like the other two.
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2011 15:29:17 GMT -5
Red was happy that Jean seemed to agree with him. It wasn't that he didn't like the old man or anything, but rather he just wished to get out of this place. Every time they went somewhere something like this happen. If Red didn't know any better he would have thought that they were cursed.
Before following Jean he reguarded the old man one more time. "Thanks for your help." While the old man really hadn't helped them, he had given them the information they needed. There best bet now would be to find this man who knew about the goons. He might be able to give them some information about how they could leave this world.
Walking into the forest, Red simply followed the trail in front of them. It was a trail about five feet across that wound through the forest. Crushed leaves covered the path like a blanket. What this told Red was that this trail was used quite often. In fact one could spot a couple of footprints as well. "Must be a popular fishing spot."[/color] He thought.
The travel through the forest did not take too long. After about thirty minutes the trees began to space out. Before he knew it, Red had walked right out of the forest into a clearing. What he stepped on though was not green grass, but brown plain. It was odd. It seemed as if all the grass and vegitation stopped at the forest.
In front of him stood a large crevasse. Built into the side of the crevasse was a working town, that reminded Red of places he had read about in books about the old west. The towering plateaus were about thirty feet in the air. Gazing forward the town continued for several yards until the land began to raise on a steep slope. Red figured that was where the crevasse ended.
Just abovethe crevasse Red could make out the tips of mountains in the distance. No doubt that was the Spine that the old man had talked about. The town's homes were built from the wood of the forest. There were no real paved roads, simply dirt and rocks. Buildings came in different sizes depending on the purpose they served.
Red noticed a larger building with the sign of "inn" hanging overhead. In addition he could see several smaller buildings that acted both as homes and as even shops. On this day there were people walking to and fro. Some carried items, like piles of wood or even large bags. However the moment that their group entered from the clearing, everyone stopped what they were doing.
All at once the people turned there way. A whisper began to spread across the town until it was loud enough that even Red could hear it. "Newcomers." That was the word that Red heard. People of various ages bursted from the town and suddenly ran there way. From the looks of there face they did not seem hostile, yet Red suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
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Post by Sprow on May 14, 2011 23:21:19 GMT -5
As the three walked away from the fishing hole, Jean glanced over her shoulder at the old man as Red thanked him. "Yes, thank you!" she stated. Then, with that, they were off. As they walked, she noticed how it seemed like they were on some kind of path. The only real significant signs of it were the obviously trodden on foliage. It was beaten down so much, it was almost merely dirt if it weren't for the leaves blanketing the forest floor.
Keeping her calm, Jean followed the path in silence until they came out into what looked to be a clearing. In fact, it looked as if all plant life stopped at the edge of the forest. Ahead of them, a town was built into what looked to be plateaus. Judging by the way it was built, it had a western-like feel to it.
Jean hadn't seen anything like it, Cosmo Canyon was sort of built on top of the plateau where this area was built into the side of it. "Wow, must've been hard to do." She no sooner said this when the locals dropped what they were doing, turning to look at them. Like Red, Jean couldn't help but wonder what they were all saying to each other about them.
'I don't like the looks of this!' she thought. Even though they didn't appear to be hostile, Jean couldn't help but let her hand stray closer to one of her swords at her side. Her bright green eyes watched carefully as the people ran over to them.
Annalese paused suddenly as they came upon the town. Right now, after having been injured days before, she only now just started to sense her condition. With Red close by, someone close to her age preference, it was hard for her to not notice the scent of his blood running through his veins. 'Uh oh!' she thought. If there was anything she had difficulty doing, it was resisting the temptation of blood when she needed it.
Even though she didn't kill people she drained, it was still revolting. That and Red was a friend, she had to fight the urge. Keeping herself under restraint, not visibly so, she looked toward the people and tried not to let the smell of Red's blood under his skin draw her attention.
"You'd think they never saw other people before!"
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2011 23:38:48 GMT -5
Red had no way of knowing that Annalese was hungry. The fact of her being a vampire really didn't do much to him, because he had no real knowledge on what vampires were. He had not read any books on the creatures, nor watched any repulsive movies with odd names of certain times of the day or night.
That was not the only reason for his disregard of the vampire. With the whole population of town trotting towards them, Red had half the mind to summon his keyblade. He did not like being crowded and it was apparent that was what was about to happen.
Sure enough the crowd closed in on them. They all bore smiles but each hammered questions there way. "Are you alright?" "Where did you come from?" "What are your talents?" All these questions and more were spat their way. Red barley had time to even answer one when another person was asking him a question.
This lasted only a few moments before a voice spoke above the rest. "Now now!" It was a high voice that sounded from inside the crowd. At the sound the entire crowd began to quiet. The path in front of them separated slightly so that an elderly woman could walk towards them. She stood below five feet and was dressed in a single brown robe. She had a wrinkled face and long gray hair tied in a pony tail.
She carried a staff that she used as support. "Let's not crowd our guests." She said to the crowd. Her blue eyes fell first on Jean, the apparent oldest of the group. She then regarded Annalese and finally Red. "Welcome to the World of Inbetween. Sorry about this, we haven't had newcomers in a while." She gestured to the crowd.
"Why don't you come with me. I'm the mayor of the only town in this entire world. I'm sure you've got tons of questions that I can help you out with." Without waiting for a response the old woman turned about and began walking. Red didn't have as much time as to glance at Jean or Annalese before the crowd began moving. It was either stay and get trampled on or follow the mayor. What choice did they really have?
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Post by Sprow on May 15, 2011 2:30:52 GMT -5
Jean calmed down a bit when she realized all they were doing was bombarding them with questions. They probably just haven't seen that many people pass through here. An understandable reaction, if she could see herself in their shoes. Letting her hand ease at her side, no longer feeling the need to grab hold of her weapon, Jean grew confused. In all the clamor, there was no way she could answer one question without another plowing right over the previous one.
It was enough to make anyone's head spin. Casting a glance in Red's and Annalese's direction, she could see the anxiety on both of their faces. Red's wasn't as obvious as Annalese's though. The poor young vampire seemed to be struggling to keep track with what was all being said. Her attempt only managed to toss her into a tizzy. It was so bad that she teetered in place, threatening to fall over as she seemed to have suddenly grown dizzy.
If it hadn't been for the sudden loud voice, as Jean turned her head to look at the crowd, her brows furrowing a bit, Jean might've been the one to quiet them down. The shout over everyone had been enough to silence them. Making a path for what looked to be an elderly woman, the people watched her with a strange focus. It were as if she held great respect from those around her. A sign of a leader, Jean knew. After all, Jean was revered the same way by her former compatriots probably having a fight for their lives on the mountains not far from here.
Listening to what she said, Jean's eyebrows raised a little. 'So, this is the mayor!' she thought. Glancing over at Red and Annalese, as the woman didn't give them time to repsond before walking away, she gestured to follow. "Come on, no use standing here!" she said in a gentle tone.
Annalese, because of the scent of blood all around her, found it hard to focus. Her dizzy episode had actually been from the blood's scent combined with the chaos that had ensued earlier. With Red being nearest of her, it was very hard to restrain herself. Trying her hardest, Annalese brought up her whip's handle and sunk her teeth into it, lightly chewing on it as if she habitually did this and accompanying it with a somewhat contemplative look to throw off any suspicions that might come from Jean or Red as she followed the mayor out of the crowd.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2011 19:22:40 GMT -5
Red was to busy trying to keep up with the old woman to notice Annalese. The crowd continued to follow the old woman all the way to her house next to the inn. If this meant that the mayor acted as the innkeeper as well, Red did not know?
Before the old woman entered the door of the home swung open. Standing in the doorway was a girl of perhaps fifteen. She was dressed in tight blue jeans and a pink and black t. Her hair was jet black and tied in a pony tail in a style similar to that of the old lady. "Nana, did I hear right? New..."
The girl's voice trailed off as her eyes locked on Red, Jean, and Annalese. Her voice was filled with at first surprise then pure delight. "NEWCOMERS!!!" She shrieked. Before the old lady could even open her mouth to protest, the girl had trotted down the steps and thrown her arms around first Red, then the other three into a tight hug.
"Come now Carli. Let's not bombard are guests. Why don't you set some tea for us." The old lady said. Red was stunned to say the least. Apparently newcomers were a big deal here. Not knowing what else to say, Red followed the mayor into her house. Red was surprised to see how the house was set up.
There was obviously an old sort of feeling to the place. The floors were all wooden. There were a couple pieces of furniture, which included a couch made up animal skins, and a wooden coffee table. The old lady motioned for them to take a seat on the couch. "As you can tell, all our appliances our made from what we find here."
Red could only nod. A moment later Carli, the girl from before, entered the living room. She bore a small wooden platter which held four cups, a pot of tea, and sugar. She placed the platter on the coffee table. Then taking a seat on the floor she turned to Red, Jean, and Annalese and stared at them in fascination.
Feeling awkward and trying his best not to show it, Red took brief glances every so often to see if the girl was still staring at them. He felt like some sort of freak show. "Carli, why don't you let our guests get comfortable. You can ask them your questions later."
Looking up at the mayor with disappointment, the girl bowed to them and then to the mayor. She disappeared in the other room. "I'm sorry about that. Carli hasn't seen newcomers before. You guys are the first in a very long time. Must have been when Carli was four when the last one came. I think the best thing to do would be to open up to questions. Might make things easier."
Red glanced at Jean and Annalese. Where should they even begin?
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Post by Sprow on May 16, 2011 2:57:09 GMT -5
It took a lot of willpower for Annalese to even manage this as she walked after the mayor. Thankfully, her whip's handle managed to keep her in check for now. It made her feel occupied enough to ignore the scent of blood flowing through the people's veins, particularly Red's nearby.
During the whole walk there, she pretty much made no peep or even tried to direct any attention toward herself. It would be easier for her that way to keep the others from suspecting her of anything. It's not like she wanted to do anyone harm, it's just the blood loss she suffered made her this way. 'I wonder how long I can keep this up for?' she thought.
Jean, much like Red, was oblivious to Annalese's inner struggles as she followed the elderly woman to her home. Looking at where they were going, it seemed like the Inn was where they were headed. No sooner had they gone a few feet toward the building when some youth came scampering out of it. Judging by her appearance, she had to be no older than Red. Annalese, she didn't include in the observation since Annalese looked like a teenager but was actually far older than they all were put together.
The way the girl addressed the woman, it was obvious they were related. When she caught sight of them, she became extremely excited much like the townspeople. Jean was quite baffled when the girl suddenly threw her arms around her. "Uh...h-hello!" she greeted, attempting to be polite despite her struggle in getting used to the fact these people hardly met strangers.
Thankful that the elder sent the younger girl out to busy herself, Jean entered the old home. Looking around, compared to what she was used to, this was old. As if understanding what Jean was thinking, the mayor mentioned how things were found here and used as such.
It didn't take the girl long to return with the tea her grandmother had asked for. Setting four cups, a pot of tea and other essentials on the coffee table, she settled for watching them. At first, Jean didn't mind it but it soon grew to the point of it being uncomfortable. 'I should be used to this sort of thing considering how often I caught Rowen doing the same thing!' she thought. The sudden memory made her stomach give a horrible lurch to think what horrors they were going through in the Spine.
Forcing herself to not think about it, as Carli was sent away by her grandmother, Jean listened as the mayor spoke. "It's no trouble at all, we understand it must be a...treat to see new visitors." Now, where to begin with questions? "Well, for starters, I am Jean from a world named Gaia, these two, the red haired boy is Red and the girl, Annalese. We accidentally fell into this world because of Red's portal being closed up. We weren't alone though, four others were with us...but now, might be stuck on top of the Spine."
Just saying it like that, Jean felt her heartbeat quicken a little bit. She truly worried about her friends and their sakes. 'I hope they keep hot head under control!' she thought. If they didn't, their chances of surviving would be minimal.
"We met an old man at where we originally landed, the fishing hole. He told us to come and meet you. We were also told of a man who had survived the Spine." For the most part, Jean was explaining their situation a bit before asking her questions. "May we ask what your name is? Or do you prefer we call you, mayor?" she inquired.
Annalese pulled the whip's handle out of her mouth, now able to control herself a bit better, even though Red's blood's scent was tickling her senses a bit. "Who is the guy who survived?"
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2011 17:18:16 GMT -5
Red was happy that Jean took the lead. He really had no clue where to begin. Obviously Rowen, Sain, Dyne, and Ryu were the top concerns. Red was as worried about the group as Jean was. They hadn't known them for long, but they had stretched out their own necks to help Red. Seeing that Jean had taken control of the situation, he listened to the exchange.
The first thing Jean spoke of their other group. The look on the mayor's face said it all. Her face went from attentive to sorrow very quickly. "I'm very sorry." She said. "The majority of people end up in the Spine. We find their eaten skeletons at the edge of the spine. You three were very lucky."
Red felt a stab at his heart. He had to hold on hope that they were still alive. He knew Jean would be holding on to that same hope. When Jean talked of their encounter with the old man her face lit up. "That's Gordy. He's my husband." Red shook his head. He had no idea how this old lady could put up with that odd old man.
"You can call me whatever you may. My birth name is Anita. But most people just call me Nana. Carli was born here. My son and his wife were lost in a border skirmish when Carli was only three. She's been living here ever since. As you can tell she's always poking into other people's business."
At the sound of her name, Carli's head peeked around the corner. "Are you calling me, Nana?" Red couldn't help but laugh.
Nana simply shook her head. "Nothing Carli. Why don't you make us some sandwiches." Nodding the girl disappeared around the corner. She turned back to Jean. "The man your asking for is Captain in charge of the border patrol. He's an elderly man like myself. But he might be able to give you a better look into the borders then I can."
Red nodded. Perhaps he would be the best person to help them then. "Where can we find him?" Red asked.
"He's at the fort on the edge of the border. Its a five hour walk from here through the Illusion Pains. I can find a guide for you if you like. You could leave when ever you like. Just a warning. Don't travel it at night."
Red didn't know about the others but he at least wanted to stay for the sandwich. He was pretty hungry at the moment. It was about lunch time and normally Ryu would have been preparing lunch. The thought of Ryu sent a look of sadness on his face. He hoped they were alright.
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Post by Sprow on May 17, 2011 2:14:49 GMT -5
Jean noticed the look on the mayor's face at the mention of their friends. Hearing her words accompanying the saddened expression, it gave Jean a nasty jab in the pit of her stomach. She refused to believe they were goners though. "Even if you say that, I refuse to believe they are gone until I've seen them for myself." She meant no harm to the mayor, she just refused to believe them all as dead right off like the mayor did.
If she admitted they were dead right now, then that meant she had given up on them. Jean knew their skills had improved since the last time she had ever known them. Together, they should be next to unstoppable. 'I won't give up on them! They never gave up on me!' she thought.
In fact, she found her emotions almost getting the better of her. Breathing in deeply, Jean managed to just barely pull it all back in. The last thing she needed was to end up shedding tears in front of everyone. It would only admit vulnerability and defeat. Jean refused to admit defeat because only then would it show that she lost faith in their abilities. Still, even she found it frightening as to what they were probably dealing with.
Calming herself down, Jean listened as the mayor spoke. The old man they met was apparently the mayor's husband. Why a woman that seemed more serious than that married a guy like that, it only made Jean wonder. The guy's goofiness was worse than Rowen's, that was for sure.
It wasn't long before Anita...or Nana finally said what her name was and where to find the only survivor of the Spine. As Carli got them sandwiches, Jean considered what their next option would be. Definitely to go and meet this guy that survived to see what the place entailed. "Thank you, Nana. I...guess we'll stay and have a fast bite to eat but then we must be off to see this man. Thank you for what you have done for us."
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2011 14:03:44 GMT -5
Lunch was served just as Nana was about to open her mouth to reply to Jean. Carli carried in another tray with a plate of five sandwiches. Red took a sandwich and a napkin that rested on its side. Taking a bite, flavors of cheese, ham, lettuce, and tomato filled his mouth. By god it was the best sandwich he ever heard.
He couldn't help but respond. "By god this is the best sandwich I've ever had." Carli's face lit up as she took a seat on the floor and grabbed a sandwich of her own. Every so often she would glance in Jean, Annalese, or Red's direction.
Nana smiled. "Everything is home grown. We bake the bread, grow the lettuce, make the cheese, cook the pig, slice the tomato." Seeing that they were stuck in this world, Red could understand why they had to home grown everything. It was as if they stepped back in the middle ages.
Once he had finished eating, he turned to the mayor. "Whose going to be our guide?" Red wondered what kind of person would serve as such.
The mayor was about to respond when the door to her home opened. Walking in was the old man, with a fishing pole on his shoulder and a fish on a string in his left. "Gordy will take you there." She said with a smile.
Red glanced in the woman's direction. Was she crazy? "What?" The old man said upon hearing his name. He hadn't seemed to hear the rest of what his wife had said.
"Gordy, I believe you met our visitors. They need a guide to the fort at the border." The mayor shook her head with annoyance.
Gordy on the other hand walked into the kitchen. He came back without fishing pole or fish. "You goin to cook my dinner, if I do?" The old lady's eyes squinted in anger.
"Don't you take that tone with me. Your lucky I cook your dinner at all!" Gordy replied with a harrumph. He walked right out the door and took a seat on the porch. "When you guys are ready, Gordy will take ya." She said with a smile to Jean.
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Post by Sprow on May 17, 2011 16:12:46 GMT -5
Jean guessed it would be a nice slight reprieve in allowing at least Red to eat before they headed out again. Once Carli entered the room with sandwiches, she watched as Red dug in first. Seeing the look on his face and hearing his words, Jean wondered just how good it really was. Picking up a sandwich for herself, she listened as Nana explained their food was grown by hand here. Everything was natural and it was understandable considering how isolated the world was.
Taking a bite out of her own sandwich, Jean's eyebrows raised a little bit. It was rather surprising just how much better home grown food tasted than the ones not. "These really are good!" she stated.
Annalese looked at her own sandwich questioningly. Unlike them, she couldn't eat human food. Still, since she was hungry, she felt the need to try. 'Maybe it'll help?' she wondered. Taking her's, she looked at it for a moment, inspecting it as if it were something strange. Then, slowly, she brought it up to her mouth. Seeing her nose scrunch up, one could guess she was pretty uncertain about the feat she was daring to try.
Eventually, she worked up enough nerve to open her trap and take a bite from the sandwich. The way her face looked, it was impossible to tell whether she liked the taste or not. Getting to her feet, she excused herself and hurried out of the room. Once out of eyesight, she repulsed the sandwich as she spluttered. "Ew!" she said to herself. In turn, her stomach just growled. 'Stupid, stupid! You can't eat human food!' she thought, almost gloomily. If only life were so simple for her.
As Jean sat there, she wondered where Annalese was going but didn't try to stop her. By now, she had grown used to the presence of the vampire. Annalese never tried to take a bite out of them on purpose, so she had grown slightly lax with her presence. No one knew that with time, Annalese was slowly growing hungrier by the minute and could end up in danger of either draining someone dry or dying. Of course, not all right away, with time.
It didn't take long before Nana explained who their guide would be. It just turned out that the old man from before, Gordy, would be their aid in this. "Thank you, Nana." Once Gordy left the room, Jean finished up her sandwich and waited for Red to finish and Annalese to return before getting up.
"You two ready?" she asked them, ready to head out.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2011 16:43:50 GMT -5
Red nodded to Jean. He was indeed ready now that his stomach was filled. Nana had said the journey through the plains would take five hours before arriving on the plains. Standing up, he followed Jean and Annalese out the door. Annalese's sudden disappearance made him wonder if she was alright. He didn't know what sort of food vampires eat, or if they could only drink blood.
Such thoughts didn't stay for to long though. Red was eager to travel and be on their way. Gordy, the old man, stood up upon their appearance. "You three better follow me." That said he walked down the steps and lead them through the rest of town. It wasn't long before they began climbing up the slope that lead out of the crevasse.
As they climbed the old man spoke up. "Now you three best be followin' me no matter what. These plains will kill ya if ya don't. That's why there must always be a guide when travelin' to the Spine. Lucky for the Border Patrol, they know the path by heart."
While his voice trailed off, Red made it to the top of the hill. He could see the mountains pretty close now. In fact based on the distance, Red figured the mountains must be less then five hours from the town. It was practically right there! Red went to take a step forward, but was stopped when Gordy's hand stretched out in front of him.
"I'm tellin' ya only once. You follow me!" With that Gordy turned to the right and began walking. Red stayed put for a moment. Why in the world would they go to the right? What were they trying to do, go around the mountain? Sighing, Red picked up his feet and began moving. He hoped this old guy really knew what he was doing.
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Post by Sprow on May 18, 2011 3:06:12 GMT -5
Once she heard that Red was done, Jean gave a final wave to Nana and Carli before she left. Once they were outside, Annalese having followed them out on her own accord somehow, they met up with Gordy. "We're ready!" she stated as Gordy stood up. She listened as he told them that they would need to stay near him. Well, that was understandable. This world was strange, it would be best to listen to a local if they could help it. It would heighten their chances of survival greatly.
As Gordy took the lead, Jean passed some glances hither and thither as they traveled through the town. Eventually, he led them up to the slope leading up from the crevasse side and away from the town. As he did so, Jean noticed how much larger the mountains from the Spine appeared to be. If they were to go just straight on through, they would be able to reach them in the same day it seemed.
Gordy spoke to them, telling them that they should stick to him or else it would kill them. Why was that? Well, she guessed they might not ever figure that out just yet. "What's wrong with the place?" she inquired. Illusions, she was going to say, might be the issue mainly. She wasn't sure if anything else lurked within that made it worse or not. With the Spine so close, Jean couldn't help but look up and over at them. A sort of worried and longing look swept over her face for the briefest moment before she was forced to listen to Gordy again.
Red appeared to have had the same mindset of going right to the mountains but Gordy had stopped him. Confused, Jean glanced over at Red. At first, he looked like he wasn't going to listen to Gordy but eventually gave in and obeyed. Setting off with him, Jean wondered what this place was like to warrant such things. 'Almost reminds me of the swamp zoloms in Gaia!' she thought. Locals that lived near those in Gaia tended to uphold a similar attitude. Something strange was definitely over there, what, she didn't know.
As the three humans walked ahead of her, Annalese lagged a little behind. Her hunger pains weren't bad but she knew the smell of blood rushing through her friend's veins grew more tempting by the hour. 'I probably only have self control for another what...three days maybe?' she thought worriedly. The last thing she wanted to happen was her friendship get severed with the two. True, they didn't get along half the time but this was the first time Annalese got along with anybody. She appreciated it and wished to keep it if she could. Being what she was though, she feared it would take away what little good in her life that she had.
When her stomach gave a small grumble, Annalese ignored it and hoped that when she clutched it a little, she managed to stifle the noise. "Stupid!" she muttered to herself as she focused on the back of her friends' heels, following them that way. She feared if she kept looking at them that her willpower would wane drastically and result in her biting them.
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