[b][u][center]Coco Bean[/center][/u][/b]

[i]'It smells like... Fleshlings.'[/i]

A rough veil of silence coated the withered, snow-covered fields. Only one being stood out from the scene, and that was a rather brown Foreas. Limp leaves held onto her head for dear life and sap had noticeably flowed freely from a wound to her head mere hours before. She did not shiver. She did not move at all for minutes, which eventually turned into hours. 

No matter what she did, she couldn't take those scenes off her head, she couldn't shut off the fear she had felt from the moment she saw the first demon. It was like a rain cloud had decided to relief itself onto Coco after years of self-deprivation. The cloud would just keep pouring down its water on her, and she could do nothing but lay still and let it soak her body and mind in their entirety. A mere meter to her right lay the carcass of an unknown entity. A fleshling who other fleshlings referred to as 'demon', a being who had nearly tore her chest open with its claws and teeth. It had only been a night, yet the body was already well into the process of decomposing, and maggots, animals and weather did a number on it. It let out a stench that deeply unsettled Coco. It resembled decomposing fleshlings mixed with the scent of fire, sulfur and blood. 

She was too exhausted to move, though. It wasn't her body that bogged her down -- the rising sun made sure to feed her with enough energy to move -- It was her mind that forced her down onto the floor. Never before had she missed home so much, to simply live in the Great Forests. To take in sunlight when it was day and have fun with others at night. 

Things weren't so simple these days. Of course, they had never actually been simple. Home had its fair share of problems too, and even the Syphis seemed to pale in comparison to what this condemned College had in store for her. Granted, it would be a great thing to share with the Tree. The thought of being useful to the Tree sent a small shiver down her spine. Her leaves quivered in clear excitement. But now was not the time to return, not until Spring came. 

She lifted a hand to touch her necklace, fearing it might have gotten broken the night before, then she sat up and stretched her limbs.

"You should move now, Coco." She said to herself, joints popping and leaves pricking up in pleasure. 

"Yes you should, Lady Coco." A masculine voice rang out, followed by footsteps and the rattling of plate armour. The man's armour was so white and bright that Coco could swear he was the mortal counterpart of the Sun. 

Coco jumped onto her feet, picking up her spear and pointing it at the source of the voice--That is, until she realized who it was. She dropped her spear and relaxed.

"... Mathias Hobbes," She began, some hesitation evident in her voice, "right? I'm so glad to hear you!" She exclaimed and walked over to him, a slight skip in her gait. 

"[i]Ser[/i] Mathias Hobbes, my Lady," He watched her in suspicion as she stopped just one foot in front of him and gently grabbed his hands, he took a nervous glance to his sheathed sword, then focused on Coco's featureless face once more, "and I'm glad to see you've survived." 

"Are all the demons gone? How many fleshlings are dead? Is Rathel okay?" Coco asked, completely unaware of the thorough way in which the Knight stared at her body.

"We are not sure yet, my Lady. I was just counting the dead in this part of the gardens until I stumbled upon you." 

"Oh... Another thing-" She leaned her head in towards his, "what's a 'Lady'?"