‘’My friends, I do not know much more than you do. But it appears that all over the world, there is one unknown word entering the minds of certain selected flock. ‘Elvarren.’ A word with a strange and hypnotic effect, a word that speaks to our instincts to search for it. And that is only the beginning, because the voice conveying to us about Elvarren gets only stronger and all the more impatient. It is my belief we are not suffering from schizophrenia… these voices aren’t delusions. They are sentient and external intelligence seeking to set us on a new path.
You have already heard them, haven’t you?
Their urgency is not unfounded either. There are men in grey suits after you. You might’ve already seen them. They started showing up across the continents about the same time people like us began to turn up with these abilities. There is something much greater at hand -- something happening to our world, but it is not yet ready to reveal itself… And the voice of Elvarren isn’t helping either. Nor do we know yet what Elvarren even is. But whatever it is; it is the key to everything. Yes. Everything. I believe this to be the truth. And so we cannot give up.’’

Dusk speaks to the people currently assembled. Ishalan, Mirage, Puppeteer, Kaesar, Quiet and Horus. Those are their new names, and let none think otherwise! They reside in an old and decaying cabin. Why has Dusk led these people to this place specifically? Mostly because there is a stove. Pretty outdated, looks to be made last century. But when you’re this far north, even during springtime, in this vast forested terrain… you will learn to appreciate such a thing.
The place is not very large. Upon entering you come into a living room; a couch hugging the right wall besides it, and an archaic refrigerator and kitchen sink in the corner. The head of a stag is mounted above the front door. At the back of the room are three doors. Two leading to separate bedrooms, and the middle door leading to a very small bathroom, with one toilet and an oldschool bathtub. No shower. And there is no running water either – it has to be fetched from the nearby river.
The right bedroom hosted only a single bed, with the unconscious Jay lying in it. The other bedroom was completely empty. Dusk only prepared three sleeping bags there. With one sleeping bag remaining for the right bedroom due to lack of space.

‘’All in all, we have one bed, four sleeping bags and a couch for one of us to sleep on in the living room.. That’s enough for six people. I’m sorry I could not prepare any more. I did not think I would actually be able to find this many of you. Please make due with what we have.’’
Dusk pauses for a bit.
‘’…I guess we will have to switch turns sleeping, eh? It’s up to you. I suppose since I’m the one responsible for you being here, I’ll be sleeping on the floor.
It is a time of great urgency for us. You need to keep low at all costs. I do not know if ‘they’ have followed us. But it seems they are capable of discovering people with our abilities even in the most unlikely of places. How? By what otherworldly means? I have no idea. Either way, I ask you all to please not leave this cottage, or at least as little as possible...
And if you do leave, inform me or Aries. I won’t ask more than to please be lenient with one another.

See this as an opportunity to really get to know eachother and maybe experiment with your talents… communicate with the voices in your head. For the coming days I need to leave you all. The Perpetual tells me more people have come to this continent. I need to find them and bring them here; before the Greymen do.
I like to think we are all part of the same brotherhood now. So while I am away; could you all prepare sleeping bags and rations to last us at least a few weeks? And be sure to listen to Aries… Just please don’t do anything rash or dangerous. Or something that makes too much noise or otherwise draw attention.
It is Monday. I will try to be back before Thursday evening.

Take care, everyone.’’

With those words; Dusk departs from the cabin once more. They had only been here for a day. Who is that guy, anyway? Dusk has an unexplainable calming effect on others. It makes you want to trust him. It might be his calm and friendly demeanor, or is it perhaps the mind-altering effect of his power..?

What was the point of all this? Gathering them in one place would make the whole group an easier target if "The Men in Grey" as he called it showed up. How would he know if this wasn't a trap? Luring us all in one place all the easier to get picked. There were so many questions that he had but something felt right in all this. Not talking about how calming Dusk's aura was, it just felt like he was finally on the right road, the road to Elvarren. He would go with his instinct for now. If they made it through this night, there was little to no chance that the Grey Men were a part of this "act".
"Instinct? When has that ever helped anyone? Listen to me, when night comes, pack your things, steal some other things and leave. You can go wherever you want. And if by chance they get you, you know the cottage, rat them out. Free Pass!"
"What about Elvarren? This could be the only chance I ever get to find it."
"Forget the place, make your own "Elvarren" on some exotic beach. You know there is an easy way to make money with your powers, you HAVE thought of it. And before you cry to me about the Grey Men, well ask yourself this, have you ever seen them again after you left your home town? NO. Because I taught you how to handle things, leave no traces. You could have a good life."
"...Ha.hahahaha, you seem extremely rational this conversation. Usually you would whisper and scream nonsense in an attempt to push me over the edge, to do what you wanted. This time thought you are using logic. Is something wrong? You don't want me to be here? THE MORE reason I have to actually stay then."
After that silence. It was the first time in ages that the voice had gone quiet. Was he right on his assumption? Was this a way for the voice to admit defeat? Wait, since the first time he heard the voice, he thought it was the same as the other one, urging him to search Elvarren. But they both voice different things. If they are truly the same, maybe this was a sort of test? A test if he was worthy to find Elvarren? Grrrhhh!
He clenched his fist very tight, almost drawing blood. Again, AGAIN the voice had put the boy in an internal conflict, in doubt. The more he thought about it the angrier he got. Trying to deny the voice any more achievements, he quickly put the conversation on the back of his head and addressed the others.
"Calling dibs on the bed."- were his first audible words, seeing as no one else was taking the initiative.

The girl on the bed was slow to come ‘round, but that was alright. He felt her stir moments before he heard her – probably keeping watch over her for the past three days had made him hyper-aware of her… biology? Like building some sort of connection between them? Was that even possible?

Regardless, Sleeping Beauty was about to wake… and he really hoped it would go better than last time.

Aries pushed his tired and aching body off the cold floor with a quiet groan and rolled his shoulders once upright. He saw very clearly how the girl’s eyelids twitched a few times before they cracked open to reveal deep azure eyes. They shifted, left and right, like the eyes of a confused person, which she probably was. She hadn’t been entirely lucid last time so it was unlikely she remembered ever seeing the cobweb-full beams overhead. Neither the person next to her.

When she spotted him she went very still and it took him a couple of seconds to realise she was scared.

“I’m a friend.” He preempted, saving her the effort of asking. Then again, it shouldn’t have been much effort by now; he had been healing her for days. “You can call me Aries. How are you feeling?”

Confusion returned to the girl’s eyes but at least the alarm was gone. She pushed herself up on her elbows and this time she didn’t squint in pain. Good. Her skin also bore a better colour.

“I feel…. Okay.” Which seemed to surprise her. “What happened?”

“We’re not sure. Me and my friend, I mean. He found you in the dump of Edmonton and brought you here. … by ‘here’, I mean Jackman Flats Provincial Park, between Tête Jaune Cache and Vermount.”

“That… where is that?”

“It’s all in Canada, southwest of Edmonton.”

“I see…. Well… thank you.”

“You are welcome.”
The girl’s nose wrinkled briefly as if she’d caught a whiff of something fowl. Her forehead also wrinkled when she realised it was her own hair. “Oh no.” She sounded mortified drawing a tired smile from him. Here we go again. “I need to use your shower.” It wasn’t a request, but rather a command.

“You can’t. We don’t have one. And by the way, I already told you that two days ago. It was the first thing you asked about, even though you weren’t completely healed. We had to sedate you to keep you from undoing the progress we’d achieved. Then one of our girls gave you a sponge-bath but she couldn’t do much about the hair.” Was that too much information? Or too little? It was right on the fence and Aries was usual which way it would push her. If Dusk was here he’d surely tell him off “freaking the poor girl out”.

At first she just stared at him, either mulling through his words or looking for a hint that he was joking. Well, he wasn’t, and his expression had returned to the usual blank too.

“Sedated?!” The girl demanded after a second. So that bothered her more? “What do you mean sedated?! Did you drug me?!”

“No, no, of course not.” ‘Of course’? As if the truth was much better. Dusk was rubbing off on him. Speaking of which, she didn’t seem to remember speaking to their leader, it seemed like he had to go over the basics with her again. “We are like you. Me, Dusk, Horus, Puppeteer, Mirage, Kaesar, Ishalan, Luci and Quiet.” Aries took a deep breath and explained their situation as best he could. He wasn’t as good as Dusk, definitely lacked the experience and the touch, but hopefully hearing it for the second time would evoke some of her memories. It seemed to work as by the end of his monologue she bit her nail absently and muttered: “Jay. I chose that name, right?”

“Correct.” He smiled. She returned the gesture and stood up briskly.

“Now then! Where is the nearest river?”

It was a foggy morning in the deep forests surrounding the Jackman Flats cabin. Within the misty trees was a human figure treading his way carefully around exposed roots and loose rocks. Clutched within his left hand were several hares all hanging limply by their legs. Each one sporting the same wound. A bloody eye and a pin-sized hole in the back of their skulls as if something very small shot through their eye and escaped out the back. This was Luci and he was currently making his way back to the cabin with food in hand for Dusk, Aries, the infirm girl who was found shortly after he arrived, and the rest of group of misfits that Dusk had collected.

Hmm I wonder if Dusk ever came back from wherever it is he disappears to. He thought to himself as the cabin came into view.

As he neared the cabin a strange feeling washed over him and he looked at the building in surprise. He could sense several new people moving about in the building. Specifically he could sense whatever metal trinkets they had kept on their persons. For him metal isn't just something he can control. It's something he co-exists with. It's a part of him albeit not physically. Almost as if they all had individual souls that call out to him. No information was passed instead he was able to sense and feel the metal around him. It was through this sense that he's able to reach out to the 'souls' of metal and control it.

"Time to go meet the newbies." He said to himself in a playful tone as he scampered off to the cabin quickly arriving at the front door in minutes. As he neared the door the handle seemed to twist on its own and the door swung noiselessly on its hinges. A cabin like this would normally squeak in every place imaginable but after the few days he has been here, and through great effort, he managed to pull out all the old hinges and made new ones with the scrap metal he kept on hand. No rust afflicted metal would grate his ears ever again if he could help it. Walking through the main living room he scanned the various faces scattered throughout the room picking out the new ones from the old. From the old faces he noticed one, Dusk, was missing. This was understandable as he almost never stuck around for long. Out of the group of faces six were new.

Speaking of old faces it looks like the infirm has finally woken up. He noticed that in the room with the only bed the unconsious girl that had been brought back by Aries and Dusk. When she had arrived she was a complete mess to put it lightly. Luci had been told she was found in the dump, and her body proved it. The cabin reeked of unimaginable, unholy smells and it wasn't long before a few of the females in the group banded together to wash up the infirm. With dead hares in hand he swiftly crossed the gap between him and the side room, ignoring any odd looks along the way, and entered the side room.

"Looks like the infirm finally woke up. Smells a whole less worse, too. River's to the south west. If you need any assistance finding it I'd be of great help." He said with a warm smile, "I myself arrived here about three days ago and have spent most that time outside as it's quite cramped. Plus while everyone else is adjusting I decided it would be a good idea to find food. Can't have everyone starving to death, you know!"

His body language was open and friendly as if he wanted nothing more than to be friends with the person in front of him yet that warmth didn't quite reach his eyes. Instead he looked down at this woman with a neutral gaze almost as if it didn't matter if she were to cuss him out or thank him. He'd just continue on with his life and go back to whatever task was at hand.

Kasey sat and listened intently as the situation was explained. Despite the apparent seriousness of the situation, he couldn’t help but feel a little relived. The idea of using fake names didn’t quite sit right, but it felt good to not be worried about the people around him. Since he had started his trip, the voice had done nothing but warn Kasey about strangers. It seemed to approve of the current situation though; it hadn’t said a word since he got to the cabin. Maybe it understood the situation, or maybe it was just sleeping or something. Kasey really wasn’t too sure how they worked, but he liked to be optimistic.

“Have a safe trip” Kasey said with a smile as Dusk made his way out of the cabin. Something about him seemed to make Kasey lower his guard a little more than usual. There was a moment of silence in the cabin, it seemed as though no one knew what to say, until someone finally spoke up and claimed the bed. He smiled a little as he could feel the tension in the room weaken a little, before a man made his way through the room holding several dead hares. Kasey didn’t much care for hunting himself, but he couldn’t help feeling a little relived. He was a little worried about food since his own supplies were starting to run out, so it was good to hear that someone had the group’s best interests in mind. But since the tension had been broken for now, Kasey thought it was probably a good enough time to speak up.

“Um, I wouldn’t mind taking the first shift. Of not sleeping that is. I don’t mind, I used to pull a lot of all nighters. Oh, and my name is K- Uh, I mean, Quiet. Not quite used to this whole fake name thing yet” He said with a bit of a nervous smile. The whole idea of using a fake name seemed a little excessive to him, but if it was the way things were done then he would be happy to take part. It almost felt a little like being in a club or something like that, but with a little more danger. Kasey left all his friends behind when he left, so he wanted to make as good an impression as he could right out of the gate.

“It seems like we might be here for a bit, so why don’t we make the best of it and get to know each other a little more.” He said with another quick glance around the room. He saw that a few people around the room seemed a little tense, so he thought it might be a good idea to try and get everyone talking.

Mirage stood among the others, Traveling there had taken a solid two months of travel to get from his home in the Bahamas to the wilderness of Canada, Only to find that where he was lead to by the 'Siren' was some old ass Cabin. While Dusk spoke to them, he looked around, Getting a feel for the place that for the moment was going to be his current residence for the foreseeable future.

He turned his head back to Dusk as he got done explaining somethings before claiming he was heading out for some reason that, if Dusk has explained Mirage hadn't caught it. Watching their host leave just like that, Mirage slid a hand through his hair, just as someone called Dibs on the bed, And another walked through carrying some caught meat. "I'm good with whatever" Mirage said out loud. "I'm Mirage by the way" grabbing his travel worn pack and opening the top he pulled out some bottled waters "Catch" the only warning any of them got, before he tossed a bottle to everyone "i don't have much, but since we are going to be living together, might as well share right?" it wasn't much but it was better then nothing.

Once done and he'd cracked open his bottle and drained half of it before sliding the bottle into his pocket he grabbed out a pair of thick, Leather gloves, Slipping them onto his hands. He'd learned about the draining thing the hard way, the reason he had the long white scar going down the left side of his face, And why he promised himself he'd never be ignorant again of what he was capable of. "Right, so what now?" he asked everyone, Seemed like a simple enough question, But for everyone in that cabin, in the middle of a forest it was possibly a question that had no 'true' answer.

^{Collab With: @Grijs}

---

Fuchsia slammed her back into the inside of the empty train car. Heavy breaths came to her, filling her lungs with the frigid night air, as her knees began to tremble. Did they hear her? Did they see her? No no, this wasn't right-- she was trapped now-- The scrape of stone against stone, gravel being disturbed, caused her anxious thoughts to halt. What made Fuchsia the most fearful about her pursuers, those strange men in Grey, was the fact that they just kept finding her. No matter how far she went, how many times she lost them, they would be there, at a distance or in a corner, walking steadily toward her. Taking a deep breath, Fuchsia held it, so that she could concentrate on listening.

Softly was the sound of drizzling rain, collecting in puddles and trickling down the side of the rusty train car. Bugs chorused in the night, accenting the quiet, almost lulling Fuchsia into a sense of safety. Were it not for the steady crunch of gravel beneath foot, she would have found the night peaceful relax. But there it was, steady, though it was getting softer, it seemed. As her legs shook she inwardly screamed for them to stop-- she needed to be steady, quick, and silent if she were to escape this train car and get into the thick treeline. Gently she placed one soaked foot before the other, clinging to the inside of the rail car, for surely her life depended on it, as she moved closer toward the open door.

"If you can see them," Fuchsia warned herself internally, "They can see you."
What was she now? A spy or something? Look-- she made no claim to knowledge of subterfuge or stealth, not even knowledge of how the world itself worked but, this had proven to be something of an indisputable fact so far, and one that didn't seem to matter much half the time either. Anxiety clawed at her insides, clenching them into a tight ball, as she slowly leaned toward the rail car opening for a glimpse of the night outside. Bright lights, probably having been white in the distant past, illuminated the rail yard with a wet orange glow-- it made Fuchsia feel as if she were in a giant tub of orange juice, even if that thought was weird. More importantly, she didn't see anyone or anything moving outside at the moment, but the weight of their nefarious intentions against her pressed heavily upon her mind.

Slowly and with powerful weight to the words, a voice not her own, commanded from within her mind, "Make them answer for their crimes." Fuchsia answered it internally, "No... I gotta leave. I don't have the time." He didn't have to say it but Fuchsia knew the voice was displeased with her. As usual.

Without another delay, Fuchsia lowered herself from the train car, slowly, using her arms to lower the rest of her body as close to the ground as she could, before setting foot on it. As she stared to the side, the wide framed Grey Man's silhouette broke up the light of the night. Around his body, there blazed a yellow field, radiating caution and energy, slowly shifting color as other feelings interrupted its purity-- it made Fuchsia strangely thirsty to look at. Swallowing hard, she began to creep away from the rail car, across a set of crisscrossing railroad tracks, and further into the maze of sleeping trains.

Feet became yards as soon, Fuchsia found her evasion far more successful than she expected it to be. Had her distraction really been so effective? While Fuchsia didn't exactly count on it to be so easy to do, she wasn't going to count the flare laying on the railroad tracks to be anything less than exactly what she needed when she needed it, and exactly what the Grays were apparently distracted by. Once she made her way to the treeline, Fuchsia abandoned all forms of subtlety or sneakiness and broke out into a full sprint. Thank goodness for all that track and field she'd had in school years ago. She knew that it was the sole reason why she hadn't been captured already. As she leapt over bushes, tore over downed trees, and zigzagged wildly through the woods-- that's what you were supposed to do right?-- a strange feeling caught her attention.

She was being watched.

Fuchsia’s steps came to a halt and she panted heavily. Confused, she looked up then saw him. On a hill above her, there stood a man. “You seem like you need help-- there's no time. Beyond this hill they won't find you,” said the man confidently. For a moment, Fuchsia was a bit taken aback at his sudden appearance. Who was this? Why did he want to help her? Then again, when Fuchsia took a look over her shoulder, she knew there wasn’t much time to ask such questions. Without another moment’s hesitation, Fuchsia began taking large strides up the hill. As she neared him, Fuchsia tried her best to get a look at his face. A brief glimpse was all she could catch when she neared him. He looked young, innocent even, and a scar stood out oddly over his lip, giving him a bit of distinction. "Call me Dusk,” he told her reassuringly, “I'm like you. And I'm here to bring folks such as us together before those People do. Come North." Dusk then murmured quietly, “I hope you're dressed for this weather.”
“I uh...” Fuchsia abandoned the statement before it took hold. If he were like her well, eventually he’d understand why she didn’t need to “dress for the weather” but, this explanation wasn’t as important as running, at the moment. Dusk had told her what to do.

North, right?

‘’Dusk! Hold up! You can’t just leave me here!’’

Kaesar gives chase out of the cabin to grab Dusk by the shoulder. And Dusk turns to him.
‘’Kaesar… Listen, I know you have much to ask, but it will have to wait. I can orientate much better towards the Perpetuals of other people not yet in our group, if I am decently removed from people like yourself. People likewise with Perpetuals in their minds. I hope you understand.’’
Dusk sighs.
‘’When I return, I will tell you everything that I presently know. But don’t raise your expectations up too high, for I do not know much more than you do yourself.
I’ll see you Thursday.’’

Kaesar curses inwardly. ‘’Damn him. How dares he bring me all the way out here in this shithole, and then not have the decency to take me along. I don’t like him with that smug façade of innocence. It’s obviously an act. He’s not really this nice. Cunt.’’

MAKE ALLIES.

A voice as a sudden and intense needle, piercing Kaesar's cognition from out of the great emptiness.
‘’Hrmm? You sayin’ something, Am?’’
THE WAR WILL SOON BEGIN. PREPARE.
‘’Soon? How soon are we speaking? …I guess I should get to know the other people in the cabin. Some of them looked pretty tough. Best is to figure out what their powers are.’’
As Kaesar beheld Dusk fade into the distance, he slowly returned to the cabin. He saw Luci walk in before him. Kaesar did not know much of him. They had both been here for the past 2 or so days, but never really talked. Why? ‘’Because he’s a creep. The way how he toys with metal is downright freaky.’’ Kaesar knows, in any case, that he is not the sort of guy he is looking for.

Walking inside, he suddenly got a bottle thrown at him. It was Mirage -- just the guy he was looking for! Kaesar only barely managed to catch the bottle – the games of basketball he once played now seem to pay off. Instantly annoyed, Kaesar hisses at him. ‘’Careful there.’’
Then, looking up at the rather imposing stature of Mirage, he proceeds to force a smile to form upon his lip. For surely it’s best to stay on his good side.
‘’…Thanks mate.’’ He opens the bottle and takes a gulp of the refreshing contents therein. Gotta make a good first impression. He then casts a polite smile to Kasey, and attempts to do the same with Horus, except that he seems a little… unapproachable. And generally creepy and extremely nervous. Ergo; no true warrior.

"Right, so what now?" Mirage speaks.

Ah. The only guy that seems competent.
Kaesar replies. ‘’I’m curious to learn what all your powers are. But I won’t ask for demonstrations… yet. Could have unpredictable consequences, I do believe. So I’ll go first.
My ability? I can shoot lazers from my eyes. No joke. It’s why I need to wear sunglasses. It’s a serious problem. Already killed a few people by accident.’’
Kaesar blurts these words with the widest grin while tapping the dark glasses perched unto his nose. He lies – this is not his true power. He does not trust these people into knowing his actual ability. Who can say whether any of these will turn out to be his enemy one day?
Kaesar proceeds to look around the group. ‘’How about y’all?’’

...A few hours later; assuming Pup has not set the cabin on fire....

---

Night is falling – and with it an omen of darkness. The more observant & cautious among us might be able to make out faint noises coming from beyond the immediate bushes…

Pup

She sighed, running a hand through her hair, idly scratching Fafnir as he perched on her shoulder, as the only person who seemed to have a grasp on what was going on just walked out the door. Presumably to find more of them. He was quickly followed by the annoying arrogant one, Kaesar. Hopefully he'd bring back a group that was more stable than the one she currently found herself with, and leave Kaesar far behind. She trusted most of them only slightly more than she trusted the Greys, and that was only because they hadn't actively tried to kill her. Not to say that isn't a decided possibility. She noted, watching as the man who had declared himself 'Horus' seemed to struggle with sudden rage, before declaring dibs on the bed. She dubiously slid her eyes over to where the unconscious woman was laying on said bed, raising an eyebrow in question. As if on cue, the woman awoke.

As Aries explained the situation to her, Luci waltzed in with the evening's dinner. She didn't trust him either. He was friendly, but it never seemed to reach his eyes. Still, he was handy to have around the cabin. He had already replaced the rusty hinges on the doors in half the time it would have taken her, and his metal manipulation would be a great benefit if she ever needed more nails. Pup smiled reassuringly at Quiet. She trusted him slightly more, if only for the fact that his insanity wasn't as apparent as the rest of them. You're one to talk. Pup ground her teeth as P's voice entered her head once more. It never seemed to stay silent for more than one blissful hour a day. Obsessing over creating and fixing the cabin, like you're some handywoman. You're The Creator! Destined for mo- Shut. Up. I have no idea what's going on, no control over what's going on, and no idea if I'm going to have to run from bullets again anytime soon. Fixing things is the one thing I know and control, so please, stop talking. P fell sullenly silent, much to her relief.

Lost in her thoughts, she almost didn't see the water bottle flying towards her. Fafnir's trilled warning in her ear alerted her at the last second, and her gloved hand shot up and caught the bottle just in time. "Thank you." She turned her attention to the woman, Jay, as she asked where the river was. "Luci is right. He or I or even Aries over there can take you. Though I imagine you'd like some soap, shampoo, and a towel. I did the best I could, but I doubt I did as good a job as you'd like. Fafnir, be a dear and get the shampoo and soap." Her dragon trilled again, flying over to where her backpack was laying against the wall and diving into it.

Pup herself walked to the fireplace and grabbed her towel from where she had lain it to dry out last night. Smiling, she moved over and handed it to Jay as Fafnir flew back, a small shampoo bottle in his front claws and a bar of soap in his back. "Be forewarned, it's going to be cold and miserable. The towel will help, but not by much." She glanced over as Kaesar initiated discussions about their powers. Both her eyebrows rose in minor disbelief, as he claimed to have the powers of Cyclops, before she threw in her two cents. "My name is Puppeteer. Pup for short. I'm really good at making and fixing things." That settled, she turned her attention to Quiet. If you're up for first watch, Quiet, I'd be grateful. Fafnir," she nodded her head towards her dragon, flying in lazy circles around her. "doesn't need sleep. So you won't be alone."

Eliza felt stupid.

Really stupid. Like, ‘just made the biggest mistake of your life’ stupid, because that’s what she’d done, wasn’t it? She’d told Kyle she was going on a business trip, she’d told work she had pneumonia, and where the hell was she? Canada! Alberta bloody Canada! Staring at herself in the mirror, she splashed a bit of water on her face to help cool her down. It was much more important than the integrity of what little make-up she wore, just then, or it would have been if a pair of shoes hadn’t clicked their way into the restroom.

Men’s shoes, dark and brightly shined, and followed by another pair of them. Two men stepped into the bathroom, one of them turning and gently sliding the floor and ceiling locks of the door into place. The other stepped forward and flicked the cuffs of his grey suit, his face smiling in a way that he wasn’t.

_{That he can’t, sweetling. Skin with holes for eyes and teeth does not a face make.}

“Hello.” The man said, his voice dull against the tiled bathroom, almost lost in the flushing from a stall down the way. He stepped towards Eliza easily while the other man--also in grey, the exact same color, the exact same dark shoes--stepped past them to make his way towards the flushing from the stall.

“This is the ladies’ room, you can’t be in here.” She finally managed, her throat dry and her face hot as it had been before the water. Her heart was in her throat, so she swallowed it back down. The whispers of the little voice were more insistent, now, louder than they’d ever been.

_{Don’t let him touch you, sweetling, don’t let him take you. There is no Elvarren with the not-men, and they will take you where I cannot follow. Please, sweetling, don’t let them--}

The voice was interrupted by the grasp of a hand on her wrist, strong but gentle, and the not-face alarmingly close to hers.

“Hello.” It said again, and it showed its teeth. Like a smile, but not quite.

“Get off me.” When she jerked her hand away it came easily and she backpedalled on the ground. She seemed as surprised as the man had been--he kept looking between her and his hand, flexing the fingers awkwardly as if they hadn’t done what they were supposed to. He looked more confused, and a little disappointed, than angry, which made one of them. Eliza was angry now, more than a little fed up with this rubbish, and she marched for the door outside past the man with an insistent step and a squaring of her slim shoulders. “I’m leaving now, and you’d better--”

“Hello.” The man said again, this time with a frown, but when he reached for her shoulder this time Eliza turned and pushed him in the chest. She was going to say something, tell him to back off, but she didn’t have time. As soon as her fingers hit his chest there was a sharp and distinct cracking sound, a bending of the meat in the shape of the body, and the man in grey flew back like he’d been shot with a cannon. He broke through the porcelain sink he’d been standing in front of, shattered the mirror on the wall and split the tile down the drywall and stayed there, hanging in the small crater of his impact. He wasn’t moving.

“Oh...my…” And neither was Eliza. The only thing that was happened to be the man’s partner, who was looking between the two of them with narrowed eyes from the stall he’d just gone to investigate. What happened to the person who’d been finishing up was anyone’s guess. He started towards her with the same frown as his partner, as if he’d flicked a light switch and the lights hadn’t come on.

“Hello.” He added, for good measure, and quickened his step as Eliza shrank back from him. There was water pooling across the floor, now--the fixture had broken, it seeped out from behind the first grey man like blood--and his partner’s shoes splashed in it as he cut through the distance between them. The grey man extended a hand for her, reaching this time for her bicep--

“Get away from me!”

She hadn’t meant to scream, but it came out as a shriek when she did the only thing she could think of. Balling her hand, she brought it down on the creature’s chest in the time-honored but useless defense of the meek against the mighty. Ordinarily, beating on someone’s chest once they’ve grabbed you is little more than a moral protest. It isn’t going to stop anyone from doing anything, or at least it wouldn’t if it hadn’t been Eliza doing it. Instead, the grey man crumpled to the floor with the kind of ‘crack’ that said unpleasant things about what had happened to the bones in his chest.

He might as well have been hit with a sledge hammer.

When she left, he was still wheezing from the floor, trying to understand what exactly had broken to puncture a lung. To her credit, Eliza St. John was not running. She was walking, very quickly and very forcefully, towards the rental lot. And, if you must know, she was crying.

Terror can do that to a woman.

---

By the time Eliza hit the gas station most of the panic had run out of her like blood from an emotional gunshot. There was only just so long the human body could withstand that kind of emotion, and in her regular life--she still thought of it as her ‘real’ life, like this was all some little dream--about the most alarming thing that happened to her on a regular basis was realizing that she’d double-booked dinner. This was…she’d just…

Well.

If she’d managed to calm down to something resembling a normal state of mind, it didn’t mean that her hand wasn’t shaking. She felt tired, the bags beneath her eyes hot and heavy. Her sweater had been warm enough in the shiny little rental car but it wasn’t quite enough for the stiff breeze outside of it, and with her slim fingers tucked under her arms she bristled and rolled her shoulders together for warmth. How much longer could filling up the tank take? It was only a 10 gallon, for Christ’s sake…

She was antsy. She could feel them getting closer, which was ridiculous because she didn’t ‘feel’ things. Still, they had to be coming for her, right? Whatever agency they were a part of, (_{No agency of men, sweetling...} that little part of her whispered) they weren’t about to let something like that stand, right? And this time they wouldn’t be as stupid, get as close. Standing out by the car, she resisted the urge to light a cigarette and waited until the meter clicked to a stop before buttoning the car up and getting in. There were already too many people, too many cars, and she was certain that some of them would be driven by more of those...things. Her heart jumped at a flash of grey, at a long and thin tie, but they were just normal people after all. As she slid back behind the seat wheel of her car, she had the awful impulse to cry again.

‘’Hey. You there! Lady!’’

A young adult with a boyish face and a scar across his lip in a thick winter coat, but there’s something weird about him. She knew that he wasn’t like everyone else--in the same way that she wasn’t like anyone else--in the same way she was starting to know that he was on her side and not theirs. But what the hell did that mean, even?! What were the bloody sides?! Before she could talk, he was weaving between the cars and settling himself into her passenger’s seat. She stared at him, the steering wheel deforming beneath her fingertips with the anxious whine she would have liked to let out herself.

‘’Call me Dusk. I’ve come to help you find Elvarren.’’

‘Elvarren’. That’s the word he used. Already that soft voice in the back of her mind was whispering, trying to get her to move. Elvarren. It didn’t sound like it had when the Grey Men had said it out of his mouth, somehow. It made her want to go.

“We need move, fast! We’ll use your car. But if the Greymen have seen it; I advise you ditch it somewhere in the forest and come with me on foot. We’ll use the train stop a few miles to the east to carry us further. I know you are well in the right not to trust me, but i’ve got experience with these people.’’

“Who the Hell are you people? Us people?” Eliza managed in a strangled whisper, blinking her eyes sharply before coughing past the lump in her throat and starting up. If her world was getting thrown out the window, she was going to have to start playing by new rules somewhere along the way. It would have been easier if he wasn’t quite so young.

Eliza pulled out of the gas station and headed North. She was...and she couldn’t believe she was even thinking this...going to ditch her rental in the woods.

At least she’d bought the extra insurance.

---

_{Collaboration with @Grijs.}

"Catch"- someone said behind him as a bottle of water flew towards Horus. The faint shadow of the bottle flying threw the air could be seen in front of him. Without a thought he instinctively caught the bottle with his right hand behind his head, not even looking at it. "Thanks for the water"-Turning and flipping it a couple of times in hand he decided to place it in his travelling bag. During his travels he had learned to never take food and water for granted and collect the most of it while the chance was present. Things you learn to know when you travel through deserted roads and sleep in old abandoned shacks, if he was lucky enough to find one. He only hitchhiked when the road was long enough without any intersections for miles on end. Just the thought of disposing everyone who gave him a ride made him throw up but it was the only way, or at least that's what the voice told him. He hates to admit it but his fear of being caught by the Grey Man surpasses his moral code, his human decency and respect towards another human, towards taking their life.
Still no sign of the other voice.

Then, a conversation about their powers began. He would be a fool to believe what anyone said, they were all liars. You had to be one to have gotten this far without getting caught. Laser eyes, someone said. He wasn't even trying to pretend on being serious. Killed a few people? Who says that with a grin? Only a murderous psychopath or a terrible liar. He was probably a virgin on the killing game. Most of what he could've done was drain someone unconscious.
Horus started narrating :"And God said, Let there be light."- as he said so he pointed his right hand at the ground and a beam of light emerged. Then he started doing clicking noises with his tongue while turning the light power on and off, effectively imitating a flash light. "But wait there's more"- he added as he took his left hand next to his right one and started pantomiming like he was rotating a small volume slider next to his "flashlight". As he did so the light dimmed and became stronger in perfect sync with the movements of his left hand. Turning it up all the way, it suddenly became very bright although it was aimed at the floor, the light started flickering and then it turned off. "Well, looks like my battery is out, gonna have to recharge it. And with that I bid you all goodnight."- and as he said so he made to leave. Turning to Quiet one last time he added with a smirk:"Barely waiting to see your powers first hand. Definitely more interesting than mine."- and with that said he picked up his bag and went to the 3 doors. Does he wear glasses to constrain his power? Comics much?

He called the bed first anyways so he doubted anyone would complain. 3 doors in front of him, he decided on a whim to open the right one and there it was, the room with the bed. He always had a knack for first tries.

Just as he was about to turn the handle the door opened itself. Well not actually itself but rather a girl from the other side. She had an elegant frame with a pretty face. All natural, no make up on it but her features were still pleasing to the eye. Not most girls look good without it. Her hair were dyed green...unless it was her power which changed her hair. Though he thought he made the color of dark brown at the roots.
"Hi there, is this your roo.."- without even turning to him she passed him by. Completely ignored..thought he didn't care much. He was transformed from the boy he once was, for the things he had done he probably didn't deserve a second thought let alone a look. Well if she had a problem with him entering the room, she should say so. And with that he entered inside. A voice started whispering to him.
"Find Elvarren, Find Elvarren, Find Elvarren, Find Elvarren, Find Elvarren.."- the voice started with a low whisper.
"Yes I will, that's why I'm here isn't it?"
"Find the girl, Find the girl, Find the girl, Find the girl, Find the girl.."- the voice then changed the chanting.
"Girl? What girl?"- it was the first time it had said a thing like that. Something was off, it didn't resonate the feeling of the other voice, could it be...
"Find a mate, Find a mate, Find a mate, Find a mate, Find a mate...leave Elvarren, go to a beach somewhere and enjoy life!"- the voice changed from a chanted whisper to a cheerful tone.
"Wait what? IT'S YOU!"
"You want a cookie for that?"
"I was actually starting to worry that I wouldn't hear you again. After how you disappeared when I beat you at your own mind game, I was fearing for the worst."
"... ha.. ahahahahahaha, the humor is strong with this one. I was tired, I had to rest for a time. Being in your head filled with depression gets tiring as hell."
"WELL I WOULDN'T BE DEPRESSED IF YOU DIDN'T MAKE ME KILL ALL THOSE PEOPLE!"- and saying that he slammed the door behind him. To the others who had witnessed the interaction between him and the green haired girl, it would seem like an angry reaction to being rejected.
Sliding down the door he held his face in his hands. He hadn't been getting any sleep. Every time he closed his eyes he saw their faces, their smiles as they offered him help. And how did he repay them? By killing them in cold blood, all because the voic..
"I didn't tell you to do jack shit. I offered my advice and told you of the risk for not taking it. You made your choice and here we are. No need to give credit where it isn't deserved."
This damn voice. A sudden burst of rage took over him, partially because it was maybe true. He started pacing through the room as his thoughts flooded one after the other. Maybe he did this of his own volition, maybe HE killed those people. Up until now he had been able to preserve his sanity by telling himself that the voice didn't give him any choice. That twig that he was holding tight onto was starting to break. In an effort to take his mind off, he looked at the bed. Filthy.

Taking the dirty cover he pulled it roughly, ripping it in some places and through it at the corner. He took the mattress and flipped it over. Now all he needed were some new covers. Opening the closet he quickly scanned it for something to cover the bed, finding a large piece of white cloth he pulled it quickly while dropping some other clothes on the ground. With that, fell a picture. Finally starting to slow down, he picked up the picture and gave it a quick look. A family of 3, a young boy in the middle, his mother and father standing beside him on his right and left respectively. As he studied it closer he found the boy's face familiar. Where had he seen him before. Of course! It was Dusk. As he was analyzing the photo he had taken a sit on the edge of the bed, covers on one hand and the picture on his left, now calm, already forgotten about his episode not 10 seconds ago. Turning it back he saw a name, "Karel" and a sentence below it. He didn't know the language but it made his thoughts start flowing again, but this time they were flowing for his family, his home. What were they doing at this time. Were they thinking of him? ... Who was he kidding, they were probably dead. Captured, interrogated and killed in the end. Although a little part of him hoped they were alive and well in their house, it made him feel better believing that they were dead. It made him feel like there was no turning back, only going forward, towards Elvarren. And besides that, he would rather see them dead than see the look on their face knowing what their son had become.

Taking one last look at the picture he wondered, did the boy's parent's know about him? What would they think of the boy if they learned he had killed people. Would they still love him?

And with these last thoughts, his right hand over his eyes, covers on the ground, his left hand dangling on the side of the bed, sleep started to engulf him. As the last spark of consciousness left him, he let go of the picture...

Jay and Aries both started slightly when Luci walked in and started speaking. True, the door had been open all along but the rest of the group had kept a polite distance, letting Jay come ‘round on her own terms. After the initial shock however, it was Aries who remained frowning slightly while the girl’s face smoothed out into a friendly smile. Yes, despite the bloodied corpses in the man’s hand. Her eyes couldn’t help but be drawn to the hares’ eyes – half of them glinting in the light and the other half –not. Were they all missing an eye? And what the fuck did he just do to that bottle?

“Oh, that would be wonderful.” She beamed in response to his offer to take her to the river himself. It was a shame that in this state her smile probably looked more like a pitiful grimace. The other man, Aries, didn’t speak up or react in any other way which was interesting in itself. Where the heck had she ended up? “I am dying for a bath, quite literally hahaha!”

Only when she heard a female voice behind her did she realise that beyond the door there was what sounded like a whole group of people chatting amongst each other. Well then, …this should be interesting. Then what she was being told – and handed – registered. In her hands there was now soap and shampoo and a towel. Jay’s heart skipped a beat and instantly geared up with excitement, her fingers twitching slightly as they closed around the items. She had been given emeralds and diamonds before (quite frequently), and yet somehow, right now, they didn’t compare. This actually left her speechless for a moment. Even the dragon who handed her the things was less impressive.

Wait, dragon?

Jay eyed the bird – no, definitely a dragon – and blinked in confusion. Was anyone else seeing this? Was this normal? How was she supposed to react to this? She glanced around, trying to make it not-too-obvious. Nobody else seemed impressed so maybe she should just ignore it?

“Thank you.” She said at last, having to clear her throat before she continued. “For this. And for taking care of me.” She smiled at Pup and at anyone else who might care about her and turned so she could face the first three people who had spoken to her directly. “I don’t honestly care who takes me to the river as long as somebody does so in the next five minutes.” She joked, pretending to be more amused than she actually was. Something about this group didn’t quite feel right. But until she found out what, she would have to play nice and stay out of trouble. Especially until they reached the damned river.

Aries, who had kept quiet during their exchange, finally spoke up, looking at Luci “Why don’t you go with them? Those rabbits will need skinning and gutting before we eat them and the river is a good way to make sure we don’t attract predators to the cabin.” He suggested, assuming that the task wasn’t beyond the man who had mortified the animals to begin with. “You can take the knife from the kitchen, I don’t think we’ll need it while you’re gone. Do you know how to gut? You could take someone with you if you think you’ll take too long.”

It didn’t take long for them to settle on a guide and leave with the few items for Jay’s “shower” and a bucket that needed refilling. Horus, who was standing in front of the bedroom and attempted to strike up a conversation with Jay was blatantly ignored, for reasons beyond Aries’ comprehension. He was sure Dusk would have said something nice to the boy but one look at his face was enough to dissuade Aries from any such attempts. Leaving him to his own thoughts, the young man sighed and joined the rest of the group in the living room. Looking around he tried not to appear as overwhelmed as he felt with so many people around. They needed to be a coherent whole, Dusk had said, to trust each other and work together. Easy for him to say, when he wished it to happen and left Aries to deal with the practical execution. These people had been together for three days now, and they didn’t seem anything like a team yet. More like a bunch of lost children. Who could kill each other if tempers flared.

Aries cleared his throat, wrecking his brain for a way to engage them in a productive way. He hated playing leader, and it was probably written all over his face too.

“So…” He started hesitantly. He could hear Horys rummaging across the hall though so if he raised his voice slightly he would probably be heard by everyone…? “As you’ve probably noticed, our new friend is up and healthy. She confirmed she would like us to call her Jay.” He looked around the room. “So… I think we have some tasks that need doing. We still have some supplies but we’re running low so we may need to go to town once Dusk comes back.” As I don’t trust he’ll remember to bring some with him he added mentally.

A sudden flash of pain hit his temple at the thought, his eye closing and his hand reaching for the ache instinctively. He kept talking. “We still have some flour and some yeast, rice, salt, pepper and oil. We should probably save them for after we finish with the rabbits Luci brought. I’m not sure if we’ll get through all the meat and I’m also not sure if drying it is a good idea with so many animals around. So I suggest we eat those first and then perhaps attempt to make some bread tomorrow. If anyone needs other types of …. nutrition, please try not to use trees that are close to each other.” Not everyone in the group could get their hands on wild animals and sadly taking the energy of living beings was essential for their own survival. “I know Dusk said not to leave the cabin much, so try to do that as little as possible, but I don’t think creating bald patches in the forest is a good idea either.” He was getting off-track, probably just repeating Dusk’s initial instructions at this point.

“So,” he said for the third time and cursed himself for it. “The rabbits take priority, right? Why don’t some of you go find some dried wood for the stove? And if anyone knows anything about foraging, you could try to find us something edible in the forest.” The pain in his head was getting stronger. The voice, berating him again, for his social awkwardness, lack of leadership and general stupidity. Why would you heal somebody if you knew it would affect your body like this? And you keep doing it! What a moron. There is no salvation for you. “Well… that’s it.” Aries finished with a strained voice and felt the compulsion to hurry out of the cabin as soon as possible. He needed some fresh air and some solitude.

But he resisted. It was probably the Perpetual again. The pain in his head was getting stronger by the second but he wouldn't follow its desires. He had a free will of his own and besides, with Dusk gone it would be irresponsible to leave everyone on their own. Screw you. he held his ground, preparing himself for the migrene the parasite would trigger. "I'll be outside if anyone needs me." he said out loud and went to fetch his book. There was already a patch of dirt by the southern wall of the cabin where the sun occasionally shone through the trees and made reading quite pleasant despite the chill. Life was quite miserable when you had a nasty bastard in your head, a few cracked ribs and a best friend with a hero complex who expected you to be their side-kick... but at least Elizabeth Bennet was likeable enough for now.

As he awaited his answer from Jay another member of the group, the one with the metallic dragon that always amazed him, had called across the living area to answer Jay's pleas for a place to wash herself. Luci nodded as he agreed with what she had to say and was about to turn to add his own comment when his brain told him something unknown was getting very close very fast. His eyes flashed with deadly intent as he responded instantly to the unknown threat. Luci turned and metallic blurs flashed from his jacket pockets as three two-inch long needles shot towards the object being tossed at him and punctured several holes in it before returning to his pockets. He stood there for a moment looking down on the ground for some time before his brain realized there was no threat at all.

"Oh, erm, I'm terribly sorry." He said while facing the group in the living area with a bashful smile. "I've gone and wasted a perfectly good plastic bottle. I apologize if I startled any of you."

He quickly unzipped his jacket placing it and the hares to the side as he pulled off his plain grey t-shirt. Crouching low he used his t-shirt as a make-shift rag to soak up all the water spilt by the now empty water bottle. Once all the water was mopped up Luci hung the wet shirt around his neck as he pulled his jacket back on and zipped it up. Picking up the hares he stood up and looked around. He planned on wringing out his shirt once he was outside and letting it air-dry while he gutted the hares later. He turned back to Jay and Aries just in time to see their expressions and hear their responses. One simply frowned at him like he had done something wrong while the other had the proper elated expression that comes from being given exactly what you were looking for.

"Yes, Aries, I think I will. I've been here slightly longer than these new ones so a proper guide would be helpful. Of course it's not appropriate for a man to watch a woman bathe so having Pup come along to keep watch for Jay will be essential. To answer your question, "He said as he looked at Aries, "Yes I do know how to clean a hare. If you do not I would be more than willing to show you at a future date. In the meantime I'll be waiting outside for whenever you and Pup decide to leave."

With that he turned his back on the group inside the bedroom and walked out into the living area where one of the members of the group was currently putting on a sort of light show. Ignoring the antics Luci turned his attention to the kitchen sink in the corner of the room. In it was a knife which suddenly lifted up into the air and shot across the room through the empty space between the crowd and directly into his free hand. Glancing down at the blade in his hands Luci grumbled as he ran his thumb across it.

"Not even sharp enough to cut butter." He muttered as he walked away deep in his thoughts. The door to the cabin had swung open on its own and the edge of the knife flashed once with a razor sharp gleam just as the door shut behind him leaving the others inside in silence.

Standing there, Mirage watched the people around him, and the first thought through his head was it was a good thing he was use to crazy, cause this cabin was filled to the Max with it, not that was an instant bad thing. As he watched everyone interact with one or another, a soft whisper slid from the furthest reaches of his mind "oh great" he muttered to himself, just as the soft, Siren like voice spoke "sweetie, eyes open, always be vigilant" the words came like they always did, slow and seductive, but all they made Mirage do was roll his eyes and speak back mentally "great words of wisdom, really, anything else you want to share? like ohhh i don't know, how to control this power?" he asked, but of course the reply came as the voice retreated to wherever it resided when it wasn't being annoying "not really"

If he wasn't sure that hitting himself in the head wouldn't effect the Siren at all, he'd have done it, but as it was he let it go for now. Nodding toward Kaesar as he thanked him for the water, catching another pierce the water bottle, spilling it and ruining the plastic. "well now, interesting" Mirage said, shrugging. "no worries here, once it left my hand, its no longer mine" and then Kaesar claimed he could shoot lasers from his eyes, which would be cool if it was true, then Pup said what she could do, seeing the 'Dragon' flying around, which just made him shake his head and chuckle a bit. "cant shoot lasers or make a mechanical Dragon that defies the laws of Physics, but" he rolled his neck and uncrossed his arms, letting them drop to his side as he did his thing.

A Dark shadow appeared in the middle of the floor, coming from nowhere, just appearing as it then began to grow and expand. for Pup, if she could connect and see through her Dragon's eyes, she'd see that it wasn't real, but to everyone living that was currently in the same room as Mirage it was real as anything else. The blackness began pulling off the floor, moving and rippling as if something was wanting to free itself and then it did, as a hand ripped through the blackness and shot out of it. The hand was black, scorched looking with a skeletal look and long, impossibly long fingers, to long to be human. And then as quick as it appeared, it vanished.

"Illusions" Mirage said. "i can make you see, feel, believe anything i want, but they are not real, no substance.. yet" leaving it open that there was a possibility he could create true illusions that could actual effect the world around it

Kasey fumbled a little as he went to catch the water bottle, but after a moment he had a firm grasp on it. He unscrewed the top and took a big swig, he had been pretty thirsty ever since he ran out of water yesterday.

“Thanks” Kasey said with a smile as he glanced over to the big guy who had thrown the bottle. Mirage? Well his name was way cooler than Kasey’s. He couldn’t help but wonder for a little about why he might have picked the name, but he found his interest shifting to one of the other guys in the room. At first he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, this guy could shoot lasers from his eyes! How cool was that!! Well he said he killed people, so that wasn’t cool, but it was still pretty cool. Compared to his power at least. But he heard someone use his ‘name’ so he turned to face them. He was met by one of the girls, accompanied by a small metallic… bird? No that was a…

“Woaah! Is that… He’s a tiny little dragon…” Kasey couldn’t help but be a little excited. This must have had something to do with her power, either that or she was crazy smart. “Thanks a lot… Pup was it? I’d love to have the little guy as company” He smiled and watched the little thing flap lazily around the woman. But he turned back in as another man started addressing the group. He addressed a few tasks that would be worth taking care of soon. Kasey decided that once they had finished their little power showcase he would make his way outside and collect some firewood. He wasn’t great at foraging, but wood couldn’t be too hard to find in a forest. He was a little startled as a bottle was seemingly shot from the air. The man with the hares apologised and stared cleaning up the mess. Maybe that’s how he caught the hares…

But soon something began moving on the floor. He wasn’t sure what it was, but blackness began pooling and a long skeletal hand shot out of it, before disappearing. Mirage spoke afterwards, explaining that it was an illusion. It took Kasey a few moments to recover though, something like that could have been very useful, if a little terrifying. He loved horror movies, but living them was not something he wanted to experience any time soon. Well at least he knew where he got the name now.

“Well since we are showing off powers, I might as well show off mine. But it’s a little hard to show off, but just bear with me” He started tapping his foot, and closed his eyes to focus. At first it seemed like nothing was happening, but after a moment, the sound faded away. He was still tapping his foot, but the noise couldn’t be heard. Pretty soon the sound began to fade from the world around them, the wind through the trees and the sound of the house creaking and even the sound of the dragon’s small metallic wings faded away into silence. For a moment he let it linger, let people soak in the silence, then he stopped and the subtle sounds of the world returned.

“Sorry for the weird demonstration, but I couldn’t think of another way. I can make sounds quiet. That’s where I got my name if you didn’t already guess. He said with a smile. It’s not as flashy as making light or illusions or dragons and lasers and stuff. But it makes sneaking around pretty easy. It’s funny, I used to use it to sneak up on my brother all the time at home, you should have seen his face when I would just pop up out of nowhere. He used to get so mad. Oh, but I won’t use it around here too much, everyone seems a little jumpy so it would be a bad idea to sneak up on people.” He thought back to the water bottle and the hares for a moment. It would be a good idea to make sure he never took that guy by surprise.

As she stood in the forest, Fuchsia stared off toward a very specific direction. Nearly fifteen minutes ago, Dusk had dashed off into the foliage, after giving her a few hasty instructions. While she was sure that jacking up some as simple as going straight ahead would be quite impossible for her, Fuchsia still stood there questioning herself. Being alone in the forest immediately caused Fuchsia's anxiety to rise. If she were so worried, she'd just continue on toward the cabin as quickly as she could, right? That would be the most logical course, after all, but here she stood. Her fists clenched and unclenched several times and a clammy layer of sweat had settled onto them. Within her mind, Fuchsia could feel the presence urging her forward without speaking. How could it not sense what was wrong in this forest by now?

Or perhaps it did.

Truth was, the sound of Dusk's steps through the forest, the cracking of twig beneath his feet, the muffled noise of the forest floor beneath his feet, had been far too loud. This was the loudness of a gunshot in the night comparatively, in that when he moved branches or snapped twigs, that was all Fuchsia could hear.
Again: That was all Fuchsia could hear.
While she had not spent much time in a forest and she admitted she didn't know much about wildlife or anything, she definitely knew that there should have been other sounds-- birds, wind, the scrape of tiny squirrel feet against bark-- anything other than Dusk's steps. All this combined with well, everything else Fuchsia had been through recently and the decompensation from an adrenaline high, left her feeling deeply disturbed, anxious, and just a little bit horrified.

Her legs began to shake. Why did he have to leave? She wanted someone near-- not specifically him-- just anyone else to be nearby, to keep her company, because she felt incapable of... name something. Anything. Right now she couldn't even breathe properly-- Fuchsia's head swam and black dots danced before her vision. She inhaled deeply then kneeled down. From within, the voice finally spoke, "Seek not the dependence upon others-- you are meant to operate alone."

While she took more breaths to steady herself, Fuchsia shook away the fogginess in her head, then stumbled to her feet. Forward she half-stumbled sort of walked, looking like a drunken fool as she started to move. Now was not the time to stand around and, though the phrasing needed work, Fuchsia knew the voice had some sort of alright intention. Encouragement could almost describe the statement but she wasn't sure what to call it. Soon though, she found herself walking in a representable manner at a respectable pace. The only time the pace halted was when she came upon the body.
Or do you call it a carcass?
What's the difference-- A bear.
There was a dead bear laying in front of Fuchsia quite some distance from where she nearly passed out. Fact. She was only sure it was dead because she couldn't see an aura around it-- the bear had no feelings of life that she could sense either. What was most puzzling about the bear was how warm it still was yet, there was no sign of struggle or wound, it was simply laying on it's side as if it had taken a nap. A sudden feeling of urgency hit her like an icy bucketful of water and the voice within spoke once the word, "Run."

Weariness took a back burner as Fuchsia broke into a sudden sprint. Why? Why did she suddenly feel watched-- as if there were-- no... there weren't anymore of those strange men pursuing her, were there? "Run," spoke the voice within her mind once more. As much as she wanted to shout that she was going as fast as she could, a sudden flood of whispers distracted her-- whispers? Fuchsia found herself forced to jog, as the ground picked up a steep incline, but still she ran. The whispers grew louder yet, they weren't for her, she could feel-- but what the hell did that mean?

A shoddy rooftop peeked up from above the top of the hill and as she neared it, soon the cabin came into full sight. She tore past tree branches and carved through bushes, doing nothing to conceal her approach, or stifle her noise. Knowing fully just how loud she was, part of her expected to be mistaken for a bear-- oh that's not good. Fuchsia's mad dashing pace slowed, her muscles burning, chest heaving, and rain mixed sweat causing her thin summer shirt and shorts to cling closely to her back and legs. Halting nearly twenty paces from the cabin, Fuchsia stood just before the end of the treeline, then stared at the cabin, desperately trying to catch her breath.

Fog still hung lowly during the early morning hours-- the sun had just began to peek through the clouds.

"I'm here," she mumbled lowly, between heavy breaths, the words directed at the voice, "Now what?"

---

^{Sweet Meta-Info provided by @Grijs}

The morning air was crisp as the mist drifted effortlessly through the trees, moisture clinging onto pine nettles which slowly fell in drops to the forest floor. This moisture in turn made the earth wet beneath Bear's feet, he could feel it tugging at the warmth from his oiled seal skin mukluks. A sound of a large raven flying by made him look up to the trees, the smile on his face was enough of a greeting for the young raven he called Huginn.

He had befriended the raven a winter earlier when he saved it from an old snare. The two shard a special relationship, the bird would stay near and alert Bear to danger with a loud squawk, yet make simpler more cooing noises when prey was near or everything was clear and in return was fed with whatever meat was left over. Again the large man checked his small lean to shelter for anything he might need, the cabin he had found yesterday was over the next ridge and Steve was rather excited to be so near always repeating something about 'others'.

After securing the campsite Bear decided to be careful, the sun was still behind the horizon and it was getting brighter. Quickly the man destroyed the shelter, picked up his spear, and moved on, no fire last night to risky he wanted no, needed to keep stealth on his side. Something about this place made his instincts flare, run, hide, fight, all of these at once is strange. Bear took his time yesterday getting a feel for the area mostly so he would know how to escape or find the quickest way to whatever resource he would need while in the area. This took time enough that he was using energy to stay concentrated.

One unknown benefit to taking the essence of other living things for him was a bug spray of sorts. Anytime he was outside in the open he was constantly taking the essence of one of the most pesky insects, the dreaded mosquito. Every time one would even slightly touch him they were drained and fell to the ground. Now, one would think that one mosquito doesn't give all that much energy and they would be correct. However, when you count the hundreds of thousands that seek to prey on you in one day that tiny bit of energy they give pays off in a big way. Unless Bear is using his ability actively, this consumption is enough to stifle the hunger on a day to day basis.

“OI!” the sudden voice made Bear sink low where he stood expecting someone nearby to have said it, “We need to move and get with the others to survive” with a sigh the large man stood more relaxed. “Oh hey Steve, where have you been these last few days?” He spoke aloud but still quietly, “I have been watching you carefully walk around the place you are supposed to be at... and stop calling me STEVE!” Bear turned his head slightly to the right as if flinching from the voice. He smiled and started walking, “your funny Steve, I hope there are more Steves like you where we are going” the only reply he got was a distant sigh as the cold fluid presence in his mind dissipated.

The walk through the mist was slow, walking a few yards before stopping, looking around, and listening. Picking every foot step to be as quiet as possible, Being as mindful as he could to avoid the dryer twigs and sticks that would snap under his weight. This part of the forest was also ripe with several varieties of berry that he was familiar with, as well as some edible plants. This took even more time because Bear will always stop for food, who could say when he might find it again? He soon noticed that he could spend hours here just picking berries and collecting leaves but he knew not to be too greedy and opted to take just a little more than he would need.

As he picked, he could feel the cold pressure in the back of his mind reminding him that Steve was not happy with this detour. Yet he knew these berries from what his life givers taught him, Blueberries, Raspberries, Cloudberries that Look kind of like a golden raspberry with a tart taste to them, and these small and red berries called Lingonberries that also taste a bit tart. He could also tell from the trails running in and out of these bushes and shrubs that animals frequented this hill side. Just one more thing to note for resources, from what he could tell already there was little in the way of human activity. Aside from the cabin and the unkempt trail leading towards it, forgotten maybe or perhaps hidden.

As the man neared the cabin he began to crouch walk, the thick brown fur coat that covered him blended in quite well with the surroundings. Before long, he found himself slowly crawling on all fours, moving slow as to make as little noise as possible and stop the brush from moving too much around him. Then as he neared the last defilade between him and the cabin he began his slow belly crawl up to where he had clear line of sight. Being as still as he could he looked through the bush that was dominated by thin firm branches and large green broad leafs.

He thought it was a moose at first by how loud it was through the forest, that was until he heard the breathing. Labored not wounded, more exhausted mixed with a bit of panic maybe. He could recognize this from hunting and chasing prey, but this girl did not look like prey. Short with a dark skin tone like that of some villagers yet she wore thin clothes that hardly covered her. How strange for someone to be wearing such strange clothing all the way out here. He would have rather waited in his bush to see how things would play out yet Steve had a different idea. “You are meant to be the leader of the pack, not a coward in a bush!” the voice screamed in his head, “Reveal yourself boy! Or so help me I will make you regret it” Bear knew the voice was serious. The first time he heard Steve and ignored him he was sent to the floor with a migraine from hell.

After a few breaths, he slowly stood being sure not to make any noise. She spoke “I'm here” then a short pause, “Now what?” did she see him, no she was too busy running from... what was she running from? He was maybe 20 feet from her and she didn't even notice him, “how? She wasn't blind... maybe deaf?” he thought well lets check. “Now how to introduce myself?” again he thought for only a moment before talking, “Hi!” he paused awkwardly for a moment as if remembering what he looked like. Long black tangled hair, a beard that he's kept short with a stone knife. He's holding a spear with a metal tip, his clothes are a combination of what one would call leather armor and various furs, the biggest being the bear fur that covers up his chest, arms, and the cape he is wearing not to mention the stone knife and hand ax on his belt, “Do you know where I can find Elvarren? I'm quite confused about who or what it is and Steve is being very quiet about it” again an awkward pause.

@Utrax

‘’We have uncovered the Lost Tribe of Privas in an isolated shelter of the Boreal Subcontinent located in America.
Based on the intel obtained from the earlier captured specimen -- they can sense hardly more than 10 of the Descendants left in this section of the Earth.’’
‘’Opportune. And what has stopped you from going in to seize them?’’
‘’Unfortunately, the generalissimo has lost contact with our hidden operative. And even if they hadn’t... Some of our foremen have returned, reporting dire complications.’’
‘’Yes? And what of it.’’

''...Our old enemy is at large.’’

---

Sounds come from outside beyond the cabin door. Disrupting the slumber of this shady vigilante, causing him to arise from the dark, his mind doubtlessly adrift in acts most profane and sacrilegious. He slept on the floor of the living room, in a sleeping bag. It is morning at last.
Kaesar groans in pain due to many stiff muscles and uncomfortable positions he had to sleep in. Then he scarcely more than mutters inwardly. ‘’I’d have preferred the bed but that CUNT, that mouth breathing loser named HORUS, snatched it away.’’
But so it comes to pass that Kaesar stands up, peering at the front door. Is he going to take a shower or make any attempt at washing himself? Nah. There are enemies in his vicinity. He can sense it. He can hear the faint murmuring of evil whispers. Kaesar can only guess their nature, before Am speaks up.
GO OUT AND MEET THEM. THERE ARE THREE OF THEM OUTSIDE.
Meet them? Who? Are there new people? Is it the Greymen? This soon? No, wait.. they do not have their particular vibe to them. These are all unfamiliar Perpetuals.
Conveniently, Kaesar was already fully clothed as he went to sleep, doubtlessly reeking of sweat. He approaches the frontdoor and opens it, spotting the two new guests. A man with a beard, and a young girl of dark complexion, more so than himself.

‘’You guys have a lighter? I need to have a smoke really bad... I’m Yoa—, Kaesar, by the way.’’ He speaks, as he non-challantly approaches the two of them.
‘’I’m just as oblivious to the situation as you two are, don’t worry.’’ Kaesar speaks calmly, with a smile. He is perhaps being a little too pushy and shameless.
‘’Tell me; where have you left your friend? Am told me that I would find three new people here.
Am is the name of my ‘Voice’.
You’ll find the people hiding in the cabin are a decent lot. Mostly. ‘’
He looks around to confirm no one is eavesdropping on them. Spotting no one, Kaesar continues, lowering his voice. ‘’My advice is to be wary of Horus and Luci. Dangerous and shady types of people. If you'll take my word for it, anyway.’’
TYRANT, YOU DELUDE YOURSELF. THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL ENEMY HERE STILL.
And it is true. Faint cries echo through the distant pines, its rather ominous origin obscured by vegetation and thick fog.

‘’Let’s get inside ASAP, yes? We can expect Dusk to return any moment now. Am is telling me it’s not safe here. Best to heed his advice.
Don’t worry about Dusk. I’ve known him for a while – he’s got experience with this.

By the way; we don’t have a Wi-Fi connection.’’
And the Tyrant led the two of the flock into sanctuary.

Pup had been busy yesterday. Going with Jay and Luci to the river, grabbing her hatchet on the way out, she had wandered the edge of wood looking at branches. Finding one that was acceptable, she sat with her back against a tree and began carving and shaping the branch, humming as she did so. As Luci began to clean the rabbits he had slain, Pup commandeered the skins left behind. She left him to the actual cooking and use of the meat, piling the skins next to her as she continued to work on the branch. She stayed behind as the other two left, concentrating on finishing her branch. It was an hour before she returned to the cabin, still humming lightly to herself and carrying more carved pieces of wood.

She dropped two pairs of rabbit skin mittens and a rabbit skin hat on the rickety table. "They're not very durable, but they'll help keep those of us who weren't prepared warmer. I'll see about making more actual clothes for this weather once we get something bigger killed. Like a deer or bear." With that, she walked over to the fireplace, and quickly started a fire. With that settled, she sat down and began humming again, working intently upon her pile of wood.

Hours passed with Pup not moving from her position next to the fire, humming and carving away. Occasionally she would mutter to herself, a curse or something to remember later, then lapse back into silence. She passed time like this late into the night, finishing the longbow and beginning to work on the rest of her wood. Fafnir perched on the mantle above the fire place, until sometime in the middle of the night, she looked up at the noises outside the cabin. "Fafnir, dear, could you go check that out? I'd rather not be ambushed by anyone tonight." The dragon trilled an affirmative, flying outside of the door. In a few minutes, he returned, trilling in alarm. "Whoa, whoa Fafnir slow down. What do you mean an unconscious bear? Right outside our cabin? We can't just leave it there."

Pup put aside what she had been working on, and stepped outside, following Fafnir to the darkness. What she saw made her freeze in place. The bear had gotten up and was wandering groggily around. "You said it was asleep Fafnir." She hissed under her breath, not daring to move. Relax. The real threat is gone. This thing isn't coherent enough to hurt you. What does that mean? Answer me! P didn't say anything more.

Fortunately for Pup, the bear had wandered off while she was angrily asking P to elaborate herself. Shaken, and thoroughly hoping that she was able to get a good night's sleep before it all hit the fan, she went back inside and laid against her backpack. Her project wasn't done, but that didn't matter. She needed sleep.

Dawn, when Kaesar leads in the new comers

Pup looked up from her project, she was busy putting the finishing touches on the wooden crossbow, and smiled at the newcomers. "Welcome!" She looked over the girl and frowned. "We're going to have to get you warmer clothes. Sit down by the fire if you're cold, I keep it going all day. If you have any questions pertaining to the voices in your head, your strange powers, or why you're being pursued by creepy men in the Grey Suits, no one here knows. Not even Dusk, and he brought us here. Hell, we're all practically strangers. Well, except for Dusk and Aries. I gather that they've known each other far longer than the rest of us have." She turned her attention to the cabin at large, gesturing to the unstrung longbow in the corner. "Does anyone happen to know how to shoot a longbow accurately? I made one last night, but the last time I touched one was ten years ago and it'll take me a while to get good with it. It's got about a 40lb draw weight if you're curious."

"Hi!"

Fuchsia looked over to the man greeting her without any signs of being startled by him. Truth be told, part of her had sensed him close by-- well, maybe not specifically him. She knew there were others and that they meant her no harm but this guy? She didn't expect anyone to look like this guy. Her brow raised as she looked the man over-- what a strange way to dress. While Fuchsia knew that people used to dress in this manner, or perhaps still did, the only opinion she could form about this man, dressed in skins and holding a spear, was that he looked as if he stepped right out of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. She remained silent in his pause, further making the quiet awkward for them both.

"Do you know where I can find Elvarren? I'm quite confused about who or what it is and Steve is being very quiet about it."

Fuchsia waited for him to elaborate or say something more but he... just kind of stopped there. Again, an awkward silence settled between them. Taking a deep breath, Fuchsia wiped sweat from her brow, then told him, "I'm looking for Elvarren too. But. Uh. I mean, I don't know where it is-- you know there's other people here too er, like me and you, I mean-- can't you hear the whispers? Ah--" she paused "--that sounded weird? Yeah it did..." And as she trailed off, a man came from inside the cabin, and walked toward them.

‘’You guys have a lighter? I need to have a smoke really bad... I’m Yoa—, Kaesar, by the way.’’

He was straight to the point. Kaesar? Must have been one of those names. Fuchsia remained silent and non-responsive as he spoke, even breaking eye contact with Kaesar, as she stared at the ground. She listened. Kaesar spoke of the voice he heard and the name of it-- Am? And the other guy had mentioned Steve-- was that the name of the voice he heard? Were these just nicknames or were they confirmed? Truth be told, if they were the former? Fuchsia hadn't had a mind to nickname the voice in her head. It honestly seemed a bit disrespectful or strange-- she couldn't quite pin the feeling down to a word but, she wasn't going to name the voice, bottom line.

Kaesar advised her to be wary of Luci and Horus but instinct told her to form her own opinions. Her gut instincts had rarely been wrong about people, plus there was something about Kaesar that made her feel a little uncomfortable. Maybe it was how pushy he seemed to be. Then again, he warned them to head inside to avoid apparent danger, so maybe she was misjudging him? Fuchsia scratched her head and remained quiet as she followed Kaesar toward the cabin.

Be not complacent in your passivity. Question. Seek. Demand. As you are expected. Insisted the voice. Shaking her head, Fuchsia found herself content to be quiet for now, even when they entered the cabin. The time for asking questions would be later, for sure. Now however, seemed more to be a good time to get to know the others, but only based on observation. She was glad to not be alone in this but, she wasn't exactly convinced none of them could be trusted yet-- aside from Dusk, that is. People would still be people, mystical powers or not, and people could be just as terrible as they could be good, and Fuchsia would never place trust blindly... Question. Seek. Demand. Urged the voice and Fuchsia suddenly understood the meaning. Would it kill you to be less vague next time? She found herself screaming inside. Silence was her answer.

Upon entering the cabin-- "Welcome!"

Fuchsia made eye contact with the stranger, who was tinkering with a crossbow, very briefly. The rest of her words were lost as Fuchsia stared around the cabin with a heavy feeling od dread in her stomach. This was it? This was the safe place for them? It looked as if it wouldn't withstand a bad gust of wind at the most. Her lips pressed into a thin line and she kept quiet, standing there rather awkwardly, without much drive to go further into the cabin. Truth be told, she really just wanted to turn around and go back outside, but that would probably come off as rude.

---

^{Interaction with @ReusableSword@Grijs@Rtron}