[center][h1]Moss VII[/h1][/center] [hr] “This does not feel right.” Nikan confessed to Moss. The two stood at the edge of the lake. A shimmering tower of light emanated from the middle. Something was out there in the deep. Moss noticed that the light banished all dark from the water. Like a cerulean sea in intense light. She saw the life within, in its myriad of forms. Yet, were those fish dancing? Or was it their shadows? She rubbed her eyes and saw no more. “It feels… Warm.” Moss said, outstretching her hands. “Inviting even. What makes you feel the opposite?” “You mistake me. I feel the same. It's because of the strangeness here that I think it's wrong.” he crouched. “I have never seen anything quite like this. No doubt even the elders would be surprised…” He trailed off in thought. “I feel as if it calls to me.” Moss said, dazed by the light. She felt a hand fall upon her shoulder. Gentle but firm. She looked up at Nikan, who eyes were not upon her. “How well can you swim?” “I grew up underground.” “And…?” “I… Can’t swim. Not well at least.” Moss sighed as the water rippled. “I fear what’s out there.” Nikan confided, “But if what you said is true, about your ordeal with the others, then I should be quick and then we must be off.” he let go of her shoulder. Moss took a step before him and crossed her arms. “It feels wrong to you but you want to go see what it is?” Nikan shrugged. “It calls to me too. The water… How can I describe it to someone who does not flow with it as I? Go and see I shall and when I return, we must leave.” “But where are we going to go?” Moss asked. “A question for when I return.” And Nikan side-stepped her and dove into the water. Moss swung just in time to see that the water… Had it risen to meet him? “Strangers and their ways.” She grumbled and plopped on the beach. [hr] Zafrina startled awake. She looked around, expecting to be cold, wet and surrounded by demons. Had it all been a dream? A nightmare? She sat up but found it difficult. Her head was pounding, her mouth was dry and she felt weak. She leaned to the left, pressing weight upon… Pain blossomed like a lightning bolt up her arm and she fell over with a grunt. She found her eyes watering as someone was helping her back up. “Zafrina? Are you well?” the all too familiar voice asked. Zafrina looked back to see that Teefee had grabbed her and was pulling her back up. Zafrina opened her mouth to speak but no words formed. Instead she pulled her arm free of Teefee and whipped off the blanket that covered her. What she saw puzzled her. Teefee said something but she didn’t hear it. Instead she stared and stared at her left arm. It only began to click when she moved it. How she felt what was there but wasn’t. She began to shake her head in disbelief as she brought up her arm. It had been cut off at the elbow. “No.” She said defiantly. Teefee said her name but it was muffled. Her own mind had begun to spin. She moved the stump back and forth, feeling it still but not fully comprehending. “No. No.” she tried to stand up but Teefee cried out with alarm as Zafrina lost her balance and began to fall. Teefee caught her and began to speak but still, Zafrina could not comprehend. Teefee began to yell something else as Zafrina pushed her off, or at least tried too. When did the cat girl get so strong? “No no no no no no!” she began to say, over and over. Struggling in Teefee’s grip. She needed to… She needed to… She needed her arm back. She needed to get up. She needed to- “Zafrina!” Rahdayo’s voice cut through the fog of her mind like a knife. Her brother, looking far worse than she felt, planted himself before her on his knees. Teefee let go and Zafrina fell forward and into his arms. She didn’t want to cry. She was stronger than that. She was… “W-Why am I alive?” She cried, breaking down in her brother’s arms. [hr] Nikan emerged from the now murky waters. Moss had begun pacing back and forth when the light had faded and with it, the warmth and color she had been enraptured by. As Nikan stood tall, Moss noted that he carried something strange with him. . He held out it to Moss and she inspected it. Within his hands lay a beautifully crafted… Something. At one end it had a grip like a mug of ale, smoothed pale white. The other end was narrow but thick, engraved with small runes. In the center, roughly where a finger might go, was a bent crescent moon type shape with a guard around it. What truly caught her breath was the intricate details and runic work across the base and shaft. The entire thing was a pearlescent white, almost taking the form of a rose. It took her back to when she was small and her grandpap had shown her… Moss took the thing in her hand and startled as it took shape to her grip. She held it, a warmth blossoming up her arm and into her chest. It wanted to be used. It wanted to be put to work. How she knew, Moss couldn’t figure but the guess of it was right in her hand. She aimed at a tree with quick precision and wrapped her pointer finger around the cold metal crescent moon. It would give with a little- A burst of bright light illuminated the dark sky and then an explosion rocketed forth from her hand, the recoil making her hand jolt back. It dropped from her hand and Moss felt instantly an embarrassed fool. She picked up the thing and brushed off the loose sand. Sheepishly, she turned to Nikan but the tall man had wide eyes on where Moss had fired. Where she had shot, now only splinters remained. The tree, and several behind it, had been blown to bits. Cinders remained and burning coals. Moss looked at that and then back to the thing that had caused it. “Boomstick…” She said, flabbergasted. “I have changed my mind.” Nikan said after a time, never taking his eyes off the destruction. “We make for my village.” he began to walk off and Moss, too stunned to speak at first, followed after him. Eventually she said, “But your people?” “They will be made to understand.” And that was all that was said before they reached a very startled camp. [hr] Teefee didn’t know much about boomsticks, only that Teefee wanted one. Ever since Teefee's mistress came back, toting that new shiny, Teefee felt as Teefee once did when big sis Shah had been given a new shiny necklace. It was the most beautiful thing Teefee had ever seen and the worst part was, it wasn’t Teefee’s. Oh Teefee had eventually gotten it, after big sis Shah ‘misplaced it’ but by then, Teefee had found it didn’t shine like it had before. A part of Teefee knew Teefee had to be better. That Teefee shouldn’t take what wasn’t hers. That the great allure of the chase was over once the chased was caught. Yet try as Teefee might, there were just some impulses that couldn’t be shaken. Easily. Maybe at all. So Teefee tried Teefee’s best. And it was hard. Days turned to nights and then days again. They traveled through the woods on paths only the shiny man knew and through water that only the shiny man loved. Their goblin buggy was slow on such paths but it beat walking. And Teefee was ever dutiful, Teefee had to be. Rahdayo was weak of body and fragile of mind, even if he tried to hide it with smiles and gentle words. It tugged at Teefee’s heart but Teefee had never been good with words that could mend the deep hurt. The hurt one could not see. So Teefee did what Teefee could for Teefee’s lover. Yes. Lover. How had Teefee ever been in doubt? Teefee remembered the times Teefee thought Teefee would travel in big sis Shah’s footsteps. Get matched. Get sold. Have a large family. What Teefee could never admit to the others, was that Teefee couldn’t actually go home. Not after what Teefee did. So Teefee was free to find Teefee’s own way. And that was the sad eyed boy Teefee sat next to. He had protected Teefee in Teefee’s cowardice. Teefee would now return the favor. As for Zafrina, who slept, Teefee had been kinder to that one. Zafrina hardly spoke, was worse of body and worse of mind and not even the mistress could get the goat girl to interact for very long. Teefee remembered Teefee’s uncle Pah and how he had lost his tail fighting a great werewrym. Uncle Pah was never quite the same after that. Lost his balance. Teefee began to stroke Teefee's own tail. Hopefully Zafrina would be alright. Zafrina was family, even if the stubborn girl wouldn’t admit it. She’d definitely have to if Rah wed Teefee. Teefee began to fidget with Teefee’s tail. Teefee’s mind wandered back to the shiny boomstick. Mistress had begun calling it the Rose. Even though it barely looked like a rose. Teefee didn’t know why, Teefee just wanted it. Oh, Teefee had gotten to hold it once, under mistresses’ strict supervision. It hadn’t helped Teefee not want it. “Mistresssssssss,” Teefee called up to the front. “What is it Teefee?” Moss sighed. “Are we there yet?” “No.” “Well when will the shiny man get us there?” “Nikan said, we will arrive when we arrive. You know this. Asking me the same question throughout the day won’t get us any closer, Teefee.” “Teefee knowssss.” Teefee sighed. “Then why do you keep asking?” “Teefee is bored.” “Bored?” Moss said, as the buggy came to a stop. Teefee perked up until Moss shouted forward, “Nikan, hold up a moment! I need to do something.” Teefee began to slink down where Teefee sat as Moss got out of the buggy. “Come here Teefee.” “Mistress…?” Teefee mewled, ears flattening. “Now!” there was an edge to the mistresses’ voice, one Teefee knew better to act against. So Teefee got out. They had stopped in a small clearing under pine trees. The air was crisp and the chorus of life was beating bright. Teefee looked back at the buggy, to see that Rahdayo was peering out. He had a wane smile on his lips as he watched Teefee. Teefee felt Teefee blush slightly, the beat of Teefee’s heart quickening in response. Teefee couldn’t help but smile at the feelings Teefee felt. But the smile faded when Teefee saw Teefee’s mistress in an all too familiar stance. Teefee felt Teefee’s blood begin to rise in anticipation. Without warning, Moss ran at Teefee. Teefee barely had time to dance out of the way as Moss flowed with Teefee, jabbing at Teefee’s side. A hiss escaped Teefee as the pain of the blow resonated but it didn’t stop Teefee. As Moss went for another jab, Teefee inched back and struck out, deflecting the blow. Moss came again, a pattern Teefee had grown accustomed too. Teefee deflected a jab and jumped as Moss swept a leg out to trip Teefee. Teefee began to smile as the game progressed. But then Teefee’s mistress did something unexpected. Moss tackled Teefee and the sudden weight of Moss sent Teefee to the ground. Moss landed a punch on Teefee’s jaw and the blow stunned Teefee. Teefee blinked wildly and for a moment Teefee peered up at rain. Then the tree canopy came crashing back and Teefee brought up Teefee’s arm to block Teefee’s face. Moss jabbed Teefee in the side instead and Teefee gasped. Thinking fast, Teefee kicked up Teefee’s legs to kick off Moss but Teefee's mistress had Teefee straddled with strong thighs. Teefee began to mewl. A pathetic little noise. All Teefee could do was block the continued punches. Teefee was too weak. “Think Teefee!” Moss snapped at her. “What does one do when they get on the ground!” A dozen thoughts filtered into Teefee’s mind like running gazelles. Always out of reach. Teefee was overwhelmed. Teefee couldn’t run that fast. Today was different. Mistress wasn’t going easy. Mistress was hurting Teefee. Teefee hissed with frustration. Teefee felt the tears begin to slide down Teefee’s face. Stupid tears. They were angry tears. They felt like rain sliding down... Teefee froze. Teefee locked up. Teefee’s vision spun, threatening to black at the edges. Teefee was powerless. Teefee couldn’t do anything. Teefee was a [i]coward.[/i] The blows stopped. Teefee couldn’t remember when. Mistress was saying something. Something Teefee didn’t hear at first. “...what I thought.” The pressure on Teefee went away and Moss stood over her. A look Teefee seldom saw on the mistresses’ face- Pity. Teefee remembered seeing it before. The day Teefee got banished. Teefee hated that look. Moss extended her own hand. Teefee looked at it and lowered Teefee’s own hands in response. Teefee adopted a cold look, the ones Zafrina wore. Teefee got on Teefee’s own feet without help and began to walk back over to the buggy. Moss caught Teefee’s arm. Teefee yanked it free and spun to Teefee’s mistress. “You froze.” Moss said to Teefee. “Teefee did not.” Teefee lied through Teefee’s teeth. “Don’t lie Teefee. You became overwhelmed and locked up. I-” Teefee cut Moss off with a wave of Teefee’s hand, “Mistress thinks she knows everything. Mistress doesn’t know everything!” Teefee began to stalk off again. “Don’t go off pouting, Teefee. Sometimes the hardest lessons are the ones we don’t want. Come back here and let me help you.” “No.” Teefee said. “If you walk off now Teefee, you will be the coward you think you are.” Moss said in a quiet voice. Teefee froze. The words cut Teefee deeper than any claw could. And coming from the mistress no less? Was Moss right? A violence coursed through Teefee at the thought. In that moment, Teefee hated the mistress. But Teefee spun around anyways and stalked back over to the goblin. “Teefee hates you.” If Moss had been hurt by Teefee’s words, Moss made no show of it. Instead Moss folded her arms and smirked. “Despite that, Teefee came back anyway.” Teefee felt Teefee’s anger deflate like a beaver pond after a good rain. The type of rain that breaks the dam. Teefee wanted to hate Moss but Teefee couldn’t find it in Teefee. Oh, Teefee was upset at the mistress, that was true. And Teefee would be for a long time. Probably. But Moss was smart and Teefee… Teefee felt a wave of exhaustion wash over Teefee and Teefee slumped forward. The mistress caught Teefee and they settled to the ground where Teefee shut Teefee’s eyes for a bit. There was silence in that clearing before Teefee whispered, “Do you think Teefee is a coward?” “No. I think Teefee is just afraid.” Moss began to run one of her hands through Teefee’s hair. Teefee did not object. “Forgive your mistress for being rash, Teefee. For being needlessly cruel. She is tired and grumpy and should not have taken it out on Teefee. I won’t do it again.” Teefee said nothing but let the words alleviate some of the hurt Teefee felt. The mistress was good at heart but they all snapped from time to time. Did that make it right to hurt others? Teefee thought not but maybe Teefee would let it slide. Mistress had never hurt Teefee before, maybe it was just an accident? Maybe Teefee deserved it. Besides, the mistress rarely stroked Teefee’s head, why ruin a good thing? “I think there’s a way to boost your confidence in yourself, Teefee. A way we can prevent you from locking up if we ever get into a battle again. You might still but it could be a start in the right direction. You’ll have to start training with me again and much harder at that. No more shirking if I’m to give you Rose.” Moss said thoughtfully. Teefee’s head snapped up, eyes wide. “Mistress?” Teefee asked, befuddled. “I’m too old to learn a new tool. Rahdayo and Zafrina are too weak right now and Nikan is…” she leaned in and whispered, “Not one of us.” Teefee felt Teefee begin to shake with excitement. A deep contented purr welled up in Teefee’s chest and Teefee couldn’t contain what Teefee felt any longer. So Teefee began to rub Teefee's face against the Mistress in rapt joy. Maybe a little beat down was good from time to time. [hider=Summary] Moss and Nikan find a mysterious artifact. Zafrina wakes up. Teefee gets a slight beating. [/hider] [hider=MP] Mysterious Might Pool Start ??? -3mp to create the artifact, the Rose. A runic pistol that shoots exploding beams of light. Beautiful like a rose but deadly as its thorns. -1mp to bless herohood on a character; Teefee. End ??? [/hider]