Gallavanting {Rei}

[Nathalia]

The Carrion moved slowly, ambling along and chuckling quietly to himself as he ambled along a large flat stone near the stream. Every now and then his eyes would jerk and twitch in their sockets, though he wouldn’t break stride. Every now and then he would nod, or shake his head.

He chuckled again. The complaining behind him was getting a bit more self-righteous and a bit more plaintive...perhaps it was time to pick up the pace and really let the old man suffer.

"Do it!"

The Chiroptae nodded, moving slightly faster. The voice had not been audible to anyone else, he had just responded, as though the command had been issued directly to his brain.

"Furl?" Came a thick, scraping, mutinously unhappy voice. "Wha' the hell, yew think yer doin'? Git back 'ere! Slow down, yeh parker! Wai' fer me, allright?"

Chunk! Scraaaaaaappe! Draaaaag!


Chunk! Scraaaaaaappe! Draaaaag!

The form of an old Mustilidae, mutilated and falling apart, pulled itself into view along the stone. His face, though noseless, was still obviously peeved at his traveling companion.



The Chiroptae looked over his shoulder, eyes twitching about before he focused on the old Torn. "Well, I did tell you we had to hurry a tad, didn't I, old friend?"

His voice was slightly muffled, owing to the pipe he had clenched between his teeth. Overall though, his voice was soothing, gentlemanly. It was difficult for the Torn to respond with much more than a resentful grumble and to heave on.

The Chiroptae slowed down again, ignoring a few mental snorts of derision, and admired the sights. The Park was certainly lovely this time of year, he did love the way that the light from the sunset played off of the leaves, changing them from green to many vibrant colors. Colors themselves were fantastic enough to get lost in.

"Come on, Mulsej. We're nearly there; I promise I'll greet the young Lapines if you'll report to our Lady."

He smiled, knowing that the old Torn would like nothing better than an excuse to talk to their Puppet Master...he did worship her so... Besides, it wouldn't be too much trouble; the young Lapines were always good for a laugh. Grinning to himself, he ambled on.

[Rei]

Page

Jumathos was happily curled up in his usual afternoon spot, a flat stretch of roof between two gilded statues that caught the rays of the setting sun perfectly, warming him to the core. He was stretched out lazily, half on his side, half on his back, one paw thrust upwards comically as his tail draped haphazardly over the edge of the roof. Every once in a while, an involuntary spasm would race up his back or down a limb as his dreams progressed in the fantastical plots.

It was in this state that the voices of two Euclide found him. One pure white eye opened halfway, the golden rune above it rippling with the muscle, as the lupine's ear twitched in annoyance. With a heavy sigh, he rolled fully onto his side, lifting his head to watch the passerby.

They were truly a disgusting pair, he saw, as they walked -- or dragged -- their way past the front of the small theatre. He stood and watched them as they went, his ears perked to catch their idle conversation -- he heard their names, of little interest to him, and something about young lapines...or even less interest. He yawned, sat, and shifted his gaze upwards to watch the setting sun. The park was truly beautiful at this time of day -- he was glad that he had secured an abode at its edge, rather than in the midst of the bustling city.

His time in the fresh air was about to end, though -- he would have to go inside soon. A show was about to start, and he didn't much want to miss it. It was opening night for a musical that he had written himself, and though the theatre was small, some very rich and influential people came to watch the masterpieces that he created.

[Nathalia]

Furl paused suddenly, his ears swiveling in an attempt to recreate the sound that had just been sent via telepathy into his brain. There! His ears tilted behind him, a faint rustling...just-

Whap!

Furl made an ungainly stumble forward as Mulsej, still complaining and not noticing his companion’s lack of movement, had simply (and unintentionally) head butted him in the small of the back. Whipping around, the Carrion slapped his thumb claw across his companion’s mouth to hush him. The Chiroptae's ears twitched and his eyes were flicking about like mad.

Mulsej watched him, eyes wide. Waiting for Furl's expression to change. Furl turned and gazed back at the statues they had passed. He then removed his claw from across Mulsej's mouth and headed over toward the area. His face looked pleasant and jovial, his pipe clenched between his teeth. Pushing his way past a few bushes, he soon encountered the Euclides who had made the noise.

A Canine, beautifully gilt with golden patterns spread across smoky fur. Furl raised his eyebrows and moved to a position free of foliage. He then bowed, spreading his wings to accentuate the elegant leg he made to the other. He was surprisingly clean for a Carrion...for any Euclides, in fact. He bathed often enough to nearly rid him of scent. His open wounds, though deep were uninfected and clean.

"Good afternoon," He murmured to the Canine. His voice was soft, soothing and silky, though somewhat muffled around the stem of his pipe. "Who do I have the pleasure of addressing on this fine day?"

Behind him, Mulsej turned himself about slowly, before dragging himself after the Carrion. He grumbled to himself in an annoyed, yet playful fashion, as he too, fought his way through the shrubbery.

[Rei]

Jumathos found his reverie suddenly and rudely interrupted, as one of the parading passerby turned and looked straight at him. It was the chiroptae, a Carrion, and though it was well bathed his keen nose could still pick up the scent of the deep wounds marring its body. His eyes narrowed as it moved towards his comfortable perch, fighting through the landscaping and bowing at him, as if he cared in any way for introductions or even interactions. The show was starting soon, and he didn't have time to waste being social, of all things.

So he decided no to. Waste time or be social, that is.

"No one." He said, then immediately projected a dream of a plain, blank stretch of roof. He sighed and lay back down behind the safety of his mental illusion, waiting for the sun to sink below the horizon so that he could go inside.

][ lol, antisocial. xD his illusion isn't that strong, though. it's only a dream, so...more of a suggestion of an empty roof? ][

[Nathalia]

Ja'Kaefurl blinked in mild surprise. He was slightly confused as to his surroundings. He was so sure that some one had been here when he entered...a Canine, of some sort. But there was nothing here...had he even spoken? He hoped not, how foolish he would have looked....wait...

The Carrion's eyes began to dart around inside of his skull; he remained still, his head turned in the direction of Jumathos's former resting place. Furl's irises flicked quickly from his shoulder, to his leg, almost rolled into the back of his head, and then back to the spot on the roof. His ears twitched slightly.

"Oh...I see, then. Furl?"

"Aye?" Furl murmured in his own head, the sound of his own voice, trapped within his skull pleased him so...

"Can you see that beast?"

"No, Magog...there's nothing there. I could've sworn that I was-"

"S' because you were. He's right there on the roof."

"Who is?" Furl murmured to the voices, the idea beginning to dawn on him.

"The Canine lad you were just talking to, he's put a sleep on you, Furl."

"A sleep on me? What's that supposed to mean, Varyn?"

"He means he's put us under the influence of a dream, from the looks of it...one that he doesn't figure in."

"Ah, thank you, Magog, always the voice of reason. How do you see him then?"

Even though it was in his mind, Furl could detect the smug undertone. "We never sleep."

The Chiroptae had appeared to freeze for about seven seconds, during which a horrid dragging noise had gotten louder. Furl gazed at the empty roof, pulled his pipe from his mouth, tapped the bulb on his claw, and smiled.

"So, you're still there, eh lad? Good cover, that dream stuff, I rather like it..."

Look to your left, he's to the left!"

Furl looked left, smile broadening as the haze he felt in his mind started to lift.

"I wonder what it is you like to do when that delightful parlor trick...fails..."

At that moment the bushes began to shake as an old torn began to rip them apart.

"Furl? Whatsh goin' on in ther'?" The ferret-like Torn practically fell into the clearing, looking around in a daze. "Ew're yew talkin' to, eh?"

[Rei]

Jumathos sighed. Well, that hadn't lasted long. The chiroptae must have some sort of companion, although he hadn't detected the presence of anyone else other than the old Torn. He casually dropped the dream -- the thing hadn't worked anyway -- and stood up, yawning.

"Interesting trick you have there." He observed, with a tip of his jaw in the Carrion's direction. "Shame, really...I was looking forward to watching the sun set this evening."

With a flick of his tail, he continued, "If you really want to know, when my 'parlor trick fails,' I simply...leave. Good day." He turned and walked slowly back towards the center of the roof, where an open door gave way to a rickety set of access stairs.

[Nathalia]

Furl smiled, showing his teeth clenched around the stem of his pipe. Mulsej banged into his leg, trying to stop the built momentum from falling partially out of a bush.

"Eh! Where's the lad goin'?" The old Torn asked loudly, hauling himself upright and watching the Canine move away from them.

The Chiroptae smiled. "Somewhere less noisy, I'll bet." He murmured, he seemed to pause and think for a moment then leapt into the air. Flapping heavily for a few seconds, then lowering his legs. "Grab on, old friend, let us find out where the 'lad' is going, shall we?"

Mulsej cackled, unpleasantly, ropes of saliva breaking and hitting the ground as he raised his paws and took hold of the Carrion's legs. Furl lifted them both onto the roof, and then settled, calling out to the Canine's retreating back.

"What's the hurry friend? Got a show to run off to?" The Chiroptae chuckled at his joke, not suspecting at all the actual reason. "Mind if we tag along? I'd love to see what it is that you do."

[Rei]

Jumathos' gaze turned upwards for a second, and a small sound of exasperation escaped his muzzle. He paused several feet away from the open doorway, turning to regard the other two Euclides with an even stare.

"In fact, I do have a show to run off to." His eyes narrowed. "You are welcome to watch it, if you are interested in these things. You will find ticket sales through the main entrance and directly to your left. There might still be a few seats left in the back." He nodded once, then spun on his heel, trotting through the rusted port and starting on the stairs.

[Nathalia]

The old Torn's face split into a grin of delight.

"Oooh! A show, Furl, why don' whe go 'ave a look, eh?" He shoved the Chiroptae's side playfully, and started to drag himself after the Canine. "Ah 'ave't seen a good show in ages. It'll be fuhn."

The Chiroptae rolled his eyes, smiling good naturedly, and moved after the other two. "Why not, I love a good show as much as the next person; let us find where these tickets are being sold, shall we?"

He rolled the stem of his pipe to the other side of his mouth, grinning and snorting smoke out of his nostrils. Tucking his wings tight to his sides, he moved through the doorway and stepped inside.

[Rei]

Jumathos stopped once more and looked over his shoulder at the two encroachers. "I said ticket sales were through the front entrance. This area is staff only. I'm afraid you'll have to leave this place and go around to the regular entrance."

Behind him, the empty staircase beckoned like a forbidden secret. But Jumathos was technically the "owner" of this particular theatre, and right now, he was also squarely blocking any progress down the stairs.

][ Ack, sorry, crap post I'm suffering from some writer's block at the moment. And just to let you know, if you're pushy enough, you can shove him aside and decide to "explore." xD The theatre has no set floor plan yet, so feel free to be creative. The only requirement is that there's a prop room within hearing range of the performances, because of the drabble on his page. ][

[Nathalia]

((OOC: Sounds good to me, I'll just pull some 'Furl intimidation'. He never expects it to work, that's why he gets away with it <3))

Furl placed one wingtip on his hip and spread the other akimbo, expression sardonic. "Well, as you can see; my friend is in possession of a rather severe handicap...I rather think we'll just go in through this entrance, then you can see us to the ticket sales if need be."

Mulsej grinned up at the Canine, ropes of saliva dangling from his underslug jaw...the ends of which extended a bit too far toward his ears to be normal. "S'righ', Lad. M' poor ould bones ah achin', why don' yeh jus' let us in 'ere, eh?"

The large Chiroptae bent down to put his muzzle directly to the nose of the Canine. His eyes flicked constantly from his shoulder, to his wingtip, to the back of his head, rolling unpleasantly. The Carrion's irises moved faster, until they were nearly a blur, his ears flattening to his head, though his expression never changed, it remained aloof, eyelids hooded. His eyes very suddenly stopped, frozen on the Canine's own.

"Here, look." He whispered. "I'll even say please..."

Furl's mouth formed into a taut grin, purposefully showing his teeth, eyes still hooded and nonchalant, his pipe stem squeaking slightly as his canines tightened on it.

Mulsej began to drag himself past, looking down the staircase with slight distaste, then shrugging and pulling his body laboriously down the first few steps.