Young, Innocent, and Proud

[Rhayeqasr]

The Puppeteer rested at the base of a large oak, musing over the simplicity of the life of a squirrel, whom she'd been watching for nearly an hour. It sat about twenty feet from her, gnawing on an acorn from the tree in which she sat. She was young, and life was so complex, so confusing. She knew little about the power of murder and seduction, but she'd eventually be trained in both arts. But for now, she envied the simple life of the rodent in which she intended to have for dinner.

With a sigh, the feline stood, stretching her well-rested legs. She was amazed that the squirrel had not yet noticed her. She had believed her hunting abilities were grand compared to many. Perhaps they may live up to this.

She thought for a moment, wondering which approach to take. Surely she could pounce and pin the silly rodent under a paw in one swift movement! That is exactly what she did-or tried to do. With her stumpy tail high in the air as she hunched low to the ground, she leaped with great determination. She landed awkwardly on her shoulder about six feet shy of the squirrel, who retreated up a neighboring tree.

She grunted with frustration, scowling at the spot the squirrel once sat, gathering food peacefully. As she stood, she winced at her severally bruised shoulder. Along with this, her pride was slightly crushed. She was only thankful that no other-aside from the squirrel-was around to see her embarrassment.

[Vyn]

At the sight of the lovely Masquerade colliding gracelessly with the ground, Zokumenoji let out a bark of cruel laughter. For a moment the sound echoed harshly through the trees, scattering a bird or two from their resting before the Patchwork slid into view. His hollow eyes flashed with amusement, a grin full of demented amusement dancing over his muzzle as he casually strolled out of the cover to mock the Bebe from a closer position.

Despite his rabbit-like ears, Zokumenoji possessed none of the Lapine's genteel nature, in fact...he had his father's cruelty blaring in his pupil-less eyes and a craftiness about him that warranted caution in his presence. He was not one to turn your back on.

In all honestly, letting any of Jiaro's children within pouncing range of you was never exactly the best idea. Zoku's sister was more aggressive than he, but his was far more often a verbal abuse than physical and his other brother was quiet...but not to be underestimated either. The only ones who were truly trustworthy was that bitter, mauled runt and Zoku's half brother: Kaejalin.

"What a foolish little hunter you are! Pathetic!"

Zokumenoji chimed out, laughing aloud once more and showing all the compassion of a lump of coal as he stalked ever closer to the feline Masquerading as a Bird. His tail swayed slowly, multiple bone ornaments clicking together like the sound of a hoard of skeletons dancing out of their closet.


However, in the shadows of the trees, another pale-eyed figure kept watch on the events, studying Zokumenoji's attack upon the Bird of Paradise. He would wait for now, to see if she could handle herself, but he would not allow Zoku to do her harm.

[Rhayeqasr]

Her ears lay flat on her head, tufts gently brushing her neck. She'd not be made a fool of!

"If you only wish to harass me, then you might as well leave."

The words were sharp and rhythmic, she'd not let some idiot insult her. Not when her pride was already injured, and not when she already lacked patience. She knew that her simple words would not have an effect on the male, but it at least made her distaste for mockery clear.

The feathers upon her back rustled gently as she shifted away from the Patchwork. On normal occasions, she'd introduce herself, and be thankful for the company. But this creature already had her blood boiling, strange how she didn't inherit any of her father's patience. Instead she was left with a temper.

With the twitch of an ear she faced him to make eye contact. She had nothing more to say to him, not yet. Instead she'd wait for his next move, she'd not leave, no matter how harsh his words. She never found the cold shoulder and silent treatment to be to successful.

[Vyn]

With each step Zokumenoji's tail lashed from side to side, the movement upholding the eerie, rattling music that was his brother's bones colliding lightly with one another.

"Come now, pigeon, do you think it's wise to speak to a Puppet Master like that?" A vicious grin tainted his muzzle. "I could tear you to pieces now and leave your corpse for the carrion birds."

He slowed to a halt in front of her, head lifted high with the vicious pride of an Annihilation. His more avoidant Smog personality was vacant, leaving nothing but the need to destroy for Zokumenoji to contend with. That, of course, was quite fine with him. After all, the savage cub had very few hobbies more satisfying than the mutilation of strangers.

"Now, how about you rethink your greeting?"

He, like the rest of his family, were the descendants of a God. The Jiarokumo. He would not tolerate being treated like a peer to this colorful lynx.

[Rhayeqasr]

Shit, a Puppet Master? She did not expect that, as she was sure Lapines could not be of such rank. But he was a patchwork, and was born of Jiaro's blood. She's only too foolish.

"I will not do such thing." Her eyes gleamed with a strange pride, and stupidity. She did not regret her greeting, why take it back? "And I've a name, Xakaeliarib. And I'd prefer to be called by it." She was a Bird of Paradise, a creature of much more elegence than a filthy pigeon.

"And if destroying me is what you really wish to do, I'm sure there is little I could do to stop you." Isn't the truth flattering? "But I'll be sure to leave a few scars on your lovely coat." He could, indeed, do away with her, but seh doubted he would. Though, she's often wrong in such situations.

[Vyn]

Zoku's ears might've been elongated, but he was no meek Lapine. There was far too much of his father in him, too much sadism, and those who underestimated him for his Lapine's blood were fools. The ornaments he adorned himself in should've been enough of a clue as to that fact.

"You think I'm afraid of a few scars, Pigeon?" Of course she had a name and, considering her theme, quite a bit of pride as well, but what did that matter to him? Xakaeliarib might've been a lovely name, but it wasn't half as fun to call her that. "Come on, birdy...take it back."

Zoku already knew she wouldn't, but that was half the fun...prodding her along until he could attack her. His claws flexed in anticipation, gouging into the ground lightly as he awaited her words.


Their silent observer didn't like the way this was going, not at all. Zoku was getting ready to pounce, and he recognized it in every subtle twitch of the Patchwork's lean frame. Then it happened, without warning to the unwary Zoku had lunged forward, only to be intercepted by a...squirrel?

Though little for an opponent against a Puppet Master, the squirrel was quite large for his breed and sported a black coat with intricate gray markings, complete with tufts of fur on its ankles and small spikes. Currently, it was latched to Zokumenoji's nose and he the Patchwork was viciously cursing someone by the name of Kaejalin.

Zoku lifted a paw and with one sharp movement knocked the clinging squirrel-shaped Figment from his nose.

"Damn you, Kaejalin! Don't you insult me with such illusions! Show your proper self if you're going to fight me!"


The squirrel tumbled off, rolled a few times and then lept back to its tiny paws...only to abruptly shift form into a handsome your Puppeteer. His tail lashed from side to side in that manner which was so common to angry felines. "Is this more to your preference, Zoku?" Kaejalin flicked his gaze over his shoulder at the Masquerade and he grinned comfortingly. "Hello, Xakaeliarib... I'm Kaejalin!"

Despite the color differences, Jalin recognized the resemblance between the lovely Bird of Paradise and her sibling, Jukaeva. That strange crow-masked child had taken some sort of morbid interest in Kaejalin's cause and so the two were rather well acquainted.

_{Zokumenoji: 8
Kaejalin: 14}

[Rhayeqasr]

She was silent for the moment between his words and his action. She knew nothing else to do, as she was angry beyond belief. She only stared at him with her shadowed eyes hidden beneath her colorful mask. She'd expected, after her taunting, that he'd take action. And when he did, she'd wished she were a less bulky feline, such a form would give her more agility, and swiftness. She readied to defend herself, claws retracted and muscles tense.

She was amazingly relieved when the squirrel came to her rescue, relieved and slightly confused. How could she possibly have mistook a Figment for a squirrel? This was not her day.

"Hi-Hello..." Confusion had her brow tufts in sharp angles. "Kaejalin." His name brought her comfort, and she wonder if it was false comfort, if he only had the same intentions as his brother.

[Vyn]

Kaejalin's greeting was warm and friendly, ending in a curt nod before his attention swung back to the Patchwork Puppet Master. It was not a smart idea to keep one's attention off of Zoku for too long, he was too crafty to trust in such a way.


In fact, Zoku had already closed a considerable amount of distance between them and was slowly circling closer and closer. His tail was held high, showing off his bone trinkets, while he narrowed eyes remained tightly focused upon his half brother.

"You're always conveniently at hand, aren't you brother?" The sly patchwork was creeping closer step by step, flexing his claws when he paused occasionally. "Always nearby to ruin our fun."

'Our', of course, was in reference of Zoku's rather large extended family.


Kaejalin's warm grin remained in place, contrasted oddly by a careless twitch to his tail and the sharpness of his hollow orbs. "Of course, Zoku, where else would I be? But surely now, you aren't in need of anymore trinkets?" For a moment his warm words faded considerably, his tone turning frigid and threatening.

Although Zoku would be just as infuriated as ever, such jibes were common between the two half siblings. They spent more time together than the other 14 of their family, either sparring or spitting cruel words between one another. It was a vicious cycle, but Zoku was more fond of Kaejalin than he'd ever let on to another living creature.

In fact, the vicious Patchwork was quite hopeful to see his half brother jump a rank or two when he finally left his bebe stage.

_{Zokumenoji: 10}