Identity Of Being

[Flash_Guardian ] From somewhere inside the dojo, the pounding of steel on stone can be heard. A shattering and clattering coming from the depths of the wide and open west wing which is currently storing all the dojo's raw construction materials, or what's left of them after the completion of the dojo proper.

Kyos parked his bike near the shore of the mainland, walking over to a boat before he got into it and began to row towards the island, knowing this was a great workout for him as he used all the effort he could to propel the boat over the water. Soon he was there, making sure the boat was on the beach before he got out, letting the wind blow through his fur for a moment before he began towards the clearing, his tail moving back and forth slightly as his ears were on high alert for noises that would alarm him and possibly lead to trouble

Anwyn is once again absent from the Dojo proper, the loud echos of sound having driven her from her sanctuary. The long, wild haired youngster dressed in her usual tattered garb having found a little cleft of rock in a sea of grass to clamber upon, stave laid at her side, touching from bare foot to shoulder. The grey striped tiger of a tabby cat that seems a constant companion curled on her stomach, purring eagerly at the warmth of her skin. She seems to be looking at the sky, arms open to the sensations of the breeze, fingers waving like blades of grass in the chill winds, revelling in it. Any who saw more though would notice the rainbows ribbons of her spirit web, spiralling and unkempt to fly free in the morning, knotting in the wind, touching to the grass,reaching for the sky so alive as to leave the gaunt youngster smiling.

[Flash_Guardian ] Tap tap tap tap ... Crack!! Again the hammer and chisel rings out across the clearing as the industrious Flash labors over another of his many projects single-handedly. It should be ready soon, allowing those who fled the noise to return once again, should they wish to.

Kverk remained asleep near the shore, the golem resembling some long forgotton statue, left for decades by some unknown peoples. Salt had begun to collect on his surface and a seagull perched atop his should amongst the crags, bleating out its call in the morning. The golem kept its unseeing vigil mindless of all around him, even the rumbling within had lessened to barely a whisper. the Golem slumbered

Kyos stops as he hears the crack, staying where he is for the moment before he begins towards the dojo again slowly, crouching down slightly as that meant he could leap away from anything abit easier than if he was standing up straight. He only had on a t-shirt and jeans to cover his body and the fur except for his feet, his arms from the elbow down and his head. He finally makes it to the dojo, knocking on the front door of it quite loudly just in case a soft knock would not work

Anwyn flinches a moment, suddenly the sensation she was not alone stealing the smile from her face, little waves of panic bristling to throb unbidden down each strand of her strange web of warm, psionic sight, the ones that had reached to face to touch the gollum flashing into bright energy then recoiling as a shy fish from the bright bait of a hooked line. Eyes open, vivid, luminous jade green, wide and beautiful eyes, once black pupils clouded into uselessness, trying to see in the dark as all her webs wrap around her, hardening into a little shell. The girl was scared, and any sensitive on the island would hear it, a scream in the silence.

[Flash_Guardian ] The pounding abruptly stops shortly after the knock is heard. Mere seconds later, Flash opens the door inward, peering out to see the familiar face of Kyos, though in truth he does not yet know anything about him other than what Serielle has mentioned. "Oh, hello," he greets, peering over the cat-man's shoulder, giving him a sweeping hand gesture and bowing aside. "Do come in?" Out of nowhere, Flash winces at some invisible pin-prick, eyes turning up and away towards the beach ... he had a bad feeling about something. "On second thought, I'd better go check on something ... why don't you make yourself at home?" Too quick for Kyos to answer, Flash bounds out the door and heads for the beach as fast as his superhuman legs can carry him, whizzing dangerously between trees as he wends his way through the woods ...

Kyos blinks as Flash answers the door and then is sprinting off towards somewhere in the woods, wondering what was going on since he couldn't sense things like that. He shurgged softly as he made his way into the dojo, yawning and strecthing out like a cat would, with all the extreme motions of it before he made his way to a seat, purring softly as he sat down and relaxed, waiting for Flash to return from the diversion

Kverk 's stirred, what passed for his eyes began to slowly glow, the fire from within increasing in energy til the light flooded out. he rumbled loudly and the seagull leapt from its perch, but not before depositing a long white stream down his back. He rumbled again louder still, raising his arms into the air, as if yawning before settlign again to stare out at the sea and ultimately the horizon, he had felt something leap out of the air, this had awakened him anfd he stood contemplating it now... trying to understand

Anwyn prickles, every pore of her skin sensitised to that rumble, blind eyes wider still, the gangly frame of the womanchild coiled in on herself, her red hair a flag in the wind, a warning sign in the sea of green. Trying to understand, to rationalise, but her mind was still screaming, never had senses felt the dead of stone live. Flash, she could feel him coming closer, the spindles of warm rainbows lashing out to lease about him, strong and cloying to his skin.

Flash_Guardian closes the distance, trees giving way to morning sea-mist and sand ... and also the familiar rainbow tendrils that always seemed drawn to him somehow, like the arms of a fearful child wanting to be held. "Anwyn!" he cries out as his mind follows the unseen mental trails that lead him to her where she lays curled up on her rock, moving quickly to her side to take hold of her hand firmly, ever mindful of the overprotective feline of course. "It's alright! What is it? Tell me." Flash peers around for the source of the young woman's fright, easily spotting the golem of yesterday, towering darkened stone standing out clearly against light sands. "Ahhh," he says calmly, followed by, "I see."

Anwyn 's all but crawled into his lap, knuckles white from the grip of his hand, swirling miasma's of heated rainbow strands melding into their skin. The young woman is shivering as a leaf tossed to the storm, even the tabby cat seems content to let Flash deal with the near hysterical redhead. "Fvlash..." A small hiccup of a word, shuddered from parted cherried lips "I...I do not see..."

Kverk made a motion, what passed for blinking in the Golems world. Joints creaked as he slowly turned his head to survey the clouds rushing at the east. followed by a flock of birds that diped and dived towards a boiling mass on the seas surface, most likely fish. the golem rumbled lightly again

Flash_Guardian takes the girl into his lap, hunching over her protectively while he runs soothing fingertips through the girl's red hair, wincing slightly at the girl's potent grip. "Shh-shh-shh," he shushes her quietly. "It's alright, Anwyn. Nothing is wrong ... you're in no danger, I promise you. Shhhh ...." Flash's hand strokes upon the girl's head gradually slow down, as does his speech as he closes his own eyes and leans his head forward, speaking in softer tones. "Nobody here but you, me, the cat, and one other ... and the other is harmless, I assure you."

Kyos kept waiting for a few minutes before he stood slowly, making his way out of the dojo where he would proceed to look around, wishing he had followed Flash in the first place instead of going inside. He had no idea where the man was, so he merely started walking around aimlessly, hoping to find Flash, but not expecting to with his method of searching

Anwyn is coddled, soothed as a child after a nightmare, promises made to keep away the monsters lurking in the darkness under the bed, for that was what the world held for her know, shadows of perception, everything shaded from eys she was so used to using, left to to the haphazard chaos of her spirit webs that slung themselves where they pleased. Her fingers relaxing, breath becoming easy, lashes fluttering darkly against the bruises of sleepless skin, pale expanses of cheeks beneath. At least she was easily calmed, the cat purring to join them, on her lap as she nestles deeper into his "Ze schtone...it lives..." A whisper, a secret in the night of her world, shared with the one she trusted to be the light.

Flash_Guardian nods slowly, one arm holding the girl close to him while the other's fingertips brush gently down her back. "Yes," Flash replies to her quite honestly. "It does. But at the moment, it rests idly upon the shore, and poses little threat to anyone or anything." His speech is soothing, and yet with a highly curious undertone to every word, more so as he proceeds to ask of Anwyn, "Tell me ... what else do you see in the stone?"

Kyos slowly made his way around the island, not noticing anything, let alone any sign of life until he finally managed to come upon Flash and someone else, hiding behind a tree and peeking out from behind it to watch silently for the moment, not wanting to intrude since it looked like Flash was busy

Anwyn relaxes more each second, her head finding the pillow of his shoulder, her brow the comfort of his cheek, close and still for the warm pulses of her rainbow strands, closer still, the sensations sinking into skin. Her back arching closer at the little strokes, reassuring "It...it iz zad.." Her voice mirroring the emotion, hot tears pricking behind closed eyes "it vants to know ze world, zo badly...but..." Her breath seems to hitch, a tension strong as steel down her spine, eyes pressing tight closed "It...it iz zo zcared...ov vhat I have no idea hafing.." Turning her head from the shore, for fear it will come devour her now.

Kverk gave a slight and forlorn sounding rumble before its eyes began to close again and it went silent. its shoulders easing down and its head lolling onto its rocky chest, its shadow stretching long out behind it.

Unbidden keeps out of sight at first as before. This is an island of limited size, for sure, and one rather large squirrel, however black, could not possibly evade her forever here. There are however a great many trees here and many nooks and crannies in which to secure a squirrelly body. Toward that end, the woman has brought bait, and plenty of it. For the time being she has made her way around to the area north of the clearing, and just at the edge of the treeless area she steps out subtley to plant some sort of fruit apparently. Rather than melting back into the shadows, she walks forward into the clearing, straight toward the side of the dojo. Resting herself in the corner between the north and east wings, she leans against the wall and watches that area where she left the bait unerringly.

Flash_Guardian would look very much like a caring parent watching over a child who has just awoken from a nightmare, cradling the girl in his arms. Such would seem to be the scene to any who happen to arrive just now. Flash shivers slightly, feeling the close contact of the girl's mind all upon him. At her words, Flash's face brightens into a wonderful smile. "Good!" he praises her, squeezing her lightly against him in a quick hug of encouragement. "Very good, Anwyn!" He ponders for a moment, looking back to the creature before speaking again, feeling sympathy for it. Rudimentary being or not, the golem had feelings ... feelings that deserved just as much respect as any other living being's. "Perhaps it wants to friends, hmmm?" Flash offers as a suggestion. "Who knows ... maybe it's just as frightened of us as we are of it."

Kverk golem shudderd suddenly, its eyes blazing red and it began to move again towards the sea. its joint creaking and cracking. its footing became unsteady as it reached the waters edge, the sand around its feet slipping aside as eachstride pushed it through the waves which broke around its feet. now as it moved on its fists dangled in the watter, flicking spray up as again wave after wave pushed against hima dn as abruptly as he had ebgun, he stopped. staring once more towards the horizon and the clouds that passed over it. The golems eyes pulsing rhythmically again

Unbidden shuffles herself very slowly out of the corner, out along the north wall of the east wing to the edge. From there she peers around the wall, taking her eyes ever so slowly off the trap she laid to have a look at what the unusual master of this island may be doing today. He is still there, and so is the golem, though this time his particular person of interest appears to be another girl. A girl in earthen colours arranged in the style of forlorn desperation perhaps. Its hard to tell from here. An ever-so-slight rustle from the north side of the clearing catches her attention though. Something had noticed the fruit. It was black. It was a squirrel.

[Heyuka_Seisioko ] Falls from the sky hitting the ground as he hits the ground the earth shakes and caves in all around him as he starts to stand up his blade hits right next to him his hair flying all over covering his face making a black shadow around it grabs the blade handle removing it form the ground as a nice clean cut comes out as he pulls it all the way out then walks off over to the forest and sits under a tree seathing his blade then looks around as his ears twitch and his wolf tails swing side to side.... sighs resting his shoulders and looks around scanning ing the room and then crakcs his neck relaxing more and closes his eyes bowing his head down putting his leg up and resting his arm on it

Omenis looks to the island from the fdar shores of the main land....hands clasped in front of her as she gazes over the water silently comtemplating she had learned much since her first awakening ..as much due to the....understanding of those of this land then anything else..she had floundered many times..yet even so she had on occassions found drifewood to cling to...

Flash_Guardian watches the golem's newest actions with a bit of surprise ... as he watches the creature, his own mind begins to wonder just what lies beneath the surface of the stone seeking its release in the cold embrace of the winter ocean ...

Anwyn lets out a little surprised breath of air at the hug, unused to such closeness of being, her eyes flaring into sightless openess, lips wide and smiling in mimicary of the one she can sense rather than see. Responding as easily and as naturally as a child who answered the questions of a pop quiz, a little confidence uncreasing her frown "It iz alone..." All she could say "It iz all it knowz, zhare is...No, no..it zinks that it iz angry, ze world...haz shown it nothing of kindnezz." Understanding blooming onto her face as an already wilted rose "I underztand zis..." Rainbow tendrils flaring at once, reaching across the divide to lash about the Gollem, it wasn't alone, those warm unseen spirit webs were a link flaring to her.

Unbidden turns. Everything seems to go into slow motion. She noticed the movement. Over at where the fruit was left, and the squirrel had arrived, it somehow noticed her movement too. Smart squirrel. Not smart enough. It picked up the small fruit, turned and ran for the tree. Mariko was still turning, but straightened out her right arm with a twitch. A kunai slid from her sleeve into her waiting hand just as it rose. Her wrist flicked again. The squirrel ran up the tree. There was a thud, followed by a pained and alarmed squeal. The kunai had thudded into the trunk of the tree, straight through the squirrel's tail, right through the bone. The business-suit ninja walked over toward the tree, and over to her captured prey. She mutters in her own language, something distinctly oriental-sounding: "You have evaded me too long mr squirrel. Now you will give back what you stole or I will extract it from you."

[Heyuka_Seisioko ] Gazes over the grass watches the waves run throught it and the wind picks up his hair frolicks in the air and leaves flurish all around him scrapping against each other as it makes a nice meold to go with the animals running back home to start a new day.. turns his head to look over his shoulder and looks over to everyone's direction then ponders for a while as his hair moves into his eeys covering his face once more... tehn everything gets blurry as his eyelids get heavy and fall down causing him to go to sleep

Kverk glanced up again , it could see the speck on the far shore its eyes lightedonce more, flaring briefly and wildly, it expression began to change suddenly and it looked around back towards where flash and the girl where. nervousness creeping into the Golem unsure. it backed away towards the open sea. sinking deeper into the sand, but stopped again , the water now up to his neck. tilting his head he looked long at the pair before abruptly turning, his head eventually dipping below the surface and a small trail of bubbles followed him until thy gradually faded from sight

Kyos hath finally returned, from a nice well-deserved shower

Unbidden reaches into her pocket with two fingers and a thumb, fiddling around for something complicated momentarily, then pinching it out. She brings it close to her lips, and then blows the small pinch of dust in the squirrel's face. It calms down almost instantly, from squealing in pain to an almost comatose state. Carefully she catches the small body as its grip on the tree trunk is released, and she unpins its tail from the tree, the kunai slipped into another of her pockets. So that was that. She turns around and starts walking back over toward the dojo wall where she waited before.

Flash_Guardian smiles in understanding. A few more words are whispered just for the girl, though they may carry on the breezes of the sea just a bit. "Anwyn ... I don't ever want you to fight against what you see. I don't really know how or why, but ... your mind and spirit have found a way to more than make up for the shortcomings of your eyes. I would have you remember ... this world is exactly as each of us would percieve it. Don't fight with what your mind sees and feels ... take that knowledge and embrace it. After that, you can decide for yourself. That's as much as any of us can do, blind or otherwise."

Omenis takes a deep breath of the sea air....turning as footfalls take her to the bridge....even now she could see that part of it was being gently washed by the waves....soon it would be covered completely and she will have to wait for another day....and so she steps forwards what fears does she have of water....nothing....for there is nothing to fear in this world.....a hand coming up as she begins the walk her gaze having noticed in the distance some object moving into the water yet as she watches it disappears beneath

Flash_Guardian hears a massive whump from a falling body from the sky, not wanting to imagine how much that must have hurt to fall through two hundred feet of solid maple branches and palm leaves. Indeed, Flash simply prefers not to think about it ... he's done it himself on numerous occassions, and knows how sore that always makes him for the rest of the day.

Kyos stays mostly hidden behind the tree as he continues to watch Flash and the other person, very afraid to approach them at the moment as he ducks behind it totally now, not wanting to be seen since he was probably evesdropping on something important between Flash the other person. He slowly sank down againist the tree, just sitting there as he rested his head on his knees that he was hugging close to his body at this point

Anwyn 'looks' up at Flash, with the sightless depths of clouded pupils, jade green fathomless and pricked with bright stars of tears, responsibility sitting heavy on her young shoulders as she nestles closer into the arms of the man she sees in so many shades of bright "Iz, it..Right, zat I am zcared?" her vocie so small and easily lost as the car mewls, and turns to rub his cheek to Flash's chest, the girls voice dropping away to nothing but spirit, where it was clean of accent and pure of fear "If but I could do what it does, hide as marble and never be seen to feel...Then known would know me to hurt me again."

Unbidden leans herself now against the outer easterly wall of the east wing of the dojo. She holds the squirrel in both hands and turns it upside down. Now how precisely was she supposed to extract the diamond from the squirrel's stomach without killing it? Its a wonder it managed to swallow the thing at all, but there was no way the thing was going to continue through the digestive tract. She would either have to cause the squirrel to somehow cough it up, or surgically extract it from its stomach. Alternatively she could do the heartless thing and remove the squirrel from around the diamond. There are plenty more squirrels in the world. On the other hand. She glances over toward where flash and his usual party had been before. Perhaps he had some alternative means. Her particular 'magic' capabilities didn't extend as far as surgical extractions from squirrels stomachs.

Omenis lets her arm fall once more clasping her hands in front of her as she continues to walk upon the ever growing muddy pathway....the sea approaching her in waves...gently lapping over her boots...yet instantly withdrawing ..her head down as she watches this reaction she had now learned that this was the way of the sea....to carress and withdraw...the wet ebb of form falling back in its lacy appearance...more steps taken towards the shore of the island

Flash_Guardian lifts his head now just in time to catch the Golem's head as it trails away into the water, rather sad to see it go and not wanting it to leave now that he knows of its secrets ... "Anwyn," he tells the girl gently, " no one is going to hurt you here for what you are. You have nothing to fear ... not from us, and not from yourself." And now Flash squeezes the girls hand one last time, stroking the cat's back once reassuringly before standing atop the coastal stone, head held high against the winds that blow against him, tossing his hair and billowing his cape out behind him as he calls to all that would hear him. "We are all strange! We are all different, each in our own way! But there is no shame in difference! Only in believing that those differences make us better or worse than others! What does it matter if our bodies are made of stone, or we have been gifted with a strange and somewhat frightening talent? Underneath all the physical layers lies the same spirit!"

Kverk glanced around his surroundings now.. cold... but full of life and motion. within his grip he carried what he sought , some unbidden message arriving to him and now he trudged through the mud at the sea bed toward the land bridge, unable to shake htis odd feeling that now looped about him, if you could say a golem had feelings. he began to steadily climb up, releasing a stream of bubbles now and then which would break gently on the surface and as before a huge stone hand reached from the sea, breaking the surface and clamping down on the land bridge in front of omenis and the Golem levered himself out on to dry land, 2 huge silvery blue fish held firmly under his arm... tuna it would seem. he knelt there hunched for a moment, the light in his eyes growing steadily stronger and he turned to face Omenis.

[Flash_Guardian ] At last, Flash seems to calm down, his voice lessening just a little. "We exist ... but that's not enough. We have to learn to exist together , because let's face it ... we do." At that, Flash frowns just a little, casting a final glance to Anwyn before hopping down of his rocky soap box.

Unbidden takes a few moments to clean herself up for the sake of appearances. She puts the unconscious squirrel down on the ground, whips the cloth she had before now from her waistcoat pocket and wipes her hands clean. She also wipes clean the kunai she used and slips it back up her sleeve. Finally she reaches to her back pockets and pulls out a pair of white gloves, delicate-looking things, and pulls them over her hand. Carefully she picks the squirrel up again by the body with one hand and walks over toward the little group, wherever they have got to now.

Unbidden guesses this is animal-catching day for the golem too.

Anwyn rises to her feet, timid, slowly, cat caught to her chest and held close to allow the wind to buffet and play in the caressing freedom of the wind, the heartbeat of the ocean on the shore reassuring as she smiles to Flash's words, a laugh sparking deep in her breast and bubbling out with the clarity of distant thunder, as free as the breeze, playing with it almost. " There are different spirits...But the same heart... " A soft smile settling on a young faced aged old with hard hewn wisdom " We are, bound by this diversity not trapped by it, yes? " It seems her spirit, injured as it maybe seems unbroken, strong, tall and proud at this moment, raching to link hands with Flash, then relents the hold, to let him go, leaving her as a bastion to the coast, a lighthouse, the brightness of her rainbow webs shuddering in the morning sun.

Omenis head jerks up as the words come to her on the wind carried to her......the voice she recognised to be Flash's though she had never heard him rise it so how to the sky before...head tilting as she tries to understand the words..or was she just trying to hear them...wondering what had brought him to such an outburst....and then white foam...the surging of waves catch her attention as they apart and stone appear....a head....shoulders....eys that she recognised...her lips splitting into a smile as bright as any day..and as the figure continues to rise even before its fully on ground she runs the short distance to it her arms going around it ...as best as she can for of of flesh and blood

Unbidden watches Anwyn with some interest as she draws closer. She remains witness to a strangeness that does not forthly explain itself well. Questions may have to be asked, but are presently of little important. Mariko looks to Flash instead, back to formality, albeit formality with a squirrel. Her approach draws to a close within range. Once again she seems to be interrupting an otherwise apparently important train of thought with her own matters. It is of little concern to her though. Even though it concerns a squirrel of all the frivolous things, it also concerns a diamond of quite considerable worth. Problems of golems and natural cycles could wait.

Kverk rumbled lightly, his face as always passove and cold. his expression changed little as the girl embraced him and he moved to stand slowly, giving her ample time to release him, lest she be dragged up, he thought better of it, shifted his weight and offered his free arm for her to sit on. he would carry her the rest f the way to the island.

Flash_Guardian takes the hand that is offered happily, glad to hear that Anwyn understands ... unable to keep his own quiet laughter in as he hears her laugh for what must be the first time. "You should laugh more often, I think. And yes ... very well spoken." Flash does relinquish his grasp as he turns to leave her there, but stops short as he seems to get an idea of some kind. "Anwyn ... if it's alright ... I think I may be able to help you understand what it is ... how it is that you see things. I would certainly like to, if you would let me."

Omenis smiles her arms hugging him obviously pleased at meeting him once more..." Hello Kverk how are you my friend?" blinking as she feels her feet lift from the ground....held by this thing that Flash says is a golem not that she had known this...." What have you been upto since we last talked...?" her arm around him still

[Unbidden ] " Sumi masen " ...

Flash_Guardian catches sound, and then sight of the businesswoman from before as she comes out of the trees holding a squirrel with fur black as night in her hands, grinning and shaking his head. "I see you found what you've been looking for?" he asks rhetorically, looking to the limp tree rodent's body which hangs from her grasp.

Nickola Walks forward across this land, her bright eyes looking around in interest. A hand rubs her arms gently which are covered in a long white shirt, feeling some sort of chill. Pushing dark hair back behind her ears, she sat herself down, placing her red string bag down beside her, her red skirt flowing around her. Pulling the bag open, she takes out a small book, opening it gently to reveal crisp white pages covered in spidery ink writing. Sighing, she begins to read the words, her eyes focused intirely on the book, attempting to concentrate.

Anwyn turns to Flash's voice, away from the chilling winds that carry the briney life of the oceans, wild red mane tangled to her mid-back in unfettered, merry spirals. "Ai...trust yhou, Fvlash." Seeming to be the only answer she would give, the tall youngster looking almost imposing up on that outcropping with her spiderweb of spirit sight winding with the wind. Smiling almost fiercely, the child could be so much, so many things but needs to be nothing more than what she is this moment, this bright winter's moment with a friend by her side and the sun on her skin. Herself.

Kverk manouvred his arm beneath Omenis so she would not fall and he began to rise again, turning towards the island and pacing forward as the surf began to sweep up over his feet and recede again. he looked at Omenis and rumbled lowly. unable to answer. his pace was swiftening and they were soon nearing the other end. it wasa comon misconception that golems were lumbering hulks, slow moving and lethargic. Kverk could produce a surprising turn of speed.

Kyos sighed softly as he stood, slowly yet softly walking away from his spot, heading towards somewhere on the island that was a bit quieter as he felt uneasy at the moment, just needing to be alone for the moment. He found a nice tree, sitting againist it before he hugged his knees to his body again, hiding his eyes as he felt like he wanted to cry for absolutely no good reason. Sometimes he just wanted to cry for no reason, except for that it somehow made him feel better on the inside temporarily until the next time he cried.

Unbidden makes a hasty bow to Flash for the sake of politeness then skips immediately to the question at hand. "Sir. Would you have some harmless means of extracting a stone from a squirrel's stomach?"

Shouou rows once again near the isle's shores. "And stroke!" as he continues to push the boat along with the oars. "Hmmmm."

Omenis watches in awe ...only once has she been higher then this....and that was when she had possessed wings.....she trusted her friend and it easily showed....a hand reaching for the stone that passed for an ear.....feeling its rough surface of the stone....nodding " You need only tell if you wish I understand.....have you done more of that finger stuff....?" looking up as she sees them both getting ever closer to the shore now

Nickola her mouth gently opens as she reads the words, her eyes fixed on the words fiercely. Sighing, she put the book away. "il have to try and read the song another time." she thought to herself, taking out her small silver whistle. She was in no mood to attempt to read today, and as like most times she decided she'd justplay around and do what she knew best. Play music. placing the whistle to her lips she played a soft tune, being careful not to disturb the ones around her as she had done many times before. Not many shared the same passion as she.

Kverk began to slow his stride, he hadleft deep foot shaped imprints in sand behind them , thudding along. he rumbled again and shook his head. he had been sleeping since yesterday or what passed for sleeping. his stride began to shorten and as they approached the beach he slowed to s astop and began to carefully kneel down, taking care not to dislodge Omenis. He looked at her plainly. his eyes blinking slowly as a cat might

Flash_Guardian smiles back to the girl upon the rock happily. "I take it as a compliment," he tells her before his tutorish words begin. "But just remember, I won't always be there to be your eyes and answers ... you must also learn to trust in yourself. Don't worry ... in time, you will find the way. And I will help you to it as well as I am able." And now Flash makes his way to the woman, hands on his hips as he appraises the squirrel ... a magnificent creature for certain, as they don't often come in that shade. "Are you giving me a present?" Flash asks her playfully in spite of the business-like air that seems to surround her. "And if so, is it the squirrel, or the stone?"

Unbidden offers but an uncertain smile, though the uncertainty is the key feature and shows clearly without directly showing it that she finds his humour distasteful since they do not directly know each other. Its a matter of culture more than anything. All the same her reply is straightforward: "If you can help me get the stone out, then you may do as you wish with the squirrel."

Omenis shifts and wiggles slipping off the solid form of the arm that had held her so securely.....a smile beaming to him as he looks at her....." Have you made more friends....Flash and many more that are here will be your friend I am sure..."

Kverk rumbled again, the sound could almost be confused for a chuckle if it were not for the odd undertone that accompanied it. he began to rise again, the golems joints once more offering the same creak and noise of sliding stone as he stood up, now reaching under his arm and grasping the fish before turning to look wher flash was

Flash_Guardian ponders the woman's predicament, rubbing his chin and bending over to look at the creature more closely, as if this would somehow lead to his solution. "Hmmmm ..." At length, an idea strikes him. "I don't suppose there's any big rush in getting this rock out, is there?" He glances to the woman and back again, to the squirrel through squinted eyes. "I may have a solution, but you won't get your hands on it until tomorrow. And it won't be pretty, I can promise you that."

Shouou hops out of the small rowboat as he comes ashore, takeing a small bit of rope tied to the front bow of the little ship with him so that he can easly pull it along.

Omenis eyes drop to the fish for the first time....eyes widening a little wondering what they were....head tilting as she watches one end wiggle madly.....the glass bead eyes of the creature....

Unbidden raises one brow slowly. "If that is what it will take, but I must be assured that the process is not one that will permanently harm the creature. I come to you only for an alternative to cutting the creature's stomach open. Understand this. If it will take this long, then sobeit. I will stay here and observe the process."

Kverk turns his gaze back to Omenis and he sees her watching the fish, he tilts his head and then turns his attention to the still wiggling fishies, something flashes across his face, a change in expression and he turns his back on the girl, hiding the fish from view, there is a slight flash and a sudden intake of air and the golem lets out another long rumble before turning back to Omenis, holding the now very still fish in his hands.

Kyos sighed as he just began to cry softly from his spot, making sure it was soft enough so that no one could hear him, since he believed someone would hit him if they heard him crying, and he did not want that. He had been hit so many times in his life, that he was used to it, but he still never wanted it, because when they hit him, they made sure to go out of their way to hurt him as much as possible and leave reminders of what they had done to him

Anwyn has gone back to gazing blindly out at the ocean, unseeing eyes closed to the ebb of the breeze that toys with her hair as a bored younger sibling, trying it's best for attention. The cat left to the ground, to wind infinity in shape around her ankles as hands splay wide to the sky, arms raised. The youngster spins about on her heels, sending bright spectral rainbows of spirit, pisionic streamers to wrap around her then release, like ribbons wound about a gift. Smiling brighter than the sunlight. Words not needed, she was never one ot favour them.

Omenis taps the fish......" What are these..?" her fingers running lightly over the surface of one fish.......eyes lifting to look at Kverk.....she had watched his actions as baffled as she had been before....and then...as she had done with Kverk she placed her cheek upon its body...the fish that is.....eyes closing

Kverk bent over, pulling the fish away from Omenis face and shook his head. he reached out and began to pull a finger through the ground and sketched the word 'fish' and 'unclean' in the sand before standing once again

Flash_Guardian looks around now, seeing that once again far too much is happening for one man to take care of. The woman with the squirrel, the man with his boat, the girl with her golem and the golem with its fish. At least Anwyn was content. Flash turns his attentions back to the squirrel for the moment, as the poor creature will require his attention now more so than any of the others. "Omenis ... I'd like you to meet someone. Her name is Anwyn, and she's sitting over there on the rock. Anwyn, the other girl nearby is Omenis, also a friend of mine. Sir Golem?" he continues, calling to the creature with respectful words and tones, "your gift of fish is greatly appreciated. There is a bathtub back at the dojo you can place them in for now, and I will get to them later when I have time. For now, I have business with a squirrel and a stone." Flash takes the sleeping creature gingerly into his arms, calling back over his shoulder. "And can somebody please help our other guest secure his rowboat? Thanks."

Kverk nodded to Flash's words, gave a quick bow to Omenis and raised a hand to brush lightly across her cheek before he turned walking towards the Dojo and out of sight, undoubtedly to deposit the fish, The golem didnt return from this task.

Omenis blinks as the fish is pulled away...eyes darting open quickly as they look at him puzzled.....turning and watching as he forms words in the sand......her lips moving as they form the words....looking back at him questionly..." Unclean?...." what did this mean....head turning quickly to the sound of Flash's voice.....

Shouou blinks as he looks at Flash. "Well thanks..." as he slowly pulls it to the shore line and sighs abit. "Oi, well that was abit cold and wet, I suppose that's the way of water..." as he speaks mostly to himself and not to any singular enity.

Unbidden turns to follow Flash, showing not the slightest hint of attention to any of the others, though she is privately aware of what each of them is doing, even Kyos out of sight among the plantlife.

Anwyn leaves her happy girl to lounge on the rock, soon succumbing to one of her frequent naps, like the cat that she was so closely allied with. Girl and cat curled uptogether to bask in the warmth, adding a tan to her pale features. Dreams of flying, of stone that lived and the warm safety of her Flash to lull her away to the loving arms of nevermore, dreamtime slumbers bringing a smile to delicate features Flash_Guardian places the squirrel gently upon the ground, rubbing his chin and gazing down at it as he ponders. "I don't suppose any of you have some rope? It doesn't have to be all that long, only ten feet or so ..."

Unbidden doesn't need to be asked twice. She holds out some very thin but strong cord which somehow she had hidden somewhere about her person, despite the lack of any carrying device and the more distinct lack of any bulge in her clothing which would suggest implements kept inside.

Shouou points to his boat rope, fairly long once untied from the bow. "I just need to pull it and flip it over so it doesn't wash away, and I'm Shouou... W'e've meet once i think."

Omenis seems confused caught as it was between two actions.....looking over towards where the girl Flash noted to her....and twisting quickly to feel the soft touch of Kverk before he walk off with the fish to the dojo with a soft sigh she begins walking over to where the female Flash indicated was laying....gazing down upon her form her head tilted as she watched....watching the others body slowly and gently rise up and down....Omenis tilts her head a little....

Kyos finally stopped crying after a few minutes, as the tears would not come anymore from his eyes, but he sniffled softly as he continued to hide there and stay in his own little depressed state, thankful no one had come and bothered him because his inner emptiness was his to deal with. Showing it to others would probably get him beaten by someone if he was not careful, plus who would he really expect to care about his feelings except for Sparx, but that was it. One person out of all the sentient creatures that could communicate in the known and unknown areas of the universe cared, which made him feel even worse inside. It was bordering on a vicious cycle of his depression being fueled by his unwillingness to get help, and the lack of help caused the depression to stay and even grow day by day if he was not careful

Kitari would appear in a flash of bright lights, next to Flash. He would look about all the people wanting to talk to the man..and would smile, "Your popular."

Flash_Guardian looks now between the woman and Shouou, not entirely sure whose assistance he should accept and not feeling as if he has any time to decide for himself, so he simply shakes his head and stands over the squirrel. "Yes, I believe we have met before ... good to see you back again. Anyway, I need a lasso, and I don't care whose rope is used. You two figure it out." All at once, Flash's entire posture and demeanor seems to change, a serene seriousness descending over rigid features, hands held out in the air in front of him with palms facing down towards the helpless squirrel as he gathers the focus required to work his magic, the sea breeze moving through spiky red hair and cape making it seem just that much more dramatic ... so intent is his focus that he hardly acknowledges Kitari's arrival with anything more than a grunt and slight nod. This part was crucial, and Flash didn't want there to be any mistakes.

Unbidden was on guard the moment kitari appeared, already having taken a defensive stance in apparent alarm, though her expression changed very little. Slowly but surely, as she hears the comment though, she looks to flash again. "This person is known to you? No threat with such appearance I hope."

Unbidden 's wary stance is particular to a discrete form of ninjitsu, though one would have to be familiar with some branch of the art to recognise it particularly.

Omenis glances over towards Flash but looks quickly back down at the curled figure ipon the rock she was unsure what Anwyn was doing but she could sense nothing.....well......just one emotion that seemed to be right for what she was doing...

Kitari just wolls his eyes, "That was nice." He would mumble under his breath, "Anything I can do?" He would say outloud.

Shouou shrugs softly and continues to pull the craft up the beach. He flips the boat over easily enough and starts to undo the rope for the bow and undoes the knots. He looks at Unbidden, "So did you want to use your rope or mine?" as he pulls the rope loose, as starts walking his way up toward Flash, coiling the rope as he walks.

Unbidden straightens herself up, giving her clothing a quick straightening and giving Kitari a particularly distasteful glance as she returns a little more cautiously to watching Flash with the squirrel.

Kitari would eye Unbidden, he would move to his butterfly stance for a moment, and would bow politly, his wings slowly dissapearing in his back.

Kyos sighed softly as he reached into his jeans, pulling out a necklace with an oval of onyx engraved with a cat's eye in gold on it, slipping it around his neck to transform his appearance from what he really was to what he wanted others to believe. His fur, his tail, and his cat ears were gone, instead the appearance of a human now so that he could blend in better with normal people and not be considered a freak. He did not move from the spot however, as he still felt empty and sad inside, wishing he knew how to feel better, even in a small way

Flash_Guardian wrinkles his brow, doing his best to keep his concenration despite all the people who yet wish to speak with him. "Mm-hmm," he answers the businesswoman with a slightly annoyed undertone. Thankfully, Flash is well practiced at his sorcery, but this was no cheap parlor trick he was about to attempt. Slowly pale green shards of energy begin to gather around his hands, swirling about in infinite circles, looping about each hand as the numbers grow and the power intensifies ... then all at once, Flash thrusts his hands downward, jolting the energy into the poor helpless creature! A pure green glow of light envelops the black squirrel laying motionless upon the sand until the color of its fur can hardly be noted ...

Unbidden turns to give the most blank of glances to Shouou, as if just to be reassured that someone existed there. Her concerns are her own presently.

Omenis turns now as her eyes scan the area for Kverk...or perhaps Flash both seemingly having been lost.....head tilting to the side a little

Kitari continued to watch Unbidden.

Shouou simply smiles at Unbidden, "Well would you prefer useing your rope or mine, since Flash did ask us to work it ourselves." as he spins the rope loosely, shakeing his legs out alittle to free the water and sand. "Oh and smile, it's not that harmful."

Unbidden replies cleanly: "Your tools would be better put to your own goals, and my tools to mine." ... and then she smiles. Its not a humourous smile, or even a friendly smile. Its the smile of someone who is doing it to be polite, and who would probably gut you without a second thought if it proved beneficial to do so.

Unbidden turns her attention eventually back to Kitari, as one cannot help but notice being stared at from such close range. "Yes? Can I help you?"

Flash_Guardian is near Omenis and all the others at present working his magics over a squirrel, directing the green energies in swirling patterns about its still form. Gradually, the shape taken by green light and black fur begins to twist and change, swelling in size ... as certain parts lengthen, others broaden ... pert nose turning to long muzzle, arms and legs lengthening into four legs, slender but strong ... tail shortening and thinning to simple strands of hair, as more hair seems to sprout in a line from the top of its head all the way down its now substantially longer neck ... still the creature swells in its new form until it is larger than any of the others standing nearby. Only then does Flash's concentration seem to lessen, his tension falling slack as the remaining magical energies swirl about the form of the black-furred, white-maned horse one last time before vanishing into the air from whence it came. Flash lets out a long breath, as if he had held it throughout the entire procedure.

Unbidden can't help looking back at the result of Flash's work either though. Turning a squirrel into a horse is certainly not something she has seen before, though most uncertain is she of how the squirrel would feel if it were to wake up a horse. Nor does she understand of course how this is supposed to help precisely, though she does have an idea and at least trusts partially enough in Flash's actions not to feel the need to ask.

Shouou suddenly dead pans, giveing her nothing, a staute could have more emotion pulled out from it, as he simply relaxes his face again and shakes his head. "I've worked with too many dead stiffs like you in the past, and the sad part is they're dead, and I'm not, being cold is easy, remembering to feel is the hard thing to do." as he walks past Unbidden seeming unfazed and full of mirth. He puts the rope near Flash's feet and walks back toward the beach.

Layne made his way across the land bridge, his feet gettting wet as he went, the tide not as low as it could be. He walked slowly however not seeming to have a care. His head was down slightly and his guantleted right hand rested lightly on the hilt of his blade. Eventually he came to the island where he stopped to look around. The lower parts of his garbs were wet and hung still in the slight breeze. He began to move along the trail throguh the woods, his wrapped feet maknig only slight noise as he went, his guantlent giving the slgiht clank of metal every so often. His ehad was up now a smile crossing his lips, and his eyes burning bright. After some time of walknig the long path he would begin to hear the movements and voices of those ahead. He veered from the path into the woods were he continued to the edge of the clearing. He removed his hand form his blade and carefully crouched behidn some bruch, now looking around the clearing of the dojo for anyone that may be there.

Omenis opulent eyes rest upon Flash.....she was unsure what he was doing and yet......her brows knit...the light..catching her attention fasintated with its ever growing shape.....glancing at Flash as she could sense....what was it she could sense....stepping back with a surprised " Ohh " as the creature vanishes..what was Flash up to

Unbidden is just a little insulted by Shouou's comment, and thus doesn't justify it worthy of so much as a glance in reply. Besides, this Flash person's method of removing a stone from a squirrel's stomach is most unorthodox and considerably more interesting. The question still tugs at her though whether the stone itself would be changed by this process. She sincerely hopes not. What she deliberately neglected to mention is that its a very particular diamond of very particular worth.... an heirloom that she is being paid a considerable amount to retrieve no less.

Flash_Guardian drops his hands to his knees, stooped over and panting lightly. "There. It's done. I don't think I need to tell you what the lasso is for now, do I?" he tells them, taking the rope and kneeling beside the beautiful midnight horse's head, looping the lasso around its neck. "Like I said ... this won't be pretty," he says, gazing back to Omenis with a reluctant grin, "but give it a day and that rock should come right out ... just as good ol' mother nature intended." He pats the sleeping horse's cheek a couple of times. "He should be awake soon ... I'm going to stay with him until he wakes, just to make sure he understands." And sure enough, Flash sits himself beside the horse to wait, watching the others.

Unbidden understands now. Perhaps her first hint of emotion, and whats more her first apparently female expression comes to her ever so subtley as she asks: "I'm hoping that when it does come out, that you would continue your assistance in retrieving it and perhaps helping clean it?"

Shouou yawns lightly as he walks along the beach looking here and there, o/` My Bonnie lies over the ocean... o/` and contunies the song as he walks.

Omenis blinks at Flash wondering who this mother nature was.....and what did it intend.....glancing to the horse..a hand reaching out to it....eyes a little wide as she steps closer glancing to Flash to make sure he had no objections for surely he knows what actions would follow...

Layne noticed no one was around the clearing. In his state of no motion now the voices could be heard coming from another direction. He stood quietly from his place in the brush walking past it and out into the clearing. He reached to his left side with his right hand drawing his blade. The katana gave a long shick of metal on metal. He held it to his side only slightly raised as he heads for the dojo's front doors. He placed his clawed guantlent finger tips on the dojo's main door for a second, but then stopped before opening them. He backed up looking to his right and left. He mumbled to himself. "She's not here" He quickly and silently made his way around the dojo to the opposite side the voices had come from. He croched palcing his back against the wall and waited.

Flash_Guardian gives the woman standing near him a mocking look of annoyance. "Sheesh, how did I end up doing your job?" he says, scowl quickly turning to a wink and a grin. "For as much as this diamond is worth, I think all my labors should earn me a piece of this reward, don't you think?" Flash chuckles and looks back to the horse, absently stroking the side of its face rather than wait for any kind of answer, as such wasn't needed or required. He grins, seeing Omenis's tentative curiousity as always, quickly nodding to her and beaming. "It's alright. Go ahead!"

Shouou blinks as he hears Flash's remark and chuckles just a tad before going to start the next verse of the song. o/` O Bring back... o/`

Unbidden appears not to enjoy taking a dip in western culture. Its crude and crass at the very least. "I had not forseen your personal take on the removal process to include such unpleasantly messy stages. You will be paid for your assistance if that is your wish." .... Her eyes start to wander elsewhere now though. She thought she heard the sound of an unsheathing sword somewhere, amid the rest of the nearby noise and frivolity. "Excuse me one moment." She turns away and starts toward the dojo, toward where she heard the sound.

Omenis beams at Flash needing no second beckoning....as eyes bright she knees down beside the horse....her hand stroking over the creature before her....such a big strong creature yet even so ...unlike Kverk...but strong none the less....her hand feeling its muscles and texture of flesh

Drakenmore.Katsumi enters Redfang Island walking slowly around, trying to take the same path he'd taken his last visit here so that he wouldn't get lost. He wondered, observing everything closely for any resemblances.

Layne kept his spot against to wall near the corner of the dojo. Anyoen entering the area form the previously heard direction shouldn't beabel to see him right away. He was still and motionless aside from the rising of his chest to take in long and shallow breaths. His blade was still raised out to his side as he patiently rested and waited.

Flash_Guardian calls back to the woman plainly, though amused. "Miss? I was joking. There's no need to pay me at all. I'll simply be happy to know that no cure and furry animals were harmed in the endeavor." Flash shrugs, letting the woman go and do as she will. Hey, it's free island, so long as you behave.

Unbidden momentarily thought she heard movement ahead, but the noise has stopped. Its the sound of someone trying to hide, and instantly it becomes more of a concern. Checking back to make sure that none of those behind her are paying any particular attention to her, she silently leaps up right onto the roof of the east wing of the dojo. With ever-so-careful movements, she slinks across the tiles and peers just over the edge to the point where she spots a figure waiting in the shadows with weapon drawn. Interesting, but what was his intent?

Omenis seems to waste no time after stroking the creature to nestle her head against the creatures body eyes closing as she takes a deep breath....her fingertips lightly carressing the horse.....

Flash_Guardian simply watches the horse, stroking it along its head and neck as he mutters to himself. "Once a squirrel, now a horse ... but still the same spirit. We can let our outsides dictate who we to other people, but when it all comes down to it ... it's what's inside that counts ... that makes us who we are."

Shouou begins to wonder around the beach of the island, blinking as he just reaches the edge of hearing Flash, "Well said." as he continues to walk on.

Eli appears literally out of thin air, with a small pop and a brief flash of glowing light most likely not visible to anyone but herself. Such is just the nature of it. Bloodstained rapier in hand, bewildered expression on face, tongue poked out and one finger raised in a universal rude gesture are all quickly turned into a embodiment of the phrase 'Uh-oh' as, indeed uh-oh, she drops right into the water, thankfully far enough from shore to cushion her fall. Who ever said she appeared above land? All things considered, water is probably better either way. Doesn't hurt as much as ground would. Looking every bit as miserable as a drowned cat, this newly arrived bundle of partially torn leather armor, and now also seaweed, extricates herself from the water. Doesn't look entirely happy, does she?

Flash_Guardian grins, looking briefly up toward Shouou. He looks over at Omenis with a big grin, speaking softly. "I don't know who that guy is, but he needs to come around here more often."

Omenis smiles......the smile growing as with eyes still closed her senses continue to work....yes yes she can see it....feel it..her cheek rubbing a little over the creature.....eyes slowly opening as she leans back....eyes filled with wonder..." I feel it...."

Layne heard the soft sounds of one approaching, they were goen for a second. He ahd heard nothing leave the clearing. Then there was a slight change in the light around him. He instantly took to air, leaping high so he woudl be even with the roof top and the woman there, lsashing out with a loud yel, making a hard horizontal slash form his left to right, something that should be easily avoided or blocked. Once the slash was made he woudl back flip landing so his left leg was bent his leg now exposed from his skirt, and his right leg stretched as far out to the right as it could go. His left hand was on the groudn and his right held the blade out to his right. His eye were locked on the woman with a small smirk of his face. He remianed this way for a moemtn befor standing and slowly sheathing his blade again, making it clear no further attacsk woudl be made.

[Flash_Guardian ] When the horse wakes up, Flash would do his best to take care of it and lead it back to the dojo, tying it up to a tree. Don't worry, he's

[Flash_Guardian ] When the horse wakes up, Flash would do his best to take care of it and lead it back to the dojo, tying it up to a tree. Don't worry, he's