CricketBov\'net freezes up as she spots the tail, making a little 'o' with her mouth in utter shock. Running full speed to circle around Sey, she would bend over and examine the tail closely- reaching out to grasp it while yelling in excitement. "Ah ew a neko!?"

[Sey] Depends... she thought to herself, canting her head to watch as much of the arc about her person as she could," Is being a neko a good thing?" she questions, replacing the roll up after speaking.

CricketBov\'net tried her luck at yanking at the tail all too curiously. "I dunno. But ah know who ta ask.... Shall we go have a drink?" She inquired, standing back upright and looking to the woman.

Flash_Guardian is off somewhere deep within the seclusion of the forests, sitting cros-legged upon a small boulder in the shade of the trees above, hands at rest on his knees, eyes closed, back straight ... he seems completely calm amidst the peace of the woods.

Sey gave a bit of a start, fangs clamping down on the cigarette with appendage being yanked," Careful, careful that's sensitive." she said wrapping it back about her waste once it was release, the silver sheened black fur- rather than scales like the others standing on end," Why not? Sure..." didn't have anything better to do for sure.

Black_Mage. would enter the usual way, walking. His dark, malevolent presence could be felt even if he wasn’t seen, giving him a silent testimony to his dark power. But enough about that. He wore his usual, the blue robe and tan wizarding hat. He seemed to glide over the ground, but this of course wasn’t true. He was walking. His topaz yellow eyes were mere slits of colour in the darkness, pupil-less.

little_half~breed_kodora she sat beside him on the tree. she had been rather silent. too silent really,and seemed rather depressed, and if she said anything it usualy had to have something to do with jester., even his little bells were still on her hears.

CricketBov\'net swings her arm in a wide arc, hurling the mallet back up into the canopy with such skillful force that one should know she was quite keen on that particular weapon choice. Anyone would flinch in fear of the heavy object falling, but it would never come back down- caught or stuck perhaps? It seemed intentional and Cricket simply brushes her hands off afterward with a grin that seems carved into her features. "Wondafull! Onwa'd!" She states and juts out her elbow to offer the loop of her arm for the other woman to loop her arm through so they can trot along to the jolly roger.

Flash_Guardian suddenly groans in the midst of his meditation, his head falling forward and his eyes opening. "Arrrh ... this isn't working." He lets out a forlorn sigh and shakes his head, becoming much more relaxed.

Black_Mage. stood in a widening circle of dead animals, chuckling softly. Then his ears caught sound of CricketBov'net, and he grinned in the darkness of his hat. More playthings. So he set off towards them, passing Flash and Kodora

little_half~breed_kodora she had been snuggled up to flash, longingly, though, it never felt the same as jester. he wasn't squishy, didn't make any funny noises. though she didn't let go, but somehow it just wasn't the same.

Flash_Guardian catches sight of a strangely dressed wizard walking past his rock, and eyes him curiously as he walks. He shudders, feeling the wizard's disturbing aura.

Sey watched the mallet disappear into the tree tops...she guessed- really gravity was supposed to effect most natural things right? It should have come back and she didn't want it to land on her head. But the woman was jarred from her thoughts and suspicions shrugging it off To hell with it. she smirked wryly, looping her own arm through the offer crook of the others to 'er- trot along to the jolly roger," Ready when you are."

Black_Mage. stopped, an evil chuckle passing his unseen lips. "Another time, playthings" He whispered, his malevolent stare turning to Flash. He said nothing, simply watched.

Flash_Guardian stares into the dark mage's eyes ... he groans and shivers suddenly, shutting his own eyes and shaking his head. "Ummm ... can I help you?"

CricketBov\'net does so in trotting along in a little Irish jig kind of way to the Pub.

Black_Mage. laughed softly. "No, I doubt you'd be willing to help..." One tan gloved hand hand coming up to push the brim of his hat back slowly. He grinned in the darkness of his hat, simply watching. He did that sometimes.

little_half~breed_kodora she cotninued to say nothing. it was rather worriesome, not even a vile curse, or a yell. nothing. just, silence. she took a deep breath, " jest" she said softly. lost in her own thoughts, unaware that she had sad anythign at all

Flash_Guardian blinks, not understanding. "Umm ... alright." He hears Kodora's quiet mutterings, and looks down at her very worriedly. "Kodora ..."

Black_Mage. passed away from them, a dead wave of air following. Birds dropped from the air, twitched a few times, then stilled, deand barren husks. He reveled in death, and delighted in bringing it.

Flash_Guardian stares down at the dead and dying birds disapprovingly, watching as the wizard moved on. His concern quickly returned to Kodora. "You miss him ... don't you?"

little_half~breed_kodora she nods softly " but i'm afraids" she said softly, a hint of a whimper in her voice.

Flash_Guardian tilts his head at Kodora, guessing that he didn't know the whole story. "Afraid? Why?"

[little_half~breed_kodora] " ..well... that he might kill me" she said softly and curled up into a ball , gently flicking the bells on her ears.

Hamza quietly strolls into the area, his gloved hands swaying easly at his side. The stranger glances about curiously, his golden gaze taking in his surroundings.

Flash_Guardian 's eyes go wide upon hearing this. 'He's back already?' he thought. He looks back to the bells on her ears, recognizing them ... and the collar still around her neck. "Has he threatened you?" he asks Kodora, silently and cautiously.

[little_half~breed_kodora] " not .. entierly, and not directly, but it's just the words he used that scared me.."

Flash_Guardian nods quickly. "And what did he say, exactly?

[little_half~breed_kodora] " that he wanted to destroy everything logical. and that killing wasn't fun because it had no real effect on the world. and i asked if it were fn if he would kill. he said yes. then i just had to open my big fat mouth and ask if he would kill me. i think he said yes. but i can't rememebr.

Hamza stops and glances at the two individuals with a curious glance. "Hmm?" He arches a blond brow at the duo.

Flash_Guardian shuts his eyes, a stressful look coming over his face. "That's Jester, alright," he says, shaking his head. There is a moment's pause, and he looks down at Kodora once more, not so much like a parent looks at a child, but as a friend with concern for someone he cares about. "I tried to tell you ... nothing matters to him. He'd rip half of a town up out of the ground and send it flying to the ends of the Nexus just as easily as you or I would eat a cookie. It's all a game for him," he explains. "He's crazy, and selfish, and very dangerous."

ShintaHakuya walks in and says Hello all u crazy people

Hamza continues to watch the only other people in the room curiously... that's it for now.

Flash_Guardian notices that he is being watched and turns to see the onlooker briefly, keeping most of his attention on Kodora at the moment.

Hamza raises a hand in greeting as he's glanced to. Just a semi-friendly gesture.

Flash_Guardian nods back at Hamza, who seems like a nice enough fellow. "Afternoon," he greets the man briefly.

[Hamza] "From what I've overheard of the conversation, it seems you have a problem. Someone named Jester? A terrorist of some kind I'm guessing." He explained.

Flash_Guardian shakes his head suddenly ... perhaps the other girl's greeting hadn't registered immediately in his mind. He looks over to Shinta, also nodding in greeting to her.

little_half~breed_kodora she sighed sadly : " .. but " she said softly. and started to cry.. she looked over to Hamza " F*CK YOU!" she yeolled out. even though jester was, a maniac, she wasn't about to let someon be mean to him.

[Flash_Guardian] "Problem would be an understatement," Flash says darkly, sighing.

Flash_Guardian snaps at the hanyou girl beside him. "Kodora!! Be nice! Just because he doesn't know anything ..." Flash doesn't finish his sentence, simply drooping and shaking his head helplessly.

Hamza 's fairly passive look turned into a scowl. He lifted his hand towards her, though hesitated in his responce, but in the end he dropped it and let the insult fly for now. "Eh..."

little_half~breed_kodora she growled at flash, and hissed " make me. he wasn't why should i?!" she growled angrilly, her loweer lip quivvering.

Flash_Guardian just stares at Kodora with that same helpless look. "You know, I think that mouth of yours is going to get you into more trouble than Jester will," he comments. Turning back to Hamza, he tries to explain. "Jester is a powerful being ... and he's also insane. He serves the god opposed to mine, so we are enemies of a sort."

[Hamza] "A god? So you are clerics or priests of a sort?" He shrugs. "Such ranking people aren't much of a problem to eliminate, yes?"

Flash_Guardian chuckles. "Priests, as before, would be an understatement," he explains.

[Hamza] "Hmm... I see."

Flash_Guardian bats a hand at the issue nonchalantly, dismissing it. "Forget about it. Nothing we can do about him anyway, really." He scoots over on his rock, dangling his blue-garbed legs over the side, giving the man a clear view of his brown boots, split toed in ninja fashion. "I'm Flash, by the way," he says casually.

[Hamza] "Ah, I am Hamza. Pleased to meet you." He nods to the man and tilts his head to the side. "So... what is it that you do? If you aren't a cleric then what are you?"

Flash_Guardian pulls one of his legs up, wrapping his arms around and leaning on his bent knee. "I'm an avatar," he says plainly. "I serve the god Chen, who reigns over time and destiny, whatever that service entails." He glances to one side, thinking. "I suppose that would usually involve, for the most part, correcting gross errors in the timestream and making sure that his great plan goes as predicted."

[Hamza] "So you are some sort of demi-deity wandering about the Nexus... correcting errors in time and space... making sure destiny is supposed to go as planned? So what are you fixing now?" He quirks a brow.

Flash_Guardian grumps, his face falling. "I only wish I knew," he grumbles, rolling his eyes. "I'm only just learning about everything that's going on here in this place. For now, I'm just keeping my eyes and ears open." He looks curiously down at Hamza. "So what about you? You look to be the type with an intersting sort of occupation."

[Hamza] "A mercenary for the most part. I find coin where ever I can... some what of a fighter if you must classify me by some way." He shrugs with apathy.

Flash_Guardian nods. "We all get by however we can," he says. "I hope decent work isn't too tough to find?"

[Hamza] "So far I've been in a bit of a tough spot for finding work around here. Everyone seems rather powerful from what I can gather and is too consumed by personal wars to be interested in hirelings." He grimaces and shifted his weight to one of his feet.

Flash_Guardian nods understandingly. "I've seen as much myself," he agrees. "Most people seem fairly capable of taking matters into their own hands, though that's not to say this place is without its share of troubles." He seems thoughtful for a moment.

[Hamza] "Troubles indeed. A simple mercenary can't find honest work in such places. Discouraging."

Flash_Guardian snaps his fingers. "This might be a start, though it's probably not quite what you're looking for. There are many places here, from what I've seen, that could use a bit of muscle, enforcement, or protection. Pubs, Taverns, and Inns in need of bouncers and doormen, castles and temples in need of guards ... it's not the most adventuresome line of work, but it gets you by when there's nothing else to do." He shrugs.

Hamza gives Flash a grim look. "I suppose such jobs could offer some temporary coin. I'll look into it when I can." He nods quietly and glances off to the side as though he heard something... or someone.

Flash_Guardian is suddenly struck with a thought, realization flooding his face. "Wait a minute ..." he says quietly, squinting as he ponders. "There is something ... I am doing ..." he says, a bit more audibly, before giving a short laugh. "I guess I hadn't recognized it for what it was, but yes, it must be a calling ..."

[Hamza] "What is calling?"

Flash_Guardian chuckles, looking back to Hamza, rather amused. "You know, I haven't actually figured out what it is just yet," he says, moving his hand through the reddish-brown spiky locks that adorn his head. "It's some kind of ... structure, underground, up in the hills. Looks kinda strange and futuristic ... but there's some magical nature to it as well. Looks like it's been abandoned for some time. A real mystery." He shrugs. "At first, I just couldn't keep the thought of the place where it's hidden out of my mind ... I guess I was supposed to find it."

Hamza 's lips twist into a grim look again. "I'm no believer of fate actually, so I can't really offer you any opinion. But if you feel you must explore whatever it is, careful. I've had my fair share of forgotten and ancient treasure hunts... and none are as easy as they seem."

Hamza must go actually. Night.

Flash_Guardian nods appreciatively. "Fate works in mysterious ways," he says with a chuckle, "whether we believe in him or not. And thank you for your wisdom, I'll make sure to proceed with care ... though I doubt I'll return to that place until I meet with some others first."

Flash_Guardian waves to the already departed Hamza.

Aiza walks through the trees with an obvious limp. There is a gash on her right calf that has dried and is covered in crusted blood. She doesn't appear to notice her limp, or is ignoring it, and the pain.

Flash_Guardian frowns, finding himself alone in the woods once more. He glances behind him, to the place on the rock where he has been trying to empty his mind for so long unsuccessfully. He sighs, deciding against trying to meditate further ... and then he spots Aiza walking through the woods nearby ... wounded again! His eyes watch her carefully from his stoney seat as she moves.

Aiza walks carefully to the nearest tree, her eyes wide and wondering, like a child's. She leaps lightly up and into a tree and sits on a branch. Her ankles are crossed and her legs are swinging, also like a child.

Flash_Guardian raises an eyebrow curiously at Aiza's seeming lack of awareness of her own injured state. With much trepidation, he calls out to her from his nearby boulder, arms still wrapped around his bent leg. "Aiza."

Aiza looks around at whoever might be calling her name and sees Flash. Her face lighting up in recognition, she leapt down from the tree, landing hard on her right leg. Wincing, and almost crying out, she stood and walked. . . limped over to him, "Hi!" she said brightly.

Flash_Guardian isn't sure what has him more startled, to see how she is treating her injured leg, or the fact that she so happily would approach him. "Uhh ... hi," he says, his gaze darting between Aiza's leg and face uneasily. "What brings you out here?" he asks politely.

[Aiza] *Her clothing, especially on her back and sides is covered in mostly dried blood, but there is still a lot of fresh blood on her. Her own blood. The sides of her clothes are also slashed, where the freshest blood is still oozing slightly.*

Flash_Guardian blinks and shakes his head, seeming to wrestle with something. "Wh ... why are you always so beat up whenever I see you?"

Aiza smiles, "I don't know. I just felt like going for a walk today," She appears happy, dispite her injuries, and seems like an innocent, naive child.

Aiza cocks her head to the side, "I am? I don't know," she shrugs, "I'm just in a good mood, I guess."

Flash_Guardian looks Aiza over, a wordless, pained expression on his face. His right hand is clutching his pants almost too tightly, shaking slightly.

[Aiza] *she herself is slightly paler than usual, probably due to blood-loss. Her eyes are bright and alive however, and she has never actually been this happy before, except when she was first an angel.*

Aiza asks, "are you ok?"

Flash_Guardian cannot divert his attention from her wounds. "Aiza ... who did this to you?" he implores, releasing the grip on his pants and pointing out the bloodied stains and places where she is hurt. "You look like you've been attacked."

jade123 appears in the forest, a child in age of 6, she looks around and walks to a tree with her little phoenix in her hands. she sits near the tree, and puts the phoenix near her and plays with him, laughing.

Aiza frowns and takes a step backwards, "n. . .no one." her right hand goes to her right side, which is bleeding much more than the left, "I'm fine." Her eyes begin to well with tears, but she shakes her head, and doesn't cry.

Flash_Guardian curses himself for wiping the smile from the woman's face with his prying. "Look, I just ..." he begins, holding a hand out at her, but stops and shakes his head. "Never mind, I guess it's not important." As an afterthought, he adds, "I did offer to try and heal you once before, you know. The offer still stands." He grins hopefully at Aiza.

Flash_Guardian hears a child laughing somewhere in the background, and his smile brightens.

jade123 plays with the phoenix, smiling and laughing. she lays on the ground and the phoenix jumps on her and she pets him.

Flash_Guardian peers through the trees to catch sight of the child that he hears ... he sees the girl off not some ten or twenty yards away, playing with a small bird, its feathers a fiery color. He watches curiously, waiting for Aiza to respond.

Flash_Guardian can't contain his interest any longer. With a final glance to Aiza, he hops down off his rock, heading slowly over to where the girl and bird are playing. Standing beside another tree close to Jade, he smiles down at the joyful pair. "Hello there."

jade123 sits down and the phoenix jumps near her. she looks at the person who looks at her and smile. "Vendui.....hello"

Flash_Guardian takes a step closer and squats low to the ground, his eyes giving the bird an admiring look. "Your bird is very cute," he compliments. "Does it have a name?"

jade123 looks at the phoenix and nods "yes....his name is coline"

Aiza follows Flash quietly, no longer frowning. She smiles at the girl and her bird, "What a beautiful phoenix," Her face appears younger than usual, as her face is usually cold and hard with little or no emotion shown.

Flash_Guardian nods at the bird in greeting. "Pleased to meet you, Coline," he says with a smile. "I'm Flash." He looks back to the girl, then to Aiza as she approaches. Unbeknownst to Flash, the ring on his right hand begins to glow a gentle blue.

jade123 looks at Aiza and smiles "thanks.....nice to meet you i'm jade"

Flash_Guardian cocks his head to the side. What had Aiza called it? Ah yes, a phoenix, of course! It had been a while since Flash had seen one. "He must not be very old, his feathers are still a little dim," he says, taking a seat nearby. He was glad to see Aiza smiling again, once again forgetting the great wounds and bloodstains that marred her appearance.

jade123 nods and looks at Flash "yes....he just hatch from his egg....i got him from my edopted parents" she pets the phoenix. "want to pet him?".

Flash_Guardian 's eyes twinkle interestedly. "Sure, if you think he'll let me," he says, reaching out a hand tentatively towards the baby phoenix ... he stops as he notices the glow encompassing the ring on his right hand, tilting his head and staring at it curiously. "Eh?"

Aiza kneels on the ground beside the girl with the phoenix, wincing as her leg bent under her, but then smiling again, "So what is your name?"

jade123 looks at Aiza "my name is jade" she looks back at Flash "sure...." she looks at his ring glowing, and looks at it, confused.

MoonWolf would Phase into the Forest looking for Flash..

Flash_Guardian brings his other hand over to brush the ring with his fingertips, narrowing his eyes in concentration. After a moment, he smiles in wonder, looking back at Jade. "Well!" he says excitedly. "It looks like you're somebody special, Jade! My ring likes you, you see," he says, showing her the glow.

jade123 looks at the ring, confused. she looks back at Flash "what do you mean?"

MoonWolf would see Flash he would then phase toward him and say "Hello dear Friend or Foe"..

Aiza stands and walks backwards several steps, then goes behind a tree, well out of sight. She climbs quickly, and maneuvers through the branches until she is just barely within earshot.

Flash_Guardian grins back at MoonWolf. "Greetings, enemy or ally," he says playfully, quirking an eyebrow at MoonWolf and shaking his head. He reaches out with his left hand to pet the baby phoenix on the head gently. "It means you have a gift," he explains. "You can see things before they happen sometimes. That's what the ring tells me."

MoonWolf would look at him and say "I would like to now right now if your Friend Or Foe to me"?he would ask showing he must know now..

Flash_Guardian seems disconcerted at Aiza's sudden departure, but doesn't argue. Instead, he raises his voice a little, in hopes that she will hear. "The phoenix is a symbol of rebirth," he calls upward, stroking the bird's head in the direction of the feathers. "It represents a promise, that even in our darkest times, there is still hope for renewal ... hope for the future."

Aiza perks an ear at the voice asking if Flash is a friend, and at Flash's words. Suddenly she jumped down and ran to Flash, "You're with Bida, aren't you? You're her boyfriend, right?"

Flash_Guardian blinks at MoonWolf, giving him a dumb yet polite look. "I would certainly have thought by now that you are a friend of mine, and I have already promised myself as an ally," he relates to the wolf.

jade123 looks shocked, but then she thinks hard and nods. "yes....i see that sometimes.....but i didn't know what that's mean...." she looks at coline, her phoenix. "really?"