Hang Me From A Flowering Tree [Closed]

[Dark]

Iskra wasn't sure what had compelled her to migrate towards the Capital--she didn't tend to do well around people; or they didn't tend to do well around her. She wasn't solitary by nature; not really. She just hadn't had much luck with the whole 'social interaction' thing in the past. And she wasn't likely to, thanks to the social blanket of antagonism directed towards Lowlanders.

She flexed, comfortable in her own skin--rotted as it was--and pushed through the crowd. One benefit of being abhorrent: she had a rather easy time finding her way through a crowd.

As it was, she avoided meeting anyone's eyes--she didn't feel particularly like starting a fight; not while she was on a mission. It was a rather nice day, and being the cold-blooded reptile she was, she had a predilection to find a nice patch of sun to bask in.

She had nothing better to do, after all.

(OOC: Pick a fight. Offer assistance. Spit out some nonsense. I care not; let's play. X3))

[Nako]

((A little bit of nonsense, coming right up!))

After a good long rain just last night, the sky had brightened up most considerably. Zuberi wouldn't help but admire the dazzlingly blue sky, all wonderous and clear with only a few whisps of clouds to provide solace from the sun every so often, and seemingly at the best of times when one was becoming just a touch too hot for comfort. Yes, a perfect day for shopping, and just being out in general! The Midori trotted through the crowd with a smile on her maw and a bounce to her step, tail held gaily up in the air.. probably brushing a few of the shorter cards in the face as she made her way through the crowd. Goodness! It sure was busy today!

It was because of how crowded it was that she was confused as to a sudden lack of traffic in her general vicinity. Confused, she looked behind her to look at those who had suddenly halted, revulsion clear on their features. W-what? Did she have something on her tail?

She wasn't prepared for when she bumped into something.. and its skin -slid- over muscle as if it weren't really attached all too well. Horrified, she reeled back from the quadraped figure, mouth contorted into that of someone who was about to vomit. Ugh! In front of her was a Lowlander... with some scales missing on it's shoulder...

The horror never left her face as she slowly looked to her own shoulder, neck groaning as if trying to resist the movement. She didn't want to see it.. but...

"Eeyaauugh!!!" It was as if she were suddenly possessed, green eyes rolling back to show the whites of her eyes, like a mindless demon shark. Contorting, twisting... her body writhed as if she had suddenly been speared through the middle.. throwing herself to the ground and rolling as if she were on fire. On her body,where she had ran into the creature, ooze an scales had plastered themselves to her fur.


((.. don't mind her. She's desperately afraid of the bad juju XD))

[Dark]

((I mind not at all. Zuberi is cute enough to make up for it. X3))

Iskra wasn't prepared for the furry body that slammed into her--people generally possessed a sort of six-sense when it came to the presence of Lowlanders, and as such were rather preemptive in their avoidance tactics. Today seemed to be an exception.

She watched with no small level of disgust as the squirrel--pretty little thing; Midori?--withered on the ground. Iskra knew the scales now matted into the girl's fur probably didn't generate a very pleasant sensation, but neither did having them forcibly pulled out.

"Eeeeieeee. Don' get yer panties inna twist. It'll wash out." It was as close to a snarl as Iskra came, which was needless to say not very. Iskra was fairly mild-mannered in the grand scheme of things; anger really didn't get you anywhere.

She twisted her head around to take stock of how much damage had actually occurred, wincing as her damaged skin flexed with the motion. Well, damn.

[Nako]

The Lowlander had been trying to talk to her. Finally, her writing ceased as she looked up owlishly at the lizard, who was now giving her such an incredulous look that she was momentarily shocked out of her panic. She talked so.. nonchalantly, as if her Ick wouldn't get passed on to her. Even the people around seemed more amused by the situation than anything. A few of them though, seemed as horrified as she. So.. maybe it -was- contagious.

Easing up, Zuberi shuddered and nearly gagged as she felt the Ick mat up in her fur, but forced it back as she turned to regard the lizard, who was now flexing.. and wincing. Did it really hurt them when they had their skin peeled off so? The squirrel had figured that if it was able to be torn off so easily in the first place that maybe they'd grown a resistance to the pain of it. Well, regardless of if they had or not, the Lowlander didn't seem too happy.

"A-are you hurt?" She stifled another gag, this time at the wound she'd created.

[Dark]

Iskra blinked, honestly not having expected any sort of concern--contrived or not--to be generated at her expense; she was sure the squirrel was a nice person--most of the people that spat on Lowlanders were, when they weren't blinded by conditioned rage--but Iskra still found it hard to except bread crumbs.

"Aye, it hurts. Rottin' from the inside out tends notta be pleasant. And neither is gettin' skin forcibly removed, really." Mild-mannered to a fault, but waspish enough to warrant the situation. All she really wanted was to free herself from the bother and go find a sunbeam to soak up.

She licked her eye, and met the squirrel's repulsed gaze, "Don worry 'bout it, though. Prob'ly would'a slid off on it's own sooner or later." Although it would have been much less painful that way. "Go get yerself washed up, now."

Iskra had a sunbeam to find; she turned to leave.

[Nako]

((I'm taking a few liberties since there's no way Zuberi would actually just keep harassing her without cleaning herself up first. I hope you don't mind XD ))

Zuberi couldn't stop the cringe she gave when the lizard licked its eye. She'd half expected her eye to fall out with the motion. To her relief though, the optical stayed within the scaley one's skull. Then, still oddly well mannered despite their run in, the Lowlander turned away. There was a part of the squirrel that wanted to follow, but there was another part that desperately wanted to get herself back to the Inn and get sanitized. Hygiene won over for the moment, and she allowed the lizard to go. There was a scorching bath with her name on it back at her room...

If the lizard thought that she was rid of the Midori, she'd be wrong. It wouldn't be but half an hour till the squirrel found where the lizard was hiding. She'd seen a few of the cold-blooded sort around Midori, and knew what sort of conditions they'd like. Of course, the sunniest, most comfortable place in the Capital would very much be the great park.

With a smile on her face, an odd something smeared on her shoulder, and a.. preserved chicken head around her neck... she closed the distance between her and the Lowlander. "I thought I might find ya here!" It was quite odd, how cheerful she was now able to be. Hefting something out of her bag, she set it down on a nearby rock and opened it, allowing the pungent scent of herbs, vinegar.. and the smell of chicken fat pervade the open air. "I brought something that might help ya skin problem, m'friend... Well.. not to an extent ye may want.. but maybe a little.. It be an old, old recipe." Oh, how cute, she actually wanted to help! Teehee.

[Dark]

((That's fine. X3))

Iskra was just nodding off to sleep when she heard the skitter of tiny feet across the grass towards her; she flicked her tongue out, testing the air, and slid the thin film that served as a sort of eyelid open to look at the squirrel.

Friends? Decidedly not. But Iskra wasn't entirely adverse to the idea of a salve; and the squirrel's continued insistence in making up for her earlier behavior had to count for something.

She reached for the salve, tongue flicking out to smell the concoction--it smelled just south of repulsive--and went about massaging it, very carefully, into the wound on her shoulder. While she was at it, she treated the other wounds she had.

Whether the salve actually worked was besides the point--it was cool, and the tingle of herbs felt pleasant on her skin.

She handed the jar back, "I thank you. M'name's Iskra."

[Nako]

Zuberi was practically glowing when the lizard took advantage of the salve, spreading it on where she ailed. Though it didn't show on her face, deep down she was very thankful that she did not have to apply the stuff on herself. She would have if it had been necessary; she had brought her own little token of good juju that might very well keep her safe in the encounter.. but never mind all that though... it wasn't necessary to think of bad juju at that moment and time since she had taken precautions this time around.

"Zuberi." The Midori responded in kind with a nod and a smile. She.. didn't extend her paw.. though the Lowlander probably hardly expected it. That wasn't enough to absolve the guilt and pity she felt inside. Even in Midori, they had a separate pool for Lowlander types to swim in, and a different beach to play at. Still though, it was almost better for them anyways... to be away from those who would only show violence and hate..

She accepted the jar back with careful grace, not cringing at it but certainly keeping an eye for sloughing skin on it. Giving it a quick, subtle glance-over, she tightened the wire back of the mason style jar and put it back in her bag.

"I... I be sorry for earlier, Iskra. Old superstitions.. ones that I honestly know not if they be true... But." .. But I'd rather not take the chance... Unspoken words were so obvious, they really didn't need to be said, and Zuberi gave a rueful smile, shrugging helplessly.

[Dark]

Iskra threw an idle glance in the squirrel's direction; the salve felt rather nice, if for nothing else besides soothing too-dry skin. She was still having a hard time wrapping her head around the silly creature actually following her, though. Most people, even if they felt some inkling of remorse for their actions, didn't bother to do anything except set the incident aside. In their minds their actions were completely justified, and there was really no working with people who were so stubbornly shut-off in their own little worlds of right and wrong.

There was always a way to tell, of course, but she shied away from the idea. Her ability to see what was truly in a person's heart was never a pleasant experience, for either party, and all she really wanted to do today was take her sun-nap. And that didn't include taking on someone else's burdens.

"Eh. 's alright. I kinna 'bout that sort'a thing--folks don like twins, neither. Unlucky, an' all."

[Nako]

Zuberi grimaced at the mention of twins. Identical ones, when born hundreds of years ago, one would be sacrificed so that the other one could remain 'whole'. It was thought that if they were both allowed to survive, they would not be able to live a full life because they were sharing the same one. Nowadays, such practices were highly frowned upon and rarely practiced, but the sight of two twins acting as if they were both of one mind... frightening.

Then there was an awkward silence. Zuberi wasn't all too repelled by a moment of quiet reflection but when she was on uncertain grounds with a person, it made her uncomfortable. She fidgeted a bit, unsure of what to do with herself. The Lowlander.. Iskra.. not just a Lowlander but a Card with a name. That was too easy to forget sometimes.

"Would.. you rather I left you alone?" In her eagerness to try and help her, she'd completely forgotten that in fact.. maybe she was happy keeping to herself. It was quite unfair for her to assume she'd want -any- company that would have her.