Aspirations of Courage [End]

[Kitty]

Since he'd attained this new form his desires of being something other then he was had grown considerably and had him making some rather fool hardy decisions as of late. The first had been to follow that canine home, just to test his new power, and the second? Well, the second was coming here. He wasn't fool enough to venture to the Tulgey Wood, he'd heard so many rather... awful stories about that place. He'd heard of unrepeatable things happening to those who ventured there and he in no way wished to change that drastically... or die. Which is why he didn't go to the Josiggy Marsh, it was more pleasant then here but the residents would probably kill him on the spot. Thus it had been between Golfam Marsh and the Hisstor Wastes and honestly... the blatant wearing of the bones of others reminded him to much of his dealings with cannibals. Thus he was here.

With every moment that passed, and every step he took further into the damp, gloomy region his mind argued back and forth, plunging his body onto a teeter totter with terror on one side and apathy on the other. He had a reason to be here, he'd made a promise to himself that he'd get stronger, grow a spine. It was so embarrassing to shake like a leaf and cry every time something frightened him, he didn't want to live in constant terror of others either. But damn if it wasn't ever dark, dreary and unnaturally quiet here. His fur bristled and he hugged his wings to his lithe form, fighting back a shiver of fear.

He lifted a hand and yanked at one of his whiskers, draw a sharp pinpointed pain that helped him regain his focus. Nothing had happened yet and no one was around, he didn't need to be one large scare away from pissing himself quite yet, or ever if he could help it. That would certainly be the epitome of embarrassing right there, he was certain.

He made an odd, choked noise that lay somewhere between a groan and a squeak and straightened up his form, urging himself forward. He was doing this for himself as well as two prominent figures in his life... Xylia and Isolde. How could he ever hope to protect them fro the evils of this world when all he ever did was tremble, cry and run? He would change... even if it killed him. And with that in mind he narrowed his eyes a bit in determination. He'd brave the Marsh and in return he'd gain a spine ... hopefully.

[veracious]

Just another day in paradise...

Perched upon her island that she deemed to be her homestead, Serenity was starting to feel mentally fatigued from the swamp's atmosphere. This was never a good sign, because it meant that Desolace was in a prime state to dominate over her. She hated when she was not in control. "Please, just go away. I'm so tired... so tired." She lowered herself into a laying position and propped her chin upon her paws. She was not staring at anything in particular while gazing forward, but her senses were subconsciously telling her that she was not alone.

Time had passed, she focused her mind in a state of comfort. It was not until her gaze dropped down to the reflection of the tainted waters below when she saw Desolace grinning back at her. "Someone is here. I plan to show him just how welcoming the swamp is to outsiders..."

She growled, swatting her paw down at the water. "Not if I get there first." With that, she leaped to her feet and sank into the murky waters below. Traveling across the marsh and up over the surface. "Alright, where are you?" She looked around a moment, then spotted a blueish feather upon the ground. Picking it up with her paw, she sniffed it and blinked. "Lowlander?" It was not rare, but certainly uncommon. She sat up and approached the direction where she felt the newcomer was.

Tracking his scent for a bit, she quietly made her way over to Tavor's general location. She had spotted him from a distance and knew that she was taking a risk, she was in no real state of mind to help him out of the swamp, not without Desolace interfering. But she had to, she just felt compelled... just looking at him, she could tell that the poor guy was out of place here. The least she could do is help him. "You stay out of this..." Green eyes narrowed in determination, she approached closer.

"Welcome." She smiled warmly, sliding out from behind the tree lines to enigmatically approach Tavor. She seemed nice enough off hand, but she also knew that this was the perfect bait to lure out Desolace. She just hoped that she could suppress her long enough to develop some kind of understanding.

But that would be too easy, now wouldn't it?

[Kitty]

Maybe this place wasn't so bad? This dark, quiet, damp... frightening.... No! Shut up, idiot! He was doing it again, getting himself all worked up over nothing! Nothing was the key word, there didn't seem to be a soul around. This was a fact that should have been comforting and yet.... it unnerved him more then seeing a crowd. Hadn't he heard that people lived here...? Surely there must be...

And there was one slinking from behind a tree and all thoughts were cut off. She seemed nice upon a first impression but Tavor would know better then anyone that that could very easily be a deadly ruse. He hadn't heard her at all, and she was a native, those two things alone were enough to send his heart, or possibly his stomach, into his throat.

He adjusted his wings nervously and tugged at his cloak, oh if it were night time he wouldn't have to worry so much, would he? If something bad happened he could just literally seep into the shadows and escape this frightening place unharmed. But it was daylight, the golden rays piercing the darkness and dappling the ground around them gave that away. The trees were so thick here, choking out most of the light... he certainly hoped that wasn't some for of foreshadowing.

He ears twitched softly at the sound of her voice, childish, female... pleasant, not so bad really. Maybe he was just a spineless idiot? As right at that thought seemed he'd keep it to himself and not let such opinions cloud his suspicions. It was always better to be suspicious and alive then naive and dead any day.

H-Hello, I-I'm Tavor.

His own voice was meek, soft and broken with stuttered syllables. Didn't he just scream weakness?

[veracious]

Analyzing his response, she concluded that Tavor was certainly nervous about being here. The essence of his voice carried out the tremors of hidden fear. Was he afraid of her? Tilting her head curiously as she thought about this. Maybe he was, so she greeted him with a smile. "Tavor is a lovely name." She complimented him while looking him over with her eyes, politely taking in his image. He was unique, she liked that.

"I am Serenity, this neck of the swamp is under my protection. I will happily guide you to where you want to go." She certainly was polite, and that disgusted Desolace. Every time Serenity gets off on being nice to people, it quite frankly made Desolace ill. She could not deny her compassionate nature despite how the swamp was wearing on her.

"Gutter rat hybrid..." Her voice echoed in such a way that it probably sent chills down Tavor's back. Desolace had managed to spout a bit of her venom after all.

She gasped, holding a paw over her muzzle. Her voice once again reflecting that child like charisma of innocence. "No, I did not mean that. Please forgive me, Tavor." She shook her head clear and pads closer to him now, smiling as she circled playfully about him. "As I was saying. What brings you here? I can show you anything you want to know, so please do not hesitate to ask me."

Gutter rat hybrid? She thought to herself, ears lowering with a bit of a frown. That was harsh, Desolace, that was harsh. She only hoped that he would let it slide as her intentions were not to hurt his feelings... or was it? Desolace was deviant and Serenity was a victm as well as Tavor.

[Kitty]

His body noticeably relaxed at her continued kindness. For all that he was suspicious, he still believed, and wanted, everyone to be a good person. She'd complimented his name and, really, a voice holding so many child like characteristics was far from unnerving to the rat-eagle, children weren't scary. Well, most children weren't scary.

He was about to respond when... another voice came out of her mouth? He tensed up all over again and fanned out the feathers on the tip of his tail as well. She'd quickly shifted back to what he supposed, and prayed, was her dominant self... but how could he trust her now? Was she touched in the head? He'd heard of those that were, but he'd never actually met one. He'd heard most of them were terrifying, but not exactly violent. Still, he was torn. He wanted to trust that voice, so full of innocence... but obviously there was something else, something deeper.... something that terrified him. Even if that was easy to do. Not to mention that nasty comment struck a little close to home, his first caretaker hadn't resisted the urge to remind him time and time again how she'd fished him out of a gutter half dead and trembling....

I-I don't t-think I have a... true destination.

Well, he was only just realizing how stupid of a plan this actually was. He'd come to creepy ville with no destination in mind and coupled that with his exceptionally horrible sense of direction and, apparently, judgment as well. He'd just pretty much told a suspicious figure he was out here alone, lost and without anyone here expecting him. If that wasn't a lack of intelligence, he didn't know what was. He cursed himself mentally for doing such a thing as he eyed her, fur bristling slightly.

She was circling him now... and every prey animal instinct in his being screamed for him to run whilst terror locking up his knees and prevented such a thing from happening. He just knew with each passing moment that he probably didn't have much time before she sprang and yet, he couldn't get himself to do anything but watch her move around him. This.... this was horrible.

[veracious]

She blinked softly as Tavor had tensed up before her. She frowned softly knowing that this was all Desolace's fault. Why could she not just be herself? Her circling was very playful, she had no intentions on preying on him... not like Desolace did. Her tail brushed over him in attempt to playfully get him to relax. "Do I frighten you?" She inquired curiously to him, tilting her head to the side. There was something about her deep green eyes that showed truth, playfulness, and honor. All true qualities of herself. Even if hidden beneath it all was a monster wanting to play rough.

"I know, the swamp can be scary." She sat down beside him and smiled up at Tavor. "But, I lived here all my life. It's not too bad... that is, if you let me protect you." Such a sweet heart, always willing to protect someone in need. It sickened Desolace, it made her burn with irritation.

"Stay back..." She warned, but she was not speaking to Tavor. She lowered her gaze to the ground and glared sharply to the ground. She wanted a friend, why would Desolace keep her from befriending Tavor? Such a bitter creature Desolace was.

"I will..." She sneered darkly, clawed paws reaching up to cover her ears. She grunted, sneering to herself.

"Defeat you!" Serenity retorted with defiance, once again leaping to her feet. She gradualy started to lower her paws back to the ground, frowning softly at Tavor. How could he possibly trust that she means well? Especialy seeing her like this. This is what she wanted, this is how she captures people away from her. Make them think she is crazy then swipe at Serenity's vunerbility. "I'm okay... I'm okay... no really, I'm fine." She smiled softly now, her muzzle trembeling a bit.

She sighed softly and lowered her head now, gazing to the ground. "Would you like a tour?"

[Kitty]

Circling was circling and it didn't matter if she had a playful undertone to her movements or not, especially since he didn't really know this canine. Her touch only caused him to freeze save for the motion his throat made as he took a hard swallow. He had assessed the situation and, while he held the height advantage at present, the canine was certainly of a larger, sturdier build and she knew the area rather well. She'd said she... defended this part of the marsh, right? Well, that put him at a rather distinct disadvantage didn't it? He couldn't even fly her, not well, not with all these trees... damn. He couldn't even give her a proper spoken response, but his body language would probably scream the words he couldn't even whisper.

Her self conflict breathed some life into his form once more and he was able to find his legs as well, stepping away from her when he felt he wouldn't simply fall on his face. He remained bristled, but his plumage settled into a more relaxed state, it felt weird to keep those feathers fanned. He wasn't entirely sure what to do. He peered one direction and then the other, they looked exactly the same and he remembered a time or two that he'd had to move through some undergrowth to find a path again, he ran the chance of being lost indefinitely if he tried to run. But ... what would happen to him if he stayed? He slipped a hand back, grabbing his cloak between his thumb and two fingers, fiddling with the thick fabric idly. Against his better judgment he'd submit to a 'tour' and whatever else it entailed... He hadn't gotten what he'd come here seeking and it'd be a shame to come out as pathetic as he'd come in, right?

L-lead the way ...

He was trying desperately to swallow his stutters and was making a little head way in that aspect, maybe.... maybe he was actually safe. He could, at the very least, hold on to some sliver of hope, yes?

[veracious]

Lifting her head once more, her ears perked up. "Really? I did not just freak you out right there? Good!" Clasping her paws into a clap, she grinned excitedly. She circled around him again, this time brushing her tail around his form. "Follow me, I want to show you my island." With that, she skittered off down the swampy grounds, to the ledge of the water.

Pathetic, absolutely pathetic. Desolace wanted to eagerly to consume Serenity right now. She was lashing at her mental cage with claws and fangs now, salivating with rabid urge. She wanted out, she wanted that rat hybrid for herself. Oh how she could make him utterly miserable! But she had to wait right now for opportunity to strike. Perhaps she could compel Serenity to distract herself with the runes, then she could sink into her when her guard is down... yes that's what she'd do.

"They've been here since I can remember, and I don't even know what they mean." She spoke while diving into the swamp muzzle first. "Maybe you can make better sense of them then I can. You seem pretty smart, I bet you are smarter then I am." Which was probably a fact. Serenity is clever, but sheltered and there for ignorant of the world. Who knows? Maybe Tavor could unravel what she did not know.

"If you even make it that far..." She replied coldly, narrowed eyes lingering onto the swamp water.

She frowned, turning to Travor who she assumed was behind her. "Again I apologize for my outburst." How long? How long could she keep this up. It was internally painful and utterly painful to keep up.

[Kitty]

No, she actually had freaked him out quite sufficiently, he just didn't like the ideas that sprang to mind of any other of the regions residents. Something in his head told him that she was probably rather mild compared to anything else that could come out of this region. And the only time she'd actually touched him was with simple brushes of her tail, harmless contact really. He let go of his cloak and willed his fur to smooth back down as much as it could without him actually touching it, he could fix it fully later. He'd definitly need a nice shower when he got home. Maxwell and Isolde would want to know all about this, wouldn't they?

He followed her until she reached the edge of the water, his pace slower and more cautious of course. He was not about to swim in water that looked anything like that, it either carried something more awful then his own harmless rotting or... something terrible was waiting within it's depths ready to jump out and eat foreigners. Yes indeed, he believed everything was potentially out to get him even if his ideas were terribly silly sometimes.

Instead he shifted down to his animal form, officially smaller then the canine now. He was in good health, obviously well cared for, but he was small none the less. Half of that was due to him being mostly rat the other due to a lack of proper nutrition early in life. Why'd he shift? It was simply really, flying was so much easier in this form.... he still needed a lot of practice with his bipedal form.

With a small amount of hesitation he unfurled his wings, which were just about as big as his body was, and followed her in the air. He flew low and slowly, remaining behind her as best he could. She knew where they were going, he did not so it made perfect sense to him. His ears swiveled forward as she spoke, she may frighten him but what she spoke of was somewhat interesting.

She thought he was smart? Street smart maybe, even with a lack of direction, but book smart was a different story. His education hadn't really started until he'd been swept away from the Capitol and into Corvistowne. That had only been about eleven years ago and he still had a lot of catching up to do.

I'm not so sure about t-that one.

He was able to contain himself enough to only stutter once, which pleased him greatly. He was even able to muster the smallest of smiles well, until that other voice popped up again in all it's ominous glory. Those tail feathers of his decided that it was appropriate for them to fan out again. That apology certainly wouldn't smooth over his nerves and he momentarily thought about turning and going the other direction, the water would certainly slow her down ...

[veracious]

Lead the way...

No other words held such double meaning to a creature of such ingrained madness in her soul. She liked Tavor, and that made Desolace angry enough to push her efforts to escape her mental prison of suspended animation. This saddened Desolace, her worry and mixed emotions drawing out a sense of surrealism in her surroundings. She could feel herself fade away, then charge back into reality, constantly battling over control.

"You look very handsome. I love your markings, especially like that." Complimenting his bipedal form would be one thing, but hopefully complimenting his natural form would get him to smile especially given the fact that not many people would have the gull to compliment a mixed breed. But her words were sincere. It was rare, in any realm to encounter someone with genuine words of encouragement.

When she emerged from the water, she pulled herself out of the murky depths of discolored foulness and shook the water off her fur in a trademark canine fashion. Disease? Certainly in other parts of the marsh, she was predominately immune to most of it. But others may experience the taint. The others that she had seen in the marsh were literally wilting away from what ever was transfered to them in the marsh. Others were simply grappled and dragged under the surface, consumed by the depths. Their blood adding to the filth.

Blood that she could smell every day. A savage build of feral rage anxiously wanting to burst from her core spontaneously creeping up at her. She paused, breathing becoming more labored, wheezing a bit thru breaths that she held in her lungs.

"You were right..." She felt her eyes soften, lowering down to her stomach, her front paws grasping at her head. I... can't defeat you." She whimpered now, realizing the inevitable.

"Tavor... run away, quickly! I... can't stop her, I can't fight her! She whimpered again, ears flattening now. She pleaded with herself. "Don't hurt him... please don't hurt him. Why do you have to take everyone away from me? Leave him alone!" She dug her claws deep into her own skin and snarled.

Then suddenly, she was quiet, a dramatic pause holding the suspense of what may or may not occur.