A hint of madness in the air [Open]

[Papus]

Papus held his hand out and accepted the gift. "Mmmm" he growled and let out a maniacal laugh. He placed the dainty package in his pocket.

He licked his lips. This girl looked tasty, but the star was telling him it was time to perform his ritual. Maybe he would come back in when he had finished his ritual for a nibble.

Papus took a low bow and ran off up the ravine. The girl watched after him as he ran, darting this way and that, cursing at the sky. He disappeared down a pothole towards the top of the ravine. After a short while muffled shouts of random sounds filled the air.

The hole was dank and unpleasant and no sane individual would choose to live there. It was littered with the semi rotting carcasses of animals, bones on which Papus would chew when he felt the need. He carefully placed the package on a small stone alter, made from three small stones which stood in the corner of the hole. He finished his ritual and using a small stone from the floor of the hole he carved a small V into his leg.

The network of potholes and caves that criss-crossed this part of the wilderness were extensive, but Papus had barely explored his his hole. He tended just to live in the top part close to the entrance from where he could hear the various animals which would drink at the tarn, within seconds he could be out of the hole and down on his pray. The hole was certainly not the most comfy of places but it suited his purpose. He scratched an infected wound on his torso and curled up snuggling close to the carcass of a dead goat he had killed and half eaten earlier that week. He closed his eyes and let the dreams of madness, and of the girl wash over him.

[Maea Waydrop]

Relief washed over Maea as the thing scuttled away into the darkness. She watched it as long as she could before the night swallowed it up. When it was gone, she burst into motion, breaking camp as quickly and quietly as she could. She spared a few precious moments to check Cobweb's flank. It was an ugly series of bites, but they seemed superficial enough. No time now; she would see to cleaning the wound later, when she was safely away from the whatever-it-was.

As she worked, blood-chilling cries echoed through the night, and Cobweb snorted nervously at the sound of it. What, she wondered as she carefully saddled the gelding, was the thing? Was it indeed something marked by Rhysol? Was it the chosen of the dark god or a thing cursed? Or was it something altogether different...? Who knew what horrible, twisted things clung to the shadows, here in the middle of nowhere.

Last of all, she stamped out the remains of her campfire, wary of the creature's possible return. Mindful of the wound, she swung up into Cobweb's saddle and urged him away as swiftly as she dared.

[Papus]

Papus slept well that night in his hole.

It was early in the morning when he awoke, picked three flowers and kissed them before collecting his few meager possessions together.

He scratched himself and set off walking along the road.