Closed Aah, Snakes! [Voodoo, Xen]

[Engghaen]

Naju word count;; 967

1st of Summer, 514 - Somewhere between Lhavit and Zinrah, entering the Wilderness
Oh, this humidity, this warmth, it was driving the girl crazy. Back in Lhavit the air was less humid and so it was easier for her to breathe. Besides, her clothing was too warm. She’d already gotten rid of the cloak she’d started off with and had tied it around her waist. The cat was, to say the least, curious about all of this. She had never seen anything the like before. Hundreds of questions started to form, but that was the only bit further to answers she’d get. Why were there so many trees? What were these creatures? And these, then? Why could she hear hissing all the time? Why were there no people here? Did there even live people here? And, most of all, what had she gotten herself into?

She chuckled. Most probably a big pile of warm, hot… shyke. She hadn’t been looking where she was walking! The smelly, brownish-green substance managed to stick to her foot, even when she rubbed it off on the floor. Ew. She didn’t necessarily need to be clean, but this.. ‘not clean’ didn’t mean ‘covered in shyke’, or did it? She just decided to look where she was walking a bit more and adjusted her technique. Once stepping in a pile of shyke, okay, but twice? The fact that she kept slipping, sliding and tripping also helped changing her anxious mood into a rather annoyed one. Grumpily she waded forward, still having no idea where the petch she was going.

The green bushy wilderness started to work a bit intimidating. It made her feel tiny. Very tiny, and also very lonely. It was odd. Everywhere were things, creatures, eyes, but yet they were not part of hr. They were all part of something else, of something she didn’t understand or never would. It was not a good idea to go into her cat form now, so Engghaen thought. That would be stupid. She would be covered in fur, fur, fur. She didn’t need that extra warmth. Besides, she’d be eaten right away instead of saved for later like she was now.

Something to her side started hissing. Oh, that hissing all the time! It made her feel odd. Her instinct said it was dangerous, but then again, her instinct also told her to mate in Spring while she didn’t exactly wanted to. Or, not yet. Maybe sometime if she found somebody she liked. She wasn´t a pushy person when it came to that. Oh no, she rather just waited for things to happen and to come along. She was lame like that. It could get her killed once. She should be careful if she´d ever meet somebody pushy. Somebody without any respect. They were dangerous.

And yet again she got shook up from her thoughts. She couldn´t keep walking like this, she needed to keep her head at it! If she wanted to survive here, even though her chances were very slim, she´d need to be careful. And that is when she forgot the positions her feet were at, the fact that she was still walking, maybe in a bit of a trance, but she was moving forward and therefore the terrain kept changing.

´´Oh, petch, petch you, petch this, petch that, stupid…trees! Aargh!´´
The cat had tripped over a giant tree that had fallen down. There the hissing sound was again. Now her wonderful instinct told her to get up and get the petch out of there, but that seemed to be difficult as her foot got stuck behind one mean bit of the tree sticking out. Either she could start to struggle and try to get out of there, or she could lie still and just wait that the slissing thing would go away. So, she froze and closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, a big, red snake was staring at her. Don´t make any noise, she thought. So that´s what had been making all these noises all the while. That was what her instinct deemed dangerous. And in this case, she thought her instinct got it right.

She had never seen a snake before. To her, they looked odd. She couldn´t get hold of the fact that they didn´t have any legs, or arms. Even bears had legs. Paws. Something to move forward with. And wish, they had… well… water-paws. But snakes, they could move without making sound, and she assumed that was why they didn´t have legs. So they could be dangerous. What would they eat= She wondered. Kelvics too?

She started tugging the leg that was stuck behind the tree frantically, but that way just spilling any energy she had left, as she almost ran out of food and water to drink. She hadn´t caught anything yet and she didn´t even know what was edible or not. Or dangerous. Well, now she knew one of them.
Snake.
Dangerous.

To her, there were as many different species here as there were colours. And there were a lot of colours. Black and blue, and… green… and blue. And yellow. Orange and brown and purple. She liked purple. It was a good looking colour. Then she scolded at herself again. She was thinking about petching colours, while this.. so called snake was about to eat her!

´´Oh, petch…´´ she whispered. ´´Please don´t eat me!´´

She moved her body backwards, as if she was reversing the action that had made her fall. Finally, she ankle escaped from the tight branch’s hug. An awful pain shot through the length of her leg. ‘’Aouaouw..!’’ she groaned, struggeling to get back on her feet again. She had completely forgotten about the snake as she tried to put her foot back on the ground. It protested and painfully she lifted her left leg again, standing on one leg.

[Voodoo]

“Why did we have to come sssssso far out into the wildernessssss to find food?” Hissed a smaller constrictor, sporting an empty pack between his shoulder blades. His scales were a pale brown, mottled with dark brown almost red patches. He was young, his size making that evident between the two larger constrictors that lead the party. One, a lush green with golden eyes simply shrugged at the child’s question. The other, jet black with a slightly paler belly, felt the need to stop and turn around to address the youngster.

“We came thissss far out becausssse it was necessssssssary!” He snapped, swiping his massive arms toward the small creature. The youngster shied away, afraid as to what the larger constrictor might do to him. Sensing that he had made his point, the leader turned and continued forward, his long body easily mounting and sliding over fallen trees and large rocks. His partner did the same, but it took the smaller constrictor a bit more effort to keep up. “That, and there may be more exotic delicassssies further out.”

Having been driven into silence, the youngster mulled this over. The further from Zinrah they traveled, the more populated the jungle seemed with life. That, and he had noted stranger creatures. Creatures that knew to stay away from Zinrah for fear of their lives. With the Dhani traveling this far out, no creature would be safe. The snakeling liked this idea, of being able to bring something new back to the caves for his friends to eat. The stories they would be able to tell.

"Aouaouw..!’’

Their leader threw up a ‘halt’ signal. Instantaneously, the constrictor group stopped. The noise had come somewhere from their left, and it was undeniably close and seemed very human. A few hand signals were given telling the two followers to circled around quickly. The snakeling and the quiet elder quickly disappeared as quietly as they could. Meanwhile, their jet back leader made a direct line for the noise. Much to his amusement when he came close enough to see the scene, he noted a small humanish girl getting harassed by one of his ancestors. Without so much as a warning, the creature pushed through the brush, scaring off the red serpent.

“Well well well, what in Sssssiku’s name do we have here?”

[Engghaen]

Still standing on one leg, she froze. It was most probably not the smartest thing to do, call out in pain, while about verything and everyone around you seemed like it'd love to eat you. ''Oh, petch, petch, petch, petch...'' she muttered slowly, not even noticing the Dhani behind her. Still in pain,she carefully tried to hop around, not daring to use her left foot anymore. This was a hilarious sight, as her balance was not great and she continiously needed to shift her body weight to stay upright. Finally made the 90 degree turn, her heart was stuck in her throut once more. She could feel it tha-thump there and it made her feel odd. Was this really, really what she had deserved after suviving - ish - the jungle and trying to get somewhere she didn't even know existed?

Then she heard the being talk in an odd, deformed accent of Common. It was like he was hissing. The other snake had left by now, seemably scared by the Dhani. Worried, the cat thought about if this was good or not. Clearly the creature was dangerous, as another dangerous being had been scared by..it. She checked her options. The cat could try to flee, which wouldn't be such a great option since this Dhani looked much like a snake..and snakes were fast. Then she could try to attack him - but her bow was somewhere where her backpack was, and then it was not a shortbow.. it was a longbow. And she knew that longbows were far from suitable for short distances. This Dhani was way too close. She could also change to her cat shape and try to attack him that way... But she feared that it would only raise laughter rather than fear. Gazing at the creature she thought of her final, and most probably only option. Being nice to him and just hoping he wouldn't harm her.

''W..well...'' Engghaen noticed that her instincts had ran away with her. She was trembling and she'd curl up into a ball if she could, but she couldn't.. so this created a funny sight. ''I... I.. err..'' she stammered. The girl didn't really know what to say. of course he was going to eat her. He looked like he could. Then all she was doing was stammering her last words. A cold feeling spread through her whole body. She took a deep breath. Being honest would get her killed. Lying would get her killed. Being annoying would get her killed even quicker. She looked like prey, so she was prey.

''I.. um. Are you going to.. eh. eat me?''

Oh, great. Just wonderful.

[Voodoo]

The Dhani that had come slithering from the shadows of the jungle took in the injured creature. She smelled funny, something he had not really scented before. Myrians were easy to detect, but this. This girl was strange. Underneath the stench of living in the jungle, there was something else. Something animal. The Dhani pulled his body into long coils, taking his time so that she could see his immense size. It was at this point that the other two slithered from the forest. The snakeling was the first to speak, his long tongue flicking out in anticipation.

“Sshe isss right ssir. Do we get to eat her?” This small constrictor swayed side to side, wondering just how long it would take for him to get a meal in his belly. He was probably cuffed by their silent partner and had to busy himself with nursing the back of his head.

“We take her back with usss.” For a Dhani with few words, when he spoke, he sounded wise. On top of that, the others seemed to listen. The snakeling pouted nearby, but the large Dhani that had first come out seemed to understand he was no longer in charge. The black snake remained quiet while the green one slithered closer to their prey. Eventually he reared himself up, folding his arms on his chest and staring down with his deep, golden eyes. “The dungeonsss for her.”

It was at that point he reached down, plucking her up from the ground. The snake held her by her waist in both hands, narrowing his eyes on her. The black Dhani snuck up closer behind, picking at her backpack and weapons. “Give thisss up, pretty. We won’t hurt you…yet.”

NoteAfter your Reply Eng, I will move us to the dungeons and Xen can join us.

[Engghaen]

T The cat could feel her jaw drop. Her heart and her jaw had about swapped places. She realised and carefully put her jaw back where it was supposed to be. The Dhani was..immense. She was indeed right. This snake was very much able to eat her. Did they chew? Maybe she could survive by trying to stay alive when he swallowed her and then.. Maybe she could still escape? The snakeling repeated her question. She was surprised how insecure he sounded. She already assumed that they would eat her, but apparently they weren't sure yet. She looked from the one Dhani to the other.

"We take her back with usss." another of the snakes said. "W..wait.. you.. I.. " It wasn't the best idea to be surprised now. Maybe they'd change minds. Besides, this was probably better than being eaten, unless 'being taken back' meant being tortured to death. Because she wouldn't really want that even though it'd bring her to the place she wanted to visit so badly.

The green Dhani came closer. His eyes scared the cat. She was still shaking. If she had a tail right now it'd be against her back, stiff and spiky. The dungeons. The dungeons. She'd be put in the dungeons. She had no idea what that meant but it came close to her ideas of torturing her. She wanted to physically object and struggle but her body was still frozen. She let the snake pick her up and she vaguely saw the other black one grab her stuff. "my.. bow.. " she muttered, her eyes wide open, drops of sweat forming on her face and drizzling down.
"h..help.. " she mumbled weakly.

[Voodoo]

“Darling, no one can help you now,” The black snake hissed, pulling her up and over his shoulder. The other shouldered her pack and bow and began to lead the way. Even though that had gone out hunting for food, they would come back with a better prize. This humanoid girl would fetch a pretty price with the dungeon masters. They would eat well tonight on coin like that.

----

About a bell and a half passed before the saw the entrance to the caves of Zinrah. The entrance was guarded by two, large constrictors; however, even their size seemed small when the party noticed their facial expressions. Clearly the sleeping sickness had already reached the walls and guards. These burly creatures could easily be pushed over. With a hiss, the black serpent passed the guards, the rest of his party staying quiet as they entered the nest. Normally the guards would have stopped them over such a prize, but even now, that seemed to require too much effort. Instead, they were allowed to pass into the nest unmolested.

“Be wary. You’ll sstart to feel ssssleepy ssshortly,” came a grumbling hiss, half towards his companions, half towards the captive on his shoulder. Even he would not be allowed to escape the effects that had captured the nest. So, instead, he picked up his pace and led the way to the dungeons.

Little did he know, as his judgment became clouded with exhaustion, they were being followed by one of their smaller brethren. One of the runts of the nest, a viper. On any given day, the constrictors would have been sharp minded and quick to crush this curiosity. Today, was not one of the sharpest days for the constrictors.

[Engghaen]

As the snake spoke, it doomed to her. No one was going to help her now.. She was just supposed to keep calm and not do any crazy things. He lifted her on his shoulder which was surprisingly uncomfortable and she wondered how long she would have to stay in this position. As they started moving forward, her muscles started to object to the constant contraction, growing painful. But more ticks passed and finally she sighed and the cat could feel being able to move again. But strange enough, she didn't want to. She was exhausted. Soon the noises started to blur into a repetitive pattern of sounds and cries. She did not have the energy to focus, and so she drifted off to sleep.

~

Engghaen grunted. Something was trying to pull her away from the warm, fluffy, and very comfortable blanket she had been enveloped in the past bells. Reluctantly she opened one eye. The sun immediately welcomed her by blinding her, making sure she closed her eye again. The cat sighed. At home - well, Brandon's home - she would've laid back, but then she realised where she was. Over the shoulder of a giant snake ready to kill her. It took surprisingly long, and she already felt being pulled back to sleep again. "..wary.. sleep.. soon.. " Engghaen grinned. Sleep..? Her mind felt clouded as she tried to think of what that meant. It was of no use and she gladly embraced this sudden change of events to drift off to sleep once more.

[Xen]

Aah, Snakes!

The jungle was alive, as always.

The emerald green undergrowth on the jungle floor and the vibrantly colored flowers lining the trees were dazzling to the eye. All this beauty and wonder representing nature was all but a piece of the jungles essence. The beasts here were a constant threat, always ready to devour careless souls wandering the jungle. Yet, they too were an essential piece of jungles essence, showing that in the absence of man, beasts would continue, and thrive. The untamed wilderness, expanding eternally, was the last piece of the jungles essence—its tall trees providing cover and homes for all creatures. And with all these pieces together—the masterpiece that was the Falyndar region was complete.


Xen walked lazily through the jungle, his ever burning enthusiasm seemingly drained. He could not shake off this fatigue: which had been plaguing him for a few hours. Xen figured that his lack of exercise and constantly being in Zinrah all the time was the cause of this lumbering fatigue. And guessed a week in the jungle would help him get back on his feet. However, staying away from his job at the Red Room for too long would cause a few problems, definitely. Xen stepped carefully through the jungle and avoids stepping on branches and making physical contact with things that would give away his presence.


“What was that?” Xen thought




Xen was not expecting to see a human female being carried away by constrictors. He felt sorry for the poor soul, being captured by the constrictors was never a good thing—torture and death was certain. He would not have cared if it was a dead animal of some sort being carried in, but this was a person: a living being. Xen sprung into action with his body tired, and endurance greatly reduced, he knew a tussle wasn’t going to be a good thing to start. While following the group of constrictors that held Engghaen, he notices dozens of constrictors laying around, exhausted by this phantom affliction.

“ By Siku, what is going on?” He was appalled by this, seeing his large brethren lumbering made his soul ache. Yet, his mind could not help but be fascinated by the power of this sickness. Xen follows the constrictors, and crept quickly like a thief through the night. He knew his large brethren would not hand over this human freely; payment of some sort was probably going to be needed. Xen recalls the terrible and sensual things the constrictors delighted in as payment , and cringes—he was not going to sell his body, Xen thought.

Finally, after letting his imagination get the better of him, Xen was able to discern one thing…that he was lost. This part of Zinrah was completely unknown to him, and what was worse that they kept going deeper and deeper down into Zinrah’s depths. Xen hopes he could bribe the constrictors somehow in order for him to get Eng.

[Voodoo]

They had descended deep into the nest, the sleeping sickness catching them as they got closer and closer to the dungeons and farther from the entrance and fresh air. One of the group had already sulked off in a different direction to find a place to sleep, leaving their group at two. Their leader had decided that the youngster just couldn't handle the sickness. The eldest warriors were struggling, but they eventually made it to the dungeons.

He was gentle when he laid the human down in the dungeon, his serpent friend standing guard at the door with a key in hand. The dungeons, heavily guarded, were free for Dhani to use to hold their prizes from the jungle. Empty cells had keys available, and they had taken one of these dark cells to hold their prize. As the Dhani slipped away from their prisoner, his partner closed the door. "Be sssure to lock it."

"Of coursse." He turned the key, the cell clicking shut. It was a satisfying sound and caused both Dhani to turn and head back out of the dungeons. Food and drink would have to wait. First, a nap sounded about right. Due to the sickness, they had forgotten something rather important.

Even though the cell was locked, they had left the key in the lock. Oh no.

OOCThis is where I bow out. Continue here, make a new thread, it's up to you all now.

[Xen]

Aah, Snakes!

Xen’s eyes held an odd gaze; one of half-awareness. He slaps his face with his left-hand to wake his mind, and body up. When he comes to—he finds himself sitting on the cavern floor with his back placed against the moist stone wall. Xen couldn’t remember the moment he decided to rest; maybe, he had blacked out? He was uncertain of the whole thing, and suspects that it was due to the strange sickness going around Zinrah. Xen leans his head back, and against the stone wall behind him—he deems the coolness on his skin soothing, and relaxing. Xen felt his mind slipping back into the arms of sleep, and immediately slaps his face with his right-hand.

“Ugh, it hurts, but it keeps me awake,” Xen grumbles, and looks up. The constrictors had placed Eng in a cell, probably after he had fallen asleep for those few ticks. Xen thought all hope was lost, until he notices that the constrictors had left the key—jackpot! Fate had been smiling upon this day, and he stands up to try and claim the abandoned object. But his endurance had other plans. Xen felt unbearably tired—the closer he came to achieving his goal—the more he felt fatigue weighing down on him.

“ Sweet Siku, what is going on?” Xen thought as he struggles across the short distance. He was just meters away from the cell, it was absurd! The space in front of him seemed to expand, and extend within the perspective of his tired mind. And Xen was beginning to think that he was going insane, but if he was going to become insane, he would save a young maiden before insanity consumes him entirely.


The battle went on!





Xen resembled a snail going up a steep slope; his body sluggishly moved across the stone floor, as his feet and legs force his exhausted form forward. The ordeal, from a distance, would appear humorous and a bit ironic to someone watching—a viper dhani, known for its speed, was being slowed down and by sickness so much that he was reduced to the point of resembling a slimy, and oozing snail. A blow this was to Xen’s speedy pride.

Xen finally reaches the cell, places his hand onto the key, and turns it to unlock the cell. The iron door opens, and emits a scratching, piercing sound before it comes to a stop. Xen walks in, and sits on the floor, exhausted. “ This is ridiculous! Why did that short stroll tire me out so much? ?” He thought; frustrated by the whole ordeal. Xen’s frustration was quelled once his eyes fell upon the sleeping Engghaen. He found her sleeping face adorable: in a non-creepy way. Xen found his cell companion pretty, and was certain that the constrictors would come back for her after their nap; they liked adorable and beautiful things.

Xen extends a hand and places it onto Eng’s shoulder “Hey! Hey, wake up,” he said quietly. Xen pushes on Eng’s shoulder a few times, hoping to wake sleeping beauty.