The Balance Core, Niyol Version

After everything she’d been through having her memories again came as both a blessing and a curse. A lot of pain had been inflicted in the course of her life upon people for selfish reasons, ones Mao would love to take back and sadly couldn’t. They were in the past after all. However there would always exist small, odd, little “blank” periods and the image the adorable little animal girl currently held in her hands with a circle around it…was one of them. The magazine photoshoot in question stopped after a certain point in her recollections, mind having “short circuited” when her now mate bit her on the ear at the behest of the photographer, causing a mental bluescreen. Staring at the image held a slight bit of nostalgia, only having physically changed a little compared to the once green-haired woman…though in the image they’d color shifted Mao into a blond. ’I suppose it doesn’t look too bad…but I really wish they hadn’t used this image…’

Rose Garden proved as lively as ever, Mao usually only coming here for jobs as it remained a bit too busy for her liking. Perhaps to live out a fantasy life or whatever other reason a lot of people sported extra limbs and traits like animals, though anyone with heightened senses could tell most remained fake, but they could live out their fantasies in this odd little party city while others could move through it without worry. ’Seems a little strange of a place for him to call me to…I wonder why here?’ If this place wasn’t her cup of tea then the stoic Niyol would surely be more out of place here than the quiet woman. Despite the oddity she showed up, having promised him and, well it’d be rude after all they’d been through never mind his aid in recent events.

More than anything she wondered about the specifics of this favor, but those questions could wait as the blue-haired girl lead her to a ship, one with quite the sleek design. ’When…did he get this? Though…I like that it looks a bit like a dinosaur or wyvern.’ Tilting her head to see under the wings she really couldn’t unsee it, though deciding on a name would require a bit of time. As the hatch opened to permit her entry, Mao cautiously walked in, ”Niyol? Um…perhaps next time do you think you could use…a different identifier?” Okay probably not the most sensible thing to say upon entry, but between feeling like an intruder – something she simply couldn’t help – and a bit of nervousness over the request the woman defaulted to trying to deal with her embarrassment. Plus she’d prefer to not see that embarrassing photoshoot again.

The stern gaze came as nothing particularly new, the woman easily used to the stoic nature of Niyol. Even the glare wasn’t totally foreign though the raised hand received a small wince, recalling the previous instance. What came next however left her gob smacked and a bit unsure how to react. Hesitantly and slowly she wrapped her arms around him, patting him a little as the action continued to register. Affection remained an unfamiliar force in her life, the girl used to being considered less than furniture back in her native home, but here she’d managed to form a family from various people…perhaps it was the same for the generally stoic man? He’d cared enough to agree to help her, and even when that request went a bit south and in her stead Chesha called out for help he still answered…

She’d just have to get used to it a bit more if he continued down this path, but Mao couldn’t hide the couple of tail wags her large limb gave even if at a lazier pace given its size.

Even with the odd smile in place on his face Mao managed a small one back, though her mind raced, questioning why the change? ”Not at all,” she replied, the picture used far more embarrassing, but the girl herself had been easy-going. Suspicion slowly crept in with this odd demeanor of his, curiosity sparking further what might’ve caused it yet she refrained from asking. Instead she let him continue, curious about the request since her queries could wait.

His people – and those associated – seemed keen on interesting technology as the tailed woman recalled the temple they ventured through before. The place was filled with traps of various designs, some of which had been…more questionable than others to say the least as she recalled the very last before they finally left…well dragging poor Niyol the rest of the way out after removing the clown carcass. Even as news of these other creatures intrigued her Mao wouldn’t dampen her caution, vaguely recalling the sphinx Kasmeer fought on her behalf albeit through a bit of a veil. The ship left her a bit nostalgic for Sabertooth, though the crew was…well more extensive for this ship than the one her team once owned now inhabited by a solitary man. At the same time she couldn’t help wondering, ’Where did he get all these people?’ It wasn’t that she didn’t think he had friends…no that wasn’t entirely fair, just that Mao perceived the man as more of a “loner” type…not that he couldn’t employ people either. ’I think I’ll just give it up. I’m just glad he can’t read thoughts or this might’ve gotten insulting.’

Taking the proffered headset Mao could only stare at it in confusion as it sat in her hands. He expected so much of her, though the woman couldn’t think of a single thing to request of his people. ’I suppose it’s more of an “in the moment, it’ll come to me” type of thing…but still…’ Ignoring the butterflies she moved towards the seat, carefully situating herself since her tail often got in the ways of these things until the crewmember adjusted the chair for her. ’I guess I shouldn’t be suprirsed?’

”Hmm?” Again his voice caught her attention, the words this time a little worrying. Could that be the cause for the change in attitude? Situated and with the noise abundant she made sure the headset currently sat on the channel to talk to the two rather than the many before speaking, ”I say this as someone who considers you a part of the same pack: I will not let you die so easily. That’s what packs are for, and as far as I care you and I are a part of the same one even if you refuse to think the same.” She hesitated a spell, the next statement a little off-key compared to her heartfelt declaration, ”Also we need a moment for Nocshanks to get here. It’s not hard for him to find me just that…well he’s a bit of a sight to drag through town, especially when it’s crowded so it was easier for him to come around a longer way. Once he’s aboard we should be good to go.”

Thanks to his weight there was a slight rumble in the hangar of the ship, but once it was confirmed that shake came from him and that the behemoth of a canine now sat somewhere aboard the ship Mao confirmed they could finally take off. It wasn’t often she went without her faithful companion, the befriended beast having been a loyal companion through many of her past “missions” and remained so after her liberation. No doubt he’d weather any future difficulties against her people alongside the tailed woman, but for now if one of what he considered “their” pack needed them then they both would go…permitting he was able.

The voices mystified Mao, the words uncommon to her. If Chesha had come along then it might’ve made more sense to her, her sister keen on technology and the jargon and things likely to make more sense. ’Then again she’d love to explore one of these purely for the pleasure of it…and then possibly figure out how best to augment it.’ She sighed, a little envious of her sister’s prowess – something Chesha held the ability to further along in her life before Mao came along and stunted some of that growth, but she seemed intent on exploring the technology and possibilities of Fiore as well as nearby countries so all wasn’t lost. She mildly continued to wonder where all these people came from, mostly because she didn’t quite yet know what to do with herself as they took off, albeit a little rockily at first.

Her fists may have clenched the armrests a little.

Just a little.

Quickly things smoothed out and eventually the tailed mage found herself able to relax as that cheery little voice informed the crew people could move about now. Tempted as she was to see how Nocshanks was holding up – the canine far more accustomed to the ground with spurts of being airborne when he rolled up – those notions flew right out the window and into an engine as Rosaline plopped right into her lap.

A small apology bubbled up and never made it out as she refrained, reminding herself yet again – and after a speech from her sister – on how she needn’t apologize for every little thing. Habits could be hard to break so she swallowed the words back down as the smaller girl moved her hand to the control and gave her a simple rundown. Guns had never been her thing, Mao used to fighting more close and personal though…granted part of that may have simply been due to the limited parts of her training. Fighting wasn’t a primary part of her old role, just a way to survive to the next mission if it became required.

”Tutortial?” she mimicked, voice going up with a bit of hope. Well, she certainly wasn’t about to skip out on that, wanting to be at least somewhat useful and avoid being completely useless. If this job was so dangerous they had to do some fighting on the ship it’d be…well scads easier to do so than trying to wrestle with teleporting every which way and taking a bite out of the enemy. She’d gotten somewhat better about it, but turning about too much eventually left her a mite bit confused on her bearings. Sometimes she thought she might be a bit more in-tune with her canine side despite having lived with the feline family.

”All in due time child,” a sultry voice whispered into her mind, ”your growth’s a little hampered cause of that silly leporidae control gene…though it was a tasty one to say the least.” Shuddering she shoved that memory aside, the changes back to a proper, more natural state for her being an unpleasant affair though processed in a much shorter time span than the application process of the genes. She also didn’t care to dwell on the fact either ancestor enjoyed the “taste” of it.

Requesting the…was she a young girl or merely looked young? Hesitating Mao pushed the thought aside, asking for her help in setting up the tutorial as…well…she really didn’t want to mess anything up. For the ex-observer this struck her as relatively new territory and she didn’t want to end up actually firing the gun when it was supposed to be in practice mode, but she wanted to be able to fire it confidently when they did get into the inevitable scraps or fights or…whatever one called them in an airship.

The thing played out sort of like a game, vague memories of simulations playing in the back of Mao’s mind as she went through the thing a few times and tried to memorize both the feel of the controls with their placements as well as the general commands. If there were ways to make this easier on her friend/”pack mate” then she’d do all she could, especially since he’d helped her with such a momentous task.

Oh gods here came live testing already?! Panic burbled up inside, shaky hands floundering for a moment before she swapped from the test program back to the working mode. A small “eep!” escaped as her vision swapped flickered back to full reality rather than virtual, nerves continuing to jitter inside before they ceased under the influence of confusion. ”No…it couldn’t be…’ but it was the same symbol from the temple leaving the woman speechless, lips pursed as she swapped it back to the other mode. Perhaps he’d built it in to serve that very same purpose as the shaking of nervous energy left in the wake of determination (and a minor mix of eye rolling), Mao couldn’t be sure she’d remember to ask him about it later or not.

What did he mean by “time” her shots? Considering how these things worked she certainly wasn’t just going to hold down the trigger, spray, and hope for the best, but was there some sort of rhythm she should take? Was there some momentary pause in shields that she should look for? It wasn’t nerves so much as the woman now frantically trying to “decode” her instructions and discern what she’d be doing in order to keep them all safe and reach whatever objective they hoped to reach. ’I do at least have to be careful of overheating the barrels…that must be what he means…?’ It’d be what she decided on for the moment, opening fire on the first object that came within range, sending more a warning spray before switching gears to another target as the first reeled back a bit.

Again a bit of anxiousness rose up, the woman pursing her lips as she aimed at another of the ‘suckers’ – as her mind supplied – and one whipped right by her vision. Another “eep!” escaped as her blood sung, and a small instinct kicked in as well as….

A bout of hunger.

Within a second’s time the innards of one of the floating heads began to drop towards the ocean as she licked her lips. Not quite as tasty as actual food, but the magical energy to the thing offered a certain zing the mixed breed woman couldn’t deny enjoying as she met one of the other head’s blasts with a few shots, the small collision creating a cloud of smoke. She kind of wanted another taste and in the sudden cloud cover she devoured the innards again, unable to help using a mix of the sights and her awareness to “hunt” the thing and devour the insides. It was embarrassing, and she was thankful that things were a bit chaotic with the ship flying every which way that people would probably just view the falling heads as taken out targets. She really didn’t want to get into her odd diet with anybody, still getting used to it.

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<div align="center"><div style="width:400px;"><table><tbody><tr><td><div style="width:400px;float:left;"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/4LzQ758.jpg?1"style="max-width:100%;"></div></td></tr><tr><td><div style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:10px;font:11px georgia;color:#000000;text-align:justify;"><div style="height:20px;width:20px;background-color:#cc0000;padding:10px 5px 0px 5px;margin:0px 6px 3px 0px;float:left;color:#f8f8f8;text-align:center;">[size=18]N[/size]</div>[size=13]iyol



[/size]<div style="padding:15px;"><div style="width:80px;background-color:#cc0000;padding:5px;font:8px georgia;color:#f8f8f8;text-align:center;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:5px;margin-bottom:5px;margin-left:30px;float:left;">[size=13]WC: [/size]</div><div style="width:180px;background-color:#cc0000;padding:5px;font:8px georgia;color:#f8f8f8;text-align:center;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:5px;margin-bottom:5px;float:left;">[size=13]of 7,500[/size]</div>
</div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="width:400px;text-align:center;font:10px georgia;">credit to <a href="http://adoxographyv2.boards.net/user/15">nat</a> of adoxography and <a href="http://gangnam-style.proboards.com/user/4292">gangnam style</a>.</div></div></div>

How they could all act so casual about the damage and either bad possibilities eluded Mao, the woman merely capable of keeping her panic to herself. With the growing anxiety she devoured a few of the totems whole to try and satiate that gnawing feeling in her stomach, though kept up a few steady shots until the last of the things vanished. ’Thank the gods above and below,’ she silently sent to any listening deity: they’d be landing. While flying in this contraption was somewhat exhilarating she really didn’t like the idea of fighting inside it, the thing somewhat fragile and she’d become proficient enough to use her newfound magic for herself but…well, moving this many targets to safety would’ve gotten rather tricky if she managed it.

Luckily the confusion and constant rollercoaster ride prevented people from really taking notice of some of the totems disappearance until the last one fell to the ocean. Now they’d simply celebrate the lack of fire raining down so they could land safely. Deactivating her little firing system Mao leaned back in the chair and took a few calming breathes – though she might’ve also suffered a bit of motion sickness from all the loop-de-loops.

Once the bay doors opened up Nocshanks took his cue to leave the ship, the large beast also thankful for solid ground finally. His style might’ve pertained whipping his body about, but he’d never been particularly fond of airships as he rode them only so often even amongst Mao’s people. Both shared a sigh of relief to even be on sandy ground despite Mao’s dislike of it, the woman going so far as to splay herself on top of the black horned canine rather than lay on the ground. A little anxious to leave the vessel she’d simply teleported outside before hopping onto him, the burly beast not giving so much as a grunt to her light weight.

An eye opened as she heard her name, staring at Niyol, intrigued by his slight flustered attitude. It was extra entertaining as she knew he and Kasmeer hadn’t gotten off on quite the right foot, the ancestor having helped her in the temple and deliver the message in her sister’s stead, but the attempted soul sucking really hadn’t endeared the elusive woman to the soul chieftain.

He was right though: she was always listening since she’d bonded to Mao. It was easy enough to hide away from the man and still hear him, the feline woman intrigued by his request of help. Being the sassy feline it was awfully tempting to question his motives. Hesitation prevented her from immediately rejoining their plane of existence and stepping into the mannequin, a certain sense of caution sweeping through her like normal. Her little descendent soothed her mentally, the woman sharing familial bonds with the man…but she hesitated a moment longer before accepting. Stepping into the thing she blinked, almost sure that it’d revert to the purely animal form her people locked her into before she escaped possible lockdown in the same realm as the others.

Instead she saw humanoid fingers, nails maybe a little sharper than average, skin light as she remembered. One of her hands pulled her shoulder length hair before her eyes, seeing the beautiful silver-gray tones she recalled. Behind her a long tail slowly waved through the air, the stripes seemingly moving along the silver sheened fur, dark until one peered close enough to the stripes to see that they alternated between various dark shades of other colors. Triangular ears decorated her head, darkly tipped and the rest silver. ”No, a weapon will not be necessary,” she reassured the man. She wanted to reacquaint herself with her body before dealing with toys again, the habit of using any long since removed. Maybe if she gained access a bit more she’d see.

”More about me?” she raised a brow, in turn curious, ”Indeed it does, though so does trying to suck a soul you know little about, no?” It’d take a bit before she forgave that instance, her face harshening as she imparted a warning to the man, ”Understand this: you attempt that again and I will remove not only myself from your presence, but my descendent and her friend and you will go this little journey alone. I have already been betrayed by my people so my tolerance for other’s ploys is very low. But…” her stance relaxed a little, crossing her arms in turn and leaning against Nocshanks’ side, ”I am a member of the feline clan, born under the jaguar house. We’re well known for being able to disappear without much notice or thought, but I’m simply able to take it to a higher state and completely remove myself from reality: you will not reach me there. Unlike others of the house I’m not limited to an “all or nothing” status either.” As if to demonstrate she’d hidden her tail behind her, the thing disappearing to tap him on the back before reappearing behind her. ”Does that satiate your immediate curiosity or is there more you wish to know?”

An unfortunate combination of emotions bubbled up inside the woman. Not one, but two people suddenly started petting her as if…as if……as if she were a common house cat begging for loves! The sheer insanity of it would’ve had Kasmeer laughing if it’d been another of her people suffering the indignities, but it wasn’t and she desperately wanted to make them pay for taking her so lightly. Hell her people would balk in her very presence damn it all! And yet…there was that unfortunate, organic side to the woman that did enjoy the contact and affection after going so long without…she couldn’t even stifle a slight rumbling in her chest, the response almost automatic really. The casual way he touched her whilst commenting on everything as if he weren’t throwing any sense of respect or modicum of manners out the window probably irked her the most out of it all.

’I’m not telling him a damn thing else,’ she decided, sticking to her primary abilities. Though it was hard to decide who was more troublesome between the two as at least Altsoba hadn’t attempted a soul-sucking prior and, well her compliment was well deserved as Kasmeer’s ears were indeed very adorable, but the least they could’ve done was ask first! As Niyol returned to petting her the woman seriously considered leaving him strewn over the entirety of the island, split into pieces and yet not a bleeding mess. Just…sort of forced to try and recollect his body into one working whole again. Segmenting herself was merely the beginning. ’Maybe when this is all over.’

A small growl escaped as the woman touched a more personal area, the rumbling more befitting a wild cat than a merely annoyed pet as it transitioned to a breathy hiss. Except she mentally face palmed as the two started arguing, the harem commenting causing her descendent’s head to tilt. ’I’m not even going to bother explaining cultural differences to these fools…it’d be wasted…’ The statement included Mao who couldn’t imagine it in the slightest, the joke flying over her head like an obnoxious seagull.

His insistence over the control intrigued her, some of the anger dissipating as her expression hardened, ”Then allow me to clear this up now: what you want matters little in my agreement with her. I’ll use the mannequin with pleasure, but if something happens that requires my intervention I have no qualms doing so as my experience far exceeds her’s. Do not liken it to your relationship with your demons as I don’t seek control…” the silver-haired woman hesitated, the comparison a little embarrassing for her despite some of the small maternal instincts she’d experienced whilst watching her descendent, ”I seek to teach and protect.”

Eyes swept towards Mao as she coaxed Nocshanks back to standing. ’Besides it’s not as if we’ve awakened easy abilities within her.’

Mao had opted out of the conversation since she understood the general desires of both ancestors even as she appreciated both Niyol and Dmitry’s worries where they were concerned. It was an odd relationship to try and quash their worries over though, both men suspicious types (with good reason) so Mao found it easier to accept their worries. Besides she thought it better to let Niyol and Kasmeer fight it out verbally as they pleased rather than play the middleman in this instance as she and the tall, dark, and canine Nocshanks brought up the rear of the group. If they really got into it though she’d intervene, likening the situation a bit to pack members bickering over hierarchy or something.

”I’m sorry to interrupt, but what is it we’re looking for on this island?” her voice finally cut in as Kasmeer fell into step with her, curiosity getting the better of her. Mao knew they’d come here for a good reason, perhaps not unlike that trap-filled temple, though from what little she understood it dealt with Niyol’s tribe rather than an old enemy’s.

Any answers or further questions would have to wait as Niyol stood upon a particularly suspicious stone, causing the very land to shake and shudder. ’Oh dear gods above and below please don’t let this be another trap…’ Sure he might’ve stepped on it willingly…but it was so hard not to flash back to the temple and how the man unfailingly activated a multitude of traps in her presence – and possibly more while they’d been split up – so Mao’s mind created various scenarios regardless as something rose up out of the water. Yet he remained calm, watching the great beast continue to rise up, Mao blinking up at it in pure amazement and wonder (and small prayers it wouldn’t either sneeze on them or smack the Chief of Souls upside the head or….to such effect).

The deep, resonating voice reminded her of another being, though there existed a softer edge to this one, perhaps due to its familiarity with the man standing before it. A small bubble of anxiety grew inside of her though as the tailed woman acknowledged she’d have to face that being again someday, though she smothered a giggle at Niyol’s displeasure at the nickname. She could imagine them related in some sense, the tortoise acting as an elder, apparently knowing Niyol’s actions to some extent. Confusion set in as Niyol either didn’t want the wise being mentioning some part of his past…or became embarrassed at the memory being brought up…it was hard to tell at times with the serious fellow. ’I can feel his care however,’ a small smile broke out over the great beast’s care for her friend.

Having kept their distance during the discussion the trio sped up a little to shorten the distance of their group and answered the questions that would’ve been her first easily. ’So the guardian likely cares for him as it did his entire tribe…’

Caught up in her thoughts however Mao failed to catch the teasing curl of Kasmeer’s lips. It was hard not to pass the moment up as her sultry voice purred, ”My my, someone’s seriously procrastinated haven’t they? Sure you’re ready to become a man?” Not that she expected much reaction from the soul user, maybe getting booted from this false body (worth it) or maybe another attempted soul-sucking, but more than likely he’d blow her off. It was just hard to avoid a little needling.

”I’m sure he bears reasons for it,” the gentle, deep voice of Nocshanks reverberated, chest rumbling with a sigh as his golden eyes turned towards the ancestor, ”They are not ours to question.” The souring of her expression gave cause for the beast to let out a few, low rumbling chuckles, his kind holding no reason to revere Mao’s ancestors and thus held little problem ruining her “fun” himself.

Mao ignored the comments, letting Nocshanks handle it as she mulled over these facts. ”Are we allowed to help you in these tests?” she asked, unsure about the cultural differences in this instance and not wanting to invalidate his efforts, ”Or are there certain things we can help with and other’s we can’t? Are they all fights?”

It was too late to undo the damage unfortunately as a liveliness filled the man’s eyes that normally held almost no trace of a flickering flame to them. Mao stifled her sigh as the woman’s eyebrows knit with worry, but she knew better than to approach a force that sent her animal instincts aflame. Fight-or-flight caused the trio’s blood to sing in their veins as Nocshanks couldn’t help bracing himself a bit, subconsciously expecting some impacting force, and a thrill surged through Kasmeer the likes of which she hadn’t felt in quite a while. Though the wild ancestor knew few forces on this plane could threaten her…well, if she didn’t watch this fellow close enough he could prove quite…problematic. That was the only way she cared to phrase it.

Out of them though Mao already knew of some of his sorrows, the man having shared them as a form of apology a prior time – recalling more clearly after regaining her proper memories. Ears flicked backwards as his intensity continued to grow, unable to help herself from huddling closer to Nocshanks if only to curb the instinct to disappear. She’d promised she’d be here for him, and Mao refused to abandon Niyol now, simply letting him vent his emotions – a healthy thing she garnered from some reading and something the usually serious fellow could use.

Though an ill-timed voice piped up, offering him the end he suggested only to find herself at the brunt of his fury and release. Even Kasmeer found herself confused by the individual: could she not sense the danger currently present? ’I may flirt with death…but I don’t think I’ve seen someone as brazen…or clueless as her.’ The girl earned only a few points for her idiotic bravery, but alas a few was all the displaced Cheshire Cat could offer. After all she couldn’t stand people who started a fight speechifying as if the victory had already been decided: the old feline watched time and time again many like-minded individuals find either their end or defeat shortly thereafter. Arenas before the round were the place to do that sort of silly shtick.

Only one person in the group held a small amount of pity for the girl, Mao unable to help it as she winced – though the other two shared an ounce or two of sympathy for her. Not a single one of them could doubt she hadn’t earned the severe beat-down – the predators more wincing at the loss of teeth than anything. None of them spoke up during the ordeal, acting little more as spectators as that appeared to help a bit with his frustrations, a calm overtaking Niyol again as far as eyes were concerned.

Kasmeer’s eyes turned to meet his, head not budging an inch as she accepted she may have stepped a bit too far on that one, but didn’t respect his power any less than she had before. She wouldn’t outright say it, but she did consider him a worthy threat – which only caused conflict internally at permitting her descendent to remain in his company. However she wouldn’t control Mao either as some ancestors did with their hosts, the woman not seeking to live a life not truly her’s like those desperate souls.

They relaxed a tad, resuming their following of the leader as Mao spared a last glance at the girl. While a small part of her considered healing the girl just a tad….another part of her more loyal to her friend agreed she’d earned the smack down…and, well, if she lived then it’d be merely an important lesson. ’Well…maybe if she’s still there on the way back. Just enough so she can move some.’ Fully offering the girl a way home though or anything of the like wouldn’t sit right with her if the girl’s intention was to kill her friend. ’Probably best not to ask about this ‘Guardian of the Solar Flare’ business, at least not right now, not when we have more important things to attend to like these tests.’ With that decision made her attention returned fully ahead of her, watching Niyol walk away as if the whole scene hadn’t even occurred.

One of the things Mao probably enjoyed about being in Niyol’s company – and on occasion Altsoba’s: questions rarely remained unanswered for long. As time progressed – or maybe they didn’t care to keep secrets as much as other’s – the pair appealed to her sense of curiosity, explaining things. Some of the heightened curiosity stemmed from her previous role for her people, but they tended to only enhance natural qualities of their brainwashed forces, boosting talents and related aspects of the individual to achieve the best result possible.

’That would explain things…’ Mao grimaced, ’if one is too busy being celebrated they’re not doing more important things. If the young don’t test their limits they’ll have less understanding of their capabilities and become too soft for proper hunts. Though what sets one prone to grandiose entries I still don’t understand…’ It was one thing to approach a group and converse with them cautiously, but another entirely to stand so boldly and declare ill intentions towards them. The reminder that he spent the majority of his life alone though saddened Mao, ears drooping a bit as even through her blackouts there’d been Chesha, and after her first job Nocshanks after he’d been trained and they decided she required additional backup or a watchful eye.

Not that he’d strictly adhered towards their whims, but much like Mao later in life did what they wanted on the surface.

Kasmeer could only sneer at the tale: she’d known a few families within clans possessing similar mindsets to that girl’s “tribe.” Most either became lazy mates of lesser families or failed to live long in combat from what she saw.

Another cute nickname slipped from a statuesque beast, though this time Kasmeer stuck to small smirk even as Mao smiled a little, happy that in some ways he’d had friends in these beasts. To what degree she couldn’t say, but they did sound fond of him. The mention of that event left Mao blushing a bit, enormously grateful to her friends as it would’ve gone very differently without their aid, though she still felt a little guilty at not having asked for anybody’s help prior. ’Well…not everything can go according to plan…’

A hand touched Kasmeer’s chin in thought, sizing up the stone age tigers and slowly but surely a small smile curled her lips. ”Ey beastie, demoness: I’ll let you guys have a bit of fun but I’m going to take some of these guys for something if’n you don’t mind,” calculating eyes turned towards Mao, the girl giving out a small sound as her attention shifted, pausing with the second gauntlet halfway on her hand, ”You, my dear…are going to embrace more of your feline grace and hunting. I won’t have you relying on your gluttonous other half, got it?”

’Oh gods she knows, of course she knows!’ Just because no one on the ship knew what she’d been doing mean Mao escaped completely scot-free.

Charging as they were, Kasmeer waved her hand a few times in their general direction, nothing flying from her hand or giving any indication of a proper attack. Snapping her fingers and then pointing upwards half the tigers segmented, their parts flying up into the air, though they didn’t act defeated – albeit one of them at least confused while most of the others snarled and growled their dislike of this new situation – limbs wiggling as though still attached even if it painted an odd picture. Jerking her head towards the other’s as she stared at the large black dog with them, Nocshanks sighed at her before charging in like a wrecking ball, forcing the beasts to scatter. She’d let him keep them busy and the obnoxious petting demoness have at those ones as she pleased.

”I want you to touch each and every piece I have floating up there. If you touch an entire tiger I’ll self-destruct it, all right? Then your friends don’t have to worry about it. But you have to touch it: not your odd mutation or one of your “mouths.” If you try to eat them instead then I’ll put them back together and release him as I see fit….maybe even an in opportune time? Whatever I feel like I guess. If you’re a good girl and wait until the end though I may let you devour the last one….but you still have to touch each piece first, got it?”

Mao gulped, not particularly skilled at looking through a bluff…if it was one. Besides there were at least two targets she didn’t want it interfering with…Mao not sure how much danger Altsoba could be put in and while she trusted NIyol she wanted to avoid hampering him at all. These things didn’t look to be anything to balk at as she watched Nocshanks give one birth, jumping off of one to avoid becoming surrounded and the thing’s legs only bent a bit beneath his bulk.

Steeling her resolve the woman performed the first jump through that other space, coming out above and slapping a paw and tail tip simultaneously before poofing back to the ground.

”Wow, coming back down already? I might have to place a time limit if you’re not careful…I mean…what if he needs your help with something? You going to spend all day touching tiger bits?”

The threat chilled her a bit, a startled Mao whipping around to stare at her ancestor and simultaneously, new mentor. A time limit would mean…well an obvious fail if she continued about in this manner. Yet…multiple jumps? That sounded awkward and tiring so if she expended too much effort it might leave her weak.

Right?

Keeping one’s bearings in teleportation felt odd as it was, never mind forcing herself to pop around multiple locations in quick succession. If the world shifted too much she’d either become dizzy or disoriented entirely, leaving herself open. The conundrum caused the girl to bite her lip in worry as she surveyed the floating pieces, trying to configure some course, though it still sounded complicated to her.

”I can tell without even looking that you’re overthinking this.” A sigh slipped out, Kasmeer crossing her arms and shaking her head, ”Not that I’m surprised since they basically trained you to do that. Your thought shouldn’t extend beyond ‘which ones do I want to touch?’ in this instance: not overloading your brain about how to go about it or routes and like things. You should be able to feel this out and not worry about anything else…besides your feline blood should be able to naturally aid in that matter, but I’m guessing your “old dog” side is getting in the way here of learning a new trick.” Kasmeer smirked as she watched the girl jolt from behind, the miffed expression adorable – in her eyes coming from someone more like a kitten or puppy – on Mao’s face when she turned around again evoking a small chuckle. ”C’mon, at least try it or I really will impose a time limit.”

While the jaguar woman held confidence that the man would figure something out – and even the armored canine – if she unleashed the tigers back upon them, they remained a nifty excuse to force her mixed blood descendent into practicing skills she direly needed. ’Sorry, you’re behind in your natural learning and I have this golden opportunity, so I’m not going to pass it up. Even Sorrow’s likely pleased by this turn of events, at least in some regards.’

’Over thinking it…’ Was she? It was an odd notion as Mao once again flickered her green eyes back up at the floating pieces, watching them lazily drift about even as the tigers looked less than pleased by their circumstances. Yet Kasmeer didn’t say not to think about it, just that she might be going overboard. ’Perhaps I’m so busy thinking about it I’m forgetting to rely on any sense of instinct?’

Focusing on a group that started drifting close together Mao vanished, reappearing up above and slapping one piece with her fingers even as one of her dark tail tips smacked another. A second later she manifested by another, managing to get the piece in front of her even as her leg failed to connect to a fourth. Down on the ground she was, crouched, but unlike last time the mage didn’t await her silver-haired ancestor’s words before disappearing again. Back into the air she appeared, this time shortening her time between hits to avoid letting the pieces drift further from where she recalled them being, allowing her sense of space to account for any slight differences this time. She could feel them in the air in the strangest of ways, knowing their location even for that split-second in the between realms. While she recognized a flurry of disappearances as the tiger ceased to exist the dark-haired girl continued her task, occasionally touching back down on the ground for a moment’s breath before returning.

This time a pleased smile etched its way onto Kasmeer’s face, a small bubble of pride as she watched her descendent catching on quicker than she initially thought. A slight wistful quality tinged the smile before the distraction of utter stupidity reappeared. Watching the girl get blasted away the “Cheshire Cat” shook her head, ’Well props to her for trying again after that savage beating earlier and quick recovery…but at this point the only thing she’s accomplishing is a severe lesson in pain and how much she can take. Well, I guess it might be healing practice, assuming that’s her power doing it.’ It wasn’t her business or bother really, the woman shrugging it off before destroying another tiger.

It wasn’t much longer before the final one burst, a panting Mao facing the ground as she stood on her hands and knees.

”Not bad, not bad at all. We’ll keep at it,” she grinned at the slight groan, ”but for now I think a rest perchance. Well, however long it takes to get to the next oversized beastie I suppose. Not sure on his plan.” Feline eyes swiveled over to the man as the supersized tiger faded from sight.

The collapse came as sudden in their eyes, though the sight of Knave surprised no one – much less so his questionable way of carrying Niyol around. If anything seeing the sight again almost caused Kasmeer to snort. She accepted the explanation, feeling little-to-no need to experience regret or any negative emotions: he’d offered and she accepted. Whether that tired him out like this or not was on the man, but to date – including this bout – the Chief of Souls proved himself capable (even if not an infinite source of energy…or sunshine). Considering the double beam of doom between him and the guardian though Kasmeer didn’t doubt he’d definitely used a fair bit of stamina in the past while. Watching a somewhat shaky Mao get back to her feet though she agreed with the idea of a rest.

In her time following her descendent the silver-haired woman merely took note of her acquaintances. Most didn’t stick around in the girl’s life even if not by Mao’s desire or request, the tricky woman not feeling the need to understand her friends in this “lifetime” any more than others until the dip into the ruins recently. If nothing else she found it clear she needed to “notice” Niyol a bit more, so his ties to the demoness escaped her a little, for once Mao having a little leg up in this category.

Memories more intact these days, Mao nodded: she couldn’t remember much worry on his end. Sure he’d been grave here and there about circumstances, but not really about defeating the foes themselves. In all truth she probably should’ve avoided him to some extent, instinct no doubt prodding most of her kind to keep their distance from him without sufficient power on their side – after all she’d make allowances for ego. However such worries and sense had been dulled by the crystals, permitting the tailed woman the opportunity to befriend Niyol, more curious about him as a person rather than fearful of the predator he could be. Though some part of her felt sure that she would’ve befriended him regardless, sure that it was more than just the crystals dimming her emotions and instincts.

Willingly Mao let Altsoba pull her to the bed, sitting on it easily. She’d always found the demoness an interesting entity, one moment flirting with the man and yet another so oddly human. Some would theorize it to be a trickster side as who could trust a demon? Everything they did was surely aimed at causing someone to fall for something, right? Yet despite it all the dark-haired girl felt sure Altsoba genuinely cared for the scarred man. Knowing her as she did, Mao didn’t so much as bat an eye as the vibrant woman moved her tail closer to the slumbering Niyol. She did however jump a little, not used to simply letting people hug the oversized limb, and a small and momentary purr slipped out. A few moments though and she relaxed, growing accustomed to the sensation even as he readjusted his hold, merely flexing the three tips a little before they curled and stilled. Staring though it was an odd thought, knowing that many people softened in their sleep and yet to see Niyol one of them remained something of a wonder.

A new sadness hit her though for her friend, pointed ears folding backwards a little. Staring into the water of the clay cup a small lump formed in her throat. Did that mean his mate died alongside the rest of the tribe? The one he’d chosen to be, wrenched from him. And now here he was, going through this trial Istas couldn’t, unable to be “united” with her after. Instead he carried with him a small piece, likely unknowingly from the sounds of it, and all he felt was ire for her.

Left alone with the slumbering chief and her ancestor – Nocshanks remaining outside to nap in the shade of some palm trees – Kasmeer left the wall she’d been leaning against, ”Rest up, I’ll be nearby,” and took her leave as well. The air felt awkward for her in the room, the displaced woman used to being alone and wanting a bit of air. Besides she wasn’t keen on sleeping, not when he’d been so kind as to grant her this temporary vessel and a part of her wanted to continue test it out, to feel truly alive for the first time in a fair while.

Sitting in silence Mao sighed, fatigue further creeping in as she took a few gulps of the water and placed the cup on the ground. Careful not to move her tail about she turned to stare at her friend, a hand lightly petting his head: he’d been through so much. Her heart ached for him, wanting to somehow lick his wounds better and reassure him yet remaining awkward in execution. She smiled a bit, reminded of long, long ago when she used to share a bed with her sister, finding comfort in snuggling close to Chesha and sleeping peacefully where her waking life had been anything but peaceful. Maybe, even unknowingly, he could find the same comfort whilst hugging her tail, Mao lying down opposite him. Laying her tail over another felt more normal, often laying it over another’s legs usually, but letting him hug it wasn’t so bad either. Quickly sleep overtook her, little more than a small hope to not be kicked in the head flittering through her head.

Something kept poking at her, trying to draw the woman from sleep, but comfort prevailed for a spell longer. In the haze of slumber it was horrendously easy to forget one had a mission before them. Again something disturbed her, but in that fog she turned over and thought it to be someone else wanting her to reposition herself – either Nocshanks wanting to adjust an arm or perhaps she fell asleep on one of Aiyana’s tails again? It hugged her and Mao’s sleepy-self determined she must’ve fulfilled the other’s requirement, the figure hugging close and she absentmindedly hugging the other back.

Chaos punctured the calm permeating her mind, a small whimper slipping out as her tail smacked towards the offending object. Surely Aiyana could give her a few more minutes?! Her mate could be lusty at times, but generally she wasn’t this rough at waking her up. And yet her mind pondered as it became almost more uncomfortable than its usual pleasurable sensation, as if the person insisted on stroking the very area bald. The instinct to lash out bubbled up a bit before a curious, falling sensation struck instead and brought with it some relief even if the world faded before her eyes.

A sigh escaped Kasmeer’s mouth, hand pointed to where Mao once lay before falling through the bed and Altsoba’s grasp, ”Honestly there are better ways…though if I didn’t know better to any other animal it’d look like an over eager kid petting an animal. I won’t expect better of you in the future.” Her voice only held a slight bite to it, more exasperated with the demonic woman than anything as she moved forward and pulled her descendent out from under the bed by the scruff of her clothes. She shook her head as the other girl whimpered, rubbing the now sore area around her tail. Either of the end results of the spontaneous petting would’ve merely set them back or caused some issue, the ancestor rolling her eyes internally even as she raised a brow at the fellow: now his reaction had been a surprise.

This time though she wouldn’t mock him for it, not out of fright but perhaps more a respect of the things he’d been forced to live without. ’They both could use a pride’s mentality…though they have a troublesome aunt in their midst.’ While she couldn’t fully decide where Altsoba might reside in the hierarchy – be it overzealous adult or a rough housing elder sibling – Kasmeer couldn’t help feeling like the world weary senior for the moment. ”We should probably start heading out to the next task of your’s as you two’ve slept well enough.”