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[npc-excolo.livejournal.com]

Time has little meaning here, though your body back home may disagree.

Dream.

A forest.

A forest of the oldest sort, thick with brambles, trees snarled with centuries of life. It stretches for miles, many of them very dark, because the trees grow so close that it is hard to see. From a high vantage point, on one of the hills of the forest, one may glimpse a tower at the heart of the forest, a great graceful column of grey stone. Here and there there are clearings, bright with sunlight, and streams running with clear water. But mostly there is dark.

In the distance, the howl of a wolf.

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[silence-excolo.livejournal.com]

I walk for a time, the woods becoming denser. I have stumbled a few times, but I can still stand on my own. My white dress is somewhat stained (tainted) by now.

Things move around these woods. That is to be expected, of course, but these things are not what one expects in the woods. Cats, for example, in hats & boots. And other things.

"Hey there, lady. You headin' for the Tower?"

He sounds familiar, somehow. Not that one meets many talking cats nowadays. They are special, & should be greeted well (how do I know what's special?) & so I hold my arms in front of of my dress & bow at the waist. My hair falls over my eyes.

"Hello. I am heading towards the tower, if not for it." I rise & admire his fine & strange costume. I almost remember the feel of fur through my fingers. "You seem dressed for traveling. Do you head for the tower?"

My stomach grumbles. I consider asking him if he carries food, but I doubt he would share. Cats can be quite tricky & I have nothing to trade. Better to find my own.

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

She does not startle on seeing me, that is good. Even better, she is polite,bowing to me before answering my question and asking her own, Hello. I am heading towards the tower, if not for it. You seem dressed for traveling. Do you head for the tower?

I smile at her before adjusting my hat to better sit upon head. "But of course! Where else should I be headin' for?"

Her stomach growls and I consider for a moment. It will be terrible distracting if it keeps making those sounds while we travel together so I dip a paw into my bag and hand her a large piece of roast chicken. "C'n you do me a favour? Eat that before you attract something else even more hungry than yourself."

[silence-excolo.livejournal.com]

He smiles, his whiskers spread out as he preens. "But of course! Where else should I be headin' for?" His smile, however odd, is genuine. I am smiling, too, to see it.

It's been some time since. My lips crack a little.

"Well, it seems very far, but perhaps we could travel together to pass the time?" It's only polite to offer, & he seems pleasant & clever. "Are you on an adventure? The tower is-" And I pause, for I don't remember what the tower is. Important (poisoned) surely, but it should be something.

He pulls a piece of meat from his satchel & offers it to me as a... favor? "Eat that before you attract something else even more hungry than yourself." Hm, tricky, but perhaps kind. I bow to him again. "If you offer it freely, then I accept," & I am smiling again.

I kneel & lean forward, taking the chicken into my mouth. I am careful to not make a mess, though it is difficult. It seems it's been so long since I've eaten. "Thank you, it was very good." I lick my lips, not wanting to miss any crumbs.

A distant wind whines, & a touch of cold. There's a scent beyond the chicken, beyond the woods that I don't...

"Do you know if there is a river nearby? We should have some water for the journey." I feel the need to keep moving. Things moving in the woods.

[chester-excolo.livejournal.com]

I don't think she's used to smiling, it looks a bit unfamiliar on her face.

Well, it seems very far, but perhaps we could travel together to pass the time? Are you on an adventure? The tower is-

"Of course I'm on an adventure? you think I wear this stuff for just any old day? An' yes, I had thought that we might travel together, assumin' you had no objections. Which as you're askin' me, C'n I make the further assumption, that not only are you not havin' objections, that you would indeed like to travel with me?" She starts to tell me about the Tower only to stop just before she can actually say anythin' about it. Makes my tail twitch, maybe she doesn't know anything an maybe she's under a spell that won't let her tell what she knows.

She hesitates because takin' the chicken, bowin' an' everythin too, If you offer it freely, then I accept." I sigh, but rules is rules. "Yeah, it's offered freely. I ain't tryin' to trap you in nothin'." She smiles again and it's lookin' better on her. She takes it neatly enough straight from my paw an licks her lips after. Thank you, it was very good.

i'm about to tell'er she's welcome when a cold wind comes up an there's something to it, something beyond just air. This ain't its focus though it's comin' from over...that way. But my companion is talkin' again and I turn back to her instead of looming off after the wind.

Do you know if there is a river nearby? We should have some water for the journey. I open my mouth to taste n' sniff the air. "River's that way." I say, pointin'. Think whatever we do we should get a move on. Woods're full a dangerous things. C'n almost feel something comin' up our way.

[silence-excolo.livejournal.com]

My, but he is talkative! Or perhaps I am just quiet (silent). I have been alone for some time now, it seems. I make my own path- but it is lonely.

I sometimes forget the difference between alone & lonely.

"C'n I make the further assumption, that not only are you not havin' objections, that you would indeed like to travel with me?" Hm, like to. Yes, I think I'd like to. After all, he is obviously clever, which could come in handy. Ha.

"I would be honored to accompany you, Master Cat, if only to somehow repay your kindness." Kindnesses in the woods are almost as rare as talking cats & must always be repaid.

He points to where he thinks a river might be & we walk for a time. The whining wind has stopped, but the scent is still there. But Master Cat is interesting company, happy enough to talk as I am to listen. And soon enough, we do come to a river (http://community.livejournal.com/estdeus_innobis/405098.html?thread=10276714#t10276714) (washing bubbling rising-) that looks cool & clear.