Eight Song ★ Dictated/Action

[catsong]

[There's a rather panicked voice over the journals, hushed and hurried like the speaker is afraid that someone close by would hear him.]

V-Vanyel? The curse... it's back. They're here!

[Konoe would have filtered his entry if it wasn't for the fact that the flames around him kept advancing and retreating, like they were taunting him. Bastards, what did they want? Why were they here when he was awake?]

Nononono... get away! Stay back!

[He yowls like a frightened cat and then throws his journal at the red flame. It doesn't do any good, though, but it keeps the journal open as the catboy tries to find a way to fight living emotions.

If anyone's near the library, a black-furred Konoe and four colorful floating flames are having an rather Yakkity Sax-worthy chase scene.]

Comments

[silentrunning]

[Chell had been trying to explore the castle. With pen in pocket and journal in hand, she was wandering near the library when a streak of black followed by four differently-coloured flames darted past. She blinked in utter and total confusion. What on Earth was this? All she could tell was that there seemed to be a chase going on. So, being curious, she decided to follow.]

[catsong]

[Konoe keeps running, but the flames are relentless in their mocking and he ends up surrounded by them again when he stops for breath. Ears folded back, the catboy's tail is flicking from side to side while fluffed up as thick as it can get.]

No... stop it...

[silentrunning]

[Chell might not be all too adept on social cues. But she knows bullying. And she knows fear.

Pulling back her lips in a silent snarl, she lowers her head, and tries to dart between the flames, shoulder first. If that actually works, she'll stand in front of Konoe... Protecting him as best as a nonmagical, completely human girl can. Screw this. She won't let this cat boy get bullied unnecessarily if she can help it.]

[OOC: If my paragraphs are off, I apologize. I'm not on my normal PC.]

It's fine!

[catsong]

[Konoe looks back as the girl tries to go between him and the flames. Worried, he reaches out to push her away - but the flames ignore Chell completely, flowing past her (without burning her) and then flock around the catboy again.

...then the blue flame takes its turn to seep into his mouth and ears.]

I... I'm so sorry...

Re: It's fine!

[silentrunning]

[Chell didn't leave. She didn't turn her back. She watched the blue flame enter his ears and mouth and the effect it was having. She didn't understand what was going on, or how it was happening, but somehow this blue flame seemed to be effecting him and making him immensely sad. And she couldn't protect him.

Thinking for just a moment, she walked closer, ignoring the flames since they hadn't burned her, and stood beside him. Yeah. Solidarity. She can't protect him from the flames. But she CAN make sure he isn't alone while this is happening. Unless of course he tells her to get lost.]

[catsong]

[So nice, Chell! Konoe appreciates it, even if he's curled up in a little ball and sobbing slightly. His heart was heavy and the tears welled up as he was reminded of the fact that he was separated from Asato and Rai.]

[silentrunning]

[Chell's not, that she could remember ever seen another person cry. So she's really confused and unsure what to do because it's been many years since she herself has cried. After all, it's hard to see when you're sobbing, hard to see any turrets that might come after you. More importantly, when you're distraught, it leads to more mockery.

So being not sure exactly what to do, she drops to a crouch next to Konoe. She won't hug him. But she does reach out and very gently put her hand on his head, right between his ears, if he'll let her, in an attempt to not necessarily soothe the emotion, as there's no soothing grief like that, but more a tactile reminder that he isn't alone, that she'll stay with him.

In her mind, though he's not from the same world, and the same hell as her, in this situation he's still a victim, and needs someone, and she remembers all too well how when she had been very young she had hoped for someone to save her as she struggled with the tests. She can't save him, but maybe doing something kind will be the next best thing.]

[catsong]

[One ear flicks up a bit as he notices the Hu Man crouching down and putting a hand on his head. Between the tears, a small sound of purring comes through, as if he cannot quite decide if he's sad or pleased.]

T-thank you...

[She stayed with him, even if he was a black cat with strange markings, tortured by devils. It put a little bit of ease into his far-too-sensitive heart.

Maybe he could fight this.]

[silentrunning]

[She'd vowed to stay as long as he needed her to. She liked him, strange markings and all. Besides, she could use as many allies here as she could get. And he hadn't shooed her away.

Tentatively, she petted his head. Not meaning any insult, as some people might take being petted as, but just because she likes anything that is soft. She's seriously been known to pet her own hair before.]

[eatsfire]

Huuuh?

[The yowl is what gets his attention as he's walking along, but as he comes nearer the flames are what he's more interested in]

Uwoah, what're those?

[catsong]

[Konoe stops, giving Natsu a worried look. What if the Hu Man got involved in this as well? In Asato's village, all the cats had become quite violent.]

They're...

[That's how far as he gets, before the red flame takes his chance to seep into every orifice in the poor cat's face.

...and then the rage blooms. Baring his fangs, Konoe hisses.]

[eatsfire]

[Seeing the flame go into his face is... not all that shocking to him, though a bit weird.

Natsu only blinks and tilts his head at the change in demeanor, before grinning]

What? Do you wanna fight?

[catsong]

[Konoe pulls his long dagger from its sheathe and the fur on his tail puffs up - this time in anger.]

[eatsfire]

[The dagger doesn't faze him. He holds up his hands, and in the blink of an eye, fire surrounds them. Natsu beckons with one, the other in a fist]

[whitecovered]

[It's no surprise that a book would hang out around the library, but...

>flames

>near the library

...Always a recipe for disaster.]

Good heavens!

[catsong]

[Thankfully the floating flames do not seem to burn, as they pass through bookshelves and tables without issues.

Konoe, however, is so terrified that he tries to grab Weiss and throw him at the flames as well. It was just a book, right?]

[whitecovered]

[He is grabbed and thrown, and so offended right now-!

Thankfully they don't burn, indeed.]

Gah!

[catsong]

[D-did that book just make a sound? Did he throw another journal?

The confusion stops him for a moment - just enough time to have the blue flame engulfing him and slipping into the orifices of his face.]

[whitecovered]

[Oh. Huh. That's...that's a new one. Don't mind a book floating closer to check up on the..."damage" done.]

Hm...?

[catsong]

[The cat curls up, trying to hold off a sob and failing badly at it.]

I-I'm sorry...

[Yeah, he still thinks it's a journal.]

[whitecovered]

[Oh...oh boy. Now things are awkward. How do you deal with sobs??? Well, the guy threw Weiss in a fit of confusion and obvious distress...he forgive that. Probably.]

Erm...I suppose your apology is accepted.

journal

[soccerwhisperer]

Konoe? Konoe! What's wrong?

[Of course it takes a moment for Tenma to realize that Konoe kinda threw the journal somewhere, so it's up to him to aimlessly find him!]

[catsong]

[Konoe sorely regrets the fact that he threw the journal, as he cannot call for help any more. Instead he keeps rushing around the library until he's trapped in a corner.]

[soccerwhisperer]

[Luckily, Tenma's fast, so he's already heading towards the library, shouting Konoe's name]

Konoe! Are you here?

[catsong]

[He flicks an ear as he hears Tenma and his tail puffs up even more. What if the flames harassed the kitten - um, child - too?]

K-keep away, they're dangerous!

[soccerwhisperer]

[Seeing the flames makes him a little fearful, but knowing his friend is in trouble gives him courage, like a sap]

I'm not going to leave you in danger either!

[catsong]

But-!

[That's about enough he has time to say, before the red flame engulfs him, seeping into his nose, mouth and ears.]

[soccerwhisperer]

Konoe! [He can't solve this by soccer...]

Ohh... I know! [He quickly wishes up a damp towel]

Don't worry Konoe, I'm coming!