[
This is a private plot RP between the characters Cypher, Migisi, and Mr. Sanguine. Anyone else is welcome to track and read but please refrain from taking part. Thank you~]
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Everything was as it should be. Everything was in its place. The bird sighed her relief as her eyes made one last pass over her collection. Shiny metals of different shapes and sizes lined the outer walls of her nesting site, stuffed into the cracks of crumbling stone. It felt like forever since she'd last admired them, struck flightless by Jack and unable to reach her nest. Jack...the thought of the white stag cooled her enthusiasm. Stepping to the edge of the support, she took flight and carried herself higher to perch on the very top of the ruin's arch. A low huff escaped her tiny nostrils as pale eyes glared down at the blood-stained alter. Migisi had never minded Jack's close proximity to her nest before, finding him a mere annoyance more than anything else, but now... Now he was a threat. Now even Bright was a threat. She couldn't stay here...
Ruffling her feathers, she settled back on her legs to peer out into the forest in a more relaxed state of mind. At such a high vantage point she was unseen, yet could see all. Ah, how she missed this. A cool breeze played at her feathers and she stretched her neck and lifted her wings to enjoy the feel. A pair of doves eyed her from where they perched further down the archway. Migisi paused to stare at them, then folded her wings quickly, feeling a bit foolish. She shifted away and gaze herself a shake before lifting her gaze once more, pondering a new nesting site.
[How does the posting order of Migisi, Cypher, then Sanguine sound guys?] 
(Sounds good to me.) The
The afternoon sunlight seeped into his skin through his clothing. Providing a great sense of comfort as he laid in a patch of light while the light pushed its way through the bare branches of the near by trees. The stones of the ruins were generally cool to the touch, but these particular stones had been fortunate enough to have been exposed to the sun, warming them and making them more tolerable to rest beside. The clothed-stag let out an exhausted yawn as he took pleasure in the calmness of the coming evening. Having spent the pass few weeks hurrying about the Forest to care for the injured jackdaw while filled with anxiety, frustration, and paranoia...Peaceful days were becoming much longed for treasures.
Above him he could hear the soft sounds of twigs being rustled. His gaze moved upward in time to see the ebony and silver jackdaw make her way out of the nook in the crumbling stone. Blinking away his laziness, Cypher gazed up to examine her activities. A small smile expanded from his thin lips at the sight of her flexing her wings. He had been terrified that she would be unable to fly, but it would have appeared that the efforts he and Bright had put towards her recover had paid off.
"Is everything alright, darling?" He called up towards her, unsure if she was aware that he had been napping beside the pillar - as he often did. Slowly, he rose to his feet while giving his lengthy body a stretch. His eyes still pointed upward while he waited for her to realize he was waiting for her.
Sun. Water. Air. These were
However, some extended roots beyond visible boundaries. Like the one growing there, at the base of the ruin's altar. It thought highly of itself. Because it was the favorite. And it knew it.
Which was why, on the warm day beside the altar, it was paying strict attention to everything that happened.
They were his ears. And his eyes, the dandelions. And he could hear them, calling out, screaming in his ears. listen, listen to this!. And he did, in the darkness, he listened. Ivory eyes sliding open, pushing his own roots and stem and self upwards through the ground, listening, listening. Just out of sight.
"Is everything alright, darling?"
and the scrabbling of bird feet, and the fluttering of bird wings. How strange, a bird and a deer, and he had said darling?
Feathery ears flickered, emerging now from the treeline of the first forest, crouched low like a hunting lion, to listen, to learn.
Nostrils on a white nose flared, inhaling deeply. This could work out well for him. If he played his cards right. If these two were as close as he was beginning to assume they were...
Gonna track this yes ♥
Migisi perked up at the
Hopping to the edge of the arch, she leaned over and caught sight of the stag as he lazily rose to his feet. How he could sit so long by choice was beyond her comprehension. Cracking her blunt beak, she let out a crisp, barking response before falling forward and diving toward the ground. Her black and silver wings caught her just in time, swinging her up away from crashing to the ground to glide smoothly between the ancient pillars and up above the stag's head. Her clawed feet grasped for a smooth antler-tine and she settled there, looking smug.
"I shall take it as a 'yes'
He stood still to allow her to balance herself on his smoothed tines before taking a step. Not particularly needing or wanting to go anywhere special of specific, but just wanting to shake his legs awake. Stupidly positioning himself at an awkward angle as he rest, the circulation in his slender limbs had been cut off. The numbness bitterly bit into them making him wince slightly with each step. Feeling slowly beginning to return.
Head was held high giving the jackdaw the greatest perspective of the forest he could offer her. Knowing that she had become more wary since her attack and wanting to give her the ability to see as far as possible. "What is on the agenda today, darling?" he finally said as he came to stop; legs feeling normal once again. "Care to fly more?"
(And now I must sleep for work.)
A flighty creature, this
His body seemed to bubble, to ripple, as if maggots crept beneath his skin, no, he was simply growing, from the small size he'd been, larger, hitting the size of a large dog, then bigger, mountain lion, larger, settling just under bull moose size. The glaring red would certainly catch the sharp eyed bird's attention.
That was fine, if he was trying to hide himself now, he wouldn't be seen.
Long bony fingers dug into the fertile earth, inhaling again as it was churned up, nearly salivating at the sheer scent of life beneath his palms.
His stride was odd, caught somewhere between the lope of a dog and canter of a spirited horse.
Feathery ears flicked, blunt, stunted wings did the same, tail trailing behind him like a banner as he made his presence known; in with a show.
He did not however, speak, not yet, he would wait to be spoken to, ivory eyes fixated upon the duo, closing for a moment in a blink. And he smiled, showing broken-glass gar teeth.
Her chubby frame rocked a tad
Yet, as she stopped to glance back at him, she saw he was only just reacting to her playful gesture. The vibrations weren't from him. Then...?
Turning back sharply, Migisi cried out in alarm. Something was coming. A big...red...something! All thoughts on the game vanished as she spread her wings and headed skyward, passing Cypher by to root herself once more atop a stone pillar. Spinning around, she peered over the edge at the large, bright creature that gracefully came to a stop below. Its pupiless eyes seemed to focus on Cypher as its lips pulled back to reveal its menacing teeth. Her skin crawled at the sight, feathers fluffing in anger as a low hiss surfaced in the back of her throat. She knew this creature; knew enough that she didn't like it one bit. Then, as though it heard her thoughts, its head tilted toward her and she watched ts eyes roll upward. The bird shivered and cowered back. It was looking at her...she could feel it.
(Rambleramble. Sorry for the wait ._.)
The brim of his fedora began
Taking a moment, he watched her from afar. Smirking with a roll of his eyes as she tried desperately to drag the fedora away. Obviously wanting him to chase after her. He was about to take a step. Legs bent as he prepared to leap after her but something was distracting him. A sound growing louder behind them and coming closer at a rapid rate.
He spun around to see a flash of red speeding over the green fields. A majestic, grotesque creature trotting over without any hesitation. Lush feathers brightly displayed. Vibrant in color as the rest of the strange creatures form. He could have sworn he had seen such a beast before...Briefly quite sometime ago...
Brown-tipped ears perked as his heart skipped, hearing the loud shriek gargle up from within the jackdaw's throat. Quickly, he glanced over his shoulder with fearful eyes, terrified that another had gotten her. His muscled tensed and body went stiff. Remaining tight even as he saw Migisi take to the air and glide to safety upon the stone pillar. With the crow out of harm's way, his attention fell instantly back onto the newcomer. Blue eyes crystallizing with a mixture of uncertainty and interest.
Taking a step forward, he placed himself before the crimson beast and the hissing crow. Spreading his legs partially as he placed himself in a defensive stance. Head hung loosely behind his shoulders with his antlers displayed, fully exposed without the fedora on his head. His lips curled in return; teeth clenched. Despite the introduction being peaceful so far, he had seen the creature chase other's before and Migisi was distressed by his presence. The stag as not about to let her be harmed again...
"Oye! Some nerve you have there sneaking up on us like that," accent heavy as always, his blazing blues started into the voids of the crimson creatures.
Muzzle twitching, nose
But of course, it was never truly on hold, and the flash of antlers caught his alabaster gaze. Lowering his own head, but not to bare any threat, he had no horns anyway.
No, it was a sort of pseudo-submissive gesture, one to show he meant no harm, lowering his body and neck, turning his head upwards for a moment to expose the silken fur of his throat. But only for a moment before he rose once more to his full height. Or at least the full height of the size he'd chosen for this particular meeting.
"If I had been sneaking, you would never have seen me" he pointed out, in a voice that seemed to be spoken by many, instead of sliding from the jaws of this beast. And yet, somehow it seemed to fit. If only because it was as otherworldly as he was.
Once more his gaze turned on the bird, gazing at her for a good few moments. Mapping her out, the way she held herself, the colour of her feathers and the curve of her beak.
And then his gaze broke, settling once more on the stag.
"How rude of me" his smile returned, without the teeth this time thankfully, "They call me Mr.Sanguine. Or, Mephistopheles Sanguine" he was rather proud of that little literary reference to his name. Though many seemed to not understand it.
"Pray tell, what do I have the...pleasure, of addressing you two by?"
The jackdaw paced upon her
Or maybe that was the sound of his voice.
It confused her. Too many individual sounds from one source. Her hearing was different than other animals in that she could pick up the smallest changes in pitch. This echoing sound of many distant voices grouped into one left her awestruck and uneasy. She couldn't decipher a single word of what he said. Migisi could only watch from her perch now, feeling somewhat more at ease about being out of the beat's reach, yet worrying for the foolhardy stag left below. She tensed herself to intervene if she was needed...but could she? The uncertainty that echoed back made her feel as hollow as her bones.
There was nothing. No
Mephistopheles Sanguine. Ah yes, he had heard of this red beast before. Having witnessed a small doe take shelter beside him in order to escape its claws. The stag lowered his guard but remained alert. Blue eyes illuminated in the sunlight from beneath his mask. Their intense stare fully exposed without his fedora to cast a shadow over his face. He shifted his posture, now standing tall with his head held high in a dominate nature. Eying the other while glancing between him and the hissing jackdaw. "Shhh..." directed to the crow in attempts to calm her nerves.
Glancing back to the red, he felt a shiver run down his spine. Shuttering at the sight of Sanguine's menacing grin while looking up at Migisi. Cypher scowled, clearing his throat to bid time. Needing to gulp away his distrust. An introduction? The corner of the clothed-stag's lips fell deeper. Face twisting as if a horrible taste suddenly exploded in his mouth. He hated introductions...
"Afternoon, sir," finally speaking after a few moments of silence. Deep voice rambling in his throat and words sprinkled with a hint of uncertainty. "A pleasure to meet you," he lied. While he had no reasons to be hostile towards their guest, he had grown very wary of any deer that put the jackdaw on edge. Unintentionally questioning their motives no matter how passive they might appear. "Cypher...and up there is Migisi. Do pardon the informality of our greeting." Name spatted as if he could not stand to say it.
His tail twitched at the very
Claws in the ground again, like jail bars around the grass. From behind a feathery ear, a flash of blue, but only for a moment, the edge of a pale azure butterfly's wing.
Slowly, he sat up, yes, upon his haunches, almost like a begging dog, or a gargoyle perhaps, for his back arched as he hunched over, spine pressing against flesh until each ridge could be counted, his bony hands resting upon the curve of red knees. Those talons on the left side drumming for a moment against his fur.
He inhaled slowly, serene in his movements, ribs pressing against fur. And then, at last, he spoke once again. "Formality is for those grasping for a topic of conversation. I know what I want" he licked his lips slowly. Looking at Migisi again. "So, this is your 'darling'" his head quirked, a very birdlike movement on his part.
Voice drawling from his lips again, warm, but perhaps too sweet. Molten chocolate laced with turpentine. "It's such a shame that you're so...different" he chuckled under his breath. What a shame that not everyone was yet blessed with the ability to mould their forms to their own visions.
"Wouldn't it be interesting, if she were...more like you?"
(Skip? Migisi is still acting
The best reclined. Rocking
His bluntness stirred the anxiety within the white stag. Blank eyes fixed above moist lips, staring at the paranoid crow. His words dripped with toxin.
"Yes, sir. I suppose so..." Ocean irises grew smaller as the stag's eyes narrowed. Keeping themselves plastered to Sanguine as he studied his every moment. Waiting and ready to react if the beast attempted to lash at her. Heart continued to thump madly while ears pulled back. Not liking the way his sentences sounded.
Wouldn't it be more interesting, if she were...more like you?
Another shutter shook his frame. As if the question was a razor bladed - rusty and dull - that caressed against his skin. Sharp and intimating but yet not sharp enough to draw blood.
"May I ask what you are referring to...?"
His head twisted more, but
"Referring to? Only the fact that, in the end, she is a bird, and you are a deer" his gaze turned on the bird once more, as if speaking strictly to her, though his words were not meant to one more than any other. "What a shame, to be voiceless, to be so tiny, so...frail." his fingers flexed a bit.
Eyes on Cypher once more, his feathered ears slicked back against his narrow skull, drawing more attention to his smile, the one which was spreading over his face again, looking as though it might split the skin of his cheeks. But no, it didn't.
"What would think, if I said I could make her more like you? What if I could give her the body of a cervine?" he suggested, cocking his head again, smile no longer showing teeth, but still wide as ever.
'Darling.' That 'thing' had
'Darling.'
That 'thing' had said darling, and it had looked at her. She could not judge the beast's intent by his blank eyes. A tensioned tremored through her muscles. Why did the first word she had to understand from him have to be that? Something so endearing and intimate...? It made her...angry? Was this anger she felt swelling inside? It must have been, for a low growl rumbled in her gut as her claws sunk deeper into the mossy stone. How dare he charge up and scare them like that? How dare he sit there and act so strangely, grinning and flashing his teeth at Cypher? This was her nest site! That was her stag! Who did he think he was!?
White eyes rolled upward again. The jackdaw shrunk back, pupils pinning and tail feathers flaring. She didn't think, just reacted, and the reaction was fear. She was not a coward. She was not! Not that she knew the real meaning of the word, but feeling this anxious wasn't like her, that much she was certain of. Huffing at herself, she tried to remember a time when she was bold. The time she had chased the red beast through the forest, trying to protect the young doe from his terrorizing. She hadn't been afraid then...
The clothed-stag's head
Chest caved with a sharp inhale. Then expand outward with a sigh. Alarmed by the sinister stares jumping between the two. He held no objections to the menacing look being fixed on him. He was use to others being hostile towards him, but disliked it being directed towards the smaller crow...
"More like....me?" A mixture of interest and uncertain fear flickered in his eyes. He was not sure what to make of it but apart of him...Wanted to know more. "Pardon me, sir, but what are you implying?"
(Short reply is short.)
He can practically smell the
A cock of an ear, flick of the tail, he extends a hand, pointing, with a single long white finger, to Cypher.
"What if I could give her the body of a deer. She would keep her mind, her memories, she would simply have a body more...suitable, for your relationship" his finger curls back again, joints silent, though they move like a puppet's wooden joints.
His tail curls, as if it has a life of its own, around his lap, like some great furry animal all its own.
"I could do that, you know, it would be so simple." he reaches up tilts his muzzle skyward so that he can scratch at the thick fur of his chin and upper throat. He's clearly comfortable, there's no tension at all to him, as if speaking to old friends instead of mostly-strangers.
His head cocks downwards again after a moment, and the ivory eyes framed in eyelashes so thick they could be markings, fixate upon the brilliant blue of Cypher's eyes, there's no pupil to the white, yet somehow, it's easy to see exactly where his gaze is.
PASS!
Their relationship. What was
What was it? The time was never taken to decipher the meaning behind it. To determine the source of their emotions and attraction to one another. Did such a bond even exist? It was clear that the pair had formed some sort of relationship, one deeper than just that of two wild creatures. Always seen together, it was rare to find them apart and when separated, they did seek one another out.
The jackdaw had become a a staple to his sanity. The sole source of his inner strength that kept him from submitting to a more pathetic, dismal state of mind. A crutch to lean against when he found himself at his lowest points, offering tender comfort in her own ways. There was no denying that the small bird had grown to be dear to him. Though his emotion attachment only ran so far as they were separated by species.
Inquisitive eyes met the ivory stare. A disbelieving grin stretched across his face. Chuckling faintly at it all, "And why - if I may ask, sir - would you be interested in such a thing?" Coming out to offer to transform a bird to mammal seemed utterly impractical. Did the beast just wander the Forest changing creatures on a whim?
"What purpose would it serve, sir...?" He questioned the motives but there was no doubt...He was interested...The tone of his voice confirmed it.
{Sorry it's taken so long for
his ears flicked again, ah yes, interested, why would he be interested.
By all accounts he shouldn't be, not at all, they had done nothing for him at first glance, the little bird had even taken jumps at him when he had approached before, she clearly disliked him.
But that was just the thing. The red beast couldn't care less about their opinions of him, of anyone's opinion of him, he wasn't driven by love, or anger, likes or dislikes. He wasn't driven by hunger, by flight or fight. He was too old, too ancient, to care about these things anymore, to be driven by them at least.
"Entertainment. It will be fun" he laughed softly, "It's not often that I get to do such things" he cocked his head up, looking at the bird. "You see, it's easy to make bodies, they aren't complex, it's souls, that's the problem" he flexed his fingers again.
"Every living thing, has a soul, even plants. The problem, is that the souls of plants lack innate intelligence most of the time. It takes time for them to learn, like parenting, they most be spoken to, they must be aided. It's not usually worth my time to do so." his eyes remained on the jackdaw.
"Intelligent animals who long to change bodies are few and far between. You see, if they aren't willing, the soul is hard to work with. It isn't worth the time" slowly his eyes drew back to Cypher's gaze.
"I'm bored, she needs a body switch. It's a win win, hmm?"
Pass~
(It is alright; take your
Entertainment.
The hollow word lingered heavily in the air before slipping down into his twitching ears. The concept behind its meaning caused his muscles to stiffen. The idea of transforming the jackdaw for no other reason than amusement caused his stomach to churn. Eyes narrowing while a wary gaze shifted between the crimson beast elegantly settled before him and the distressed crow, hissing from above.
Morals rolled Sanguine's preposition in his mind. It felt wrong and completely unbelievable. To change one's species to another without any consequence? Even in a whimsical Forest did the rules of the universe look in such a way. Though it would be a lie to say he was not at least somewhat interested...
Migisi had always been very animated. A strong personality trapped within a small, fragile body. So...what if? Quickly, he found himself shaking away his thoughts. No, he could not force her through such a painful ordeal. Regardless of what Sanguine promised, being transformed into a new body had to be tiring and harmful. If not just physically, but even mentally. Could she handle the change...? Losing her wings in replacement for legs. Feathers for fur. How would it effect her?
"How do you know, sir?" A piercing stare returned to Sanguine. Mixed with uncertainty and curiosity. Lowering himself, his hind legs bent in as he settled on them in a sitting position. Long forelegs stretching full length for support. "Perhaps too much is being assumed, sir. Who is to say that the young crow has such a will?"
{{Edit: FFF my account
He watched as the stag eased down into a sitting position, his head tilting again. Ears flicking again as he listened. Oh, he could understand, there would be hesitation. any intelligent creature would be hesitant to allow a companion to undergo such a change, especially one whom could not speak.
His fingers curled together, elbows resting on his knees, chin upon bony hands.
"Why think I don't?" his tongue ran along his lips again.
"Why not ask her, you underestimate her perhaps" he looked up at the bird. "Little bird, little crow-bird. Give me your wings, and I'll give you legs. A voice" he cooed. "Come now, stag" he looked at Cypher again. "Look how delicate she is. what will you do if she becomes wounded? What will you do if she dies?" his hands lowered again.
"If she were a deer, would she not be able to defend herself? Would she not live longer" he extended a hand, as if asking for something. The bony digits curling slowly as he spoke again. "Perhaps that's what I'm offering. How long does a Jackdaw live? Time, my friend. A body, and time. What has anyone to lose?"
The conversation carried on
It was any bird's guess that the two males were talking about...but there was 'one' clue. Every so often, both sets of eyes shifted to gaze up at her. Neither said her name, but she did catch the occasional 'bird' and 'dear (deer)', both words she had learned to associate herself with. Migisi sighed her confusion and shifted her weight between her feet, growing impatient with this game. She didn't want the red beast to attack Cypher of anything...but something needed to happen soon!
The muscles surrounding his
Above the conversing pair, the jackdaw became more anxious. Fluffing her feathers with a huff and growing in size each time his wary gaze shot up at her. Jaw clenched tightly as his lips thinned. Then pressed tightly together before rolling inward as he began to study her. Observing the way she shifted while glowering from her stone perch down at them. Blue-gray eyes blazing in irritation instead of the hollow stare most birds of the Forest held. Hissing with displeasure as she spat at them. So lively with such a strong personality.
Though that was how he always saw her. Not an animal nor a pet, but an individual. A friend...
What will you do if she becomes wounded? His heart grew cold. Turning to stone before sinking within his chest. What will you do if she dies...? Sanguine's words slithered around him. Like the snake of Eden crawling up his spine and whispering forbidden temptations into his ear. Horrid visions of the past flashed before him, causing a truly petrified look to engulf him. Plowing through all the bickering emotions and taking control of his face. Turning his undecided stare into a stern, terrified look as if he had relived through a nightmare.
Her bruised and bloodied body cowering in the corner was a scarring image. Haunting his mind as it poked his paranoia like a curious child with a stick. He had felt so helpless back then; so terrified. If he lost her, what would come of him...?
The stag's ears plastered themselves against his skull. A shiver shot through him causing his lean frame to shake before the crawling sensation left his skin. Turning to face Sanguine with a realization twinkling in his eyes. He swallowed, attempting to hide his past fears while keeping an 'in control' impression.
"It...It cannot be that easy..." Doubt coated words finally broke the silence. Trickling from his anxious smirk. Now rising to his feet, Cypher spun in a circle while returning his gaze to the jackdaw. Before positioning himself next to Sanguine; and gawking up at her with his left foreleg hovering slightly off the ground. Hoof ready to scrape the soft soil to coax her from her nest but hesitating as he debated calling her down. "Surely, sir, extending a life does not work in such a way..." Head tilted again. The smirk fading while he glanced at the vibrant red creature from the corner of his eye, "Does it...?"
"Lub dub lub dub" he spoke,
"It's nonsense of course, many small beasts out live large ones...but that isn't to say it's entirely untrue, little things are so...delicate" he looked up at the bird again as Cypher moved, only to cast his gaze to the ground then. Gathering things, drawing little stones to the surface, watching them crumble to dust. Shaping the earth and the stone and the plant-life into the form of a doe.
It was a simple doe of course. He didn't need to be detailed. That would happen for itself. Even if he did shape it a certain way, souls tended to contort their vessels to a shape which pleased them.
"It works just like that" he continued, smiling again.
"Simply say the word" he closed his eyes, dipped his head for but a moment. "And I am but a servant to your wish"
The bow presented before him
For a moment, the stag stood silently gazing down at it. Completely awestruck by trick he just witnessed. Jaw dangling loosely with his mouth partly open in astonishment. Even after all his years of exposure to the abnormal...He had never seen such a marvelous display. Clenching his jaw, he hesitated. Mind racing with thousands of thoughts.
It was morally wrong to change her. Nature had a set of unwritten rules that had always existed throughout time, and one of those was that man was to not play a god. Yet as he watched Sanguine manipulate the earth to his bidding, he could not help but feel that perhaps such rules did not apply to a land like this. Every aspect of the enchanted Forest was centered around magic. All around them deer changed their forms without questioning; changed their faces without hesitation. They became something more without fear of judgement and eternal damnation.
Lips pressed together. The carefully chosen words tempted the clothed-stag farther. The serpent's apple dangled just before his lips. Luscious and appetizing but dare he take a bite...?
"What is the catch?" formality had disappeared, replaced now with a deranged sense of excitement and uncertainty. "There always is a catch..."
His eyes were now fixed on the jackdaw as he began to motion her down to him. Hoof scrapping away at the soil, being careful to not disturb the crimson's creation. Lips curled to give a soft whistle; beckoning Migisi to him. "Come now, darling...Are you not a tad curious?" Voice shaking as emotions trembled within him.
So foolish.
So pathetic.
So unsure, but yet...
The longing was overpowering.
Then, just like that,
The red beast reached out, his clawed fingers arched toward the ground. It was not the gesture itself that drew her interest...but the sudden movement along the earth. Her keen eyes could pick up the minute shifting in the dirt and the unfurling of leaves. Blades of grass were torn and small rocks wiggled their way from the soil like emerging insects. Each earthly material was lifted and molded between his hands as easily as clay. In a matter of seconds, a familiar figure emerged, crudely crafted but easily recognizable all the same. It was a deer.
The toothed creature presented his creation, then bowed his head in the white stag's direction. Submission? Migisi blinked and shifted uncertainly at the thought. Why would such a being submit to the likes of Cypher? And what was the sculpture all about? And why did they keep glancing up here!?
A sudden sharp whistle gave pause to the berating questions. The bird lifted her head alertly, cocking it to one side as her wary eyes found Cypher's.
“Come now, darling.” The deep, accented voice called to her as he met her gaze. Finally, she was being addressed directly, and she was so glad for it she merely fluttered down to him without thinking.
Yet, as she hopped to the end of the stone and curled her feet along the edge, she noted the peculiar lack of certainty in the stag's eyes. A certainty she needed to find there. Didn't she? Out of everyone she'd met and all the relationships she'd formed, her and Cypher's had lasted the longest. He had never given her a reason not to trust him...and what if he needed her now? The distress in his face said he did, and it filled her with new-found strength. Giving one last, defiant look at the red giant, the Jackdaw spread her wings and leapt, gliding down from her perch to land easily on the deer's back. Claws gripped at his vest in their usual place at his shoulder and a small, barking chirp left beak as she shifted.
He chuckled. "Catch? I'm not
He built the model up, until it was around the size of a real doe.
And gently, lightly, he placed his hand upon its forehead, extending the other towards the bird, a finger outstretched as a perch.
"When you're ready...simply tell her to step up" his head cocked towards the statue. "I'll channel her soul through my body into the statue, the way a wire conducts electricity" he explained, as if to ease any doubt about how things would work. "Her soul will then shape the vessel as it needs to."
he smiled again, wide, but not showing teeth.
"It won't even hurt"
Before them the figure grew.
The muscles of his face were stretched out as far as they could. Widening his brilliant blue eyes beneath his mask as he studied it. Lifelike in appearance but hollow. Curiously, he stepped up towards it. Being careful of his movements to ensure that he did not disturb the jackdaw perched on his shoulder. Tail twitched as his head tilted from side to side. Observing every aspect of it...Still doubting but still silently hoping.
He circled it. Once. Twice. And finally a third time. Slowly stepping back to Sanguine with a questioning look full of hesitation. He had thought about it before...Migisi as a deer. He had seen friends of his change before. Turn into other creatures time and time again; at times even at will. Even he had been changed once or twice temperately. A time in particular stood out in his mind. The time he had been changed into a rook. The time where for a few brief evenings, they were equals, and now, it could happen again.
It seemed too surreal and impossible...But only if the crow wanted it. Was he good enough...? The stag frowned. Lips thinning with doubts as he turned to face Migisi. Staring at her from the corner of his eye, "Are you ready, my dear...?" Gulping, his ears pulled themselves back. "Of course assuming...You want to be one of us."
Her grip on his vest
Cypher stopped and turned to face the red again. Migisi was startled to find him now staring right at her, white eyes intent and long mouth curled into a smile. She watched as he set his strange paws on the head of the statue, then deliberately extended a claws finger out to her. She tensed and stared back at him in bewilderment. W-what? Was he threatening her? A low hiss started in her throat as she shifted her weight uneasily, glancing up at Cypher for some kind of support. He was looking at her too...but with the strangest expression. His eyes were wide...hopeful, but he frowned, and when he spoke he sounded unsure. This wasn't what she signed up for... Folded wings tensed at her sides, ready to spring open.
He watched. And as he
For a moment his claws drummed against the stone doe in impatience, but they soon stopped. Really, it was so hard to do anyone a favor this day and age. It was always 'but what will happen if I do?' or 'Will I regret this?' or 'Let me think about it'.
Once upon a time when every world had been new, every creature had been far more easy to work with, they hardly stopped to think. But as the souls aged, so did their hesitation. Little young things growing wiser as the millions of universes grew in age and strength until even the newest universes harbored thousand year old souls.
In the end, however...
Perhaps that was best, to not know exercise of the mind was to fall into ennui. Boredom, and he hated that above all else.
"Easy now, sir," accented
"Gentle...You must be gentle." Despite the uncertainty that clang to his words, each one was pronounced strongly. Deep voice demanding. Much like a parent properly instructing another on how to handle one's own offspring. Conflicting emotions swirled within his stomach. Not wanting to harm her but Sanguine had managed to strike the right cords within him. Causing his pathetic desperation to surface...
"Do it. Two little words were spatted. "Just do it...Make it quick." His eyes hardened as his gaze turned towards the creature.
Waiting for his command to be fulfilled...
...And questioning how much he was going to hate himself when it was.
“Come now, bird,” he beckoned
Finally Cypher decided to be useful and had the decently to shift away, his neck leaning to block the creature's gaze from her. She felt the vibrations of his deep voice through his chest and relaxed a little, hoping he was telling the Red off.
Of course not, harming her
Do it.
That was all the permission he needed, reaching out like a flash to grasp the bird, fingers drawn together loosely, bending in a way that no solid thing should bend, like the bars of a cage carved out from ivory. "It won't hurt in the least" he promised. What did Cypher take him for, an amateur? He'd done this enough times to know how to seamlessly bind a soul to a new body.
He would admit, that when he was young and reckless, back a long time ago when so many universes had not even been born yet, he had been poor at working with souls. Too often would he attempt to move them only to find that they had become lost within his own body.
But not anymore, it was seamless now, fingers drawing closer together until they were pressed up against the bird.
His eyes fluttered closed for a moment, utmost concentration. Yes, in a moment's time the feathery body would go limp in his grasp, as bodies always did when the soul was torn away.
After a moment though, he did open his eyes again, gazing at the stone doe. Well, stone for now anyway.
he wanted to see what she would look like, after all, even after so much time, he remained curious about such things.
"Now watch" he purred, eyes wide in excitement.
She hadn't even seen him
If the bird was ever released from the monster's grasp, she quickly grew unaware of it. It started slow at first, the feeling. Dizzyness...lightness. The feeling left her body, and she grew tired, energy zapped as though she'd been fighting for hours rather than seconds. Thoughts became confused. Her eyelids fluttered, then with a wary sigh the bird fell limp.
What happened then was not for her to know. Darkness claimed her...or was it light? She was...moving. Or was she? It was that vertigo feeling, yet she could not feel for any sense of balance or solid ground to tell for sure. All feeling was gone as her soul was whisked away. Channeled. Sent somewhere else. She vaguely remembered a coldness - hard, damp, and earthy...though how she could tell, she did not know. No nose to smell and no skin to feel. The sensation faded, darkened...then in a strange explosion of color and light, there was warmth again.
The statue shuddered. Slowly, it began to change. Somehow the soul of one tiny bird managed to expand and fill the cervine figure, seeping through every stoney pore. The energy stored within from the earth and plants used to form the figure gave it power, and an unknown magic made quick work of the rest. The doe began to take shape. The insides hollowed. Rock began to soften into tissue and harden into bone. Organs, muscle, ligament and vein. Water to blood. A rough brown surface smoothed, softened to gray, then fur sprouted in a wave across the shoulders and down the sides. A familiar pattern emerged made of of blacks and grays. Black hair spilled out from between two twitching ears, and a nondescript face began to take a clearer form. Suddenly, the deer's neck went limp. A deer now, yes, no longer a statue. It swayed uneasily on its feet, twitching and jerking, then its chest expanded in a deep sigh of air before its legs buckled beneath it. The doe collapsed.
On cue Sanguine's arm
For a moment, it almost worked. Triggered by the crow's screams, adrenalin began to flow. He automatically prepared to rush to her aid. Body stiffening as his head tilted towards Sanguine's direction. Thin tines angling themselves just below arm's level. Ready to strike the beast if needed but the stag quickly stopped himself. Knees buckled, forcing himself to remain still and in place. No, he had to stay as he was...There was no way of knowing what would happen if the transformation process was disturbed. Jaw locked with his dry lips pressed firmly together. Feeling disgusted with himself...He turned away from her; ashamed of putting her through such a traumatizing experience.
A bright light began to glow intently out of the corner of his eye. Or at least, it appeared to be a light. Engulfing Migisi's body completely before it vanished within its white center. Pulling at his attention, the clothed-stag braved the consequence of his selfish act. Head titling from side to side - like a kitten inspecting a new toy - as he watched the other swirl the ectoplasmatic matter in his fingers. Until now, the paranormal investigator had believed that souls were nothing more than mirrored copies of ourselves. He had seen apprehensions many times and even befriended a specter. Though whatever it was the crimson held so dearly was nothing like he had seen before. Neither a solid nor a liquid nor a gas, it burned in glorious radiance. Pure and untouched. It did nothing but exist. Keeping its obscured, indescribable form until channeled to the earthly carving.
Excitement, fear, self hatred...All pulled together into a knot within Cypher's throat. Choking slightly as he stood dumbfounded in place. His lips were loose once again but his jaw remained clenched. The folds pulling back to reveal clenched teeth. Sharp, short breathes filtered through the tiny gaps. Before him, the sculpture sprung to life. Stone softened to flesh; pulsating veins popped vines. Moss faded, replaced with fur swirling with sparkling patterns of polished silver and rich ebony. Locks of hair curled naturally around her rounded face. The stabled joints went limp. The sturdy structure that made up the figuring loosened while the newly "born" doe jerked. Shaking life into the still body and gasping for air like an infant, desperately trying to fill its lungs.
Then it stopped, and fell heavily towards the earth it once belonged to.
"My god..." without thinking, Cypher leaped to her side. Ignoring the appropriate 'thanks' that was owed to Sanguine as his attention was fully directed towards the heap of flesh and fur. Skin crawling beneath his clothing as an anxious shiver overtook him. "What did you do...? What did you do!?" eyes wide and voice spiking in regretful fear as he lowered himself beside her. Lifting her head with his nose as he tried to lean her new neck and head against his shoulder, hoping to help her stabilize.
"Come now, darling...Wake up...Please wake up..." glossy vision darted between the two. Shifting from worrisome compassion as he stroke the jackdaw-patterned doe gently, to a threatening - yet pleading - pierce. His mixed emotions were not directed entirely at Sanguine. After all, he had been the one who asked for this to happen; that was the source of the distress.
He went against his own moral code and risked putting her in danger. Now he had to hope it would prove to be worth it...
Mr.Sanguine himself looked
"Now now, calm down, if you were transformed do you honestly think it would be so easy to stand and prance about right away? She'll be fine" he 'sniffled' once, "Really, my work isn't so shoddy as to fall apart so easily"
He rolled his shoulders, stretched out, back popping from having been hunched for so long. Feathery 'wings' flickering. Ears following suit. And after a moment he fell back into a four legged stance, doing a slow circle about the pair to make absolutely certain that he had not missed anything. Proud creature, perfection was necessary.
With a small nod to himself he decided that it was indeed very fine work. "Now, you two enjoy yourselves, hmm?" he chuckled softly, in the very depths of his chest, rolling over his glass-shard teeth, and over that silver tongue like turpentine. "Perhaps I shall have to check up myself at some time. You two are truly...interesting" whether that was a good or bad thing it was impossible to tell.
He fell apart then, quite literally, the softest of breezes making fur and feather, muscle bone flesh and blood, scatter in tiny pieces, like the shredded petals of a crimson dandelion, fading slowly on the breeze until not but a pair of glistening white eyes remained.
And in time, they too faded into nothing.
With that, the red king was gone from their presence.