Crystal Rain - I - Gone (HEAVY W.I.P.)“Ha…ha…ha…” Tiny droplets of water splashed as Rain ran forward, her breath hitching as the cold wind choked her lungs. Why her, of all people? The contemplation racked her brain as she ran on the endless stretch of concrete, eyeing one of the many trash bins that outlined this wretched street. She dove behind the steel pillar, squeezing into a small crevice near the wall. She did her best to remain still, but that beating heart of hers continued to pound her chest in like a large mallet. “Shit, shit, shit…” She covered her nose as those retched smells began to creep in, her senses magnifying them by an ungodly amount. Moldy food, rat corpses; Rain questioned the part of her that continued to prolong this mortal game of hide and seek. For what reason did she…? “Get back here!” Two dingy looking men stormed the dilapidated street corner, kicking, tossing, and destroying everything in their path. Rain gulped and shoved herself further into the crevice. Trash spilled all over the ground, and rodents would scatter. Their eyes were like searchlights; even if she wasn’t looking, she could feel them beam down upon her. “Man, fuck this! How’d that little shit run so fast?” He screamed, throwing one of the bins. “Fuck if I know. All I know is that if we don’t find this thing, our ass is grass.” His partner replied. “Damn right.” So their search continued, and with each slight alteration to her surroundings, Rain jumped. The sounds of numerous bins, bags, and other assorted garbage being tossed around was murderous, and it went on for what seemed like an eternity. She felt so wet and slimy, unable to tell how much of it was her own sweat or the mysterious liquid from the wall she found herself attached to. “Fuckin’ shrinkies!” The man’s foot caved into a trashcan, leaving a large dent as he stepped back. “Screw this, let’s get outta here!” The idea would immediately be shot down by his partner. “And let that little money bag slip away? Hell no!” The first man begrudgingly obliged. They would rip and tear everything to pieces, searching every nook and cranny. Rain’s body recessed further into the cracks. She could feel them getting closer and closer, and… “Found ya’!” The girl’s soul almost leapt out of her body as the giant, fleshy pillars gripped her form. She clung onto the grainy concrete, blood spilling from her hands as the sharp edges cut her skin. She winced and held on until she no longer could, but her iron grip was broken with ease by the giant’s mighty palm. “Look at 'er, what a beaut!” The man yelled as he stared at his prize. “How much do you think we can run her for?” He turned to his partner in crime, devilish grins forming on both of their faces. “Upwards of 10K, easy.” Rain quivered, clutching her body as the two greasy looking men discussed her fate. Was she nothing more than a product now? This feeling of violation only grew as the jeering got worse, the digits wielded by her captor poking and prodding at her like she was a toy. “Stop fuckin’ around. We gotta bounce.” “Buzzkill…” As the two turned to make their exit, a figure would rise from the shadows, staring at them with black, piercing eyes. The two men jumped back in response to the stealthy figure, who aimed her laser-like sight at their jittery forms. “The fuck!?” The first man cried out. “…” The other made not a peep, retaining his cool composure as he analyzed the woman. She was short and incredibly thin with a body type that resembled a twig, donning an enormous hoodie and baggy sweatpants to seemingly disguise her frail physique. Everything about her was scratchy and aged, and her thickly layered eyebags indicated a certain restlessness. There was a certain aura she held that screamed danger, and those killer eyes of hers did this woman no favors. “Why so jumpy?” The stranger in black spoke with a voice so cold it threatened absolute zero. “Hiding something?” She began to approach with an intimidating level of confidence, the two slowly moving back in the wake of their adversary. “Hey, wa-” The shadowy creature moved in on her prey before they could finish, equipping a canister from her side and ripping it on her enemies with great efficiency. They would scream and cry, falling to their knees as a firey sensation raptured their bodies. She shot an icy glare towards her prey, her callous voice wrapping around them like a viper. “I know you have it.” They seemed insistent on not giving her an answer, and in response she’d assail the two with mighty kicks to the groin, causing both of them to recoil. Goon 1’s fingers would uncurl, dropping the item of interest cleanly on the ground. “Thank you.” That’s all she would grant the boys before turning to her prize, eyeing it like a hawk. “I…Wha…Ah…” Rain struggled to formulate her words as she stared at the skyscraper that stood before her. The titan’s jet black hair extended for what seemed to be miles, and those eyes… they were like a set of black holes, draining the last remnant of Rain's will to live. Weighing her options didn’t lead to a satisfying answer; not a single outcome seemed ideal. She’d scurry back into a corner, the giant slowly pursuing when enough distance was generated. Her shoes resembled full-size RVs, fully capable of running over and crushing her body into a red smudge any moment they so chose. Her body screamed at her to run, but angering this entity was the last thing on her bucket list. She had to do something, anything, to ensure goodwill with this being. With great shame, Rain would bow before the enormous dreadnought that threatened her existence. The titaness slightly tilted her head, observing this creature with a vested interest. This strange ritual would be cut short as a fleshy prison snapped up Rain’s body and jerked it from off the ground. Rain closed her eyes as the wind tore at her body, getting worse and worse until it all came to a brief halt. Fuzzy cotton embraced Rain’s body and warmed her cold skin, protecting her from the newfound dangers of the outside world. She nuzzled herself into a corner, pressing her face into it as the gentle sway and bounce of this cozy prison kept her restless the entire time. Many thoughts raced through her mind as a contemplative frown crossed her face. This… this was the end, wasn’t it? The boundless dreams which gained nothing but ire from her peers, the stressful college life she prayed would come to an end... All. Gone.Childhood's End - I - Depths"Close your eyes, and focus." "Hooooooo..." A blue light formed within the pale palms of the Sea Witch, whose focus continued to tighten. Even in the absence of sight, Wadanohara could still see the energy growing into something spectacular. Her icy breath spread throughout the flowing water while the sea embraced her body, everything flowing into a state of union that felt so utterly surreal. "HA!" The sphere of energy exploded and sent small traces of blue light towards her mentor, who made light work of the 'assault' with a swift chop. Wadda let out a small breath as her frosty eyes opened, immediately setting their gaze on the pale woman. "Did I do good?" "You did excellently; he would be proud." "Yay!" Wadda's eyes glistened like little pearls as Tatsumiya's face swelled with pride, prompting the youthful witch to jump about in celebration. Her light giggle further enabled Wadda's childish behavior until 'the hand' was raised, in which the girl's playful frolic ceased without fuss. "Such energy you have! Come on, let's go inside now." "Okay!" Wadanohara softly gripped the sleeve of her guardian's lengthy furisode, trailing closely behind as they both disappeared into the glistening field of undersea stars. A content expression rested on Wadanohara's face as Tatsumiya's fingers gently sifted through her messy, brown strands. "You are becoming a mighty fine witch. Even without your staff, you are incredibly capable." Wadonhara's sincere grin contorted into something rather smug as the constant appraisal fueled. "Well, I aaaaaaaaam the Great Sea Witch, after all." She carried herself with a bit of pomp, crossing her arms and leaning back into the chair with motions so exaggerated she'd embarrass even the most dramatic of actors. "Oh, hush you! And stay still, lest you want knots in your hair." "Boooooooooooo!" Wadda pouted in jest, allowing Tatsumiya's fingers to finely manipulate and bend the brown strands to her whim, converting the messy head of hair into a proper set of twin tails. The young witch's boredom would prompt her to stare into the mirror's reflective glass, envisioning and comparing her father's form with her own. She was getting older, bigger, and each day Wadanohara could see more of her old man in herself. "Hey... Auntie." "Yes, dear?" She focused all her attention on the blue outfit in the corner of her eye, adorned with fabulous ribbons, anchor ornaments, and that marvelous witch's hat. A strong yearning stirred from within, one that the young lady could not dispel. "Am I ready yet?" The hesitance of Tatsumiya's form in the mirror's reflection, paired with that deafening silence; she didn't need the answer spelled out for her. "I knew it." Wadanohara's full descent towards the abyss was halted by that familiar touch gently grazing her back. "Now, I know it may be disappointing, but every day you make progress, and that progress is truly remarkable." "Uh-huh." Wadda tried her best to maintain the doom and gloom by shoving her face into the nightgown's flossy fabric, serving as a comfortable retreat from reality. "Hm, it seems I've got a grumpy little Wadda on my hands, whatever shall I do?" "........." The young witch was determined to stand her ground, even as the foundation of her fuzzy fortress would come crumbling down almost immediately as Auntie Miya's tickle assault began. "A...Ah! Staaaaaaaahp, Auntiiiiiiiiiiiie!" Pleading would do the little lady no good, as she could feel her mentor aiming for all the good spots. Laughter exploded outward from the little witch's body like a mighty torrent, sealing her fate as the loser of this little excursion. Wadda meekly limped back into the chair with a weak pout now staining her face as she rested her head on the desktop before her. "No fair, Auntie, that's dirty..." "All is fair in love and war, my child." "Hmph." Auntie Miya's efforts to lighten the situation were an utter failure, as the crushing defeat slammed down on Wadanohara like an anvil. How long would it take, how many grueling years? Surely it didn't take her old man this long; what did he have that she didn't? Were her concerns just going to be swept under the rug forever? Crushing disappointment was beginning to turn into burning frustration as that same tired dialogue would wear on Wadda's weakened spirit. "Wadda, I know it's disheartening. You put your all into training every day, yet despite that, my response never changes..." It grated on Wadda's ears like nails on a chalkboard, and eventually she would rise from her seat to walk towards the door. The young witch blocked out any and all words that left Tatsumiya's mouth, leaving without so much as a peep. The wind gently caressed Wadanohara's form as she floated above the ocean in a rather aimless fashion. Time had been completely lost on the girl as she stared down at her reflection in the water, only to be met with that same stark frown that affixed itself on her snow-white face. This regret was something that Wadda had been unable to shake for as long as she had been out—a time loop that the girl was desperate to break free from. The young witch continued to relive the same moment over and over and over- "Huh?" The dark cloud within Wadanohara's mind was seemingly purged by something of much greater precedence, an incredibly sinister energy that radiated from the ocean's darkest depths. "What is that?" It didn't take but a few panicked glances to inform the witch that she had fallen severely off course and into a completely foreign area of this expansive sea. That itself wasn't a concern; there were plenty of landmarks that could lead Wadda back home, but this enormous volume of dark energy? Wadanohara had sensed many strange things in her life, but none this strong or dark. Her eyes locked on to this large pit of negativity as she did her best to decipher and navigate this strange anomaly. "It seems so... sad." Coming to a conclusion was certainly challenging, but at the very least these negative emotions did not seem directly malicious. Inherent darkness was certainly a factor, but there was a great deal of other things as well: sadness, loneliness, all burning so intensely that Wadda's heart sank at the thought. She held her hand to her chest, wondering what one would have to experience to emit such anguish. "Poor thing, I can't just leave it alone, right?" Despite all forms of logic screaming no and the many, MANY warnings urged by her mentor, the Great Witch felt a level of responsibility to pursue this mysterious darkness. Few beings possessed the power and potential Wadda held—this ability she had to sense energy and emotion. This agonizing contemplation cyclically repeated until it was brought to an end by a single question, the most important one of all. If not her, who would? "Forgive me, Auntie, but I'm going in." The anchor was guided by her clear and unburdened thoughts as it shot down towards the ocean like an arrow. Wadanohara's features sharpened like a blade and pierced all remaining doubt as the waves rippled against her skin. The depths continued to obscure her vision the deeper she went; wherever this being dwelled was beyond the reaches of the Sea Kingdom's light. The only plausible reason she could conjure was so depressing that it was tucked into the recesses of her mind. Her anchor staff came to an abrupt halt as she sat alone in the gloomy abyss. Closing the gap did Wadanohara no favors as she struggled to determine this creature's true nature. "Inhabitants of this dark realm, I do apologize." Wadanohara generated an incredibly small ball of light in hopes that it would provide minimal disturbance to the local ecosystem, pressing on with shaky hands. She slowly moved the glistening orb forward and was met with what seemed to be an endless stretch of red... tentacles? "Who goes there?" The young witch was momentarily gripped by fear as the loud voice bellowed out like a roar, yet with a few calm breaths she managed to dispel her doubts—gently leaping off her anchor to stand before this mighty entity. "Hello, my name is Wadanohara! It's a pleasure to meet you, oh mighty creature of the deep!" She gave an extremely formal bow and would continue to hold her position in wait for a response that would never come. Despite her attempts at communication and its rather demeaning callout, the enormous creature did nothing but sit in silence. Was it confused, offended, or angry? The energy of this creature had turned into something unreadable, and Wadda couldn't help but feel a bit antsy. "Um...sir?" "Pardon me, I just... don't get many visitors." "Oh, that's fine! I can just guide you through it, okay?" "...Okay." Wadda soon lost her jitters and melted into the waves as they smoothed over her delicate form, its surprisingly calm presence helping the girl relax. "After I say my name, you say yours, and then give a little greeting! Do you think you can do that?" "...Yes." "Okay, my name is Wadanohara! And your name is...?" "I don't... have one." That revelation was so utterly depressing that Wadanohara struggled with a follow-up, but the young witch refused to yield! She was here to help, and help she would! The young witch would enter her mighty thinking stance, a state of deep concentration that was powered by her pure determination to dispel this great sorrow. "Well, hm... What could I call you?" The girl thumbed through all sorts of names and ideas, but nothing really stuck; how could she name that which she could not see? "Deep...dark...ocean...deep...dark...depths... Depths!" Whittling it down to the basics would result in a stroke of genius. It was so utterly simplistic that the girl couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed; however, something was better than nothing. She proclaimed it with the confidence of a floundering oyster, the embarrassment only fully settling in AFTER she said it out loud. "Fukami! Fukami! Fu...kami???" "That's... a very nice name." Much to her surprise, Fukami took to the name immediately, and she couldn't help but smile at his adoration. Over the course of their interaction, Fukami's suffocating darkness had been transformed into a delicate warmth, wrapping around her comparatively minuscule form like a cozy blanket. "It's nice to meet you, Fukami." And so they talked, and talked, and talked, and talked, late into the night as the dark abyss consumed Wadanohara's ordinarily impeccable sense of time.Rockman ZX - I - Innocence"He left again." Aile tossed the covers from her bed and slunk over to her brother's, poking his sides sharply as she whispered into his ears. "Vent, wake up! Vent..." The transporter groaned. This was going nowhere; she had to kick it up a notch. Aile pulled the covers from under him, screeching as loud as she could without making a scene. "WAKE UP, YOU IDIOT!!!" Yet it barely seemed to do a thing—Vent's body now slumped on the floor as he rubbed his head. The boy stared at his sister with a hint of malice as he rose up with the agency of a slumbering turtle. "The heck was that for-" "We don't have time for this Vent, come on!" The girl grabbed one of his legs and dragged him towards the door like a rag doll. "Sis, wh-" Her fiery eyes beamed a hole into the boy's chest before he could finish his sentence. "The Red Flash, remember!? If we don't go now, we'll be too late!" "OH CRAP!" His eyes shot open as he pulled away from his sister, sharply LEAPING to action. Aile tumbled over, now shooting a death glare towards her dear brother. "Uh... sorry?" Her glare intensified as the boy struggled to contain his laughter. "Whatever, jerk..." Aile got up and dusted herself off, shrugging it off before she ran towards the door and filed outside behind her brother. The two walked over to one of the ledges of their quaint forest home, taking opposite sides as they scoped out the area. Aile's sharp eyes noticed a familiar red bike with a familiar red man, zooming into the forest. "Over there!" She pointed in his general direction and Vent immediately ran over, the duo hopping onto their bikes with great haste. Both vehicles let out a gentle hum that was almost invisible to the human ear as their owners gripped the handles in unison; teal energy shooting out from the back to initiate their hunt. The pair trailed their father deep into the depths of Area A, a path being lit by the enormous flower-shaped generator standing tall in the background. Giro parked his bike, shaking his luxurious mane before stepping off. He popped open the seat and took out a small box. He scanned his surroundings before lifting the lid; it seemed like the coast was clear. "Sorry guys, but I can't take any risks." He whispered. "Sis, look! Dad's-" "Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Aile put a finger to his mouth, staring at the boy with eyes as sharp as daggers. He could only gulp in response. "I have eyes and ears, moron! Would it kill you to be a bit quieter?" A stare filled with great malice would be shot into the girl's back while she wasn't looking. ("I'm so gonna kill you when we get home...") Rather than addressing her brother, Aile stared at their father with intent, slowly moving in like a silent predator. As the target approached the local Transerver room, the girl lightly tapped on her brother's shoulder, speaking in a hushed tone. "Come on, we gotta move. No noise this time. If we get caught, this whole thing's toast." Vent shook his vile thoughts and nodded, trying his best to mimic Aile's silent and efficient motions. Taking advantage of their rather small and youthful bodies, as they tracked their prey, the pair went from bush to bush, concealing themselves in the foliage. Once he entered the room, they rolled in like little hedgehogs and split off to opposite sides of the room. The siblings easily secured a spot to hide among the heaps of technology scattered throughout the room, their eyes now shifting to the strange box. Something about this seemed fishy—real fishy. "Inputting coordinates for Guar- What?" Giro's face sharpened, perplexed by the red error flashing brightly on the input screen. "Now, that can't be right; I inputted them correctly, didn't I?" Giro looked up, pressing his hand against his face lightly as he looked at the interface with a contemplative look. "Maybe something I know like the back of my hand... Area D, perhaps?" Exercising great precision, the bespectacled man quickly inputs a combination of different codes. Still, nothing changed. "Seems I'll be going by foot." Giro lightly presses against his ear receiver, tapping his foot at a rapid pace as he waited for the recipient to pick up. "Hey, boss. The Transerver's busted. I have to head to the pickup zone by foot. Sorry if I'm a little late. I have my... suspicions, but I won't be too hasty. Don't want to drive you crazy now." There was an attempt at a laugh, but his icy glare did not yield. Giro's entire body tensed up, completely wrapped up in his conversation with who was on the other line. The children could only exchange glances—their shocked expressions said it all. They tried to link it to any and every possible thread, but nothing clicked. Giro never talked to clients like that; no, he never talked to anyone like that. Just who was the person on the other line? The conversation wrapped up and Giro knelt down onto the floor, popping open the box and taking out a really weird... rock? A red rock, no a red and black rock, no, a red white and black rock with a gem on its head!? "Well, partner, guess we can't walk the easy road. Not like you'd like that anyway." "Don't act like you're so innocent." "Haha, I suppose you're right." A RED, WHITE, AND BLACK ROCK WITH A GEM ON ITS HEAD THAT TALKED!? The children's insides were practically leaping outside their bodies at as they tried to secure the best viewing angle—their star-filled eyes locking onto the man as he finally took hold of it. "Model Z, Rock On!" The man shouted the phrase with vigor, his once relaxed grip now tightening around the strange rock. It began to release a light red energy that coated Giro's body, and soon that energy would take shape. Familiar armor began to form and attach itself to his body; a satisfying click would lock the parts into place as he was completely suited up. It was him. The Red Flash, a mysterious Repliroid that left as abruptly as he entered the scene. In his wake, Irregular raids collapsed with zero effort. For a long time, it was just a rumor. Until ONE reporter was able to just barely snap a photo of him sitting on a rooftop by his lonesome. ("Holy...crap...") They thought in unison as they bore witness to the scene, barely able to keep still. Sure, their father disappeared at night, was leaving more frequently, AND had a very long and BEAUTIFUL mane of hair that was basically instantly recognizable. Sure, he possessed all those traits. Yet neither of them could actually believe what they were seeing, just staring slack-jawed as they were barely able to process what was happening. Their old man was a superhero, with a secret identity? How awesome could he get!? Their eyes shone with excitement as they stared at their father's regal armor, every motion he made furthering its majestic aura. "Sorry, X. I can't risk taking you tonight. You know the drill." He leaned down and peered into the box with a gentle smile on his face, speaking to what they could only assume to be another talking rock. Yet, their excitement was shot as the next statement that escaped his mouth. His somber, hollow tone only cemented its gravity. "If anything happens to me, protect them. At all costs." Giro tucked the box away in a hidden compartment under the floor, gently patting it before he grabbed a hilt from the holster sitting at his side. He swung it down to his side with great might, a stream of azure energy erecting from it, which soon formed into a jagged blade. Giro walked towards the cold metallic door, which sprung open the moment it sensed his presence. "Let's go, partner." He dashed out at an untraceable speed, the kids only able to see his afterimage. It was dead silent as the gate snapped shut, and all the kids could do was stare in awe. Vent was the first to move, running over to the compartment and tearing it open as fast as his little mitts could muster. He opened the box slightly, spotting a blue rock sitting within. "Wh-" Before it could even respond, Vent SNAPPED the box shut, not allowing it to get in a single word. He ran over to his sister, who continued to stare off into space. The boy tapped her shoulder, meeting her gaze with a serious expression. "Come on. We're going." Aile's body trembled as she attempted to process the scene, lightly scooching back as she turned her eyes to the ground. Her brother's expression would tighten, and his words grew louder, sharper. "WE'RE GONNA LOSE HIM IF YOU DON'T MOVE!" "B-But, I-" "Sis." The boy kneeled down to her side and placed a hand on her shoulder, peering into her eyes with a strong, solemn face. "I'll be by your side, always." A light smile crawled onto her face, and the shivering would come to a halt. She nodded her head and got on her feet, steeling herself for the journey ahead. "Yeah... Yeah!" An enormous smile painted the boy's features before he got to his feet, extending a hand to his sister. "Now let's go!" Aile grabbed her brother's hand, who pulled her up from the ground. Hand in hand, the siblings encroached upon the door at a snail's pace. Aile could feel her brother trembling, and her grip tightened in response. His trembling ceased, and their proceed would hasten. The gate's mechanical locks popped open, and they answered its beckoning call—walking headfirst into the dangers of the night. A light buzz would ring through the air as Giro's saber swiftly cleaved every target in its path. The Red Flash tore through everything, leaving nothing but piles of junk parts in his wake as he zipped through the forest. His movements were elegant yet sharp, like a ferocious dance. "Out of my way." Giro muttered as he scanned his surroundings. The entrance to the city was close. Very close, only a few more... "Here we are." A smile crept onto his face as the giant snake-like machine slithered into view. Giro's grip tightened around his saber as he darted away and leapt onto a nearby tree. The mighty beast roared and unhinged its jaw, a flash of light building within the creature's mouth. It erupted into a violent stream of energy, aimed directly at the man in red. The aging oak flew back as Giro dashed off, his grin morphing into something devilish as he descended upon the beast. Upon landing, the Red Warrior shoved his saber through its head, turquoise sparks flying as the beast's wail pierced the silent night. The robotic creature folded under his weight and sank to the floor, desperately gyrating in an attempt to shake off its predator. For a moment, it seemed to have worked. The creature's yellow eyes shifted, its analytical systems picking up nothing in the surrounding area. However, the hunter had no plans to give up his prey so easily. From the darkness came a red flash, beaming around the poor creature unpredictably as it failed to keep up. Pure plasma would repeatedly carve into its side, a sharp scream radiating from its vocal banks until it too was pierced. The Red Flash leapt on its back and hoisted his saber skyward, funneling copious scores of untamed energy directly inside the teal-colored blade as it speared down past the fertile soil and tunneled underground. There, beneath the carnage that raged overhead, this unbridled power began to take shape. Where there was once a singular, incandescent mote of light, now resided a divergent series of lofty pillars, each one primed to service their master and puncture straight through his sworn enemy. And so they did. Acting with what all but the assailant would consider spontaneity, the assembly of beams operated in concert, erupting beyond their earthen cage and effortlessly skewering the beast's massive steel frame. ("It's done.") Bereft of the ability to physically resist its newfound, searing misery, the serpentine creature's limp body attempted to relinquish a final, guttural shriek; it couldn't withstand its explosive fate any longer. "Rekkoha." Spoken dispassionately, Giro paid no heed to the incomprehensible protests of his mutilated victim, nor did he show any regard for the burgeoning explosion. All it required was a nimble leap backwards, and the relentless Repliroid would have escaped the blast radius, leaving the surrounding foliage dotting Area A's forest as the only bystanders consigned to the serpent's fiery oblivion. A sick grin crossed the man's face before an incessant ringing would snap him straight. Hesitantly, he would tap his left ear, a panicked voice erupting from the communication system. "GIRO, CODE RED. AREA D IS BEING SWARMED BY A LARGE ARMY OF IRREGULARS. HEAD THERE IMMEDIATELY!" "Understood, on my way." Eliminating them would be no issue, but this activity spike, and the Transerver being down... something wasn't right. The Red Flash flickered through the industrial room, a troubling thought continuing to nag at the back of his mind as he mentally prepared himself for the next mission.Kingdom's Fall - The Outer RingRecommended Music The air was cold and choking; several disgusting scents would overwhelm the girl's senses as she stepped into the abandoned settlement. Rotting wood, old food, and many other things made the atmosphere unbearable. Hilda plugged her nose as her feet dragged against the frosty road. "Eugh..." Her clattering boots would be the only sound in this hollow void, giving the girl another reason to shiver. Hilda scanned the area repeatedly while proceeding at a snail's pace. Rubbing her hands together did little to fight the frigid air, even as she planted her warm palms on various body parts. In the midst of all this, a tiny tickling sensation rubbed against her shoulders, and... "Eren?" Her gentle tone wasn't enough to keep his tiny red eyes from disappearing into the darkness of her hood the moment their gazes met. The dwarf would occasionally peek out to steal a glance at his caretaker. Aside from that, it went no further. Despite his silence, a smile still managed to creep on her face. ("At least I'm not alone.") Her body and mind would loosen as she ventured deeper into the decrepit abyss, her resolve somewhat steeled by her current responsibility. However, her bravery would go unrewarded. Small, run-down buildings that could barely even be considered homes would be all that lined these haunted streets. ("How terrible...") Mere moments after she made that mental remark, Hilda's eyes would light up like little stars. She leaned forward, staring at a rather magnificent structure that sat at the very end of this desolate road. It was completely untouched by nature, with such rigid and fine construction that it could stand for centuries. "Eren! Eren! Look!" She pointed directly at the building, jumping up and down ever so slightly as her freezing body was warmed by the mere presence of this small haven. "A home, a home!" Hilda's rushed towards the entrance, her pointed ears dancing with excitement. She nearly ripped off the doorknob before a haunting thought made her blood run cold. "Coming... in?" Hilda's excitement would taper, opening the door VERY lightly before peeking her head in. Minutes had passed, but nobody came. "But why?" This place was quite nice for an abandoned slum, suspiciously nice, and as Hilda made her way inside the house, her confusion would skyrocket. "By Eden, what is this?" Many books decorated the structure's walls; it almost seemed unending until her eyes reached the edge. Stocks of dry food, nice furniture—Hilda could not even fathom something like this existing outside the Inner Ring. She ran over to the magnificent wall and lightly thumbed through the books, many of these titles being staples in her own education. Her eyes would widen further with each second. Advanced books on history, language, and mathematics, some of which even eluded her recognition. "Since when did the common folk accumulate such an archive?" This grand hall of information absorbed her like a black hole. Many minutes passed, yet the elven child continued to glance through almost every title hosted by this mysterious archive, grabbing 'a few' of them and tossing them into her little sack. Finally having her fill, Hilda turned to explore the rest of this remarkable abode. Hilda ran her fingers along the walls, and to her surprise, very little dust had accumulated. Recently abandoned, yet blessed with a great wealth of resources. It was oh so curious... "I don't have time for this." Her brain hungered for an answer, but Hilda couldn't afford to lag behind. Despite his almost invisible presence, there was someone currently under her care, and his security was of the upmost priority. She quickly made her way to the master bedroom, her body almost melting to the floor upon seeing the centerpiece. A bed, not exactly befitting of royalty, but a bed nonetheless! "Oh great Goddess, I thank you." The girl clasped her hands together and held her head downward, muttering what seemed to be a prayer before leaping onto the plush mattress like an utter hooligan. "Ah.~" Her aching body was absorbed like quicksand—it was so warm, so comfortable, so magnificent... So absolutely, positively wonderful! Hilda could feel the tears welling up. Going so long without such comforts has been utter torture. A wide smile overtook her features as she stared at the ceiling. Even with her existence deemed worthless, Hilda still clung on. "Good night, Eren..." She muttered out, her blue eyes closing as she soundly drifted off. A few minutes had passed, the little red dots peering from within Hilda's hood. "Coast...clear." The dwarven boy scampered from outside the comfort of her cave-like headwear, scoping out her mountainous form in its slumbering state. He stared for what seemed to be eons as he gradually approached the peak, Hilda's 'great pit of despair' venting out a large wave of warm air that enveloped his body like a fuzzy blanket. Eren's instincts began to scream out in a rage, causing his approach to immediately halt. (The hood, the pocket, why...?") Eren's body would shiver as the thoughts continued to tear at his mind. Every aspect of her was identical to his captors, yet his body was still drawn to hers like a magnet. These sensations and emotions—the boy failed to make any sense of them as he slowly began to fade. Hilda's cheek absorbed his body like a soft cushion as it began to collapse, his anxious expression softening as he was taken by the night.trophyA Stranger's Kindness - Gentle RainSmall, almost non-existent drops of water would smack against Ray's raincoat, sliding off the hood that sat atop his head. He was surrounded by clovers that went up to his waist, covered in dew that resembled tiny crystals. His fingers would lightly graze the surface of one of the plants, a slight tingle running through his hand the further he pressed it down. The mesmerizing scenery was complemented by the pleasant, spring-like aroma that filled his nostrils. Ray would lay down in the field of green, closing his eyes as it absorbed him whole. "Having fun down there?" A familiar voice would playfully tug at the mino's ears, demanding his attention. He opened his eyes to spot his giant guardian, tailing him at a steady pace. She carefully took her seat and made sure there was a decent amount of distance, flashing a warm smile that instilled Ray with the fuzzies. "Yeah." Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, the raindrops went as they splashed on his face and the surrounding flora. The ambiance provided by the drizzle continued to soothe his beating heart. "Thanks for the coat." "Don't sweat it." Ray sat up a bit, observing Isa's subtle movements as she got comfortable. She huddled up to her knees and wrapped her arms around them, almost like a child. It was rather... cute strange. Was she trying to make herself look smaller in his presence? Ray continued to stare, honing in on the raindrops sliding down on her coat. They were nearly microscopic in comparison. Ray stared in awe, his view shifting between his coat and hers. "Does it remind you of home?" Her chirpy voice called to him with a question, one that evoked fond childhood memories. His father, mother, and sister, all sitting under the drizzling rain together as they became one with nature. A smile began to sneak its way onto his face, one he kept at bay by fighting tooth and nail. "Just a bit. Is that why you wanted to come out here?" "Maaaaaaaaaaybe, maybe not.~" Isa poked her cheek and let out a little "blep" as her tongue popped out, and the smile had come in full force. He turned to his side and hid away in his yellow raincoat. This respite would be short-lived as the nearby grass began to shuffle, and there was only one possible source. Ray tracked the disturbance to find Isa fully laid out on the field, parroting his actions from earlier. She spread her limbs out as if she were making a snow angel, her hands grazing over and collapsing onto the dewy plants. She hummed lightly as she did so, her tiny friend now shooting a puzzled glare in her direction. "Can you even feel it?" His words seemed to go in one ear and out the other; it was clear she was stuck in her own little world. Ray heard nothing but her absentminded humming as she plucked a clover from the ground, soon turning to him with a familiar catty grin. Not good. Ray looked to his side, spotting her free hand creeping up on his body like a cunning predator, before gently 'snatching' its prey. Ray was carefully elevated into the air alongside the clover, and he could feel her pillar-sized digits caressing his body with great intrigue. Sure enough, his little eyes would spot her doing the exact same thing to the clover. "So small..." At first, it was permissible, perhaps a little charming irritating. Yet the time continued to pass, and Isa's curiosity would not come to an end. The cracks on Ray's poker face began to show as he lightly poked the giant skin trap that had held him captive. "So, ya done yet?" The boy's tone was as soft as melted butter in spite of his burning expression, and his patience was soon rewarded as the girl swiftly returned him to his pocket of peace. Ray took notice of her shaky hands and immediately addressed any lingering concern. "I'm not mad." "...Okay-" The squeak of a reply was so quiet that Ray could barely hear her, and it made turning from her almost impossible. The gray atmosphere did its best to absorb him as he nestled between the flowers, but it failed. A few minutes would pass before the boy looked to his neighbor, only to catch the little copycat rolling about with the most carefree of expressions. The remaining tension in his body had immediately scattered. "So, how does it feel?" "It feels pretty...." With a little dramatic flair, the girl outstretched her limbs like the tentacles of a mighty kraken. "Good." That soft smile, chipper demeanor, and rather adorable annoying giggle... His giant companion had made a swift recovery, as she always did. Ray turned his back to the girl and allowed the field of greenery to absorb him. His eyes drifted upward to the gray sky overhead. Small drops of water continued to pelt his face, sending ripples of delight throughout his minuscule form. The sounds of this peaceful slice of nature began to coalesce, forming a soft symphony that soothed his very soul—Isa's light humming served as the final ingredient. With that, he could finally know peace.