(ACE) The LOSTLORN Team

Alone outside, Etai finally curled up to sleep in the bush she had laid in. Sleep took her quickly and like a long lost friend, she embraced it while Aislin was alone in a room with Hannibal. Looking to Hannibal and his offer to sit on the couch, Aislin tilted her head to the side and rose to her paws. Her ears were pulled back as she stayed as far from him as possible on the couch. This was not due to her being frightened by him but instead of her being wary of her own species in general. "I apologize for my unease. I lived in a battle arena my whole life and was only shunned by others in my species." Tucking her paws under her, Aislin wrapped her tail closely to her and placed her head on her paws towards Hannibal. Curious about his muzzle, she didn't dare say a thing about it but instead watched him with interest. In the arena, she had met others that needed muzzles. Usually, those Pokemon were so deadly that it wouldn't be fair to their opponents. Aislin wondered gently if this was why Hannibal needed a muzzle but she quickly put that thought out of her head. Etai couldn't love a killer, could she?

Sil couldn't exactly say she was relieved when Cass came in and lay down beside the bed, but she did feel something akin to it. Her tense muscles relaxed, her frantic mind slowed. The fact that she wasn't alone was reassuring, even if it was Cass. Her emerald eyes flicked to his form, awed that she'd only known the zebra for a day... and what a day it'd been.

As he went to groom himself -thorns were still poking out of his mane from her thicket- Sil settled further on the bed, allowing her legs to relax as her eyes remained trained on the hallway for undead or Hannibal, her ears flicking around for the telltale signs of an ambush. She didn't want to be caught off guard by any sort of predator... especially since she'd succeeded in wounding one. She frowned at the thought, the memory of flinging the light dog across the room. Surely that was called for, that he deserved it. But her gut told her that it would come to bite her in the ass... or throat.

I'm sorry, doe," Cass' voice whispered, the words startling her out of her reverie. "About your family..."

She looked down, seeing the sadness and pity in his expression, and, unable to see him look at her like that, turned back to the hallway. For a moment, words failed her, as she attempted to speak. Finally, she was able to function and replied, "...It's... fine. I mean, I'd rather them not be dead, but... I'm pretty sure more pokemon are going through this than just me." She shifted more, keeping her eyes off of Cass. "...Thank you, though."

Cloud let out a yawn as he opened his eyes and took in his surroundings. He had no idea where they where, but he was no longer on Cass' back, but rather on something that felt like dry grass. He was in some sort of structure. "W-where are we?" He asked as he looked around, fear in his eyes. The Rufflet had never been in a human structure before, so this was a first for him and it made him feel trapped.

Opening his wings Cloud flew up and around. "Where is the exit?!" He was someone in a panic now. He felt grounded not being able to see the sky. The forest was better then this place, at least then you could see parts of it through the canopy, but here, here he just felt like a trapped bird in a cage.

"...It's... fine. I mean, I'd rather them not be dead, but... I'm pretty sure more pokemon are going through this than just me...Thank you, though." Cassius puffed his chest out proudly, happy that he had done something to make her feel better. She still seemed sad and was looking really worn down from the days events, which reminded the Zebstrika of Kinah's words. He was told to look out for her. Even if he couldn't fix it he had at least been able to do something nice for her and that was a start.

He couldn't help but wish he knew what it was like to miss your family, though. He had been a battler, a stud, and was given to an irritating shit of a little girl who treated him like a show pony. A girl he ditched and left for dead once the infected came. The guilt that slowly crept into him from that final act was the main reason he hadn't wanted to head back to city when the decision had been made to move on. "I envy you Sil," he told her. "To have a family you love enough to miss. I...I never had that."

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Kinah's thoughts swirled in her mind, so she decided to try something she hadn't done since leaving Iccarus. Removing herself from the couch she began pushing all of the furniture in the room up against the wall. Once the middle of the room was clear she stood in the very center crouched down with her leg extended and paws raised in defense. Her eyes slid slowly closed, her breathing coming out slow and even, and the fighter could soon feel the energy in the air as the breath of the world.

Her leg began to pull in, her arms raising up, and soon she was moving across the room in a kata closely resembling a dance. Her body twisted and moved, swift kicks and whips of her tail accentuating the fluid movements as she performed. For the Martial Arts Pokemon this was a form of meditation, the moves like second nature to her. She allowed her mind to go completely blank as her body executed the movements with precision and grace, letting herself go completely.

Even with her eyes closed she allowed her senses to dictate her movements, her jumps and throws never bringing her near the furniture. She felt the energy in the room so clearly it was like she could see even without sight and for the first time in a long time she truly felt like herself. Everything was coming back to her, Tarik and Selenia, her two best friends. Tarik's gruff yet friendly approach, his three heads always a source for amusement, and Selenia's calm and sweet demeanor hiding a strength and wicked speed let out only only on the battlefield. Her life with them, training with them every day until she was so abruptly taken from her family, and here she was acting the bitch when...

He movements finally came to a stop, ending right back in the middle of the room in a defensive stance similar to the one she started with. She had come to an epiphany, a deep realization that struck her like a slap in the face. She had wanted back in Unova so badly so that she could find her friends. Here she had gone half way around the continent and never bothered to look! How could she have forgotten...how? A determination set in, Kinah's evolution no longer an interference with the Pokemon she had once been.

Kinah was back.

“I apologize for my unease. I lived in a battle arena my whole life and was only shunned by others in my species."

Hannibal felt the small shifting of weight on the couch, pleased when the female’s voice rung out in the silence. Perhaps he genuinely had a chance of befriending this canine after all. Although, her words evoked a certain surprise in the hound, his eyes opening to regard the female suspiciously. Lying in her position on the furniture – as far from him as a possible, he noted – she seemed honest in what she had said. His frown vanished, replaced by a lax, almost amused smile.
“Small world,” The houndoom spoke quietly, leisurely as he gave a quick snort. His mind frantically working to decide whether it would be wise to keep his past a mystery, Hannibal eventually opted against it. The fact that this female was also an ex-battler, however the intensity of which remaining unknown, there seemed to be a greater chance of evoking empathy – something that immediately allied them. Licking his lips, his calm unfaltering, Hannibal continued in a more sombre tone. “I spent most of my life in a similar situation. Where do you think I got this?” He flicked his head up, a gesture to the muzzle he adorned. “I understand your hesitance. It’s completely natural for our sort,”

Stretching out his forelegs in front of him, Hannibal suddenly found himself restless. Talking with Aislin had triggered memories from his battling days, his imprisonment in that damned basement condemned to a life as nothing but a monster. On reflection, it had truly been a brutal, unforgiving world – the horrors topped off with the heart-wrenching murder of his innocent sister. The pain momentarily surfaced on his features, the houndoom flustered as those foul images flashed before his eyes. Abruptly shaking the thoughts away, breathless as an internal pain wracked his fragile body, he looked to Aislin.
“Where is Etai?” The last time Hannibal had spotted the leafeon was following her speech. She’d simply darted away; embarrassed, angry or sad? The houndoom had never been skilled in judging the emotions of others, often too out of sync with his own feelings to fathom any concept of empathy. A soft smile on his features, he rose to his feet. Whilst he had a certain curiosity about the leafeon’s location, unsurprisingly Hannibal had ulterior motives. “Do excuse me. I shan’t be able to rest till I know she’s okay,” It was a big fat lie; the hound couldn’t care less about the female’s current mental state. However, following her outburst of ‘love’, he saw it as a perfect opportunity for some snooping. For a start, he was eager to place the remainder of the group. Although lacking the energy to efficiently torment them, Hannibal could not stand the mystery – uncomfortable that potential threats had escaped his vision. Flashing a final smile at Aislin, he silently trotted through the near-abandoned house.

Limping through the ramshackle corridors, Hannibal’s crimson eyes leisurely scanned all the human artefacts left behind – fleeting insights into the life in which Sil had once known. However, as soft voices met his ears, the canine slowed to a halt. Apparently, the others weren’t particularly wearisome either. Peering into the room, the canine’s attention quickly fell onto the forms of Sil and Cass lying alongside one another. An amused grin hit his features, a certain spark in his eyes as he regarded the duo.
“Don’t mind me. Just getting some air,” He purred. His roguish grin was so broad it was visible beneath the muzzle, lighting his bloodied face with mischief. “Goodnight,” It was all he offered before he turned from the scene, rushing to silence a chuckle as he carried on his way, moving slowly to avoid placing too much weight on his injured leg. He soon heard Cloud’s screeches in the background; apparently the youth wasn’t dead as Hannibal had hoped. Pausing a moment, the hound considered inviting him along, but soon decided against it. He’d be too tempted to eat the feathery blighter.

Before long, he passed by another open door, this time catching glimpse of light purple form; Kinah. However, what exactly she was doing was completely beyond him. Watching her effortless moves, her body elegant and precise despite her closed eyes, Hannibal gave a slight nod of his head. She was certainly strong. She was definitely one to keep an eye on despite her otherwise civil attitude towards him. Moving on, he smiled, satisfied. Good, they weren’t too far apart. That only left that pesky Zoroark and Etai to find. However, he soon came to an exit, nudging the door open to allow a refreshing gust of wind to bombard his bloodstained face. Heaving a sigh of relief, thankful for the chill that night had brought to effectively wake him up, Hannibal simply stood and stared for a moment – relishing in the peace.

Glimpse of a golden-yellow pelt within the foliage soon captured his attention. Frowning, his body tensed for a fight though completely unprepared for any sort of physical exertion, the hound inched closer; intent on investigating. He relaxed as he neared the curled sleeping form of Etai, only just visible within a bush in which she’d claimed as a bed. In a way, it made sense. She was a grass-type, apparently one with nature and that whole business. Hannibal smiled unpleasantly, a sudden intention to dispose of the creature while he had chance bombarding his thoughts. The others wouldn’t notice. If he acted quickly, there would be no scream; he could hide the body and they’d presume she simply ran away again. It seemed like a plan, though he stopped himself. Etai had alienated herself from the group by defending him; surely it would be ludicrous to murder a comrade. Frowning he sighed, lifting his head to the skies as he surveyed the area.
“Etai?” He spoke quietly, using his good paw to lightly nudge the leafeon. His fur bristled as the wind continued to bite at his slender being, the drop in temperatures growing more apparent the longer he waited. Seeing no flicker of consciousness, the houndoom’s nostrils flared as he took up a sitting position nearby. He was in no hurry. The wind, although bitter, felt good against his aching form – and of course, it was always fun to watch others sleep.


(( Sorry, long post. :B ))

Aegis's legs were sore beyond relief. This was the first time he had walked on land for any sizable distance, and he had to have crossed at least one region! He no longer had any inclination to where he was- all the maps he had ever seen had been of Sinnoh- and had accidentally stumbled into this forest not too long ago. He had usually tried to avoid forests before he evolved, and now that he was in one, he couldn't seem to find his way out. For a while now, he had been hearing voice, muffled as the were, but he had trouble figuring out where they came from. His time alone had allowed him to regain his senses, and take back his mentality from before he evolved. It had been far too hectic in Sunyshore, he realized now.

Suddenly, he caught sight of movement in the trees. Pressing his back against the nearest bark, he waited. Nothing came towards him, so he moved forward himself. Going from tree to tree, quietly as he could manage, he approached the shadow. As he got closer, he could see what it was. A houndoom (a Scentist in the Labratory had once owned one), standing over the sleeping body of a Leafeon (they were, of course, native to Sinnoh). Noting the building behind them, he watched the scene in front of him.

Something... dark, passed over the Houndoom's face during those few moments. Did Houndoom always have such red eyes? He could no longer remember. Being around the Undead so much back in Sunyshore, he was on guard, as always. However, he needed a place to rest. When the Houndoom sat down, Aegis moved forward slowly, in front of him so that he wouldn't come up by surprise. "I mean no harm." He began saying, blades still at his sides. "I've traveled a long way, and have need of a place to rest. Is that building behind you occupied?" He doubted there would be any humans left, of course. But there could be other companions. Hopefully living.

((Oi, think I'm caught up. However, if I missed anything important, please tell me. >.<))

Cass seemed glad enough to have procured a smile out of her, but her mind was far from at ease. Her thoughts roamed once more to the predators both out and inside the walls, her muscles flinching and tensing at the thought. Hannibal was not far away, and surely, not asleep. Still, Cass' words once again brought her out of the dark images of the possibilities of what Hannibal could do to her without the muzzle. "I envy you Sil," he told her. "To have a family you love enough to miss. I...I never had that."

Her head tilted, all fears washed away for a single moment to be replaced with utter confusion. Envy? That was one thing she wouldn't expect out of Cass-- especially directed at her. She shifted her weight on the bed, and was about to comment when Hannibal's slick head popped into the doorframe. “Don’t mind me. Just getting some air,” he purred, then disappeared again. The sawsbuck's ears flicked back, unsure of how to react. That strange smile of Hannibal's that only reached his eyes always unnerved her, and this time was no different. She cleared her throat, looking back to Cass. Surely that was something to worry about? But when no screams were heard, of his or anyone else's, she calmed a little.

"...You shouldn't. It's only a weakness now; a button for sadists to push to make me vulnerable," she muttered, her eyes staying on the hallway which Hannibal left. "...It felt good to toss him, though." She gave a small smile, looking back to Cass.

"...You shouldn't. It's only a weakness now; a button for sadists to push to make me vulnerable." Cassius looked to Sil with a sympathetic smile, seeing her glare out the doorway at the mutt as he passed. He really had pulled a shit move out there and was damn lucky Sil had gotten to him before the Zebstrika could. "...It felt good to toss him, though." Cass couldn't help but laugh and offered the Sawsbuck one of his more dazzling smiles, hoping that his natural charm would help cheer her up.

With a loud huff and a shake Cass rose up from his place on the floor, happy with the long and dedicated grooming he had given himself, and shook a little bit to help loosen his muscles. He raised and lowered his legs slowly, trying to get the blood pumping in them again, before taking a few paces around the room. It wasn't in his nature to sit still for so long and he was starting to get antsy, but Sil though... "You get tired yet, babe?" he asked politely, thinking back to Kinah's warning to go get her when Sil was ready to sleep. "The others aren't the only ones who need sleep, you know. I can get Kinah Creepy-Grins if you need to rest."

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Kinah released herself from her stance, raising her arms up and stretching high to lose the tension in her back. Cracking her head from side to side she let out a deep sigh a small, contented smile played across her face. It was good to have her head in the right place again, it was just a shame that it took her so long. With a new found determination she was set to secure her place in this group and not let them down like she did back in Iccarus.

Voices drifted her way and the Mienshao was able to pick out those of her companions, but it seemed a new one had joined them. As she stepped out of the small room she had claimed she noticed that only Cass and Sil seemed to still be inside, which was probably not a good thing. She passed the new Houndoom, whose name she completely forgot but that was for another time, as she hunted the location of the voices. Heading towards the door she was able to pick up the deep gruff of Hannibal as well as that of a stranger. Pushing the door aside Kinah propped herself on the frame, arms crossed and a disapproving frown on her face.

"Thought I told you to stay off that leg, pup," she scolded, eyes drifting to the odd looking shell creature before them. "And I see you found a friend. What is it and what does it want?" None of her former sarcasm was present in any of her words, that side of her was gone. Kinah's words were short and even, holding nothing but simple truth. She wasn't threatening anyone, even her posture suggested her relaxed state of mind, but she did want to know what the stranger wanted. There was no way the Mienshao was letting anyone else get hurt because she wasn't ready.

((OMG, one more cycle and I get a bronze AND a gold badge for this duo! SWEET!))

Cloud didn't seem to be noticed when he did his little freak out, though he seemed to have calmed down as we went and landed on the ground, letting out a sigh as he folded his wings and pulled his head into his neck fur. He felt so unwanted here. He was sure no one wanted him around, he couldn't do anything right. All he was good for was freaking out and being useless.

Everyone seemed to have a role to play in this group, so what was his? The little Rufflet got to his feet and walked over to Cass who seemed to be walking around, unable to stay in one place to long. "Cass? Am I... Useless?" He asked, wanting to know if he was or not from the only member of the group he really saw as a friend.

"I mean no harm. I've travelled a long way, and have need of a place to rest. Is that building behind you occupied?”

Slightly annoyed that the stranger had taken him by surprise, Hannibal’s cold glare soon fell onto the being approaching from the shadows. Oblivious to how long the newcomer had been watching, the hound mentally scolded himself for being so careless, so inobservant. Had it been a threat, those seconds of negligence could very well have cost him his life. Momentarily looking down to the sleeping leafeon, his nostrils flared in frustration. The damn fox was getting under his skin after all.

Regarding the creature, his expression blank save a faint glimmer of curiosity to the being’s species, Hannibal gave a polite nod of his head in greeting.
“Yes, it is,” His reply was blunt but not unkind, his eloquent voice seemingly unable to reach the malicious depths he’d previously boasted. This stranger, although skilled in subtlety, gave him no reason to fear, thus was spared the force of Hannibal’s suave spite. He was nothing more than a walking fossil.“Not the friendliest company though. I wouldn’t sneak up on them,” He added with a snort, eyeing the kabutops carefully, a smile hidden beneath the muzzle.

"Thought I told you to stay off that leg, pup. And I see you found a friend. What is it and what does it want?”

The hound’s smile broadened as Kinah’s voice flowed into the silence. He looked over his shoulder, crimson eyes sparkling as he regarded her lax stance in the building’s doorway.
“Good evening to you too, Kinah,” Making a point of raising his injured leg, freeing it from the small amount of weight he’d previously placed on it, his expression softened. She was alright. Her mischievous streak and talent for irritating Cassius had been a pleasant surprise, yet her strength and no-nonsense attitude was the icing on the cake. He could tell she didn’t trust him, but strangely, Hannibal was okay with that. He liked her. “I never caught a name, but he’s looking to get some rest,” The hound shrugged, eyes lingering on the newcomer before falling down to the leafeon, still lost to her slumber. Watching Etai, he continued. “I see no reason to turn him away,”

From far into her subconscious the small Leafeon began to hear voices intrude into her dreams churning them into a chaotic mess of images that surged through her head like a slideshow of catastrophe. Blurring vision fogged her usual calm mind and she struggled to reach the surface as the images danced across her vision. Finally though, Etai awoke with a start in her bush and gazed around with wide eyes. Beside her was Hannibal in all of his furry glory and in front of her was a strange prehistoric style Pokemon that for some reason set her on edge and made her fur stand on end. Although trying not to show fear, the gentle Leafeon regarded Kinah's words before stretching and hopping out of her bush not unlike the way a rabbit leaps from its den.

Looking towards the dark canine, her ears pricked curiously and a smile began to pull at her muzzle until she remembered promising herself to not have feelings for him anymore. Eyes downcast, she sat down and curled her leafy tail over her paws and looked towards the newcomer and then back to Kinah and Hannibal. "I go to sleep for a few minutes and wake up to a party. Why didn't anyone invite me?" Her eyes were bright and playful as she took in the scene around her and vaguely wondered where Aislin had bunked down for the night. Deciding to find her friend, Etai stepped in front of Hannibal and looked back towards him before continuing. "I'm gonna go check the perimeter of the house." Her eyes softly looked into Hannibal's for a few seconds, her gaze not excluding him but not inviting him either. She figured if he wanted to come, let him come. Turning her head, she gave a warm smile to Kinah and then to the newcomer. "I'm not sure of your name sir but I'm Etai. Let's save the friendlier greetings for the morning." Her eyes fell back to the ground after her words and she strolled to the other side of the building, her shadow cast against the wall.

This was definately a different crowd than Sunyshore. Out there, he knew what he was dealing with- a few friendly undead, a young fish, an annoyingly depressing serpent, a the biggest-ass whale he'd ever seen. Here though...

He didn't trust the Houndoom. Aegis didn't think it had to do with his words, they were natural enough under the circumstances. It was his eyes, he decided. There was just something in them that was... sinister. He couldn't quite place it, nor could he shake the feeling of wrongness. Shaking his head, he looked at the feline, who was now awake. Where were his manners? They had given him two names already, and he had given none. Speaking loudly enough that Etai could hear from her new position, he addressed the others. "My name is Aegis. I've walked all the way from the Sinnoh region, and have very little idea where I am now. I would like to rest in that building, however, if it's not too much to ask." His voice was smooth, as it almost always was, but he couldn't help but exhude some of the tiredness that soaked his body.

Shifting his body slightly, he nodded to the one the hound had called Kinah. In his new stance, he caught some of the moonlight flickering through the trees on his scythes, reflecting slightly onto the area in front of him. It wasn't a show of power, rather a caution to the hound. He didn't trust him, he just couldn't figure out why.

"You get tired yet, babe?" Cass queried, making Sil's eye quirk. Babe? While the word made her want to kick him a little, she didn't have the heart to after all he tried to do to cheer her up... "The others aren't the only ones who need sleep, you know. I can get Kinah Creepy-Grins if you need to rest."

She chuckled a little at the nickname, the mienshao's trademark grin flashing in her mind's eye. While the fighter had been on her "No" List prior to this evening, her demeanor had changed drastically within a few hours... Maybe she wasn't as bad as the deer originally thought? She had truly tried to help when Hannibal pried... She sighed, then procured a yawn, feeling just how tired she was. However, even with her body aching for sleep, her mind was still far too busy for it to be allowed. She gave Cass a small smile before standing and hopping off the bed herself. "Thank you, Cass," she began, stretching her long limbs, "but I'll go fetch her myself. Some movement might help me get to sleep quicker." She gave one last grateful nod to the zebra before trotting out, keeping a good mind to not look at the kitchen.

When she arrived in the living room, she soon realized that she and Cass were the only ones in the house. Alarmed, she carefully strode to the window, fearful something had happened during their conversation. She spotted the whole group out there, with someone new. Quickly, she made her way out of the house, approaching the group from behind. The newcomer was a tall one, and a deadly one, with scythes for arms and spikes riddling its lithe, streamline body. While her inital reaction was fear, the tired, friendly look in its eyes made Sil relax a fraction. "My name is Aegis. I've walked all the way from the Sinnoh region, and have very little idea where I am now. I would like to rest in that building, however, if it's not too much to ask."

Sil looked him over once more, then the others for their reactions. They seemed placid enough... "Aegis, huh? I'm Sil... and I... suppose we could fit one more." Her face held a similar expression to his; friendly, tired, but slightly apprehensive. She looked to Kinah and sighed. "...Could you take over watch?" she asked in a low tone, not sure if she wanted her voice to carry.

"Thank you, Cass, but I'll go fetch her myself. Some movement might help me get to sleep quicker." Cassius nodded, tail flicking slightly at her still calling him Cass, but he let it go. They had a rough day, and as it was he had only met the female that morning and struck up their friendship with one hell of a shouting match. Reflecting back on that morning the Zebstrika had to come to an odd revelation. "A hell of a lot can happen in just one day."

A soft flutter sounded nearby and Cash turned his head to see Cloud coming to rest by him. He smiled softly at the little bird and tossed his head back, trying to let Cloud know he could still hop up on the equine's back. However, his smile started to fade when he saw the distant look in the kid's eyes. "Cass? Am I... Useless?" Somewhat taken aback by the strange question Cash just stood there for a moment. Where would he get an idea like that? "Hey kiddo, no one is useless around here. You may not have seen as much of the action around here but that doesn't mean you don't do anything. If anyone is useless it is that damn mutt, ha ha!"

He hoped that his attempt to cheer up Cloud worked, but he couldn't shake the worry for Sil as he watched the female head out looking for the others. He could hear her voice drifting back into the house from the front door, but couldn't quite make out the words. Whatever she was saying he hoped it had something to do with the pretty doe getting some rest because she sure as hell needed it.

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“Good evening to you too, Kinah." Kinah just shot Hannibal a sly smirk at the comment, her eye catching the shift in body weight in the hound as he raised his leg. “I never caught a name, but he’s looking to get some rest. I see no reason to turn him away.” Well, even though the strange water/bug looking thing looked trustworthy this wasn't her place nor her call. Even if Hannibal couldn't see it that was certainly one reason to turn him away.

Etai rose from her slumber, Kinah barely even remembering the Leafeon was there, and mentioned checking around the house. "Not a good idea, poppet," Kinah warned her, English accent growing thicker as her weariness grew. "You are supposed to be inside asleep, not out here where the Zed's can get you." But the female didn't listen and trotted off anyway, leaving Kinah to shake her head in disappointment. Well, one less mouth to feed if she got caught out there. "My name is Aegis. I've walked all the way from the Sinnoh region, and have very little idea where I am now. I would like to rest in that building, however, if it's not too much to ask." Kinah's attention flicked back to the newcomer as he introduced himself and she gave a curt nod. "Kinah."

At that point Sil decided to come up behind the fighter and she moved away from the door frame to allow the doe more room. She offered to let Aegis stay and Kinah just shrugged, waving a paw behind her to indicate that Aegis was free to go in any time he wanted. When Sil leaned down to whisper though, Kinah gave all of her focus to the Sawsbuck. "...Could you take over watch?" Noticing how Sil tried to keep in quiet that she was tired, especially in front of Hannibal, the Mienshao gave her a nod and stepped back inside. As she passed Sil she gave the deer a supportive pat on the side to let her know it was okay, that she would take care of it, and grabbed a chair to drag by the door before sitting down.

It would take an act of Arceus to move her out of that chair.

((WOOT! Bronze AND Gold! /breakdance))

“I go to sleep for a few minutes and wake up to a party. Why didn't anyone invite me?"

The voice brought a smirk to the dark-hound’s face, his crimson eyes falling onto the Leafeon – seemingly revitalized after her slumber as she leapt from the hedge that had been concealing her. Watching her carefully, momentarily blocking out his surroundings, Hannibal was apt to pick up on the details; the little actions were the most important, capable of betraying anyone’s intentions hadn’t they learnt to disguise them. The female was no different. She’d tried not to smile at him, looked away when his orbs had latched on her face, prying into her very mind .Was it really true? She found some strange attraction to him regardless of everything he’d proved himself capable of. Not one pokémon in the vicinity trusted him – the majority wouldn’t be opposed to his death – yet Etai had discovered something else. Frowning, Hannibal was somewhat unnerved at his discovery, stepping away to allow the grass-type her leave.
“Goodnight, Etai,” The hound met her eyes that time, surprised at the kindness in which they held. His own crimson deceit faltered a moment as a flicker of serene crossed his features. It disappeared almost as quickly as it had surfaced.

"My name is Aegis. I've walked all the way from the Sinnoh region, and have very little idea where I am now. I would like to rest in that building, however, if it's not too much to ask."

Hannibal nodded his head lightly, not enough to be an act of respect but there was never reason to disregard good manners. However, his smile was quick to reappear at a familiar voice behind him. Seems the deer had grown weary of heart-to-heart with the zebra. Slender head turning to where she stood welcoming the newcomer with tired apprehension, Hannibal cleared his throat. That same twisted mischief had been re-sparked within his bloody eyes, as a grin slithered across the width of his face, betraying his intentions of tormenting the female further. She was clearly tired and from his guessing, she would struggle to find the energy to bestow him with another physical attack. An opportunist, Hannibal took his chances.
“Oh, Sil? I thought you were snuggling up to Cassius…” He purred, turning to face the deer as he took confident step towards her. Nought but his limp lessened the image of malice. “You make a lovely couple, you know?” There was a flash of white fangs through the muzzle’s bars as he stood directly in front of her, fearless as he gave a snort of amusement. “Do excuse me. I have to get my sleep,” Hannibal spoke to everyone gathered, lifting his wounded leg as he gestured to Kinah. “Doctor’s orders,”

"...Could you take over watch?"

Hannibal caught the Sawsbuck’s quietened words as he skulked past, moving deliberately slowly to ensure he didn’t miss out on anything particularly juicy. His suspicions had been right – she was tired. They all seemed in need of a good night’s sleep and Hannibal was no different. His eyelids were heavy, dark shadows emerging beneath to frame his unkind eyes. Sighing, he trudged through the building, back to couch in which he’d left Aislin sleeping on. Regarding the sleeping canine for a moment, he eventually tore his gaze away. He would find somewhere else to rest – it would be unfair to awaken the battler.
“Sweet dreams,” The hound cooed to himself, exiting the room to seek out some solitude. Besides, they’d expect him to return to the couch – he had to keep them guessing, it was what they deserved after all. Eventually settling on a room towards the front of the house, Hannibal curled up on a grand armchair left in surprisingly good condition. Allowing his eyelids to close, the Houndoom, content with the peace, soon fell into a dreamless sleep. The decaying corpses in which he shared the room with were all the company he needed.

Despite Kinah thinking that Etai ignored her words, she did just the opposite of that and actually listened to the female. Padding to the other side of the house, the nature-based canine made her way to the window that she had popped in earlier to look in and hope to see her dark friend. With a sigh of relief, Etai leaped into the open frame and curled up on the couch beside the sleeping form of Aislin. Her friend was fast asleep, her face a peaceful and calm expression. Smiling, she laid her head on the other side of the couch and fell into a deep sleep.

Whereas Houndoom caused the small of Aegis's back to itch uncomfortably, the deer, Sil, as she introduced herself, made Aegis feel right at home. It wasn't that she was overly friendly, it was, in fact, that she was not. Neither hostile, or completely open. A seemingly perfect mix, in this apocalyptic world. He nodded to Sil and Kinah, then promptly followed the hound inside.

The scene inside was rather... different, than what Aegis expected, although he was not sure why. The house smelled... musty, as if it hadn't been opened, before these survivors found it, in a long time. Scattered corpses littered the halls and rooms he poked his head into, though he scolded himself for being shocked at this. Of course there would be bodies. It would've been surprising had there not been any. Regardless, he returned to a room in the front of the house, finding a nice empty sofa, separated from most of the corpses. It would do as a resting place.

He would not allow himself to fall asleep, however. He still didn't trust that hound. Who knew what he would try to pull if all of them slept? Aegis knew it was silly, the dog had helped vouch for him to be allowed to stay. And yet... Something just didn't seem right. Something just rubbed him the wrong way. Before Aegis knew it, his head was bobbing down, and he slowly drifted off into deep, accidental sleep. His last thoughts as he floated away were: Maybe it's the mask...


((Hoping I got the house right, with the corpses and whatnot. >.<))

It was all Sil could do to not kick Hannibal right in the ribs with the jeering comments he vomited. While the thought was appetizing, she was too damn tired, and just didn't feel like ripping the stupid dog a new one. His comments were only met with a tired, stale glare, as if to say, "Don't you have anything better to do?" Her attention went all to Kinah, who seemed more than ready to take over watch. Grateful, Sil nodded and thanked her quietly, moving aside so the newcomer, Aegis, could enter the room. As he found a place to sleep, Sil retreated back into the Master bedroom to find Cass and Cloud.

She gave them one tired nod before going to the other side of the bed, finding the small nook between the bed and wall and nestled down into it, using the furniture for a little hidey hole. Pulling her thin legs beneath her, she sighed softly, her eyes slowly closing as she felt her body quickly succumb to sleep. She thought about muttering a "good night", but found she lacked the strength, and quickly fell asleep.

((If it's ok with everyone, next turn, I'm doing a time skip to morning. Get your rest :p ))

((Skip please. I tried to write something but with Winter still away Cash is waiting on Cloud so all he would have done is said goodnight to Sil, and Kinah is sitting watch. Not very exciting.))

Cloud kept his gaze on the Zebsrika, opening his wings and fluttering up onto the equine's back where he folded his wings and got comfortable as Cass answered his question. "Hey kiddo, no one is useless around here. You may not have seen as much of the action around here but that doesn't mean you don't do anything. If anyone is useless it is that damn mutt, ha ha!" Cass said, and Cloud felt a little better knowing he wasn't that much of a burden. And it meant a lot coming from someone he knew.

"I hope your right." He said, his black eyes flickering from each member of the group. All of them had a purpose, so Cloud must have one as well. Cass said he wasn't useless, though he felt like he was, not until he found something he could do. The Rufflet hardly even noticed the new pokemon that showed up as he closed his eyes, hoping to get some sleep, though he found it hard to get any sleep. His dreams where always haunted by death, and the death of his family was what he hated seeing the most when he closed his eyes.

(( Sorry! Would have posted yesterday but it was my weekend at my moms, and my stupid step dad wouldn't let me borrow the computer >:T ))

(( I hate not posting for Hannibal, so here’s a dream sequence! I know I said dreamless sleep on the last post, but eh, changed my mind, lol. Foreshadowing alert! ;D ))


Struggling to get comfortable, Hannibal found sleep was intent on escaping him. It wasn’t unfamiliar. He was an expert at feigning unconsciousness yet when he truly lusted for a moment’s rest, it was near impossible. Regardless, he persevered. Eventually, he was met with his wish. Eyelids glued shut, his frail body began to tremble as those hideous nightmares took hold.

Unsurprisingly, it was back in the basement. The dimly lit room, an ominous red glow cast on the scene as Hannibal found hands grasping at his slender form. They pushed him towards the ring, the chain fence encasing a small circle of bloodstained dirt. Despite his resistance, paws bleeding in his desperate attempts to back away from the hungry gates, the Houndoom found himself helpless to the magnetism between himself and the execution cage. The image flickered, a deafening screeching suddenly exploding in the canine’s tormented mind as he found himself face-first in a pool of blood. His own? He could hardly tell. The thick liquid stung his eyes, dripping down a scarred maw as he lifted his head, heavier than usual to meet Mischa’s wide, blue eyes.

The young Houndour stood across from him, her expression one of pure fear as Hannibal struggled uneasily to his feet. Her mouth was open, contorted in terror to scream in utter silence – the sound of only the hound’s beating heart throbbing relentlessly in the background. Hannibal couldn’t move. His paws were seeping into the gore surrounding him, the looming fences now housing chunks of flesh. Flesh from who, he could not say, but as he turned back to the sister he loved, he was met with that same heart-wrenching image.

She looked like a doll, a mere toy as she hung limp from the jaws of that monster. Her beautiful eyes were glazed over, jaw fixed open as rich blood flowed continuously from her tiny body – the Arcanine’s fangs buried deep within her tender flesh. Hannibal was choking. Helpless, he stood watching the scene – unable to move, to scream, to breathe. Now, the sound erupted around him in vivid, voluminous detail. There was a flash of light, then the screaming, Mischa’s screaming, pulsating through the Houndoom’s veins. At his paws, her decapitated head stared up at him with accusation.
“Why…?” As her lips moved, blood gushed forth to contribute to the already rising levels surrounding him. The liquid was shoulder-high now; lapping ferociously about his face as Mischa’s head was consumed by the current.

“Why…?” Another voice. Male. Hateful. Hannibal had tried to forget it, deny it even existed, but in his nightmares, it returned to cripple him just as badly as Mischa’s melodic voice. “Why…?” Hannibal’s head was forced up, his neck giving an unpleasant crack from the force as his crimson eyes met an identical pair. The Houndoom couldn’t speak if he’d wanted to. The Mightyena stood before him was on fire. Young, the dark-type’s fur was lit ravenous orange, his murderous eyes unmoving from Hannibal. He shuddered despite himself.

The sea of blood rose, the Mightyena’s flames quenched as he stood mere centimetres from the hound. Hannibal took a breath, his conscious familiar with this last occurrence. There was a stabbing pain in his chest as both father and son drowned within the blood.

A world of green fell behind Etai's eyelids as she dreamed of a gentle forest blowing in the breeze. Aislin's dream however was completely different. Her eyes snapped open unconsciously and she gazed around while darkness wrapped her away like a smothering blanket. The suffocating hold it had on her made her scream out and lash out towards what's in front of her which was a steel cage. Closing in around her, the silver of the cage bit into her flesh as she silently cried out, wrapping tighter around her Leafeon friend.

(OOC: Lol I didn't know what to do)

Sleep had taken a firm hold on Aegis, after the weariness of his first venture on land with his relatively new legs. Dreams rattled through his mind, changing constantly. The first put him back at Sunyshore, the sky much redder than he remembered. In this dream, he arrived slightly later than he had in the real world, and was unable to affect the outcome of that first fight. Lucy and Krenari had fought, causing both of them to go mad, killing Lumi in the process. Unable to hold their bloodlust, they quickly turned to him, and in a rush of red bubbles, the world went dark.

The second of these dreams pitted him in the rush of a fight with a gigantic Wailord. The beast was decaying and bloodied, but powerful nonetheless. And yet... something was off. Yes, of course. A giant muzzle bound the Wailord's maw together, forcing it to ram him to do damage. However, when he was about to make a finishing blow, the Wailord's jaws opened wide, snapping the muzzle in two. In a rush of red bubbles, the world went dark.

The final dream hurt the most, however. He could remember the scene, it was when he left Sunyshore. He watched as if he were a bird in the sky, however, watching as his body swam, then walked away from the group. Terrified, however, he watched Lumi chase after him, risking the shallows to try to stop him. And then... a flash of black, and the Houndoom was there, knee-deep in the water, biting off half of the Lumineon's body. In a flash of red, his world went dark.

After this dream, all other dreams were filled with darkness. The only thing filling his mind was laughter. Dark, maniacal laughter. And to Aegis's great fear, it did not belong to anyone else but himself.

((First dream sequence, so please excuse the crap. >.< Ready for him to wake up next rotation))

A dreamless night was all that had graced Sil's mind, her mind simply too exhausted to dream. She awoke to a friendly ray of sunshine in her face, filtering through the blinds on the window. She yawned, slowly raising her heavy head from its sleepy depths, vaguely wondering why it was so darn heavy. Her equally lethargic eyes glanced down to the floor, only for her gaze to be obscured by snow-white fluff. Oh yeah. She'd evolved. Groaning slightly, she managed to get her hooves under her and eventually stood, yawning and stretching as her tired eyes glanced around the room.

Cass and Cloud were still there, snoozing as far as she could tell. The bedroom looked nearly like it always had, albeit a little further away and a little more bloodstained. Her ears flicked back, remembering where she was and what had happened. This wasn't home anymore. This was somewhere she'd lived. Making sure not to step on Cass or Cloud, and trying to keep quiet, she ventured out of the room and into the hallway, wanting to know the wherabouts of everyone else.

Sil spotted most of them almost immediately, coming down the hall into the living room to find the majority of the rest of the group. Still, she ventured on, finding twin rooms that housed the newcomer sythe pokemon on one side and Hannibal on the other. She eyed the dog for a moment before going back to the living room, the center of the house. She folded her legs beneath her and waited for someone to wake. She wasn't entirely sure where they would go today, but... she'd find out as soon as everyone woke.

He could hear the female rise, though not wanting to alarm her he feigned sleep. In truth Cassius had a nearly impossible sleep and had woken nearly an hour ago, but with the small bird with him he couldn't rise for risk of waking him. He watched Sil leave the room, he supposed to go check on everyone else, and did his best to rise without shifting Cloud. Peeking his head out into the hallway he spotted her, then let out a big yawn to act as though he had just woken up.

"Morning babe," he said, words garbled by his yawn. "What are we up to today?" He looked around and saw Kinah still sitting vigilant by the doorway and realized that no one had given her a break on watch. Nudging Sil gently with one hoof he nodded his head towards the fighter. "Did she really stay up all night?" He honestly felt a little bad about that, considering her watch meant she hadn't slept at all in the last 24 hours at least. Trotting over to the chair she sat in he leaned around and saw her eyes closed. 'Ha! Knew it! She couldn't stay up that-agh!' He couldn't even finish his own thought as suddenly there was a paw gripping at his windpipe.

"Get out of my face Lover Boy, your breath is horrendous."
__________________________________

Kinah sat in quiet meditation as the morning came, and could feel the air shifting around her as others rose. She could hear the soft hoof beats of Sil as walked around, and the heavier ones as Cassius soon followed. It would figure that he would rise when she would, as he followed at her heels like a lovesick pup, but his obnoxious braying this early in the morning made him sound like an overworked mule. Did he really think he was whispering, making that much noise?

She tried to ignore him and go back to her meditation, but Cass's irritating voice kept creeping back in to mess with her. And this time, he was talking about her. When she felt a large presence behind her she was certain that he was going to try something. He leaned in close to her face and the Mienshao had to surpress the urge to gag. Morning breath on this male was atrocious! Fighting the need to vomit she instead reached out with a lightning fast paw to grab at the Zebstrika's throat, clenching just hard enough to restrict his breath but not actually hurt or kill him. "Get out of my face Lover Boy, your breath is horrendous," she said dryly.

Dropping her paw Kinah rose from the chair and stretched, opening her eyes to take in the rest of the group. Everyone seemed to still be asleep or starting to wake up so she made her way over to Sil. "Since you're awake now we should probably discuss what to do, both for breakfast and after. Everyone here is probably hungry." She looked around carefully and noticed the kitchen through a small door. "Forgive me if this is rude, but do you think your humans stored anything in there that would have kept this long?" She could only hope that Sil wouldn't be angered by her bringing up the past while her humans' bodies still sat in the very room they were conversing in.