(ACE) The LOSTLORN Team

((I keep forgetting when its my turn ;A; Anyway, please skip, Cloud is just sleeping.))

Hannibal awoke with a start, body jolting forward as his crimson eyes were revealed to hold a tinge of alarm. More nightmares. Taking quieted, deep breaths, the canine looked about the room – the corpses still rotting in their appropriate places whilst muffled voices could be heard just down the corridor. With a yawn, he slipped off his perch to land near silently on the dirtied floor, wincing at the pain suddenly shooting up his leg. He couldn’t remember it hurting that much yesterday. Struggling to suppress a groan, he resorted to holding the limb up, walking with an obvious limp as he left the room, eager to dispel the tormentors of his dreams. The sun was glistening through the shattered window, illuminating his particularly haggard form as he set his sights on seeking out the group. As much as he hated to approach them in such a bedraggled state, he needed them now more than ever.

"Forgive me if this is rude, but do you think your humans stored anything in there that would have kept this long?"

The Houndoom heard Kinah’s voice first, already planning ahead and making use of opportunity. He didn’t blame her, good food was hard to come by nowadays. Hobbling slowly towards them, Hannibal looked exhausted. Dark circles flourished to frame his tired eyes, his muzzle leaning to one side from tossing about, the wound on his face turned crusty and his limp, pulled together the picture of fragility.
“Morning,” Hannibal spoke quietly, though his voice remained as suave as ever. Letting his gaze wander each of the individuals before him, Sil, Cash and Kinah, he mustered a weak smile. It figured that sleep would do wonders for them.

Rising from her slumber, Etai noticed the feeling of warmth around her and she blinked open her eyes to see Aislin looking out the window. Her dark friends body was wrapped protectively around hers and she seemed so lost in thought that she didn't notice when Etai moved. Being careful but rough, Etai stretched from her position and prodded Aislin's muzzle with her paw which instantly broke her from her trance. Smiling to her friend, the dark canine blinked her eerie eyes softly as if dispelling sleep and shook herself out in much the same way Etai had done moments before. "Good morning Etai. How did you sleep last night? Or did you sleep at all?" A mischievous grin lit up Aislin's face and she nudged Etai softly as she spoke which made the Leafeon's face instantly turn a bright pink. Before responding back though, Etai noticed the guarded look and slight hardness to Aislin's muzzle and figure which told her she had been through a rough night. Shaking her head, Etai nudged her back playfully and hopped off of the couch towards the sound of voices. It figures the others were already up and about. "Come on, let's go say good morning to everyone."

Perplexed by Etai's sudden need to go, Aislin padded down and followed the Leafeon to the others. The first voice she heard was that of Cass's but she didn't think that was so out of the ordinary since she had found his voice to be able to project seemingly better than the others. Aislin watched thoughtfully as Etai entered the room where the others were conversing and sat close to Sil and Cass, away from Hannibal and the others. Odd, Aislin believed she would sit right beside the dark dog. Etai's face soon turned up into a bright smile as she looked around the room and she asked a question that was also on Aislin's mind as well. "Good morning everyone, so what's the plan?" While waiting for the answer, Aislin stood a bit away from the others despite Etai waving her over with her tail. She hadn't really gotten to know anyone in the group besides the Leafeon which meant that she felt slightly uncomfortable.

Aegis's eyes opened slowly, barely taking in the soft light that now filled the room. Closing them again, he exhaled, sinking back into the couch. Sudden realization, however, jolted him upright, eyes going wide. He had fallen asleep! Quickly checking himself over, he found that nothing was amiss, at least that he could tell. Shaking his head, he scolded himself for being so careless, and so untrusting. These folk had welcomed him in. If they had wanted to kill him, they would have done it already. Rubbing the remaining sleep from his eyes with the back of his scythe, he stretched, nearly scraping the cieling with his blades. Quickly pulling them down, he again chided himself. He was unused to being inside, especially with this larger body after he evolved.

Making his way around the house, however, he managed to find the others by locating their voices. He didn't know most of them, of course, but as he arrived, he recognized Kinah and the hound, and the doe that had made the final decision the night before. Nodding to the group, he stood to the side of the room, listening to the others. He had nothing to add to the conversation, as he had heard none of it as of yet. He would try to be useful to this group, however. He had to at least try.

"Mornin, babe," Cass' voice floated from the hallway. She frowned at the name, the word sour on her ears. "What are we up to today?" She shrugged; probably just continuing on until sunset again, heading North. However, Cass seemed more interested in the fact that Kinah was sleeping rather than her answer, so the sawsbuck kept quiet. In a rather surprising turn of events, Kinah grabbed Cass by the throat, complaining of his awful morning breath.

"Since you're awake now we should probably discuss what to do, both for breakfast and after. Everyone here is probably hungry," Kinah suggested, and Sil couldn't help but agree more. She was starving. "Forgive me if this is rude, but do you think your humans stored anything in there that would have kept this long?" It took a moment to think, but her thoughts were interrupted by the others waking and entering, including the newcomer. He was quiet, as was Etai as she sat next to the doe. Weird, didn't she...? Sil glanced to Hannibal, who'd woken as well, offering a tired "Morning."

'You look like I feel...' she groaned in her mind, turning back to Kinah. "I... I don't know. The only thing I can think of is canned stuff, which... would be in the pantry." She swallowed a little, rising to her hooves and full height from the floor. She took a few steps toward the kitchen, looking at the side that was the most bloodied and soiled. Her parents remained there, untouched, their corpses' expressions still clinging to the fear and agony they'd experienced so long ago. Tearing her eyes from them, making her attention soley on the pantry she'd been locked in, she spotted some things that looked like they hadn't been destroyed in her frantic attacks. She backed up, noticing her antlers barred her entrance.

"Kinah, there looks like there's something there, but... I can't get in..." The last bit was said a bit sheepishly, her eyes glancing to her antlers to make her point. "If you could...?" She left the question open, her composure beginning to falter as she went back to her spot in the den. "Just... don't step on them..." Plopping back down, she kept her gaze on the fireplace, staring into the old charred ashes. She just wanted out of this place.

Cash was feeling a little left out as the two females talked amongst themselves, so he made himself busy by checking in on the others. Hannibal all but dragged himself in, and with a gruff greeting the Zebstrika had to force himself not to stomp on the prick. He decided to try and make friends with the new guy, seeing as how he didn't get the chance the night before. "Hiya, the name's Cassius. Can't say I've ever seen one of your kind around before." He looked at the sharp blades the creature had for arms and felt a little wary of pissing this guy off. "You uh, you cam in last night. Right?"
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"I... I don't know. The only thing I can think of is canned stuff, which... would be in the pantry." Kinah nodded politely and made to follow Sil to the kitchens, but the doe seemed to be having trouble getting in thanks to her antlers. The last time she was in this place must have been before she evolved. "Kinah, there looks like there's something there, but... I can't get in...If you could...?" A simple smile graced the fighter's face. "Of course, don't worry." She moved to go past Sil when a soft whisper caught her ear. "Just... don't step on them..."

The female Mienshao's eyes fell to the two forms on the floor and felt her heart sink at the sight. There was only one explanation to what she saw, they were Sil's parents. A lump formed in her throat and Kinah forced herself to swallow it, moving carefully around the room so as not to disturb the resting place of the pair. Trying to get this done as quickly as possible as she didn't trust Romeo out there to not screw things up by opening his mouth Kinah grabbed everything she could and fled the kitchens. Moving back to the living area she deposited all of the cans, boxes, and bags she could grab onto the coffee table and looked around.

"So let's see what we got here..." Moving her paw over each item she carefully checked each picture. "I can't make out any of this crap...why don't humans ever have pictures that look like food and not some sun wearing glasses?" Finally she saw something she did recognize. "Aha! We're in luck! Sil your family had a box of poffins hidden in there. Can't say I've seen many of them before, especially in Unova, but they are definitely edible." She pulled out one of the strange lumps and held it up to her nose. "Spicy...anyone here like spicy? Each poffin is different."

Her eye drifted to the hound all but dragging himself into the living room and felt a sour frown pulling at her face. "I told you to stay off that leg," she all but growled. "Now look at you. You can barely move. Dammit hound, stay there and let me look at you." At this rate he would be better off being used as bait, since he couldn't open his mouth and now was practically lame. "Of all the arrogant, bull headed- ugh. I had to get stuck with- got his head up his arse-" With each new muttering Kinah's voice got lower, and her accent thicker, all as she made her way to look over Hannibal once more.

((OOC: Cash, why you dumb? lol))

Watching Sil and Kinah’s mission to acquire any food that might have proven more apt surviving than the doe’s decaying family, Hannibal simply lacked the energy to interfere. There were so many opportunities to throw in a cruel comment, to accompany the fighter to the pantry and ‘accidentally’ tread on the bodies of the Sawsbuck’s parents. Perhaps they were still warm. But he stayed put, leaning against the wall as his crimson eyes wandered across the group around him.

In time, Kinah had returned, bearing a collection of findings as she noisily shifted through them. Usually, it wouldn’t bother the hound. He was guilty of nattering to himself whilst he worked too, but with his head pounding in protest, his eyelids threatening to clamp shut altogether, Hannibal was clearly not in the mood. Regardless, he remained civil. Although exhausted, shaken even by that ever-familiar nightmare, he hid all signs of hostility and distaste. Simply choosing to zone out of the conversation, her words becoming nothing more than a faint droning, he let his lids rest a moment.

"I told you to stay off that leg. Now look at you. You can barely move. Dammit hound, stay there and let me look at you. Of all the arrogant, bull headed- ugh. I had to get stuck with- got his head up his arse-"

Knowing he was being addressed, the Houndoom looked up to meet Kinah’s ranting with a tired smile. On cue, he lifted his injured leg from the ground, feigning innocence as he shifted his weight almost entirely against the wall.
“Kinah,” He purred, stretching out the word. “You flatter me,” Her choice of vocabulary was significantly tame in comparison to the collection of insults he’d heard in the past. With a lopsided smirk, he held out his foreleg for examination. She knew more about his health than even he did and despite everything, he trusted her to see him fit again.

Aegis poked his head around to see inside the Pantry, in an attempt to see what kept the doe from getting to any of the food. Oh... He thought, as he saw the bodies. Aegis asked no questions. There was likely nothing to be said on the matter anyways. Turning to the other horse-shaped creature, the one with black and white stripes, he nodded in answer to his question. "It's good to meet you Cassius. My name's Aegis, and yes, I arrived last night." Unfortunately, since neither creature had hands to shake, he consented for a simple nod, smiling at the welcome.

As Kinah brought the poffins out, however, his back straightened a bit. He hadn't eaten in a very long time. His back tooth ached for something sugary, and he looked at the fox slightly sheepishly. "Is there anything sweet in that box, miss?" He asked, trying to be as polite as possible. He had only met these folk the night before, after all. He wouldn't expect them to be overly friendly yet.

"Sweet Arceus I never though I'd actually be looking for some backward-ass country fucks to talk to. Damn it's boring out here."
Brushing some dirt from his hands, Charlie Creed floated aimlessly around, his eyes scanning the area for sings of intelligent, non-violent life. He was tired of Infected. Tired of being alone out here. It was maddening... mind numbing. A house... anything, to enter to keep himself occupied with things from the 'Old World' as he liked to call it. Old World Blues is what the Gengar had. Missing the days of neon signs and laughter, instead of dark, cold nights and the howls of the monsters that roamed. Lifting his hat up, he pulled out a photo of him and 'The Boys.'

Damn how he missed them... but his own melancholy musings would have to wait. He heard something.... a voice? No it couldn't be... could it? He prayed it would be... Mr. Charles straightened his hat, stuffing the photo back underneath it as he hovered closer to the sound. Still disbelieving of the sound, he kept quiet, not calling out to the maker of the words. Silently approaching... he saw a home. A home? What in the world. It was a quaint little shack. A farm house, if memory served. He didn't often leave the city. This was rather new... but still he kept a level head. Trying to approach closer. He landed, not floating anymore when he began to fly into tree branches. Deciding to walk forward, he immediately regretted the action as he tripped and made a loud crunch in some twigs and leaves as he fell. Being an old, rather uncouth man, he swore aloud.

"Oh fuck me sideways you piece of shit legs. Arceus Damnit all to hell! Trip me will you?"
Getting up with whatever dignity he had left, he straightened his hat yet again and sat down in the brush, dusting himself off. Today was simply not his day. There had better be somebody in there..... Floating over to the shack. He took a deep breath.... and....

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
Forcing his voice to sound relaxed, mellow, and comforting, he spoke with a rich voice that did not belong to him.
"Hello? Anyone home?"

Sil was grateful for Hannibal's bum leg, as when Kinah went to fetch whatever could be saved from the kitchen, the sawsbuck readied herself for any sort of malicious comments the sadistic hound could toss at her. But nothing came. Flicking her gaze to him, his tired expression couldn't possibly be feigned; he was just too exhausted. Good. She didn't want to deal with his crap this early in the morning, especially about such a tender subject. As the fighter came back with a load of poffins, Sil couldn't help but feel a little relieved. They were hella old, as Sil remembered when this particular batch was made. But they were still edible and that's what counted.

Aegis made the first inquiry, which caused Sil to give him a slight frown. There were others that got the right to pick first before him, such as the food's owner, the one that went and got it and even the wounded one. He was on the last rung, and he had the audacity to speak first? Sil was about to tear into him when she stopped herself-- he was probably just really hungry. Well, he could still wait. "...It's not your turn yet," she warned softly, keeping her eye on Aegis. With Kinah's inquiry of the spicy poffin, the sawsbuck's mouth watered. They'd always been her favorite.

"I'll take that one." However, the fighter was soon distracted by Hannibal's leg, muttering and cursing over the hound's recklessness. Sil was about to keep distributing when a knock sounded at the door, her frame freezing in an instant. However, her anxiety soon faded, as any threat would have just barged in. She stood, picking up a bitter green poffin and placing it by Hannibal as she went to the door to answer. "...Eat that." Her voice was flat, letting him know it was only out of the kindness of her own heart that he was allowed to eat. Little malicious bastard...

She nudged the door open, finding a gengar with a top hat on the porch. Confused, she blinked in the morning light and stared for a moment before asking, "...Yes?"

"...Eat that."

Hannibal saw the berry rolling towards him before he heard that familiar voice. Grinning down at the bitter fruit, the Houndoom slowly looked up to meet Sil’s straight-face, fully embodying the expression matching her tone. The canine was unfazed, his mischievous smirk soon dissipated into a cold glare to rival the deer’s own.
“Such charity…” He mused to himself, crimson orbs glinting dangerously as he finally tore his penetrating gaze away. Paying no heed to the polite knocking at the door as the precious doe trotted past to welcome what he imagined was another stranger into her ramshackle home, Hannibal’s attention had returned to the berry. He’d always preferred the sour varieties.

Licking his lips, genuinely excited at the opportunity to consume such a precious item which would no doubt do wonders to his rather bedraggled health, Hannibal reminded himself that patience was a virtue. There was no need for such haste, nor the opportunity to humiliate himself before the group. Eating had always proven a particular problem with the muzzle’s presence. Of course, he could squeeze small morsels through the crusted bars of the contraption, but it was an inelegant, long process that had made a blatant impact of his skinny frame. As hungry as he was, he didn’t desired an audience. Instead, a different idea flourished in his mind. Kinah, and more so, Aegis, could be of use.
“Would someone kindly take this off?” Hannibal purred, polite as he lowered his head to reveal the two of three prongs holding the muzzle tight to his face. “It’s awful difficult to eat…” Heaping on the innocence, trying to uphold an image of pity as he ensured to raise his wounded leg to remind them of how frail and victimized he truly was, Hannibal was a master of manipulation. Of course, it was a long shot with Cassius sitting there and Sil just down the hallway – but it was an opportunity regardless.

“Please. I’m so very hungry…”

Sil's warning was not lost on Aegis. Bowing his head submissively, he backed away slightly. "Apologies." He said simply. It made sense, of course. He was the last to arrive, the others had seniority on him. He'd eat after they had. It was only fair, of course.

Turning to the Hound, he tilted his head at the question. For all Aegis knew, the muzzle was all that kept his teeth from his throat. Besides, he could obviously manage to eat with it on. He had to have done it before. No, Kinah could do it if she decided to, which he doubted, but Aegis wouldn't be the one to set him free. For the sake of civility, however, he simply raised his scythes. "Sorry pal." He said, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't think I'd be able to put it back on right if I cut it off." He did, after all, have no hands.

As Charlie looked at her, he tried to think of a good story for the reason why he was here. Then again, a lie would get him nowhere on the journey to food and water, so, in the end, he quickly assessed that the truth was most useful here.
"Real simply doll? I'm here for some grub. I haven't had nuttin' to eat for three days. I'm tired, and frankly hon', this is the only house I could find. I'd go somewhere else and leave you guys alone if I could.... So... can I come in?"

Looking into the house itself, he spied a Houndoom with his mouth covered. Apparently, based on the words he caught from the doorway, the dog was trying to get the thing off, and the Kabutops refused.

"Looks like you got a mutt who can't keep his teeth to himself. Ya' plannin' on putting him down or are ya gonna let him go?"
The question was directed to the Sawsbuck, who, as he noted, wasn't half bad looking. Not like the aging Gengar was going to hit on her but still, it's good to have options after all. The Gengar removed his hat out of sudden courtesy and brushed some dust off the rim, eyeing the photo still in the hat. He really needed to get rid of that picture... brought up too many things.

"Old World Blues..."

"Real simply doll? I'm here for some grub. I haven't had nuttin' to eat for three days. I'm tired, and frankly hon', this is the only house I could find. I'd go somewhere else and leave you guys alone if I could.... So... can I come in?"

The ghost seemed honest enough, clearly only wanting sustenance. It was certainly an odd request; Sil hadn't thought ghosts needed actual food --being dead and all. Then again, being dead never stopped the infected from shoving their faces full of meat, so... maybe this was... normal? Either way, the question procured a frown. She wasn't so sure of letting food just fly out the windows, offering to whomever asked. Before it could be thought rude that she didn't answer, the ghost continued.

"Looks like you got a mutt who can't keep his teeth to himself. Ya' plannin' on putting him down or are ya gonna let him go?"

Irritation made its way to her features, a small frown pulling at the corners of her mouth and her ears flicking backward to show for it. Hannibal was now a very delicate subject, as she knew better than to leave him alone somewhere but lacked the courage and resolution to just kill him herself. She had half a mind to boot them both out of the house, slam the door in the ghost's face and be done with it, fuck charity. But... her more reasonable side knew better. Either one could simply stalk them and come back in a less pleasant manner...

She glanced back at the others, unsure of what to do. Noticing he'd taken off his hat for a bit of maintenence, she cleared her throat to grab his attention. "...If food's all you want... we might have some to spare. Just don't mess with the dog." She backed away, allowing room for the Gengar to enter. She opened her mouth to offer her name, but that might invite him to stay. Uncertain on how to proceed next, she glanced to the others, silently asking if he should stay and hoping they all understood her plight. It wasn't like she could openly ask. "...I guess... take a couple and go."

Kinah chuckled darkly at Hannibal's sarcastic charm as she looked him over. Her paws worked quickly over the leg and she noticed that the shoulder was slightly protruding forward at the joint. Pushing at it lightly she was happy that it wasn't the bone dislocated again, it was fluid gathering at the joint. "You're shoulder is swollen pup," she warned. "It happens after a serious injury. Keep off it or the fluid could cause permanent damage." Letting out a heavy sigh she stood back up and tossed him a frown before going back to the box.

"Is there anything sweet in that box, miss?"

"...It's not your turn yet." The sharp comment from the doe made Kinah quirk an eyebrow, not used to seeing the dominating side of Sil. It was amusing, to say the least. She quickly claimed the spicy from before and the Mienshao didn't even bother to hold back the chuckle. Yep, spicy suited the doe perfectly. However Sil did something Kinah wouldn't expect...she gave one to Hannibal before anyone else was fed. Taking the opportunity to swipe a sour for herself she tossed one to Aegis and left Cassius to his own devices.

The arrival of some random apparition at the doorstep put the fighter on edge. She hated ghosts. Actually, she hated anything she couldn't beat into the ground. Ghosts had no physical form and fighters like her couldn't put their fists into them, they more or less just went through them. "...If food's all you want... we might have some to spare. Just don't mess with the dog. I guess... take a couple and go." Whoa, looked like she missed a little conversation there. However there was one thing she did notice.

“Would someone kindly take this off? It’s awful difficult to eat…" As pathetic as Hannibal sounded he wasn't exactly giving on a trustworthy air. “It’s awful difficult to eat…” She knew the Kabutops wasn't likely to know Hannibal any better than the rest of them so she quickly stepped in and went to Hannibal. "Hold still pup," she warned only seconds before using one of her claws to slice the small bit of leather between his upper jaw and nose. It wasn't much wiggle room she provided, but judging from the design of the muzzle he might be able to get small bits of food in him now.

Picking up his Poffin with one paw she closed a fist around it, crushing it into large bits rather than one huge cookie. Holding up the food to his mouth she stuffed her own poffin into her mouth and just eyed him, expecting him to know to eat.

______________

Cassius glared at Hannibal who started playing his 'whoa is me' act once more. The mutt could shut it and stop asking everyone to take of the only thing saving them from his fangs. Especially his Sil. She had a disadvantage if Hannibal ever got loose. He didn't even deserve the food Sil had given him. Leaning down to snatch up his own sweet poffin, his favorite flavor, he just kept glaring daggers at the mutt.

The Gengar, however, succeeded in scaring the shit out of him. When it showed up knocking on the door he almost had a heart attack. Sil suggested it just take some food and go and he was all for that. Ghosts were scary as hell and they didn't need something that was already dead coming after them if it got infected. "Yeah, it's best we not travel in too large of a group. We'd draw more attention that way. But we can spare some food, I guess."

Ghosts were just effing creepy.


((OOC: Snitch, I used Hannibal's picture as a reference for where she cut the leather mask. He still can't move his lower jaw very far down but should be able to open it enough to take small nips of food now. Though because she cut it, it could be weak enough later on for Hannibal to rip full out of it it you want. Gives you another option since you told me in PM you didn't want it removed yet. I can change anything if you want. ^_^))

"Sorry pal. I don't think I'd be able to put it back on right if I cut it off."

That’s the point… Hannibal feigned a smile and nod of understanding, annoyed that the newcomer wasn’t about to fall into such a trap. He’d expected it really. There was an air of tension in the group, the majority of which stemming from his own being; the Kabutops would have to be completely oblivious to not notice. In a way however, Hannibal was thankful Aegis hadn’t accepted the request. On reflection, he wasn’t sure whether he’d tolerate those scythe-like arms being so close to his face.

Still, the Houndoom was unfazed. He merely shrugged, moving on having known his plan would fail. Sounds down the hallway instead drew his attention, Sil speaking in hushed threats alongside a male who seemed to have been ripped from another generation. Tilting his head curiously at the sight of the Gengar, he hadn't the chance to provide an introduction. Instead, movement towards him abruptly snatched his focus.

"Hold still pup,"

Flinching on instinct, alarmed at the Mienshao’s close proximity, Hannibal eventually caught his composure. His body was tensed, unsure how to react to the fighter’s actions towards his muzzle. Was she…? Surely not? Crimson eyes watching her actions with the intensity of a caged beast taunted with the opportunity for freedom, his heart had picked up an especially erratic pace.

This was it.

Finally.

His excitement was cut drastically short however. In one quick movement, the tip of a claw brushing against the skin beneath his nose, Kinah had retreated to the berries. Frowning, unable to witness the female’s effects on his imprisonment, Hannibal subtly tried to widen his jaws. To his dismay, the contraption still clung to his head tightly enough to prevent any chance of removal, chance to bite, to hunt… The hound struggled to disguise his disappointment, annoyed that he’d been naïve enough to think Kinah pitied him.

Nostrils flaring, he looked up to see the Mienshao back before him with an offering of a crushed berry in her paw. Staring at the pulp a moment, a brow quirked in disbelief, Hannibal’s sophisticated demeanour had toppled into a state of silent awkwardness.
“Wha-“ He stopped his quiet utterance of confusion, staring hard at the fighting-type to find no malice in her expression. Relaxing, he tentatively took the offering to find that instead of being forced through the grimy bars, the food was able to slip through Kinah’s recent incision into the material. Pleasantly surprised at a significant rise in his ability to consume the berry paste, Hannibal soon finished off the largest meal he’d had in days.

Eyes falling back to Kinah, he stared at her a moment, unsure of how he should feel to the latest kindness in the fighter’s collection. Still, gratitude prevailed. Nodding his head in an almost formal gesture, Hannibal managed a small, but genuine smile. Unlike most of the smirks that had crossed his face, this grin brightened his face, brought a glow to his haggard features and touched his dark eyes.
“Thank you,”

(( That’s great, Phoe! I was struggling to find a means of loosening it a bit and what you’ve suggested is perfect! Thank you ~ )))

Catching the poffin on the point of his scythe, Aegis nibbled at it gratefully. "Thank you." He said, nodding his head towards Kinah. His eyes widened, however, when she moved towards the hound. She wasn't actually going to take it off, was she? His body tensed as she got closer. No... Aegis couldn't explain his fear of the dog, but the thing was not to be trusted. If he got that muzzle off... And yet, she only cut a strap, not enough for him to open his jaws much wider than practical to eat. Aegis let out a soft sight. This Kinah was a smart one.

Although... Eyeing the muzzle, he wondered if it would hold if the hound tried to rip it open. His mind darkened as he realized he probably could. He would keep a particularly keen eye on him now. No more sleeping for him, it would seem. Finishing his poffin, he turned to Cassius, dropping his voice low. "How long has he been with you?" He asked carefully. He didn't know their relation, but they seemed to be as cautious as he was. He didn't want to be rude, however, if they were friends. He needed the group now.

Charlie merely tipped his hat politely in thanks to the female, before hovering inside, not wanting to walk and perhaps trip over something or someone. There was the food. Glorious. Simply glorious. The only one that looked good to him was the Dry Poffin.... He picked it up questioningly, eyeing it carefully as if checking for disease of fungus.
"Why do they call these things Dry Poffins? Dry is an attribute, not a flavor. Nobody says 'This tastes dry' it's always 'This is dry.' Why on earth would they say a flavor is an attribute? It drives me further up a wall than a Pichu being chased by a Persian."

Popping the treat into his mouth, he felt it disolve on his tongue. Truly it was dry.... but the taste... He didn't bother going into details about that, simple because it would cause more problems and kerfuffles about the nature of the damned treat than the thing was worth. Creed glanced over at the Houndoom, smirking as it's bond to the gag was cut on one side.
"If you give a Mouse a Cookie... he'll want a glass of milk too."

He said this a bit too quiet for all but the sharpest of ears to catch. Even if they did hear it, it was of no concequence to him. The Gengar decided quite suddenly he had overstayed his welcome, and headed towards the door, tipping his hat politely to the lovely deer who let him in.
"I bid you all a fond farewell, and I hope that if we meet again it shall not be as awkward as this chance encounter."
He twirled his hat on his head and prepared to leave, but then.... decided on an alternate course. This would be the perfect con. Charlie was skilled enough to pull this one off he was certain. Mr. Charles began to make wheezing noises, as if he was having trouble breathing, and he sat down on the floor roughly, to make it appear more real. Unless there was a doctor here, he was positive nobody would figure it was a hoax. What a splendid sham it would be....

"On second thought.... perhaps I ought to rest a bit... not as young as I was."

"Why do they call these things Dry Poffins? Dry is an attribute, not a flavor. Nobody says 'This tastes dry' it's always 'This is dry.' Why on earth would they say a flavor is an attribute? It drives me further up a wall than a Pichu being chased by a Persian."

Sil's ear twitched with irritation, her jaw set as she watched the ghost pick at his food with a scrutinous eye. Was this guy for real? Did he always do this to his food or was it only around a group of complete strangers? She kept her eye on him, his presence even more unnerving than Hannibal's. At least with the dog, she knew what kind of demon she was facing. This guy... Still, his rambling caught her more angry side, earning her flack that only Cass and maybe the dog had witnessed before. "...Flavor is an attribute. It still describes the poffin's taste," she muttered, ear still twitching. "But instead of critiquing it, why don't you actually just eat it and get out of my house?"

Still, he finally ate it after what seemed to be some inner monologue and went to the door, tipping his hat. "I bid you all a fond farewell, and I hope that if we meet again it shall not be as awkward as this chance encounter." Oh THANK GOD. Now she could go back to worrying about normal things like Hannibal and him trying to kill everyone. However, her relief was short-lived, as the gengar began wheezing and coughing. Utterly confused and a little angry that she would not get the peace she'd hoped for, he turned to address this change in plans. "On second thought.... perhaps I ought to rest a bit... not as young as I was."

Young? YOUNG? "But you're dead! How can ghosts age or get sick? Look, buddy, you're polite and all, but I'm not about to let some hat-toting ghostie try and mooch off of my store of food and my shelter when I have bigger things to deal with. I gave you food, and now, you can leave." She gave a short, curt nod, huffing a little with anger. In the back of her mind, she instantly regretted her words, knowing that such a confrontational stance was always met with consequences, but at this point, she was so irritated, she really didn't give a damn.

((XD Sorry, Cheese, Sil's a bit of a B~~))

Cassius couldn't believe what the hell he was seeing. Kinah was feeding the mutt! She even cut his muzzle! "The hell are you doing?!" he cried, stomping his hoof to try and get her attention. "We don't want him breaking his way out of that thing!" Kinah simply glared back at him defiantly but Cash wasn't having any of it. That mutt was not getting his fangs into anybody here, not if he had anything to say about it.

But the Gengar soon had everyone's attention.

What the hell was he talking about...dry, attributes, and what the hell was that about a Pichu? What did Pichu have to do with poffins? Did they help make them? Momentarily distracted from his ire about Hannibal he soon found himself laughing at Sil's outburst in response the creepy ghostie. She really didn't like strangers, did she? Soon both her and Kinah were trying to get him out the door when he suddenly started acting like a frail old man and he was a little taken aback. "What's gotten into you girls?" Why were they on the offensive after the guy just saying he needed a little rest? Wasn't that what they all were looking for? "You're acting like he is asking to borrow your soul for an afternoon."

________________________________

At the sound of someone trying to sound smarter than he raeally was, acting like a know it all when really his entire point was wrong from the get-go Kinah couldn't help but feel annoyed. She looked up from Hannibal feeding to just stare at the idiot Gengar. After Sil started informing him of his stupidity she didn't think it quite enough. The fighting type glared at the offending spirit and picked up one of the dry poffins and threw it at the ghost, the cookie smashing into the wall and crumbling like the overcooked biscuit that it was. "That's why they call it dry, genius. Because that is it's freaking attribute. It. Is. Dry."

Afterwards Kinah frowned at the feigned cough the ghost tried as a ploy to stay. He was already dead? How did the dead get a cough? Sil seemed to feel very much the same way when she suddenly started her tirade. "You don't even have a physical body, so please inform me how I am to believe that your age has anything to do with your being dead." She wasn't liking this character one bit and he was putting Sil on edge, which was putting her on edge. If he had a physical body she would currently be smacking the hell out of it. But at least she had her Acrobatics to fall back on, which could his ghosts.

Let his go ahead and try anything here.

((OOC: Thanks for leaving not much of my argument left for me Sil...Kinda had nothing to write for Kinah because of it. /frown))

"The hell are you doing?! We don't want him breaking his way out of that thing!”

Cassius’ cry of outrage abruptly brought back an example of Hannibal’s more common grins, a smirk of twisted pleasure. Oh dear, he mused darkly, catching the Zebstrika’s eye with his own crimson orbs. Whilst he couldn’t fathom why the electric-type was so damned scared, the Houndoom saw no end of amusement in his eccentric reactions to a simple snip of material. A sinister plan clouding his scheming mind, Hannibal had singled out his next target. He’d tried prying into innocent Sil’s mind the day earlier, succeeding to evoke a more bitter side to the female, today he would learn more of her admirer. No doubt, Casanova had a few demons of his own…

"How long has he been with you?”

Amidst the arguing, Sil and Kinah’s voices ringing clear against the Gengar’s innocent, if slightly incorrect remark about the dry poffins, Hannibal had caught the Kabutop’s question. Of course, it hadn’t been meant for his ears, but the canine felt obliged to explain. Cassius wasn’t going to offer the newcomer a reply any time soon, so it would be best to banish such dark rumours before things spiralled out of control.

Slipping past the bickering group to Aegis’ side, Hannibal gave a polite, curt nod of his slender head. Taking a seat, dark eyes never leaving the creature’s face despite all the unnecessary drama exploding about him, Hannibal was totally absorbed in putting the fossil’s concerns to rest. Well, at least for now…
“I couldn’t help overhearing your question,” The Houndoom started, his polite, sophisticated drawl misleading. “And, I can’t help wondering why you don’t ask me personally,” He smirked, attention momentarily drawn to Kinah as she launched a poffin through the ghost and into the wall. Tempers were certainly high today. “It’s just a day though. Honestly, you people make me out to be some kind of monster…”

”What's gotten into you girls? You're acting like he is asking to borrow your soul for an afternoon."

Hannibal turned from Aegis then, a light smirk on his lips as he cast his eyes across the rather chaotic scene before him. As unlikely as it seemed, this one time, the canine agreed with the zebra aside him. Perhaps they’d all suffered as rough a sleep as he.
“It does seem a little extreme,” Hannibal added in his signature purr, holding up his injured leg as Kinah’s reminder sounded in the back of his mind. Still, he was comfortable enough were a show to begin. If he couldn’t’ get involved in the fighting nor prevent a brawl from breaking out, Hannibal had absolutely no qualms of playing the role of a spectator. He’d done so for years in that damned basement. It’d be a pleasant change to see battles motivated purely by emotion.

The back of Aegis's mind seemed to twitch at the irritating statements made by the ghost. The rest of his mind, however, had other things to worry about.

His eyes narrowed as the Hound responded to the question he had not meant for him to hear. Calming himself, he turned to face him as he continued. Flashing him a smile that betrayed none of the odd nervousness he felt. He still had no idea what bugged him about this dog. He had fought undead beasts. Gyarados. Wailord. And yet this small little pooch with a leather muzzle was enough to unhinge him. He was getting soft.

And yet, he was surprised that the others were as freaked out about the Gengar. Compared to the mutt, he seemed harmless. And yet, there may be something he was missing. The group seemed wise enough to him, even if they didn't keep the best of company. He said nothing, however. He had no desire to be scolded again for not knowing his place. He had no seniority, and therefore, no authority.

(skip please. Too busy to post right now)

"What's gotten into you girls? You're acting like he is asking to borrow your soul for an afternoon."

Sil turned her antlered head to face Cass, who seemed honestly confused about her rather hostile reply to the ghost's plea for shelter. Was he serious? Being nice was really the entire reason she was here in the first place. She gave him a glare, silently telling him to shut his trap, when even Hannibal joined in defending the stranger. They didn't even know his name and they were already on his side? THE HELL? Cass' little laugh about the entire situation didn't help her already agitated state, fueling her fury.

"Being nice got my home destroyed. Being nice got a lot of us almost killed, by those cats and that dragon. Being nice landed us here, in this godforsaken farm that'll end up causing more trouble for us!" she snapped, both at Hannibal and Cass. "She seems to understand," she commented, nodding to Kinah, "why can't either of you? It's only been a day and we've already gone through more bullshit than I care to say. We don't need more of it."

"Being nice got my home destroyed. Being nice got a lot of us almost killed, by those cats and that dragon. Being nice landed us here, in this godforsaken farm that'll end up causing more trouble for us!"

Hannibal, unsurprised at Sil’s explosive reaction, remained motionless, akin to a statue as he watched the deer rant of her accursed kindness. A smirk touched his face, eyes sparking with a newfound energy for mischief as the poffin’s effects gave his body a well-needed burst of life. The nights always took it out of him, those dreadful nightmares – it was nice that he finally had the capacity to quickly restore some of his lost vigour. Silently listening to the Sawsbuck’s furious response to criticism, Hannibal gave an exasperated huff.

“She seems to understand, why can't either of you? It's only been a day and we've already gone through more bullshit than I care to say. We don't need more of it."

The Houndoom couldn’t help but feel a fraction responsible for said ‘bullshit’. Wherever the doe placed him, he was fairly certain he’d wriggled his way into a comfortable position on her bullshit list. Good, this ongoing injection of catastrophe would not doubt break her ‘kindly’ spirit. Sympathy, kindness, had always been overrated; in a way it was nice to see the Sawsbuck realizing the uselessness of such emotion. Hannibal had all but abandoned it long ago, and he liked to think his life had turned out a hell of a lot better. No anger, no pity, no kindness, no love… Well, almost no love. Mischa… Despite his best efforts, his sister still gave his heart reason to beat and fight against the cruelty threatening to suffocate it. Hannibal’s expression dropped a moment, eyes averted to the ground at the thought of his innocent sibling clamped in the jaws of that damned Arcanine.

No! He blinked hard, mentally destroying the recurring image as he reminded himself of the present. Reality was cold, harsh and bleak – he, like everyone else had to accept the worst and move on. Bullshit included.
“My apologies, Ma’am,” Hannibal purred, effectively regaining his suave malice for the sake of ‘quenching’ Sil’s growing temper. “Perhaps we should simply leave? Unless you’d rather take a few more inhales of your decaying family. However, I’m sure that’s not helping your oh so merry mood…”