| Okami/SH | A Sky Full of Stars | 1 - on - 1 |

The sky was clear that night, the snow on the ground making the stars look brighter than usual. It was a peaceful time for Wep'Keer.

Samickle placed his hands behind his back, gazing up at them quietly. Taking the role as chief was something he had been more than willing to do. To protect his people, to make sure they were well, he would do anything.

That night should have been like any other. Instead, he noticed a flash in the sky. It was bright red, surprising him for a long moment. His heart leapt in his throat when he realized how close it had gotten. Before he could blink an eye, whatever it was crashed to the ground just a ways outside the village. Surely the sound would have startled some of the others.

Samickle had no time to think about it. He quickly flipped forward, allowing his body to shift into a wolf. He tore off toward the strange thing that had fallen from the sky. A strange smell clung to the air, like nothing he had ever scented before.

'What is this...' he wondered quickly, cautiously approaching the area. Whatever had fallen, it had left a large crater in the ground...

"How odd..." he muttered to himself. He trotted over to the crater a little, smoke and steam rising from the area. Nothing seemed strange from what he could see... "Perhaps it is nothing..."

---- [ x ] ----

If he had noticed her gaze, he had done nothing about it. He simply shifted in place, trying to get comfortable. Given everything here, she couldn't blame anyone who just wanted to sit down and try to relax. She was already on near constant edge just by being here.

Serena shifted, toying with the hem of her pocket. She heard him speak, simple words, but at least he wasn't ignoring her. She hummed in response, letting him know she had heard.

Putting it off her mind. It was often easier said than it was done. Of course, he didn't know about those problems and Serena was hesitant to bring them up. She was often a mess as it was. Why give him more to worry about?

"Maybe. Who knows," she answered, "Strange things happen everyday, after all."

Her thumb brushed passed a small lump in her pocket. Digging into it, she found her two voodoo dolls she always kept together. When had they gotten into her pocket? She held them in her palm, taking in their familiarity for a long moment.

"I don't quite remember stuffing these in my pocket either," she pointed out to herself. Maybe they had fallen from the thumb tack above her bed, "Oh well..."

Now that she had discovered them, they could at least serve as something familiar to recall home.

A strange sensation of heat all around her, of wind buffeting her but from it all it was a mild sensation, even if she was unable to open her eyes for the duration. What was happening? Her heart thumped loudly in her ears, a deafening sound alongside the roaring of wind. Was it wind? She didn't know.

If she had been able to, a scream would have erupted from her but her voice felt stuck in her throat, kept prisoner by whatever force drew her downwards. She had to have been dreaming but the feeling of heat and wind against her skin told her otherwise. Her rushed thoughts drew to a halt suddenly, just as quickly as she'd hit something--the ground?--the impact feeling muffled, but by what? Laying there, several minutes seemed to pass before she found it in her to be able to move, for the full feeling in her limbs to return to her. Whatever had muffled her impact had not been the landing itself, nothing but hard ground could be felt beneath her.

With a whimper, feeling sore all over, Kelly pushed herself up, blinking around in alarm. The wind that blew by sapped the warmth she'd previously felt from her very being quickly, and why did her head feel heavier? Kelly hardly could tell, already wrapping her arms around her to try to keep warm in the snowy area she appeared to have crash landed in. All around her was hard rock and smoke rising. 'What happened...? Where am I?!'

Staying here wasn't going to do any good, that much she knew. Dressed only in a rumpled shirt and a pair of loose jeans, Kelly would freeze out in this weather. Hopefully there was someone who lived nearby, someone who wouldn't mind bringing in a lost woman for a short while--at least she hoped it'd be a short time.

Stubbornly, Kelly forced herself to move, climbing up the heated slope though the rock was quickly cooling in this frigid wind.

----[x]----

Mohammed tipped his head to one side, watching Serena as she dug around in her pocket. He'd noticed the telltale lump there before but had seen no reason to dwell on it. He knew if it had been a viable weapon it would not have looked so misshapen and she'd have reached for it before now. As such he was merely curious as she tugged out what looked like little dolls, the chime of bells ringing softly.

"Is that so?" he wondered. "Perhaps you'd merely had them there before and forgot."

It was a possibility at least. The action could have been so mindless that Serena hadn't even realized she'd tucked the dolls away, or perhaps she'd intended to move them and had grown distracted before doing just that. Any number of possibilities existed for why she'd had them there. Mohammed really saw no reason to dwell on it for long.

"Why don't we focus on other things, hmm?" he offered, holding out his hand as he suggested this. "Perhaps you're hungry or thirsty...?"

It was the least he could do to aid her right now. There didn't seem to be very many answers to gather, so he saw no reason to continue interrogating her as such. Perhaps in time the mysteries would be solved. Pursuing them relentlessly now would only lead to frustration however.

Something moved. Ears pricked forward, Samickle watched the crater quietly. How could something be moving here? What was it? Perhaps once of the gods had fallen? Was that possible here? He had never heard of such things happening...

The figure climbed up out of the crater. Samickle moved back, gazing at a slender woman rising up. She would have looked normal if it wasn't for the odd clothing and the strange horns on the side of her head.

His hackles raised in a threatening manner. While this woman looked harmless, he could not be sure. Samickle's people came first. If she was so much of a threat, he would do what he had to to make sure they were safe.

"Who are you?" he questioned, a growl tearing from his throat, "What are you?"

All he saw was confusion on the woman's face. She was eyeing him, fear seeming to pass her expression. Samickle ignored it for the time being.

"I asked you a question! I am not a patient man, woman." he snapped, waiting for some kind of answer.

If she was truly in the need of aid, he would provide it, that was if he deemed her trustworthy.

---- [ x ] ----

What he said was somewhat true. She often did get distracted and was forgetful. Maybe she had stuffed them in her pocket without realizing it. That was a good enough answer for Serena.

"Maybe," she echoed in agreement, "Truthfully, I've been known as forgetful at times."

For now, she would take these dolls as a slight comfort. They were something from home, so apart from the clothing on her back, she did have something that was important to her. Still, Serena felt a yearning to return already...It was a deep ache and there was nothing she could do about it.

Her thoughts were broken when he spoke again. For his part, despite his threatening demeanor before, he was now rather soft spoken with his words. In that sense, Serena took some comfortable.

"Thirsty...yes," she answered him, sparing a short glance, "My stomach is too twisted in knots to eat..."

Serena recalled a time when she didn't eat for three days due to anxiety. In a worse situation now, she worried that she wouldn't be able to keep anything down. If and when it came to it, however, she would simply have to try her best, even if it meant eating little bites at a time.

The climb was a rough one, however short it might be. The stone could be hot in one spot and frigid in another. On several occasions Kelly cut her hands and feet on the roughened edges and the wind had a vicious bite to it, cutting straight through to her very bones. Nonetheless she stubbornly made it to the top, peeking over only to halt in surprise.

A purple wolf stood before her, several feet away as his hackles rose threateningly. Cautiously, Kelly moved to stand, careful not to slip on the snow and ice and back into the crater she'd apparently created. Threatened with a harsh environment, lost and now having to deal with a wild wolf--things were certainly going south quickly.

She started, nearly tottering right over at the unfamiliar weight at the sides of her head. Whatever they were she could inspect later, when she wasn't threatened by weather and animal. But had that animal just spoken to her?! How was that even possible?

"Man? But you're a wolf!" Kelly protest, her words broken by the chattering of teeth. "How can you even talk?!"

If this strange purple wolf attacked Kelly wasn't sure what she'd be able to do to fend him off. She felt weak, her legs and arms shaky with the effort it took to climb out of the crater and the cold didn't help. As petite as she was she wouldn't survive long in this sort of environment, not like this. She was hardly even dressed appropriately and her toes and fingers already felt like they were numb.

----[x]----

Mohammed spared a nod, watching as she clutched those small dolls tightly. Perhaps they were her only source of comfort now, having arrived here so oddly and suddenly. Whether or not her arrival had a purpose behind it, well, Mohammed couldn't say. Perhaps in time he might learn of it, or whether she might be useful here. He wasn't even sure if she could see spirits or not...

Nonetheless he spared a somewhat stiff nod and gestured for her to follow him. "Then follow me, we'll see to it you have something," he answered.

A bit of bread might do her good with as nervous as she looked, even so it would be a lengthy walk back to camp. There Hao might determine what had happened and if she was of use to them all. They had no time for weaklings tagging along after all. Mohammed didn't bother saying this, if only to keep her relatively calm.

"We have plenty of supplies to spare back at the campsite." It was a little information but enough to let her know that there were others with him. In hindsight that might be something of an understatement with how large a following Hao managed to procure into the tournament... Mohammed shook the thought away and spoke again; "You'll be able to rest and clear your head there."

Already they were walking rather quickly. Mohammed wasn't one to waste time if he could help it, especially so with a mystery on hand. If he hadn't been out here he wondered if this strange woman would have been found at all.

The woman almost fell over when he saw him, when he spoke. It seemed as if she had not seen his people before. She had come from the sky. How could she have known them before?

Still, her ignorance was not something he concentrated on now. He needed to find out what this woman was after, who she was, what she was. The questions were not easy ones to answer, after all. Samickle grew concerned by that very fact.

"Oh, I assure you, I am more than I seem," he told her, a sarcastic bite to his tone, "Just as it seems you are much the same. Now, I ask again. Who are you?"

The woman looked weak, shaky even. Her clothes were strange, hardly fit for the harsh winters here. It seemed she had come from the stars yet...Samickle could not be sure.

He tried to relax, look less threatening to her. Maybe this would entice something of a response. Samickle would rather not take her back to the village if he could help it but...it very well seemed like that might be the case.

"Just give me a name in the very least," he urged after a long pause, "Then perhaps I might get you to some place warm."

For the time being, it was the least he could offer her. In that sense, it may calm her down a little bit, leave her thinking a tad more clear.

---- [ x ] ----

Serena spared another glance at him, simply giving a nod. She couldn't quite say much on the matter. Having no idea where she was, how she got her, relying on this stranger was all she had.

His stride was longer than her own. Half the time, she was staring at his back, long wild hair swaying with his movements. Briefly, she wondered who he really was and why he was out here...

"You're...camping?" she echoed after a long pause.

They weren't so far from a high way. In fact, she could hear the cars pass by. Some kind of city or town had to be nearby, right? Yet he was camping...all the way out here. That was somewhat odd.

Serena tried to ignore it for the time being. After all, in this situation she was the strange one, appearing out of no where. With no recollection as to why, she really was odd.

She cleared her throat awkwardly after a moment, "Not that there's anything wrong with that..."

Finding out the exact location of just where she was would have been nice however. She tried to put her mind off of it, clear her head soon like he promised. If she had anything, that was a bit of a comfort.

The sarcasm in his reply was not missed and yet not appreciated. She was cold and shaky and confused and much longer out in this weather wasn't going to do her any good. Despite all that it didn't seem like this wolf, or whatever he really was, had much intention to lead her somewhere warmer and safer before getting his answers.

Kelly didn't bother scoffing or offering her own sarcastic remark, too busy trying to keep warm, arms tight around her middle as she hunched against the wind. Even if the snow wasn't falling it was still far too cold for this situation!

"... Kelly... My name is Kelly," she chattered, wary of this wolf's intentions. She hardly knew what had happened much less where she was or why wolves were purple and could talk here! For all she knew she might end up as this wolf's snack or something.

She shook the thought from her head. Whatever had happened, or whatever was happening, she needed to try to trust this wolf--person?--lest she try to find someone else in this harsh place. There was no way of knowing if she'd be so lucky.

----[x]----

The silence was broken by the sounds of the wildlife and the cars on the nearby highway. Mohammed wasn't overly fond of the sound of vehicles but it was something to listen to at the moment. Not many birds were singing right now to mask that hideous sound. When Serena spoke it was a welcome blessing to better ignore it.

An eyebrow rose as he glanced back at her over his shoulder briefly. "We are, yes," he answered shortly. "I take it you don't camp often?"

Mohammed didn't get a good look at her expression before he'd turned back to watch where he was going. There wasn't any reason to risk tripping over something because he wanted to better observe Serena. Besides, that might make her more likely to act in a mistrustful way when she ordinarily wouldn't have. She was obviously lost and confused, making it worse wouldn't do anyone any favors.

As such the offer of food and water might make her feel more at 'home', or at least as at home as she could feel among a group of shamans fighting in a tournament. That was to even say she would follow along at all!

"I prefer being out and about in nature than in bigger cities if I can," he elaborated. It might make her more at ease, perhaps less likely to assume the worse from him and his allies. He'd rather not have to deal with her if she panicked.

Her reply was short and curt, to the point. The name that she parted with was even stranger. Whoever this woman was, she was a mystery. Why and how she had gotten here, he could only assume.

Samickle finally relaxed a little. He tensed, flipping again to allow his body to change back into that of a humans. His mask covered his face as always. If she could see the stern look now, she might have still been frightened of him.

"Kelly..." he answered her after a moment, "A strange name for a strange woman. I am Samickle."

With introductions out of the way, he simply motioned for her to follow. She would need a place to get warm. From there, he could ask more questions, see if he could get to the bottom of this strange woman.

"If you wish for some place warm, I suggest you follow me," he said, carefully keeping an eye on her. She was shaky on her feet, it seemed. Samickle silently hoped she did not pass out, "You will be able to warm up and perhaps get a little food in you."

Samickle started off without answer. He needed to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible before residents started asking questions.

---- [ x ] ----

The raised eyebrow left her feeling a tad foolish for asking. Of course, some people might think it normal to camp. She did at one point too but...her step father had put much of an end to that with a cruel word.

Serena shrugged her shoulders in return, unsure of what to say. It wasn't as if she was comfortable parting with that information to a stranger.

"No, that's not it," she replied after a moment, "I did, I mean I used to, a while ago. Things just...changed, is all."

She tried to ignore the heaviness in her tone. Despite the years that had passed, she was still effected by the mental abuse. At this point, she didn't think it would have hurt so much...

Serena cleared her throat again, trying to put it behind it, before she continue, "I lived in a rural area as it was. I'd always preferred it that way. Going to cities was more like...culture shock after so many years."

If anything, that smoothed her awkwardness over. Serena tried to put the past off her mind. She had enough on her mind as it was to be thinking of such bad things.

Kelly wasn't sure what she expected of the weird wolf. The longer she stood the harder she shook, fingers and toes growing numb. Heck, she wasn't even sure she could feel her nose at all anymore! Even so she waited, hoping that she wasn't going to lose any limbs with this frigid temperature.

A valid worry thought it was, this wolf--Samickle--was quick to make her forget about it with the simple act of flipping. No, it wasn't that he just flipped but that he transformed in midair, a light aura enveloping the furry body and revealing a new one altogether. The mask that had perched atop the wolf's head was no covering a face from view and much of his hair was the same shade of lavender as the wolf's pelt.

Eyes widened and her heart leapt into her throat a second time that day. "Wh-What the--how did you--?!"

Whatever else she might have spluttered out in shock was interrupted by Samickle's curt instructions. It seemed he wasn't going to stand around and answer many questions, not here at least. If not for the shock Kelly might have appreciated that fact if it meant a warm place to remain for the moment and a hot meal. Instead she blinked incomprehensibly before it sunk in, only then did she dart forward, stumbling on shaky legs and numbed feet.

Only when she'd caught up did Samickle really start off, trudging easily through the snow. Several steps were a stumbled mess, the snow up to her ankles. If not for this fact then Kelly would not have reached out to tangle numbed fingers into the back of his coat. The warmth she felt from him, however minimal compared to everything else, was a welcomed blessing.

----[x]----

Before he'd turned back Mohammed swore he saw her face redden, perhaps in embarrassment. She certainly sounded as such when she spoke again. Mohammed merely waved a dismissive hand; it didn't seem like she'd had meant to offend him after all. Perhaps she'd merely worded her statement poorly.

A curious thing to learn of her, however. What had happened to stop camping out? Mohammed didn't ask, sensing a story behind it in the tone of her voice. It sounded heavy, a weight on her shoulders that Mohammed wasn't sure he should know right now. Such things were best shared with those who one was familiar with after all. Now was not appropriate.

'In time, maybe,' he mused briefly. Despite that he held no real hopes. There was still the matter of finding out if Serena was a shaman or not, or if she could even see and sense spirits.

"Quieter areas are very nice," Mohammed noted. Too familiar was he with the sound of gunfire and screamed orders...

Up ahead he was sure there were many gathered around fires, perhaps enjoying a snack or resting. Some might even be training while they had the chance. If time had permitted and he'd not found Serena then Mohammed would have been training himself. Then again the day was still young, he might be able to squeeze in some training time with Djinn later.

"I wonder, however, if you remember what camping was like," he said, an almost teasing tone of voice could be heard.

She was surprised by his transformation. That was telling to him. After all, anyone accustom to their way of life would have known such simple things. She did not, expressing shock at that moment.

He shook his head, waving it off easily. In time, she would understand. After all, she was one with strange horns. Perhaps they were more alike than she realized.

"Do not worry about such things for the time being," he advised, "In time, these things will come to light."

Samickle would do his best to explain when she was settled. They would have much to go over, after all. In time, she would understand everything.

"It will not be too long," he brought up, glancing over his shoulder. She seemed to struggle walking through the snow, "The village is not too far."

They would only have to round a few corners before they would begin to see the camp fires and huts set up. The walk back to his home might be a little longer but at least she would be safe.

"I am just glad no one seems to have woken with your strange...arrival," he mused after a moment.

---- [ x ] ----

If anything, he was kind enough to wave off her embarrassment. Serena worried about little, stupid things that really didn't matter. This would have just been another if she hadn't gotten a response out of him. At least he had said something. In that sense, she felt a little more comfortable.

It was quiet for a beat or two as they walked. Whatever was on his mind, she could only assume. Serena tried not to be too bothered. Some people were just quiet. She shared that trait far more than she liked to admit.

She nodded in agreement with his words. After living in the country for so long, she found she liked the quiet. Moving back to a city would have been too much.

Serena blinked, lifting her head as he spoke. There was a teasing tone to his voice, something that was a little relief to her. She scoffed a little before speaking, "Most I recall is a lot of smoke in my face. Was always told to take it as a compliment."

Still, as they approached this 'camp' and she noted the number of people there, she had to pause for a brief moment. She glanced back at him, studying his wild hair. Some of the others looked much the same, even at a distance.

Without thinking, she quickly asked, "Are you guys hippies?....Is this a commune?"

This Samickle, whoever he really was, didn't seem to mind the fact that she gripped his coat as she had. Perhaps he took it as a blessing, to know where she was they neared what appeared to be a village, snow covering each and every odd roof. It almost looked like each hut was personalized so much so that they could very well be their own person! Even in the darkness the shapes alone were enough to tell such things.

In the darkness she could barely make out the smoke stacks rising from each hut, a telltale sign of life within each one. Slope after slope seemed to greet her as Samickle led her own, each one more difficult than the last. It was a miracle Kelly hadn't stumbled entirely to the ground already!

"Y-yeah... right," Kelly muttered, if only to prove she'd heard him talking again after what felt like forever. How long had they walked? Her muscles had grown stiff, feeling in her toes and fingers all but gone by now. It wouldn't be soon enough that she was warm again!

The way that he led her, heading towards one of the rounded huts indicated that they'd reached whatever place Samickle had in mind to keep her at for now. Kelly hardly spared the place much attention, nearly urging Samickle to hurry and open the place up and allow her inside where she could hear the soft crackling of a fire. The glow left the organized place alight in place of any light fixtures--another curious thing she'd focus on later.

Instead she released Samickle's coat, stumbling close to the low fire and sinking to her knees before it. Hands brought to her mouth, she blew warm air on them as best she could, this hut feeling too hot compared to the winds outside. A blessing indeed.

----[x]----

It wasn't a long walk, not by any stretch of the imagination, and in that time it had grown relatively quiet between them. Perhaps she was lost in her thoughts as he was. He certainly would have been in her case. Waking up in a strange burst of light in the 'wild' like this... Anyone would have been bewildered and lost.

As they entered the camp, little fires around them as many shamans conversed and rested with one another. Curious, Mohammed spared a glance towards her to see Serena's gaze dart here and there. She didn't seem entirely worried by so many strangers surrounding her. Perhaps that was a good thing, he didn't know how to handle that sort of panic if it had reared its head.

What he hadn't expected, however, was the comment that followed her observations.

"No." Irritation lined his face at the thought of being classified as a 'hippie'. He was far more productive than most of those sorts! It didn't feel right just sitting around and mooching off of the land and acting so... so bizarrely. And yet so many people treated shamans as the bane to be tossed aside like trash.

"We're merely camping as we head elsewhere," he elaborated after a moment.

The walk up the slope seemed longer than usual. No doubt, she had lost feeling in her fingers and toes. Anyone would at this point, so ill protected by the elements. He tried not to criticize her for it.

Immediately, she sunk toward the fire when they entered his home. Samickle started toward some of the wood left, tossing a couple of logs on the fire. Next, he rummaged about for a thick blanket, hoping it would help.

Grabbing one, he quickly draped it over her shoulders before he sat down across from her. Samickle took a long moment to study her carefully, able to see her a little more clearly.

"Well," he started carefully, "This is certainly not what I expected this evening."

It was strange enough that he had company, even stranger sor that she was so strange. Who was she, where was she from? He could only assume from the stars themselves...

Perhaps this was something to bring up to Tuskle.

"Do you remember anything specific?" he inquired, if only to push to get some answers, "Something to clear up what had happened?"

---- [ x ] ----

Serena raised her hands in a placating manner. The gazes were enough on her, his words were another. She hadn't meant to offend. Honestly, she thought that's what it was. They were obviously something of a commune regardless of what might have been said.

"Easy," she placated, "I didn't mean anything by it."

"Don't worry about such things, pequeño," another man called out. Green hair braided right into a long beard was the first thing Serena saw though, she did not comment on it, "though, I am sure we're all curious about the situation. Mohammed, how is this?"

Serena wasn't sure if she was feeling things right or not. It seemed either people came off friendly or suspicious, even a mix of both. She didn't get the chance to question it when another approached, a younger boy with long black hair. There was a pleasant smile on his face, almost welcoming compared to the others here...

"I see you've found someone interesting," he pointed out calmly, "Could I ask, what's in your pocket?"

She blinked, surprised by this question. How'd he know about those so quickly? Serena rummaged around in her pocket regardless, tugging out her two dolls.

"My voodoo dolls? What about them?" she inquired after a moment, placing them in the boys hand.

"Ah-ha, well, I suppose at the moment, they may look like such simple things but..." he continued, staring at the pair. Really, this was odd. They were just dolls, after all, "One certainly does like meddling in others lives."

She hardly spared much attention to Samickle as he briefly tended to the fire before rummaging about for something or other out of sight. The embers that had leapt into the air with the new logs looked so inviting, the orange glow thriving for only moments before darkening entirely. A heater to sit right next to would have been far more welcome but a fire was just as good, the latter probably better in fact.

Her fingers tingled with the heat that washed over her, chasing away the cold slowly. At the very least she was getting feeling back, the pin pricks welcome for the first time that Kelly could ever remember.

Something heavy and warm fell across her shoulders, drawing her from her thoughts. She blinked up at Samickle in surprise as he moved to seat himself on the other side of the fire, the orange glow illuminating more of him than the starlight ever could. Who had purple hair like that? Heck, why was he wearing that mask too? This place was so strange already...

Kelly neglected commenting on his first statement. Did he think she'd planned to come crash landing from the sky?

"I was going to sleep," she muttered, perhaps a little sullenly. "I don't know what happened..."

Her words were muffled by her hands, the warmth of the fire not yet enough. Keeping a steady breath of air on them helped, just as she'd moved to sit on her feet to try to warm them quicker. The itchy blanket--wool, maybe?-- had almost immediately been tugged tighter around her after a moment or so.

----[x]----

Mohammed shook his head, perhaps to shake away the very topic itself at Serena's comment. If there was no offense to be taken then it would be easier to ignore it altogether. Besides, Peyote's voice had reached his ears, calling attention to Serena just as many others had glanced their way to view her. It wasn't all that often that they brought newcomers in now that the tournament had begun.

Moving to speak, Mohammed was interrupted by Hao's voice, the young shaman approaching and looking rather content. Whatever was on his mind Mohammed couldn't begin to guess at. He surveyed both Hao and Serena as the former commented on what was hidden away in Serena's pocket.

Brow furrowed, Mohammed peered curiously at the voodoo dolls she'd held up. "Is that so?" he murmured. Perhaps there was more to Serena than met the eye. If that was the case it was very likely she might be offered to stick around. Hao liked to keep curious and useful shaman about, he'd noticed.

He shifted, crossing his arms over his chest. Was her doll host to a spirit, or was it something else entirely? It wouldn't surprise Mohammed if either was true. He'd viewed much in his life, especially so as a mercenary.

"She had arrived in a strange burst of light," Mohammed pointed out after a moment or so had passed.

Samickle was quiet as he waited for her to speak. She took her time, seeming more focused on warming up. For that, he did not blame her. He would rather not have to deal with frost bite at this rate. Allowing her to tend to herself would be best.

When she did answer, it was simple and muffled by her hands. A short hum left him at that. She'd been going to sleep? What did that mean? She had arrived from the stars...

"From where I stood," he started carefully, "You fell from the sky like a shooting star, glowing bright red."

Whatever she thought about that, he could only assume. Kelly looked strange, her odd horns curling at the side of her head. Just what kind of animal was she?

"Likewise, I do not believe I have seen any person with such large horns as yours," he pointed at the place where one of her horns started, "You are very strange, you see. I have never seen anyone quite like you."

She could not have been a demon. There hadn't been a hint of a demon in months. Plus, she arrived from the stars, the celestial plain. This had to mean something important.

"Are you not some fallen god?" he pressed for answers, "Perhaps you hit your head and don't remember."

---- [ x ] ----

For a long moment, Serena was quiet as the young boy prodded her dolls carefully. The green haired man had stepped a little closer, seeming curious about the entire thing as well. She wasn't quite sure where to begin with it all...

"Well, we've seen stranger things every day," the man commented easily, sparing a glance at Mohammed, "Perhaps this is just another case."

"It would seem as such," the boy agreed, "It's not every day you find someone who can make demons"

Serena paused, opening her mouth to speak though no words came out. She shook her head a moment after before she forced out an, "Excuse me?"

"Demons. You made them. They've been hiding in these dolls for a long time, you see," the boy said with a pleasant grin, "It doesn't happen often but those who have felt abandonment, loneliness, hate, sometimes these things can manifest into darker beings."

Suddenly Serena felt uncomfortable, rubbing her arm as if that would help. It was like she'd just been read all at once. Her thoughts raced through her mind though she couldn't focus on one to say anything...Thankfully, she didn't need to either.

One of the dolls, the mummy she had originally bought to harbor her dark emotions, moved. A dark mist surrounded it before it moved out of the doll in a dark cloud. A moment later, it took shape into an odd, little figure with glowing red eyes.

"You had to ruin it for me, didn't you?" the 'demon' asked. This boy simply smiled in return, not phased by the figure at all. "I could have left her reeling for days. Instead, you've gotta out me. What the hell is wrong with you?"

Serena couldn't find any words. She was aware that she had probably paled quite a bit at this point. Knowing that she had made this thing with all of those pent up emotions? It made her feel sick and even worse so to know that it was no trying to mess with her life...

Despite his impatience back at the crater it seemed like he waited more patiently now. Was it because she looked pitiful, hidden under a blanket and trying hard to get warm again? Kelly certainly thought so.

Her brow furrowed at the news. She fell from the sky? Well, that would explain the strange warmth and wind she'd felt before the muffled impact. It still didn't tell her why it had happened or what had kept her safe from death in that ordeal.

There wasn't much time to say something before he'd spoken again, gesturing to a place near his temple. She blinked, brow furrowing deeply. 'Horns?' Hesitantly, Kelly reached up to the area he'd gestured at. Though her fingers still tingled unpleasantly she could feel the hardened horns, the finer details upon them lost to her at the moment. Even so they were unmistakable as large as they were, a curve to them that made her think of a ram's.

Unease, trepidation and even confusion burst through her, marked by the way her mouth fell open and she'd grown tenser still. What had happened? She'd never had horns before and falling from the sky was downright impossible to survive if it ended up creating a crater! Yet here she was...

"G-god?" she squeaked. "No, no, no, no, no! There's no way!"

----[x]----

Mohammed offered a nod in agreement to Peyote's comment. There was never a lack of interesting tales and people among them. It seemed that alone was a knack that Hao had, to gather up such people and spirits. Mohammed waited patiently to see just what it was that Hao seemed to sense within those dolls of hers.

"If nothing else we might have something new among our numbers," Mohammed muttered back behind his hand. No need to let Serena know everything just yet, not when it wasn't necessary.

He tipped his head curiously as the mummy doll spoke, a strange black figure emerged from it following Hao's explanation. Serena seemed to have a power not yet seen before among them all... Curious, indeed. Perhaps Serena might choose to remain among them and aid them from the sidelines.

"Well, well, we couldn't very well let you go about your misdeeds with the innocent lady, could we?" Mohammed taunted dryly. It didn't look as if the demon appreciated that but he wasn't worried. Mohammed had faced all sorts of things in his life until now.

Samickle tried not to let himself grow too impatient. After all, this situation was a strange one. Things needed to be hashed out carefully. Whatever she remembered would be important.

Confusion worked it's way onto her expression when he motioned the horns on her head. Despite being cold, she reached up, touching them carefully. It was as if she had no idea they were there...

"If something wrong?" he inquired after a long moment of silence.

His suggestion seemed to hang in the air for a long time. Mixed emotions masked her face. He wasn't sure what was going through her mind. Panic was one of the biggest emotions that overtook her expression.

"Then what are you?" he countered easily, "Who falls from the sky? Only the gods have done such things, many years ago."

If anything, he was telling the truth. Both gods and demons had come from the stars. Now, they were less but perhaps this was another case of a new god...Samickle was not too sure.

"The gods fell from the stars many years ago," he explained, "However, many of them have returned to their celestial home. How is to say you are not a god yourself?"

---- [ x ] ----

The was all a little too fast for Serena. Her mind was already whirling from waking up in this place. To find out she had made this demon? From her own emotions? It scared her. Yet, the way these people spoke, it was normal...

Before she could bring anything up, this demon turned to Mohammed. If a glare could have been prominent, Serena guessed it would be by the way he spoke, "Piss off, pretty boy! It isn't your business what I do, you hear me?!"

"Ho boy. What a mess," this other man commented, rubbing the back of his neck, "What is your plan here, Hao?"

"Having demons on our side is an advantage. They are strong, stronger than most normal spirits. These ones, however, may need to be watched for a bit."

Serena raised a hand to pause the talking. She needed some say in this. Too much was happening too fast.

"Hold on, just...slow down. I'm still trying to catch up with...how in the hell I got here..."

"Naturally, the boy answered with a pleasant smile, "Perhaps we should talk, away from the others for the time being. I may be able to clear some of this up for you."

Serena considered it for a moment, uncertain about it. If this got her some kind of answer, why not? Even if it was coming from a child. At the moment, it was all she had...

"Uh...yea, sure..."

The weight she'd felt at the sides of her head made more sense now though why had she grown horns? Or had she always had them? Her memory was fuzzy, merely remembering getting ready to fall asleep, that lazy doze the last of her clear memories. What had happened before that that might have caused this? The more she wondered about it all the more confused she grew.

His question seemed silly to ask. Everything was wrong! Lost, confused and without memories, Kelly couldn't begin to think what had happened. Heck, was Kelly even her actual name? She didn't know and that scared her.

"How should I know? I wake up with a crash landing and a talking purple wolf!" she protested further. A moment passed in which she heaved a sigh. Her head was aching with all this, an added burden compared to everything else. "The last thing I need is being put up on a pedestal..."

It didn't seem that no matter what she said it would do much good to argue the god case. Where she had ended up to have this thought so prominent she couldn't say, or maybe it was just Samickle's thoughts that persisted on that matter. Kelly figured she'd find out if she met the others in this place.

Her hands fell from the large horns, tugging the wool blanket around her closer. Trying to sort this all out now wasn't doing much good but it seemed like that was what Samickle intended to try to do. Without memories to draw from, what good were her answers though?

"If I am a god then I don't remember any of that," she conceded finally, if only to try to get passed the topic.

----[x]----

It didn't take long for the demon to turn its glare upon Mohammed and begin to shout at him. An eyebrow rose though Mohammed said nothing otherwise. 'Pretty boy?' That was quite a lax insult coming from a demon. Perhaps it was fairly immature, newly made even. In time its comments might become more scathing.

His attention turned to Hao as he spoke of enlightening Serena on the matters at hand. Perhaps that would be best overall. Mohammed couldn't pretend to know how the young boy knew so much but he did and in this case it would come in handy. Serena might well end up learning more from him then from Mohammed.

"If that's what you feel is best," he eventually murmured. "Peyote and I can wait to here what's happened later."

The waiting would make him a little anxious but such things were inevitable. Besides, Peyote seemed to be at ease still, perhaps speaking with him while they waited would make it easier to pass the time. Serena need information if she was creating these demons, after all.

Her emotions were obvious here. She was afraid, confused. In some sense, he could not blame her. She fell from the sky out of no where. That was more than startling for many.

Her words did not match up, however, despite her story. It seemed that somehow, her memories were jostled as well. Did she harm herself in the fall? Was that why she could not recall anything?

Samickle paused for a long moment, thinking about what she had said. By the looks of her, she wasn't that impressive, at least not by godly standards. What she had claimed was even more perplexing.

"Who is to say," he finally answered, shrugging his shoulders slightly, "It is not my choice, in the end, to put you on a pedestal or not. You could even be a demon and I would still be unsure of it."

The topic seemed to be dismissed for the time being. She tugged the blanket close to her again, trying to conserve warmth. Samickle sighed through his nose, the sound muffled against the mask. This would be difficult from the looks of it...

"So you do not remember," he echoed the words, taking that into account, "Perhaps you hit your head during the fall..."

Maybe there was more to it that he wasn't considering. He would have to ask for some advice later on when the sun rose and the people were calmed. After all, the crater would not be missed. Someone would comment on it soon.

---- [ x ] ----

Things were quieting down a tad now though the whispers were still prominent. Word would spread quickly throughout their little camp. This was to be expected. While they all more or less treated each other with respect, they naturally kept an eye out on the new members of the group.

Watching the pair walk away, Peyote scoffed in good humor as the little demon floated behind. For such a loud thing, it certainly seemed to want to keep up with that girl.

He shook his head, glancing at Mohammed briefly before she spoke, "Pretty boy, eh?"

Whatever response was at least good humored and easily waved off. There was enough tension, confusion, and curiosity to last them a life time for the moment. For now, it would be best to smooth things over a tad.

"Just when I think I have seen everything, something new comes up," he commented, "To think someone could create demons, especially such a nice looking one. There really are many mysteries to the world."

Who knew what would come of all of this. Hao would no doubt try to sway the woman to their side but for her part, there was uncertainty in how she looked before. Perhaps it would merely take some time to think things through.

Samickle's other answer to why she may very well have horns was not a pleasing one, less so than the god idea. Her lips pursed in distaste. Despite the lack of solid memories she was quite sure she was no demon. If she was wouldn't she want to go around maiming and stealing and what not? Kelly thought so at any rate.

"I'm even more sure that I'm not that either," she huffed. It seemed Samickle had no further intention tonight to continue on this path as he offered a shrug. Perhaps he was wholly aware of how stubbornly she'd disagree to either possibility and wished to avoid growing frustrated over it by ignoring it for the time being.

The topic of her memories came up. Kelly did her best not to huff again; she was tired and wanted nothing more then to sleep by this warm fire and forget her still numbed fingers and toes. It seemed like she'd have to wait awhile for that to happen however, unless she merely fell asleep right where she sat.

Kelly offered a shrug of her own, an over-exaggerated one if only due to the heavy blanket around her small frame. "Maybe," she muttered.

----[x]----

Mohammed shifted, crossing his arms over his chest. The demon, though it had spat and insulted, seemed content enough to follow alongside its maker. Whatever reason it had for this Mohammed couldn't guess at. Maybe it needed to, for its own sake, or perhaps it was secretly somewhat fond of Serena. Time could only tell, if it ever would.

The thought was put on hold as Peyote spoke up, a teasing tone to his voice. Mohammed merely shot him a look for that. He didn't need that 'nickname' to go spreading around.

"Too true," he said finally, but only once Peyote had moved on from teasing him. "It seems she may end up sticking around after all..."

Whether or not that would be a bad thing had yet to be seen. Perhaps he might learn sooner rather than later, though Mohammed couldn't say for sure. It was a waiting game, that much was for sure. He offered a shrug, glancing back to the green-haired shaman at his side.

"What do you think of it, so far?" he prodded, studying Peyote's expression. It could be difficult to read his moods but it didn't stop Mohammed from trying.

This all seemed like a complex situation, at the end of the day. He could not say for sure what she was, who she was, or even how she got here. That made things all the worse. What was he to tell the people? It felt as if he had gone a step forward and now taken several steps back.

"Then we are left with a mystery on our hands," he answered easily in return.

Her temper was foul right now, patience having long since dwindled. Samickle tried to give her the benefit of the doubt here. She genuinely seemed confused by the situation, after all...

"Nevertheless, perhaps you might want to rest," he suggested instead, trying to steer the conversation to less stressful things, "Or would you prefer something to eat first? Something to warm you up, hmm?"

He still had trouble believing this woman, falling from the sky, looked so ill prepared for the winter ahead. Then again, what could he say on the matter. She had no memory of it, after all. He would do his best not to judge.

"I am sure I can warm up something in a short time if you do not mind the wait."

---- [ x ] ----

The brief look shot at him was more or less ignored. Peyote had calmed down from his wilder days several years prior. Little things no longer bothered him. Apart from Mohammed and Hao, he was one of the calmer members to be brought into the fold.

The comment was a simple one. Perhaps it was true, this one might stick around if only because she had appeared in such a strange fashion. Unable to return home, she may find reasons to stay here for the time being.

"Well, if anything they might provide an interesting bit of entertainment...provided the demon keeps some wits about him and doesn't heckle too many," he answered.

Too many were keen on foul tempers within the camp at times. There had been more than one casualty, Peyote recalled. Those who had died were brought back if only by Hao's power.

He blinked, his attention brought back by the question. What did he think about the situation at hand? It certainly was a strange one, stranger than what they were used to.

"Hard to say, amigo," he replied easily, "You've a foul mouthed devil and a meek looking woman. I imagine things will get along like oil and water, at least for a little while."

Whatever had happened to Samickle's earlier impatience, well, Kelly couldn't say. Perhaps now that it was known she wasn't about to cause any trouble for him or anyone he knew he'd calmed some. Whatever the cause for it, Kelly didn't mind. She, herself, was quite impatient with everything that had happened, even more so with the lack of memories to put the pieces together.

She huffed. A moment passed in which she debated upon pulling the blanket entirely over her head and merely going to sleep right then and there. 'Too rude, though?' she wondered. There was no answer to that before Samickle spoke, offering either rest or food first.

"Ah... I wouldn't mind a bite to eat first..." she answered after a moment or so of thought. What he'd have to offer was questionable but Kelly would try not to be picky. So long as it filled her belly and warmed her up before resting. If it meant waiting then so be it. After all the strange man could have left her for dead out in the cold, or worse, attacked her himself before now.

She pulled the blanket closer to her nose then, peering at Samickle as he moved about. Each move seemed so precise, as if to not waste even a moment.

----[x]----

The look had hardly fazed Peyote, as expected of him. He'd certainly mellowed out over the years from the first time they'd met. Even the stories Peyote had deemed worth sharing had painted him in a harsher light than he ever acted upon nowadays. It was certainly an improvement, even Peyote knew that.

"Entertainment? I wouldn't think of it like that," Mohammed mulled aloud. "It might be more troublesome than anything else."

When asked about what he thought of the affair in a whole Peyote had grown silent. Mohammed waited patiently, seeing no reason to rush an answer from him. Rushing Peyote never did anyone any good, that was something everyone quickly learned. If nothing else, it gave Mohammed time to reflect upon the strange appearance of Serena and her little demon.

When Peyote finally answered Mohammed offered a nod. That assessment was certainly true enough. He couldn't imagine that the demon would provide much good to begin with if at all.

"That's true," he admitted.

It took a while for her to answer. For a moment, he wasn't even sure if she was going to give one. She was frazzled, so perhaps usual decisions would take her some time.

In time, she did say something. A bit of food would do her some good, perhaps some soup. It would help keep her warm when her body seemed so chilled to the bone.

"Something to eat it is, then," he echoed the words, pushing himself to his feet.

Samickle began rummaging around for what he might have left. It didn't take him too long to find a bit of stew might help. She would need the food and the rest.

With that, he placed the pot above the fire, waiting for it to warm up enough so she might be able to eat. Occasionally, she would lift the lid and stir, allowing the thick liquid to warm.

"I'm afraid it is not much," he informed, "But it will be enough to at least warm you up, give you some strength back."

For her part, she didn't seem to complain. Perhaps she might be happy to have anything at this point. A roof over her head and food in her belly might be something of a great gift at the moment.

---- [ x ] ----

Peyote offered a chuckle in response. Mohammed took things far too seriously but then again, perhaps that was just his way of life. He didn't often mention where he came from. Peyote and those within the group knew enough to understand why.

"Ah, you're far too pessimistic," he replied, "If this demon is like other spirits, it may only be a short time for the girl to take some control. She'll learn to adapt. We all did, didn't we?"

Of course, even that took time. Peyote was unsure of how demons worked. Hao might inform them all on this particular aspect sooner or later. Of course, it seemed like Hao liked to allow them to figure out things on their own as well, at times...

He spared a nod in response to those simple words. For the moment, they could not say what might happen or even who this woman was. In time, like all of them, they would learn.

"I don't like the sound of how these things were created, however," he finally added after a long pause, "Perhaps we might tread a little lighter with this one, if she does stick around."

It did not take him long to set something over the fire. Leftovers, maybe? Kelly figured that might be the case, given the look to his home itself. It was mostly silent in the time that followed but for the crackling fire and the occasions where Samickle moved to stir the pot's contents. From the smell it might be a stew of some kind.

Her stomach growled as the scent grew stronger, the telltale one of meat very prevalent through the small home. Though she was still cold and quite tired, the promise of that food kept her awake.

"I'm not picky," she answered when he'd spoken on the matter. Simple foods, gourmet foods--none of that mattered much to her so long as it tasted good. Sometimes the simplest things were better anyways. Or maybe that was just her stomach talking right now.

If nothing else she didn't see a reason to kick up a fuss about anything other than the obvious digressions. He had allowed her into his home despite his wariness and was even feeding her. To be bratty now would be akin to spitting in his face. Kelly didn't fancy herself that rude.

----[x]----

At Peyote's attempt at an optimistic outlook on the matter Mohammed merely huffed and shook his head. There was a point in that, yes, however not without a few holes in it. It would be foolish not to address those holes.

"Yes, but we all started to learn through those experiences since childhood," he pointed out. A brief moment passed as he glanced in the direction Hao had led Serena away to. "Has she been able to do the same?"

For all they knew this was the first time she'd even really glimpsed spirits much less the demon she'd made unknowingly. If that was the case then they'd all find out soon enough. It was easy to see who was new to the 'game', so to speak, and who wasn't.

Mohammed turned back to Peyote then, inclining his head to one side. It was a friendly enough gesture, one more lax than his previous ones up to now.

"I'm sure whatever may happen that there will be at least even one person capable of dealing with it," Mohammed reassured. It was the least they could hope for, especially with the multitude of abilities within everyone's arsenal.

For her part, she seemed patient enough, perhaps enticed by the thought of food. She was staring at the pot here and there. Samickle figured that she might not have eaten...if anyone ate up in the stars.

He reached for once bread, offering it to her. This would tide her over for the time being. It wouldn't be too long now. He fetched a bowl quickly in the mean time.

"Well, at least there is that," he answered after a moment, "I can't say I am a fine cook. I am a busy man, after all."

With the people to take care of, he had to focus on more important things. Cooking was not an aspect he put too much stock into. If it tasted fine, he would live.

Carefully, he filled the bowl, minding the hot liquid before handing it to her. She'd taken the time to nibble on the bread. For her part, she ate slowly.

"How are you feeling?" he inquired easily, "Is feeling returning to you fingers and toes?"

---- [ x ] ----

Peyote easily waved Mohammed off, though he could not deny the man had a point. Who was to say, in the end. Spirits seemed to be a different breed than this demon. Perhaps it would work itself out.

"We can only wait and see," he replied easily, "Hopefully, things will not be much worse off. We've already too many with foul tempers."

If the demon was going to go about, prodding everyone, Peyote couldn't say things would end well. Someones patience would finally find some ends. He shook the thought away.

"I have confidence in this, I agree," he answered Mohammed, "And so far, this demon has only proved to have a bit of a mouth, nothing more."

Whatever would happen, would happen. They would find out sooner or later how things would end up. That was just the nature of the beast.

"They seem to be taking their time," he pointed out, "Best attend to something else until the two come back."

Though it was still strange to be dealing with a man who refused to take off such a colorful mask, Kelly was finding herself less bothered by it. Who knew, he could be scarred up beneath it or was it something else entirely? Maybe if she stuck around long enough she might find out eventually.

"Ah?" Her attention turned to Samickle as he held out a bit of bread to her. She'd been aware that he'd gotten up for something again though she hadn't paid much attention as to why this time. Nonetheless she took the proffered food, grateful for something to tide her over until the stew was thoroughly warmed.

Kelly nibbled at the bread, nodding along to Samickle's words. So, he lived alone then... That might've been a fairly easy guess but if he was the one cooking his own meals it only made it more obvious. Instead of focusing on such things for long, Kelly said "I've heard of worse excuses to be bad at cooking."

Minutes passed by mostly in silence. It wouldn't be until Samickle deemed the stew hot enough that anything was said again. Only then did Kelly get to see that it was, indeed, stew inside that pot after all. Stuffing the last bite of bread into her mouth she eagerly reached for the bowl, the rapidly warming dish a blessing against her hands.

"A little," Kelly answered, inspecting the stew's contents. It looked simple enough with chunks of potatoes, carrots and meat easily identifiable. What kind of meat it was or what else was in it, she'd find out in a moment. Before doing just that, however, she spoke again. "I'm pretty sure I don't have any money but I'd like to thank you somehow..."

----[x]----

Mohammed offered a shrug in return. It may be as he said and it may not be, the only thing they could do is wait and see. Whether or not someone might lose their temper in the long run was the worrying issue to watch for was all. At least, Mohammed hoped that would be the only big concern.

Peyote was correct however in that the pair were taking their time. Perhaps there was much to be shared, or Serena might even have many questions for Master Hao. Whichever the case may be Mohammed could only wait.

"Shall we sit and talk a bit longer then?" Mohammed suggested, gesturing for Peyote to lead them to wherever he preferred. Talking would pass the time and allow the two to plan for the days ahead. Who knew what surprises the other contests in this tournament might create in the travel to Patch Village.

Even just sitting back and watching the others would pass the time if nothing else. The two weren’t always chatty. Sometimes the quiet was preferable, especially when something like this came up, or rather something that changed matters drastically in some way.

She took her time, stirring the hot liquid in the bowl before she would eat. Instead, she asked if there was some way to repay him. Samickle waved off her words easily.

"There is no need to repay me in such ways," he replied after a moment, "What I do, I do to protect my people and for those in need."

This was his job, to ensure the safety of everyone. Samickle would make hard decisions if he had to. That was simply how he had to live his life as chief of the Oina.

"Simply eat and rest, that is enough for me," he continued.

When she was well enough, they would figure out what to do next. He would have to ask for some advice later on but for the time being, he would merely leave things as they were.

"I will do my best to try and find answers for you," he told her carefully, "Though, I can not promise anything in particular."

---- [ x ] ----

Everything that had happened was overwhelming to Serena. What Hao had told her was honestly frightening. From the demons she created to this whole shaman tournament thing...What was she supposed to do here?

The evening had long since fallen and Serena had sat down, brooding over her options. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of them when it came down to the whole aspect of these demons, not one, but two of them. If anything, she was glad that this smaller demon, still harbored inside it's doll, was quieter.

"Is that all you're gonna do? Sit around and think the rest of the night? You do too damn much of that already. Just make a god damned decision," Mummy chatised, catching her attention. Serena waved him off, heaving a heavy sigh.

A decision was far too complicated. On one hand, she could leave her old life behind. On the other, possible Armageddon on the world and she'd be helping with it. Who dumped that on a person and just left them to think over it.

"What in the hell am I supposed to do...?" she murmured to herself, letting her head fall into the palm of her hand. No answer seemed clearer than before...

» | SK | To The Stars | 1-on-1 RP |
» Bought Okami HD
» Okami: Mari
» [AC] Counting Stars [1-on-1 rp]
» Playstation All Stars