(Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that…..Don't worry about me, take whatever time you need. hugs)
They walked in a roughly straight line through the woods for several minutes, getting into an area that was on the very edge of the Hound's territory. This place had been hit harder by the storm a couple days ago, and most of the vegetation–as well as a few trees–had been swept away. It was very quiet as well, as if the local animals hadn't moved back in yet.
Danthony expression suggested that he wasn't sure which way to go next and was about to start guessing. But then, without any warning, the lead dog gave a strangled bark and ground to a halt, scrabbling backwards on stiff legs. His hackles were all the way up and his teeth were bared, but strangely he seemed more afraid than aggressive. It was unclear what had startled him. A second later the other dogs seemed to notice it as well and huddled around the bandits, whining. Boar-back halted, eyeing their surroundings with one hand hovering over his axe.
(hugs back Thanks, it's been a pretty rough week)
Tanrial immediately had her magic at the ready, waiting for whatever had startled the dogs to show itself and attack the small group. With every small sound or snap of a twig from one of them her head snapped in that direction, but that fact that it was eerily quiet was slightly terrifying.
For a long, long minute, they stood waiting, but…nothing happened. The dogs continued to snarl and sniff the air fearfully (a couple even ran back to camp before Danthony could grab them), but whatever they were reacting to didn't show itself. Boar-back stared into the trees as if he could pierce through the gloom and find the danger without moving a muscle. Finally, he narrowed his eyes.
"There's something up ahead," he rumbled. "But it's not moving. Let's go." He slowly took a step forward, and when nothing leaped out at him, he began cautiously making his way down the path. "Watch the dogs and watch our backs."
Tanrial narrowed her eyes at Boar-back but she followed. Whatever it was, clearly humans and races a like weren’t as sensitive to the creature from a distance, unlike the dogs.
It was a short walk to the thing Boar-back had spotted, but by the time they got there, none of the dogs were with them anymore. Danthony hung back nervously, but Boar-Back stepped forward and tried to get a closer look at the thing.
It was in the middle of a small clearing, and all the grass in that clearing was dead. Even the nearest branches of the trees were brown and leafless. A faint smell hung in the air, like mulch and old fruit.
The object that seemed to be causing these strange phenomena was a small, dirt-spotted hand mirror. It lay face up on the ground, looking perfectly ordinary–except for the small white flowers growing all around it. Their stems and leaves were dusty black and they were the only living thing for several feet.
Boar-back glanced at Tanrial. "Any idea what this is supposed to be?"
(Hey, sorry I kind of disappeared for a while. Shit went down at home and then it was my birthday so I couldn’t get on)
Tanrial took a step forwards towards the mirror, slowly and cautiously as she shook her head, “There’s some… curse or something on the thing, that’s for sure… what it is or who planted the curse and the mirror I have no clue.”
(It's okay fam! I understand, I'm sorry to hear you've been having a rough time lately (although happy birthday!))
Boar-back stepped forward also. "Well at least it's obvious how some idiot might get cursed. By looking into the glass, I bet." He took out his axe and reached over, gently flipping the mirror so that the reflective side was down. In doing this, he revealed a design on the back–the eyes of a cat, painted crudely in green, with a very un-catlike toothy grin underneath. Danthony edged backwards nervously.
"Can you magic it away?" he asked Tanrial.
(Thank you! And sorry for being so spotty recently, I’m honestly contemplating taking a break for a while but I’m not sure yet :/)
Tanrial shrugged a shoulder, unsure whether she could or not, “Depends on the type of curse and how strong it is. I could try but things might go horribly wrong and honestly this place is giving me the chills… feels like we’re being watched…” She sighed.
(It's up to you! I'd miss you, that's for sure, but I'd rather you were taking care of yourself than anything else. ^^)
Boar-back gave their surroundings a long look. "I agree. Danthony, why don't you scram back to the others? You stick around here and you might as well be live bait."
Danthony didn't need telling twice. Turning, he sprinted back down the path towards camp and was soon lost from view.
Boar-back glanced over at Tanrial. "Between you and me, I think just breaking the mirror might be the fastest way to end this. Breaking it and throwing the pieces into somebody else's turf."
(It wouldn’t be forever, just until schools over. It’s just so hard to get online nowadays and it sucks so… yeah, I probably will take a break, but ima miss you heaps)
Tanrial shook her head, “breaking the mirror is a bad idea, the spell or curse or even an entity that is inhabiting the thing could escape and easily infect you or I,” She crouched down, “No, we can’t break it. Getting rid of the curse is the way to go.”
(I already said it, but I'll miss you too!! Take good care of yourself my friend! <3)
Boar-back sighed and settled down on his haunches nearby. "You're the expert. What do you need to get that done?"
(I AM BaK! Hello I missed you :)) I know it isn’t quite December when I said I’d return but I’ve pretty much finished for the year!)
Tanrial furrowed her brows, bottom lip caught between her teeth, “I’m… not sure… well, we need to figure out what the curse is first or if it’s an entity… so we might want to do the dumb decision of provoking the thing.”
(Omg fam I missed you too!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad you're back now! hugs I hope you're feeling better after your break from Notebook? How've you been? Also I got a part-time job so I have news for once! XDD)
Boar-back looked resigned, nodding. "Right. You first, kid. I'll…..watch your back while you poke it with a stick or something."
(Congrats! I’ve been looking for a job but with no luck I’m so happy for you :) I’m feeling better, not quote 100% but I don’t think that’s possible)
Tanrial took a few steps back from the mirror, outstretching her hand. A burst of air shot out, hitting the mirror straight in the centre.
(true, true. I'm glad you're feeling better though! And I wish you good luck finding a job :) I got lucky with a little vet clinic that needed kennel staff, so that was nice XD)
The mirror jumped in place, rattling a bit, then lay still. For a minute, nothing happened. But then the mirror started to slowly bend, as if suddenly turning to flexible rubber. Its reflective face curled into a ninety-degree angle, so that the top half of the mirror was directly facing Tanrial. Her reflection appeared….then warped, grinning like a Cheshire cat and tilting its head on the end of a freakishly long neck.
"Hello there," the reflection said. Its voice had many layers, like a crowd of people speaking at once. "Can I do something to help you, little magic-weaver?"
(Awww, lucky!)
Tanrial blinked a few times, taken aback by the sudden shift and change in the mirror, “Uh yeah, you can,” She took a cautious step towards the mirror, still wary, “There’s a boy back at our camp who came back from a raid and he’s not well. Apparently this has happened before to someone else in the camp and I wanted to see what caused it… which led us to you… What exactly are you? And what were those sounds we heard earlier? I’m assuming it was you.”
The figure in the mirror grinned wider. "Ohhh, you blame me for so many crimes," it purred. "How impudent! But yes, I have been having a little fun around here lately. How long has it been now? A few years? Decades?…..Ah, it doesn't matter. As for what I am….." The mirror stretched like a snake, looping through the air in lazy coils. "I have no name here. You can call me whatever you like. Let's say I'm a creature that nobody likes to meet, but everyone does eventually. Does that answer your question?"
(Ok well speaking of work, I gotta go help do some late-night cleaning at the clinic -_- I'll try to be back in an hour or two, but if you're not around by then, I'm so happy you're back and I'll see you in the morning!!)
(Lol, it’s all good! I should be here, well, I’m hoping! See you soon!)
Tanrial frowned, more confused then anything else, “That doesn’t really help. I’m assuming you’re some sort of dark entity. My question is are you trapped in the mirror or are you the mirror? And also what did you do to that bou?”
(I have just a little time and then I gotta head to bed)
"I am certainly not the mirror," the voice replied. As it did, the mirror shrank back to its normal shape and hovered in midair, still showing a slightly darker, slightly twisted version of reality in the glass. Slowly it rotated, revealing the crudely painted cat on its back. "However….I am not trapped inside the mirror either. This object is merely a metaphor, a placeholder, a substitute as it were. I myself am a simple abstract concept without any true physical form." The cat smiled, showing unnervingly human teeth. "Now, you asked about that boy. Tinsmith, yes? A bright young fellow. Very inquisitive. he simply couldn't resist staring into the mirror….ah, but alas. Not all are strong enough to behold what lies within. It seems he took some of my shadow back home with him when he fled this place. A shame he couldn't take me too….I get so very lonely out here in the woods."
(aright I'm off to sleep, seeya tomorrow! ^^)
(Night! Sorry I had maths and my teacher is hella strict on devices! See you tomorrow :) )
"Stop speaking in riddles, it's getting very annoying," She crossed her arms, drumming her fingers against her skin, "So Tinsmith has some of your… shadow? I'm guessing that's a part of you and that's the reason he's acting like he is?"
(It's all good!)
"I suppose you could put it that way," the cat mused. "Poor lad, I bet he's feeling very lost and confused right now without me to guide him through his new world. Has he killed anyone in a fathomless rage yet? I love watching them do that."
"He hasn't," Boar-back rumbled, speaking for the first time since the creature had awoken. "But Blue Tommy has, a couple different times." The bandit didn't look like he was in a very good mood. "Know anything about that?"
The cat's painted green eyes lit up. "Blue Tommy! Oh, how I miss him, he was so delightful! how is he doing these days? Still hearing voices and seeing enemies where there are none? Has the, ah…." The layered voice giggled. "….the cat still got his tongue? Ehehe!"
Boar-back glanced silently at Tanrial. His look clearly said that he was tired of this creature and was ready to try getting rid of it himself if Tanrial didn't act fast.
Tanrial knew, but she honestly couldn’t think of a way of destroying the thing. She could try and burn it but then again, it might fight back, “Is there anyway to get your… shadow out of them? Or are they stuck like that forever?”
The voices sighed together. "Oh….there are ways, yes. But you would either need the help of someone more powerful than I, or some very good bargaining tools to get me to release my hold on them. So unless you happen to be buddies with an almighty being, you'll have to give me something I like even more than my current human playmates."
"Such as?" Boar-back asked.
The cat smiled sweetly. "Is there anyone around here I could befriend whom you don't mind losing to the void forever?"
Boar-back paused, then glanced at Tanrial. "Can we talk privately for a minute?"
Tanrial nodded, “Sure. Give us two secs,” She walked backwards not trusting the thing enough to actually turn her back on it, “Don’t suppose you have anyone in the camp you hate a lot, do you?”
Boar-back followed, shaking his head. "No. But, there are plenty of other bandit tribes around here that I'm not too fond of. Any of them can have this guy, as far as I'm concerned."
(brb, gotta eat)
(Okay, I have to go for a lil while since I have a drama assessment)
She crossed her arms, “Any chance we can get a couple of them over here? And fairly soon?”
(okay, seeya ^^)
Boar-back thought about it. "Mmm….any chance we could just transport our new evil friend here to them instead? Seems much easier and faster to me."
She rubbed at her chin, "Maybe? But then again he might not comply to it… and we'd have to travel with those annoying voices, too."
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