Private Roleplay with Sonicsilva1

Owls Town
Mercia is the name of the Zone. It was named after the Kingdom that once took control over the entire planet before splintering into different countries. The original Kingdom still keeps the name apart from the world, but long has it been a shattered version of its former self. Your character arrives at the tall gates of a wood-walled-off village in the far opening of a massive tall wood. The main title of the area is written in some kind of different language, but an English translation is seen just below in a smaller font: "Owls Town".

Despite the lack of danger apparent, the area seems a tad quieter than it needs to be. The gate is still closed, requiring only a knock to open.

Asonja mutters something and knocked once. He didnt knock more than twice.

The sound of someone climbing a ladder was heard. A small fuzzy head was seen up at the top of the wall, looking down at Asonja. It went down soon after, and marching was heard getting close to the front as the gates opened. The town inside was actually quite nice and well-structured. It wasn't immensely large, but many wood and stone buildings were seen about with citizens walking about casually, trading, talking, and sitting. They were all owls.

Four guards with leather vests stood at the side as a man in a green and brown suit approached Asonja. "Welcome to Owls Town," He bowed, a thick Irish Accent coming from his vocals.

He nodded back. "Thank you." He looked around after his introduction, seeming a bit uncomfortable that everyone was Owls.

The man smiled, but turned to a serious expression while pulling up a clipboard. "Is this your first time at our village?"

"Yes. It is." He said.

"Alright, could you please take out anything on your person for a moment and state your name?" He checked something off on the board.

I took out everything I had from my trench coat pockets, including my switchblade knife. "My name is Asonja. Im a Hedgehog. And dont be intimidated by the blade, I dont kill."

"I don't understand why someone without the intent to harm would have a knife like that, but either way, you can take your things back now."

"Alright. Self-defense I suppose would be a good term," He put the knife back into his trench coat. "Im more of a Pacifist unless not necessary.

"Well you're free to go now," He reached out to shake Asonja's hand.

He took it rather hesitantly but nodded. "Thank you."

The man nodded as well before departing. The guards moved away to various stations as well as the gates closed behind Asonja. While a few of the owl people glanced over at him, they did not seem particularly surprised by his appearance. There was no pointing or children asking "What's that?". It seemed just like any other town, but the slight quietness remained even while inside the walls. The walls... what would a village of owls need to protect themselves from?

He thought about that question, hopping to find someone to answer the question. He went to a nearby Café and sat down at a lone table for just two people

The waitresses and waiters were making their rounds about, some with lists, and some with food. "What brings you, Traveller?" An owl man asked from a few seats away, leaning back a bit to make certain he was visible and in earshot.

Asonja looked at him and said, "I'm just...curious about this town since I've never heard of it. I do have a bit of questions about this place too."

"We're a small community for sure," He replied. "You won't find any other towns or cities, especially those... modern types, for hundreds of miles.  What are your questions?"

"Why is there a Wooden wall around this town?"

"It's the danger season.  When it's safe we lower it, when it's not, we raise it.  You might notice..." He pointed to the constand cloudy sky.

"HUh...how come I didnt notice that..." He muttered to himself.

"You probably wouldn't until a few days in when it stays that way."

"Oh...I see. So do monsters come here or something?"

"In a way... Not far from here is the lake, and at the center of it is a tall tree with a nest.  Some revanent-type lives there- sometimes flying around the village, looking down at us... But that's not the worst of it."

"Hmm...this sounds interesting. I might feel like helping out."

"If you say so, Traveller," He reclined back in his seat, presumably waiting for food that hadn't yet arrived. "... Where do you come from anyway?  We've had some visits from other... zones right?"

"I guess so. I came from the Nimagi Freedom Fighters. Im not sure specifically. Im not a geological person."

"Freedom Fighters?  For what?"

"For defeating anyone that harms Mobius and its people. The leader is Axel."

"... Mobius?  You must really be an out-zoner then.  Well... welcome ashore," He tipped an invisible hat.

He nodded. "My gratitude. Has there been any criminal acts?"

The man hardly shrugged. "Not to my knowledge.  There could be I suppose.  It's doubtful anyone here would be stupid enough to do anything harmful to the community... Not at this season."

"Well...it's possibility. There might be one happening right now and we're not aware of it...until one of us finds out." He was eyeing a few people. For a moment he thought he saw black fire in Asonja's eyes but they vanished quickly.

"... What... was..."

He looked at him like nothing happened. "Anyway, mind if I have some whiskey please?"

"Sure, just better be asking one of the hands working, not the customers."

"Right. My apologies. I was thinking out loud. I do that a lot."

"Honest mistake," The man waved over a waitress. "My new friend wants something called 'wiskey'.  Is that in the stock?"

The waitress looked off a bit, her face scrunching up slightly in thought. "Not... familiar there... we could perhaps.  What is it?"

He seemed a bit concerned but didnt show off emotion. "If you dont have it, that's okay. I can explain about it later if you wish."

"Well I'm sure there's something to eat... or drink, you might find... well... nice," The man reclined further. "Or not..." He yawned a bit.

"Yeah, I'll find something. Is there a menu I could look at?"

"'Course," The waitress smiled, brushing off a flat decorated wood piece. It was painted with various flowers, but the text was in a different language. "Oh- wait, you'll be needing the English version I take it?"

"Yes please."

The waitress walked off to get the right menu. The relaxing man smiled at her as she left. "Shou-"

"HEYAAAAAAAAH" a screech came from above, high in the sky. The man fell sideways off of his seat.

He stood up, looking around. "What was that?"

A brown and black winged figure zipping about in a circular pattern above the village. A few screeches later and the creature zipped away back into the forest. "Stupid... that moron..." The man groaned while standing up.

He looked at the man. "Who was that?"

"The revanent-type," He replied. "He's called 'Vlasek'..."

He snickered a little by the name but remained calm again. "I see...will he come back?"

"He makes his daily rounds here... Doesn't eat anything... just flies around screaming."

He sighed The flames in his eyes returning again for a split second. "Why doesn't anyone stop him?"

"And how would you go about doing that?"

"Simple. I'll keep an eye out for him and take him out myself!" He jumped onto the roof, using some flames to boost him up onto the roof.

The man fell back once again just as the waitress had returned. Few townsfolk noticed Asonja but a few were running towards the guards. The Vlasek could still be seen flying toward the forest.

He looked around, and then spotted the Vlasek. He jumped back down infront of the waitress, smirking for a second. "I'll come back later. Gotta take care of something first."

Then he ran off, not using the flames to boost himself until he got to the gate. He jumped up on top of the gate and looked around for the Vlasek again.

The creature was nearly out of eyeshot now.

"SIR!" A stern voice called from below. "PLEASE COME DOWN FROM THE GATE!" A guard waved at Asonja.

He waved back. "I WILL IN A SECOND! IM TRACKIN' DOWN THAT...VLA-THINGIE"

"SIR YOU-..." The guard groaned loudly while climbing up the ladder. "If you wish to track down the Vlasek then please do so OUTSIDE the walls."

"Ohhhhhhhhhhh Okay I get ya." He backflipped off the wall and did a double-jump with black flames to stop himself from falling too fast and ran off into the forest.

"S-..." The guard didn't finish. The creature flew for miles ahead. Thankfully the trees were not thick enough to block the path. Eventually a road could be seen to the side, and further in the distance a glimmering lake.

He jumped onto the road and ran, using blasts of black fire to push him forward. He was at least going 50 miles per hours, looking around for the Vlasek. His feet werent going very fast, it was just the fire propelling him was the accelerating factor.

The creature had arrived at a tall tree at the center of the lake. A gourd-shaped structure was at the top with some circular holes about like windows.

He skid to a stop and looked at the creature. He walked normally up to it, looking up at it. "Huh...weird."

The creature flew inside.

He followed the creature and stood outside. "Uhh...hello?"

There did not appear to be any doors but either way, while noise came from inside, the creature did not greet back.

He looked through a window, checking inside.

It looked... somewhat like a house. Some boxes were around... some mounds that looked like furniture. Fruit lay about with single bites. The creature had his back to Asonja, leaning fronward against a wall, tensed. He was somewhat like an owl except far more tattered with large gashes in his body, almost like a zombie... no exactly like a zombie. He wore tattered dark slacks, no shoes, an undershirt and red/brown vest. A large short-height top hat was seen tossed upon the ground. With the hat not on, the grease-colored frizzled shaggy hair was clearly seen on the creature's head.

He slowly went to knock. Something was telling him not to but his curiosity got the best of him. He knocked a few times, lightly

The creature's head lowered with a sigh. Slowly he turned around, a scarred face glancing over at Asonja. His beak seemed fairly unharmed, but one eye was warped, a layer of skin half-covering it. He slowly walked toward the hole.

(What COLOR is Asonja's fur.skin?)

(He has black fur and very pale skin)

(Much thanks... also it's finished.)

(Yaaay thanks. Cant wait to see it :D)

(Good to hear.  Also it's your turn.)

(Yup. On it)

"Uhh...hey. Mind if I come in and chat with you for a while?" He asked politely.

"Chats said when now and what yes that happens currently," His words sounded very mixed up, quick and forced out. He was quite tense.

He shrugged at that and went to climb inside.

The creature hissed at this, but stepped aside regardless.

He climbed inside entirely and sat down at a comfortable distance. "First things first, slow down when you're talking. I mean you no harm whatsoever"

He kept his mouth closed with a cross expression, but his cheeks kept moving as he was still muttering.

"Listen...everyone in the nearby village is getting a bit...annoyed of your presence and I'm here to see if we can talk things out for you."

He simply folded his arms at the comment.

He folded his arms as well. "What? I know you're being yourself but I just wanted to ask why." He went to his canteen and drank out of it.

Vlasek only opened his mouth long enough to shoot out a loud "protection" before going back to the uncontrollable mumblings.

He didnt seemed startled by the shout and put the canteen back down, the top still open. "Hmm...Protecting whom?"

"Them," He quickly replied.

"Whose them? Your friends, family...everyone?"

"Everyone..." He walked past him toward the hole-window.

He watched him and stood up a little bit. He drank again from the canteen. "I see...but from what I've seen, no one has hurt you or anyone. ...Have they?"

The zombified owl's head turned completely around with a deep glare at Asonja. He waved a hand over his own face as evidence.

"R-right..." He shivered a bit, looking away. "Look, if you want I can team up with you to find your killer. And I'll bring him here and you'll be free. Deal?" He put his hand out.

The owl's body turned around to face Asonja fully. He walked past him... then back. "Know 'killer' you find beat you it?"

He nodded after depicting what he said. "Yes. I will bring the body back as proof. Do you know what your killer looks like?"

The zombified owl grabbed hold of Asonja's shoulders, sternly staring directly into his eyes. "Can't... not... fah..." He let go, turning aside.

"You cant...fight?" He guessed. "Here, try writing it down." He hands him a pencil and paper.

"YOU!" He yelled, trying to relax. "To chase... false with courage placed not well... It can't... no death in the monster..."

"Alright, relax..." He sighed, putting everything away. "False courage wont get me anywhere that is true. And this monster is unkill-able?"

"Protect is all, hunt is never... feed is always..." He walked past the hedgehog once again, head on face, exhaling deeply.

"But...you're a revenent. You're supposed to be seeking the one who killed you. I'd help if you'd let me."

"revenen-" He suddenly bursted into laughter, almost collapsing on the ground before finally calming down. "Never death striked me, but elsewhere past death they were deathed and she deathed them... me killed not and this future now... body this future now forever as not dead, never dead, but life barely with constant hungers..."

(Old picture of Vlasek )

(Nice! I'm still wondering how you do these things .-.)

He nodded and drank from his canteen again, closing the top. "I see...well, I wish I could stay longer but I must leave as it is getting late. I'll be back at the Cafe at 11:00 AM sharp. I'll see you there if you want to come." Before waiting for an answer from him, he burst out of the hole with his flames, skidding onto the road. The flames caught nothing on fire either. They didnt feel warm nor cold.

The zombified owl looked out the window at the hedgehog. pausing before returning inside his makeshift home.

He jumped back onto the gate, backflipping off back into the outside. "Right, I have to knock again." He knocked twice with the back of his fist.

Soon after the gate opened.

He walked in, bursting up into the air on a rooftop afterwards. "Alright, where's the cafe again...?" He looked around.

Lampposts were being lit and most people were going into their houses. The cafe was nearby, though very few individuals remained. The man that was sitting some hour ago had departed. The waitress could be seen in the distance, picking up dishes.

"Hmm.." He burst again off the roof and landed right in a chair perfectly without breaking it. He sat cross-legged and drank the remainder of whatever was in his canteen.

It took some minutes before one of the waiters walked over. "Sir, just to inform you in advance, we'll be closin' any moment now."

"Alright. That's cool. I just got back from the outside world. Preeeetty interesting out there." He got up out of his chair and stretched. "Could you show me where the Hotel is?"

"There's an Inn to the right of townsquare," He pointed down the road of the village.

"All right. I'll go ahead and make myself comfortable." He burst into flames and started jumping from roof to roof until he got to the Inn. Apparently he didnt like crowds.

The guards were beginning their patrol, and upon seeing a fiery being jumping about, their attention turned to Asonja.

He jumped back down at the entrance of the Inn and walked inside, looking around.

One of the guards approached him from behind. "Sir."

"Hm? Yeah?" He turned to see him.

"Our town isn't made for flamable people jumping around.  Please, if you need to go somewhere, take the roads.  People are terrified enough as it is."

"It's alright, sir. My fire does not catch any flammable objects. But I will tone it down a bit if necessary. Dont worry about a thing."

The guard nodded and returned to his walk. The inn-keeper was silent at this conversation, unable to stay from staring. "Do... you want a room?" He finally asked, scratching his balding head.

His ears perked up and turned to the inn-keeper. "Oh! Yes please. How much is it?"

"If you're staying just one night it's thirty, if you're staying more than one it's twenty per night."

"Hmm...I'll stay for 3 nights." He went to his wallet and gave him the money.

"Foreign currency, aye?" The inn-keeper thought it over, examining the money. "I suppose it could work somewhere... Alright," He pulled out a key from a drawer. "The number is on the key."

"Thanks." He takes the key and walks to his room. (Gtg to bed see you tomorrow)

(G'night)

(I'm back .3.)

(Finally found it again.)

The numbers on the key seemed to be written in the different language. Thankfully the room with matching numbers was located. There weren't any more than maybe twenty rooms. It was well-furnished, a nice wood room with clean bedsheets, a table, some fruit, a window, and flowers.

He whistled in amazement and put the keys on the table after closing the door. "Alright, time to get myself comfortable..." He lay back on the bed, but didnt pull the sheets over him.

Lets just hope nothing bad happens while I'm asleep...I'll be super cranky otherwise... He thought before falling asleep.

The next morning arrived. There was no wake-up call. The sky remained cloudy, this time now rainy. Most people outdoors seemed to be staying indoors because of this, though a small group of fishermen began making their way to the front gate.

He yawned, closing the blinds after seeing it's raining. "God damn it...now my fire power is worthless..." He muttered before going downstairs for some breakfast, taking his key with him in his pocket.

The dining area of the inn wasn't packed but it had a fair amount of people. As he walked toward the food court section, the inn-keeper mentioned "We'll be getting some fish soon... hopefully.  Personally I never mind having from breakfast meat."

A small family of owls sat at one table, a mid-thirties owl writing something in a journal--some writer perhaps--an owl, another owl, some owls after that, and then a single female cat. Her fur was very white with large ears, hands, and feet. Blue stripes could be seen on her under-arms and legs, with moon-shaped shapes on the part of her forehead not covered by turquoise bangs, and moon-curved potrusions on her ears. She had a long white tail, and wore a dress-top, and a long tan skirt. A sun-moon tattoo could be seen on her neck with two green hoop-earrings at the center of her ears. Her eyes were turquoise.

Asonja noticed the cat, a little bit confused at her appearance. He went up to her, already nervous. "Uhhh...is this seat taken?" He pointed to the one in front of her.

She glanced up at him for a moment, shaking her head with a thick Irish "No, I don't think so."

He understood it really well and nodded. He sat down in front of her. "Alright then." Asonja spoke in a slight Boston accent, but he mostly had the general English Accent."So, what's your name if you dont mind me asking?"

She looked back up again from her breakfast. "... Me- oh uh'm, I'm Sissy," She replied.

"Sissy, huh? Well, it's a pleasure to meet ya. I'm Asonja." He coughed a black flame for a moment, but quickly covered it. "Sorry...I'm terrible at mornings..."

"You're not from Mercia are you?" She asked.

"I've heard of it but no, I'm not from there. I know a lot of history about it." He said.

"Really?  What kind?"

"I know how it started, almost all of the wars they were involved with in the past. I even know a few of their leaders."

(*cough just noting here, different zones, different histories cough*)

(Right, right, I know. I was going somewhere with it)

"So you travel a lot?"

"Occasionally, yeah. Do you want to know anything?"

"Um..." She took a bite of her bagel. "What kind of worlds have you visited?"

"I have visited a view. I went to Moebius, which was my first place I went to. I even went to this place where they spoke an entirely different language than anyone else. I think they called it.....Uhh...I dunno it began with an S or something."

"Moebius?" She echoed. "All it has is another sound?  Why's that?"

"I dunno. It's, from what I have been told, a separate world from this universe that has like this fox guy who can grow to like huge sizes. I've actually wanted to learn how to do that. It sounds really awesome but scary in live action."

"So you aren't from that one?"

"No. Im from Nimagi."

"What is that world like?"

"...Well, it's kinda boring actually. The leader there is...interesting...and I'm probably the only sane one there. What about your world?"

She chuckled a little. "This is my world... or, well sort of... I'm not from here originally but my birth-world isn't really... pleasant..."

"I see...what was it like if you dont mind sharing. I promise I wont tell anyone about it."

"It's alright..." She tapped her fingers on the table, little pink sparks going off around them. "I... wasn't very old when it all went bad..  I got sent away to this world when I was... five I think?  I remember that I lived in some country called 'Rictiss'.  It wasn't really a bad place, but then these... air-ships I think is the word, came down and attacked."

"Hmm...interesting." He coughed again, this time a black flame made a small black spot on the wooden table. It actually made the table a little more authentic looking. "Whoops...didn't mean for that to happen."

"... What was that?" She asked cautiously, her ears moving back a bit.

"Oh, dont worry about it. It's a power that I have that lets me possess fire powers. I have to let out some fire sometimes."

"Oh..." She looked down at where the fire hit the table. "That... might not be the best place for it... h-here I mean..."

"I know, I know. I usually vent it out somewhere in the desert. Want to come with?"

"To... to the desert?"

"Yeah. Its not far from here actually."

"... You're talking about... this... planet?"

"Yeaaaaah?" He said, actually confused now.

"... There... there isn't a desert on this continent for... well I don't really know the specific distance but...."

"Hmm...well, then I need to find an empty place to vent. Other wise this village or the entire forest will burn down."

"I- It... oh, is it really that bad?" She began reaching into a pocket.

"It's going to be soon if I dont-" He burped a bit of it out, but covered it with his mouth so he only puffed out smoke, and quickly vaping it away so the smoke detectors wouldnt go off. "-...vent quickly enough. I might even explode in flames."

"... Th- okay, come with me," She walked out.

He followed, a bit curious of where she was heading, but didnt say anything about it.

Once they were outside of the inn, the moon-eared feline pulled out a large golden ring. "Have you seen one of these before?"

He examined it, poking it a few times. "Uhh...nope. What're they?"

The feline tossed the ring into the air as it expanded, a portal forming in the center of it. "They're called 'Warp Rings'," She explained. "You touch the side and think of any place.  It should have enough power to go to different worlds."

"Huh...that's cool! Where will we go?"

"You said you needed a desert right?"

"Yeah. But what if we think of different places and we'll be separated?"

"You just touch it, think of the place, and the portal will appear.  It won't change unless I pick a different area.. or you do."

"Alright...lets hope for the best." He muttered and put his hand to the ring. He though of a sandy, hilly desert in the middle of nowhere and once he got the image, he climbed into the ring and appeared on the other side, having the exact image of what he thought.

"Whoa...this is awesome!" He said to himself and looked back at the ring and the desert. He took a good distance away from the ring and once he got enough, he decided to vent out his fire.

Sissy stepped through, closing the ring behind them. "That... was a lot..."

She saw Asonja nearby, about 50 feet away, preparing to burst into flames...literally.

"You ca- you can go back to normal now right?" She called over.

"Almost...but not yet!" He burst into red/blue flames, the surrounding sand turning into glass in almost an instant, but the rest were slowly turning into glass as well.

The white cat jumped back, shielding her face from the heat.

The heat got more intense as the red flames turned blue, meaning the temperature increased. He yelled at the air for a while, before the fire vanishes. The sand the white cat was in was still cold, but everything else was boiling hot.

Asonja panted, a bit of his clothes were scorched. He smirked weakly at her, chuckling awkwardly. "Sorry that took so long...just had to get it out..."

"... Does that happen a lot?" She asked, slowly walking over. She stepped back immediately after after stepping on the burning glass.

"Careful! It cools down quickly...and yes this happens once a week." He stepped over, his body not affected by the burning glass. It was really smooth and thick.

"That, that must be hard to deal withl..."

"I've gotten used to it. True, it was hard the first few months but my body soon adapted. Do you have any powers?"

She seemed surprised by the question. "I... well, yes I suppose."

"Huh, really? What do you do, if you dont mind me asking?"

"Um... well... I can fly... that's one..."

"Awww you're so lucky..." He pouted, crossing his arms. "That's like the coolest power anyone would ask for..."

"I suppose," She shrugged. "And you have fire powers then?"

"Yup. I can't fly though but I can burn people to a crisp and I'm way faster on land."

"So you've bu-... ugh," She winced at the desert heat and sun.

(I understand, and I apologize. Maybe this'll work XD) He went into his trench coat and took out a small bottle. He handed it to her. "Here, drink this. This should help."

Sissy examined the bottle, holding it up to the light. "W-... what is it?" She glanced over to him.

"It's a drink that I made to help specialize heat resistance for others. It may be a bit...strong and distasteful. Just take a small sip."

"Does it help with skin?" She looked it over a little longer before taking a light sip.

"Yup. Skin cancer, sun-burns. You name it, it wont hurt you." She noticed the awful taste; It burned her throat and she felt it even after she swallowed it.

Sissy gagged forward a bit, dropping the bottle from the shocking taste. Immediately seeing it fall to the gorund, a pink aura formed around the bottle.

"Huh, that's odd. Never does that before." He looked up at her. "Yeah, it'll subside. I'm sorry for the bad taste."

The bottle floated up with Sissy grabbing it just before the aura vanished. "It's alright."

She suddenly felt..normal. The sun wasnt affecting her at all. Instead the atmosphere felt like it was a cool 60 degrees instead of the 120 degrees.

"How," She looked back and forth between the bottle and Asonja. "How did you make this?"

"WEll, there's this god named Prometheus who taught me everything he knows. He even taught me how to make that drink. It's a mixture of Scotch and a secret ingredient that only he knows where to get it."

Well...that could explain the really harsh taste; it was from the Scotch.

"Scotch?" She seemed puzzled by the word at first before her jaw dropped a bit. "... Oh..."

"Yeah...you just drank an Alcoholic beverage...BUT do not freak out! The dangerous parts of them are removed. I swear."

"Dan- dangerous parts?" She seemed a bit more worried now.

"Yeah, but it's hard to explain. Look, I'll try to explain; What you just drank is just like Scotch, but the alcohol is taken away and replaced with another substitute. You wont get drunk off of it, and you'll be immune to the heat!"

"Oh..." She relaxed a bit. "Is the scotch what makes it taste like that?"

"Yeah. I'll be making a special one for you if you want. It'll have the same effect but it'll taste like Cherry Coughdrops...maybe."

"I... should be alright for now... I'm just not very fond of the heat... So is this your world then?"

"Well...if I had to live here then sure. But not really. I live in a more urban area."

"But on this planet?"

"Yeah. Somewhere on this planet. Maybe when we go back to the Warp Ring and think of the place, we might be able to get there." Asonja then noticed a shining object in the sand and eyed it for a moment.

"Alright... well someone's probably going to throw away m-... What is it?" She looked over.

He went over and picked up the shiny object. It was another ring, but seems to be the only ring in the area. "What's a ring doing here in the desert...?"

"What kind of ring?" Sissy looked over.

"It's like the Warp ring but smaller..." He examined it a bit more. "Maybe it has a different usage?"

"I suppose," She shrugged.

Suddenly, it started to glow and it vanished into little sparkles, with a weird "Ding" noise. "Uhh...where'd it go?"

Sissy simply shrugged again.

He shrugged too. "Ah well. Lets go ahead and head back to the Inn, now that I'm feeling better."

"Good idea," She pulled out the warp ring and soon a portal appeared.

"To the Inn!" He dived into the Warp Ring

Sissy followed suit, going back inside to finish her meal. "Are you leaving now then?" She asked.

"Well...not really." He said. "I just kinda got here and I have NO idea how to find my way back to my house."

"Oh... well we just used the warp ring so when you want to go back you can use that..."

"What about you? Don't you want to see my house?"

She seemed unprepared for this question. "What do you mean?"

"I mean...I know it sounded a bit strange so suddenly but...I'm worried that you wont have another English speaker like me around to keep you company. I'm...pretty sympathetic nowadays..."

"Another English-speaker?" She seemed a bit more puzzled. "Everyone here speaks English.  I mean, I'm the only non-owl but..."

Asonja shook his head quickly. "N-nevermind. Forget I said anything. Let me just say that I'm going to be here for a while."

"...Alright... Are you sure?"

He nodded. "Yes. I've been actually getting some time off of my training, because I'm not really a fighter."

"Fight training?"

"Yeah...Axel, the leader of the Freedom Fighters Guild back where I live, he forces me to train 24/7 and I hate it."

"Then why are you part of the guild?"

"Because I was forced in it. I'm actually on nobody's side, basically...I'm filled with discomfiture every time I'm with a group of people. I cant decide which side to be on in battles, and I can never have the courage to even participate in them. I even wonder why I have powers when I'm just a stupid hedgehog..." He growled at the last part.

"... Well you don't HAVE to stick around with it, do you?"

"I have to. If I betray them at least once, I'll become enemies with them. The leader is just so freakin' strict..." He started to drink more Scotch from his canteen

Sissy didn't seem to appreciate him drinking so suddenly, but she stayed from addressing it. "How is saying that you don't want to be involved betrayal?  Is it personal?"

"To him it is. He treats me like a brother, though I don't appreciate it. He gets in my way occasionally and sometimes he's just plain annoying."

"...I see..." She looked down a bit. "It's not easy..."

"It really isnt. And plus, he wants me to stay active and go with him on dangerous quests. I mean, come on, I dont have time for that..." He rolled his eyes. Normally he would drink after that statement but he didnt.

"... But you're just going to be unhappy your whole life.  One of you will talk about it eventually and then it will end up with a breakdown."

"Nah, Axel's not the kind of guy to talk to..." He sighed.

"... Well... I don't know.  I don't really... give advice to people much..."

"It's fine. I'm just wearing a mask, metaphorically. I just kinda told you my pessimistic life, basically."

"... I'm sorry that's happening to you."

"You don't have to apologize. I really can't help pitying myself. I do it all the time. It's like I'm mentally ill or something...." He looked away for a minute in discomfiture.

"... Are you going back soon then?"

"...Not this week no."

"Well then," She straightened up a bit, "you can make the best of the week, right?"

"Maybe...I'm not sure how though..." He scratched behind his right ear.

"Welll," She looked out to the front of town, to the large fence, "usually it's fine but... what with this being the leech season..."

"Leech Season?" He tilted his head. Either it was her imagination or she saw a few stitch lines going at the side of his neck. "I'm afraid I dont understand..."

"A monster that..." She paused at the stitches for a moment before continuing, "... that appears around this time rarely.  They feed off of people's cores."

"Well, that sucks. What do they look like?" He didnt seem to notice that she paused.

"Um... glue?" She attempted to explain. "Boney... some holes beneath the eye sockets... Sometimes wearing some kind of tattered suit... or they used to at least."

"Etch...they sound gross." He said. The stitches were a bit more clear of why they were there: A knife wound.

"... What's happening to your neck?" She asked.

"My neck?" He noticed the stitches and sighed. "Oh right..that. Just a failed attempt at...something." He was being awfully vague, like he was lying.

"Was that... was that there before?"

"...A few days ago before I came here, I got it. It's no big deal."

"If you say so..."

He looked outside, hiding the scar again. It actually was a big deal as it was a suicide attempt. It must've injured him pretty badly.

"Did you eat ye-" Sissy stopped, cowering for a moment as one of Vlasek's screeches came over the town during his patrol.

He groaned and stood up. "Him again...I'll be right back." He went out of the Inn and looked up where Vlasek is. Meanwhile back inside, the Warp Ring emerged like a portal from another side has opened.

Sissy walked out to him. "Wait, what are you going to do?"

"Probably come up and politely ask him to stop...maybe." Asonja replied. Someone emerged from the Warp Ring, someone who looked human. Once they stepped out they looked around, seeing nobody was around.

"Huh...Am I in a ghost town or something...And that ring was really small..." The figure muttered, adjusting their clothing that looked almost like Asonja's.

"... You already talked to him..." Sissy muttered.

"How do you know that? Were you spying on us? He was hard to understand anyway..." Asonja muttered, looking back up at Vlasek. The figure was already outside, but remained hidden well with a trench coat hood. Unfortunately, he was the tallest of a group nearby, almost being 1/3 times taller than the group.

"No, I didn't... I just... sorry, I can't really stop when that happens... but honestly," She looked back up at Vlasek, "He...  w-we don't have a very good relationship..."

"Relationsh-wait, you know him?" Asonja asked, confused. The hooded figure looked at them, seeming to be contemplating though his face was hidden.

"Well... kind of..." She took a deep breath. "It was about... One year... three months... s-six days... mid...midnight..."

"Y-you dont have to tell me if it's that personal! You can tell me...at a different time when you feel comfortable." He said, putting his hands in front of his chest.

"... I just wish none of this happened," She muttered out softly. "It was all because of that Witch King..."

"Witch King...?" He asked quietly. The hooded figure too got interested and began to eavesdrop.

"Around... thirty years ago I think, I don't know.  There wwere different kingdoms everywhere and one of them was a human kingdom.  Mevrik was king and he wanted to kill all the non-humans.  He won at first but then the Queen of Mercia came back and drove him out... but then he came back again with his slender monster and... the queen is dead now..."

"I see...and that's how he got the name Witch King because of his genocidal acts?" Asonja asked for clarification. The hooded figure seemed intrigued by the subject and kept listening. The figure didnt seem to realize that they're near the Cafe

"Well... yes that and his arcane magik," She added. While neither Sissy nor Asonja could see the figure, or sense the figure, a specific person could smell him... taste him almost. The zombified owl gave a loud shriek while charging at the supposed stalker.

The figure heard and looked up at Vlasek, noticing it was charging. They dodged, and ran off as fast as they could. (Fixed it .3.)

With the speed at which Vlasek was flying, he took it upon himself to reach out and grab at the figure. As Vlasek was in plain sight at the very least, both Sissy and Asonja could see the charge.

"H-huh?! What's going on with Vlasek?" Asonja said. The figure tried dodging again, and their necklace flew out. It was the same exact cross necklace Asonja has.

"Chasing... something?" Sissy peered a bit at the event. "... He must have... seen something?" She looked to Asonja.

"INTRUDER!" The zombie owl yelled to the public, raising up into the air as his left arm began to grow and mutate with a glue-looking substance forming around it into massive talon-like claws.

The figure gasped and ran away again, shoving past a few people to get away from Vlasek. Asonja picked up the necklace, eyeing it with a drooped head, so his expression was unreadable.

"HIDING?!" Vlasek hissed. "HIDING!?" The zombified owl slammed into the ground, his entire body liquifying into the ground as he continued his hunt.

The figure hid in an abandoned building, sighing in relief as they were away from everyone else, and didnt see Vlasek. "Finally, I'm alone again...but I lost my necklace! Argh, damnit! My mother gave me that..." They kept their hood up

A firm arm, growing to the size of a person, shot up from the ground, taking hold of the figure as Vlasek slowly rose up silently, glaring.

The hooded figure jumped a bit, looking at Vlasek. "P-please...dont kill me!" They pleaded. "I-I don't want any trouble!"

"Secret entrances permitted never!" Vlasek scolded. "Gate visible through eyes yes?!  See out to side outside?!  Eyes usable yes?!"

Though Vlasek couldn't see their eyes, they're most likely rolling them. "Yes, they are. I got here via Warp Ring on accident and I'm trying to get back."

"Visible to me warp ring use," The owl hissed. "Purpose here accidental then?" He scoffed in disbelief.

"Well, maybe accidental. But I'm on the search for a black hedgehog." He held out a piece of paper with Asonja's face on it. "I need to speak to him."

Vlasek looked over the paper, then to the figure again, breath becoming louder and quick before gradually slowing. "... REASON..."

"...It's...private. I can't say." He hesitated while speaking, looking away for a second.

The creature's eyes widened as his anger rose. "PRIVATE..." He closed his eyes. "... FINE... STAY..." He went back into the floor, reappearing atop the roof before zooming off to Asonja.

Asonja noticed Vlasek and stepped back a bit so he could have room to land. He hid the necklace too, but Vlasek already saw it. "Hey, what happened?"

"Audience with you required invader has statements most 'private' and now go you no go to no go," He pointed to the building.

He looked at the building and then back. "Someone wants to talk to me? Who?"

"I go haven't there a and single find idea out!"

"Alright, I'll go check." He put the other necklace in his pocket and looked at Sissy. "Stay here. Maybe you can Vlasek can get back together maybe? I dunno but I have to go." He ran off toward the abandoned building where the figure was hiding.

"Get w- Hold on!" Sissy ran after Asonja as Vlasek followed.

He went into the building and faced the hooded figure. "You wanted to see me?"

The figure nodded. "Of course. I just need to speak to you about...your parents."

Asonja stumbled back a bit. "W-what do you know about my parents?! How do you even know them?!"

"I know them because...the same thing happened to me..." The figure pulled off their hood, revealing a shocking resemblance to the hedgehog, but he was entirely human. He had black spiky hair, with two straight up points that looked almost like horns. "Except in a different universe and I thought I'd blow out some steam here."

Asonja stepped back a bit, and then looked back at the necklace he had in his pocket. "S-so...you're me from a separate universe?"

??: "Yes, except both events occurred at the same time, but our choices have been split. You know, the Multiverse theory. I turned myself into a different being to hid my true identity, and I went to a dragon instead of a wolf as my soul partner."

Asonja: "Then...what about...that one time on Mount-"

??: "Yes, that happened too. Same choice you made, same mistake..."

Sissy stayed silent from a distance while Vlasek stood a bit closer, still cautious about this new Asonja.

The figure looked at Vlasek, not smiling but calm. "Hey, there's no reason to be cautious. I really dont mean any trouble."

Asonja: "So...do you train at all?"

??: "Pfft, HELL no. I already have Mistress Koremi to deal with..."

Asonja: "Koremi? Who's that?"

??: "Well, to sum it up, she's a strict creature and took all of my powers from me."

Asonja: "All of your powers?"

??: "Yes. I'm a god in my universe."

Asonja: "A GOD?! REALLY?! WHAT KIND!?"

??: "I was a dragon god, probably the most powerful around. After she took them away, I don't feel much of anything anymore, like my soul was ripped out...well...that already happened before when I climbed that mountain but, anyway, you know what I mean, right?"

Asonja: "Yeah...that mountain was a terrible place..."

??: "Indeed..."

The other Asonja looked at Sissy, and then Vlasek, silent for a moment. "Anyway, I should find my way back. Does anyone else have a portal I can head home to?"

"... Portal made yours warp ring, location that one?" Vlasek asked.

??: "I think I left it in the Hotel. But I think it's already dissipated by now."

"An unstable warp ring?" Sissy assumed. "... I..." She sighed, gradually pulling out her own warp ring.

??: "Oh thank god you have a spare! You just spared my life right now I cant thank you enough!" He was on his knees, as if praying. "Oh thankyou thank you thankyou!"

"You're... welcome..." Sissy replied, a bit dazed by the whol event.

He got back up. "B-but...as I'm thinking about it...I might have an idea to settle this. The hedgehog version of me will switch universes with me, and see how we each feel about the current events."

Asonja: "W-what?! Why should I be in a different universe?!"

??: "Dont worry you'll be fine! I promise you! You have your own step-sister family!"

Asonja: "A...A family...? I havent felt being in a family for years..."

??: "Then go ahead and go into my universe. It's easy to think up."

Vlasek stepped between them, turning to Asonja sternly. "Belief instantaneous with such stranger?  Knows you he real in tribute to cause?" He looked back to the other-asonja. "And this offer not false and deciet?  Suspicion is instantaneous, instantaneous suspicion and kettles!"

??: "Hey relax! Everything I'm saying is true. I swear."

Asonja just crossed his arms a little, seeming to think about what Vlasek said.

The zombified owl turned about, a breathy chuckle escaping him. "Oh and swearing truth truth makes yes, oh so true that deception dies when statements 'Relax truth mine I swear, I swear' I SWEAR!" He jerked his face sternly back at ??. "Swear never, swear not, show reason swear happens convincing not words."

"Hmm...So I must prove that I'm not lying...? That's simple enough. Open the Warp Ring so I may show you my world."

Vlasek folded his arms silently... well as silently as a constant mumbler can. Sissy was aside herself, trying to process what all was happening.

"Hmm...on second thought..." He rolled up his sleeve, showing a skull and crossbones tattoo. "Asonja, roll up your right sleeve to view your tattoo."

He nodded and did so. They compared tattoos by standing side by side. Miraculously, the tattoos were exactly the same, at the same height on the arm, and the same size to each other.

??: "See? Believe me now?"

"No," Vlasek replied instantaneously. "If scheme this and shceme this and-" He shook his head to stop the repetition and try again. "If false this then great lengths convince tricker-"

"Alright, I-" Sissy stepped forward in interruption. "I just want this to be over... I can... I can do mind things... so... if I look at both your brains and it's the same will everyone be okay?"

Vlasek looked away, though he did nod.

Asonja and the other nodded in approval as well. Asonja said, solemnly, "Sorry about the confusion. I'm a bit confused myself and I would love some verification."

"It's... okay..." Sissy looked between the two. "Are you, are you ready?"

They both nodded, the taller figure putting his fists together. Seems they're already different as is.

Sissy extended one arm toward ?? and the other toward Asonja as a pink aura extended from her to them.

They seemed a bit confused for a moment, not seeming to feel anything for a moment.

Sissy began searching through their minds.

??'s mind had a different backstory. He was scene strapped down to a surgeon table, many needles going into him. "Get me out of here, please!" He shouted, his voice echoing a bit. He looked no older than 12. The needles led to a black liquid container. No response from anyone until there was a snapping noise and the black liquid made its way inside the boy's veins. He screamed in pain, slowly forming into a dragon humanoid, bones snapping and cracking in the process.

It switched to a later time where he killed his parents on accident when his dragon form got out of control, as well as committing genocide in his hometown. He was seen switching back and sobbing, blood all over his clothing. He looked about 14 years old.

After scrolling through memories after that, Sissy saw a memory of him completely black, and his eyes entirely white. His wings were out, having a span of 6 feet each. "Do not mess with the Dragon God...or you will be severely punished..." The voice echoed before the memories of ?? ended.

"... They don't match..." Sissy muttered out.

??: "B-but we're the same person but from different universes! Check Asonja's brain and you'll see what I mean!"

"... Okay..." She looked a second time into Asonja.

Just when she looked, Asonja's was almost exactly the same, but instead his parents were taken and killed by Eggman.

Sissy searched further, looking into the shape and biology of their brains themselves.

Same shape, same depression states, and nearly the same memories but different choices were made with similar scenarios. Turns out that ?? has once went to the bad side as of Asonja.

Sissy retracted from their minds.

Asonja: "Well? What did ya find?"

??: "I'm actually curious...though lets not get her too stressed."

"They don't seem different... different lives but the same origins..." She explained.

They looked at each other, smirking a bit.

??: "That's that. I'm the other Asonja from an Alternate Universe"

Asonja nodded, but remained silent.

"... So..." Sissy looked to Asonja for his stance on the matter.

Asonja sighed. "Alright, it's true then."

"...Step family..." Vlasek muttered.

?? and Asonja: "S-step family?!" They looked at each other for a moment

??: "So Asonja the Hedgehog is basically my step-brother?"

Vlasek looked to ??. "Abandon family switch?"

?? shrugged. "Maybe. Anyway, call me Jason. I am an Abnormal."

"NO," Vlasek tensed again. "Switch leave family yours why?"

"Why did I leave my family? Well I left them because I was accidentally thrown into this place. I didnt do it on purpose." Jason replied.

"But offers made switch them him with him them you!"

He stood there completely confused as he tried assembling the words together. Then he took a guess. "Oh, so you're asking me why I'm going to switch Asonja into my world instead of me going in there?"

Vlasek nodded.

"Oh. Well I wanted to test out his independence. And plus, I already know that he misses being with family for so long, I thought that maybe he would experience love for the first time in many years."

"...And you still with them go not leave?"

"Am I still in the family? Of course. I could bring Asonja with me to MY family if that's okay with him. I have my step-sisters only. My parents are dead because...I killed them."

Vlasek looked to Asonja for his answer.

He nodded. "Y-yes. I'll go with him." Jason nodded and looked at the Warp Ring that has opened. "Alright, lets go ahead in. You'll LOVE Lacey if you like cats. Do you?" Asonja nodded, and Jason smirked. "Then you'll love her. Cmon lets go." Jason jumped into the portal and Asonja followed.

And... now it's just done... okay then...

(Nah dont worry. That's what timeskips are for! :D)

(To... when?)

(How about a few weeks later?)

(I... guess...)

(What's up? You just sound a bit annoyed. Sorry if I'm being nosy)

(The roleplay just got a bit derailed with otherworld Asonja is all but it works I suppose.  I'm just doing a lot of things at once.)

(Me too. How about we take a break and come back at about 7:00 PM my time? That's about 2 hours for me)

(Alright.)

The Warp Ring opens again near the Inn and Jason steps out. Asonja decided to stay a bit longer for a while, and Jason closes the portal. "Alright, now to make myself comfortable until tomorrow." He muttered, as he sat down on a chair. The chair was a bit too small for him but he coped with it.

(So is this after the time skip or are we not time skipping?)

(Yes this is the time skip)

Neither Sissy nor Vlasek could be seen about the area. It was morning, but quite silent.

"Huh...where'd they go...?" He muttered. He shrank a bit to the average size of the area, so that he could fit in the chair nicely.

A psst could be heard a few seconds later from a building to the side.

"Hm?" He looked at the source of the noise. He got up and went closer to it. "Who's there?"

It was the inn-keeper popping his out of from a storage building connected to the inn. "You'd best be inside."

"W-why? What's going on?" He asked nervously.

"He's gone," The man informed quickly. "They sighted... HER... IT... and he left to hunt it down..."

"Who's gone to hunt? And who is the being hunted down?"

"Vlasek... he went to hunt the leech... "

"Damn it...I knew he'd be gone this quickly. I'm going to go help him!" He turned around, going toward the gate.

The inn-keeper yelled over about him being crazy but did not chase after. The guards stood in front of the gates.

"Please, let me through! Vlasek cant beat that leech by himself!" He sounded self-indulgent but he was actually being sympathetic.

"Sir, the zombie creature isn't part of our juristiction," A guard informed. "We couldn't stop him if we wanted to, but it is not our intention to let every person with hot blood jump into their deaths."

"I'm stronger than you think. He needs all the help he can get." He put his fists together. (Gtg)

"Sir, please-"

"Wait a moment," A suited man walked over to Jason. "... You were here some time ago... you weren't cleared back in here."

"I know. A warp ring brought me here on accident weeks ago and when I heard about Vlasek beating up the leech, I decided to come back and help." He stated.

"... We can't harbor you without clearance," The man thought over before directing a finger at Asonja. "If you're going to get yourself killed then we can't avoid that, but do not bring it back here."

"That's close enough to me. I'll get myself clearance after I get back. Does that sound good?"

The answer came in the gates opening, slightly but large enough to walk through.

He nodded a silent thanks and walked on through. Then, when no one was looking, he formed into a black wolf. He sniffed the place to track Vlasek's scent. Once he got it, he gagged a bit. "Jesus...I know that smell anywhere..." He muttered, before sprinting off into Vlasek's location.

The scent was... everywhere. The entire forest was filled with it, but a more recent trail was potently going toward a trail of small rocks spaced some yards between themselves through the forest to the right of the village.

He followed the most recent one, gagging a little at the smell. "Well...least I know Vlasek doesnt shower in who knows HOW long..."

It was a thick smell of glue, or tar perhaps, two things Vlasek did not appear to have on his person... except for that one moment of hostility and mutation. It took some minutes, but deep in the forest, just in front of a partially-open circle of thick trees, was a small white cottage or cabin. It was a single story with multiple windows surrounding the doorway but none on the door itself. A flower bed with many different types of plant-life surrounded the flooring. Various colors of stones made the pathway. No gate could be seen nor fence.

Asonja decided to stop talking so he would look like an ordinary wolf. Unfortunately the fur color was odd anyway since he had black fur and dark purple eyes. He opened the door quietly with his head, sniffing the area.

The smell of metal and... milk? It seemed to mix, but they were both together, like a thick scent: calcium and some kind of metal. It filled the room even more than the fleeting of Vlasek's scent.

The house was quite clean. A large kitchen was to the far left, and to the immediate right was a living room. Four different couches with different styles of pillows laid about. Some flowers were inside and surrounding the walls were small bookshelves, most quite stocked. The hall had a large rug atop the petrified-wood walkway that contrasted with the carpet in the living room. A bowl of salad could be seen on the kitchen counter.

He went to the salad and sniffed it after taking a quick look around. He tilted his head in confusion, but didnt eat it.

It was recent, at least by a few hours. No one seemed to be in the house but there were three other rooms down the hall.

He went to investigate the rooms first. He pushed one of the doors open with his head quietly and slowly, sniffing around again.

The first was a restroom but the second was a bedroom. It was green, pink, and blue. A book was on the bed, and a closet could be seen to the right, inside a change of clothes. They looked quite the same as the outfit Sissy was wearing.

He sniffed the clothing, out of curiousity

It didn't have any particular smell aside from the dyes used to color the fabrics.

He walked back to the kitchen, eyeing the salad again. He noticed a Cucumber and picked it out carefully, taking a small bite out of it.

As no one was in the house, the salad seemed to be left behind, and Vlasek's trail seemed to go here, it left a question of where the psychic feline was at currently.

After taking a quick snack break, he continued to look around for more clues. "So...Vlasek was here, Sissy was here...where could they have gone?!" He growled. He took his head outside and tried sniffing the air again to find a clear path.

The scent went to the air... to the high trees.

He formed into a small black dragon and flew to the top of the trees, following the scent.

The trail went above the trees and toward the direction of the lake.

He flew as quickly as he could to the lake, looking down at it from the top of a tree. "I should be getting close..." He muttered.

While he was now at the lake, the trail was now... thinner. Vlasek's scent was still on the lake, but that was where he normally stayed. The strange part was a new scent... to the left of the lake... below in the forest...

It smelled like Vlasek but... like it was water... cement almost.

"Hmm...am I following the wrong path...?" He muttered, before slowly making his way down the tree, landing beside the river. He did a resniff, just in case.

While birds were singing (No that wasn't a reference to what I know you're thinking of X{D) previously, silence, complete silence in the forest. The wind was swaying the trees silently. The scent became a smell as he walked further into the forest, and then it became a stench.

Finally, the tip of some kind of building was seen just poking out from the ground at the front of some clearing. It was some old and abandoned series of houses... a ghost neighborhood.

"Hmm...this is odd. Why would they come here?" He asked himself, before looking at the tip for a moment and looking back up. (Just for making that reference, kids like you...........should get a cookie! :3 Also I might have to go because I feel like I'm about to throw up ;-;)

There was in fact a sky above him. (I see...)

(It's fine, Im good .3.) He looked up and even flew up. His black scales shined a bit, showing a bit of gloss in them as he stabilized.

(That is good) (Question, reason for flying into air?)

(So he could look at the sky so that he could see the entire area of the ghost town)

(Makes sense) It wasn't that large in all honesty. Some houses, a school house in the far distance, and the strongest source of the stench, a hospital.

His eyes narrowed at the hospital and flew there. He landed near the front door and shrank a bit so he could be at the maximum height. He stepped in quietly and carefully, sniffing the air with a disgusted face.

As he got further in, small lights could be seen floating up from the ground like little flecks of ash. More came as he got further down the hall. They almost twinkled and with each twinkle, a very faint distinct voice for each.

He stopped a few times to listen to the voices. But since he couldn't hear them as well, he continued going but slower than last time. He started to make quieter foot(claw?)-steps to try to get as much voices as he possibly can.

As he passed through, the flecks began to move on to him from the floor... THROUGH him... and with them, the remnents of the past. Flashes of different memories from various people, most in terror, kept repeating. Most went too quickly to notice what they were but a pattern made it easier. Many were from people in various populated cities, some at night at the forest, some in the middle of battles with other supernaturals, and some...

some of them were from epople who had gotten curious about a hospital in the middle of the forest.

He stopped again, starting to get worried. He then shook his head, growling quietly to himself. ''Calm down! I'm a shape-shifter, not a coward. I WAS one but no anymore! I WILL find Vlasek and Sissy...'' he thought and continued tracking the smell.

He arrived at the lobby just outside of an operation room. Many more flecks were found. Something was on the operating table inside the room ahead, but laying atop the couch was some kind of cluster of the flecks... no... no it was some kind of rock or fragment, glowing blue like the flecks.

He went up to it, turning back into his human form, except his arms and legs still had scales, he still had horns and the tail. He slowly reached for the fragment, his dragon claws replacing his fingernails.

Suddenly he found himself literally taken to the memories... he was in some other location. It was blurr- no... now it was clearing. He was back at the lake but, Vlasek's tree was not there at the center. The sun was setting. There was a picnic spread out to the left of him.

He looked around again for a moment, seeming to conceal his claws. He slowly went up to the picnic, still cautious. What the hell is going on...? He thought