005 | Action/Voice

[funnygirl]

[On Saturday night Belle had been mallynapped on her walk home from the library. One moment everything had been completely normal, she'd been walking along the outskirts of the village with a book her hand. She hadn't noticed the figure following her until it was too late.

After that everything became fuzzy and nonsensical. She woke up once and couldn't move any of her limbs. Blurry, people shaped figures moved in and out of her line of sight, murmuring in soft voices she didn't understand. She didn't know how long it lasted, that state of zoning in and out of consciousness, for the next thing she gains sense she's lying on the ground.

She lays there for a long time, trying to remember what happened to her and how she came to be so far from the village. Had she wandered off path and fallen? Had the memories of cold hands touching her and low voices talking been a think of dreams? Her mind playing a cruel trick on her?

But no, she's heard about these occurrences happening around the village. Of people being kidnapped and disappearing for days-sometimes weeks. Her heart thumps loudly in her chest. How long has she been gone?

Very slowly, she pushes herself into a sitting position and smooths the creases out of her New Feather dress. Looking around, she finally spots her journal laying a few feet away and grabs it up. She has a message to send.]

Private to Beast

I'm afraid my absence must have frightened you a great deal. For that I apologize, it wasn't my doing. I believe the Malnosso have held me for...I don't even know how long. But the important thing is I am here still. And I will be home soon.

/End

[Done with that, Belle closes the journal without looking at any of the other entries. Once she's home and can relax she will take the time to catch up on what she has missed.

You may find her wandering through the forest, going in the direction of the village. Or perhaps you may spot her walking through the village, heading towards home. Anyone likely to remember her from the library might notice that she has not been there for the past few days and is only making a reappearance in the village now.]

((ooc: So Belle has been mallynapped for the past few days. Upon returning she has lost the ability to read. Any words she sees will turn to blurry spots that she can't make out.))

Comments

[funnygirl]

[She giggles at its antics and pats its head.]

I suppose you weren't expecting to find anyone this deep in the forest. Although it isn't exactly by choice that I'm here.

[For some reason it seems easier to talk to the traveler. Maybe because there's a chance that it won't understand, or because it doesn't speak in words. That way her secrets cannot be told to anyone else.]

I...I believe I was taken by the Malnosso.

[chirpchirp]

[it doesn't fully understand, but it recognizes the sound of "Malnosso." it's the name of the people who brought everyone here, the ones who trapped the traveler and keep it from its mountain. Loki and Spock explained this... yes. it knows they aren't good people.

the creature falls silent and seems to shrink back, knowing that any time their name is mentioned it is never good.]

[funnygirl]

[Belle watches it with concern as it shrinks back.]

Oh no, they're not here now. It's okay.

[chirpchirp]

[it looks around and they seem to be the only ones in the area. yes, they are alone, so why mention the bad people?

the traveler straightens and looks up at Belle, confused. what happened? why does she talk about the ones that hurt people?]

♩♪？

[funnygirl]

[She watches it for a long moment, looking for any other signs of fear. Maybe she had been wrong in thinking it didn't understand.]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you.

[chirpchirp]

[oh no, she looks sad. the Malnosso must have hurt her. :(

the traveler steps forward and nuzzles her hand again. don't be sad, pretty Elder. the traveler will take care of you]

♩ー~

[funnygirl]

[She smiles again, with only a tinge of sadness. She strokes its cheek.]

Perhaps we should get back to the village, hm?

[chirpchirp]

♪ー

[it lets out a quiet peal of music and turns, running in the direction of the village. it stops every few feet to turn back and look at her, waiting for her to follow.]

[funnygirl]

[She lets out a startled laugh as it begins running ahead of her and she hurries to keep up.]

You are very quick, aren't you?

[chirpchirp]

♬♬～

[it stops every few yards, looking back to make sure she's following and then trudges onward toward the village. it doesn't take long and soon they're on the edge of the plaza. the traveler turns to look at Belle, triumphant.

this is what she wanted, yes?]

♫♪!

[funnygirl]

[She smiles when she sees the form of the Plaza come into view and picks up her pace. It's a relief to be back in the village again.]

Thank you for leading me back. You are a very good guide.

[chirpchirp]

[it twirls its cloak, happy to see her smile and runs in the shape of a heart for her. there is no longer snow so it can't draw in it for her, but it hopes she can understand the shape. it used to guide people all the time before! back home, but not here. here it has not earned the white cloth yet, but maybe one day!]

♬～

[funnygirl]

[She follows the pattern it makes curiously, delighted to see that it makes one she's familiar with. She giggles.]

Oh, how sweet.

[Bending down she tries to place a kiss on its cheek.]

[chirpchirp]

[it will stop when she gets close and when she kisses its cheek, the gold hem on the traveler's cloak lights up briefly along with a white rune that appears on its front]

[funnygirl]

Oh my...

[Her eyes widen in surprise when its cloak lights up.]

I'm sorry...Is that supposed to happen?

[chirpchirp]

[when she breaks contact, the cloak stops glowing and the traveler backs up. it's received a little bit of power, so it throws its head back, leaping into the air to let out a large chime of sound and energy. the energy flows over the ground like a bubble, tossing a rune up over its head, and the traveler twirls mid-jump before dropping to the ground again.]

♬！

[funnygirl]

[Belle watches it in confusion, not sure what to do. But since the traveler didn't appear to be in any pain or panicking, she just let's it run its course.]

[chirpchirp]

♫♫

[it looks at Belle and then spins around and starts running further into the village. this is where she wants to go, yes? is this the right way?]

[funnygirl]

Oh! Wait for me!

[She races off after the traveler and...trips on a rock in her path. Throwing her arms out for balance, she just manages to keep from falling completely over.]