31 Observing the Unknown (1/2)

Chapter 31:Observing the Unknown

Downstairs, at the bar in Knothole; Nye and Jackyn had watched Zyron follow Solitaire upstairs, as well as seeing Miles reaction to it. ”Seems that Solitaire and Zyron have returned.” Nye mentioned.

”Yeah.” Jack took a swig of his whiskey, as his piercing eyes observed the tabby coated Leashed from across the room. ”That feline friend of yours though...”

”Aye. Ashewyn also mentioned Miles has been stepping out of line as well. I'll have to speak with him about that later, before he does something daft.” Nye replied, glancing to Jackyn.

”Perhaps you should also have a word with this Dream Weaver as well; considering he's not leaving anytime soon.” Runfaust interrupted, as he placed a drink down for Nye. However, his eyes were focusing on Jackyn.

”Run that by me again?” Jackyn growled, as he sneered to the towering fiend behind the bar.

”I was only saying, that a 'certain someone' should start pulling his weight around here. Everyone else is pitching in, while all you do solely help yourself or Nyghtmare. No offense, milady.” Runfaust explained, taking away Jackyn's glass. ”Don't get me started on that Adam fellow either.”

Jackyn was clearly pissed off, but before he could retort, Nye stepped in. ”I understand where you're coming from, Runfaust. Just let me handle things, alright?”

”Very well. Do keep him in line, would you.” Runfaust said, as he returned to his work.

Nye glanced back to Jackyn, as he hit the bar with his fist. ”I swear! That guy-”

Nye placed her hand to his face, having Jackyn look her way, which forced his Scowl to shift hesitantly. ”Jackyn, relax. Everything will be fine. I know how you feel, he's been this way with you since your friend passed away. Don't let it get to you, alright?” Nye tried to comfort him.

Jackyn exhaled, as his he averted his gaze. ”Yeah. He's right though... I haven't been much help around Knothole.”

Nye softly chuckled, ”Then why don't you do a supply run, or something? I actually have someone in mind who would work well as your partner.”

”Partner?” Jackyn seemed unsure about this.

”Everyone has someone they team up with, to go on supply runs, silly.” Nye explained, somewhat amused. ”I already go with Solitaire on runs, so I have someone else in mind for you.”

”... I'm not going to like this, am I?” Jackyn groaned slightly.

”You'll be just fine. Come on, let me introduce you.” Nye took Jack's hand, leading him over to where Adam was sitting.

Adam was fidgeting with his oversized claw, before he timidly glanced up to see Nye approach him. His scarf-like mouth lifted, as it spoke to her. ”Something I can do for you, miss Nye?”

”In fact you can. Adam, this is Jackyn. He's the one I mentioned to you before. I was hoping the two of you could work together on supply runs. I know the others haven't warmed up to you yet, but Jack can relate to that. So, I think the two of you might be well suited as a team. He doesn't scare easy, and you both have been through some hard times.” Nye explained.

Adam glanced to Jack, who didn't seem too thrilled at the time. He then glanced back to Nyghtmare, as he bowed his head to her. ”If that is what you want. I'll abide.”

Jackyn somewhat huffed in annoyance, as he walked over towards the stairs of the entrance. Nye glanced to Adam, ”He's a bit rough around the edges, but he's a good guy. Don't worry.”

”I trust your word.” Adam replied, humbly, before getting up to follow after Jackyn.

Nye followed after, taking Jackyn's hand, as she got his attention. ”I know it takes a while for you to warm up to others. I don't think you have anything to be concerned about though. Just be careful out there, alright?”

Jackyn grimaced, as he looked to her. He was definitely not thrilled about this, but he knew he didn't have much option with how Runfaust was acting. Instead of answering, he pulled Nye into a kiss, before leaning his head against hers. She could tell he didn't want to leave. ”I'll be back. Let me know if that cat tries anything again. I'll kick his ass.” Jackyn finally spoke.

Nye smiled, somewhat amused. ”I will. Do try to have some fun.”

”Yeah-Yeah.” Jack groaned softly, as he rolled his eyes at the idea.

Adam waited patiently, before Jackyn decided to proceed for the front exit. He then followed after the Angel of Death up the stairs. Nye stood there, as they were heading out, but Miles had been watching with disgust. He turned around sharply, as his eyes locked onto the staircase that lead up to the second floor.

”Whatever. I don't care. I'm sick of waiting for that dog to leave. It's my turn!!!” Miles growled, before heading for the second floor.

This caught attention of Ashewyn, and the others downstairs. Even Nikolai was peering over from helping sweep up with Molliana. However, before Miles could take more than a few steps, Nye came up behind him.

”Miles. Can I have a word with you?” Nye crossed her arms.

Miles quickly glanced back to see her. ”Uh? Yeah... What is it Nye?” He seemed uncomfortable, as if he was guilty of something.

Nye lead him behind the stairwell, to the area near the back exit. She turned and looked to the feline. ”It's been brought to my attention that you've been acting out of line.”

Miles seemed triggered, flaring his teeth. ”Let me guess, Red told you that I got all up inside Solitaire, that it? Or wait, I bet it was that raven haired boyfriend of yours, ratting me out, like some little tattle-tail!?”

”Miles. You do understand those actions aren't appropriate, don't you? Solitaire had her reasons, I'm sure, but it's blatantly obvious she didn't want that from you. Then harassing Jack for disliking him? That's not right. You can't do that!” Nye scolded Miles.

Miles' ears shot back, as he leered to Nye. ”Oh, then I suppose I can't ask, 'What's the point of Amygdala having tits', either right?! It just doesn't make sense since you don't reproduce the same, or even have sex!”

Nye quickly grabbed Miles by his shirt, slamming him against the wall, roughly. This action literally scared the crap out of him. Her eyes sharply stared down at the short feline, baring her fangs. ”All creatures mutate from another, and not everything that remains has a purpose. I'll be needing to have a discussion with the others, to figure out what to do with you. You should be more aware what repercussions your actions bring forth.” Nye growled, shoving him back, before walking away from him.

Miles stared in terror, as Nye proceeded towards the bar area. He knew he screwed up, but there was nothing he could do now to change that. He was more afraid than before, what would Nye do with him now?

Meanwhile, Jackyn and Adam were walking through the Marshlands, heading towards the Oakwood region. It still seemed to be nightfall, but the trip appeared rather silent as the two progressed onward. However, after some time, Adam finally decided to break the awkward silence.

”Nye is a very kind person. You're very lucky to have someone like her.” Adam mentioned, in a very sincere tone.

Jackyn glanced over, somewhat surprised. He held back a chuckle, as he looked in the direction they were headed. ”...Yeah. Not many people are like her out there.”

”So, where might we be heading, Jackyn?” Adam inquired.

”Supply run, like Nye said. Was thinking this old abandoned farm house. It's been empty for some time, thanks to the Templar. Just thought there might be some stuff that's salvageable.” Jackyn explained, keeping his eyes on the road; as they came up not far off from Oakwood.

”I see. I'll do what I can to help.” Adam replied, glancing ahead as well.

They continued walking passed the city, towards the country side, where an old farm area was visible. It appeared to only be a few miles away, in the distance.

Back around Knothole, Solitaire and Zyron were laying in her bed. The pink haired maiden appeared to have fallen asleep, with her petite naked body hidden beneath the covers. Zyron was laying next to her, on his belly. He seemed to be admiring her slumbering state, with the blanket just covering his lower region, with the tuft of tail peeking out between the sheets. He seemed fairly scrawny, with barely any muscle mass.

He recalled a moment from earlier, where he broke the kiss to seriously look at Solitaire. ”Wait... I can't do this... As much as I want to... I don't want the templar to hurt you. It's illegal for free species to have relations with my kind... It's the death penalty if they find out...” Zyron seemed very conflicted, as he glanced off in worry.

Solitaire furrowed her brows, shifting herself in front of his gaze. ”Load of rubbish what they think, Ronnie. So what that we're not the same species, we're trying to stop the Templar anyway, aren't we? You like me, and I fancy you. Isn't that what's important?”

Zyron tried to smile in response, as he sat up like a dog. ”I just don't want to see you get hurt again. I really like you, and I wanna fucking make sure you're safe.”

Solitaire smirked, shifting to sit to her knees, as she played with his ears. ”Then protect me, you arse, and I'll do the same. I want to make this work.”

This made Zyron chuckle, as stroked gently her cheek. ”Shit, you and me both.” He said, shifting to kiss her again.

Between the kiss, Solitaire looked to him. ”Sorry about being so forward,but I might be a bit on the pull. Would you be up for it, Ronnie?”

Zyron immediately blushed in response of the idea. She really was forward to be asking him this. ”You're wanting to...? Umm...” He seemed rather flustered.

”Geeheehee. Come on, I'm not just having a giggle here. Yeah, I'm asking if you wanna shag.” Solitaire teased.

”I-I want to, but... Fuck... I just don't want you to get the wrong idea... I'm not like Miles.” Zyron seemed conflicted, but also embarrassed.

”I know you're not. So, don't worry.” Solitaire kissed his cheek.

He came back to reality, seeing Solitaire shift under the cover briefly. Her blue eyes slowly peered up to him, seeing that the canine was partially hovering over her. ”Blimey... Did I fall asleep?” She asked.

”Yep, pretty much.” Zyron smiled to her, with adoring eyes.

There was a sudden knock at the door, followed by Nye's voice. ”Solitaire, Zyron? Could you two join the rest of us down stairs? We need to discuss... a certain feline.”

Solitaire sat up, holding the blanket over her mostly flat chest. ”We'll be right there.” She called back.

Nye had left the door, as Solitaire looked to Zyron. He shifted his bare feet to the ground. ”We should get dressed. Nye sounded pretty serious. No bones about it.”

”Yeah. I wonder what he did this time.” Solitaire agreed, as the two both decided to get changed into some fresh clothes.

Elsewhere, Jackyn and Adam were nearing the abandoned farm. However, a deep red mist, or rather a miasma, began to swirl in around their heels. Eyes formed from the red fog, flickering, as if watching them from all angles. The closer they drew to the ranch, the denser the red colored miasma grew. Jackyn knew something was off, glancing around, only to notice Adam was no where to be seen.

”Miasma...” Jackyn muttered, before glancing around. ”Adam?” He called, but received no response. ”Dammit. Something's not right.” He muttered to himself, getting on the defensive.

The area reverberated suddenly, pulsating with an eerie tension from above, before the sky went black. The area around Jackyn had fallen to complete darkness, with red mist rolling at his heels. He immediately withdrew his knives, preparing for whatever was hiding in that eerie mist. Jackyn felt something crawling at his feet, but as he took a step back, it was already out of view. Monster-like faces began to form in the miasma, snarling at him like demons.

There was heavy tension, as the Angel of Death tried to get a look at whoever was behind this. Red miasma continued rolling around, as the echoing sound of clawed feet clicked, however it was near impossible to detect the source of the sound. A fiendish form suddenly loomedbehind him, as if watching Jack. The miasma was surrounding the figure that now hunched behind him, as if he was their prey. Then, a cackling was heard, echoing around him like a cavern of demons.

”EHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!!!” The creature cackled wildly.

Jack turned fast, about to throw a blade, when Sclera emerged from the darkness, to hastily wrap a black tentacle around Jackyn's neck tightly. There was no time to react, as his body was hoisted up into the air, with the tentacle wrapping tighter around his throat. Sclera glanced crookedly up at him, grinning ear to ear like a maniac, as remaining three tentacles waved around in the air.

”Where do you... think you're going?! Hehehe...” She crazily eyed the Dream Weaver, that was in her snare.