[center][i][OOC: Prepare for a lot of dialogue. Your Charries will have much more to go off of now. Notice I mention what exactly you remember, it's slightly different from what I know some of you were envisioning. My apologies.][/i]

[b]***[/b][/center]
The cat stirred, coughing. [b]"...Is everyone okay? Did we all make it?"[/b]

She opened her eyes, the blue a stark contrast to the burns surrounding her face. Her gaze flickered, meeting the stressed expressions of the souls. They all looked confused, like they didn't even know which question to start with. 

She raised her head higher. [b]"Hey, we're missing one. The one exotically dressed."[/b]

Most souls were conscious, only a couple still slumbered. They would have to be carried. And there was the fact of a soul runaway, she'd have to fill an extra vial of water from the oasis for the exotic soul. They'd likely catch her just outside the village, from what the cat could sense. 

She shakily rose to her paws. [b]"Ugh, can't wait 'till we reach the oasis. One drink of that and the hand of The Lady heals all your wounds, physical, or spiritual. These places are sight to behold too, unlike anything you could *cough* ever imagine." [/b]She shook with coughing fits, tucking her head in her shoulder. When they subsided, she rolled her eyes and continued. 

[b]"My name is Azula, I'm the one who brought you here. It's normally a much smoother ride than this, but I hit the dimensional rip wrong, got myself scorched in the process. I still got you all here safely, though. That's what matters. 

"I know you all have a lot of questions. And let me start by telling you where you are: Atlas. The world between realms -- invisibly sandwiched with the Underworld and Heaven. Atlas operates on its own, with it's own deity and such things, but offers to take in broken souls that don't have a home. This paradise of paradises is not as innocent as it looks, unfortunately. Along with fairies, elves and forest spirits, we also hold home to a host of villainous monsters, lurking in the darkness. I will show you how to be safe if we are to save you.

"You're confused you don't remember anything about your life, I know. You remember the information you learned, but personal life events just... Aren't there. Like knowing what a box is, but oblivious to the fact the box may be yours." [/b]A gloom coloured Azula's words.

[b]"Meet my eyes, all of you. I'm going to tell you something that will quell all the doubts and worries you may be having right now. This story is universal for all of you. You were all once mortals on earth. You lived, you loved. You accomplished great things, terrible things, made mistakes, and suffered a great deal. 

"You died and suffered in hell a short time before I reached out to you. Had to verify paperwork and whatnot, office technicalities, really. You see, in the Underworld you felt true remorse and your soul started shredding to pieces. That's recompense enough, so we offer this kind of 'second chance' deal. The shredding of your soul will eventually erase your existence, but the only cure for this classified disease is from the touch of a divine. She's here, and I can help you find her. The trade-off was forsaking your old life, including the memories. I told you all of this then, and you agreed to come with me to Atlas. You knew you wouldn't remember anything, but you still trusted me.

"It's a lot to take in, I know. I'll let you chew that over for a bit. But you'll find my words ring true. 

" ...Now you can all stop drooling, it's totally natural I can talk. I'm not just your average cat back home, ya know. I'm a servant to the Divine, after all. The Great Lady herself." [/b]She winked. 

[b]"Ah, but I don't want to confuse you [i]completely[/i] yet." [/b]She coughed again, pawing at Wrensthav's foot. [b]"Would you be so kind as to carry me to the oasis? These burns make it hard to move. It's to the left of us, following the twisted path into the forest."

"Everyone, let's stick together. Carry those who haven't woken yet -- you're stronger as a soul than a mortal, fun fact. We'll beeline for the oasis, then we have to chase down the one who ran away. Our next stop after is the Town of Bela, a quiet place not far from here. Perfect to get you some new clothes and explore. Emphasis on the [i]clothes[/i] part -- you'll stick out like a sore thumb wearing what you have now. Is everyone with me?" [/b]

[center][b]***[/b][/center]
The group had been walking down the grass path for almost five minutes. Azula craned her head up, breathing in the water-heavy air. The trees and plants surrounding them looked more pristine and perfect than anything earth had to offer; not a leaf was out of place, the grass had no weeds. There were new types of vegetation that couldn't be given a name from how other-worldly and fascinating they appeared. From the sound of it, they were only another five minutes away from water.

She addressed the souls. [b]"Since I don't want to resort calling you guys Soul 1 and Soul 2, we should trying picking names. Has anyone thought of anything?" [/b]