[center] [color=f7941d]Xaria[/color] and [color=39b54a]Eli[/color][/center] Letting out a string of rather colorful swear words, Xaria flinched away from the white thing as it fell from the ceiling and onto the floor. She'd instantly dropped her wetsuit and was pointing her knife at the creature. Eli had dropped his multi tool when the creature spoke, his eyes widened as he could have sworn that.. whatever it was vibrating on the floor said 'hoi.' He fumbled with the multitool, picking it gingerly off the ground. [color=39b54a]"Don't go near that thing!"[/color]Eli protested. [color=f7941d]"Don't be such a sissy!"[/color] Xaria retorted, approaching the creature and staring, her eyes squinting as she made a disgusted face. It was a mass of white goo with a face which was rapidly vibrating in her direction. She kept the blade poised in case the thing decided to attack. [b]“hhhhoi.”[/b] it repeated. Acting quickly now, Xaria reached into her ziploc bag and pulled out her flashlight. she prodded the creature in the side with her flashlight smoothly, and the creature's ooze-like flesh took hold of her flashlight, rapidly sucking the light into its body. Cursing loudly, Xaria jabbed the creature with her knife, yanking her flashlight from its grip only to hear it give a slightly strangled [b]"hoi..." [/b] its face was twisted into a pained frown and it seemed to be genuinely hurting. Xaria had never felt so awful in her life... as if she'd just kicked a puppy or something. And then, to make matters worse, the creature turned to ashes, scattering across the floor. Eli crept up behind Xaria, using his superior height to get a better look at the thing. He was both shocked and surprised when the thing started to try and eat Xaria's flashlight... and her quick reflexes jabbed it right in the gooey body. He stared at the creature in fascination as it dissolved into ashes. [color=39b54a]"Did... did you just kill it?"[/color] he asked warily. Xaria stared at the place where the creature had been moments before and then rapidly allowed her knife to clatter to the ground.[color=f7941d]"I.. I don't know."[/color] She admitted, feeling a twinge of guilt surging through her body. She hadn't meant to kill the thing.. she'd just been startled and reacted.. and then.. it was.. ashes. [color=f7941d]"I.. it turned to ashes."[/color] she commented. Then she closed her eyes as a strange sensation echoed across her body. Power, spreading from her toes to her fingertips like pins and needles. She'd never felt this before.. and it.. felt good. [color=39b54a]"What did you do that for?"[/color] Eli protested. [color=39b54a]"It had a face! It could have been harmless!"[/color] Xaria just ran her fingers through her hair quickly as Eli assaulted her with an accusatory glance. She recoiled from his gaze, shaking her head. [color=f7941d]"I didn't mean to!"[/color] She snapped sharply. "[color=f7941d]It grabbed my flashlight... and i just.. kind of panicked! I'm not perfect, alright?"[/color] she bent to pick up her equipment. [color=f7941d]"If i could take it back i would, but what's done is done."[/color] Eli just gave Xaria a disapproving stare, like a mother might give their child after they'd done something wrong. [color=39b54a]"Well.. whatever that was, i sure hope it didn't have friends.. because if it did, they might hunt you down."[/color] Xaria hadn't even thought of that. She adjusted her equipment, brushing the last of the dust off of her hands. She still felt guilty.. but at the same time.. the power she'd felt after its death... she didn't know what to think anymore. [color=f7941d]"I... lets get out of here."[/color] She stated, moving to lead them from the room. Surveying her warily, Eli followed slowly behind the younger woman. He didn't like her response at all.. but.. she was right.. they couldn't change anything now. [center][color=f7941d]♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥[/color][/center] [center][color=fff200]Amarante[/color] and Shadow[/center] Amarante had finally reached the city, Shadow on her heels, his tongue hanging out of his mouth as he panted excitedly. [color=fff200]"First things first... paying back that shopkeeper you stole bread from."[/color] Shadow just gave her a broad smile, letting out a happy bark. Shaking her head, Amarante smiled, ruffling a hand through his cold fur. [color=fff200]"come one then."[/color] She stated The two headed towards the shop, but Amarante stopped when she saw a somewhat familiar face in the streets. Eyeclopsei... one of the two candidates running for mayor of this underground city. Amarante had never been one for politics, especially considering her kind had their own hierarchy system and sort of ignored the rest of the underground. Still.. since she had left her kind, she had to make an effort and at least vote for someone. She might as well start by talking to each candidate.. right? If she didn't like either of them, she could always just forget to vote. Wandering over to Eyeclopsei, Amarante stared down at her fellow monster, her eyes focusing on Eyeclopsei's giant eye. [color=fff200]"Greetings."[/color] She gave the monster a friendly wave of her tail and ears to make sure the monster knew she wasn't going to attack. Shadow tilted its head, tongue lolling out of his mouth as he heard himself get introduced. He let out several strangled barking sounds as he wiggled his butt excitedly at the newcomer. The monster smelled familiar, like dusty books and chocolate chip cookies. Which he liked. He didn't move from Amarante's side however, instead waiting for a command as he used his back foot to scratch behind his ear. Ghost fleas were the worst kind of fleas.. Because nothing Shadow or Amarante could do would keep them from living on him. [color=fff200]"I wished to speak with you on the matter of your.. leadership of this place."[/color] Amarante stated calmly. [center][color=fff200]♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥[/color][/center] Shrubmarine wanted so badly to just abandon his post. No one had shown up in an hour, and he could really use a drink.. maybe a snack or two. Maybe no one would notice if he snuck off for just a little bit. Looking left and right to make sure no one was coming, Shrubmarine abandoned his tentacled submarine and headed into the nearest town for some refreshments. Just for a little bit. No one would ever notice he was gone.