[hider=Fellowship][center][color=gold][h1][b]Fellowship of the Rose: Beginnings[/b][/h1][/color]
[color=seagreen][h2]Part 1-The Peasants Reunion[/h2][/color] [/center]

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Hours had passed since losing consciousness. Everything from that point on were a whirl storm of a blur as he could feel his body being moved and dragged about. At one point finding himself in a small pitch black compartment that was strangely comfortable despite the unpleasant, cool metal digging against his body.

An unpleasant sensation, the sleeping Kazumin did not have to endure for long, thankfully as he was moved shortly after. In the midst of it, he did catch a glimpse of that strange giant rooster and unknown male individual then before long came the soft comfort of a bed. (or couch depending on what he was set down on)

Kazumin had been through much these last two days that left him exhausted both mentally and physically. And from his many years of going abouts during drinking bouts led him to being able to sleep just about anywhere on top of being a heavy sleeper. As such, the cowlicked blonde slept like a baby; at times he did jerk about from brief nightmares but settled down shortly after leaving him to sleep soundly. 

The time ticked by; hour by hour, second by second and were the situation much less dire or hectic, Kazu would very well have slept all through the day and night. Yet, the knowledge of Percy saving him earlier remained at the back of his mind and has steadily crept into his mind until…

“ [color=limegreen]Get your filthy mugs off my pudding, Captain Moldybutt![/color]” Shouted Kazu unexpectedly, having suddenly sat up swinging his right hand around clutching a non-existent sword. His face heavily showcasing a deeply groggy expression, still very much tired with semi-visible shadows under his eyes and usually lightly tanned skin pale from pushing his body so hard.

Blinking slowly and warily, his head turning to and fro; taking in the unknown location around him as he waited for the fog suffocating his brain to dissipate.” [color=limegreen]Ugh..my head feels like it's been put through a blender. Wuh…where..where am I?[/color]” He muttered out more so to himself while rubbing at his forehead which no longer pounded, to his relief, now simply a minor headache that ached dully.

Rubbing at his face with a faint tired and pained groan as he struggled to remember the events of this morning. Every tick of some unseen cock seemed to aid unlocking his memories bit by bit. It was like watching it all unfold like a bunch of pictures that depicted the events, slowly at first then gradually sped up till it was like a film running through his head.

“ [color=limegreen]Percy! Oh shit![/color]” Kazu cried out in a mixture of realization and shocked disbelief as he attempted to get up off the bed only to collapse to the floor. His body, still far from being fully recovered and still aching in places, was also still working on waking up.” [color=limegreen]Ugh..damn this body. And damn you, Asty too for..whatever that powder was.[/color]” Muttering and grumbling his displeasure at this whole ordeal he apparently went through. One he was barely conscious for all the way through, enough for him to not even recognize that it was his closest friend dragging him away from…” [color=limegreen]That bloody codger held a gun to my face!?[/color]” He thrashed weakly against the wooden floor in a bout of rage at the insult. [color=limegreen] Here I was planning to apologize, and the bastard threatens to shoot me... and Percy?! The sheer and utter audacity![/color]” Stating his dislike for the count as he strained to push himself up off the ground enough to get a lay of the place though the light from a dimly lit candle offered little for him to see.

It looked to be some kind of room in a basement and one thing that was quickly apparent. He was alone.

He perused his surroundings in confusion as the memories continued to flood through his mind.” [color=limegreen]Heh, just like Percy to keep pudding on hand and… guess I owe Charlie plenty of thanks.[/color]” Now able to recall being at Charlotte’s estate; the meeting prior to passing out played out, of which Kazu couldn’t help but let out a nervous laugh at his antics that did nothing but make things harder on his savior.” [color=limegreen]And I owe plenty of apologies too.[/color]” Sighing heavily as he tried to rub the sleep from his eyes.

Lying there on the floor, still confused and uncertain of what to do when his stomach rumbled.” [color=limegreen]Damn, that Calby. He could have been nice enough to let me finish eating first before going all trigger happy![/color]” Grumbling yet again; thinking first thing to find the kitchen and take care of his hunger when…

“ [color=limegreen]Percy?![/color]” He gasped aloud, shocked as he laid eyes on the robe Percy had been wearing while dragging him to safety. As he peered at the pile of black cloth sporting scarlet stains, the memory of her masked face looking strenuous and red from nosebleed, did the cowlicked blonde recall the strange events up to this point.” [color=limegreen] Was it? But it…oh god, Percy no![/color]” He cried out, tears in his eyes as he crawled over to the discarded heap.

Kazu clutched the robe with shaky hands as he pushed himself to his knees.”[color=limegreen] No! Oh Percy no. Please..god no..not Percy. Not because of me….you can’t do it. Give her back damn you..take me instea-aaa-aad![/color]” He held the robe close, hugging it as he cried upward at the ceiling fearing he had lost his closest and bestest friend whether to God or some other unseen forces. Or any that might hear his plea to bring her back.

If it had not been clear. Kazumin had no inkling of the consequences the use of magic cost.

Soft footsteps came down the basement steps as a shadow emerged. A [url=imgur.com/FUShec4]slender figure[/url] with rose-brunette hair that tickled her shoulder blades stood there. Her eyes were olive-green. She wore a [url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/0a/90/f0/0a90f0ecc0f6ad9e4b8a99cbceb9d4cd.jpg] wine-and black ensemble[/url]. She smiled somberly at him and struggled to bite back laughter. 

[color=seagreen]”I am sorry, but you are too late, dear Kazumin.”[/color] Her voice was familiar, but less high pitched and cooler. [color=seagreen]“Your dear Perspehone has.. vanished.”[/color] The woman bit back a laugh as she studied him. [color=seagreen]”Dear me, Kazumin, what will you do?”[/color]

Kazu failed to notice the sound of footsteps or someone entering the room as he was too busy being distraught at the loss of his closest friend… again. It wasn’t until the unknown newcomer spoke up that he would peel his face from the cloak, his face streaked with tears and eyes still freshly glistening had turned into a hard glare aimed at the woman.

[color=limegreen]”Do you mind?! Can’t you see I’m busy grieving over my bestest friend?![/color]” He spat out harshly while hugging the cloak to his chest as if fearing this cruel woman planned to take it. [color=limegreen]”Oh gods..Percy! I just got you back![/color]” Kazu said while on the verge of crying, but stopped himself with an audible phlegmy sniffle before pointing accusingly at the mysterious, yet gorgeous woman. [color=limegreen]”And whoever you are… I’ll be damned if I’ll let you insult her memory so you best take back your words for I have no qualms against hitting a woman!”[/color] The grieving blonde started his demand for an apology, his body shifting to show he was indeed ready to throw down. 

Perseph-[i]Olivia[/i] grinned at him and shook her head, mockingly. [color=seagreen]”Dear me. I must have hit a weak spot.”[/color] She continued down the staircase, despite his aggressive posture, and stopped short of him. The woman’s posture remained calm and earnest. She wasn't afraid of him at all. 

Seeing the woman approach with that smug grin; further adding to the list of ways she has mocked him since appearing. Within seconds this person pulled off a highly difficult feat and that was getting under his skin. As if it wasn’t irksome enough already, to have it involve his supposedly dead friend was more than enough reason for him to hate this stranger but found himself unable to. For some reason she felt both unfamiliar and familiar at the same time.

[color=seagreen]”The toll the magic takes on an individual is unique to the individual. They are psychological, psychological, emotional - you get the idea. Some go mad from the change; others, well, hold on because their blood is strong enough to handle it. You can make yourself invisible for a short period of time, but not forever. But…”[/color] She sauntered over to him . Her mockery shifted into warmth. Her gaze softened like cookies in milk. [color=seagreen]”....They’ve never caused a person to evaporate, Zuzu.”[/color] 

Listening to the woman talk about magic and… things he struggled to wrap his head around. Excluding the fact his head was a fuzzy, sleepy mess still. At her approach, Kazu, who seemed like he might jump at her, instead reeled away. [color=limegreen]”Listen here, miss. I’ve had a pretty fucked day and am in no mood to hear this voo doo gobblygook right now. So if you could kindly fu- …”[/color] Trailing off as the word Zuzu finally registered in his sleepy mind.” [color=limegreen]”Wuh..wait. How do you know… that…that…”[/color] And just like a switch being flipped all the hostility, grief and rage vanished instantly leaving his face blank and dumbfounded as he raised a shaky hand at the woman now knelt beside him.” [color=limegreen]Y-you… PERCY?!”[/color] Exclaimed Kazu flabbergasted as he just sat there, his mind practically exploding at the sight of his closest friend looking like..like a…lady?

Persephone remained silent while he ranted at her. Considering the changes she’d created (and would pay for later), she did not blame him for reacting with hostility. In fact, if he’d reacted less furiously, she would have been concerned. At least they were in the basement so nobody would be able to hear. She remained calm and collected until the nickname she had given him clicked. The dumbfounded expression on his face caused her to giggle. 

[color=seagreen]”Surprise! It’s me, Percy, your peasant farmer.”[/color] Her voice became dramatic and she pretended to bow from her midriff. 

Next, she straightened up and peered at him intently. Concern washed over her face like a wave on the beach. He’d been on drugs, nearly shot, and was hungover. What happened to him after the damned ball? [color=seagreen]”How are you? Are you feeling okay?”[/color] 

Kazu remained in place as if his body had turned to stone from the immense shock. His face stuck in a dumb gaping look of confusion and awe at the sight before him. A reaction all too fitting and for a multitude of reasons that left his half-awake brain swirling. And as he heard Percy speak in that dramatic and teasing manner, tears instantly filled his eyes. [color=limegreen]”It really is you!”[/color] Relief in his elated voice as he shot forward wrapping his arm around her waist where he was hugging her lower half or looked to be clinging from an outside perspective. [color=limegreen]”I- I tho…you’re really ok!”[/color] He hugged Percy close with tears streaking his face as he finally let loose all his built-up emotions no longer restrained by the booze or drugs and any other ridiculous substance.

Persephone inhaled and then hugged him back tightly. She rested her head on his shoulder, then pulled away and smiled. With her right hand, she brushed away tears on his face, while the left hand grabbed a few tissues to dab at his eyes. [color=seagreen]”It is I,[/color] she replied in a silly voice in an attempt to make him laugh. 

He did exactly as she suggested, letting out his pent up emotions while her kind words brought out a happy guffaw. [color=limegreen]”H-hey..no fair!”[/color] He exclaimed happily at having his hair ruffled causing the springy cowlick to bounce. 

[color=seagreen]”I went through a bit to get you back but I succeeded.”[/color] She smirked and ruffled his hair. [color=seagreen]”Let it out, Zu, you went through quite an ordeal back there.”[/color] 

Her words brought his laughter to a stop as his face turned blank to blink back up at Percy. [color=limegreen]”Me? Who cares about that…what about you?!”[/color] He jumped up to his feet then moved to gently grab Percy by the shoulders with an expression of concern in his wide eyes.”[color=limegreen]How can I be worrying about any of that when my bestest friend has been made a criminal! Areyouokdidanyonehurtyouareyouhungryneed-”[/color] Kazu rapidly blathered out while lightly shaking her, his concerns purely for her.

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