Just Add Water?---Open

[Guest]

It was a dark and stormy night.
Actually it was hot muggy and bright as day but there was a chance of rain.
His long fingered bony hand lifted, pale as #00645583 ACME Evil Villain Foundation Shade 3D "Whiter Than Winter Bones"
One Silas Byke had decided "White as Winter Bones" wasn't white enough.
His hand moved slowly,
Slowly,
Creeping into the pocket of his tattered black jacket so slowly his knuckles creaked like a rusty door.
Fingers curled around a single sheet of paper pulling it out of his pocket.
He unfolded it once,
Twice,
Three times before he stared down the words,
Track for Silas Byke -
"Just add water."
He hissed through his dry cracked lips caked with ACME #00006583 Villain Lip Varnish Shade 3-R "Chapped and Creepy Cherry".

The dastardly fiend looked up from this paper.
With a sudden lunge and sweep of his cape to stand like the illustration A page 94 in #23323000 ACME's "Penultimate Poses for the Evil Person 3rd Edition" he looked to the left.
"Yesssss" he hissed.
With a sudden lunge and sweep of his cape to stand like the illustration B on page 94 in #23323000 ACME's "Penultimate Poses for the Evil Person 3rd Edition" he looked to the right.
"YESSSSS!" he bellowed.
Every couple feet in each direction was debris sticking out of the growth leftover from whatever used to be here but was bulldozed.
Now it was abandoned land on the other side of the woods that was perfect for 2,640 pieces of two foot track and about to be claimed by one Silas Byke.
Just add water.

"It's time, Miss Vesta Voui.........." one Silas Byke rasped like ACME #00456584 "How To Talk Like an Evil Villain Training Tapes One Through Seven", Lesson #13 "The Right Way to a Rickety Rasp"
Then he bellowed "To put your TRAIN TRACKS TO THE TEST!"
He threw his head back.
He hit the button on his #00225491 ACME "It's Always a Dark and Stormy Night Touch-and-Crash Thunder Generator"
He cackled his #00456584 ACME "How To Talk Like an Evil Villain Training Tapes One Through Seven", Lesson #15 "Perfecting a Cackle that Makes Floorboards Curl" dastardly cackle.
And he yanked his #0084789504 ACME Evil Villain Midnight Black Stove Pipe Top Hat With Wickedly Wide Brim off his head
So he could pull out his brand new #66668741 ACME Evil Villain Squirting Boutonniere Line 1-BB "Make Them Panic Poesy".
Tomorrow it would be filled with laudanum
Today it was filled with water.

He squeezed the bulb.
A stream of water soaked the paper and the words Track for Silas Byke.
Then he waited,
Waited,
Waited...........
...........still more waiting.
So many minutes ticked by that one Silas Byke started to formulate terrible wicked ways to pay back Miss Vesta Voui.
But then it happened just like she said.
One minute watered down paper.
The next one mile of brand new assembled track waiting for a train to travel it.
"It's MINE" he bellowed
"IT'S ALL MINE!!"
Loudly thunder rumbled except this time it was real.
As rain started to fall one Silas Byke shook his fists at the heavens and screamed for all to hear "BEWA-A-A-A-ARE!"
Because all he needed now was to just add water to his train and capture his first damsel in distress.
And there was a damsel he had his beady black eyes on
Yessss ohhh yessss.

[Gwendolyn Zoi]

Some time had passed since her and Epiphany's fall, and Gwendolyn was sitting in her room in the window seat looking out at the world. She had been cooped up for so long, or at least it felt that way to her, that she knew she had to get out. Looking down at her arm that was still wrapped up in the cast, knowing she still had some visible bruises, thankfully that ringing in her head had finally gone away, she would slowly get up from the seat. No more hiding in her room! When she moved towards the door, she had a slight limp, her ankle was a bit weak still, something had twisted but she had a wrap around it. She knew she wasn't suppose to baby it, but it hurt sometimes, and it came out getting babied anyway. Before she reached the door, her kitten was there at her feet, following her to the door. As much as she wanted to reach out and pet the kitty so low on the ground, she knew once she got down that way it would take a quite a bit of time to get back up, so kitty would just have to wait. A small tug on her heart, for she felt like she was abandoning Leoett, but that was not the case, she had spent the past few days with just the kitty.

Carefully she would slip out of her room, making sure that Leoett stayed behind. It was time that Gwendolyn got some more exploring under her belt. She was not up for doing a play just yet for the door, for her having to dress in outfits to fit characters and movements, it was not the time. Plus she still had to decide if the Door was trying to kill her, maim her, or just thought she should get the answers that she should know! But that was pushed through her mind, as she would make her way down the hall, and to the stairs. Down the stairs she would go, slowly but surely, she didn't want to take the chance of falling and hurting herself. Though hazels would dart around the main lobby she did not see anyone about, so she would slip out of the Inn's front door. If she would of seen someone, she would of stopped and exchanged pleasantries.

Once she was outside, she took a deep breath of fresh air, before setting off away from the Inn. If anyone caught sight of the girl, as she was walking, they would see that her long locks were hanging loosely about her, she had been able to run a brush through the locks but doing much else with one good arm wasn't her forte. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans, she really did have a fondness for them, and a lilac T-shirt that looked stretched out from her efforts of dressing herself, and getting the arm over the cast. She had a pair of black shoes upon her feet, that unless one looked very closely you couldn't seen the bandage she had wrapped around her left ankle.

It was when she was going towards the forest that she heard the voice, though this voice was not The Voice, this was a evil sounding voice. Part of her thought she should turn around, but she had learnt a bit more about herself, and she wasn't going to turn back now. She might of done that before and left the questions hanging. Besides what if the belonger of the Voice needed help? She couldn't just leave a helpless person in the forest, even if the voice had a evil type hiss to it.

It took her a bit longer then normal to get to where the voice was coming from, but once she reached the clearing, she would give a blink of lashes. What in the world was that in the forest, she had never seen anything like that in her life. And she heard the man, for now she had finally spotted him, as he screamed. Her head tilted as she studied him a moment before asking, "Beware of what?"

[Guest]

Beware of what???
One Silas Byke could count the ways he could answer that question.
Such a sweet and innocent sounding voice,
Music to his dastardly ears.
The nefarious villain slowly turned around as the raindrops fell faster,
Slinking in a circular movement so slow that the cracks of his #15968741 ACME Evil Villain Sneaky Suspicious Shoe Line Style 18-E Shadow Snakeskin Spats crinkled.
Beady eyes fitted with #0054789561 ACME Eyes Spy Corrective Contact Lenses Style 12C "Evil Villain Terribly Tar Black" peered at the flower.
Then, one wicked nasty Silas Byke smiled.
A very specific smile just like the illustration on page 21 in #23323000 ACME's "Penultimate Poses for the Evil Person 3rd Edition", 21-C "I'll Be Your Fiendish Friend,"
Complete with #55521645 ACME Evil Villain Dental Care Product 24H "Yellow Stain With Extra Strength Tartar Control" yellowed teeth.
"Hello my pretty pretty pretty," he hissed at her as he leaned forward to inch closer,
Closer,
And closer still.

One Silas Byke didn't require a damsel until Part III of his evil plan,
But any fiendish fiend could make his evil plans change if there was an opportunity,
Yes, oh yes.
He decided to change his plans and it changed his answer about what there was to beware.
When he crept a step closer he extended his pale bony hand,
The whiter than winter palm facing the sky.
The quickening rain drops hit it drip drop drip drop drip drop as real thunder rumbled in the distance.
"The rain," he rasped a rank smelling rasp that stank of #00485873 Evil Villain Lugubrious Lozenge 2D Really Raspy Raspberry".
"The storm?" he added with a serpentine smile.
He gestured to the sky with a sweeping swirl of his cape as lightening struck it's web-like design across the clouds,
They and everything around them started to get wet.
It was enough to make him stop catching the rain with his palm,
So he could use that hand to twirl his mustache instead.

"Even succulent flowers can drown when watered too carelessly,"
Rasped the dastardly Silas Byke.
"And you,
my sweet fragile petal,
injured and without and umbrella."
A low nod down at the injuries of her arm and her ankle as the large raindrops bounced off the wickedly wide brim of his #0084789504 ACME Evil Villain Midnight Black Stove Pipe Top Hat.
"When bandages are soaked the cold sinks in deep to the bonesssss."

[Gwendolyn Zoi]

Of course when he spoke she would look to him, though she wasn't the sort that stared and stared she only looked when one was speaking, it was the proper and polite thing to do, it let the other person know you were listening. And when possible, and body was able, Gwen did do the right and proper thing. When did the rain come, oh dear, she was going to get drenched now, she hadn't thought it was going to rain for the day had been hot and muggy with only a chance. And she wasn't used to being hissed at, which had that strange look that was trying to cross her features, but she never made funny faces at someone's face, that was rude and could hurt feelings. So she had her face straight, with that hello smile still in place. And now that she was spoken to she must speak back, "Why hello there..." She did not think anything off about the way he said pretty three times, she thought he just had some sort of speech impediment so she wouldn't bring that up either. She did move back just a bit, hobbled more like, as he kept getting closer! Personal bubble was feeling invaded, and she wasn't sure she wanted it to be.

A small tilt of her head as she too would hear that thunder, though she wasn't very good at counting it to see how far away it was, though she had heard of people there could do it. And the drops were falling and landing on them as he spoke, her eyes widened, "Were you calling to the rain gods?" She had heard stories of people calling to the rain gods, and there was some odd sounds from this direction before she arrived. Maybe she had missed the rain dance? Hazels would begin to look around for shelter, with her luck getting stuck in the storm would not be good for her health, and she was not wishing to catch a cold, or letting a cold catch her either. "Oh dear!" It was her version of oh bother or oh heck.

He was making a lot of sense, and that wasn't good because here she was without such things, and what if she got over watered? She gave a small shiver of her shoulders, as she looked back to the man. "I should get back to the Inn, I am going to have to change the bandages." He made an excellent point one that she might not of connected the dots to right away, being new to bandages and all. She had a few random bruises and scraps but for the most part her injuries were now limited. She would turn to go, even taking a few steps in the direction of the inn.

[Guest]

For Gwendolyn it would be all too easy to depart.
"Have a safe trip," he rasped with hidden glee as the pretty petal took her leave.
To the wicked nasty Silas Byke
There was only one thing so scrumptious as the sight of a damsel retreating in distress:
The marvelous moment just before the trap was sprung.
It brought a fiendish grin just like the illustration 19-D page 26 in #23323000 ACME's "Penultimate Poses for the Evil Person 3rd Edition" - the "I'm-Going-to-Get-You Grin."
Because he WAS going to get her.
Yes, yes he was.
A villain as villainous as he was would never set up his tracks and train without taking precautions
Like the ones he set up around this area the day before.

This little pretty pretty was walking straight for one of those precautions,
And everything was going according to the new Plan II.1
The anticipation was enough to twirl his mustache,
Greased into thin straight points thanks to #65983265 ACME Grimy Mustache Goo for the Evil Villain C-1 Extra Greasy Hold.
The excitement was enough to make him want to throw his head back and cackle his #00456584 ACME "How To Talk Like an Evil Villain Training Tapes One Through Seven", Lesson #16 "The Damsel And Day Are Mine Dastardly Cackle".
But he must wait for that.
Even a chuckle would be too much to make her suspect
And then he would be foiled again.
So the nasty no-good Silas Byke did what he always did to squelch his nervous anticipation.
He reached slowly into the pocket of his tattered torn coat,
...........and pulled out nail file.
Scratch scratch scratch went the file as the injured pretty petal was walking away.
Perhaps the villain just had a hangnail?
Or perhaps......................?

Then it HAPPENED.
This pretty pretty's foot stepped on a leaf.
Under that leaf there was a button.
That button released a catch.
That catch tripped a rope.
That rope dropped weights.
Those weights were attached to another rope.
That rope was attached to a cage that dropped right over the dulcet damsel.
It gave her barely any room to move.
It was very heavy and it had no visible way out.

It all went perfectly to plan.
Which is why as one Silas Byke took slithering steps up to the cage he smiled.
Just like the illustration 19-E page 26 in #23323000 ACME's "Penultimate Poses for the Evil Person 3rd Edition" - the "I've-Gone-And-Got-You-Grin".
"My my my my my,"
Rasped as he twirled the tip of his mustache,
"It looksssss as if someone should have watched her sstep."
The best part was
It was still raining.

[Gwendolyn Zoi]

She would turn towards Silas as he said such, thinking him really rather kind, even if he had a rasp. "Thank you, it was a pleasure meeting you, we will have to do so again." Politeness coming naturally to her. "We shall have to meet again once I don't have to worry about the rain, and what it will do to my bandages." She wasn't just telling him that, she was serious, she was one that kept her word too.

She was not paying attention to the ground, for she was in a hurry to get somewhere dry, she did not wish for the bandages to get wet and gooey. Perhaps if she had been paying attention this might not of happened, or perhaps if she had been paying attention she would of caught some sort of sign! But that was here nor there, as she had stepped right into the trap. The cage had sprung and she found herself cornered. Her eyes would widen, as her mouth made a perfect o shape.

What really scared her was when he slithered up to the cage, she was about to speak about her bandages,she even stuttered out a "Bbbuuuttt myyy." That was all she had gotten out, for she was suddenly rather frightened by the look on his face. And then it was happening, her eyes closed in pain, squeezing them shut as hard as she could. "Ooowww." Would escape from parted lips, as the sound of clothing ripping upon the shoulders of her shirt could be heard. Slowly the bones moved, hearing a gasp of breath, as the bones moved until she sprouted a pair of lovely white wings. With her movement, in the cage rather limited, she had pain in her eyes, and confusion. The wings tried to shake though they just beat against the cage. Gwen was looking at Silas as if he did that to her. And the words she spoke showed she thought it was him. "What did you do to me?" A pout coming over her lips. Of course, it was not his fault that she had wings, but she did not know she had wings! And they would not of sprouted like that if he hadn't scared her half out of her mind. Fearing for ones life it seemed, caused things to sprout, like Wings.

[Guest]

Everything was going according to the new Plan II.1
Until those wings.
Surprise was enough to make one Silas Byke stand still
Just like the illustration on page 85 in #23323000 ACME's "Penultimate Poses for the Evil Person 3rd Edition" - the "Where Did Oh So Right Go Oh So Wrong Posture."
The main feature was the left eyebrow.
Crooked so high the skin on his alabaster forehead wrinkled.
The secondary feature was the squint of his beady eyes fitted with #0054789561 ACME Eyes Spy Corrective Contact Lenses Style 12C "Evil Villain Terribly Tar Black"
Scrutinizing the feathered flower with suspicion.
He opinion of the injured damsel born anew.
And he didn't like what he saw.
No no he didn't.
She was no longer a pretty petal he could tie to his train tracks.

She was a test.
One he would not fail.
For under the cover of his #99856874 ACME Ratty Torn and Shabby Tailcoat for the Evil Villain,
And under his #99856897 ACME Dusty Dirty Dinner Shirt for the Evil Villain with high button collar,
Was a gold charm on a gold chain.
Both were polished daily just before sleep.
Neither were purchased from ACME
Because both were given to him by his Bubbe when he was thirteen.
He promised her he'd wear them every day of his life and so the wicked nasty villain did.

The gold charm was a Star of David.
What Silas spoke to the pretty pretty was Yiddish.
She was winged so surely she would understand the meaning?
"Fun dayn moyl in gots oyern, hmmmm?"*
Asked as he crept closer, closer, and closer to the bars that made up the cage.
The rattling her wings were doing didn't bother him because he knew rattling wasn't a way out.
That there were wings at all was what bothered him and destroyed Plan II.1.
He stared her down
Straight into her eyes without blinking thanks to ACME #65656565 Sixteen Minute Staredown Super Strength Eye Drops.
"Ich eil zichhh nit," he hissed.

Then Silas Byke sneered a dastardly sneer
Showing off his teeth yellowed with #55521645 ACME Evil Villain Dental Care Product 24H "Yellow Stain With Extra Strength Tartar Control".
He lifted one of his long bony white hands to tap his fingernails yellowed with #00000024 ACME Evil Villain Grooming Line 33-3-G Nefarious Nails Shade RR1 "Yucky Yellow Lacquer" against the metal bars.
Tap tap tap tap.
"Beser mit a klugn in gehenem eyder mit a nar in ganeydn, eh sheine maidele?"
One Silas Byke thought himself the wise one -
Sure that walking away from this winged one he would pass the test of God who sent her.

She was the fool who would stay in paradise.
For Silas Byke gave her a crooked grin of triumph,
Turning away from her with a sweep of his cape and a creep in his creaking step according to his new Plan II.1:
Walking away to leave the winged one there in the cage
In the rain.

He would test his newly grown train tracks another day.
Unless...........?




Translations----
*From your mouth to God's ears, hmmmm?
**I'm not in a hurry.
*** Better to be wise in hell than a fool in paradise, eh pretty girl?

[Gwendolyn Zoi]

This pretty feathered flower was getting agitated. Not only was he staring at her like she sprouted wings -cause she did - but he didn't seem to give her any answers either! Her gaze would continue to look at him all accusing like. Surely he did something to her to cause the wings to sprout, it's not like she had them before, not until Silas appeared on the scene. So in that mind of her's he was guilty, no judge nor jury, just guilty! She did not know that she ruined his train track tying plans! Her lower lip thrust out a bit in a pout, this was not how she was planning on spending her day.

She did not know she was a test, nor would she know about what he wore under his shirt. So she stayed in that cage, this little bird, with freshly grown wings. She would not thrash around, for really what would it do but hurt her. The cage seemed rather sturdy not that it was surprising. Though this was the first cage she had been captured in, the first cage she had ever seen up close, she was starting to study the bars, the make, maybe there was a way to be free. Though she let out a soft sigh upon seeing that it looked as if she was good and trapped!

Now, normally if someone spoke in anything but plain English to Gwendolyn she would be completely baffled. But odd as it might appear something about the words he spoke, struck a chord inside of her. Did that mean that she understood what he was saying? Well on some level she did. But how would she reply, suddenly spouting out Yiddish back? No not this girl. While she seemed to understand what he said, she could not speak the language. "In a hurry for what?" She looked rather perplexed once more, her forehead was frowning, eye brows lifted a bit, and that slight pucker to her lips.

Then he lifted his pale bony hand with the yellowed fingernails and tapped upon the bars, once more showing they were rather solid bars. It was the words that had Gwendolyn's head tilting just so. It took just a moment before she would reply over to him. "Is that in a book?" Yep that was what Gwen had to ask about the last quote, she wasn't as well read as she would of liked, but she was trying. Well if that trying to be well read included books on Zombies and Vampires. But that was another story.

She closed her eyes a moment, as she opened them and he was walking away. "Wait...where are you going? Are you just going to leave me here?" She called out to his back. She was not above talking behind his back! As she just did it! She looked down and saw her bandage getting wetter, and was more clingy to her skin then before the rain started to saturate it. Then without thinking her wings would wrap around her form, shielding her from the rain.

[Guest]

Nothing in any of the ACME books for the Evil Villain said he had to answer questions.
The winged pretty pretty asked four of them.
The nefarious Silas Byke did stop,
Did turn around,
Did set his tar black beady eyes on her with suspicious scrutiny.
But the questions?
He only answered one.
The last one.
"A breyre hob ich. S'iz a shandeh, hmmm?"*

Normally a dastardly twist like this one called for one of many things.
Like #00456584 ACME "How To Talk Like an Evil Villain Training Tapes One Through Seven", Lesson #15 "Perfecting a Cackle that Makes Floorboards Curl"
Or #00225491 ACME "It's Always a Dark and Stormy Night Touch-and-Crash Thunder Generator"
Or the three items that Silas was waiting to have delivered that were so mean nasty and cruel they were on back order.
But nefarious villain didn't do any of the things that were called for in a situation like this one.
Instead he reached up.
Slowly long bony fingers caked in #00645582 ACME Evil Villain Foundation Shade 3E "Whiter As Winter Bones" gripped his #0084789504 ACME Evil Villain Midnight Black Stove Pipe Top Hat With Wickedly Wide Brim.
He removed the hat from his head.
Could it be the roots of Silas' greasy grimy black hair were blonde?
Perhaps it just a trick of the overcast day that make the roots look blonde?
Or perhaps..........

He said one more thing.
When he spoke his voice lacked his #00456584 "How To Talk Like an Evil Villain Training Tapes One Through Seven", Lesson #13 "The Right Way to a Rickety Rasp" training.
He didn't need to talk that way anymore -
Because she couldn't be part of the plan.
From her lips to God's ears which meant it probably worked other way around too so she would know anyway.
One Silas Byke was assuming she knew.
"Sorry angel girl. You don't fit into the plan."
His voice sounded normal and for the first time he was standing up straight too with no more slumped shoulders and hunched back.
The changes made his whole get-up seem out of place.
He shrugged and gave her one last suggestion to save herself.
"Call for the cavalry?"
Every damsel had a cavalry they could call for when they were in distress.

Then the notably less nefarious Silas Byke replaced his hat on his head.
And continued walking off.



Translation----
*I've no alternative. It's a shame, hmmmm?

[Gwendolyn Zoi]

But Gwendolyn had never read the ACME book for the Evil Villain. Nor any book on being a villain at all. So she would not know that a villain did not answer questions, nor had she really ever met a villain until this very meeting. He was her very first villain! Though there was a good chance he would not be her last. Her wings would lower away from hiding her form, moving backwards to a more normal position, as much as they could in the cage. “You could free me!” Once more the words rang the bell, but the answer was still in English, her tongue not able to speak the other language.

Backorder’s were never a good thing, if only they had an ACME store here, closer for him to be able to get their items quicker! Or even if someone opened a warehouse in the same area that made those special items that were often on back order.

Those hazel eyes watched Silas, as he removed his hat. Then the voice changed. That had Gwendolyn looking at the man in a different light. She felt the change of him being different from when she first approached him. It wasn’t her thought to ruin the man’s plans, she always hated when she had something planned and something threw a kink in them. She might even feel a bit bad, not that she would voice that, that his plans had to be changed. She had an odd light in her eyes, as he walked away, not all hunched over, but he seemed not so evil at the moment. Though it could be a trick.

But then he was walking away, it hit her. If she didn’t find someone soon she would be stuck in the cage for who knows how long. She waited till he was a bit further away. He said to call the cavalry. So she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and called out, unsure if anyone else was in the woods or not. Her voice was surprisingly strong and loud, coming from the small frame. “HHHEEELLLPPPP! IS ANYONE OUT THERE?” She stayed still to see if she heard any sounds, or if she was going to have to plot and plan and try to figure this out on her own. But atlas for now she was definitely a damsel in distress!

[Epiphany]

“What are you talking about? The rain is perfect for this scene. It’s supposed to be raining in it!” Epiphany made her argument as she jumped over from the wooden barrel she was standing on to the one on her left. The gathered water at the top splashing out. “Think of it as a all out rehearsal.”

Twenty Rangers, all of whom had been trained exceptionally well, looked up at the girl who was dressed like Peter Pan form the earth story by J.M. Barrie from the pointed shoes to green, leaf-like tunic and tights, they swore she looked like the pictures. This said nothing of their attire. If she was Peter Pan then they obviously were the Lost Boys with animal skins tied around their chest and low and behold they too wore tights and slippery shoes! The rain had made everyone wet and was continuing to do so as all of them were standing outside, in the forest, in it.

Considering where they were mud was a factor. But these were trained me, they kept to their post no matter the weather condition and surely a bit of rain wasn’t going to put them in a sour mood.

“From the top?” asked a Ranger who wore the skin of a bear.

“From the top! And a one . . two . . one-two-three go!”

The men scrambled from their semi-huddle around Epiphany’s wooden barrel and from somewhere there seemed to be music playing. Sounds of a drum and trumpet maybe even something of a string, all-working together in harmony to create what could only be described as theme setting music. It sounded anxious with a bit of worry. And then what happened next was defiantly not part of standard Ranger training.

They formed a type of circle around a large box, bending low and examining it (the box was placement for what was really going to be there) and crossed around it, whispers of amazement passing between the men. Then Epiphany cupped her hands about her mouth and let out a loud caw of a crow and everything froze, even the music, for all of five seconds.

“He’s coming!!” And the Rangers started ran around the box in fear. Two of them stood in front of the box facing each other, one of them had a sling-shot gun in hand and was facing an accusing finger by the other man. It was the two of them who started to sing.

“You shot the Wendy! I saw you do it. That gun’s not bendy, you’re such a dimwit!” With both hands he pushed the guy with the gun, causing that man to twirl and then spin around to get around his accuser, the rain in his hair spraying out.

The gun was now pointed to the unarmed man. “Who pointed her out, high in the sky? You, you big lout! Now we’re both gonna die!”

“Hide her! Hide her! Peter’ll never know!” The rest of the men, the chorus, sang as they started to throw leaves and sticks and anything else from the ground over the box. “Our lives are hanging by the ringing cro---“

“HHHEEELLLPPPP! IS ANYONE OUT THERE?”

That wasn’t the sound of a crow, but it was loud and it cut through the air and the rain and the song. It brought a freeze to production. Though these men were dressed in costume and signing lyrics made for little children, they were still Rangers and it was their duty to help people who were in need. Whoever did the shout sounded as though they fit the definition.

There was only one thing to do. “Lost Boys, move out!” She expected them to go as they were, there was no time to change into something different, must be ready to go no matter what they were wearing! Like Epiphany, who jumped off the barrel, into the mud and trotted off in the direction of the shout.

The men came right along, a few of them were thankful to be abandoning the song and dance for a shot at real work that they didn’t care if they were in animal skins and tights or not. So it was a jovial jaunt through the woods and at Epiphany’s request, the men continued to sing after explaining to them that it was the best way to let whoever shouted know that they were coming. A few of the men tried telling her that it was also the best way to get ambushed by whoever had caused the shout to happen in the first place, but Epiphany waved it off as a mere trifle.

“Stuff the body in a tree, or give it to pirate Smee. We’ll hide the gun, won’t that be fun? Hip-hip! Hip-hip-horary!” And they came out of the forest in a grand old style, springing forth crouched and posed all ready to face whatever evil that may await.

Epiphany was at the lead and as she saw the sight before her of Gwen in a cage and with wings she smiled big and wide. If Gwen was trapped, then why was she smiling?

“We’ve found a Wendy!”

There was no visible threat in the area and so Peter Pan and the twenty Lost Boys converged upon the caged Wendy.

[Gwendolyn Zoi]

Stuck in the cage she would begin to wonder if people were around in the forest, or if she was truly out here all alone, now that Silas, the not so evil and dastardly, had taken his leave. She was sad to see him leave but figured it was probably for the best. Slowly she was relaxing but still she was alert to what was going on. Her wings had started to move to embrace the girl they were attached to, helping keep her bandage out of the rain.

Thankfully Gwen did not sound like a crow or the girl would have been in deep trouble. Or she would have had to find another way to voice her need for help. When the Lost Boys started coming out of the woodwork, she blinked, her wings trying to flutter inside the cage, as they released their hold around her form. Her hazel gaze going forth, it took only a moment, before she heard a familiar voice calling out. A Wendy? Is that what she had said?

It all seemed to come with a startling clarity, she had read the book once or twice, for she had a fondness for reading. If one ever went through the bag that she always seemed to be carrying, they would find a book or two, among the belongings. She really needed to find the library here at the Inn, and she would be in her own little heaven.

Back to the going on at hand. If one had such things as a light bulb above their head hers would be flickering on at this very moment. Somehow she ended up in the middle of a group reenacting or making their own version of Peter Pan. So instead of calling Epiphany by her name she would tilt her head just a bit, “Peter?”

Perhaps she should look scared, or even some other emotion, though the one upon her face was one of curiosity, for she wondered where this was going to go. Was Peter and the Lost Boys going to save her from her caged existence? Were they going to take her and the cage and go elsewhere? Were they simply going to dance around the cage in some strange ritual.

She would wait a little bit, to ask ‘Peter’ if ‘he’ knew anything about the wings.

[Epiphany]

It was a Wendy!
If it wasn't so then certainly she would not have called Epiphany by the name of Peter. Albeit she seemed a little confused and disorientated but that was understandable, she was in a cage in the pouring rain and twenty dancing and singing men coming through the forest. Who wouldn't raise a brow at that?

Those without a sense of humor, that's who. Lucky for everyone gathered on this gloomy day good humor seemed to be all the rage. Except in one guy.

"You men know what to do. Secure the area, see if whoever did this is---."

Epiphany waved her hands in the air and turned from the Wendy-cage cutting off what the man was about to say. "Waaait. Wait just a minute, this isn't how things are suppose to go!" Wiping rainwater from her face she saw that the men looked a bit confused.

"We're still performing. You're ruining our act in front of Gwen. Come on now people and get it together." She clapped and started to turn back to Gwen who unknowingly was playing the part of Wendy, when one of the guys behind her said: "But she's in danger."

"You have to excuse them," Epiphany said to Gwen with a hand by her mouth. She sounded really apologetic. "They're new at this." That explained it all didn't it? She sighed and looked back to the men. "Then let's get her out but don't forget to dance and sing while you do it. Improv!"

Clearly the Rangers thought that their employer had lost her mind for the lot of them simply stood there regarding her in disbelief for a handful of moments. Then one guy - not the one who had passed out orders - looked around at the group and in a shaky voice sang, "North I will go, you two with me also," adding in expressive arm movements to the men he wanted to join him before.

"In the East we'll find the Beast!"

"No, in the West would be my guess!"

"We'll take the South, the most direct route!"

Two additional men joined each speaker. The ones who decided to go jumped out of the group and did a type of turn. The twelve men who were going to go on the hunt shook their fist in the air as they danced in a circle around the cage and Peter.

"Go find the villain! (We'll find the villain!)
And bring him here! (And bring him here!)
Hip-hip! (Hooray!)"

Peter obviously sang the lead. After 'Hooray!' the men dispersed, all of them running off to the directions they said.

Epiphany circled her arms above her head and motioned for the remaining eight men to come forward.

"Come to me and we will see if we can lift this cage....in...the....count...of...three!"Eight men, two on each side with Epiphany at one of the angles - she wasn't going to push but give encouragement and count off.

"One! Get ready. Two! Get steady. Three and lift!"

Could eight grown men lift the cage or was it heavier than that? Epiphany crouched down, all Gwen needed was a space big enough for her to crawl through....with her wings.

[Gwendolyn Zoi]

Well what was Gwen supposed to call a Pip dressed up like Peter Pan, besides Peter? That would take away the fun and she was not going to be a spoil sport even if she was stuck in a cage. She would be easily led by Peter and his merry band of men. What harm could come of playing along? And it would sure be better then trying to figure out what was going on with the wings that had sprouted from her shoulders. At least that was what she was thinking at the moment.

Eyes would flutter when she heard that man, for that did not sound good at all, and how would they know if they caught the right guy? But she wasn’t piping up any information, though when Peter Pip turned towards Gwen and whispered she did giggle, her hands coming up to cover her mouth. Letting her hands fall she grinned. “Well if they are new at this … then I guess I must.”

She was giggling again, it was all to much for the moment, and she wasn’t about to cry and ruin the day. Oh no, she was giggling like a little caged girl, which she was. She listened to the song, her head was bobbing a bit in time, she couldn’t help it, it was catchy.

Seeing the way that the cage had come and caught her off guard, it had to be rigged just so. And Silas had said to call the cavalry, and if this wasn’t such, she wouldn’t know what was. So when Peter Pip had the men surround the cage just as they had, she crouched down. She was hoping the wings did not get in the way. Making her way to her hands and knees when the cage was high enough for all of her to fit out, she would scramble out careful of the men’s legs. Once she was clear she would stand up carefully, the wings throwing her balance off a bit, though she did not fall.

She did not think that Wendy was supposed to be winged, that was more of a Tinker Bell thing, but it would seem that they had just gotten their Winged Wendy free! She waited until the men set the cage back down. She would give a little curtsy, “Thank you for getting me out of there.” Then she made her way with dainty steps over to Peter Pip, and she would give her a shy smile, “Thank you Peter! That cage was making me feel caged in.” Get it, caged in, her humor was still in tact!

Then she awaited to know what her next cue would be!

[Epiphany]

The men had all worked together in lifting cage with a hey-nonny-nonny and a big heave-ho that cage lifted enough for Wendy to get free and when she did the men let out a hearty "Ho-ho-ho!" Even if they were anything but Santa and it wasn't Christmas. “You are free! Quickly I must away you from this place before the evildoer returns. The other Lost boys would have surely captured him by now and are returning him to the pirates. Or the sharks!" Said Peter and the other men let out a cheer. Then they started to dance around Peter and Wendy, looking about them and peering into the woods. 'Into the woods, fit her in a tree, we'll find a hallow one you'll see!" Was being sung by the men and Epiphany simply chuckled and she reached out to take Gwen by the hand. "Though.. you have to collapse your wings. We'll never get you down a tree with those things still spread out. "

And Gwen was very grateful that the men had appeared with Peter Pip, for now she was free, yippee! She would listen to the words, even though she did wish it was Christmas, such a good time of the year, but back to the matter at hand. She looked struck, "They aren't really going to hurt him are they? I mean he didn't really cause me harm." Yes she was worried about the evildoer, whom she still had not given up any details about! Perhaps the sharks had lasers attached to their heads. She was giggling at the thought of being inside a tree. Her hand would slip easily into Peter Pips, then she gave a blink, as she looked towards her. "How....how do I collapse them? I didn't even know they were there!" As she spoke, the wings in question would flutter a bit, as if they knew she was speaking of them. Which they did, did they not! When they started to move she would go at the same pace not one to hold them all up!

When Peter moved the guys ran along with her, on the outside watching the perimeter of the land. Never knowing when they might be ambushed. It was the perfect setting for Pirates and in the story the Lost Boys were always being attacked by the Pirates and therefore, this made sense. "They'll only hand him over to the Pirates." then she leaned in closer to Gwen and cupped a hand to her mouth to whisper " For now, the Pirates are adults. All adults are humans." Clearly she didn't think she was an adult, or she wasn't for this 'story'. "Quickly Lost Boys, to the trees!" Their reply was a skip and a jump as they double timed and vanished into the woods. "It's okay.. we might not be able to see them, but they are there. They became trees." That might not make sense to a lot of people but it made perfectly good sense to her! Peter made sure to look around as she pulled Wendy along. "Wish them away. That's what you did to get them out. Even if you didn't know it. If you're done with them settle yourself down . All should be well. then." This was going to be the hard part.. Actually explaining how to get the wings back. she looked and saw that the trees were coming up. "I'll explain more once we're in the safety of the trees. "

And she was right there with Peter, she had her hand did she not! And she would glance around the area around them as they moved further and further from the cage. Not that she was overly upset that they were leaving that spot. "Oh my! The Pirates....they have pirates here?" Of course, that would interest Gwendolyn. Most things that she had not met yet did. Some things stayed on her mind even after she met someone that happened to be something, and spent say a evening with them, even. That curiosity just grew. Gwen would wrinkle her nose at the term adults! She of course never thought of herself as one of those, even if by the numbers she was. A blink as she looked at the trees, though she did not get to look at it very long. She nodded a bit, "Wish them away, I can do that." She thought she could at least before she blinked a moment her voice was rather soft, "They appeared because I wished for them?" And then she was rather confused how they would be safe in the trees. But maybe in tree form they would be safe from them! That’s what she decided it had to mean. She continued to move with them until they were in the safety of the trees. "Now do I wish out loud or in my head? And just...wish that they would go back to sleep?" That’s probably how she would think of it, when they weren't visible that they were sleeping.

Go back to sleep. Epiphany couldn't help but chuckle at that, and she continued to do so even as they entered into the trees. Once there, and after they traveled into the woods a bit, Epiphany stopped and held her hand up for Gwen to stop as well. Then she let go of her hand. "Stay right there...’ she told her before taking a few steps forward and then making a crows call. from the woods around them sprang the men, almost from out of nowhere and they circled around Epiphany. Or Peter. "Okay guys, you did a great job today. Ah go in the trees, get a good rest.. and get out of the rain. Tomorrows the big day! " Hearing that the 'play' was over many seemed relieved and even slouched to show it as they headed off. Speaking of the rain.... Epiphany went back to Gwen and took her by the hand again to pull her along. She was headed to one of the tents. Where they were it was a rough campsite. Nothing elaborate. a few barrels of hay and pup tents thrown up around a dead fire. the ground, of course, was a bit muddy. "I hope you're not afraid of getting dirty..." she had to ask. The tent Epiphany led them to was really wide, more of fabric stretched between two trees. When she reached it she let go of Gwen’s hand and dropped to her knees to get inside. "You don't have to wish out loud..it's.. its more of a want. You have to want them to go away. "

It was all fair play between the two, for Gwen found things that Epiphany said that let her giggle as well. And once Peter Pip stopped and had Gwen stop, when she spoke, and let go of Gwen’s own hand, she let it fall down to her side. Unsure what to do with it. She would blink at the sound and the fact that men jumped out of everywhere! Even places one might not think a man could hide. Her hazel eyes got big and wide, but not a peep came out. And once her hand was taken again and she was pulled along she went along without question. Those things could get a girl in trouble, but she did not think that Pip would get her in trouble, least not on purpose. She looked down at herself a moment before she let out a laugh, "I Don't mind." She would be fine with all the dirt and things that came with being outside in a make shift camp site. And she watched Pip going inside, and she went down on her hands and knees as well. She nodded a bit. Her eyes closed even before she moved farther in, wishing her wings to well, go to sleep. She did want them to go away, she thought it would be way easier to get into the tent, the wings would get in the way. It took a moment or two, with her eyes closed before she would feel them, they wiggled a bit, almost as if they were afraid if she put them to sleep she wouldn’t wake them up. But then, they went back into her shoulders where they had sprouted from, and into the tent she crawled. Once she was safely inside with Peter Pip she had to ask. "So when I want them to come back I do the same thing?"

Epiphany watched and she grinned, but behind that grin was a bit of nervousness as well. She couldn't help but wonder what would happen if Gwen couldn't get her wings to go back in . It would make things a lot harder.. that's for sure. Once Gwen was inside it would seem that Pip had stopped being Peter, at least for the moment, and was wringing out her hair, the rain pattering down on their roof. "When did you find out you had wings? What did they do? What did you do? Is that why you were put in a cage? You know if you channeled enough of yourself you probably could have lifted that cage and set yourself free without ever needing us but it may be a good thing that you didn't because then the men would have gotten suspicious instead of thinking that it was all a part of costume and you were staged there as a part of the act - which they certainly think it was " she was going a mile a minute.

It seemed as soon as she arrived inside the tent she was bombarded with the questions and she laughed. She waited until she was fully in and she took a seat. "I found out when I was really scared cause the cage fell down on me. They just appeared! And I didn’t know I had them until then, I thought that the guy did it to me at first." She nodded a moment, "And the cage came first and I didn’t know that. You mean I coulda possibly set myself free?! I couldn't really move in there. I am part of the act at least they think it was a costume and not that it was real." She would take a small breath as she looked to Pip, "Does that mean I have to wish them out in the morning? Before any of them see me?" She was rather curious, and she didn't know if she would be there in the morning or what the plan was, but she needed to know these things to be prepared. Then she blinked, and whispered , "You have Wings too don't you?"~

With her questions answered Epiphany looked out to where the rain was pouring and pulled up her knees to her chest, wiping backwater that was dripping to her face from her hair. "Yes.. I have wings.' She said it a bit slowly and quietly. Almost as if to herself before she took in a breath. "You know what you are then right? After this.. and what happened with the Door and the Voice. You're not in the dark anymore... right?"

Gwen was a mimic, of sorts, when people sat she would often find herself moving without thought to sit the same way. And as it was happening, her own knees would be pulled up to her chest, and her arms would wrap around her legs. "Can you control yours?" She thought she had to ask these things. She shook her head lightly, "I don't know what I am. The Voice and the Door...they just told me about us sharing a mom. But don't lots of things have wings?" She let out a small laugh, "I think I'm always in the dark about these things." She knew all kinds of different people but that didn't mean she knew what she was. "Are we bats?" Her face was completely straight when she asked maybe a hint of excitement was there.~

Bats? That got a few blinks from Epiphany. "No. bat have little rat fingers and skin type wings. Ours are feathery. " She paused. "Our mother, Gwen, was an Angel. We're Angels too. At least it runs in our blood.. that's why we have wings. It.. it means that it’s a more dominate side of you. I'm more Angel than I am human, though I could not always control that side... " Thinking about it now.. Did whoever lock her up know that she was an Angel? "Now that the side has revealed itself.. you need to be careful. You being an Angel, is like a bright light and people of the opposing force may be drawn to you. But not for kind purposes. ..."

Bats had wings didn't they! And they had wings, and they coulda just been interesting in humanoid form! "They did feel soft...is that normal? Do they stay baby soft?" She had felt them they did come around her. She nodded a bit, her eyes were all wide, and her mouth was shaped itself into a O face. Like a light bulb had lit up. "So I can fly!?" Okay so that was alot to take in and the thing that stuck out was flying. She really wanted to learn that so she could fly with Jade. "Did the Angel side gradually take over?" She was curious even if all experiences are different things might happen the same, some things at least. And she was glad that she was told that she wasn't the only one that couldn't control it. But seeing she hadn't even known about it, she really couldn’t be held accountable for it. She blinked a moment, "So people might look for me to do harm?" Then she looked thoughtful, "But people say Vampires are bad, and Jade is nice." Of course that possibly wasn't the best thing to say but Gwen thought it and she wasn't one that had that sensor button. Or if she had one it was normally broken, for she was indeed a open book. "Maybe only some opposing forces are bad? I mean you and Damon...." She let that go...figuring that Pip would follow that.

"Have had a very hard time." she finished that statement, resting her head down on her knees. "It was easier when I wasn't... as I am now. When I was more like you. And just coming into that side of me. Now It's.. a bit different and I have to stifle down urges that I don't want to have." She smiled at Gwen. "You won't have to worry about that but.. it's like night and day.. The good can't mix with the bad without consequences. I've had a lot of them. A lot."

She let her head fall down to the nook her knees made, with how she was sitting. She nodded a bit, "That doesn't sound to fun...but its worth it right?" Her head tilted in her knees. "But are all the consequences bad? Some have to be good, and the good might out weigh the bad." She was rather thinking on that. Gwen was a firm believer in everyone was good until she had proof that they weren’t but then there was the strikes too. Which might not be such a good thing later on, but for now. "So...is there books I should read or do I just come to you with questions?" She loved to read and learn about things.~

[Epiphany]

"You.... could go to the church." Epiphany said that with a slight hint of hesitation as if she wasn't too sure about that. "The one where I work, they don't know what I am. Well, all don't." she corrected herself with even more hesitation than when she mentioned the place. "The Head Nun, she knows, and Father does. They were my Guardians when I came here. I never knew that they knew till after I knew." That wasn't too confusing. "They are not celestial beings themselves but The Nun, Sister Mary-Marks has some sort of ability. Really all they could do was teach me, and they treated me as one of the Orphans there. Schooling, discipline, all that. Even wanted me to be a nun." She laughed at that. "But if you want books about Angels, that would be a good place to go." She stretched her fingers. "As.. for the consequences with Damon.. or any really, if they were good they would be rewards, not consequences. The worst thing that can happen to you is that you become a Fallen, Gwen. You get cut off from the Light. It wasn't as bad for me when I was starting off but, being with Damon has been hard, but it's worth it cause I love him. When he came back... and I drank from him and vice versa, I had a major consequence..." she lowered her head a bit and listened to the rain.

Gwen’s head tilted as she debated the words that she heard. It wasn't so much that the word church, for Gwen had only been to a church once or twice and it was around the holidays delivering presents for children. But it was the way that Epiphany said it. It gave her some doubts. "The one's that do know they don't treat you any differently do they? And can they sense that?" It wasn't that she was secretive either it was just well, what if people knew and were all weird around her! Her eyes widened, from what she heard about nuns, well that just did not fit Epiphany. "Would you of had to wear all black." Maybe they would of still let Pip be creative? "I think I might have to take my chances, for that would be most helpful." The little bookworm that she was, least she was thinking ahead. "So...are you Fallen then?" That’s what she was getting and she didn't think Pip was a bad person, not in the least! "And if one hasn't experienced the Light or know that they are experiencing it, how would they know the difference?" She looked over to Peter Pip, "Are you okay now?" It was a odd question it was just the way that she spoke had her wondering. ~

"No." She shook her head " I'm not a Fallen. But I was nearly cut off." She pulled in her bottom lip and chewed on it a bit. "When... I turned twenty-one I came to the age where I had to choose which side. Dark or Light. I picked light. In doing so I was given new charges and I was suppose to put my old life habits behind me. Like Damon. I lied. He knows I lied....but I can't stay away from him." She frowned and shook her head. "But .. other things. No.. No they don't treat me differently.. IN fact they treat me the same as any other Nun's apprentice. When I go I have to wear the long skirt to the ground and high neck blouse and sleeves to the wrist. hair up. I don't have to wear the habit, cause I'm not a Nun, but I wear the apprentice outfit. They.. are good. The place is protected against Evil. If you're evil, even if you don't act it, you can't get in. My Foster mom can't get in. Gawain.. I'm .. not sure how the Were thing works.. " She was never there nor had she spent much time around them. "As for knowing what's wrong.. you'll know. You'll feel it. Might be small at first.. but you'll know.”

And that would lead to more questions, "What’s the difference between being cut off and Fallen?" Her head untitled itself as she gave her interest still to Peter Pip. She wasn't staring at her, but she was looking in the general direction, for short conversations Gwen usually paid attention to the eyes, looking straight into them. But with a long conversation she did not want anyone to get uncomfortable so she sort of darted around. Then eyes did land on Pips for a moment when she asked, "Do you think I will have to do that eventually too, choose a side?" Not that she knew what it all entailed but, well yes. "So, you just have to be careful with Damon then?" She made it sound like Pip was a teenager sneaking out of her bedroom window to meet a boy. "So its a safe place if something starts to go wrong?" She had heard of people in trouble going into a church and saying sanctuary, and it seemed like this was the church to go to. Then it hit her, "Airtia is evil?" Of course, Gwen knew whom she was, it would of been odd considering her own foster mother. That did not sound so good the feeling, not such a good one. She was still learning so much, about so many things, it was like taking a whole knew thing in. Then she remembered something, "How...will I learn to fly?"

A few of those were questions she had to think about, one she didn't want to think of, so she answered the easy one first. "You may have to choose sides..." taking a moment to study Gwen. "But unless you start dabbling fully in the Dark you may simply mature to what you are to be. Or it depends on how strong it is in you?" That was something she didn't know. " I mean.. Gwen I have.... Damon is a small thing compared to the friends that I have. I have a high prince of Hell that I resurrected with my blood. Fallen and Death walkers. Spent time as a Vampire, as a Fallen; I've willingly done things that I knew were against the His Law and then I was given the ultimatum. Pick a side. You can't straddle the fence unless you want to be an abomination. If that's what you are, you'll be a Fallen. Being a Fallen is being consumed of evilness. There's no good in you if you're a Fallen Gwen. You won't have the cheery disposition you have, won't laugh and have all those happy thoughts that you have. You'll be bent on destruction, corruption, all things that are sinful. You won't be who you are anymore. I'd rather be cut off, that's loosing my wings and what I am. I'd simply be mortal." Which is what she was for the longest time. and what she wanted to be for the longest time after she found out what she was. Funny how things change.... Now Pip was going to tactfully skip over the mention about Damon and go to the last bit. Flying. "I can teach you how to fly. As for getting your wings back out.. well. I know it when threatened.. though I can control mine in that case....but I think there's your own personal way to bring them out. Something that's you. "

It was best to start with the easiest one and work your way up right? She nodded at the words, so basically as long as she didn't really do anything that was pretty much out of character for her, she should be fine, perhaps. Though if she had a friend, or even just saw someone dying, and she thought she could help, weather they were good or bad, well she would help. Not that she would know how to resurrect anyone. "Your friends sound so very interesting though!" Her eyes were widening, not in the oh my gosh Epiphany what did you do, but in the fact that all of those bad things would be happening. "That does not sound like a fun time..." She shook her head a bit, for it really really did not sound good. But if she had spent some time being mortal, she would know the difference and she would know what she wanted to be more so, and it was a big thing learning things, about yourself. If it wasn't for the cheery disposition, she just might of had an adverse reaction, or maybe it was the curiosity that she had gotten from Azlin that made her want to learn all about, well herself. She was not going to say anything about the skipping over Damon, she noticed it, but she could actually pick up on some things. "Oh that would be very nice of you!" She was all geeked about that, she wasn't until she heard about the fun she could have flying, now it had her wanting to learn. "Do you think with time I can control my wings not to flutter out when I am threatened?" Now that she knew why they came out it was more understandable. "I just will have to figure out what works for them. Is there anything else that is going to oddly pop out or about that I should know about?"

"Well...." She scratched the back of her neck and leaned back to try to get a look behind Gwen to see the status of her shirt. "Until you learn to control them, you may want to invest in halters... or other backless shirts so you won't tear all of your shirts. Might tear them enough that the shirt falls off. I don't know how you feel about being exposed in front of others...." and she didn't! "The best way I've learned to control them is in controlling myself and my emotions. I can feel that side like a voice in my head - especially when around those of the Dark, and if I don't have control over myself I'll start to change and the more I go, I'm not the same Peter Pip." she paused a moment and pursed her lips together. "So when I teach you how to fly and I seem different... it'll be because I'll still be me... but I'll be more Angel, so I may act a bit different...."

Now that she mentioned it, she felt a breeze in the back, but she had just figured her skin was tingling from the wings going back, not from the cool air hitting the flesh, due to holes in the shirt. Thankfully the shirt she was wearing the front was still all in one piece, the back of the shirt had shred marks where the wings cut through on their way to expanding, to long slashes along with the fabric ripping in a few lines across her shoulder area. "That’s what I am feeling the air!" She blushed a bit, maybe it wouldn't be seen so well. She peeked at Peter Pip, "I think, I don't know...I have never been exposed in front of people..." That was something new that she may or may not experience in time. She gave a small nod of her head as she listened to what Pip was saying before speaking again, "But even if your still you, only more Angel, you will still remember me right? And the fact that your trying to teach me something?" That would be her luck the Angel would come out and then she would forget what was going on and deserts her. !

At that stage.. I'll still know who you are. The more I go, the less I'll know you, or have feeling. Full Angels don't have emotions like mortals do but don't worry about that." it was a topic she probably didn't want to get into. There's only been one encounter so far that nearly took me all the way since my change. so you don't have anything to worry about." She tried to give her a reassuring smile, hoping that it worked. Not everyone liked the thought of loosing themselves. Epiphany moved, crawling over to see if there was anything here in this tent for Gwen to put on. "I wouldn't go around telling everyone about what you are either. You never know how people will react.. or what they will do. You may find yourself being mobbed by people wanting you to heal them .or some such..." people who wanted miracles... and for her to do things about this and that.

She gave a small nod of her head. "As long as you know whom I am and what we are doing that should be good." She was a bit worried and she hoped that it wouldn't show to much in her voice. She paused, "Is there a reason that Full Angels don't have the emotions? It sounds like they get gypped!" Gwen loved having emotions and watching them play out with people in situations. She figured that it would be okay, lots of people lived with things and she would figure out how to make it work for herself. Gwen hadn't thought to look for something else to wear, but she wouldn't of looked on her own, it wasn't her stuff. She blinked a bit, "People do odd things don't they?" It was probably good that they were having this talk because otherwise there was a good chance Gwen would just spill things out. Now she had only told one person so far, so she figured that it couldn't be to bad right? She trusted the person she told, even if she didn't really truly know them. "That would be bad, I would hate to disappoint people." She really really would...even as she spoke she gave a small yawn. "I understand that

"Emotions prohibit us from doing a lot of things. We don't go jumping off rooftops or dancing around teasing big bully guys for fear we'd get hurt., ya? Or we'd do all sorts of things if we didn't think about what would happen to us. So it's kinda like the same things." Made sense right? "Say.. like if i went full angel.. I'd be charged.. compelled to kill my friends of the dark. That's all i would want to do. Kill them. If I still had feeling then I would feel terrible for what I had to do. When you're full.. you’re consumed with doing His will. Nothing else matters. " Then she smiled. "And I don't want to kill all of them.. one or two maybe…but not all."

She nodded for that was true. Then she laughed, "Well I would say falling out of the sky and landing with you in the ocean was probably worse then jumping off a rooftop." She could be wrong but if the rooftop hurt worse then that she would be rather surprised. "But isn’t killing bad? Or is it okay when its killing dark friends?" That part threw her, she thought all killing was bad even if they were not good people. She laughed, perhaps she wasn't suppose to, but she did. "I hear that is common with friends that you randomly want to kill them, but not always." Gwen had not yet wanted to kill anyone, maim yes, but not kill. !

"I'm not talking about the casual 'I want to kill them' that people say. I mean that I really want to kill them." all serious because it was true. She did want to kill them. It was in her nature too. "It is a sin to kill people, but those that I would kill are not mortal people, they're not even living so therefore, there is no sin in killing that which is already dead. You are only ridding the world of their evil so that others will be safe and not die." She was spending a lot of time on the topic of Angels, more time than she has in the past and, with everything, that side of her was poking through a bit. It was in the way she spoke. Epiphany didn't find a shirt, per se, but she found a burlap sack. that could work. Shaking it out she offered it. "Not much but it'll keep you warm. You can wrap it around." Yeah.... " No need to make a fashion statement. The rain'll end soon and we can get back to the inn."

She nodded a bit. She was paying attention, and she was hoping that she got it all understood. "So your saying that because they are already dead its not a sin to kill dead people." Did she get that right? "But what if they are evil but they don't kill people? So then its not really saving people is it? Or is it because they are still evil and they have the capabilities?" She would take the burlap sack that was offered to her, and she moved to wrap it around her shoulders, and her right hand would hold it together in the front from the inside. "Are you sure this isn't a fashion statement?" A small grin forming as she looked over to her. "That will be nice, and I can see what clothing I have in the inn that I can wear to maybe not ruin anything else." A rueful grin, "I Wouldn't of worn this if I had known what was going to happen!" A small pause, "Does it always hurt when they pop out?" She was wondering if it was something you could get used to or not.

"This is why Angels don't have emotion. The questions you pose are do to that and your conscious. Evil is evil. Sin is sin. There's no such thing as a little sin and a bigger one. The same with evil. There are no degrees. If you're evil. you're evil. They can seek redemption and be saved, forgiven, have their sins washed away. But if they don't, then they die." Hopefully she was not confusing this with evil people.. like those who rob and kill. Epiphany was talking about evil beings. Creatures. A nod to the burlap. "Your bones will get accustomed and so will your skin. Then it will not hurt anymore. It’s like the pain when new tooth comes in. Hurts while coming, but afterwards, it's gone."

She nodded a bit, because that was making sense to her. It all sounded like rather confusing yet it made sense why they couldn't have the emotion because if the Angel on the kill, had emotion, it might taint or temper what they are doing. Because they might do the, well that’s not so evil, why should I kill you. She paused a moment and then gave a small nod of her head again, "That's something to look forward too! Not that I want to pop them out all the time, but the fact that in time it won't hurt once my body becomes accustomed to it." She smiled to Pip, "Thanks Peter Pip for helping me out with all of this stuff."

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