"Well, it's not like I was trying to. Whatever it is that kept them alive, then it'll be my duty to keep it that way. If all of them are safe, then allow me to bear the responsibility of keeping that safety..." the fox replied.
The Witness burst out laughing as if Kurai just told a really funny joke.
"And they failed to do so every single time. Isn't that right?", he asked Aurum.
"Wow. I... didn't expect you to understand so easily. You're a smart one.", the tiger complimented.
"Because I talked them down like half the time... You were always obscured in shadows and just swift fury...!" Aurum responded with the sharpness of someone who tried to fancy themselves a leader-- and her confidence had gone up since she'd started trying to be even remotely one.
"The fact that you managed to talk them down at all is good enough. Not many possess that kind of skill. The woman in front of you doesn't for example.", he encouraged.
"Either sarcasm or a compliment, I am not befitting of such." they shook their head, "I'm only doing what is ordered to me..."
"What do you mean? Someone ordered you to protect others?", Taiga asked in slight confusion.
"...Uh huh. Whatever you say, dude." Kurai sighed. She didn't really seem to care. She let out a yawn, one she couldn't keep hidden in her gut, groaning.
"If you wish to, you can take a nap right here. It's not like we're gonna do anything to you.", the man said as he opened his suitcase and took out two items. It was a sleeping bag and a pillow. Yeah, he had to be extra.
"Not used to having company? We aren't going to disturb you, or at least we'll try not to.", he said while patting the pillow that was placed on the spread out sleeping bag. "Don't tell me you want to sleep on the hard floor."
"You can put it that way, yes."
"So you're doing this out of obligation? Not necessarily because you want to or enjoy it?"
"I find enjoyment in my obligation." they shook their head, "It is the reason why I'm created for..."
"Created? I... I see. That explains your...", Taiga glanced down for a split second.
"It's fine, the ears are quite an obvious one to indicate..." they replied, brushing their hair to reveal no humanly ears, whilst their other hand would point at their visible fox ears, whom each pointed down.
"Really? I thought they were modifications caused by your Dogma, like Skinner's. That means whoever created you deliberately gave you the traits of a fox, and...", he paused. "Are you some kind of... experiment? A genetic hybrid between human and vulpes perhaps?", the man asked with genuine fascination.
"I-I'll tell them to leave you alone while you sleep..." Aurum offered Kurai quietly
"There we go. Isn't it just nice and warm inside? You don't seem to like the cold very much so hopefully you'll find this to be a pleasant experience.", the Witness whispered.
"Sshh... Why worry so much? You're safe here... Close your eyes... Let go of your negative thoughts... And think of a peaceful place instead... Or don't think at all...", he continued to speak to Kurai soothingly. His voice was as quiet and gentle as a lullaby, slowly making her drift off to sleep.
"You sound like you're trying to comfort her as she dies." Aurum... didn't read the situation.
"Sweet dreams...", he said one last time.
"Then I'm doing it correctly. Now, we have some things to discuss. Let's go to that building right next to us without making too much noise so as to not wake her up.", the masked figure suggested as he silently got up and stood by the doorway.
(Arkhan isn't over there, I can say she's kind of just in the building though)
(What do you mean? Is she in the same building as the other three or not?)
(I typed this out and you didn't correct me so I thought she did follow him and was there in the house)
(I miss things sometimes-- that is to say, if I want my character somewhere I will say where they are. Don't try to control where my characters are a second time, okay? Because this isn't something I really tolerate at the best of times. Capiche?)
(I can edit my previous posts to no longer include her if you want. We can just say Witness went there alone)
(Yes, do so. This ain't beef or drama or anything, but don't take agency away from me a second time unless you want the verbal lashing of the century. I didn't want Arkhan involved in Aurum's introduction scene, because then the focus would shift away from establishing how Aurum operates as a character right now.)
(Done. Sorry for making that mistake)
(It's fine, there's always a first time you can't really get all that worked up about it, I know I'm pretty anal about controlling my characters lol)
"Yes. But my Dogma is related to swordsmanship and not necessarily by my genetics." they shook and then nodded.
(Think you can have Aurum reply now)
"Ah, got it. A cool fox with a cool sword. I can vibe with that.", he chuckled.
They nod.
(I was asleep lol)
"Why...?" Aurum asked quietly, immediately seeming a little suspicious, but she kind of had to be with most people, even as kind as she was.
"Say, you know that one continent from the Old Earth called Asia? I think we were both raised in places that inherited its culture."
The Witness looked at Aurum, his gaze momentarily shifting to the sleeping Kurai before returning to her again.
"Not 100%, honestly... y-you're enigmatic..."
"Even when I've been safeguarding and aiding you for so long?", he took a few inaudible steps closer to her. "Hmm... Fair enough. We can talk right here, but we should at least try to keep it quiet.", the man whispered as he slowly sat down on the ground.
"Okay..." Aurum said, slowly sitting down, wincing a little as she clumsily landed on her butt from a small drop, but was overall fine.
"Alright...", he slowly sighed before speaking. "To get straight to the point, Taiga and Eye are planning to leave this place soon but we still need a few more days to prepare for the trip."
"..." They were in the middle of meditating but opened their eyes and replied, "That so?" before they glanced at their palm.
"And how can I help? Though I... I admit I'm not the most physically inclined and... I'd like to see the sun, or ehatever it is now, up there." Aurum shuffled with some discomfort, not really liking the swaying of this place regardless.
