Birdsong shrine

Brook snapped her jaws in a crude imitation, letting out a "Neh" at the same time.

Tsuruya opened his eyes hesitantly, feeling a good deal less sleepy.
"Hmmwhaa...?" he mumbled.

Kaiti nodded. "Go to the valley wolves and say you were sent by me to kill the intruders. Then they won't have a problem with you killing every single one. I'll guard."

Daybreak nodded approvingly, licking his lips and leaving with a flap of his dark wings.

Kaiti watched until her mate was out of site before turning to look at Brook and Tsuruya with sad eyes.
"It seems that while my intent was to end your suffering temporarily and give you a chance at proving yourself, you have repaid me by bringing violence into my realm of pacifism." she murmered, before pickingup P'Taia by the scruff. She deposited her fluffly little lilac puppy into the cushions near Tsu.
"Stay safe, P'Taia." she instructed. "If there's fighting, here or in the valley, stay here."
A little squeak of confirmation sounded from within the cushions and P'Taia popped her little head up, her glowing pink eyes looking worridly at her mother.

"I didn't do a thing!" Brook snarled, leaping to her feet. "I'm sorry, Kaiti, but I've done nothing! I just - want - to - go - HOME. I didn't bring Cynder at all!"

She desperately wanted her father. In times like this, he would know what to do. What precisely was that naive original doing

Kaiti's eyes softened.
"If you go home, Daybreak can catch you and continue toying with you," she reminded. "I brought you here to rest. I realise Cynder's arrival is not your fault. I know that you hate Daybreak, but although I want to help you, I am unconditionally in love with him and refuse to interfere with his plans to destroy Dusk Isle."
Something kindled in the youngest original'seyes, something that looked like pain. "I didn't want anything to do with that place, anyway."

Brook clawed the dirt. Something was creeping in on her. She sighed.

"I like you, Kaiti. You have a good soul. I know you could help me. I feel trapped here, though. Daybreak is a chain that I can sense holds us both." She sat down. "Your chain is love, my chain is hate. It's the fact those chains are different that sets us apart."

"I'm sorry, Kaiti. But I have to stop him from destroying where I live. My home. I wish that you could help me, but you can't. Why is this situation so complex? I can't hurt someone who saved my life, but to save thousands, I have to do something."

"I'm sorry, Kaiti. But the needs of many are greater than the needs of a few."

Kaiti grinned wryly.
"I am not stopping you from stopping him. I'm just saying that I cannot help you. I am alrady bending the rules by pulling you here, but if it came down to tooth and nails I'd fight to protect the wolf you call a 'monster' with my very existance."
She went to P'Taia once more and licked her puppy's nose.
"This place isn't a prison for me. It's my home. That's why you can rest here as long as you like."

"It is prison for me." Brook said softly, staring. "Your world is one of pacifism, isn't it? If I remember correctly."

Kaiti chose to ignore the question. Instead, she asked one of her own.
"Your world is one of destruction, isn't it? Your world of inner demons."
She paused. "I love my daughter. She is Daybreak's first natural litter. I want her to grow up in a peaceful place. That is why Winter Country exists."

"I cannot explain my dislike of Daybreak without offending you." Brook said. "But I think that you are better than this."

Kaiti gave another small grin.
"I don't with to hear your dislike; it's obvious already in your eyes." she stated obviously, before glancing at the sky.
"'Better' meaning someone who shouldn't be Daybreak's mate? Is that what you mean?"
P'Taia stood on her little purple paws and took off quite suddenly on her runic wings, excited to explore her new home. Kaiti did not stop her.

{You can't use semi-colons in speech *shot*}

((Pfft shush))

"I do mean that." Brook nodded. "You are good, I would not like a good wolf to be tainted."

(I asked my English teachers. They disagree. People "Speak" semi-colons all the time, and we're quiet finely attuned to pick this up.)

{My teachers disagree with you}

"Brook, I know you think you understand what I am 'meant' to be like."
She sighed and looked back towards her guests.
"But you could never understand what it is that attracts us together. I have been mentally scarred by that place you call home, Brook."
She let her wings visibly shiver as scenes of her past ran quickly through her mind.
"I gave Dusk Isle light and sound and music, and it has been misused."

"Some wolves mis-use it." She said, then gave a wolfish grin, showing her teeth, "And despite the fact I lived for a period on Dusk Isle, I consider Ash Peaks my true home."

Kaiti nodded, only half-listening now. She yawned.
"Well, either way, I'm going to make sure you stay here until Daybreak gets back. What you do from then on is none of my concern, provided you do not damage my realm or my wolves."

Brook gave a dramatic sigh "Alright then, Kaiti, alright."

Kaiti sat down to guard again, but once more was interrupted.
The fluffy shape of Mura came floating down from somewhere above and landed neatly in front of her.
"Kyoku, I need to ask you something--" she addressed her creator in a formal fashion, but trailed off, noticing Brook over Kaiti's shoulder.
"Wait, who is that?"

Brook looked at the new arrival.

"Brook." She said rather huskily.

"oh," Mura commented, as if this answered anything. She turned her attention back to her creator.
"Kaiti, I've decided to take Alice's body this time. Is that ok?" she went straight to the point, and Kaiti gave a nod of approval.
"Daybreak recommended that, didn't he?"
"Yeah," confirmed Mura. "It's a war-resistant body that will help our side to win."

"Side? Side? Who's side?" Her fur bristled slightly.

"Weren't you aware?" Mura raised an eyebrow. "War is now inevitable. War between the destroyers and the resistance."
Kaiti's eyes glowed a brilliant moonstone colour as the body of Apose's alternate self appeared suspended in front of them.
"It's all yours, Mura," she prompted. Mura gave an excited bark and leapt into the body like it were an item of clothing, sinking into it and becoming its spirit.