ORIGIN - i've fallen in a wicked trap

After seeing Envy again and making sure the little weasel was alive, and after the formation of - what was it? The Sinful Seven? - Li wasn't sure what to do. Did Envy still want her to stick around? Or was she free to roam? Even if she was, she wasn't sure what she'd do or where she'd go. So for now, she'd stick around in Orion. See if Envy needed her for anything.

She supposed she could ask if they wanted her to stay near them, but she wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer. She didn't want to be tied to Envy like she was to Imperia, but she felt she was obligated to. She felt trapped, and she hated it, but she couldn't seem to find her way out.

For now, she was examining the tower. She couldn't remember having been around this area aside from traveling through Tunnel I. She walked along the winding stairs until she got to a hollow room at the peak. It was kinda cool, though she wasn't sure what to do now. She sat in the middle of the room and looked around, wondering if anyone ever came up here. She figured there must have been some who did - she could smell their scent, faint as it was - but wondered how often. Would someone find her here? She partially hoped they wouldn't, but she also found herself...so lonely. She grew up always around someone and suffered when she had left Imperia. Later she found Envy, which helped.

But they were a king now, and probably didn't even need her. So she was back to being lonely. She let out a sigh before looking up at the ceiling.

"Li Speech."

Chacha walked slowly, looking around. She had never been here before, at least she couldn't remember being here. Chacha stared curiously at the large tower, wondering what it was like there. She decided that today was the day she would check it out, even if it were just the once. Chacha slowly went up the tower, taking in a sniff every so often. It seemed someone was at the top, for she kept catching fresh scents. Once she reached the top, Chacha looked around until she spotted a strange creature. Slowly and cautiously, Chacha stepped forward.

"Hello there, who are you? You look.....lonely."

The creature was staring up at the roof all alone, that was never a good sign. Chacha sat herself down slowly, her quills laid neatly back and pointed away from the creature, so to make sure she sting accidentally prickle her.

@Aaliyah

Li jumped upon hearing a voice and quickly turned around, hackles raised. But all she saw was a tiny creature. Upon closer examination, however, it was revealed that said creature had what looked to be sharp quills all around. It almost reminded her of Envy with their new quills.

Even so, she grew wary. While it looked like the quills were down and away, she still wasn't sure she could completely trust them. The joy of having been with Imperia for so long of her life, she supposed. She found it hard to trust anyone.

She thought back to what they had said and bristled slightly. Lonely? She was...but that wasn't something she wanted anyone else to know about. "I'm fine," she grumbled, a bit harsher than she really intended. "And my name is Li."

"Li Speech."

@Chacha

Chacha tilted her head when Li spoke. The way she spoke was a little harsh but at least she got her name. She smiled and slowly stepped forward. She didn't believe for a moment Li was fine. She knew what 'fine' meant. It was something you said when you didn't really want to talk about or admit your feelings.

"My name is Chacha, don't worry I won't hurt you."

She gave a gentle smile then closed her eyes trying to use her magic. Sadly, it wouldn't work. She would have to make her own music. Chacha stood back a few steps so she didn't frighten the girl then rose all of her spikey quils. After that, Chacha began to shake them like a rattle, making sweet, rythemic music. She closed her eyes and allowed the music to consume her and Chacha began to sing softly. If this didn't calm the creature down, she didn't know what would.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo5t69WGmr8

@Aaliyah

Li's eyes narrowed as she eyed the creature. Chacha, she said her name was. She still bristled, the hair on the back of her neck and spine still raised. Her claws were making marks in the ground, though she tried to ignore that.

When Chacha backed up and raised her quills, she was ready to flee then and there. She almost did as the sounds started. What was that? She'd never heard anything like it. Slowly, the fur fell flat against her and she tilted her head, staring at Chacha.

"Li Speech."

@Chacha

Chacha finished her little dance and her attempt to cheer Li up however it just made her speechless. Now she wasn't sure if that was good or bad. She stopped for a moment and slowly lowered her quills then stepped forward with a small smile.

"So...what did you think? Did you like it?"

She sat herself down and relaxed herself, waiting for her answer. Once again, she showed no hostility. Her smile was warm and kind and her quills were down. There was no threat.

@AALIYAH

Li still didn't know what to do or say as the sounds stopped. She watched Chacha, waiting to see what the porcupine would do. She still didn't like the look of those quills, but at least they were down. She didn't seem to be a threat...But still, she found it hard to trust anyone.

"I...It was, uh," Li struggled to come up with something to say. She supposed she liked it, though she had no idea what it was. "It was...good." She managed.

"Li Speech."

@Chacha

Chacha tilted her head for a moment and watched her before slowly approaching. She gave a warm smile and sat down beside her then looked up to her with the same warm smile.

"Look, you can trust me. I won't hurt you. I can sense that something is wrong, let me help. Please?"

Of course, if she wouldn't tell her what was wrong, there was just nothing she could do. She waited for now though, one final attempt. Her quills were down and away from her in hopes that she didn't feel threatened.

@AALIYAH

Li involuntarily tensed as Chacha approached. She still eyed her warily. Those eyes narrowed as she spoke and she found herself looking the porcupine over again. She could still see those quills, but they were down and seemed to pose no threat at all. All throughout their meeting, she had been trying to prove she was no harm. To prove that she wouldn't hurt her.

Frankly, Li didn't trust it.

Still, she found her fur flattening against her back and she slowly relaxed. She was still wary, ready to bolt at the first sign of threat, but for now she decided to trust her. Now for the matter of something being wrong...

"Nothing is wrong," she growled slightly, tensing once more before pausing and slumping down. "At least, nothing you can help with. It's all been and done, in the past. Cycles and cycles have passed." She looked back up at the ceiling for a moment. "I'll be okay. I - I always have been."

"Li Speech."

@Chacha