Undergrowth (Log 01)

**FrankenSoul**

The land of the kingdom had always been beautiful. Varied lands mixed and mingled, flourishing in colorful arrays of landscape in which strange both strange and wonderful creatures resided. Directly from the whispers and dreams of children, there was darkness in this glowing heart of magic. Conflict and harm that wallowed under the surface, disrupting the life and light that struggled to be seen. Evil could be found, should one look deeply enough.

South, past lush forests and mighty kingdoms, a land that had fallen to the corruption and rot of time lingered at the edge of the map. Simply known as 'The Wastelands', dark creatures called this place their home. It was a bare place. The earth itself seemed dead and unable to support life, the soil black and burnt. Bare, darkened trees lifted their twisted branches towards the skies, as if clawing at it. Everything inside the darkness was only a shadow of itself. Water did not quench thirst, tainted and bitter. Animals were reduced to violent beasts, humans driven mad. A darkness had descended upon this place. The air itself seemed shrouded and heavy, sunlight shaded and cold. Only monsters and demons could be found here. Only the bravest, most foolish, or most desperate dared move inside.

So why then did a voice now cry out for help?

The little girl was dressed in mere rags along a skinny, starving form. Her bare feet pounded against the soul of the wastelands, her eyes wide. Her yells for yelp were hoarse, broken. She ran with a limp, as her leg was injured, blood dripping down it. She tripped, falling against a thin tree and grasping it to hold herself up. Tears rolled down her face and her pleas never silenced. She was not human, that much was apparent by pointed ears and fangs. Still, she could not be very old, barely into her teens. The area she had fled to was a transition between wastes and woodlands. Not quite the wastelands, but not yet out of them either. The beast that followed her could be heard, crashing through the underbrush behind her. Was she meant to die here, like this? She whimpered, closing her eyes tightly.

**PhoenixAshes**

"Come on, little one." Ciya said firmly to the wilting plant she cupped between her slender hands. The vine-like marks on the backs of them seemed to shift slightly, uncurling and reaching as if extending energy.  Her wide honey colored eyes held a determination in them and the longer bits of her short blonde hair fell forward as she bent over the young plant. The air around it shimmered slightly with energy, like sunlight as it hit floating bits of pollen. Everything on the edge was struggling for life, the Wastes were expanding or at least it was trying to. She was doing everything she could to keep the plant life around here going, but the stream that fed this particular part was starting to become bitter with salt.  Suddenly, the cries for help pulled her attention from her work. It didn't sound far, a quick sprint and flight ahead. Giving one last look between the plant she was trying to heal and the sound she sighed heavily with decision and took off. Her slim but nimble legs getting her up to speed just before her wings flickered into existence and picked her up from the ground.

**FrankenSoul**

The young girl looked behind herself, gripping the thin tree and gasping. She could see it. It was here! A dark shape, lunging forward with intense hatred in every movement. Its eyes seemed to glow white, hands curled into menacing claws. The beast resembled a man. Dark, curling hair moved about his face, his pupils a brilliant blue. His clothing seemed to be strange, formal one might even say, the cloth soft and fine with dulled golden buttons. Though, the outfit did seem tattered and torn. His skin set him apart from normal human beings. It was a very dark gray, lifeless and without warmth. His mouth had been sewn shut, the strong thread looking painful across his lips.

Despite not being able to growl or howl, his eyes expressed outright fury towards the other... along with the intent to kill. Body tense, shoulders hunched, he approached. Moving swiftly, within a split second he was at her side and grasped her neck, scowling deeply. The girl cried out, sobbing, but he didn't stop. His grip on her neck tightened, cutting off her air. He did so without pause, watching her intensely for signs that her life was flickering out.

**PhoenixAshes**

It was in that tense instant that Ciya's heel made hard contact with his face. She'd practiced this move many times, with high altitude and speed while in flight she stopped and moved so that was what would hit first.  If that weren’t enough to get who ever this was off of the girl giving the strangled pleas for help, she'd tear him off like one tears flower petals from a stem.

**FrankenSoul**

It was, seeing as he had no idea that he would be attacked like that. Falling back, he fell upon his rump with a low grunt and looked up upon this... person with wide eyes. Or, it looked like a person. Sort of.

He didn't flinch or rub at the surely sore spot on his face. Quickly, he began to move to his feet. The little girl whimpered, moving to cling to the side of her makeshift savior. The girl pressed against her, tucking her face into her side and crying weakly, "H-Help! He's going to k-kill me!"

The grey skinned man's eyes narrowed towards the little girl, irritation crossing his features before once again his eyes widened. He paused, and for a split second looked concerned. He made a gesture, as if trying to gesture her to move away from the child. Did he wish for her to step aside then?

**PhoenixAshes**

"Stay behind me." She told the girl who was clinging very tightly to her shirt. Ciya moved her just incase she was too frightened to do so herself. Standing firm watching the poor thing's attacker carefully. It was most noticeable that his mouth was sewn shut, a gruesome fact that only made the rest of his appearance seem that much worse. The fae's eyebrows furrowed a bit at the signaling movement. "Not a chance." She replied harshly, guessing to the meaning of it.

**FrankenSoul**

The man made a groaning sound, moving to rub his eyes. Goddamn it. He seemed to be struggling to say something, almost seeming exasperated as he continued to gesture for her to move away. Didn't she realize how much danger she was in?

The young girl grew quieter, gripping tightly... And smiled. Her fangs seemed to grow longer, her entire mouth now filled with dark, menacing teeth. Claws sprouted outward where there had once been none, and so close, she dug the dark appendages into the leg of the woman who had saved her. A monster in disguise.

“Mmm!”

The gray skinned man let out a sound of concern. Not seeming to care if the woman still thought him a threat, he knew what he had to do. Once again, he moved with remarkable speed, shoving the two apart and sending both in the opposite direction. The girl hisses, growling and snarling as he leaped to pin her against the ground.

The girl screamed and yelled once again, but now sounded almost demonic. “RELEASE ME! I WILL TEAR YOU APART!”

The gray skinned man frowned deeply at this, for a moment debating on his course of action. He couldn't take any more chances. With a brisk movement, his hand once again enclosed around her neck- and snapped it with a definite sound, cutting off her life all at once. The girl's movements grew still, her jaw slack and eyes dull. Dead.

Breathing heavily through his nose, the man turned back towards the other. She had been injured, hadn't she? Stabbed in the leg by that demon. Was she all right?

**PhoenixAshes**

The stabbing came suddenly and she'd gasped in pain, eyes wide and shocked. Next thing she knew she was tumbling through dry brush and dust. Being forced apart had caused some extra damage to her, which she only realized after the horrifying sounds stopped with a snap. "ghnn.." Ciya would have cursed herself openly if she weren’t already in pain. How could she be so stupid? She knew how close she was to the Wastelands! She should have known better than to just believe a situation from the first glance. Gripping some of the dry dirt in hand she forced herself to sit, keeping the wounds from touching the dirt here.

**FrankenSoul**

Oh, she was bleeding awfully badly. What could he do? Carefully, as if afraid he would startle her, the gray skinned man moved forward and crouched beside her. He hadn’t meant to be so harsh when he had shoved her. He hoped he hadn't hurt anything. As she sat up, he lifted his hands and widened his eyes to show he meant no harm. Slowly, as if asking permission, his hands moved towards her legs. Up close, details of his hands could be seen. Even his fingers were stitched, as if they had fallen off at one point and had been reattached. He didn't touch her leg, but frowned slightly. It would hurt to walk on. Wait a moment...

He reached into his jacket and withdrew a long, clean strip of cloth. Gingerly, he moved as if he wished to wrap it around her leg, pausing to glance up at her and ask for permission before doing so.

**PhoenixAshes**

For a moment his actions and expression confused her, but there was something about his cautiousness that eased any fear she may have had of him. Blinking once to try and comprehend what he was trying to communicate with the strip of cloth and the glance to her, Ciya nodded gently and shifted her position a bit so it would be easier for him to wrap it. "You...were trying to warn me...?" It came out more like a statement, but the words were a question nonetheless.

**FrankenSoul**

Good, she wouldn't fight him on this. She would let him help her. He smiled, the edges of his sewn mouth twitching upward. He nodded to answer her. Yes, he had been trying to warn her. He didn't blame her for not understanding him though. It's not as if he could have verbally told her, and the situation seemed as if he were the monster. He had been harsh, he would admit. He should have snapped her neck before, instead of choking her. It would have been more civil.

His hands were surprisingly precise as he wound the long strip of cloth around her injury, slowing the blood flow from it. That would have to do for now... Moving to wipe his hands upon his pants, he squinted his eyes in a broader smile. Well, at least he had been some use.

He would have to communicate with her... Oh, of course! Reaching under to the pockets inside his vest yet again, he grasped another useful item he tended to keep with him. Old bits of blank scrolls and a small, thin piece of charcoal. Crude, but it would do.

Pressing the bits of paper over a rock, he swiftly wrote something down and lifted it moments later to show her with a friendly smile. 'Franky'. It said. He moved to press a hand against his chest, looking embarrassed as he did so. It sounded like a silly name, but for some reason he was fond of it.

**PhoenixAshes**

Ciya's confusion was immediately visible across her face as she read the word. It was only when she looked at him fully and the action he made that she understood. "Franky?" The wounded fae repeated. "That's your name? Franky."

**FrankenSoul**

For a moment, he had thought perhaps he had made a mistake. After all, she might not know how to read the human tongue. But no, she could. He nodded once again at her question, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. He tilted his head and pointed to her. He wanted to know her name in return. It was basic manners, wasn't it?

Still, while he waited for her to reply, he leaned back over to write once again. He turned it to reveal, frowning in concern. 'Your wound could get infected if it's not cleaned. There is a clean river not far away. I can carry you there.'

**PhoenixAshes**

She felt so ridiculous that it took her so long to comprehend his communications. Oddly enough each one had been very clear once understood. " My name is Ciya." The introduction was made as he was writing again. Ah, that would explain the continuous stinging she felt. "It's okay I think I can..." As she moved to get up she winced in pain, her head going light as a daisy petal before she fell back down where she had been. "ugh..." So much for being independent on this.

**FrankenSoul**

Ciya? That sounded foreign. A pretty name, for sure. A low sound resounded from his throat. Laughter? It was a good natured sound at least. He moved to loop his arms under her carefully, lifting her off the ground as if she were a child. He couldn't feel her weight, but he was sure she wasn't heavy anyhow.

He had tucked his 'supplies' back inside his clothing, so he couldn't really 'speak' to her now. Oh well. Moving in large strides, he did his best not to jostle her. The thin, dying trees began to vanish behind them. It was always strange to move away from the Wastes. The trees became fully and move alive, the sounds of animals and birds surrounding them.

And... ah, there it was. The sound of babbling water. Arriving upon a small stream, the water was indeed clear and beautiful, flowing naturally over smooth rocks. Of course, in time, the Wastes would consume this place too... Lowering her down so that her feet could submerge in the water, he swiftly undid the cloth so that she could wash her leg.

Moving to sit upon the ground himself, he beamed a smile her way and crossed his legs. He would make sure she was okay, then he would leave her be. He was sorry for having her get mixed up in all that before. He wasn't about to explain it either, unless she asked. He tried to make decent 'conversation', withdrawing his supplies and scribbling rapidly.

'It was kind of you to try and help before. You must be kind, to try and help a little girl. What are you, if I may ask?' She didn't seem to be human.

**PhoenixAshes**

When he picked her up she felt incredibly unstable, so her arms naturally took hold around his shoulders. It was hard to feel like she wasn't loosing any of her dignity here, but in this case, perhaps it didn't matter. It was kind of him to help her like this, she should be grateful. As he lowered her down, Ciya tested how steady she was. Thankfully she wouldn't fall, but to be sure she allowed herself to sit more on the bank of the stream.  The wounds weren't too deep--again, thanks to him but they were long and jagged from the little thing's attempt to keep clawing into her. She moved up that leg of her shorts a bit so she could get the area cleaned without soaking her clothes.

His smile, the sewn together line it was, was a little strange but oddly nice to see. When she was half way done washing her leg she noticed he'd written something else. "Oh...I'm a plant pixie..." Ciya explained, mostly responding to the last question he'd written.

**FrankenSoul**

A plant pixie? His pale eyes widened in surprise as his smile widened. He had never met one of those before. He paused before reaching forward, his fingers slightly pinching her arm. She felt squishy, just like anyone else. His head tilted to the side as he released her, tapping his hands upon his knees eagerly.

The paper he had been writing upon had been completely used, and the sound of it crumbling and tossed aside was loud. Quickly he scribbled something else and lifted to show her, eagerness plain on his face. On the paper itself were hastily written questions.

'What do you eat? Can you fly? What sorts of powers do you have? Do you know much about other species?'

His energy was akin to that of a child, excited to learn new and interesting things about the world.

**PhoenixAshes**

"Ow!..what was that--" She was about to reprimand him for the pinch but his excitement threw her off guard and left her a little speechless. Everything about him from his posture to his gaze to the scribbling of his hand seemed to have energy. Ciya had to squint slightly at the questions since they were written fast and had less clarity than his other writings. "You've never seen anyone like me before, have you?" The slender woman couldn't help but giggle a bit and answered his questions in order. "Mostly things from plants--fruit, nuts, barries, vegatables. They take care of us and in return we take care of them and all other plants. " Next question. "Mostly regeneration and growth abilities and flight, of course, but I have to call my wings. Some of us have pollen based abilities, some can grown and control vines--you know those kinds of things." The 'other speicies' question made her pause. "The last one is a yes and no." The truth was they knew a lot about others who lived outside the wastes, but when it came to darker creatures and those made by witchcraft or other darker magics it was hard to safely get information.

**FrankenSoul**

He was obviously listening intensely, eyes remaining round and wide. They took care of them? Aaah that was nice. As he had thought. This pixie was full of life, and lived among life. He wondered what that was like, so far away from the Wastes. He hadn't really met anyone like her at least. Seen them? Sure, sometimes. But one had never strayed close enough to talk to him without screaming and running the other way.

But that all sounded wonderful. As she gave a last, mixed answer, he frowned somewhat. Oh. Well, he couldn't expect her to sit there and explain every detail about every species. He rubbed the back of his head and ducked his head slightly in apology. If he could blush, his grey face would have heated.

Forcing his hand to move closer, he wrote, 'Thank you! It was very nice to meet and 'talk' to someone again. I don't know what you were doing near the Wastes, but be careful. Will you be okay to go home alone?'

**PhoenixAshes**

This guy was so incredibly hard to understand; Ciya thought. Then again she had been wrong about the little demon child so--she was most likely wrong about Franky too. "You surprise me." She smiled softly at him and his urging her to be careful and replied to his other question. "I should be fine. But it'll take longer since I'll be limping," As she spoke she gently got out of the water. The bleeding had stopped at least, but she needed some flecker leaf and honey-flower to bind it with. Both would help against infection and stop the pain at least for a little bit, but she doubted either of those grew around here, her bright eyes looked around anyway--just incase.

**FrankenSoul**

His lips moved somewhat under the stitches, as if he were attempting to bite his lip. His eyes remained on her leg as thoughts swam through his head. At him surprising her, he merely made a wry chuckle deep in his throat. What, because he looked like a flesh eating monster? He supposed he would be surprised too if their positions were reversed.

Inwardly he debated, glancing up and back over his shoulder. He became anxious, fiddling with his hands as he thought. At last he stopped long enough to scribble something down.

'Would you like someone to carry you or go with you?'

He didn't like leaving her out here alone, or having someone wounded going home. But at the same time, straying too far from the Wastes always proved disastrous for him and she most likely wouldn't want someone like him knowing where she lived. He would offer at least.

**PhoenixAshes**

"Hm?" Glancing over when she heard him writing again, Ciya waited patiently for his next words to be shown to her. "Oh..um.." As much as she wanted to say no and let him get back to where ever, she didn't exactly like the idea of being alone either. Especially now that she was hurt, she'd be a good target for anything that wanted her. Without gaining speed she couldn't take off and fly. "...actually, if it isn't too much trouble, could you come with me?"

**FrankenSoul**

As she hesitated, he moved his thumbs around each other. Well of course she wouldn't want him to follow her around like a lost puppy. However, as she continued, he lifted his face up and lifted a brow.

She... did wish for him to come along? Ah, now he had mixed emotions all over again. If he left, there was a large chance that bad things would happen... But he offered, she accepted, and he wouldn't feel right if she went home alone. Once again he smiled, nodded, and slowly stood, reaching out to help her to her feet. Did she want him to carry her? He would, though he wouldn't be able to 'talk' if he did so.

**PhoenixAshes**

"Before we start going, may I borrow your paper and writing charcoal for a second? " She needed to show him what she'd been looking for the moment before he asked if she needed him to come along. Another set of eyes would be good to have while searching. They'd probably find them further in, once the effect from the waste's aura wore off due to distance.

**FrankenSoul**

Borrow his... What for? He frowned lightly, but merely shrugged and moved to offer the paper and charcoal out for her. Maybe she wanted to draw something?

**PhoenixAshes**

His hesitance was understandable, after all she basically had his voice in her hands. "I need these two things..." She explained as she made her best crude sketch of the plants. "They'll help me heal faster if I bind them to this as soon as I can." She moved her leg a bit at the word 'this', illustrating it since she couldn't exactly point and draw at the same time. Carefully she returned the paper and charcoal back to him.

**FrankenSoul**

Oh... She wanted to draw out plants? Well, if they helped heal her, he would try to keep his eyes peeled. He nodded, peering at the paper intensely and attempting to memorize the shapes. How interesting...

He reached for the back of his britches, hand sliding into his pocket and removing something. A small black book, the cover worn and battered from frequent use. Opening it wide to a random page, an illustration was shown. Thin, precise sketches of some sort of budding flower, lines extending and ending with phrases and words, cutting and labeling the plant. The now memorized illustration she had created was safely folded and tucked away into the small book, as he snapped it shut with a smile and slid it back into his pocket.

He crouched, opening his arms wide and tilting his head with a pressed grin. His way of asking, would she like to hop into his arms again for now? He saw no problem with it, at least until they found the right plants.

**PhoenixAshes**

The moments of confusion she had in-between his actions were getting smaller now that she was starting to get used to the pauses in interactions. His motion to let her back into his arms, while wonderfully kind and considerate, set a sort of dejected look onto her face. In less than a heart beat afterward she sighed in defeat. "Alright...." Coming close to him again, her arms went about his neck and she gently set herself into his hold, feeling a bit of a flush on her face from the fact that she was being carried again.

**FrankenSoul**

Once again he chuckled without opening his mouth, eyes squinting somewhat as he did. What, she didn't want him to help her anymore? Did he stink perhaps? He couldn't smell so he really couldn't tell...

Apparently not, as she allowed him to carefully pick her up. Was that a flush of color on her face? Aah adorable~ If he could grin, he would. As it were, his lips did press into a wide smile. He leaned down somewhat, turning his face and rubbing the side of his face against her own. He couldn't tease verbally, so why not physically?

He wasn't sure exactly which way her home was, but he was willing to bet it was the opposite of the Wastes. He began to walk, careful not to jostle her around too much as he did so. It was always strange to walk away from the Wastes... He could easily see the life entering everything around... and slowly draining from him. Each step was slightly heavier than the one before. But that was to be expected.

Of course, he was silent as they moved, glancing around in search for the plants she had drawn. There were plenty of plants here, but he couldn't spot the exact one she needed. He moved for what felt like a long while until at last he spotted it. Small patches of the plants she had shown, very close together. Perfect! Making a low sound in his throat, he nodded his head towards them and carefully moved to settle her down. He picked up his hand, pointing towards it.

**PhoenixAshes**

At his nuzzle, since that was the only word she could use to explain the brush of cheek against cheek, she tensed a bit and got somewhat flustered. It was clear he did it on purpose, she could feel the thread his mouth was sewn with tighten a bit as he smiled more. Instead of speaking she decided to return the favor, and tightened her embrace around his neck and shoulders a little more, letting her forehead rest just under his chin. There....who was teasing now,huh?

It was only at his sound that she looked up again. "Hey, look at that!" Her voice was happy as she noticed the plants. As he set her down she used a tree for balance and her honey gaze followed his point. "Yes! That's them!"

**FrankenSoul**

Her return teasing did have him pressing his smile as far as it could go. Well then, the little pixie wasn't one who could be teased without expecting some sort of retaliation. It was wasted however, as he merely let out a happy hum under his breath.

Seemed he had spotted the right plant at least. She slipped from his grasp and he moved forward, crouching down to close his fingers around the delicate things- but paused quickly with a look of realization. Oh. He really shouldn't do that. Looking almost sheepish, he made a low sound and moved for her to do it. With his big hands and his dullness to sensations, he'd crush them on accident...

**PhoenixAshes**

Ciya hobbled a little bit as she went over to the plants, since it hurt to move too much and she really didn't want to risk the wounds opening again and have her blood trickling. She took a guess at why he made that expression and gently patted his shoulder, having to use him for balance as she bent to look over the plants. A lot of the flecker plants were relatively small so their weren't many leaves that were ready to pull, but thankfully there were enough to help dull her pain at least till she got home. The honey-flowers were, thankfully, abundant and blooming, the thick nectar made for incredibly effective purification. This could cure even the worst infections and using it precautionary on a new wound like she had could ward it off as well. She did just that, carefully pulling one of the larger flowers from it's place against the stem she turned it over so the golden syrupy stuff dripped across her leg. The fae bit back a hiss of minor pain and her grip tightened lightly on Franky's shoulder.

**FrankenSoul**

He had no sensation of pain, but he could still see her grip tighten on his shoulder and her look of pain. Poor thing. The flower seemed to be doing what it needed to do at least. He wondered if it smelt good. Probably. He missed smelling them. Did she know about them because of her species? Or did she study them to learn such things? He would have to ask her later.

Pausing to look around, his eyes narrowed slightly. The sky was growing a bit darker. Was it getting later? Huh... Well, they had been lucky not to see any hostile creatures so far. Swiftly reaching for spare paper, he was able to scribble out, 'How much further is your home?'

**PhoenixAshes**

After finishing with the flower she set it on the ground and gently pushed a pile of dirt over it, so more would grow. As she looked up she noticed his note. "Not much further. It's straight on and then right at the old white tree." While she gave the directions she plucked up what few flecker leaves were ready and pressed them against her skin before wrapping the wounded part of her leg up again. For a moment they felt cooling and then there was hardly a feeling at all. Seeming to notice the darkening sky as well she addressed that worry. "It should take less than half an hour. Don't worry. "

**FrankenSoul**

Half an hour. Okay, that wasn't so bad. And if it did get too dark too quickly, he was sure he could defend them. Though it would be difficult to defend someone injured...

Oh. He had forgotten to ask if her home was close to any human settlements. Hopefully not. He wouldn't bring it up for now though as once again his arms moved under her and carefully lifted her up, showing a gentleness that he didn't trust to use on the flower. It was a bit... difficult. He had to be careful not to hold too tightly, or risk crushing this 'flower'. He couldn't be too loose either, or else he'd risk dropping her to the ground. This was especially hard without a real sense of touch, but he would manage.

Briskly he moved in the direction she had indicated, keeping his bright eyes level and wary. He was so used to being in the Wastes that he did expect something to leap out at them. It was nice to see nature, and the careful tenderness that his pixie friend showed for it. It must be wonderful to be gifted with such things...

As instructed, his old shoes carried them where they needed to go. Turning right at the tree, he began to wonder as they grew closer, what would the home of a pixie look like...? The sky had begun to melt its rich colors, signaling that darkness would soon come. But for the moment, hues of passion reflected from every surface. He did love this part of the day. It... glowed?

**PhoenixAshes**

With a little bit of surprise her arms went around his neck again, unintentionally clinging close because she hadn't been prepared for him to lift her again. After a moment though she slightly relaxed into him, seeming to have completely given up any sense of dignity she'd tried to maintain earlier. It couldn't be helped, since his carrying her was faster than her hobbling and even the best parts of the world could be dangerous at night. The sky was lovely, though, she thought as she looked up at it.

It wasn't much longer after the turn at the tree that a house appeared. The wooden side paneling was a reddish color that seemed to echo the color of clay or brick but with a more earthy brown to it like tree trunk bark. The roof was covered in dark shingles. Even in the late light and shadows, it looked small and cozy for the most part. On the left corner there was a hexagonal shaped section that extended up somewhat like a tower but didn't raise much higher than the roof. This part of the house seemed to have two stories, the bottom one with only a few windows and the top one that had wide and tall ones on every side until it met the strait parts of the house. "Well, there it is. " She said, smiling up at her strange new friend.

**FrankenSoul**

Oh wow... that was gorgeous. Such a beautiful place to live. Such a place did deserve to be given the term 'home'. He wondered what she had inside. Books, probably. Maybe a fireplace. A kitchen with yummy food inside. Such a place would hold great memories inside.

Slowly he continued to move, turning to smile down at the young pixie. Or, at least she looked young. They would need to say goodbye soon then... He was sure she wouldn't want him to hang about. And in any case, he was so far from the Wastes. He needed to go back eventually. Preparing to come closer to the door to set her down, his foot moved out- only to hit something in his way.

"Hmm?" He frowned lightly in surprise. What in the world... Attempting to push his foot through whatever was keeping it away, he found he could not. He could move back, but he couldn't go forward. Lifting a hand, and shifting Ciya so that he could, he found his fingers pressed against something that remained in the way. Invisible. What in the world...? He made a sound of distress and confusion, glancing towards the girl in his arms.

**PhoenixAshes**

"Oh gosh!" She clapped one of her hands over her mouth in embarrassment. Thanks to her housemate's permanent invitation, which took some tweaking in the recasting, Ciya had been able to come and go freely, never having to worry about this barrier. "Viv's protection spell. I forgot!" It was her turn to smile sheepishly now. "Here, let me down. I'll go get her and we'll let you in. You don't have an issue with magic users...right?" The truth of the matter was Vivica didn't use 'magic' as most people thought of it. Her abilities were mostly energy, crystal and herb based, but she did know a few things, nothing dark or dangerous. Still some had a problem with anything like that in humans.

**FrankenSoul**

A protection spell? Interesting! Magic then. At her request, he did carefully move her and set her upon the ground, smiling as he did so. Invite him in? Oh... Well, he supposed he could stay for a little while. He felt warm inside at the thought that she didn't want to drive him away so quickly.

Have a problem with magic users... Once again he found himself giving a light frown. He didn't think so... The term made him a tad uncomfortable, but it was nothing serious. He shook his head, making a motion for her to go on then and fetch her friend. He wondered if this other pixie could teach others to do magic. Of course the other person was a pixie in that house. What else could it be? Not once did he consider the possibility that would cause issues very soon.

**PhoenixAshes**

Seeming to take his look as an affirmative that he was fine, Ciya patted his shoulder lightly before making her way to the house. When she was half way there another young woman emerged. She was mostly a shape at this point but as she and Ciya got closer, much could be seen about her. She was a little thicker than the thin pixie, but healthy. Her mid-dark skin seemed to contrast the reddish tone of most of her hair, a few more wavy dark streaks showed through here and there, but the entirety of it seemed to have a lot of volume due to the coarseness of it all. Her eyes were dark but the brown of them seemed kind enough.

"It's the least I can do to repay him for helping me so much..." Ciya finished saying as they returned the edge of the barrier.

**FrankenSoul**

He waited patiently as his new friend moved to fetch her own friend. It was all so strange... Not long ago, he might never have thought to use the word. 'Friend'. Oops, there went that warm feeling again. His arms moved, wrapping around his chest as his stitched lips moved into a broad smile and his eyes became dreamy and unfocused.

It wasn't like a real warmth. No, he had almost completely forgotten that sensation that belonged to the living. It was... a different kind of warmth, far better than the literal feeling. It transcended mere flesh. He liked the feeling quite a lot. Hopefully, even after he left, he could vividly remember it.

Movement caught his attention and broke through his haze of thoughts. Someone else had met with his friend not far from the home. His eyes squinted as he tried to make her out, but found he couldn't until she began to move closer.

Well she was pretty, he thought to himself mildly. However, he began to shift his posture as his warm feeling began to grow cold and heavy. Something was wrong with the woman though. As they came closer and closer, it slowly dawned on him. This woman wasn't right. She was too filled out to be a pixie. She...

What color he had drained from his face.

She was human.

. . . . .

He held himself stood still as they drew closer. His arms tightened around himself, tighter and tighter and tighter until he might have broken his own bones. His eyes, so loving and dreamy moments before, had widened and sharpened. He trembled, making sounds akin to those of an animal in distress.

Finally, he could bare it no longer. They reached the edge of the barrier, so close to himself as the human woman peered towards him. The filthy, dirty, disgusting HUMAN!

The gray skinned man let out a gargled scream from deep within his throat. His body hit the barrier with a loud thudding, repeated as his fists followed his form and hit it again and again. His eyes were wild, pupils pulled to the point of becoming dots. There was no emotion there except for unfiltered hatred, feral and fixed upon the new woman who had come to greet him. Even with his mouth sewed, he managed to emit sounds close to that of a snarl as what seemed like foam began to leak from between his lips and his body shook.

He pulled himself back once more before throwing his entire weight against the barrier, scratching and pounding upon it relentlessly and screaming muffled words that could not be understood. The woman must DIE! Even if he had to force his way through the barrier and kill himself in the process!

**PhoenixAshes**

Both human and pixie took quick and shocked steps backward with this sudden change over him. Vivica visibly more frightened then Ciya as this was the only interaction she’d ever had with Franky—and what a first impression it was. Across the  pixie’s face seemed to shift through expressions from shocked statement to confusion, to worry and then a combination between the too.

“He’s not at all what you said.” Vivica said, her voice still even due to her trust in the protection they were under. He couldn’t get in without invitation from either her or Ciya, and upon seeing this there was probably not one on the way.

“Franky…” Ciya’s voice was soft. She was unsure he could even hear her now, something else seemed to have gripped him. He hadn’t been like this until just now. Just now when… “Vivica,go back inside.”

“And leave you out here with him?” There was dissention in the human’s tone, but she did take another few paces back. Usually, Ciya knew what she was doing.

**FrankenSoul**

The man's- or perhaps the monster's- pinpoint eyes followed Vivica as she moved. He seemed ignorant of their reactions and words, or perhaps merely didn't care. Ciya's voice did nothing to calm him.

His hands moved to his dirty but still well-made clothing and began to pull and tear at the fabric in agitation. Despite not needing to breath, his chest bounded quickly up and down as if he were fighting to grasp air.

Even in this state, he saw that he wouldn't get through by his own force. The human moved away. NO! No it couldn't get away from him! Sliding sideways and touching to see if he could find some sort of weak spot, his eyes darted to a well sized tree not so far away. Without hesitation, he darted off to it. The tree was well over his head, but still not too wide as his arms were able to encircle it. Grunting and hissing, he bent his knees and strained to pull up the entire tree. To anyone looking on, they might have scoffed as he appeared to be humanoid and thus surely could be no stronger than a man.

But they would have soon be silenced. The tree began to groan in protest as the earth around its roots shifted and moved as it's entire network was torn, the gray skinned man beginning to splinter the wood and lift it. His intent was obvious. He would thrust it at the barrier, or perhaps throw it, against the barrier. Even if HE couldn't get in, perhaps it could. And if not, he would just keep trying again and again and again.

**PhoenixAshes**

"Franky!" Ciya shouted this now, the confused fear she had earlier quickly shifting into an adrenaline fueled terror.

Vivica, who had headed back on Ciya's request stopped and turned. Dark brown eyes widening in shock. Reflexively, her hand went into her pocket, clutching a crystal there. She murmured words under her breath, quiet and inaudible except to forces she was carefully conjuring. She would have to hold the barrier now, people and creatures were one thing, they could be kept out, but plants and inanimate objects were another thing--it would need direct reinforcement. It would set in quick, this extra power she gave to it.

A glance behind, and Ciya knew what Vivica was doing. "Keep going!" She called back to the other woman. "Out of his line of sight!" It was a gamble, she didn't know if it would help. She prayed it did. Heaven and earth, she hoped it did.

**FrankenSoul**

The tree battled out against this strangely strong foe for a bit longer before it was ripped forth from the earth it had bound itself to. Its tattered root dripped dirt as the gray skinned man began to hoist it over his head and turned to eye the area where the field was.

The human was farther now and had stopped for a moment, but now she was retreating. He wouldn't allow it! Mouth struggling to open, he uttered a yell as he pulled back his arms to throw the poor tree. His eyes remained wild and fixed, watching the form of the human grow further and further away until, finally, she vanished inside the home.

He paused mid-throw. Frozen, he appeared almost like a statue constructed to show one of the strangest events in history.

The tree hit the ground with a loud bang, its many leaves rustling and complaining as it fell from his grip. He followed its example, his form falling to his knees as if from fatigue. His back bent as he moved forward, face moving to his hands. His form trembled, tenseness draining from his shoulders and occasionally giving a small jump. It painted an image very akin to that of a lost child, alone and sobbing quietly in a time of great need.

At least his sudden destructive urges had vanished. Or so they seemed to have, hopefully.

**PhoenixAshes**

After the tree fell her fear still battled with her logic and new care she had for the pale man. For a long and silent moment she stood still and shaking. Yet, when he collapsed something else willed her forward, her steps soft and cautious, although her limp from her injured leg making a dragging sound across fallen leaves and grass. “Franky?” Her voice was a wisp of sound.

**FrankenSoul**

He didn't move from his spot for a long moment, not directly responding to her words. Yet, slowly, his senses had returned to him. But still, slowly he moved his face to look up towards her. He blinked owlishly, the sharpness of his gaze having dulled and yet becoming clear.

He paused before it truly hit him. Everything that had just happened. He jumped, swiftly moving to his feet.

His body twitched backwards, tensing as if he wished to run. His gaze had once again widened, but now in his own fear. Oh no. Oh no, no. He whined in a high pitch, ready to bolt. Surely now the pixie would want nothing to do with him now. H-He hadn't meant to scare her so. What did he do now?

The gray skinned man remained so for a moment longer, locked in eternal debate before in a sudden movement moving forward. His body still trembled against his will, his arms around her and his face pressed into the curve of her neck. He once again was giving small jumps- they were hiccups, as if he had just finished a long night of sobbing. Surely she would of course push him away, but now he held her as he asked through it for comfort and to give it.

**PhoenixAshes**

Ciya tensed, at first unsure what the sudden erratic movements meant from him. The embrace shocked her nearly as much as the change in him had. Yet, with him this close, she could feel him shaking and the hiccup-like spasms. "Franky..." Even in the confusion, she wrapped her arms around him. "It's alright now. It's okay..." At first the hold was cautious but it tightened gently as she became more certain that he was no longer violent.

**FrankenSoul**

It took what felt like forever for him to completely recover and gather his wits. "Hmmm..." Her comforting actions and words seemed to help him greatly, as his shaking subsided. He sniffled, moving himself back to reach up and wipe his eyes with the back of his hand.

His fingers moved to grasp at the paper inside his clothing, which he now saw he had regretfully ripped somewhat, and with it the thin bits of charcoal. His writing was still somewhat messy and the words not nearly as precise as before.

'Is your friend okay?'

He paused, frowning before turning the paper and scrawling out quickly, 'I'm so sorry, I didn't know she was a hu-" His hand began to shake from trying to write the word. His frown grew stronger. He marked it out and rewrote,

'-was that.'

**PhoenixAshes**

It took a moment for her to decipher, but she answered immediately when she understood. "She's alright. You couldn't get through." She was about to say more but when he went back to writing she respected it just as she would have had he been able to speak. Now though, with the only sound being the groaning of tree limbs that were perpendicular to the ground and the scribble of his charcoal, she had a moment to think about what that was, what Franky had suddenly become.

When he turned it back for her to read again it became only another clue in a mystery. Particular the hu, scratched out. There was a sigh from the pixie, a blend of uncertainty, sadness, and confusion that she didn't know how to portray in words. The light around them had dimmed; only a faint glimmer of sun was over the horizon. The shadows were long; the coloring of the world seemed to cool. All vibrancy quieted. Finally, she spoke again. "I'm sorry too. I didn't know that seeing her would make you--" The words broke in her mouth, like a twig underfoot.

**FrankenSoul**

A sound passed between the space he could manage between his lips as her own words stopped. A soft gasp.

His frown loosened slightly and changed slightly. He glanced to the side, uncertain. Of course he knew that small bubble of warmth wouldn't stay for him. But he had hoped it would last somewhat longer. He needed to go now, as he always did. Because, as always, this happened.

It was growing darker and colder. Somehow it was fitting for their situation. This was that human's fault. Damn them all. Disgusting creatures, ruining his life, stopping him from being with those he loved, killing everything good in the-

He slammed on that train of thought, his hand having tightened and breaking his charcoal. Bah. Some of it had been turned to dust. He dusted it away, grabbing the small pieces left of it to slowly write.

'I am sorry for troubling you so. I will go now. Take care of your leg.' He moved to hand her the paper, and felt a dull sensation that was all too familiar. His arm fell away from where it held the paper, hand becoming slack and dropping it. Useless, it hung at his side.

The threads that held him together were beginning to fall apart, having become loose during his fit. Things would start to fail and fall away from him if he didn't see to it. He grimaced, looking towards it. "Hmmp..."

It would be difficult to stitch with one working arm, but he would hopefully manage. He began to kneel, reaching for the paper on the ground with his working arm to give to her still.

**PhoenixAshes**

She watched him closely, trying to read in his face things he couldn't say, what he wasn't telling her. The pixie found herself wishing she knew him better, so she knew what all the small changes in his posture, in his face meant. The snap of the charcoal brought her out of her thoughts. Of course what she was wishing was impossible at the moment.  Watching him write again, there was a hint of worry. As afraid as she had been moments ago, that was only a fraction of him--right? The man before her now, writing, was the same one that had carried her most of the way here, helped her. That had to be the most of who he was.

Suddenly, when his arm went slack and the paper dropped a more immediate concern settled in. Gently she bent; picking up what had fallen, getting there before he did. She hadn't even looked at what he'd written when she spoke again, seeing what was wrong. "Is there any way I can help you with this? After all you, saved me and carried me across the forest."

**FrankenSoul**

Her slender hands grasped the paper before he could. He began to right himself and lifted his gaze, waiting for her to read so he could turn and go when she surprised him with her words. Help him with this? She wished to repay him. She didn't need to repay him, especially after what he had just done. He lifted his hand, waving off the suggestion like a passing scent.

However, he felt his lower back tug. Oh no if he fell apart there it would be most difficult to get back together. Especially in the dark. What if wild animals found him first? His brows moved together in worry in thought. "Hmmm...."

He glanced towards her home. So bright. Safe. A good place to do this. In the dim light out here, it would be almost impossible. But he couldn't ask for help now, could he? "Hnngg," He made a noise of distress, glancing at her home. He supposed... He could ask.

He lifted his remaining hand and made a motion to signify 'stitching'. Then he extended his hand and pointed to her home. He paused though and then moved to cover his eyes. As long as he kept his eyes tightly shut, and didn't directly see the human or think too hard about WHAT she was... Everything would be okay.

He perfectly understood if she outright denied him. But now she would be fairly safe, even if he were to... 'go off'. If he did that again now, he would fall apart before he could even begin to try and harm anyone.

**PhoenixAshes**

Her head tilted slightly, working out what his signals meant. "Oh!" By sight, he knew Vivica was human by sight only. Covering his eyes could do the trick. The idea worked but... Her honey colored gaze turned back to the house and her friend. Her friend who'd only seen that fit. "I..." She sighed heavily, carefully putting the paper back into his good hand. "I need to talk to her first. But I think that could work." He was in bad shape. "Will you wait right here for me? You won't wander off and make me find you in the dark again, right?"

**FrankenSoul**

Oh of course. Her roommate would have to chip in about this too. And after that...

He couldn't help but let out a muffled laugh. There was just something slightly funny about it. He had entirely ruined her thoughts on him. What a first impression. Taking the paper from her, he smiled and nodded. Yes, again, he understood.

He'd wait here for now then. And wander off? Well... He considered it. He glanced at the woods and then back to her, blinking innocently. But then no. He would wait, and see how this played out. Perhaps he was being selfish.

He moved to the edge of the barrier. Turning his back against it, he sat down and closed his eyes tightly. He would wait here then for their verdict. He would keep his eyes clenched anyhow... Just in case her friend did come back outside, and see him herself.

**PhoenixAshes**

It took quite a bit of convincing on Ciya's part, rightfully so. Eventually though Vivica sighed in defeat and mumbled something about "honey eyed pixies", before going back into her own room presumably to find her strongest protection charm. She hardly ever used them since she said it bordered on darker magic when it had to be used offensively, but it was a risk she was going to take for Ciya. The fact that she was here and unhurt, save for the leg injury was proof that the fae was right about the gray man.

When Ciya returned to him, she came through the barrier and tapped him gently on the shoulder to signal him to open his eyes again. "I have something." She smiled, holding up a scarf. "Better than just closing your eyes, huh?"

**FrankenSoul**

Oh she returned. He had wondered how long it would take. Sitting there alone, he had considered breaking his word this once and leaving. He just didn't feel the need to place so much on their shoulders. He was being selfish...

Still, he waited. Perhaps because he wanted to be selfish, this once. He turned and smiled up at her. Her friend hadn't come then- a scarf? He blinked. Oh. Well, that would be useful. He moved to place the paper she had not read back in his clothing, smiling shyly and gesturing to ask her to help tie it around his head. He wouldn't be able to write so he wouldn't be able to speak- Well then again he could try but his handwriting would be awful.

But they had agreed to help him. Yes, there it was... That warmth, moving down his stomach and settling in his toes. These people were so very kind. Even the hum- the other one.

His pixie friend would need to help lead him, naturally. He wouldn't be able to see where he was going. He hoped he didn't fall flat on his face.

**PhoenixAshes**

"Hold still a minute." She replied to his gesture, and moved back into the barrier again. The fact that she could pass and he could not was quite useful at the moment, since she was able to let him lean back still against it while she tied the scarf easily. "There, now..." She held her hand, flat out in front of his face. "Can you tell me how many fingers I'm holding up?" Just a test to make sure the fabric wasn't too thin. It was an early fall scarf so it was thinner, but how it was folded over he shouldn't have been able to see anything.

**FrankenSoul**

He wondered for a moment if they could un-invite him from the home once he was in.

Still, for now it was useful as she tied the scarf around his face. He smiled, tilting his head as she asked. "Hmm... Hmm hmm hmhm," His smile grew broader. He was teasing her, of course.

He gave a small shrug. He was as blind as a bat now.

**PhoenixAshes**

She came back out and crouched down a bit, being careful of her own leg, to help him up. "Come on." The pixie said softly, deciding it was best to try from his good side--she had this horrible image of accidentally tearing his arm off if she went for the other side and did not want to find out. "Lets get you up before you get your invite or you'll fall backward."

**FrankenSoul**

He chuckled at the thought of that. That would be funny though! Still, he moved to his feet , reaching his good hand out and grasping her own as he did. He hoped he didn't have to verbally accept the invite, or else this would get complicated.

He wondered mildly how her leg was doing. He was paying more attention to the sound of her moving around now. Was it still hurting? Patiently, he waited for her to speak. He didn't release her hand though, squeezing it somewhat to show his gratitude.

**PhoenixAshes**

Feeling the squeeze she smiled softly and returned a similar action. "Come on in." That was all it took. Three words, simple and plain as that.  All it was, an invitation, extended to either be forgotten or taken. "Let's get you fixed up. " From there, the pixie lead him to the house, where Vivica was waiting in the open door way.

The human was surprised as anyone would be. With Ciya this guy, this Franky, was gentle as a lamb--but the sight of her, a human, had set him on a rampage that was hard to describe. Although, the stitches she'd seen and what else her pixie friend had described, it sounded like he'd been made. Brought back by something dark, someone worse than anything she wished to cross with. Who ever it was, presumably used the side of magic she wished to stay away from.

**FrankenSoul**

It was strange, not seeing where he was going. Then again, he had lost his eyes a few times before- literally. And with someone he trusted leading him, it was easy to simply follow her footsteps. He felt a twinge of sadness. He wished he could feel the actual warmth of her hand. As it were now, he could only feel mild pressure.

He also wished he could see the inside of that amazing looking house. Maybe he would ask his Ciya to describe it to him later.

Indeed, he seemed helpless now as he was led. He did stumble every so often, and a wide, gentle smile was on his face. Not one bit of stress or worry was outlined in his posture. Moving inside, he could at least tell the lighting had changed, as had the sounds under their feet. He turned his head as if to look around, but naturally could not.

"Hmm..."

He released her hand, moving to reach inside his clothing. He withdrew a spindle of thick stitching material- made to go through human flesh. With it in his hand came a rather thick and sharp needle. A different one than he would use to help others, of course.

Turning as if searching for his pixie friend, he held the supplies. Where did she wish to place him? Should he sit where he was so she could? He wouldn't drip blood, but there was... some liquid involved and he didn't wish to stain anything.

**PhoenixAshes**

Every time he stumbled she turned back to make sure he was all right. It was easy to believe so, especially with that smile he gave. Once safely inside she lead him over to the kitchen section. It had tiled floors so anything leaky could be cleaned up easily.

Behind them Vivica moved silently, barefooted and keeping her distance. Honestly she could have been a ghost, with the lack of presence she'd made herself create. The pixie gave her a slight wave. An 'I've got it from here' motion. With a nod, her friend disappeared into another room.

By then Franky had produced the spindle and needle. Ciya cringed slightly as she looked at it, but the light touch of her hand one hand to the back of his palm while the other took the supplies made no sign of such an action. "Here." She pulled out a chair from the table and turned it around, guiding his hand to the top of it. "If you sit backwards on it, that might be easier. " From how he had wavered earlier it seemed like he'd come loose elsewhere. "Where did you start to fall apart, not just your arm, right?"

**FrankenSoul**

He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being followed... Was that friend doing so? If it was, she was very quiet. She most likely didn't trust him. Or like him.

Ciya took what he held. He began to doubt, though... He didn't want to give her more trauma or disgust her.

He was guided to a chair and did as told, sitting backwards and leaning forward. Of course his friend was sharp. His arm hadn't been the only thing to come undone. He nodded, reaching back and touching his lower back.

Carefully, he reached up and began to remove his top. He paused though, suddenly feeling embarrassed. Oh no, that wasn't 'proper' for some people though was it? "Hmm..."

Again, he didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

**PhoenixAshes**

"Bashful,hm?" She teased, trying to ease any awkwardness he may have been feeling. Lightly she took a hold off the fabric and tugged, not enough to pull it off but enough to let him know that he should. "It's better if it goes. I don't want to accidentally sew it on to you. It'd be hard to wash it then."  Now the question was if he needed help, since one of his arms was apparently useless.

**FrankenSoul**

He turned his head towards her and smiled.

No, it wasn't exactly awkwardness. He wasn't too bashful. Just concerned about her. He wasn't sure how delicate she was. Under his clothes, it wasn't exactly pretty. Then again, she had survived his fit without obvious mental scarring. He chuckled as she mentioned sewing the clothes to him. That would be interesting.

He didn't need too much help. Easily enough, he began to undo the buttons of the jacket. There was no shirt under it, and it fell away easily once he had done so. Sliding, he moved it to the floor and bent to expose his back.

It really wasn't pretty. Lines of flesh had been knitted and stitched together, literally one of the only things keeping him together. Between some of the pieces, the patches of skin were slightly varied in hue. With the stitches were many scars, moving across the skin in many different shapes. They must have been inflicted before he became 'himself', as he didn't exactly heal now.

Upon his lower back, a line of stitches had begun to come undone. Some were snapped from the strain of lifting the tree. Under the lip of it, flesh was beginning to become exposed from the parting sides. It was black on the inside of him. And liquid blackness was slowly leaking from the exposure, as if it were blood.

He squirmed where he sat, wiggled the fingers of his good hand. He didn't like this. It was gross, and he didn't want her to think he was gross. He made a low whining sound, as it trying to both protest and apologize.

**PhoenixAshes**

As he worked on getting the clothing off, she went to a cabinet drawer where they kept the heavy duty scissors. Since it was very clear to her that she couldn't use her teeth to get through the stuff on the spool like she would normal thread.

When she came back to him, she had to stay still for a moment.  She wasn't particularly disgusted by him, it was just a lot to take in. Patches and stitches and scars; all of it on the gruesome end of the spectrum. For a moment she had to look away, "Towel..." The murmured. "Towel." The black that was coming from him needed to be wiped away so she could see where he'd torn more clearly.

Again at his back and measuring about how much of the material from the spool she needed to properly stitch him there in one go, she kept her mind busy. There was no time to think or ask about--

The whining sound he made caused a stab of guilt somewhere within her. "Hey," She placed her hand higher on his back, rubbing lightly and comfortingly. "Don't worry. We'll get you fixed up." It may have been a little odd and gross, but so was everyones’ insides. "Just let me know if I'm doing something wrong or that feels weird okay?"

**FrankenSoul**

It was as he feared. It was disgusting, and she was severely grossed out by it. He should have just tried to do it himself again...

She placed her hand on his back though, and spoke words of comfort. He tilted his head slightly, trying to see her through his blindfold. If he could bite his lip, he would. He still wasn't sure about this, but... He nodded, turning back around to allow her to do what she must.

She had to be wondering about him by this point. Who he was. Where he came from. How he worked. Anyone with a natural curiosity would.

The stitches along his back were the most badly done. He had tried to do it himself so many times, and the results were half-hashed. Many rows of them had broken now it seemed, not just the lower one. But these were smaller, less important, and didn't leak as much blackness or leaked nothing at all.

He still felt somewhat bad. The black stuff always smelled awful. He could smell it now even. It smelled... rotten. The only part of his dead body that did.

**PhoenixAshes**

The stitching was slow going, partly because it was rather difficult to get the needle through his skin. Especially right at the beginning where another line of still solid stitches came down. Even so, the progress of what she was doing would hold strongly when she was done.

She made a point to say nothing about the smell, it felt rude and wrong to do so but there was no denying it. Finally it was closed and she made a few extra knots to keep it that way.

"Alright, onto your arm." The pixie said softly after blotting away whatever black was left on the one she'd fixed. "Do you want me to fix the other small ones too?" It felt right to ask, since it was possible that how much she was working on was all he could stand.

**FrankenSoul**

She was good at this. He thought so at least. From the pressure, her smaller hands were doing a far better job than he ever could. He wiggled a bit but for the most part gave no openly visible reaction to what she was doing. He did his best to not try and overthink what SHE was thinking.

Though when she stopped and spoke, he took in her voice what she was asking. Oh... OH. She thought that she was hurting him. She even sounded somewhat worried.

He held up a finger to ask that she wait a moment. Reaching down, he blindly searched for his jacket. Reaching inside, he withdrew the small amount of paper he had left and the small bit of charcoal.

This was going to be difficult... Okay just visualize the letter...

Placing the paper on his knee, he wrote well enough blinded so she could read, 'I fe  el  n  o pain'.

He smiled sheepishly. In fact, her hands on his back had been soothing. He could still feel the pressure of it, and it was nice. He attempted to write again. ' D o wha t y  ou wa nt'

Whatever she could stand. If she wanted to just throw him outside and be done with it, he would even accept that too.

**PhoenixAshes**

At this she couldn't help but giggle a bit at how concentrated he looked once he had the paper pad and charcoal in front of him. Even though she wanted to move the blindfold, so he could write better, upon peering over his shoulder, she found his letters were surprisingly ledge able. "You don’t?" The curiosity and confusion in her voice were clear as crystal. As she asked, she was measuring out more 'thread' for his arm.

**FrankenSoul**

He shook his head. No, he felt no pain. He felt nothing really. No pain, no heat, no cold. Just, nothing. All he could feel were pressures, and then not even fully. He could remember pain a little. From his past. But he didn't like to think about it. He told her so in barely understandable text, which traced over other bits of his writing but otherwise seemed okay enough.

Also, did she just giggle? That...was adorable. He told her that too, smiling as he wrote.

All over the paper were bits of older conversations. He liked to save as much paper as he could, to reread it later. Some of them seemed sad. Such things like 'Goodbye, Alice' or 'Please wait I'm-'

Others were happier. 'I'm so glad for you!'

'Come on now, smile again!'

Bits and pieces of his life. Ironic, considering he looked like he was made from dull grey bits and pieces.

Now he wrote one more thing before putting down the paper.

'Tel l me abo ut y ou.'

He wanted to know more about her. Her life, her thoughts, how she had come here. He moved to settle back down, air leaving his nose. He didn't even really need to breath, but he did so just out of reflex. It made him feel... well, more like a person instead of some monster.

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