SoulCoil

Dawn's cool light gave way to a pleasantly warm morning. The sun lightly draped and meandering across the city's roofs and windows... people hurrying from point A to point B... Days like these, this city was a beautiful place to be.

Away from the hustle and bustle, in a quiet section of the warehouse district, a man leaned against a wall in the shade it gave. Tucked behind his leg, a slim, stylish old suitcase rested. In his hand, a phone in the midst of a conference call. The details of the conversation seemed inconsequential to him, even as it presented the opportunity of a lifetime.

Three weeks ago, Enri would have been thrilled. A chance to finally get his leg in the door... His bosses wanted him to meet with some agents from V-double-F Records, secure a sales deal. Enri knew he'd also be able to have the ear of the city's most well-known Jazz entertainer as he'd be present that day.

Today, however, with everything that had happened between then and now--
Enri flinched as an ear-splitting scream echoed out across the area.

None of the area's workers noticed. And if they did, they ignored it. Enri suspected that hearing the scream worked just like seeing Amanita: normal people were unaffected. Went about their lives unscarred.

Thankfully, the call ended and he hung up. "Do you really have to do that right now?" He muttered.

Amanita gave no answer, remaining on the roof she'd chose like an alert statue. It had been too quiet here, in this town. Too quiet for such a competition to be taking place. To her knowledge, no Revenants or their humans had been removed from the fight. Not one in all this time.

After another long pause, she screamed again.

Eventually, some bold or curious competitor would come poke around. And that would be their undoing. Or maybe it would be hers.

Either way, this day would be the end of waiting.

So far, it had been a rather uneventful day for the eccentric green-haired teenager. Vera sort of liked it that way. But admittedly, it was boring. Real boring. Though she needed to take a walk to clear her head of all of the things she was going through right now. Maybe on her way back, she could pick up some ice cream or something.

That sounded good just about now.

Mortimus, as always, followed closely behind the teen. His head moved every which way. Clearly, he was on high alert. Even if it was the middle of the day, the chance of attack was still apparent. Soon the two were going through the warehouse district. It was a shortcut to the best ice cream place in town.

Though a loud shriek made them stop dead in their tracks. Vera covered her ears, while Mortimus raised his head, looking for the source.

As soon as the screech stopped, she removed her hands from the sides of her head. "What the actual hell?" Vera said, bewildered. Mortimus inhaled, presumably searching for a scent of someone else in the competition.

The Revenant promptly turned his head towards a nearby building. "There. Near the wall."

"What, where--?" She was cut off by another loud screech. "Agh, are you serious?" Mortimus paused. But soon, he trotted over to the place where the scream had come from.

Mortimus turned the corner, and saw the man there. Though he made no advances towards him.

Enri sighed, shaking his head. This was strange, even for her.
He tapped at the screen of his phone a few times, seemingly making a call. Just a ruse, to make it less awkward while he talked to Amanita. If anyone walked past, it just looked like he was on the phone.

"Hey, just wanted to check in with you. You're not upset with me, right? Just... y'know, just gotta double-check."

No.

Enri gave a sigh of relief. "Ah, good. That's good. You ready to tell me what that was about, then? Or...?"

Silence.

Enri felt the temperature drop. Another Revenant? Or was she doing th--
He stiffened. Something large and ominous had entered his field of vision. That Revenant from before.

Amanita went to the edge of the roof to investigate.
Oh. It's you. Her tail flicked to and fro as she regarded the deer-skulled Revenant and his human. After what felt like hours of staring, she stretched and returned to her original spot.

Will you be staying long?

Enri glanced between the two of them, unable to be discreet any longer. "Uh, heh. Excuse me, but what's going on here?"

Some portion of him said to run, but Enri ignored it. It was bad advice anyway; that thing looked like it could overtake him with ease.

Mortimus tilted his head. First he stared at the man for what seemed like forever, as if he were studying him. Then he looked up to the roof. "Long enough to give a curt greeting."

He took a few steps closer to the man presumably linked to Amanita. "Mm. Curious. Not to worry. We have made an alliance. I have no intention of harming you."

Soon Vera came around the corner. "Morty, you can't just run off like that, ya know?" She paused. "....Who're talkin' to?" The teen eyed the man, as if he were a suspect of a crime.

As the silence dragged on and the beast's empty eyes bored into Enri's soul, he tried (and failed) to not shake. Maybe he should still have tried to run... His only consolation was the knowledge that his special switchblade was actually on his person and easily accessible. One flick of his wrist, some tricksy sleight-of-hand, and he'd be able to do some damage.

Or so he hoped.

The Revenant's words stopped him from trying. Enri blinked a few times, as though trying to clear the words from his head. "Excuse me, a what?"
When the teen rounded the corner, Enri briefly scanned her but saw she wasn't much threat. Not to be ignored, by any stretch, but not actively dangerous.

He gave her a weak smile and tried to present a similar lack of threat. "Hi. Do you have any clue what they're talking about?"

From the rooftop, Amanita's amused smirk went unseen. It, however, couldn't be kept out of the next impression she gave.

Would you like to help fight others who may come to investigate? Surely someone else will come.

Mortimus glanced back at Vera, but mostly ignored her. He turned back to him. "An alliance, I said." He repeated. He didn't seem to be all that bothered, but he did notice that he wasn't made aware of the conversation that took place with him and Amanita. You would think that she would share this somewhat crucial piece of information.

Vera sort of shrugged. "I think their conversation translates to: 'We're a team now'. So uh, nice to meet you?" She responded, returning his smile with one of her own.

Upon hearing Amanita's question, Mortimus looked up at her. Then he glanced back at Vera. "If she will allow it."

"Uh.... Sure." The teen followed Mortimus' gaze up to the rooftop. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of the other Revenant. "Wow. You look cool!" She said with a grin.

"Well, then I guess it's a pleasure to meet you as well," Enri chuckled nervously and offered a hand to shake. Please don't bite me, please don't gore me, please don't stomp on me, please don't stab me, his thoughts raced through his head. He managed to keep his shaking to a minimum, though, so at least that was something.

Amanita sat a little straighter and everyone present got the brief impression of a cat's curious chirps over top of a purr. The next sound she made, however, wasn't so pleasant.

After a noticable inhale, Amanita gave another of those awful screaming howls. Plenty of time for those below to have covered their ears if they were so inclined... This one was the loudest yet and, for those aware of the Revenants, could be heard all the way out to the city limits.

When the last echoes had cleared, Amanita gave a quiet cough. For a short time, the sounds entering this area were less muted, too.

She tilted her head. Hmn. In hindsight, perhaps I should give warning before doing that.

Enri, whose ears were now ringing, looked to her with a pained expression and tears rimming his eyes. "Thank you for your thoughtful consideration."

Vera nodded and grapsed his hand firmly, shaking it. Eventually, she let go. "Awesome! So what are we doing now--?"

The bloodcurdling scream cut her off. Vera immediately put her hands over her ears, though it honestly didn't help much at all, as she could still feel a violent earthquake in her ears.

Eventually, it ended, and the teen let out a long sigh as she slowly removed her hands from her head. Her ears were pounding now, and a pained expression graced her features.

"God dammit! You really should've given a heads up!" Vera angrily said.

Mortimus didn't seem to be all too affected by the noise. He only gave a snort of amusement. "Are you alright?"

"No! My ears are about to fall off of my head!"

((Ah, shit, I forgot to hit post last time I replied... Sorry about that. ))

Hmn... Amanita gave another small cough before turning from her vigil once more. This time, she came down to the street level and brushed up against Mortimus before butting her head against Enri's thigh. An apology is in order I suppose.

"I'd say," he frowned. Eyes still stinging from the pain, Enri found himself stroking her head despite his irritation.

Amanita stepped out of his reach to regard Vera more closely. The pain will pass without permanent damage.

Then she sat back on her haunches and set about grooming her collarbone vigorously. The act perfectly showcased both her 'hands' and the gashes along her sides. A slow-pulsing, pale purple glow emanated from inside the gashes and in these dim shadows alongside the warehouses, the glow could be noted more easily.

She paused her grooming briefly to add, To your ears, at least. I can't guarantee there won't be psychic scarring. And for that, I am sorry.

((it happens man, i have done it too lol))

The teen was distracted by the gashes along the stomach of the other Revenant, as she was almost mesmerized with her appearance. But when she heard the last comment, she snapped out of it. Vera only stared at the smaller Revenant with slightly widened eyes. "....Ugh, psychic damage? What the hell? Am I gonna go crazy?" She questioned, obviously put on edge a bit by this.

Mortimus let out a small bout of laughter. Due to his already layered effect of his voice, it sounded more chilling than it should. "I assure you, no fate such as that will ever befall you."

The teen blew a raspberry. "Easy for you to say, I bet you didn't even hear that!" Vera argued, huffing out.

Yes... About that... Amanita turned to scowl at the larger Revenant. How did you go unaffected? Revenant are typically just as affected as mortals, if not more so. Even without intact ears, you hear, so surely that cannot be it...

Enri took the opportunity to shrug and distance himself from Mortimus. If an argument broke out between them, he wanted no part of it. Just in case.

When he came to a stop, he was standing at the far corner of the nearer warehouse. He scanned the open areas discreetly before returning to the cover of the alley. "... You're young and probably resilient," Enri offered. "Even if you scar, they'll probably be small and you'll bounce back.... And, to be fair, even if you don't bounce back on your own, they have therapy for that. Or so I'm told."

It was tasteless, but he meant it as a joke. And a self-jabbing one at that.

"Ehem.... In all seriousness, though, you'll probably have a few nightmares? Probably? And if you aren't already having those with... recent events... well, first off I'd have to ask what's wrong with you. And second off, you'd be just fine."

Mortimus offered a slight shrug in response. "It is but one of the numerous mysteries that surrounds me." He remarked, leaving it at that.

Vera rolled her eyes. "I hope so, 'cause I've gotten enough freakin' therapy in my life to make me qualified for the job. But it's not like I've gotten enough nightmares either." She glanced towards Mortimus, a slight smile on her face. Then she looked back to him.

"'Sides, Morty said he's got my back. And plus, he's huge. I'd doubt anyone try to take him on without thinkin' twice." She paused for a moment. "Also, I never got your name, stranger."

So you say... The cat sniffed, soundlessly, and returned to grooming. Mysterious or not, she supposed it didn't matter in the grand scheme of things. As of now, they were allies, and if it ever came to pass that their alliance crumble... well, now she knew not to try that particular trick.

Enri nodded, glancing at Mortimus again. "Yes, I agree with you there. I have to say, I'm happy we're not against him... And she won't say it, but I'm sure Amanita's ecstatic with the arrangement."

He rubbed the side of his jaw, considering that a moment. What terms had been agreed upon? And what was the ultimate outcome? Would it result in--

"Eh? Ay! Where are my manners?" He came back a short ways down the alley so he at least didn't have to raise his voice any longer to be heard. And with a flourish and a smile, he introduced himself. "Enrique. Friends call me Enri. And you are, young Miss?"

Mortimus had stared at her for a moment before sitting down on his rear end and proceeding to raise his hind leg to scratch at his neck.

What he had said about Mortimus made her laugh a bit. Though she was also glad that Morty was with her, and not anyone else. Vera nodded, flashing a smirk to him. "Nice to meet ya. I'm Vera. Vera Crawfield. Like crawfish, but with a 'field' at the end. And uh, no nicknames for me. All of them or either embarrassing or downright childish." She shot another glance at the two Revenants lounging around nearby.

"I gotta say, I like yours too. What did you call her? Ama.... Somethin'?"

"Fair enough," Enri chuckled. "Pet names-- er, nicknames, tend to be that way. The ones who give them to you are the ones who know how best to get under your skin..."

Then he nodded. "Yes, Amanita. Like the mushrooms. Which I think is also fitting... Never know whether she'll bring enjoyment or violent, frothing death." He nodded once more, sagely for a moment. Then he shattered the image with a mischievous laugh. "Best to be cautious and assume the latter, yes?"

Amanita gave the impression of another scoff, and ceased in her own grooming. Now, instead, she eyed Mortimus with a stern sort of intensity. A stare that carried on for some time.

"Ehm, your Revenant. You call him 'Morty,' though I assume that is your personal pet name for him, so I won't.... You seem an odd pair. Ah, if it is something I may know, how did you meet?"

Mortimus had paused in his current action, lowering his leg and tilting his head to the side, seemingly returning the stare at Amanita.

Listening to his words, Vera sort of stared at him with this sort of childish curiosity. But she then blinked, soon snapping out of her trance and shaking her head a bit.

"You don't gotta be like that man. Be honest with me, who really wants to say 'Mortimus' all the time? Way too many syllables; for me at least." Vera laughed a bit. Then she paused. "And about how we met.... It's kinda long, so lemme paraphrase."

"So, uh, I was at a camping trip with my friends on my birthday. It got late, and we went to bed for the night, and in my sleep, I heard this voice calling me. So I went out into the forest. A little ways in, there were some wolves about--almost got killed. But they suddenly ran away. I turned to see what it was that scared them, and out comes this big guy," She paused and gestured to Mortimus. "He came in from the shadows all spooky like. I was pretty freaked out at first. But Morty was pretty mellow, and he explained the situation to me, and we hit it off from there. The end."

Vera finished with a small smile. "I really took the whole 'murder games' thing strangely well. ....Maybe there's somethin' wrong with me."

Enri shrugged, but continued to smile. "Eh. I suspect that's true for all of us, in some way. Why else would we be picked for this mess?"

Amanita's stare bored into the larger Revenant's... throat? The ruff around his neck to be exact. It looked so haphazard to her eyes. She wasn't sure why she cared, to be honest, but she found herself gesturing with one paw, beckoning Mortimus to come closer. If he obliged, he would find Amanita's talons combing through his fur.

If he didn't, she would come closer herself to do the same.

Either way, Enri blinked. "...Wow. She really does think highly of him."

"You gotta point there, buddy-o." Vera remarked in agreement.

Mortimus had noticed that Amanita had gestured to him. Though he was a bit confused, he obliged, scooting closer to the other. He stayed still as her sharp claws went through his thick fur. It didn't bother him all that much, though he was still puzzled as to the reason for this.

"Pardon, but what is the purpose of this action, if I may ask?" The Revenant inquired.

Vera watched them, one brow raised. "Is that what....whatever she's doing means?" She paused, trying to process this herself. "Does she like Morty or something? ....Man, I am so confused right now."

Puzzled by the texture, Amanita continued combing Mortimus's fur. It was soft, and not matted as it had looked. As she finished a section, it looked smoother, but it never quite lay the same direction.

"I... assume so? At least as an ally.... Or, maybe a friend? I.... To be perfectly honest, I'm just as confused as you are. I don't think she likes him as, well, more than that. Though... She has been acting strange, lately. Er, stranger than usual."

Hmh... I suppose your grooming is just fine, she finally answered Mortimus, ceasing her combing. Whether this pleased her or annoyed her went unexplained and she wandered back to the wall. With two bounding leaps, she scaled the warehouse and returned to the roof.

With the moment passed, the distinct lack of ambient noise could no longer be ignored. Enri tensed and looked up.
You should cover your ears. She offered, sitting back on her haunches and taking a long, deep breath.

Enri slammed his fingers over his ears and hoped Vera did the same. A beat later, her howling, layered scream echoed across the city once more. And she continued until she ran out of breath. Or, well, her approximation of it, anyway. Enri was fairly certain they didn't need to breathe.

Still a bit puzzled by all of this, Mortimus only stayed and allowed her to comb through his fur. He had never really considered grooming, as he had seen it as more of a nuisance to maintain his fur. Once Amanita had stopped, Mortimus had only let out a sigh.

Vera bit her lip and heeded the Revenant's warning, quickly jamming her fingers into her ears, bracing for impact. She shut her eyes, not that it would help or anything, but she felt as though she should.

When Amanita would cease, Vera would open her eyes. "....Man, I think my organs shifted or something." She muttered.