essence-devourer - Tumblr blog

[essence-devourer]

modestmuses​:

Ahri does succeed in getting Neeko to crack a smile at that little joke. A small one, but a smile, nonetheless.  “Even if they weren’t corrupt, we wouldn’t be able to help that one, would we?”  They kicked and screamed plenty prior to their corruption, after all.  Being able to scream with Rakan is one of the things that she misses about him…

Neeko dutifully follows behind Ahri, more less ready herself, especially if she doesn’t need her wallet.  She is much more spontaneous than Ahri in that way, not needing to agonize over her outfit, usually picking one thing for the day and leaving it at that.  However, it does occur to her that neither one of them has established where they’re going yet.

“Have any new places opened up since Neeko has… been away?” she asks. She truly doesn’t know how long it’s been or how much the city has changed in her absence.  “Or are we going to go to one of the usual ones?”

Ahri nods, ears perked forward. “Lots of new places opened up, some of the old ones closed but everyone's favorite stuck around-” She rolls her eyes playfully. “As well as everyone's least favorite place. Can you believe it got worse?”  

She looks towards Neeko. “Do you want to try something new or something old?” the simplest way to find out, if Neeko doesn’t answer Ahri has little trouble picking. She does want to give her the chance to pick though. 

If there’s too many memories with the old favorite place then- Well she doesn’t want to put Neeko through that so soon after returning. 

[essence-devourer]

modestmuses​:

“Lots of places,” Neeko responds easily.  She has no problem being open and honest about her travels because she truly has nothing to hide, and whether or not Ahri believes her is really up to Ahri.  “Not so much cities, they don’t seem to like Neeko much.”  Which is a shame because Neeko really likes them, as brimming with life as they are.  “Lots of jungles and forests like this one, but not.  Little islands.  Neeko can fly, so it’s easy to go all over.”

At the other’s request to watch the bugs, Neeko comes closer, squatting next to the fox with her hands on her knees.  The little ants are perhaps cute in their own way, but the chameleon has other things on her mind.

She looks to Ahri, not really at all interested in the way the ants intend to devour the beetle.  “What is wrong with humans touching this place?” she asks.  “Why do they have to be kept away?”  She likes humans just as well as vastaya, wanting to include both in her tribe, and she truly does not understand the insistence on separating the two.

Neeko has been to so many places. It sounds fun. “Do you change into things with wings then?” Neeko had taken Ahri’s features, its not much of a stretch to believe she can take on others too. Birds maybe? Or do they have to be humanoid? So interesting.

“The forest will eat them.” Or she will, if they wander too deeply into her den and at this point all the forest has become her den. “And if the forest does not eat them, they will try to claim it as theirs and take it apart.”

The ants have started taking the beetle apart one limb at a time. She wonders if it hurts them. It doesn't seem like it does. The essence of insects holds very little for her, but its possible that she simply cannot comprehend the way in which they feel. 

[essence-devourer]

modestmuses​:

“Neeko hopes… that we will not have to drag them back and that they will not kick and scream,” she says, fidgeting a bit nervously.  There must be some way to undo the corruption.  After all, it had almost gotten Neeko, but it dissipated when Ahri arrived to save her.  Of course, the process had just been starting for her.  Perhaps, Rakan and Xayah were already too far gone to be helped.

No, she is not going to believe that.  She can’t. She steels herself and stands up a little straighter, although she is unable to quite match Ahri in intensity.  That is a high bar to achieve.  “They’re our friends, so they have to remember us.”

The distraction, the abrupt change in topic, is perhaps a little blatant, but Neeko welcomes it, not being the sort who cares to dwell on the sad things.  “Depends on how good is good,” she answers.  “Neeko has eaten… don’t know how good.”  Probably better than Ahri, at the very least.

“Alright, Xayah will kick, Rakan will scream.” More in line with their personalities, but she has to agree with Neeko. She doesn’t want to have to drag them back, she will if she has to but there has to be some way to remove the corruption. Ahri will take it into herself if she has to.

“If they don’t we’ll remind them.” Ahri offers a smile, one that she hopes offers comfort.

“Delicious, I would settle for nothing less. Come on, I’ll buy!” She already has everything she needs for a trip out to get food, and no matter that she wants to dress to the nines for it theres- Really not much of a point. Her outfit is already cute, it matches-

And it’s not much of a good distraction if she spends hours alone with her thoughts starving while in her room trying to find the perfect outfit.

[essence-devourer]

modestmuses​:

Ahri does not believe Neeko.  Although, perhaps that in itself is a trap, pretending not to believe, making Neeko prove herself, leading her farther and farther down a certain path.  What path, she doesn’t know.

Suspicions between them still run high, and it is clear that dipping into the other’s sho’ma to convey her peaceful intentions is not going to work.  As such, she pulls away from it, reverting back to her original form.

“Neeko is exploring,” she answers with a casual shrug.  It really is that simple; if the other still chooses not to believe her, there is not much that can be done about it.  “With no tribe and no home, I go all over the place now.”

Ordinarily, mentioning the destruction of her home makes her very sad, so she is quick to change the topic back to something more positive.  Well, more neutral, really, but at least less negative.  “The magic here is good, makes Neeko feel strong, so I want to stay a little while, more than the other places.  You know the energy this place has, right?  Better than anyone, Neeko thinks.”

Exploring? Yes she can understand that, seeing new places. She isn’t sure of it’s truth, of her intent. The feel of her essence does not change but that doesn’t mean it’s the truth. “What kind of places have you been?” Her ear flicks as a wandering bug attempts to land upon it. No tribe. No home. How sad.

Of course she knows the energy of this place, the magic of it. It thrums in every inch of this forest. Every breath of wind, every leaf, and vine . This forest is alive and it is hers, her home, her den, her sanctuary. Even before she remembered this place was hers. 

“It is a place untouched by humans. Their fear drives them away.” She does as well she thinks, drive away the humans. Especially now.

The ants continue to march and one wanders away. "Watch the bugs with me?” She’s never had someone to watch the bugs with and they have found a large beetle to attempt to eat.

[essence-devourer]

modestmuses​:

Oh, the gem…  The symbol of her place among the Star Guardians, damaged but still shining and beautiful.  It is strange; when she was trapped in the other realm, she hadn’t missed it.  It seemed insignificant in the grander scheme of things, after the scattering and corruption of her team.  But now, holding it in the palm of her hand, it feels heavy, solid, important. She looks from it back up to Ahri, eyes glassy with tears.

“Neeko doesn’t blame you, Ahri.”  She is able to say it with her whole chest, with the utmost sincerity.  Ahri always tries her best in everything she does, and she always solves problems where she is able.  In fact, everyone on the team does their best at all times. Everyone except Neeko…

“Zoe made everything all topsy-turvy and hard to find.”  Neeko had just as hard a time finding a way out as Ahri had finding a way in.  “Even with the best map in the world, she would have messed things up.”  Not even Neeko can tell if that is an attempt at returned humor, with it being spoken completely straight, with the same somber sincerity of everything else.

“Neeko did not make things easy, either,” she confesses, the thing that has been weighing on her since she got stuck, since she watched the others fall.  “If I had not hid, nobody would have had to look for me at all.”  If she had gotten lost forever, she would have had no one to blame for it but herself.

She pauses to swallow the large lump in her throat, her botom lip trembling violently, her hand closing around her gem.  “When we go to get Rakan and Xayah, Neeko will not hide this time.”

It makes her chest ache, the heartfelt words, sincere in every way imaginable. She can’t stop her ears from drooping, folding backwards with her displeasure, all of it aimed at herself. She should have found them earlier before Xayah and Rakan fell. A deep inhale fills her lungs with air, and with it determination. “We’ll find them, together and we’ll drag the both of them back to us kicking and screaming.” 

Ahri looks to Neeko now, gaze burning with intent and beneath that fiery determination, fondness for her friend come back from death it seems. For as fine as the gem looks now- It had been broken, she knows this held its pieces in her hands. The other two, Rakan’s, Xayah’s they still lay hidden in her pocket just as broken as when she found them.

“We’ll get them back.” This promise is carved now, into her very bones, into skin and flesh and time itself. The first star could try and stop her, but the only thing that would keep her from her team is death.

 “And the only way to do that is together.” She’s repeating herself, but it feels important. Like it makes it more real, that Neeko’s here, that she’s making this promise aloud. “Have you eaten anything good since you came back? I’m starving.” 

[essence-devourer]

modestmuses​:

Well, that confirms Neeko’s suspicions that the other likes to be seen as dangerous, the fact that she seems to swell with pride at being called such.  She now seems much more relaxed, more inclined to converse than to hunt.  It is a bit strange because Neeko had not meant it as a compliment, but if the other wants to take it as one, she will not correct.

With the predatory instinct of the sho’ma somewhat mitigated, she allows herself to slip further into it, sprouting the other’s fluffy ears.  They twitch atop her head, soft—she likes them.  A shame she won’t be able to keep them, that she will have to expel this sho’ma eventually, before it is able to devour her.

Tilting her head to the side, she says, “Neeko did not come here seeking anything specific.”  Neeko has always believed in serendipity, that she will find whatever she needs exactly when she needs it.  “Besides, you are not really a ghost, and the forest is not really haunted.  You are a lot more like Neeko than a ghost, still all bones covered with meat.”

Keen golden eyes watch as the strangers image slowly changes, it’s the ears now. Flicking and twitching towards every sound. Such an ability is different, but that same primal part of her snarls in the dark. “So you say.” Ahri knows what lays at her center, and it’s not just organs and blood. It’s a vile hungry thing. She thinks the other might know that, this Neeko.

Her tail flicks and then she returns her gaze towards the ants. Their endless march. “Why are you here?” More plainly this time, the question is asked. It is clearly not to slay her, or less talking would be done. Or perhaps it is, and this one just likes to hear herself talk but- Ahri doubts that. It is not in the nature of her essence, bright and clear like birdsong that it is. 

Or perhaps like the bright colors of a chameleon, trying to hide in plain sight. If only someone told this little chameleon her brightness is to much for this forest, for this world. Ahri wonders where she comes from. Not Ionia, she would have seen her before. Ahri has wandered the entirety of this continent and not once has she seen another like this Neeko.

[essence-devourer]

It’s strange, that mix of life essence, dancing along just behind her. Hundreds and hundreds of different lives all in one body. Ahri knows this because she hears only one heartbeat, only one breathing besides herself. If she could not tell that there was a realm of difference Ahri might think there was another of her in this big world. Some part of her revolts at the thought, violence and hunger snapping the thread.

Now that the other has spoken to her Ahri finally allows herself to turn around from her study of ants building their fortress. Hundreds of tiny little lives, with the essence to match. Ahri tilts her head as she takes in her company. A Vastayan? 

That same plant that eats bug can grow large enough to eat man and vastayan alike. There are some in this forest even, that grew fat on the invaders blood and now eat up any animal too large that comes their way. Ahri likes them, they’re pretty and so she preens at the compliment tail flicking to the side. “And you are interesting, who comes to a ‘haunted’ forest seeking it’s specter?” 

( closed starter for @essence-devourer )

The other’s sho’ma is incredibly alluring, too much so.  Neeko may not be particularly wise in all instances, but instincts allow her to know a weapon when she sees one.  This is the sho’ma of a hunter, dangling bait in front of its prey.

Neeko is curious about it but dares not delve too deep, lest she fall for the trap and be lost.  A light coating of white fur grows over her scales, and her eyes change color to better match the fox’s, but she is not a perfect replica.  Feeling, tasting just enough of the sho’ma to know if it is safe to approach or not.

“You are pretty,” she hazards, from her perch on a nearby log, “but Neeko thinks that you are dangerous—and that you like to be.  You are like a…”  There is a common word for what she is thinking of, something more particular and concise, yet she cannot think of it, so she has to take the long way around.  “…the plants that eat the bugs.”

[essence-devourer]

An ear flicks towards the hesitant utterance of her name. The rest of her attention and focus follows not long after. Kiko pipes up chirping away in greeting at Neeko. The thanks make her chest ache. What follows make that ache a hollow place. While she was mourning their fall, each starlight was still burning bright. It’s her fault. Xayan and Rakan have fallen, Neeko had been fighting this entire time, and it’s her fault.

 She should have searched harder, believed harder. They were a team, they fought side by side for so long- Ahri inhales deeply, pushing away the ache, the guilt, the failure. She will save the other two. No matter how long it takes, but she also needs to be in the present for the one she did manage to help. 

“Neeko.” Ahri reaches out, gently clasping Neeko’s hands in her own, she uses this to turn Neeko’s hand over, palm facing upwards so she can place the broken gem she held onto all this time in it. “I would never forget you. We would never forget you, I’m-” She cuts herself off, she has to be the leader. Strong, seemingly unbreakable. 

“I’m sorry it took me so long. Got lost at the second light, you know how I am with directions.” Ahri hopes the joke doesn’t fall as flat as it feels, hopes that Neeko will look up, so she has something else to focus on other than the beating of her friends heart. Which would of course be a comfort, except oops- That hollow ache could maybe also possibly be the hunger she neglected to get there and then continued to neglect as some form of self punishment.

( closed starter for @essence-devourer )

“Ahri…?” Neeko says, stepping hesitantly into the room, shoulders hunched and hands clasped in front of her.  She is not sure how long it has been since the two of them last saw each other.  She thinks time must have passed differently between Zoe’s realm and this one, with how disorienting everything else was.

Ever since Ahri came to pull her out of there, the two of them have not really made time to talk.  Although, that is mostly the avoidant Neeko’s fault.  She cannot dance around it forever, though, so here she is, unsure if she should start with the apologies or the thanks.

She opts for the latter, thinking it better to focus on the positives in life.  Still, while she speaks, she frowns, and her eyes fix on the floorboards.  “Neeko just wanted to say ‘thank you’ for… coming to save me… and not forgetting.”  Especially since Neeko ran and hid.  After that display, she did not expect to be valued enough.

[essence-devourer]

endlessrancor​:

“If we are haunting them then are they not actually being haunted by angry spirits?” The thought made her smile and Syndra had learned how to garner enjoyment from the gawking fear that she managed to garner from people. “It still sounds amusing enough, did you have any other details in mind or did you simply wish to scare a village of peasants?”

“No, because we’re just messing with them.” For now. She chooses to ignore that whisper in the back of her mind. If she ignores it it doesn’t exist. “We come up with it as we go along!” 

[essence-devourer]

endlessrancor​:

The little fox certainly did not lack ambition, jumping right to village wide mischief for their first escapade. Syndra had said in jest but Ahri seemed to have latched onto it so she figured why not? It would be a welcome break from the relative monotony that she lived from now and that was why she brought her up to her domain in the first place. “And? What kind of prank did you have in mind?

Now comes the most important part! Making sure Syndra’s first prank with her is the bestest most amazing prank ever. Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd of course she doesn’t have any ides for an entire village. They could make it seem like they’re haunter by demons, or spirits. Ohhhh a spirit haunting could be fun. Hmmm. “Making them think they’re haunted by angry spirits?”

[essence-devourer]

endlessrancor​:

Syndra simply responded, “Definitely.” after all it didn’t require much thought to say that she would enjoy tricking people. Being tricked however… “Not even once. People have only ever approached me with fear or desire in their eyes.” Mischief was not a concept that really existed in her life.

Ahri pouts, but the wagging of her tail gives way her continued glee. It’s exciting, the prospect of having someone to play with. Someone to help her play pranks with. She’s sure they could come up with so many fun things to pull on people. She’ll have to start thinking things up. “Maybe we can pull a prank on a village.”

[essence-devourer]

endlessrancor​:

  For a fox demon that fed on souls, memory and life force she could be awfully cute sometimes and she couldn’t help but smile at her answer. “No tricks on me, I’ve never been tricked before and I won’t let you be the first.” Her smile pulled back a little further, wickedness on her lips, “Though tricking others is amusing.”

“Not even one?” Ahri needles, a sly grin curling her lips as she leans forward. Then her sly grin widens, fangs glinting as they’re bared in glee. “Would you help?” Side to side her tail sways slow and lazy, content. It’s clear shes curious, hopeful even. She’s never gotten to play a prank with someone helping her.

[essence-devourer]

endlessrancor​:

  That question gave her pause, so simple in it’s intent that Syndra had to ponder it’s meaning to her. “I suppose in a sense I do, all reading garners knowledge and to me knowledge is fun.” She gently licked a finger before turning the page and continuing, “Though the knowledge itself is usually quite practical and dry the simple fact of feeding my curiosity is satisfying.” Another pause, wondering if this is how small talk worked, “And you? What do you do for fun?”

Ahri cocks her head to the side, one ear tilting down as the other folds against her head in thought. “Uhm.” The answer strikes her, both ears perking up and forward as her tail wags slightly. “I trick humans for fun.” ‘Trick’ means many things. Sometimes, when trick is closer to devour she leads them into a trap to devour their essence. Other times trick is exactly that, a silly little prank that mildly or excrutiatingly annoys them.

[essence-devourer]

endlessrancor​:

  It seemed like Ahri had something to hide, not that Syndra particularly blamed her - or even cared that much. She had plenty of secrets of her own she was more than happy to keep. “I shall not press the matter. If you decide to eat I am sure we can find suitable quarry, as you said yourself everything else just isn’t enough.” Syndra had no qualms with hunting human like prey, she learned young such was the way of the world.

A part of her, one she likes to consider small when she’s so soon after a meal, cackles, the soundless noise bouncing around the cage she likes to keep it in. It echoes, but she tries not to pay attention to the hundred eyed stare watching her hungrily. Ahri is aware that separating herself like this does her no favors but- “Okay.” She tries to push it away with a deep breath and then an exhale. It doesn’t work of course, more eyes just open. Each glowing golden gaze staring deep into her own. A pinkie twitches as she focuses more on Syndra. “Do you only read for fun?”

[essence-devourer]

endlessrancor​: 

“I do not need to, not as bad as most do.” First it was because she was poor and they couldn’t afford food, then food became an earthly pleasure required only for sustenance and now that shes finally free to enjoy it  - well she was past the point of desiring it. “If I truly begin to fade I can take from the surrounding area as you take from living things.” It wasn’t a cure all but it was a neat trick that kept her going.

  “Though… Is there a reason you do not want to eat?”

Doesn’t need to eat but does? Hm. Ahri’s tail flicks as she tries to understand. It sounds like Syndra can simply feed off the land as she can. Perked up ears return to laying against her head as she glances around. “Just- reasons.” Empathy is annoying, but it’s also interesting. She isn’t really sure if she likes it yet, but the way this body processes the taste and emotion of a soul is so unlike what she remembers.

[essence-devourer]

endlessrancor​:

 “That is not an issue, if you’d like we could go get you some proper food now.” Syndra had set course a few weeks back to drift towards a village and they should have been reasonably close, enough that they should easily find a few mortals. “You and I are not that different, but while you eat for sustenance I just…” Some dark energy sprang to life, weaving between her fingers, “Eat for pleasure.”

The offer is tempting, but she still has empathy digging its claws into her heart and mind. Empathy that she knows will stay her hand no matter how much the hunger in her gut makes itself known with every beat of her heart. “No, I-” Her ears lay flat as she wars internally with her self control. “Some other time, thank you.” Long ears tilt up and towards Syndra now as she cocks her head to the side. “Do you not need to eat then?” 

[essence-devourer]

endlessrancor​:

 “Some things?” She questioned, “I’d like to know what they are both for the sake of mutual trust but also curiosity. Do not worry about my delicate sensibilities I promise you I have seen plenty.” Life, after all, was but a source of power for Syndra. From the perspective of the average person her and Ahri weren’t that different after all. “If I can help sustain you perhaps I shall.”

“Humans.” Ahri answers after a moment. “Animal’s and plant life give very little compared to humans but there is much more of them. Which means I can just-” Ahri’s fingers flex, the tips of her claws skimming along the table with a soft noise. “Skim off the top of everything but-” Her ear’s lay flat against her head as she murmurs. “It still isn’t enough.” It never really is. That is the nature of her existence she has come to find.