[Nyxia]

Ayami smiled some noting that Chaos had mostly caught up to Sahara by then, and turned her attention back to Rayim. "Oh, yes there are several sets of ruins I've encountered. Mainly I only know the old temple and palace though." She admitted glancing about them at the jungles lush greens and vibrant colors, then rolled up the sleeves of her jacket to cool her arms. The forest was lovely while not the cool coastal forest of her home, but at least it wasn't too hot yet. "I honestly can't say I've see much of the world, usually either Far, Eilya, or Chaos keep me pretty busy at the sanctuary; making my escapes a rare sight indeed." She laughed making light of her work and this outing, something she knew had in all likelihood put a scowl on her partner's face ahead of them. Which was the only reason that when Chaos turned half way abruptly to stare blankly at her and Rayim, Ayami wasn't too surprised at all. "I've known him a little over two years, ever since he came to the sanctuary with Kindra and Kinsa." She shrugged then gestured with a nod to Chaos, "He's really not too bad once you get passed his attitude, then he's just moody and quiet." She joked watching the blank expression turn into a glare on his face for two seconds and then back again.

He'd heard Sahara's question about their choices of travel and knowing full well Ayami wasn't paying any mind to other conversations too far from her ears, he figured to clue her in. "Ayami and I are sticking together." He announced to Sahara and the rest. "Someone has to keep an eye on her..." he murmured the last knowing at least their leader would hear him. From his place in mid-stride of going over a hanging fallen tree trunk turned half way to look at Ayami and her new friend, trying hard to ignore her jabbing humor as far as his personality went. His eyes glanced over to the other traveler who'd already picked his trail and gave the man a strong nod, "Best of luck then." He told the man, part of him wishing he could just wander off as well.

Ayami took that moment to glance over at the man as well, it wasn't the first time she'd noticed him but it was the first time she'd really looked at him. "Do be careful." She chirped to him. "There are a lot scarier things than Battleheart's roving this jungle, like Chimerantula and I bet a few hungry ghosts if you get too close to the crypts." Her words meant to warn him of the dangers and hopefully keep him from entering any of the tombs until she'd found her father's. Great something else to stress over and fret about, like the massive spider hadn't been enough for her. Ayami tried to suppress the shutter that ran up her spine and the icy feeling that suddenly crept over her arms leaving goose flesh despite the warm humid air around them.

[jobiehanna]

Sahara smiled at the quiet man who was going on his own to the right. "You may see me, you may not," she said with a smile. "But do be careful, I will be around for those who need me." She waved to him to say that he was good to go. Then she turned back to her little group.

She hoped that at least one of their members would stay with the little kuhna, but she didn't want to force it upon anyone. Sahara cleared her throat. "Anyone to go with the Rayim here?" She nodded toward the kuhna with a grin. She giggled a bit at Chaos's comment. That poor woman he was traveling with... she must get aggravated with his constant watching.

((The kuhnas will be showing up shortly guys, I won't drag this out too long. :3))

[Eunwon]

Loso returned a friendly nod to Chaos, "Thank you. Same goes to you and your friend." He then turned to Rayim, a light smile on his face, "You too, hopefully you'll find a companion just as talkative as you are." He wasn't going to offer to take the lively Kuhna with him, not because he found him annoying - no, not that at all. It's just that Loso didn't even know if he could protect himself, let alone another member. He'd rather not be the cause of any deaths or injuries, Rayim would be much better off with Sahara, or Chaos and Ayami. Hopefully Rayim wouldn't take this the wrong way.

After Sahara had said she would be keeping an eye on them, Loso was secretly relieved. Even though he was skilled at escaping, if Loso was in dire need of help, he wouldn't be alone. Almost ready to begin his journey alone, he gave a small wave to the group, and the tips of his lips curled upward. He engraved each of their faces into his memory, so he would always remember,  maybe they'd meet again someday. Now ready to depart, Loso turned and walked to the right, slowly getting tinier and tinier, until he disappeared. A wave of regret hit him - small, but strong - a part of him wished he would've stayed with the group. But it was too late. Regretting wouldn't help now. Loso straigtened out his jacket and continued at his paced wa

Every so often Loso would have to brush vines out of the path, or duck under a low branch. Once a family of birds flew out of a tree, cawing loudly. For the first time since he'd stepped foot in this jungle, Loso observed everything around him, and Loso realized what a beautiful place this actually was. The sun was shining through the many leaves of different types of trees, flowers showed off their brilliant colors, the wildlife was plentiful, the noise was intriguing, and everything was moist. Moist and striving. Breathing in deep breaths of the exotic air, Loso let out a soft laugh, letting all his worries wash away for a peaceful moment.

Reality pulled Loso back to the ground with a thud. Traveling alone on this ever twisting path with no defense of any sort was really something to be concerned about. Yes, Sahara said she would be on the lookout, but who knows how trustworthy she actually was? What of there weren't even Kuhnas? What if this was all a trick? Guilt rushed over Loso, he shouldn't accuse Sahara like that. He knew she wouldn't do such a thing. Come on Loso, have a little faith. He'd be fine. He'd be just fine. Saying that repeatedly in his head, Loso went on and on. No turning back now. All the worries of not finding his way out or being eaten were pushed away. He'd be just fine.

[Zoophilos]

Rayim was a bit sorry to see Loso go.  It wasn't that he had come to be very fond of him in the brief time that he hadn't been using to get to know him - but he was worried about the young man being alright on his own.  He wasn't going to force himself on Loso, though, if he wanted to be alone.  Once the remaining two travelers seemed to be decided on what they were going to do, Rayim walked down the trail he had chosen.
       Now that he wasn't as focused on giving his tour speech, he kept a sharp eye out for the sights he had been telling Ayami about.  He also listened carefully, his ears perking at every sound.  Hearing the chatter of a Rengosett, he stopped to search the trees around him for it.  He caught sight of it high up in the branches, the yellowish fur just visible among the greenery.  He watched it chatter to itself for a minute, before it vanished higher up the tree.  He smiled to himself and walked onward.
       It was great to be in the Tengel Rainforest again.  The last time he had been here, he had been following jungle guide who lived in the Tengel.  Together they had traveled from the City of Lamenolai, cutting their way through the jungle with machetes, trying to dodge fierce Carpetfangs and feisty Taigras, chasing after the curious, thieving Rengosetts that snuck into their camps, and even meeting a Temple Fellox that lived in the forest.  Eventually they finished their journey at the N'usan Temple.  It had been a very exciting trip, and Rayim still remembered his guide with fondness.  He had been big, burly Tuskow anthro, with a animal Taosig for a pet.  Rayim smiled to himself again at the memories.  He wondered if this guide had ever heard of talking kuhnas in the Tengel.  Likely not at the time Rayim was with him, at least, since he had never said anything about such creatures.

[Nyxia]

Ayami and Chaos watched as both Loso and Rayim picked a path and disappeared into the dense growth and trees of the jungle. Ayami then eyed Chaos with an expression somewhere between a glare and a sneer, "Well, lovely. You could have invited Rayim to come with us." She almost whined at him, misery struck at the idea of being with only him for the whole event. "I'm so telling Reima that your never allowed near me again!" Throwing her hands up in the air and staking off down the center path, having not realized it was an untraveled path. Quickly she realized this little over sight as a small branch from one of the mighty trees reaching skyward tumbled from its place, taking with it a tangle of vines, and smacked down upon her head.

Chaos made a deliberate point of ignoring his companion's frustrated words, instead he gave Sahara a half smile and shrugged. "I expect we will see you at the end of all this." He told her more than asked before following after the less experienced explorer. On high alert for anything that seemed dangerous or even slightly unpleasant they may run into, but to anyone looking he seemed calm, unaware of the world around him. His sharp gold eyes scanned the ground around them and below, seeking out something unusual. While somewhere behind him Ayami had pulled off branch off her head and untangled herself from the vines, and was silently following behind him. He could imagine the expression on her face while he felt the piercing glare she was shooting at his back. "You know we'll see them all at the end, Ayami. You can speak to him again." He sighed, why were women so difficult to please.

[jobiehanna]

Sahara nodded to the explorers, wishing them all good luck as they each chose a separate path. When they were all gone from sight, the purple lucain went into her human form. It would be much easier to sneak around this way, since she wouldn't have her tails anymore. And, if any kuhna needed scaring out of a hiding place, well, a human was just as scary as a lucain, she supposed. With her wavy, long, light violet hair and golden eyes, the human walked into the forest in search of kuhnas to upend ouftof their hiding spots. Hopefully they wouldn't need scaring and she could just check up on the other explorers. Which she did intend to do, though she wasn't about to reveal how she would.
----------------------
Euwon: The sound of laughing is heard as your character wonders along. It sounds like it's coming from up ahead, where a small clearing of trees can be found. The area is rather sunny and looks friendly. Perhaps you could investigate?

Zoophilos: As your character continues down his path, a loud wail that sounded like someone crying comes from deeper within the forest. The forest on that side of the path looks more ominous than that in front of you, but maybe someone could use some consoling?

Nyxia: If your characters have been paying attention to not only sights but sounds as well, a cry for help could be heard further down the path. It sounded like someone was in trouble. Maybe you should go help them?

[Zoophilos]

As Rayim continued walking forward, the rainforest started to grow thicker and darker.  His whole head jerked at the loud wailing sound.  He paused again, eying the thick growth and listening, his tails waving slowly in the air.  It sounded very much like someone was crying.  Was someone in trouble?  Then again, it could just be some wild animal making its routine calls.  The wild beasts of the Tengel could make all sorts of sounds.  However, if there really was someone in trouble, the last thing Rayim wanted to do was fail to give them the help they needed.  He had to find out the source of the noise, just in case.  Besides, even if it wasn't someone needing help, this could still be a chance to see an unusual and fascinating creature.
       Rayim was keenly aware of the dangers of the Tengel, and that he himself was not a very strong or intimidating fighter.  He was a small kuhna, and even in human form he was slightly built.  However, no one becomes a tour guide of all Evelon without learning something about how to defend oneself and one's customers in dangerous areas.  He heaved his large pack to the ground for a moment, groping its interior with a paw.  He pulled a sheathed machete to the opening of the bag.  He didn't pull it all the way out, but left it so that it was easily in reach and could be pulled out quickly, yet still hidden mostly out of sight so it wouldn't cause unnecessary alarm.  Then, slowly, cautiously, yet surely and steadily, he walked toward where he thought the sound had come from, ears straining for more cries, eyes searching the plants for movement or the form of another living creature.

[Nyxia]

Chaos stopped, somewhere ahead he could hear a sound too familiar to this jungle over the sounds of cackling Polly’s and the hooting Rengosett’s above them, a voice in the dense over growth. What he couldn’t tell from the distance they were was if the voice belonged to friend or foe.  For a moment he crouched low on an over turned stump, his clawed arm coming up in a halt gesture for Ayami who’d trailed behind him looking at some rock or flower he’d guessed. It took several minutes for her to catch up to him, by that time he knew already that he couldn’t tell anything from the distance they were at. That only left one option open, to get closer and see what they had. Now Chaos wasn’t the type to believe in superstitious things, nor did he for a moment think to follow legends; they were here as a matter of recon in the jungle, seeing how many adventurers could commonly be found trekking about and where they were. This was likely a lost adventurer or scholar who’d gotten off track, Chaos shook his head a bit for the thought and stood. “C’mon Ayami, looks like we’re playing guide to some lost soul after all.” He grumbled, dropping off the other side of the stump and heading on. “Could ya use that trick of yours and tell me how many we’re headin to?” With her he posed it as a question, but Ayami knew it was an order not a request.

She was already unhappy with traveling with him, but somehow the jungle soothed her frustrations. The sweet and musty smells of flowers and damp earth calmed her; the sounds of the other animals around them chattering and calling excited her curiosity allowing her to forget that her “baby sitter” was even there. She too heard the cries off in the distance, possibly the sound of someone in danger; likely just a lost soul from a time forgotten. Ayami couldn’t help the sadness at that thought, she knew too well that some of the souls had been forgotten here, left to wander about. When Chaos told her to seek out the aura of the one ahead of them, she wondered briefly if he knew about the souls, if he could have understood that a spirit had no aura. That however would have required an argument, a lecture, and a moment of awkward silence once she reviled the truth of it; in the end of weighing these minor details in her life she decided against even broaching the subject at all. Instead she opted to quietly gather her power about herself, slowly so as to avoid a head rush or fainting. “It’s not a trick you ignorant… ah…never mind. In any event it’ll take me a few minutes.” She hesitated, pushing a bit of power out to see if anything was there at all. Oddly there was something, but it was hidden by the pulse of the jungle around them. “I can’t tell, there is something… but I can’t see it over all the other auras.” Relief, at least for a few minutes flooded her system, something living was out there.

[Eunwon]

(( OC: First, let me say I am so sorry. I've had the stomach flu and my days consist of throwing up, coughing, sleeping, and peeing. o.O I haven't been able to answer any messages or anything. I'm really sorry. I'll reply a lame post [is very tired] but delete it if you like. If I don't get a prize that's OK, but I'd still like to finish the RP anyways [if not, that's ok]~ Again, really sorry, I'll be on time for the rest of this. ))

Loso had been walking for a while now, who knows exactly how long for, his guess was as good as yours. His feet ached and his stomach growled, but was he going to complain? No. He was still alive, and that was as much as he was going to hope for.

The Tengel Rainforest was much less intimidating, now that Loso had seen most of the things you could see. Still, you could never get bored in the Tengel, not with the rush of adrenaline that came with every cawing of a Pollie, every jump of a Rengosett. Excitement (danger) could be around any corner, or maybe just right ahead. Which brought Loso to his very first unusual sighting in the jungle, besides - of course, meeting Sahara and the gang. Up ahead was a clearing of tree's, the sun shining brightly and clearly for the first time. Loso hadn't seen the sun directly for a while. It was decently light in the forest, but the sun always was hidden through the tangle of many, many, exotic trees. The little clearing was so perfect looking, that Loso could help feel suspicious. He walked a little closer up to it, before a maniacal laughing rang throughout the jungle - coming straight from the clearing.

A man or a women, he couldn't tell. But the laugh was definitely higher-pitched. It creepy and uncalled for, and who knows what the laugh meant. It scared Loso right, and his hair stood on end. Nonetheless, Loso jogged to the edge of the clearing, hidden behind the very last tree before the opening, and peeked around for another clue to whom the laugh was from.

One last thing, Loso had decided to morph into his Diosol form, just incase it was a crazy indian tribe who had a taste for humans.

[jobiehanna]

Zoophilos: As you get closer, the crying seems to be coming from a rather sad looking eclipse kuhna. She is sitting on a rock in a small clearing with her head hung low and doesn't seem to notice your approach at first.





Nyxia: There is the sound of chains rattling from up ahead as the voice keeps calling for help. "Help, I'm stuck!" The creature cries loudly with a hint of fear in it's voice. "Someone help me!" Further in the jungle is a jailer kuhna with it's chains stuck in a mass of rocks and branches.



Euwon: ((It's okay, since the posting order was all messed up anyway, now it's fine again. :3)) The laughter is coming from a pearberry kuhna, who is running around the clearing happily. She doesn't notice the diosol, so she just goes on her merry way, laughing and dancing around the clearing like everything was just fine.

((You are all free to change the characters and genders of these kuhnas once you capture them and take them home, but for now I'm just going to play out what they do. :3))

[Zoophilos]

The wail came again as Rayim walked through the bush.  Peering carefully over fern leaves and under tree branches, he saw a break in the trees - a small clearing.  On a rock in the middle of the clearing, he saw another kuhna - a black one with red and orange markings.  The kuhna's sniffling and sobbing made it clear she was the source of the wailing.
       So, there are kuhnas in the Tengel, Rayim thought.  But wait, was this an actual denizen of the jungle, or just a sad lost soul?  There was only one way to find out.  Rayim stepped forward into the edge of the clearing.
       "Excuse me, miss, mister?" he called out.  He had thought at first the kuhna was a girl, but now he wasn't as sure.  "I couldn't help noticing your sorrow, stranger.  Is there any way I can help you?" he asked in a sympathetic voice.  "I'm Rayim, a tour guide - but at the moment, an explorer of the Tengel."

[Nyxia]

Chaos listened to the voice for a moment, then to the sound of chains. That struck him as terribly odd in this area, unless there was some form of prison in the area. Keeping quiet he glanced at Ayami over his shoulder, “We’ll get closer, but you stay behind me.” He grumbled, moving carefully through the under growth so as to avoid attracting attention. The rattling chains and voices filling the air didn’t seem to bother the Polly’s roosting overhead, they continued to sing and call as if the humans were nothing unusual in their habitat. It tickled his wilder instinct, bothering him just enough to slow his pace.

Ayami watched as Chaos lead them down a small path leading through the dense jungle plants and vines, something Ayami was becoming a bit more familiar with each passing moment. Her sight shifted in the growth and for the first time she could see the oranges and yellows of fear pulsing above the calm beats of the jungle’s aura, and without consulting her companion she pushed down the path. “We’re coming, please wait!” She called down to the voice, ignoring both Chaos’ protest and his hesitant pace. Disregarding the delicate growths she hurried down to the aura she saw, crashing off the path and tripping over a massive tree root causing her to fall face first in front of the small kuhna. “Hello there.” She sat up on her knees, rubbing the left side of her head where she’d made contact with the ground. “Don’t worry; my friend is right behind me. He’ll be able to get you unstuck.” She smiled to the kuhna.

Chaos, upset beyond all else by her recklessness followed at a quick pace as well, but managed to make his way down to the kuhna without ending up on his face. A glance at Ayami told him the hellion woman was alright, and allowed him to turn his attention back to the kuhna. “Offering my services before I arrive are we?” He asked in a mocking tone. With careful steps he circled the rock nest, planning how best to remove the chains. “Where do you come from?” He asked the kuhna in a deep tone, not fully trusting the chained creature. When he saw the first weakness of the rocks Chaos smirked at it, easy as a puzzle. Never having been one for delicate tasks, he brought up his armored arm, crashing the gold colored fist down into the fractured rock. Then moved to the one beside it, releasing the creature’s leg chain, a terribly wicked smile playing on his lips for only a few seconds in only Ayami’s sight before his cool attitude returned and he resumed freeing the kuhna.

With Chaos untangling the vines twisted in the kuhna’s collar chain, Ayami decided now was the best time to interact with the small creature. “I’m Ayami, and my friend is called Chaos.” She began, watching to see if the kuhna would answer them at all.

[Eunwon]

Peaking through a long leaf of some plant, Loso realized the insane laughing wasn't coming from a voodoo witch or anything of the sort! But rather an extremely energetic Kuhna of some breed. It was a bright green and running around in circles. Could this be the talking Kuhna's the whole hunt had revolved around? Had his journey finally come to an end? Well, that is, if this Kuhna would come home with him. But Loso was having his doubts - was a Kuhna with ADD really what he wanted? Surely not. Nonetheless, his hours of trekking were not going to a waste. Hopping out of his hiding spot, Loso waited until the little green blur made it's way back around to him, so he could see if she really could talk. She was getting closer, her laugh echoing in Loso's ears, and he did his best to stand right where he'd be most noticeable. "Hey! You! Kuhna! Can you talk?" Not the most polite way of starting a conversation, but Loso didn't know if she would bother stopping if he was too nice. If she did answer him and she could talk, Loso would make a better effort to be friendly and such. After all, the goal was to take her home!

[jobiehanna]

Zoophilos: The eclipse kuhna looked up at Rayim, her eyes sad. "I-I-I'm lost," she whimpered through her tears. "I-I've been lost for days." Her golden eyes watched Rayim, wondering if he really was an explorer. If he was and he knew his way around this good for nothing forest, maybe she could find a way out. "I-I don't have a n-name," she continued. "B-but, can you help me get out of here?" She wiped the tears from her eyes, and tried to smile.

Nyxia: The jailer kuhna looked at the pair that approached her with wide eyes. The male seemed so scary, but the female appeared less so, though she seemed a little out of place so deep within the forest. The kuhna watched with wide eyes as the man cut her free. She hadn't spoken yet, only looked at her rescuers with that wide eyed look that wild animals possess. "I-I don't remember," she said in response to Chaos's question. "I don't remember anything, I have to go," she looked at the pair, feeling sad for having to go. But what if she was some kind of criminal escaped from a jail and didn't know what she had done? That's what a jailer kuhna was, right? A reincarnated criminal? She didn't want to hurt any body, especially these nice people who had rescued her.

Euwon: The pearberry kuhna stopped her laughing and running around at the sound of Loso's voice. She looked toward the diosol with a playful look. She pranced over to the diosol and tilted her head. "Do you wanna play?" Her voice sounded childish, but her eyes seemed to hold an unknown look behind them, like she wasn't really what she appeared to be.

((Sorry for the wait guys.   ))

[Zoophilos]

Seeing the strange kuhna wasn't afraid of him, Rayim took another step closer.
       "Of course I can help you," he replied with a friendly smile.  "Do you need something to eat?  Or water?"  He heaved his pack to the ground again and began pawing through it's innards, pulling out a pack of trail mix and a water bottle.  He offered both to the Eclipse kuhna.
       "You're actually quite close to a trail.  I'm with a group of explorers that are searching the Tengel - for kuhnas!  We're actually looking for a band of kuhnas that are supposed to live here, not exactly lost kuhnas.  You wouldn't have run into any kuhnas that live in this rainforest, would you?  But anyways, I'm getting side-tracked.  The rest of the group shouldn't be too far away.  We all split up when we found the trail, to find out where it went.  I think I can get us back to them.  And we're just a few hours walk away from a town.  So don't you worry anymore."  Ray finished his rambling with this reassurance and turned to go back the way he had come, but paused to make sure the other kuhna was following him without trouble.