Illusion Vale: A Spirit's Cry

Eeth and Van

Van shook his head vehemently. "Van people not like elves. Elves sneaky and eat Van people," then he paused and tilted his head to one side and grinned, "Everybody eat Van people!" and he skipped ahead, going down on all four paws and scampering up a tree and jumping down in front of Eeth, "Van people yummy," then he licked himself, making a ridiculous slurping noise. He mewed and gave Eeth a very serious look, "But Eeth okay... Van like Eeth," then he mewed cutely and began to scamper along the ground, "Race ya!" and he was off with a shot.
 
Eeth listened as Van sorta explained that it was unusual for one of Van's people to be in the company of an elf...and still be alive.

When Van challenged Eeth to a race, then shot off to quickly for Eeth to react, Eeth continued walking, until he figured that maybe he should try out this new body of his, which took him a second to figure out. By then, Van had a sizable head-start. Well, Eeth started running, slow at first, but picked up the speed. Pretty soon he was running at a speed that surprised him. He was running faster than he ever had before. Despite his speed, he managed to avoid every obstacle that popped up in front of him with ease. Soon, he had caught up to Van, and moving along side him, Eeth matched Van's pace.

"Sooo, you do this often?" Eeth asked. Despite him running like he was, he was far from out of breath. This too surprised him. "If it's unusual for one of your people to be in the company of an elf, then how are we going to explain you being with me?"
 
Fay and Faelin

Her feet pounded the earth, her loping stride easily covering a great distance. Her tongue hung out as she controlled her panting to greater take advantage of her huge lung capacity. Her large yellow eyes scanned the ground speeding by beneath her and she snorted with derision. Why did she have to do this ridiculous mission? Why should she care about 'the fate of the people'? They had never cared for her.

She loped along the ground, the great city of Abark at her back and continued to look for her so called charge. For a moment, she considered turning and leaving the Guardian to his fate. She gave a low growl and thought maliciously, "Wouldn't last long here,"

The shifting earth beneath her paws began to move and shake violently, finally breaking up the steady rhythm of her run and she skidded to a halt. Looking up into the roiling sky, she saw dark thunderclouds come rolling in at an impossible speed. She sat on her haunches and watched as the sky split open and ejected a fiery comet into the earth. A large boom shook her ears and a shock wave hit her with a vengeance.

She howled in pain and once again thought of leaving the Guardian to his own devices but her inbred nobility and loyalty kept her from straying. She sighed and picked her way slowly through the churned ground before her. When she reached the center, a large crater greeted her view. There was a small feathered ball at the very center of the crater, trails of smoke still wafting from its form.

She lifted her snout and sniffed, she smelt burnt fur. She wrinkled her nose and sat at the edge of the crater. Waiting, watching and wondering just how long she would be called on to babysit.

The wolf's long pink tongue rolled out of the side of her snout and she lay down, placing her head on her two outstretched paws. "Why did I have to get this job?"
 
Largos and Len

"Wait a minute. You are telling me that I have been turned into an elf by being transported here?"

A derisive snort was heard inside his head and then she said, "Yes, you can't survive here, so we transformed you. Do try to keep up,"

She watched as he slowly got to his feet and seemed to discover his new mobilities. She sighed and ruffled her feathers impatiently as he asked even more questions,

"What do you mean about the Lost Guardians and why is it I have to become an elf to live here. I liked the body that I was in, I liked the life that I had but now I have been brought to this world of Illusion Vale at no choice of my own because I am one of these guardians? Who is this spirit that you speak of and what can I do to help Illusion Vale if it is indeed in trouble? I am just a simple thi- Great, I cannot even say that. Why has this never happened before, was I not meant to be here; was this nothing more than a mistake?"

And impatient sigh was heard from within his head as she answered him, "I told you the reason why, because of the truce made long ago between the Guardians and the Dark Kin, Guardians can no longer survive in their own form here, so we had to transform you," she chirped and hopped to the side, continuing, "The Spirit can be called the Queen of Illusion Vale if you would prefer more simple terms. The long standing peace in the Vale is breaking and she needs your help to fix it," there was a hint of condescension in her voice, as if she were speaking to a child, "I do not know what a single person can do to save an entire world, but I'm sure the Spirit would be able to help answer that question," she cocked her head to the other side, "Would you like to go see her?"

She tsked inside his head, "You ask a lot of questions for an all powerful Guardian," she puffed up and continued, "Its never happened before because the peace didn't break until now," still that derisive condescending tone, "You're not meant to be here because your race is responsible for the near destruction of the Vale and yes, you were a mistake. So we had to change you to suit better," she chirped, "Understand?"

"As for where you are, you're in Illusion Vale. A land where all peoples, except your kind, thrive and live in, now, relative peace. You're going to need a guide, that's me, because you know nothing. And as for what you need to do, I'll leave that part up to you,"

She nodded her head sharply and fell silent.
 
Becca and Kail

Kail floated for a moment, letting her words sink in, "Becca, you would not have heard the call if you were not either worthy or strong enough to undertake this great quest. And as to the new form, that's where I come in," he spun for a moment, pulsing warm blue light, "I'm not entirely sure why we could't predict what you would become and act accordingly, but I do know that I will try my hardest to help you in this quest,"

He seemed to think a moment, perhaps mulling over his own inadequacies for the present situation, his blue light wavering as he wore his feelings on the outside. Then he realised that she was moving away from him and he spun to catch up, hovering above her just in time to hear her next question.

“Kail, do you know where this Spirit is or anything about what I am now?”

He brightened when he realised that this was indeed something he could help her with. "I know where the Spirit resides. I can take you there," he thought for a moment, "But first you will need supplies and a means to get to Vale City," he floated before her, "You do not posses the skills to handle most of what Dryads can do, so you'll have to settle for learning slowly, but do not worry, I am here," he pulsed happily in front of her.

"I will take you to Vakare and we will prepare to cross northwards to Vale City, I'm sure the Spirit will know what else needs to be done,"

He hummed happily and floated towards the south, making sure Becca was following.
 
Dinnie and Goreab

Goreab chattered aimlessly to himself as he dragged his knuckles along the ground idly. He had drawn at least a hundred strange squiggly lines and circles in the parched dirt and he was about to do another when the ground began to shake.

He uttered an unfathomable word and scampered backwards, cowering from the unknown disturbance. His excellent night vision would have picked up the tell tale cracks forming in the ground in front of him if he hadn't squeezed his eyes shut in fear. The cracks elongated and widened, opening up a dark, deep pit within the earth.

From this pit, which Goreab would have seen if he only opened his eyes, came an unknown figure. Wrapped up in darkness, he rose up from the dark abyss and stretched his hands towards the sky. Then the hole sealed up underneath him and he floated down, onto his back.

Goreab stuttered in fear and finally cracked his sealed lids open. He promptly closed them again. A few long minutes later, when he didn't feel claws ripping mercilessly through his skin, he dared open his eyes again.

On the ground in front of him was a man. A tall man by the look of him, and a scary looking one too. Goreab's eyesight picked up the tiny details of the unconscious form of the newly summoned Guardian and his eyes rolled back into his head, "Why Goreab get scary one?" he muttered to himself as he scampered a little closer, emboldened by the fact that Dinnie was out like a light.

He poked at Dinnie's clothes and picked up one of his hands, sniffing at it and made a disgusted snort. "Smelly and scary..." he muttered again and his large white eyes rolled back into his head. He scampered around, trying to figure out what was going to happen next when the lump on the ground began to groan.

The little 3'5" dark purple imp named Goreab squeaked and scooted backwards. He whimpered as Dinnie regained consiousness and whined as the man warily looked around. Trying to find his voice, Goreab tried to speak up. But it was a full ten minutes before he found the courage to make barely more than a squeak.

"Gor..gor..goreab o...ov..over...he..he..here," he managed to stutter weakly.
 
Fay was lost in darkness, crying out to whoever would listen to her. She knew that it was a dream but deep down it was more than that. She had dreamed this before... She heard the voices talking to her. they were the usual but then there was another voice... calling her. She had never heard that one before. She wondered... who was it?

So she ran and ran... and ran some more until she came to a foggy area.

"Hello!?" She called into the vast fog.

The sudden strength of the voice made her fall to her knees covering her ears in the process. It wouldn't stop asking the same question. Over and over again, "What is the meaning of life?"

She woke up when a muscle in her leg twitched harshly.

"FIVE!" She screamed. She looked around... Where the hell was she? She looked down at her hand... "Oh... I must still be dreaming..." Fay had always been one to have strange dreams.

She looked around the large crater she was in and tried to think. "Ok... so I'm a giant bird... thingy..." She said softly. "Maybe I can fly..." She mused. She didn't notice the animal watching her. "I love to fly, the best dreams involve flying," she stated as her wings started to flap awkwardly.

"Ok... Maybe... maybe if I get a running start and jump..." She said. With that she ran as fast as she could, her wings flapping frantically before she tripped over a rock sending herself falling to the ground, rolling in every direction... "Ow..." She said grasping her knee which was bleeding...

"I'm... I'm not dreaming?" She asked before she started to hyperventilate...
 
Than and Varic

Than slowly opened his eyes letting them adjust to the light of day. He slowly pushed himself to a half sitting position. Than raised his head, his eyes had adjusted to the light.

“What the fu…..” was all he could get out as he scanned his surroundings.

There was no house, no shed; in fact all he did see was grass, as he continued to scan the area. His eyes feel upon a strange sight.

Fucking fantastic, now I’m seeing elves, armed at that.

Than closed his eyes and shook his head, hopping to clear it of the effects of last nights drinking. When he opened his eyes again, the elf was still there.

Starring at the elf, with a grunt Than maneuvered into a kneeling position, it was then he notice what he should be wearing, he wasn‘t. Instead of blue jeans he had what appeared to be leather pants and a pair of calf high boots. In place of his t-shirt was a black linen type cloth draped over the right shoulder and tucked into the pants. Than had also noticed his tats were gone. Reaching up to run his hand across his head Than noticed he now had long hair, just past his shoulders, instead of the day old stubble from shaving his head.

This is one wild dream but, I’ve had just about enough of this shit.

Slightly raising his head and cocking it to the left, slightly squinting his right eye, this was his someone is in for it looks; he had been told it was an intimidating. Than looked the elf in the eyes.

“Alright, blue hair, I guess you’re in my head, but damn, this is one vivid dream.”

Slapping his hands to his thighs, he leaned slightly forward, raising his head completely never taking his gaze off the elf

“weelp, ya got anything to drink?”
 
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Asterion and Fell

The black figure floated above the ground with a purpose. A malicious aura surrounded it as it moved decisively along, passing through any and all obstacles in its way. Frightened animals had barely enough time to run as they sensed its silent approach. Those that did not manage to get away quick enough stood in frozen fear as it floated closer, passing right through them.

Tortured screams echoed in its wake as it passed through the dense foliage to emerge onto a rocky beach. The moon overhead the only witness to its unintended carnage. It did not care, it did not feel for those it had killed. They had simply been in the way and it had somewhere it needed to be. Now.

Its shifting black body shimmered as a light sea breeze wafted through it. The two single pinpoints of light the only distinguishing marks on its inky form. The column of darkness stood still for a moment, the screams behind it dying down as the twisted hunks of steaming meat finally died.

It rippled suddenly, spinning and twirling, seeming to suck itself into itself. Then it was gone, the silence discontinued and the night animals ventured out once more. The night resumed its normality and the world pulsed, beat, with life once again.

A unearthly scream rent the air and the spot from where the creature had vanished suddenly cracked open, a deep, dark void glimpsed through the torn reality. The creature exited the screaming vortex with another in its wake. It was large, horned and unconscious. It shuddered as it reached the rocky ground and slumped forwards onto its face.

The Shadow Wraith floated, silent and watchful, as the horned creature awoke. It watched as Asterion moved groggily towards the water and discovered his reflection, roaring in torment to the sea beyond.

Fell chuckled and glided forwards to float silently next to Asterion, "Yesss," it hissed slightly, soft and sibilant tones issuing from the formless darkness, "We can make thisss hell, we haves the power now. We haves come here together to makes thiss hell." The pinpoints of light turned to look at Asterion and the creature's voice held a smile in it, "The otherss will be pleased..."
 
Van gave a cat like shrug, which was a blur as he moved with deliberate speed, "Van not know. But Van sure Eeth make other's friendly," he mewed and shrugged again, "Van not know why other peoples hates Van's so much,"

Van shook his head, "Van not do this all the time, Van usually eating large bowl of milk by now," then suddenly Van stopped and mewed loudly, yawning.

"Van sleepy now...mew?" He settled onto the ground, turned a few times, licked his tail like mad and promptly dropped off to sleep, purring softly.
 
Fay and Faelin

Faelin watched in vague interest as the giant raven decided to try to fly. It tripped over and she rolled her eyes. It hadn't seemed to notice her and the thought that this may be a good time to sneak off. After all the giant bird seemed to be completely clueless.

She sighed and got to her feet. Skidding down the side of the crater, she came to a halt next to the erratically breathing Guardian. Opened her jaws wide, she spoke in the Spirit's Tongue, hoping that this creature would at least understand plain english. "Calm down, there's no need for that. Look, you're in Illusion Vale, and this place is so pretty and calm that everybody walks around with a smile on their face and a song in their heart," the sarcastic tone in her voice didn't seem to be helping.

"Oh come on, suck it up. I haven't a clue what you were before, but now you're a giant oversized chicken. Deal."

Then she sat down and waited for the guardian to either die of asphixiation or look up and listen to her.
 
Michael and Sila

Sila shook her head and then scratched it, "Will you stop saying new words! You're confusing me!" she whined and promptly mulled over what the word 'feck' could possibly mean. She frowned, almost comically, and then stretched up her arms, getting ready to dance and sing again when she suddenly rememebered his questions, thank the Spirit.

"Illusion Vale is here, a huge, huge, land where everybody lives. I live over there," she pointed roughly the the west and waved, "Hi mum!" then she turned back to Michael and watched him smoke, her eyes wide in fascination. "Does that taste good, mum never got the hang of it, but dad was always using one," she mused over that last little bit information and smiled brightly, her eyes completely vacant.

"Oh," she suddenly said, grinning, "You're a werewolf!" then she frowned, "Wait, you already knew that, huh?" she pouted her lips and stamped her little foot in the air, "I knew the answer to that! But I can't remember," she said forlornly, a wobble appearing on her chin as she tried hard not to cry.

"I said I could do this... I told the Spirit that I could help you... but I can't remember how!" with that, the three foot little fairy began to bawl her eyes out.
 
Wolfsister said:
Van gave a cat like shrug, which was a blur as he moved with deliberate speed, "Van not know. But Van sure Eeth make other's friendly," he mewed and shrugged again, "Van not know why other peoples hates Van's so much,"

Van shook his head, "Van not do this all the time, Van usually eating large bowl of milk by now," then suddenly Van stopped and mewed loudly, yawning.

"Van sleepy now...mew?" He settled onto the ground, turned a few times, licked his tail like mad and promptly dropped off to sleep, purring softly.

Eeth skidded to a halt when Van suddenly stopped, said he was sleepy, and then fell right to sleep. Eeth, of course, was a little confused at this, seeing as how the sun was still up. In fact, by Eeth's estimation, it would be another few hours until the sun set. Then an idea struck him, and a devilish grin creeped onto his face. Taking advantage of the fact that he could walk without making a sound, he moved towards the sleeping cat. He checked to make sure that Van was indeed sleeping, then took in a deep breath. Making sure he was out of the cat's reach, he released that deep breath in a mighty roar of a yell, aimed directly at Van.
 
Varic stood regally, bowing from the waist down elegantly as Than awoke, his grin evident in his voice as he said, "Welcome to Illusion Vale. I am Varic, son of Malas,"

He was about to continue when he was rather rudely interrupted, “Alright, blue hair, I guess you’re in my head, but damn, this is one vivid dream.”

Varic frowned and then shook an admonitory finger at the giant, "See here, my hair is not blue. No where does anyone get away with calling it blue. I have dark blueberry hair, you hear that, blueberry!" Then he smiled and held out his hands, palms showing, "Sorry friend, how rude of me. I can get a little defensive about that," he looped his finger around an errant strand and swept it dramatically over his shoulder again. "And this isn't a dream," he said indignantly, "If it were, you'd be female, attractive and falling head over heels for me,"

“weelp, ya got anything to drink?”

Varic raised an elegant eyebrow and spoke up, "Welp? See here, friend, I'm older than you, I'm possibly older than you'll ever be, so you can't call me welp. I understand its easy to distinguish others that way, but it would be the same as me calling you bighead," he shrugged, "So, I agree that if you don't call me whelp, I won't call you bighead," he nodded his head, apparently satisfied with himself.

Then he fished a canteen from his pack and threw it to the giant. "Mind telling me your name, friend?" and watched as he put the canteen to his lips. "I love fresh sping water, don't you?" Varic grinned.
 
The prettiest wolf she had ever seen walked right up to her. The artist didn't appreciate the sarcasm of the fact that this canine thought she was stupid. "You don't have to get smart with me..." She grumbled.

"Chicken?" She asked looking amused now. "If I'm such a big chicken then why aren't you taken a big bite Miss Pup?" She asked touching her nose with her index finger. "You have to admit waking up covered in feathers... and raven feet... is a little disconcerting..." She mumbled looking at the wolf. And then a thought struck her.

"And a talking wolf isn't exactly natural..." She said reaching up to stratch the other's ear.

She stood up and looked around. "Alright... So you said something about a Vale... Mind explaining why I am here and how I can get back?" She asked looking a the large beast.
 
Eeth and Van

blaster8 said:
Eeth skidded to a halt when Van suddenly stopped, said he was sleepy, and then fell right to sleep. Eeth, of course, was a little confused at this, seeing as how the sun was still up. In fact, by Eeth's estimation, it would be another few hours until the sun set. Then an idea struck him, and a devilish grin creeped onto his face. Taking advantage of the fact that he could walk without making a sound, he moved towards the sleeping cat. He checked to make sure that Van was indeed sleeping, then took in a deep breath. Making sure he was out of the cat's reach, he released that deep breath in a mighty roar of a yell, aimed directly at Van.

With an almighty yeowl, Van awoke and jumped fairly six foot in the air. Then came Sticky, hopefully to the side of Eeth's face. "I told you!" Van screamed in mid-jump, "I told you elves were evil!!" he mewed forlornly and landed on all fours. Hissing slightly he tried to smooth down his frazzled and fluffed up fur with furious licking.

He growled under his breath at Eeth and gripped Sticky tighter, "That not funny, Van not laughing," he muttered to himself and continued to chatter under his breath about 'evil elves'.

The beginning of tears formed in the corners of his eyes and he kept rubbing a newly licked paw across them to try to hide it.
 
"Aye it does" michael said puffing contentedly. All of a sudden the little fairy started crying. "Dont be crying now lass, no need for that. We'll figure it out. Who is this spirit?" he asked, trying to make her feel better. He was not the sentimental type, they dont usually do to well in his line of work, but for some reason the little faery's crying made him feel bad.
 
Asterion discovers Fell

Asterion was aware of the presence behind him. He couldn’t place it, but the being felt almost familiar, almost comforting in its similarity to the blackness of his own soul. He turned to face the shadowy column.

“What do you know of hell, shadow?” Asterion sneered as he squared his shoulders and approached the darkness. “I have seen hell. I have seen the world that turns away from you. The world that acknowledges you exist, yet does nothing to keep you from descending into the depths of pain. I lived that hell. I killed in that hell. I survived in that hell with no one.”

Asterion spit at the Wraith, snorting through the thick gold ring pierced through his nose.

“I have never needed anyone before. What makes you think I need you to make this my own hell?” He began walking along the beach, searching the darkness over the ocean for signs of life. Besides the living gloom behind him, there was no sign of anyone, or anything for that matter, that resembled life. A quiet shiver ran through Asterion's body as he realized just how different, and unknown, this new world was.

Asterion paused, and glanced back at the apparition behind him. “Where the hell are we shadow? And who are these others you speak of?”
 
Eeth and Van

Thankfully, Sticky missed Eeth completely because he was rolling on the ground with laughter, holding his sides. Taking deep breaths, Eeth got control of himself and stood up. He still had a grin plastered to his face as he watched Van smooth his fur. "Aww, come on Van. You've got to admit, you set yourself up for that. Look at the sun. There's still a few hours left of sunlight, and you decide to sleep? You can sleep after the sun goes down. Come on, let's keep moving until the sun goes down," said Eeth. He chuckled to himself as he turned and started walking in the direction Van had indicated earlier.
 
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Fay and Faelin

Faelin backed up, eyeing the strange guardian warily. She just petted me! she thought to herself indignantly. But she kinda had to admit... she had liked it. Even just a little bit. No! Nobody touched Faelin that way... at least, nobody had before.

She shook her snout impatiently and tried to reorganise her thoughts, "I'm not a pup," she said softly and regarded the birdwoman with renewed caution, "Talking wolves are perfectly natural, if they're smart enough. And you're in Illusion Vale. Well, in a crater in Illusion Vale if you want, but in the Vale nonetheless,"

She sat down on her hind legs and continued to talk, a lecturing tone in her voice, "You're an all powerful guardian, previously lost to this realm. Now we're in trouble and the Spirit needs your help. So she called to certain souls in the other realm and you answered. Thus you're here," she cocked her head to the side, "You're a big chicken because you cant survive here in a guardian form," there was a hint of humour in her voice, but it was quickly gone.

She got up and began to climb up the side of the crater, "Come up here and I'll explain things to you real nice and slow so you can understand. You won't be able to get back for a while so you might as well come with me. I hate holes in the ground."
 
Michael and Sila

She sobbed quietly, trying to get rid of her tears. She felt slightly embarrassed to be crying in front of this big hairy beast, "You look so big and scary," she said through waning tears, scrubbing her eyes, "I bet you never cry," her chin wobbled with tears.

She hicupped and starting talking, her voice getting stronger and stronger as she told him about the Spirit, "The Spirit is soo beautiful, she's the most prettiest woman in the whole world. I wish I could be her," her eyes became big and round with awe, "She's the one that keeps the Vale happy. Its because of her all the bad men went away and nobody gets hurt anymore," she frowned, "But all the bad men are coming back and she told me to help you, 'cos you're supposed to save us from the bad men," then her lip began to quiver again, "But now I cant even help you!" then she started crying again and folded up into a miserable heap on the ground, her wings dull and crumpled.

A tiny fist pounded into the earth, "Its not fair!"
 
"OK, so point one... wolves that can talk are natural," she said with a smile. It seemed that this wolf didn't like her, well wasn't that a first? She smiled as she listened. "This sounds like a story I was writing back when I was in highschool she said... Except they were working on this other world in their dreams... It was crazy," she said as if lost suddenly in her highschool years.

"Are you trying to upset me?" She asked as she strutted along. "Call me Big Chicken... I don't mind..." She followed the other up and out and looked back at the crater. "How in the hell did that happen?" She asked as she brushed the dirt from her body.

And then she saw it... It was a large stick.

"Do you play fetch?" She asked.
 
Asterion and Fell

Fell floated silently through Asterion's tirade and only spoke once he asked about the others. A smile was heard in his voice and the malicious tone served to make it a sneer, "The othersss are what we needs to makes more power," he said softly. "We needs each other to makes more power, to makes more hell,"

The shade moved closer to Asterion, just close enough that he would feel a shiver run down his spine at the proximity, "We isses in Illusion Vale, on Grolak Isle. A new worlds thats happy and brights," he hissed in distaste, "We needs to fixes it,"

It chuckled madly and seemed to twirl on the spot, the pinpoints of light turning a complete 360. "We needs to go the otherss, theys explains things to usss," it hissed and began to move forwards, away from the sea beyond and into the treeline above.

Silence passed in its wake.
 
Eeth and Van

Van grumbled towards Eeth, "Van is cat, remember?" he reminded the half brained, evil elf. " Van not all powerful elf, Van need sleep.... not like stupid elf, only sleep after sun goes down," he pouted and his fur continued to stand on end. "Stop laughing," he muttered and gripped Sticky to his chest tightly.

He stayed behind as Eeth stood to leave but only for a few minutes, the darkness of the forest threatening to drown him, "Van not forgive Eeth. Eeth now have to protect Van to make it up," he shoved his nose in the air and sniffed importantly. Then he marched alongside Eeth, "Van not sleep as favour to evil elf!" he said, and nodded his head decisively. Falling in step behind the elf, he poked out his tongue when he knew Eeth wasn't looking.
 
Michael went and sat next to the faery. This must be quite the sight. he thought to himself. He patted her on the head with one finger so as not to hurt her. "Its alright lass, So I'm here to help against the bad men. Well i might be the wrong choice, being as I could be defined as a very bad man." he said thinking Maybe this is the chance i need, the chance to make good on my sins "But ill try to help, wipe your eyes now wee one, and We'll figure things out." he said. "Would you like some tobacco?" he asked offering her the pipe
 
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