Rain Dance

"no..." Kimi mumbled softly. She let go of Voltaire and went to sit up, only to his in pain, because he was on some of her hair.

"Ah!" Voltaire exclaimed, moving off her hair. "Should be easier to get up now."

Kimi pulled all of her hair over her shoulder and rubbed at her tender scalp for a moment. "Voltaire, Do you have a knife I can use?" she asked softly.

"You want to cut your hair?" Voltaire asked, more of a statement than a question. He understood the practicality of it, but at the same time he liked her hair long.

"Just a little bit. I'm tired of always sitting on it." Kimi replied. "So I'm going to cut it to halfway down my back rather than my knees."

"I'll get it," Voltaire said, gathering her hair together and bringing out his knife. "About here then?"

"Yes. There is fine" Kimi smiled. "Thank you Taire, But I would have done it."

"Trying to cut your own hair with a knife is a pain in the ass. Trust me I know," Voltaire replied, before cleanly cutting Kimi's hair. He threw the extra hair aside, thought about it, and then decided to burn it with his firebreath. "Not good to leave traces if you don't have to."

"Thank you" Kimi smiled. He smile faltered after a moment before widening. "It feels odd. Not having the extra weight from all that hair"

"It'll make it easier to comb," said Voltaire, sliding off of Ava. The phoenix protested slightly in her sleep. "So where are we Adair?"

"Besides being deep in a cave? I honestly don't know," Adiar admitted a little sheepishly. "I only woke up a little before you two, and Ava's still asleep so I can't ask her."

"It will" Kimi chirped in agreement. "Is Ava Alright?" She asked, sliding off.

"Yeah, she's just tired," Voltaire replied. He noticed some arrows lying nearby, ones Ava must have plucked out of herself when she landed. It didn't worry Voltaire much, though it bothered him. Being a pure phoenix, she had incredible healing ability.

Voltaire felt his stomach rumble some, and climbed back aboard to check the rations. There were enough to go around for everyone, but he would probably have to go hunting later.

"We should let her rest then. Is it alright if I go outside?" Kimi asked, smoothing out her skirts.

"If we can find the outside, then sure," Voltaire answered. The cave, though dry, was unpleasantly chilly. "I could use some fresh air myself."

(I kinda sorta have a plan, but it's not that clear yet)

(Ooooh. Do I get to know? Or is it a surprise?)

"Follow the smoke." Kimi replied sweetly. "Isn't that how you found me the first time?"

(I'm thinking there's a witch or monster that's looking for soul and is going to capture Voltaire and/or Kimi. How or why it's looking for soul, I'm not sure - goes to look at myths)

"That would work if there was a fire," Voltaire replied. "Mr. Hero, make a fire."

"Why don't you do it?" asked Adair with some annoyance at the sudden order.

"I don't feel like it," Voltaire answered simply. "And you look bored."

Adair huffed, not wanting to admit Voltaire was right. He took some of the cloth and twine wrapping off the rations and blew fire onto it. "There," he mumbled, while he warmed his hands over the flame.

"I was just going to suggest exhaling smoke." Kimi stated. "But thank you Adair" She smiled at him warmly before starting out, following the smoke.

"You're welcome," Adair replied somewhat absently, yawning.

Now feeling somewhat stupid, Voltaire followed the smoke. The tunnel seemed to have no end. Eventually he came not to an exit, but to a large pool.

"Oh?" Kimi asked. She stepped closer to the pool to investigate it. "Where exactly are we?"

"Hell if I know, but it sure doesn't look like outside," remarked Voltaire, glancing into the pool and seeing his own aqua-green eyes stare back at him. Abruptly the water began to spew out mist, and he jumped back, guarding Kimi.

Kimi stepped back. "What's happening?" She asked. "I can't see anything through the mist"

Voltaire couldn't see much of anything either, though his firebreath helped burn away some of the mist.

"Blood of Northemberland," a melodic but stern female voice echoed, as a lady with long hair rose from the lake. "Thou sins shall cost thee tenfold the pain thy inflicted on my kind."

"...What?" Voltaire asked blankly.

Kimi clutched the back of Voltaire's shirt. "What was that??" she asked fearfully.

"I think you got the wrong guy," Voltaire said, a bit nervous. "I've never met you or any other water people. And I'm from England, not Northumbwherever."

"Ye eyes say otherwise," the lady answered. The white-clothed lady took a few light steps on the water's surface, and then suddenly rushed forward and lunged for Voltaire. The Hunter struggled with the female being, trying not to get pulled into the water.

Kimi intervened. "Leave him alone!" She yelled, trying to fight the creature back. It wouldn't be as bad if she was the one to get wet.