Nothing But Snow and Ice

[Oki]

She stood just under a meter from Varick, looking around trying to take it as much as possible of her surroundings. Well, with how little they knew each other, at least they were mutually glad to see each other. Despite her solitary nature, in a place like this, she'd rather have someone by her side at least to keep her sane. Though, the place didn't look too much different than the world she knew already, just odd how they seemed to travel through a portal of some kind into an alternate reality or place. Remy was utterly boggled as to where they were and the means of how they got her, besides the obvious pool.

Sitting, her fluffy tail curled around her one side as her head tilted upwards to look at the sky and where she fell from. A paw rested on her brow to block the sun and couldn't find any indication of where they fell. Listening to Varick answer her mostly rhetorical question, she nodded, "It does seem like a portal of some kind...explains the erie glow the pool and small stream emitted. Wonder the purpose of it and yes, where we are..."

The lush feeling of plants and being surrounded by florishing life comforted her though. Looking upwards again as Varick mentioned if they should attempt to return to where they were, she still couldn't find any spot of where they came from the sky. Then she mulled over if they were here for a reason. "I can't find any spot of where we might have fell from...and perhaps we are, shall we explore at the least and try to find out where we are and figure out what we should do?", Remy asked as she stood back on all fours.

[Relairah]

If he thought the fact she could block the sun with her paw was strange, he didn't indicate it, although it was true that Varick certainly couldn't make such a motion himself. It was a good thing, then, that the sun didn't bother him like other more normal creatures. He didn't need to squint, which worked for him. He nodded in agreement with her. "Yea, it seems as though the portal has entirely closed." He wasn't sure how they were going to get back even if they wanted to at this point.

He glanced at the surrounding landscape again. "Yea, exploring a bit sounds good. Although, look where that got us last time," he said with a light chuckle. He had to admit that despite the strangeness of the situation, being in this place put him in a much better mood than the freezing cold of the land before it. It was somehow calm and comforting as a warm breeze wafted by them. The strange thing was that as it blew by, there were visible colors that seemed to swirl with the wind's direction, almost like they could see the air's currents. He was caught in awe for a moment, having never seen such a sight, and then slowly stepped forward. He was certain that wasn't the only interesting thing they would see...

"I wonder if we are the first from our world to come to this one..."

[Oki]

Tail flicking back and forth out of habit, Remy was still perplexed, but has accepted the situation at hand to a degree. It was just a little hard for her to wrap her head around it. She nodded in agreeance when Varick stated that the portal closed up fully. Well, it's not like they were going to fly or float back up to where it was. Only thing left to do was to search for some sign of another way back home. Or perhaps this was their new home...

"And whose idea was it to explore the cave? Hm?", she said in response to his remark about their previous exploration. Remy had a playful tone in her voice, mirroring Varicks with his statement. Nonetheless, they should get moving. The air was condiderably warmer than where they just were, just a climate she doesn't usually favor to be in. Inhaling deeply, the scents in the wind were fresh and slightly invigorating. Then, something caught her eye. Watching it go by, the breeze seemed to have a hue itself, swirling, staining the air current itself.

Oddities were making this land more and more...well, odd as she continued to casually look around. Slowly starting forward, her steps seemed hesitant; her mind wanting to go but her body wasn't ready. Waiting until Varick followed, she assumed her usual walking gait towards a nearby forest. Thinking that they would have high chances in finding a woodland animal at the least, she looked back at Varick, "Perhaps we are...though, I doubt we are the first to happen across that pool...but we may be the first brave, well...absent-minded souls to come here", she ended with a chuckle.

"Only one way to find out"

[Relairah]

He shook his head lightly. "Guilty as charged," he responded to her question. Yes, it had been his idea to explore the cave. Although, it had been her idea to poke her nose into the bat nest. He didn't bring this up however, as it hardly mattered. And he knew it was all jest. Either way, they were here and there was more to do than just stand here.

He continued moving forward as Remy followed suit and soon they would be crossing the tree line. It seemed all normal enough so far. He smiled at her words, "Yes, indeed... perhaps." As they moved further, he noticed some rustling and stopped, lowering. Prey, perhaps?

What looked like a raccoon scuttled across them suddenly and disappeared into some other bushes. Its body had been the normal grey color of their world, but instead of black stripes its stripes had been green. Now that was different...

Varick continued forward. Being rock, he didn't need to eat, really, but he wondered if Remy was hungry. Then again, perhaps it would be strange to hunt here... maybe they shouldn't. He wasn't really sure. In any case, he was beginning to see that this world was definitely another to their own and he was curious to what other oddities they would find.

As they traveled through the trees, the sound of running water came to his ears. A creek perhaps? He glanced at Remy, then began moving toward it. "I bet the water here is fine.." he said with a chuckle.

[Oki]

It would be pointless to just stand around and gawk at the new world around them. So, they started their exploration and hey, it could be fun. Just hope they don't stumble upon another portal. It was an idea that she would laugh off...but then again, nothing would really surprise her now.

Approaching a forest, it seemed as normal as ay other forest that may appear in their world. But she didn't know for sure if they were. Tendrils of her life seeking energy started to seep from her form and into the woods around them. They felt living, but different from any normal tree. These tendrils caressed and wrapped around the living forms. Everything seemed to exist on a different wavelength and gave off a lower vibe.

Retreating her tendrils back into her being, on the way she felt another living presence, though different from a plant; it was an animal. Small, it was approaching and she noticed the rustling in a bush nearby. Seeing that Varick paused and crouched, Remy mirrored him and froze in mid-step. The only thing that moved was the tip of her tail, flicking from side to side. Then, a raccoon scurried from the bush to under another bush, paying no mind to Varick and herself. Brushing it off, she continued ahead then something occured to her: the raccoon was green where it was supposed to black, it had green fur. "Uhm, Varick? Did that raccoon have green stripes?", she asked slightly but comically bewildered. Biting the inside of her cheek, she stared forwards, letting what she just saw sink in.

The both of them made it to the creek and she stared at the running water, seeing a distorted reflection of herself, recalling upon Varicks joking statement. "I sure hope it is...", Remy reached down and poked her tongue out and dipped it into the water. Expecting it to have a fresh taste, it tasted a little...sweet? "It's fine...but the water has a subtle sweet taste...", she wondered aloud, curious of how it could be. Lapping up a little more, it seemed that she could be surprised yet again. This world just seemed backwards. "Heh, what next? A tree with pur-", Remy is cut off as her dull blue eyes see before she even got a chance to say it, being completely sarcastic, "...purple...leaves..." The snow leopard trailed off, a complete loss for more sarcastic remarks.

[Relairah]

He moved easily through the forest, it just occurring to him that the normal sound of rocks scraping together as he moved was absent... or... well, less prominent. He was entirely unaware of Remy's feeling around the place, and of course she could do as she pleased. Whatever made her feel more comfortable. Blue orbs peered around at the world and ears turned toward the feline's voice as she spoke about the raccoon they had just encountered. "Yes... I believe they were," he murmured in response, somewhat bewildered though he supposed it wasn't too far abnormal, yet.

Varick glanced her way as she did a taste-test of the water and couldn't help feeling somewhat amused. Then again, he couldn't blame her considering the last water source they had encountered. He looked down into the running water himself, and finally dipped his head also, wanting to see for himself what she spoke of. He lapped at the water, his rocky tongue absorbing the liquid into his body. Perhaps it might be odd that a rock-wolf could drink, but then that depended on whose perspective it was. In any case, he gave a brief nod, finding that he liked the water. Before he could say anything, she was joking and then something seemed to catch her eye.

He looked to where her gaze was focused and then he saw it too, the tree with purple leaves. Except, it wasn't the only one. Apparently, there were several other similar trees near it. Now that he was looking up into the surrounding branches, he saw some other strange colors as well. Some trees even seemed to shift colors as the sunlight danced above them and there were creatures that chattered, leaped, and flew through the trees.

This place seemed so full of life.

His deep voice rumbled off his lips, like that of an old wise man speaking. His blue eyes seemed to sparkle with his next words, and there was even a grin on his rocky mouth as his lips moved. It was clear he was teasing. "Careful, Remy... if things in this world are created by whatever you're thinking, you don't want to make something bad."

He chuckled as he stepped forward once more, continuing through the forest and shaking his head lightly in amusement. All of a sudden something darted through the trees in the near distance. He stopped, glancing toward his companion, and then back to the trees around them. Nothing seemed present. Maybe he had just imagined it?

Varick continued once more...

[Oki]

The tree was odd, slightly more odd than the raccoon that they had just seen a few moments ago. As odd as it may be, this world seemed teeming with life and movement. It was very similar to the world that she knew of, just things seemed out of proportion or opposites of what she knew. The tendrils of her energy that reached out earlier didn't feel anything different from what she was accustomed to, albeit on a molecular level, everything felt as if it were structured in a more solid way. Comparing what she knew with the two atmospheres, everything in her world seemed to have a more fragile feel to them. She stored this information in the back of her mind for the moment.

Remy couldn't help but stare at the tree. Blinking, she shook her head and looked at Varick. She almost wanted to stick her tongue out at him, but she just shot him a glare, "Who knows, you actually may be right...it's not smart to make sarcastic jokes here...heh, its probably best we don't say anything." She just accepted it as a possibility and didn't want to think of anything else.

Remy made a zipping motion across her lips at Varick before they continued onward. Hoping they would soon run across more intelligent life like themselves, as soon as the thought crossed her mind, leaves rustled loudly up in the foliage nearby. Remy stopped, frozen as a dark figure passed in and out of the leaves. Eyes flicked to Varick, whom was looking straight back at him. It seemed that they both saw what just happened. Looking up again, Varick continued and left Remy behind a few steps. Hopping forward, Remy continued with him, slightly on edge and frightened. "Did you just imagine something bad? Because I didn't...or at least I don't think I did", she said with slight uncertainty.

"I think we need to find someone soon and find out where we are."

[Relairah]

The rock wolf had to nod in agreement with his feline companion about sarcastic jokes, although gave a light smile with her motion of zipping. Yes, they probably shouldn't speak any of their thoughts aloud about this place. They had no idea anything about it and it just wasn't safe.

His ears turned toward her as she was speaking once more and he shook his head. "No, I wasn't thinking anything bad... I was wondering if we'd run into another creature aside from ourselves but that's all." He definitely agreed about finding out more information on their location. And soon..

Varick found himself wondering exactly what had darted through the trees... or who. So he called out, even if it might make him sound a fool. "Hello? Is anyone there? If so... you can come out. We won't hurt you, unless you are a threat. Please don't be afraid of us..."

He glanced at Remy, wondering if she thought him silly, though also wondering if she felt the same as he did on this matter. Once more, his gaze was looking through the forest, and he once again came to a stop, not wanting whatever it was to think he was trying to do anything....

It was a long while of silence, only the hush of the wind and then the rustle of leaves every now and then somewhere around them. Finally, a form stepped from the shadows of a nearby tree. It's head was down, ears back, body language cautious. It appeared canine, and as it became more clear, definitely a wolf. By the size and color, no more than a common gray wolf in their own world, young, female. She was pretty enough with golden eyes and white decorating the grays and browns of her coat. She was somewhat smaller than average, but that hardly seemed to matter. She glanced back and forth between Varick and Remy... and finally as she came fully into view she stopped. She was shaking and she didn't say a word.

The immediate thought that came to Varick's mind was how she didn't appear to match the world around them. She wasn't lime green or electric purple or even turquoise in color. Just common colors of their own world. Which lead him to the thought that she had somehow ended up here just like himself and Remy. Which lead him to the question of how and when. She was so young... but yet, he had a strange gut feeling she had been here a while.

He glanced at Remy once again then back at the wolfess. Lowering his head, and speaking softly, his blue orbs were gentle. "Hello..." a pause. He wasn't quite sure what he should say, "Are you from this world?"

OoC: So.. I hope you don't mind my leading and insertion of things xD If so just let me know ahaha

[Oki]

((No no, not at all. I was about to ask to see if we should take turns with this wolfess you created, but then it would jumble up our ideas of how we could control her, so I will allow you full control of her. :3 I wanna see what you had in mind ))


Remy's fur was still standing up straight across her back, especially on her tail, making it look twice as big as it usually does. Still on edge from the shadow figure that she saw earlier, she listened to Varick as he gave his response. Whispering, though in a strained tone as she didn't want anyone else to hear, she looked over at the male, "See?? You made it appear...I find it hard to disbelieve that our thoughts are answered by reality..." A torrent of possibilities wanted to flood her mind, but she had to stop them in fear of what she now believed. Honestly, it was hard and would be a hard thing to remember in a place like this.


Stepping lightly, she didn't want her footfall to be heard by anyone or anything. For a moment, Remy herself couldn't hear them; she was too focused on listening for anything else around them. Varick proved himself more bold than she as he broke the silence and her focus to call out. As he asked his questions, another draining feeling coursed through her body and paws covered her head, pleading in her head for Varick to stop. "Shhhhhhh! What'reyoudoing?? Don't make it come near us! W-w-w-we want it to be very afraid so it doesn't", her voice was in the same strained whisper as before not wanting the unknown figure to hear, though now her voice shaky with visible fear.

An unnerving silence fell after she reprimanded Varick. Her quick heartbeat filled her ears, a breeze coming up from behind her. Shivers enveloped her body as rustling came closer and closer. Finally, the dark figure appeared before them and Remy could've sworn her heart stopped for that instant. Flinching, then realizing nothing has happened, an eye peeked open to see the shadowed figure now in full light. It appeared the same as Varick's kind, though a little smaller and different in colors. Its features and body language indicated it was a she; submissive, wary and confused, she looked. Remy blinked as she stared upwards at the lupine.

Shivers receded and Remy's paws slid off the top of her head. Quickly, she scrambled to sit upright and her tail promptly curled around her one side. Flushing, Remy didn't look directly at the female. Questions came to mind of why she looked like themselves rather than with the rest of this world. And if she really was from here or not. Remy was at a loss for words and just observed the wolfess, glancing at Varick as he spoke.

[Relairah]

OoC: Oh okay cool ^-^ And I wouldn't mind if you wanted... but whatevs XD

iC:

Varick gave a brief frown in Remy's direction. "Don't be too quick to blame me," he argued, feeling a bit defensive in case something dangerous did indeed come along. "I mean, it still could all be coincidence." Perhaps highly unlikely, but he liked sticking with that idea for now. "Besides, I have a feeling whatever it was was already here before I was thinking about it." Perhaps the thought had just initiated the running into each other. Well, he put that thought out of his head. Maybe Remy was right, but he didn't want to admit it per say quite yet. Well, on that note, Remy had a good point when she reprimanded him. What if whatever it was was really dangerous? Well, on the other hand, it could serve to throw it off guard and then they'd have the element of surprise! That is, of course, if after thinking such the element would be lost entirely. Oh how confusing this place was turning out to be.

All that said, Varick felt much more confident in the idea of coincidence once they discovered what the figure had been - the she-wolf, of course. The young wolfess seemed to glance in between them curiously, cautiously, eyes full of uncertainty yet also a glimmer of hope somewhere. Perhaps she thought they might rescue or help her or something. Not that they were in any position to do so if she did need it. In fact, they needed such from her. Though, she didn't know that yet.

She looked upon Varick, silent for a moment before softly her voice came to be. It was groggy, as if she hadn't spoken in a very long time, and a bit shaky too. "What sort of question is that? Are you not from this world? I've never seen a living rock... so you must be." She nodded as if to emphasize her words, "Let alone, one looking like a wolf traveling with a leopard. How absurd. Definitely from this world," she mumbled.

Varick glanced at Remy, not quite sure what to make of this she-wolf yet. "I think you are mistaken. We just arrived here and are quite confused. Perhaps you could tell us what is this world... or where is it?"

The she-wolf had been staring off into space and seemed to come back when questioned. "How should I know what this world is or where it is or any of that? I am not from this world. Such a silly question from a native such as you. You should answer that question for me! Yes, yes... There is an escape?"

"Perhaps.." the rock-wolf said slowly. He sat back slightly, giving the she-wolf a little more space. "Perhaps we got off on the wrong paw. Forgive me. I am Varick," he dipped his head, and nodded toward Remy, giving her the chance to introduce herself if she so wished. Afterward he would ask, "And you are?"

The she-wolf would glance between the two, still uncertain and questioning. "Names are of insignificance. But I am Julie, thank you." She nodded once more, emphatically. "But you avoided my question. There is an escape?"

[Oki]

Coincidence or not, Remy didn't know what to believe. This world was just getting weirder and weirder by the minute. In her mind, she almost regretted agreeing to go on an adventure. She wanted to scream, 'I wanna go home!', becoming home sick and disliking the extreme differences they had already encountered on this land. Things were completely unknown and that was the fear that most were afraid of. She didn't know what to expect or have any knowledge about anything. Well, somethings she does, as she has tasted the water and felt how alive things are here. At least it was hospitable for them to be able to live here.

In a more apprehensive state at the moment, her brows quirked as the she-wolf glanced between Varick and herself. Remy was starting to feel a little uncomfortable as her eyes showed quite a few emotions, as if she was wondering what she and Varick were and what they were doing here. Remy gave a similar look back, asking similar questions with her eyes.

Finally, after a long and a bit awkward silence, the wolfess spoke. Her voice surprised the leopard, sounding deeper and scratchy for a female. She came to a conclusion about her and Varick and Remy wanted to dispute it just as quickly, but Varick did so first, however in a much more neutral demeanor. "Yes, we're not from here...", she spoke right after Varick, backing up what he stated. It bothered her slightly that the she-wolf's body language is somewhat rude when Varick asked his question. She answered, but not really. She was so solid in assuming that she and Varick were natives and they knew everything about this place, despite how they were trying to explain their own position. Perhaps the true natives shunned her and wouldn't tell her anything?

Remy was a bit surprised to hear Varick reply 'Perhaps', to her question if there was a way out; neither of them knew anything. Though he was right as he tried to rewind their first impression and formally introduce themselves. "I think we have...But I am Remy", she spoke to the wolfess, whiskers twitching as he spoke. Once she heard her name and the question, Remy responded first, "Look, Julie; before we jump to anymore conclusions, please let me say that neither Varick or I are from here. Yes, I know a leopard traveling with a wolf may seem odd, but that's a story for another time...but we literally dropped from the sky a short while ago and I'm sure you're just as confused as we are." She hoped that it would make her stop assuming that her and Varick are natives and to stop asking them questions that they should be asking themselves. "How long have you been here, Julie?", Remy then asked, seeing if she could figure out if really Julie did know anything, or at least should know something about this place.

[Relairah]

The grey wolf named Julie turned her gaze toward Remy, at first seemingly in shock that a leopard was talking to her. You'd think she wouldn't be so surprised if she was so familiar with the surrounding world. But then, it seemed she also believed her words - that Varick and Remy were not from this world. Well... then they could only be from somewhere else. Her world, perhaps? Her eyes grew hopeful as she looked between the two strangers. "You're really not from here?"

Varick shook his head and she seemed to grow excited. "Take me with you! Take me home..." she begged suddenly.

Varick wasn't sure what to make of this wolfess. She seemed like she wasn't exactly... sane. Well at least, she was very much out of touch with reality. He glanced at Remy briefly when she asked Julie how long she had been here, the same question having come to his own mind. Clearly, this wolfess was not from this world either.

"Eh... seven years, I think," Julie responded, looking up and then at them again, smiling widely and nodding emphatically. Yet she didn't look a day older than a young adult wolf. The only thing he could think of would be she was one of those wolves whose life is supernaturally long... or it had something to do with this world. Perhaps it somehow retained youth in a being. How strange indeed.

He glanced between Julie and Remy once again. "Well, Julie, I suppose you can join us. I'm guessing if you've been here that long you would know your way around much better than either Remy here or myself. Perhaps the three of us can find a way out... and soon." He didn't want to be trapped here any more than anyone else did. He was seeking Remy's gaze for confirmation that such was okay with the leopard. Of course, he didn't want to do anything his companion was not okay with.

Julie's eyes lit up, her tail wagging and her tongue lolling, even her ears perking atop her head and she began bouncing around them. "I'm going home, I'm going home. At last, at last, I'm going home!" she sang repeatedly.

Varick dipped his head slightly, finding Julie's pup-like ways amusing to a certain degree, but also wanting her to calm down. They weren't out of here yet... "Julie, I need you to focus. In your years here, have you ever come across anything... that reminded you of our world?"

Julie stopped, looking up at Varick questioningly. She then looked up as if thinking and finally said, "Mmm..... maybe.... I'm not really sure what our world even looks like anymore. It all seems the same. Oh! There is this one place. A mountain. I've seen it from a distance, but never ventured there. I've heard it holds secrets about this world." She paused. "But fire is always coming out of it. I'd rather not die trying to get there."

Varick glanced at Remy. He had a feeling the snow leopard didn't want to go to such a place either. But... it was a lead... right?

"Perhaps we should at least check it out...." he suggested. If Remy agreed, he would say, "Lead the way, Julie..." to which she would look between them with a little anxiousness and uncertainty before turning and walking in a certain direction.

[Oki]

Remy shook her head from side to side as Julie asked her first question. At last, she finally realized that at least her and Varick weren't from this world. Now they could focus on returning. Just as she let out a sigh of relief, the wolf grew suddenly excited. Though now that she thought about it, its probably been a long while since Julie's been anywhere else. Remy lifted her paws in front of her and gave a sympathetic smile, "Alright, alright...wouldn't be right of us leaving without you anyway." Remy was still a little unsure of what to make of Julie. She seemed a little flaky, but perhaps that's a result of living in this world and becoming home sick for so long.

The leopard was surprised to hear how long the wolfess has been here. Raising a brow, she didn't seem older than 3, for a wolf at least. The way she talked she seemed young, so seven years seemed odd indeed. Though, other than the facial expressions, Remy didn't show or say anything else about it.

Agreeing with Varick, though she had already hinted towards it, Julie could follow along with the two of them. She nodded as Varick glanced over to her then continued off Varick's statement, "Are there any natives that you have met? Or at least seen?", she was guessing if so, perhaps they could contact them if friendly. Quickly Julie responded, "Nope...I've never seen any other wolves or any animal that I could talk with", she seemed certain so Remy didn't say anymore. Her emotions then surfaced and became excited again as she began to dance around. Remy couldn't help but smile a little. She just hoped herself that they don't stay stuck in this dimension. "Now now...let's not get ahead of ourselves here", she chided lightly so she could calm down some.

At Varicks question, Remy glanced around herself, trying to remember if anything mirrored closely as to what their world was. Everything resided on a different wavelength. Thinking of, she also realized that she couldn't quite grasp the life around here and didn't know if her Yang abilities would have an effect on this flora. It was something she hoped to figure out soon.

Tail waving in the air, it flowed as she turned her head back to the wolfess. A mountain that emitted fire? She looked back over at Varick, silently asking him if he's seen such a thing because she hasn't. It seemed odd that a mountain would. Hot places bothered her and fire was out of the question. She didn't want to go and could tell that Varick didn't want to either. He was right nonetheless, they should check it out. Rising to all fours, she waited for Julie to begin and began to walk alongside Varick. She looked over to him and whispered, "Perhaps it will be the same; we enter a pool and it takes us back. I mean, its in a mountain, so...", she trailed off, hoping he could pick up the rest.

After walking for a little while, Julie broke the silence with a question, "So...are you two, y'know, partners?" She said it in a way that one could easily tell exactly what she was meaning. Remy was overtaken with such a question and didn't know how to respond. Flushing, she glanced over at Varick and looked away. "Noo, no...We just met anyway, so...I, uh...", she cleared her throat and silenced herself. Remy didn't know that much about him and really didn't know if she wanted to know more just yet. Why ask that?, she told herself. [/size]

[Relairah]

As their new trek began, Varick found his mind briefly wondering to the past. He was unaware that Remy and Julie found the fire-emitting mountain so strange, but it was definitely not so to him. After all, in a way, it was what had birthed him in their own world. But approaching such a place, especially in this world, could prove dangerous for him. It could return him to nothing more than a wandering spirit and molten lava... he liked the way he was and didn't feel like moving on to the afterlife yet. He just hoped that that was not his destination here.

In any case, Julie's voice brought him out of his reverie as she was chatting away again, talking about how she had spent most of her time here in the one forest, too afraid to venture elsewhere. She briefly mentioned hearing things in the far distance, but had never investigated. He wondered if that was why she had never seen any natives. There was just no way there was no life here - particularly after the raccoon he had seen earlier. This world was too full of life. It was almost eerily so.

He glanced at Remy when she whispered something about the mountain to him, the possible similarity to the pool that had brought them here. Yes. Maybe. He couldn't help the slight feeling of dread and only nodded to the leopard in response. "Maybe," his deep voice rumbled softly.

Julie was asking another question to which he glanced her way, about to respond when Remy did. He chuckled, "Yes, what Remy said. Aside from the fact that it would be quite... strange." He wasn't sure what other word he could possibly insert there. The chances of him ever being with someone else like that... well they were pretty much non-existent. He pushed it from his mind.

"Julie, tell me, do you remember if you had family, friends, a home, anything from our world?"

Julie seemed to stare off into the distance for a moment and finally shrugged. "I have seen my family but then they were gone." Like illusions, perhaps. "There's no way they would still be waiting for me. I am probably alone." There was a sad look that came to her eyes and a slight waver in her voice, but soon it was gone as she became distracted with a very strange looking flower.

Varick felt sorry for her, wanting to say something of comfort but then he noticed the strange flower and he quickly grabbed her with his mouth. "Don't just touch things that you don't know what they are!" Geez, she was just like a pup. Just as he was pulling her back, Julie struggling, the flower suddenly reached up its petals and grabbed at something in the air, twisting together before falling apart again, returning to its blossomed state.

Very strange, indeed.

They continued, time seeming to race past them. Every now and then, a breeze would drift by, the colors floating by them as if part of the wind itself. Like when they had first arrived here. Soon, the mountain was looming in the distance, and just as Julie had described, fire shot into the air at intervals, tumbling to the earth below. Ash puffed out of it and it became clear that it was just as the volcanoes Varick himself had witnessed in their own world. He pushed forward. Perhaps Remy had the right idea. Perhaps in their world, it was the the things in nature which resembled this world that linked it. Perhaps in this world, they had to find something which resembled their world.

They would soon find out.

[Oki]

Julie was so blunt, Remy thought to herself. She would never act so blunt or ask such questions to anyone, especially to those that she just met. At least Varick had a similar opinion about Julies question. She had never heard of a wolf/leopard couple anyway. Inappropriate images came to mind and before she came up with more, she stopped thinking about it, making a 'yuck' face to herself. "Alright, alright...was just curious...since you two showed up together", Julie ended her statement there, almost sorry she asked. Biting her lips, she looked forward again.

Remy hardly ever talked to others and preferred to keep to herself. Despite her being a large feline, her pride isn't as big as some other cats. She's a quiet one, but can also be quiet in other ways too if she has to.

As they continued to walk, she was glad that at least Varick saw her point and assumption. Meanwhile, Remy urged herself to understand how to connect with the life here. Perhaps if she can grasp this understanding and knowledge about the world here, the three of them can know what to do and keep up rather than being left to guess about everything. It's like learning my abilities all over again, she thought to herself.

Curious of the same thing, Remy was just too scared to ask about her family. She didn't want to stir sad and feelings of longing in Julie. However, she supposed it was going to come out sooner or later. Watching Julie, it seemed as if she hesitated. 'She had family but they were gone'?, what does she mean? Illusions? Perhaps she would see home sick visions of her family and nightmarish dreams. "Don't say that Julie, I'm sure that you still have friends waiting for you", she wanted to say something encouraging. Her sad look didn't help. But then something caught her eye and she stopped and bent over to look at a flower. Stopping alongside, it was an appealing flower, however strange it may be. Just as soon as they stopped, Varick pulled Julie away, startling even herself at how quick he was. Glancing at the flower again, it moved and grabbed at the air, almost like a venus fly-trap. Intriguing, Remy thought.
Meanwhile, Julie gasped and yipped, "Hey!...I wa-", her voice cut off as she processed what Varick said and looked at the flower and saw what it did. "Oooohhhh...guess I should keep my paws to myself then, heh", she looked up at Varick and shook herself out and backed away from the flower before continuing.

Not much happened following their encounter with the bizarre flower. Following closely with each other, the mountain that they were heading for got bigger as they got closer. Pretty soon, Remy could hear puffs and thick splashing. Fire was erupting from the top of the mountain. Still Remy wondered how this happened and what caused it. If Varick recognized it, then it must be from their world. She just hoped that perhaps this was a link back into their world and home.

"Where do you think we can access this link back into our world?", she openly asked, looking up.

"There's a cave up there...somewhere", Julie responded, "As I said, I haven't really been up there. Though, I did see one. It's high up."

"How do you propose we get up there then?", Remy asked, having no idea of how to do so. [/size]