A Rebirth through Death [Sionn]

[Em Johnson]

Emilia Johnson felt it as she was pulled from her previous location of the Exodus Slums to the Tree of Lamentation, the place she was tied to, the place that marked her new grave. She wasn't sure how that had come about but that was the way it was.

It felt like a scream, like her jaws were being pulled apart as she was transported those miles, here. It was certainly a very funny feeling.

Her first thought was this: That her name was Emilia Johnson. In addition, she felt, innately, her dead-ness, in a way that she had not felt for a very long time. She wasn't sure whether she felt more like crying or singing, it was just another one of those funny little things, something that just barely could be expressed with words.

Her second thought was for her visible clothing, which soon pulled her from the reverie of death. As far as Emmy could see, she was perfectly well dressed for a lady of her class (In life, at least), with a respectable bun and a respectable...bright red complexion. These days she felt more at home in the outfit she sported about town, her lovely coat and red wig and shaded spectacles...Ohhh! She wished she hadn't returned so suddenly, she loved such simple things.

Then, a shock: She heard her "Ohhh!" of frustration echo across the wood. What else had she said aloud? Embarrassed, she clasped her hands over her mouth.

As far as the observer was concerned, all that was to be heard was solely that "Ohhh!" of frustration, and the only thing to be seen was the sight of a pair of black, black hands, the sight of a passing dark, long skirt, and a pair of the brightest green eyes.

Emmy was not quite aware of these things.

[sionn]

It was the middle of the day, or at least that was what Sionn guessed, as he finished off some vermin under a bush. The meat of another was always his favourite, as he sunk his fangs deeper and deeper inside. Sionn didn't care much for bones, but they did provide a nice crunch sometimes so he swallowed them too. He wasn't sure if he was eating the way a snake properly ate, never considering taking something whole, but he found this way more enjoyable.

Deciding that his meal was done, Sionn changed back into his human state. A little dizzy, he wobbled forwards, resting against a tree and just taking in his surroundings. A few birds in the distance, the floating clothing, the murky sky, muddy roads and-

Something spoke. He wasn't sure what it was, but his eyes became more alert as he looked around. He could not see anything out of the ordinary. " Who's there? " he shouted, getting up and brushing the hovering clothes aside.

[Em Johnson]

Emmy almost tripped, surprised by the sudden appearance of this new guy and his simultaneous disregard of what he could see and indignant to know of what he couldn't. She was, however, able to save herself by quickly stepping back and over a root of the large tree.

"Emilia Johnson!" She yelled back, slightly prickled despite herself.

She recovered quickly.

"Are you a shifter? I didn't notice you, at first! I AM AWFULLY SORRY IF I HAVE OFFENDED YOU!"

[sionn]

Sionn looked back and forth, but saw nobody. It was then he realized that a skirt was talking to him. " It's okay, " he stammered, stepping back out of confusion. Looking closer, he could see various articles of clothing floating around it, shaping out a possible human figure. " Yes, I am a shifter. Are you a spirit? " he asked with growing interest.

[Em Johnson]

D'aww, this guy figured it all out pretty quickly, and despite the inevitability of it, and despite her own desire to apologize and to find her proper clothing as soon as possible, being recognized as a spiritual being left her somewhat flustered.

"Well...yes, yes that's right."

Emmy tried to manifest herself, a task she was used to leaving to her clothing. She had no ability to get her colours properly, besides her eyes, which shined an emerald green no matter what she did -- so instead of appearing as she was, she looked as a charcoal, misty being. Her hair had been hastily tied into a bun at the time of her death, and although there was no telling where her clothing began it was evident it did not fit her well, her sleeves being a bit longer than her hands, and having to float to avoid tripping over her skirt.

The twin candles of her eyes flashed curiously. "I've always wondered how folks did that whole shifting thing. Must be weird...I mean, it must be weird looking through the eyes of a snake, right? I mean, their eyes couldn't be human sized, there wouldn't be enough room in their little snaky heads, right? And you'd have to look way up if you wanted to see, well, human things. I suppose snakes have their own things and everything though, and you'd be looking at nothing but snaky things the whole time, right?"

Emmy figured she better get to asking whether or not she'd heard her little soliloquy, but she was far too distracted by the interesting question of the difference between snake and man.

[sionn]

Sionn brushed his hand over his hair, scratching it. " Well, it's not very easy to explain, " he began, pacing back and forth. " Well, I can say that being a snake gives you very limited intelligence. " He scratched his brow, his other hand resting on his back. " It's kind of like a persistent migraine. " he tried, gesturing a round about explanation with his hand. " Changing back and forth is also a pain. The energy a human needs compared to a snake is much different. I'm usually dead tired if I haven't eaten a lot. " he chuckled. " Oh yes, and sight took some time to get used to. Not as much as slithering around though. "

He looked back to the spirit. " So, are you a spirit from the beginning, or were you once alive? " he inquired. " Oh, and how may I address you? You may call me Cain. "

[Em Johnson]

Curiosity somewhat sated, Emmy's eyes found a way to widen as she gaped, in awe of the story this man had told her about his shifted experience.

"Woaaaahhh, that's probably the most FANTASTIC thing I've ever heard! Oh, I don't mean unlikely, more like incredible!" She bubbled over this description until he began asking her questions. Without really thinking about it, she answered quickly.

"Oh, no, I died a few years back from fever, y'know? But it wasn't that interestin'. You can call me Emilia Johnson but my buddies call me Emmy - and you can call me Em or Emmy if you want, too."

She suddenly recalled the issue at hand. "Oh, you wouldn't know a place I could find some proper clothing at, would ya? I lost my old clothes when I re-manifested over here, And - - well, this doesn't really look so proper, does it? I mean, even if I could find a raggedy old trenchcoat, or a wig or hat or a nice pair of pants or socks or boots all of those things I'd be lucky, y'know?" She remembered, wistfully, the beautiful system she'd had before. Now she didn't know if her friends would recognize her, anymore.

[sionn]

" Emilia, " Sionn muttered to himself, " okay. " He looked up and down at the spirit, or rather, ghost. " I don't know any stores that would sell that sort of stuff. Then again, I've only just found a house. " he chuckled to himself. Sionn leaned against a tree, putting his hands in his coat pockets. " Well, your invisible, right? Why do you need clothes? " he asked curiously. " And how does one come back from being dead into a ghost? " He drew in when he said this, almost measuring each word.

[Em Johnson]

"Well, it gets sort of boring, hanging around like this, y'know? I mean, time passes really usually, as usually as it does for anybody else, right? People don't like me when I look like this but if I dress up sometimes they won't notice, or care." Emmy just realized that she just admitted one of her larger insecurities to a complete stranger, and she might have tried to compensate for this if it had not been for his next question.

"How did I turn into a ghost? Well, I dunno!" Emmy shrugged dramatically. "I don't remember the last days of the fever so much."

[sionn]

" But I like you. " he bluntly stated. To be honest, he was fascinated by her, but he hadn't seen anybody energetic in awhile. It was a huge relief from all the mundane villagers.

Sionn let out a long sigh at hearing she didn't know of her return. It was another dead end unless he could get her to remember anything, which was doubtful. Then again, it was worth a shot. " We could go to the village and find a shop if you'd like. " he offered.