The Divide

???? ATC

This was the day she really felt like the dirt had swallowed her up and dumped her somewhere, heels digging in the mud she raised with a groan. Muscle and bone aching, the clamp of the binds around her arm. ''Shit zey ahre tight.'' she thought. Whispers of lilac hair danced over her lashes, glitters fell from them framing her eyes, an icy opal, misty and lost. Down the bridge of her delicate nose, a silver scar streaked trailing its way beneath her whiskers and to her jawline. Punishment. Her top worn and muddied pants just about fit. The air was cold, frosty of sort. Drafting through it like a lost lamb she tried focusing on her sense, the vibrations beneath her and the touch of the trees to her fingertips guided her to the kingdom. Splashes of crimson trickled down her collar and side, small cuts and open as stitches now come free.

It stung, like alcohol on a wound, the touch of dew upon her pearlescent skin, Fleur had to stand back, her boots thick in mud as they scraped the floor once again. '’Dammit...'’ her mind uttered as she palmed herself on her forehead, hands painted with dirt, the mud run into her hair. She was tired, but still going, pushing away from what was behind heading back to her home. ‘’Ahlways so cahld…’’ Words uttered from her lips, thick like honey the accent had a swirl, soft and young but old and wise. A roll off the tongue. Moving up to the now near buildings her feet found stone as heels begun tapping on the cobbled stairways, her eyes darted about, the kingdom was so quiet, so empty… As usual. Walking the lost corridors she was looking for a place she could pause at, the kingdom was once full of such laughter and love, but torn apart it left Fleur on her own. Still carrying on the hope that once more this place would rise and prosper like it had done previously, that she could build it back. But things kept happening to her, she slept, but never woke up where she rested, just like today with the new addition of tight clamps around her arms she'd often return injured and her mind blank of where the last few hours were spent. Stress, she thought quite possibly. But it couldn't be. The scars now trailing across her collar and shoulders, reaped over her hips and bare exposed skin, something wasn't right.

As the neko girl walked, a breeze blew throughout the area, increasing in temperature and speed as time went by. A blinding flash of orange and purple lit the sky for a mere second. A massive wall of dust and sand, nearly a thousand feet high loomed in the distance, bearing down on the sea. The heavens twisted, bolts of lightning flashed inside the swirling sandstorm, and the drumming of a thousand hooves upon a bloody Earth and noisy metallic groaning rang out loud enough for all to hear.

She felt the wind sweep past, her body curled letting the streams of air rush over as hair tangled and danced before her. Ears standing on end she looked about, her eyes retained the purple and orange flashes which sparkled in her opal hues. The dust caused her to cough, now holding onto her chest the kitten dropped behind the wall, looking out the tips of her ears perked forward as she peered out.

BOOM! A fiery flashbulb went off inside the tornado. Sand, metal, fire, blood, and distinct bodies of several humanoid figures of several creatures were thrown out of the storm. Among the bodies of the unknown, was a half elf wearing tattered leather armor over the remains of simple steel armor, messy, long silver hair that fell over his head like a platinum waterfall, and orange sunset eyes. Several of the bodies plunged into the deep ocean, one was crushed by a giant object covered in a giant tarp, and several wound up on the sands of the beach. The half elf laid on the beach, unmoving for several long seconds until he pushed himself off the ground with a loud gasp. ''Flop!'' He gasped out looking around at the strange, new setting. He had never seen so much water before. At east in a few years. ''Nugha! Narghhfr!'' Down the beach was a deformed, heavily scarred orc that carried a crude club in one arm, and her other arm was withered and useless. ‘’Reeee! Reee!’’ She screamed and swung the club around.

''There he is! That metal rat!'' A shrill female voice said, that came from a ragged, wild eyed woman wearing tattered leather armor with multiple bottles and flasks hanging from her belt and her chest. ''Hea they come again...'' The half elf mumbled looking to the few fluid raiders that had survived.

Fleur watched, her eyes widened at the sight before her it'd been so long since someone had arrived here and now there seemed to be a fight about to play out. Standing tall the kitty stretched her figure out, head held high as she moved from behind the wall, careful for those not to see her. Darting from once place to another she was a little closer now, hidden behind a tree as her tail ribboned behind and sneaked up her thigh. Reaching for her blade with the additional limb the opal hues gained brightness, reflecting the light spectrum as she watched these beasts before her. The man who stood alone caught her attention. Watching the silver shine of his hair dance behind Fleur realized it was him against those. '’Fuck.’' She thought. Now trouble had come to her land and she still didn't know who this lone man who'd seemingly been at the center of this mess. A streak broke through the atmosphere, a blinding flutter of crystal like shards trailed like a river. She stood behind him, silent her feline senses taken over as breathing slowed down and her body streamlined. She was a cat now. Soft hairs decorated her body as on her forehead a crown of symbols swirled painted into her fur as she stepped a paw beside him, ready to defend her land she was still unsure of this one. She could
take one on her own, but the group in front of unwelcome visitors were the current priority.

''Fluids! Fluids! Fluids!'' A mad, snarling man yelled loudly stumbling to his feet, sprinting towards the lone half elf. The half elf reached for his kukri that was sheathed to the left of his hip, it's blade gave off a pale orange color and the black hilt had grey cloth draped around it. He turned to look at the human fluid junkie running right at him and noticed a small cat with what appeared to be a crown on her head. ''Wha- Arghhhh...!'' A searing, mind pounding pain came to his head and the raggedy man fell to his knees.''Verisia. Leave and fade from the memories of those- Fuck. Need water. Caught opening the book must be- Fluids! Fluids! Kill me! Kill the world!'' He heard all the thoughts of those around him.''Friend!'' A monkey wearing a vest with several pockets jumped onto the back of the mutant orc and covered her eyes. The mutant orc screeched and hit the wild eyed woman with her club, sending her flying into a tree up the beach and killing her instantly.

She couldn't quite just figure out what had happened, orcs, mutants had crossed onto her land. The kitty started running forward, her feet pressed into the soft earthy ground as her body phased with a slow motion. During the cats run her full figure appeared to those who looked closely. A slender frame danced in the air above the feeling, dressed with thick black trousers torn and frayed, midriff showing her body glittered with a fine dust. White cropped top contained her upper half, pearlescent skin tainted with the pink painting of scars. Her light lilac hair danced, curls caught in the wind, her blade drew to her hand and ready in the cats tail it headed for the creatures preparing to propel off the ground and vortex up the mutant, scratching skin with a sharpened slice it cutting peel she climbed up the deformed woman injuring as she went.

Flop the monkey tugged at the golden earrings on the mutant orc's head. She was in poor health and Flop tore them right out. A loud, deep cry was heard, and worsened when the cat began to slice her up. The mutant orc was staggered and had trouble keeping her balance, Flop noticed the cat with the blade and covered the mutant's eyes again while she recklessly swung the club around, trying to smash the cat. ''Fluids! Fluids! Fluids!'' That was all on the wild man's mind. The raggedy man raised his kukri and the wild man kicked it out of his hand, it impaled itself in the sand. He was disoriented as the thoughts, his inner thoughts, the thoughts of every living thing in the land filled his mind to a point where it was nothing but static. ''Where is it! Where's it!'' The wild man yelled grabbing the raggedy man, groping him all over. ''Yah!'' The half elf swung his fist at him and knocked him over.

On his left arm was a metallic sleeve that ran all the way up to his shoulder, a modified part of the steel armor he wore underneath. The palm of the glove glowed light blue and imprinted on the side of his shoulder was bunch of falling stars and the letters, ''TL''. ''Yous gimme fluids or I'm gunna-'' The half elf held out his metal arm and activated a gravity beam, which pulled the man right towards him, then there was a spark and he was blasted back with a large force of electricity. ''Ahahahaha!'' He laughed in an insane manner sliding along the sand to a stop. The half elf grabbed his kukri from the sand, ran at him, jumped, and then brought the pale orange blade down. Silencing the fluid addict.

Liquid poured from the beast as she sliced with a curl, running down the orc’s skin as she reached the throat. Slicing without a thought or notion, she didn't stop to consider taking a life. Especially while she was in this form most coherent thoughts vanished from her mind. The thick skin flapped from the neck, the creatures words garbled and spilled a mucous lather. A shine struck her eyes, gemstone cracks glittered hidden deeply. Avoiding the monkey the kitty fell to the floor as the orc dropped. With her landing she appeared back in her humanoid form, slightly breathless her frame grew as she stood. Fleur turned to the monkey, looking for guidance on her next move.

The monkey jumped up and down on the dead orc's head, then blew a raspberry in a mocking manner. ''We sure showed them!'' Flop exclaimed, from down the beach the raggedy elf heard his thoughts. ''What?!'' He yelled, hearing that single voice in his head when all the others had gone silent. Flop the monkey looked up at the cat who had morphed into human form and smiled, he hopped off the orc and tugged at her pants, then took off running down the beach.

Her head tilted in an innocent manner seeing the little padded hand grip at her trousers. Watching the monkey head off Fleur decided to follow, it had been a while since she saw such a beautiful passage of water, her favourite element. Her footsteps imprinted over the monkees, turning back once more to a feline she sprinted up beside him, catching up and nearly overtaking at a pace.

The ragged half elf fell to his knees once more and grasped a handful of sand in his metal glove. The light blue glow from his palm lit up the sand and he extended his fingers, allowing the sand to slip through them. He turned himself around and sat down on the beach, the water almost touching his feet. He heard the small pattering of paws running towards him and he craned his head to the source of the noise. His loyal monkey companion, and the seemingly
magical cat from earlier. He also noticed a light grey, single strapped backpack floating in the water. ''Flop! Get tha bluey!'' He yelled in a strange, thick accent pointing to the floating bag. Flop knew how to swim. Primo didn't. Flop took a detour and ran into the water to retrieve the bag. He raised a light silver brown at the cat and straightened up while sitting. What was it?

The figure in front of the neko girl stood so proud and tall, but it wasn't long before she met his level. Her bright opal eyes stared straight at his as her feline body become humanoid. Walking around him her footsteps in circles Fleur held a defensive stance. The other issue had lessened and this man was now what intrigued her. The scar across her face now clearly visible as it shone a satin look trailed across her face. Pale lips pursed as she kept watch of this man her hand still with her magical stone blade ready to defend her home.

The ragged half elf brushed back his silver hair and grabbed his kukri, staring into the girl's opal eyes with his own bright, carrot colored ones. He was growing stubble, appeared to be in his late twenties, and had garnered a scar on the left side of his cheek and another small one on the left side of his nose. ''Now stop raight there.'' He said in his strange accent,not saying the R's at the end of his words. ''Just whoin Shelyn's name ae you? And whea am I?''

‘’La question est… Aho, ahre you? She often changed from her native language to the common language of the other lands, mixing up her languages it was a result of her many mindless nights, ones she couldn't remember but always returned from. Injured and lost herself, it was rather repetitive. So she wasn't that sympathetic. Awaiting his answer her heels came to a stop, in front of him she stood ready to engage in battle, soft ears fluttered back and forth, batting hair with its swipe, Fleurs gripped tightened around the blade.

''Just anotha wandera. Who comes from a world of metal, and blood. Not liek those bushrangers we just kilt.'' He replied still keeping eye contact, and holding his kukri tight. For a brief second his eyes flicked over to the corpse of the mutant orce before going back to the woman who stood in front of him. ''Now, ah asked you first so I deserve ahn answer.''

‘’Fleur, of Kundaland.’’ She didn't refer to it so much a kingdom these days, empty barren lands were whats left. Fireflies filled the halls at night illuminating the beautifully aged stone structure. The thrones coated with a cuddle of dust as fires forever lit burned embers into the wind. The man hadn't attacked her yet, and in all her years if he wanted to hurt her he could have done so already. The tenseness eased off, looking away to the grounds behind her eyes never once pondered over the body beside them. ‘’Why ahre you here?’’ Her accent was still heavy she tried speaking the tongue they mutually understood.

''Fleu of Kundaland?'' Again, he didn't pronounce the R at the end of it in his own accent. He lowered the Kukri and flop washed up on the beach with the grey backpack, he began to drag it to his companion through the sand. The half elf examined her closely. She wasn't hostile. Not like almost everyone he encountered in the land where he came from. Almost everyone had gone out of their minds, and he was afraid of having to live out there with him he'd end up
the same as them. He paused before answering, ''Primo Shando, of Numeria.''

‘’Numeria.’’ She pondered over those words, her finger rested on her bottom lip as this brief moment went over her. The thing is, Fleur didn't move. She literally looked frozen on the spot. But she didn't notice it, she was wandering in her mind wondering where this familiar words come from.

''Land of the fallen stas? Evah heard of it?'' Primo asked grabbing his bag that Flop had brought him. ''Thanks mate.'' He said patting his small monkey companion on the head. Flop nodded at him then flopped over onto the bag, relaxing on it as he let out a sigh. ''Something wrong Fleu?''

Her body sprung back into movement, she had no clue she'd been stood still for so long. ‘’Ah étoiles!’’ The neko girl loved stars, their gentle beauty always graced a night, reflecting in her crystal eyes they drew her like warm fire. ‘’You weesh to rest here?’’ She walked over, looking down to Primo her bare feet strong and steady.

Primo had no idea what she meant and stared at her with a dim, cow eyed look on his face. Half
was her odd language and question, and the other half was of awe of her opal eyes, and Fleur herself. She was beautiful. He had to draw her. ''Resting here? I don't even have a matilda... Or...'' He gazed back at the ocean. ''The Sand Stalker is gone... And I don't know how to get home-'' Primo paused at what he had just said. Kundaland. From the trees, from what he had seen. what this another part of Varisia? He had always wanted to leave Numeria behind, cross the ocean, and live a life as… Maybe a bodyguard. Not some scrapper hireling. Anything but that. He wasn’t quite sure.

‘’Cohme, I'll show you.’’ Her tail sweeped in the sand, waving a little over his feet as her direction alternated and she was heading back to her land. It seemed like her body faded, left behind was her tail swinging in it's hypnotic motion before vanishing too.

''Show me what?'' He asked rising to his feet, grabbing his backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. Flop climbed up his back and perched over his shoulder as Primo followed behind Fleur, glancing down at her tail for a brief second. ''What are you?''

A hand poked out gesturing him over, she stood in the now shadowed land. Fireflies glittered the dew damp grass. Before them would be statues of the nameless stone gods, protecting the land once and proud Fleur’s eyes gazed to them. Head falling back her ears flopped aside, she brushed her hair away, revealing the full length of her scar.

Primo's jaw unhinged and he and Flop gazed in amazement at the many fireflies that glittered. Flop cupped his hands around one and it shined, he smiled and then shifted his hands into a ball, occasionally making a small hole to peek inside. Primo glanced up at the statues as they passed and ran his hand along them. He noticed the scar but didn't say anything about it. ''I'll be stuffed...'' This land reminded him more of Varisia.

‘’Ma terre.’’ The neko girl said, meaning '’my land'’ this place was hers to protect, this little space of now silence was everything to her. Fleur looked at him, noting the equal amazement he had for this place. The fireflies swarmed around Flop, scooping the little fuzz ball up under their gained wing. Like a golden carpet they carried him across. She smirked, a little fangs showed with this gesture, whiskers tickled her cheeks as a hand raised to paw at them. Swatting the
blushed skin she allowed him to continue his awe, not wanting to break the tranquility.

Primo watched the fireflies swarm around his loyal monkey companion, and then carry him through the air. He then dug his foot into the ground. Grass. Dirt. Not sand. He bent down and then began to pick at it. ''Grass... I could use a rollie sooner or later...'' Primo then stood back up and began to eat the grass that he had picked out of the ground.

‘’Smohke?’’ Her expression a little hesitant, she creeped down and prowled almost over to him. Now she could register his scent, the tip of her nose gently poking his silver strands before she pulled back. Sitting away from him her legs crossed over on another in a meditative position, a curious kitten stare flourished over and lips pouted.

''Aye. Keeps me from losin' it.'' Primo turned to look at Fleur feeling something lightly touch his hair. From what Fleur could see, Primo was a tall, tan man with leather armor that was dried, ripped, and torn in several places. The steel armor wore underneath was beaten and scratched and was barely hanging on by a thread. In his carrot colored eyes was half awe, and half curiosity. His eyes looked much older than he was. His ears were pointed, but more rounded and less pronounced, telling Fleur that he was only half an elf.

‘’Ah…’’ Rummaging into her pocket she pulled out a small wooden box, filled with tobacco and cannabis. Small papers littered the inside and wood carved into hollow roach all prepared inside. ‘’Help yourself, mahn ahmie.’’ The neko girl scooted the box across the floor, allowing the newcomer to join in a smoke, tobacco or not, giving a little smile as her tail swished back and forth.

''Gunna need a way to light it.'' Primo said sitting down on the soft grass in front of her. A small smile ran across his neutral face before it disappeared. He scooted side to side feeling the green softness. ''Do ya know of any inns or something nearby? Maybe a cave?'' He normally camped outside or in the Sand Stalka, but his camping gear and his motorized carriage were both lost at sea now. All he had were the clothes on his back and everything in his backpack. He recalled the state of the statues he had seen just a minute or two ago. '' Wait no... Ruins?''

‘’Ruins, such a hahrsh wahrd, mahn ahmie.’’ Fleur chuckled to herself, her approach more relaxed as she handed him a grinder from her pocket. Made of wood with spikes in the middle it perfectly ground any herb inside. ‘’You cahn stay here, weetheen ze wahlls’’ Nodding to the tall building now towering over them she sat back, tail curling up beside as she allowed him to roll.

Primo took a few herbs and three pieces of rolling paper, then closed the box and placed two papers face down. ''Within the walls?'' He asked looking up to the tall building, before going back to rolling the joint. He stuck the third paper in the back of the first two and added the herbs.

‘’My hahme, ziss buildeeng’’ Laying back on the ground her tail waved with a roll, hair scattered in the grass she stared up into the sky. Crossing one leg over another Fleur relaxed a little. Finding an odd sense of comfort and company with this handsome, rugged half elf. Something about his aura was soothing, settling. Looking up to him her hands rested beneath her head, the tightened thick binds making it difficult to raise the limb Fleur grunted.

''Ya don't even know me. All ya know of me now is that I'm just some dero. Could be some root rat or something.'' Primo said sitting legs crossed at ankle level watching Fleur relax.

''Well. Ah am a dero. I rarely go into cities.'' The half elf admitted. More of a nomad than anything else.

‘’Zen I'll keell you.’’ She said with her thick unusual tone, her words did not hesitate and her eyes didn't flutter. Losing herself to the skies above Fleur nearly froze for a moment. ‘’Zen ziss plahce should feel like hahme, yes?’’ Behind her little ear she rummaged for a nestled joint, bringing it to her lips she searched for a box of matches. Lighting the end she took a few draws, letting the smoke fill her lungs as her chest rose.

Primo had never been offered to stay anywhere before. Aside from that small community he had saved from a roving band of bandits armed with weapons they had scavenged by nearby ruins. He turned them down so he could complete his job. ''I've only seen forests in books.'' He replied taking on of the matches to light his joint.

‘’You cahn explahre zese lahnds zen, ze centrahl point of ahll plahces... sahmewhaht. you see, Kundaland... Eet's so much beeggair..’’ Sitting up smoke clouded from her lips, dancing over her cheeks and spreading between her whiskers. She concentrated on blowing smoke circles, letting them hoop in front and distort in the wind.

''What can ya tell me about... Kundaland?'' Primo asked inhaling the smokey goodness in, before blowing it out slowly. He let out a deep sigh afterwards. Recalling the events of earlier now, and how he thought he was going to die in the lightning, fire tornado. ''What a lovely day...'' He said in a sarcastic manner.

A bitter smoke surrounded her, thoughts crossed her mind as he asked about her home. Filled hallways and conversation echoing throughout, sights of people grouped together. She smiled.

‘’Ziss ees my hahme, ze spahce between spahces where people dahn't often pahss. zough, eet wahsn't ahlways like zat... wance... befahre we gaht cut off frahm ze rest of ze wahrld... befahre we were trahpped here, een ze spahce between spahces. hence my surprise aht your ahrreevahl.’’ She offered him her joint, either letting him two toke or simply enjoy the variation of herbs she'd acquired. ‘’Ahnd you ahre a smohker too, I like zat.’’ Her smile turned to a grin.

Primo pinched the joint and smoked two at the same time, he removed them and held one in each hand. ''That's relaxing...'' He handed Fleur hers back. ''So, how many people live around hea?''

‘’Just me, ahnd ze others een my mind.’’ She said with a playful slur, her mind relaxed as an effect of the smoke. Continuing to take a drag little puffs of smoke left her mouth. ‘’Ziss plahce ees ahs you see eet, left fahr nahture to decide eet's fahte.''

''What happened?'' Primo asked exhaling a bit more of smoke. Flop scurried over and sat down beside his companion. He glanced at the two, then took Primo's joint and took a puff.

She choked back her laughter seeing the monkey take the spliff, ears flickering back and forth she couldn't help herself. ‘’Lahng stahry, one wheech well, you know how eet goes.’’ Fleur didn't speak about what happened, betrayal and blood soaked the land. Her palm touched the ground, she pulled it back and the mud turned red. Closing her eyes she let the joint hang from her mouth, smoke taped around before she looked back to him.

''And so... You've been here, alone, for how long?'' Primo asked taking the joint from Flop. Flop reached out to take it again but he smacked his hand away. ''Wait yer turn ya bugger...''

She leant over, almost a crawl. Handing the joint to the little monkey, Fleur nodded. ‘’Knahck yourself out...well, naht literahlly.’’ Sitting back up her arms stretched out, a hidden wince at the tight clamps on her arm she still hadn't got round to figuring out what had happened. ‘’I've beeeen hereeeee, eh, few full moons, I sink.’’ She had no track of time,hadn't wanted to keep a record as it recorded the time spent memorizing her past. And also the time spent where she couldn't remember it at all .She'd lied, Fleur didn't know if they were alone, she was going somewhere of a night, things were happening and she was feeling more and more drained.

Flop took the joint with both hands and heavily inhaled it. He then let out a few really loud coughs. ''You don't know do ya? Are ya already baked out of yer mind?'' Primo asked with a small laugh. ''Gods... This grass is so soft...'' He mumbled fondling it with one hand.

‘’’Ze lahnd ees reech here, Mahthair Laguna blessed us weeth such fertile soil…’’ She run her hand through the grass, fingertips stroking the dewey leaves. ‘’ze ahtmahsphere wahs cahlm, drowsy aht times; ahnd sings like zat.’’ Fleur flashed a wink, standing up her body stretched out as she reached for the sky, tail unravelled behind like a roll of satin. Her tail swished with excitment and she was quick to grab Primo’s hand with both of hers and tug at him.

‘’Cahme, cahme! I must show you ze rest of my hahme! Let us go dahnce een ze moonlight, weareeng weeld flowers een our hair!''

The neko girl had the feeling she and this ragged half elf would be good friends. And couldn't wait to show him everything. Maybe they'd be even more than good friends, in time.

---

''You must understand the whole of life, not just one little part of it. That is why you must read, that is why you must look at the skies, that is why you must sing, and dance, and write poems, and suffer, and understand, for all that is life.'' - Jiddu Krishnamurti