Snippet #1981070

The garuda felt as if ants were crawling about his innards, and though the hand comforting his own did little to quell their hungry nipping, he was occasionally reminding himself of the fact that he appreciated this touch. Female company was never, never bad; particularly not when they were cooperatively staying by his side. Those who sought to leash him, walk with him only where they cared to go--those sorts would never see him again, perhaps catching a glimpse of a turned back and sprouting wings if they were lucky (and if he were that desperate to get away). This girl he'd discovered in what little time he spent in this land; she was not one of those controlling heathen women, and this was good. He might even feel inclined to visit her once in a while, after they part ways. At the moment, however, Sahen did not allow his gaze to be torn from the mikoshi--possessing avian eyes, it was not a difficult task. The task was maintaining an easy pace, rather than bolting into the heavens and watching the little house from a perch next to one of those fat dog-rat things with the drumming bellies.

He discovered, to his dismay, that the presence within the lifted shrine was not of his imagination. It was something old, and it was something powerful; a soul that would not be easily quelled by a mortal hand. How unfortunately familiar it was, in this respect. Will he be leashed again, if he allowed the one in the portable shrine to go unchecked? No, if anything, it would be his pursuit of it that would lead to a renewed life of servitude. Yet he must follow, he had little choice in the matter. After all, everyone had thought Lord Rama, almighty slayer of giant kings and reincarnation of an old god, was dead. Well, that is, everyone but that stupid monkey. Sahen did not look forward to informing that bastard of his findings (so maybe he won't).

The hordes of people relented as they progressed onwards after the thrum of clinking bells and sandals of heaving men (either they've been walking quite a ways, or whatever was in there weighed tons--the soul was sitting among gold bars, possibly?) It seemed dire emotions could not get enough of him, however, as he soon took note of another troubling detail. Shifting shadows. Determinedly averting faces. Hushed grunts into instruments of technology. They were not alone in trailing the soul. "Stay near." Sahen warned quietly, before balking, then halting his pace entirely. "Mae nang; inform me. How little do you know of the real stories? The sort that tell of people who truly do keep children safe in their beds, unabducted by the grotesque? For I may have brought you into one." And this was not something he appeared happy about. The garuda's features creased with an age foreign to him. Were it merely his own safety he had to worry over, he would scoff in the face of concern, box it in the ear for having the audacity to rear its head. The back of his neck was prickling--ah, because the skin in that area was giving way to a more feathery texture. His instincts would not allow him to hold his human guise for much longer, it seemed.

Sahen released Shirayuki's hand (she had such soft, tapering fingers...) while distancing himself from her by a step. "Would you still come with me? Or I could meet up with you in a little while. I am sorry." It was a little embarrassing actually, cutting a date short in this way. If fate didn't grab him by the elbows (which were getting fairly tight in the sleeves at the moment, damned overeager underarms). But what choice did he have? He did not wish anyone to unknowingly wander into danger beside him. The Gods were aware that's happened enough times for him to learn from it.