Allegory of Rage

The cat slumped his shoulders. Of course this devil would notice him. Shui’s luck seem to continue its downward spiral as aggravating as it was. But, he should be mature and try to offer his help. He only moved a smidge closer to the devil as he watched him carefully.

“I’d rather not think too much on fate at the moment,” He told him. He held his lute close to his body. He had weighed his options between his instrument and voiceless on his way over. If he was to help this devil, then he knew what he had to do. 

“I suppose you are right that working together would be better. I’m not sure what will happen once I sing for you, but I suppose that is a bridge we will have to get over once we cross it.” He was honestly terrified of what outcome might appear if he sang. He still hasn’t fully trust this devil and trust was important for a sanga to sing.

He didn’t need him to sing. He was not one of those felines who needed it. Surely, it was a convenience and a boon, of sorts. There was a sort of amusement to having patience in battle and wearing down an opponent without such things; or taking them both out when it was necessary. Ah, unnecessary co-dependent partnership. But, he would not think on that right this moment. 

“A jest, fate has no hands here.” He replied with a small smile playing on his features, looking back down into the cave month. There were many options, if there was not fire, there were weapons or merely smashing tangible objects against the intangible. 

Blue eyes slid over back to the feline bard, quirking a brow. Tail flicking from one side to the next before brushing against the floor. “I would not be aware of the effects or, if it would have effects on someone who aren’t in kind or direct companion to gain such things. If you have a sword, lend it to me for the moment. Otherwise, it will have to be figured out when the situation is at hand.

@infernalire

“There really is no moment for rest.”

Shui couldn’t help but think this as the loud boom came from the mountains. He had hoped he could get through this strange place with some modicum of peace. But, it seemed fate had different plans. He grabbed his sword and lute as he hurried from his cabin towards the sound of the thunder. 

Many cats have told Shui he had a bad habit of sticking his nose in places it doesn’t belong. Shui liked to call it being empathetic. If there was a way for him to help, he would do so. He wouldn’t be able to sleep at night knowing he could have offered his hand to those in trouble and simply didn’t. As shui ran closer to the place where the thunderous sound happened, he was beginning to wonder if maybe they were right and three realizations had hit him simultaneously.

Shui’s heart began to speed up as his pupils dilated. The first realization: a cave had appeared and he has no idea what was waiting inside. He didn’t take much time to explore, but he was positive this was not a good sign.

Shui’s run came to a crawl as his fur bristled. The second realization: A silhouette was standing in front of the cave with horns and tails as dark as the abyss within the cave. He had hoped maybe he was mistaking him for another. but that fiery red hair was no mistake.

Shui didn’t want to think of the last realization. He couldn’t. Maybe he could run before the other noticed. He wasn’t sure what would happen if his music amplified a devil’s power and he honestly was terrified to find out.

“Damn it…”

Albeit, there being no real reason for him to be there; Razel found himself letting curiosity guide him. It wasn’t in his character but, with some meticulous planning, he would like to be aware and certain of what threat-- or not so-- something should pose. 

Thundering boom echoing through and resonating through his bones like some fell sound of the end coming. Familiar and riveting the feeling was, much reminders of his attribute. Wrath. 

And something else. Dread, perhaps?

Whatever it was, it came with the glint of orange hair; fur obvious bristled. Supposed Razel had been noticed before he could the feline attempting to leave this very place. It was both amusing and curious to come face to face once more. It was .. odd but satisfyingly so to say the very least. 

He didn’t take note on the scent that came with the slow breeze of wind, making the echoing maw more sinister than he would have liked to stare into, or mention in passing moments such as these. 

“You cannot outrun me, seems the fates have drawn us together in this fine loop.”

The demon flashes a knowing smirk as he draws closer to feline, with no mistake, attempting to avoid his gaze and approach all the same. “I do think two is better than one with whatever is happening right now.” Tail giving a flick to one side carefully, his eyes scanning what could be scene beyond the cave mouth. 

A devil. Shui’s pupil’s narrowed to slits and his tail bristling out. He had every reason to be wary of this being. Devils took advantage of cats. He had heard so many tales from elders of cats making deals and sacrificing precious things for their desires. Power, love, greed. He had kept far away from such things. He had no need for that kind of boon and was content with his lot in life. 

“I have many things to worry about,” he said, keeping his voice soft and polite. Knowing his name didn’t make Shui feel any more safe than he did prior, but he did relax his tail. Even if Shui tried to hide how he felt, his instincts as a cat would always be honest.

“Knowing your name brings me no comfort. Even if you do not harm me now, there is always a chance you will later down the road.” He didn’t like having his guard up. Shui enjoyed letting others into his space. But, this was different. He had no idea if this devil had some scheme or not. At the very least, Shui can defend himself long enough to run away if need be.

He watched his hands carefully and then looked at his face. His tail flickered back and forth impatiently. 

“Unfortunate.” The devil frowned, one of slight that pulled the corners of his lips. But this was nothing and not so long to readily stay perched upon his features. It simply, Razel would place it, couldn’t be helped. He could not stake simple matters on the past dealings, or rising rumors of the days and place no longer in view. Not that he could merely give things now, that wasn’t within his limits from what he has attempted.

There was power in giving insight and knowledge in a moment of anger, for a price. 

“And how have you come to that conclusion? We’re both in an odd place that we have no knowledge of , or remember stepping into. Assumingly, you also woke up here with a key and little positions?” A brow quirked from the calm expression, despite the short irritation rising and falling at the back of his head. “I suppose being upfront and forthcoming does nothing for the felines of your typing. I can give you my word I have little mind to do you any harm, there is better luck is numbers than solitary.” 

There was, truly, nothing to gain in creating problems. Again, so away from the forests and the desolation of his home: the strife and stress between him and kin, and the felines and their own. Thought, he did recall having the same issue with another who shared the likeness of the facial expression. 

It was unusual. Shui never thought he would find himself in a strange place with a key. He had no recollection of coming here, let alone attaining such a home. If it was a catnapping, he wouldn’t have such an important item so easily. it puzzled and frightened him a bit. The last thing he remembered was heading to the forest after his training within the bekkan. Maybe someone saved him from a monster. But, he couldn’t stick around to thank whoever kept him safe. He looked around before gathering his items.

He made his way out without a second thought and followed the sound of the wind. It calmed his racing heart. No matter where he ended up, the wind will always be there to console him with a song. He found his heart wandering towards a dense forest. He moved towards a tree and kneeled down under it as he closed his eyes. The rustling of the leaves resounded in his ears. It was almost like he was home.

He hummed softly and let it drift into the air. He placed the lute on the lap as he strummed it gently along to the melody. this was no time to panic. Even if he was lost, it just meant he would have to take his time finding his way back. Losing himself to the music was the only way to keep his cool.

Or, at least he would have lost himself if he didn’t hear a voice call out to him. He looked up and flatten his ears down, stopping the reverb of his strings. He squinted at the strange appearance. Horns and a strange sleek, black tail. Whoever this was, they were certainly not a cat!

“I am simply singing,” He said cautiously. His tail curled besides his leg and thumping up and down against the ground. He wasn’t sure what this being was. But, he had an odd, familiar feeling. Like the word was on the tip of his tongue. 

As meticulous as the owner itself, the sleek, black tail flicks with the same manner. Blue eyes flick over the cat with the slow steps forward in approach, for a better examination of this being. There was something to them that gave them this air of familiarity. An invisible stain against the memory but, Razel left it be for the moment. 

“You have no need to be cautious, if I wanted to harm you; I would have done so already.” He stated with honesty and no ill intent to his voice. Even for a single moment, did he put his hands up to signify such a thing to the other. “Certainly ‘tis the horns that set you off, hm? I’m not surprised, the form of the devil has always set those of cats on their lines.” 

A soft hum as he takes short steps to dust of a stump of a tree nearby; taking a near graceful seat upon it. It was amusing, such caution. Has this cat seen another devil before? Perhaps, beyond his care for their whereabouts when it wasn’t necessary, they had come to cross each other’s path? Of course, Razel wasn’t one to put it past the rest; sad or otherwise obnoxious. 

“If it brings any assistance and comfort in an identifier, I’m known as Razel.” 

IF there was an inkling to ever being touched, the thougth should have been snuffed out and left to the wayside. The devil kept his hands where they could be seen, upon his lap, across his knee or somewhere in the plain of sight. With most of the words, a clawed hand could be seen making small gestures to further give express to , the otherwise, even spoken sentences. 

It had been some time. Longer than he could probably choose to remember, in time antiquated and long gone; where he had less power now than he’s ever known. ​It didn’t leave an empty feeling, when there were days he went moments without using any of what he’s been given; much what memory allows. 

Lest there was more to this new surroundings in which he woke in, Razel took to occupying himself outside of the vaguely empty cabin. There would be, of course, more time to examine the interior upon his return. 

He chose to know the exterior, which seemed more vast and lush of green than what the old world provided; of what the sickness or delicious war didn’t touch. The devil wasn’t too unfamiliar with the paths and the scurrying of the animals along the path towards the wind tossed brushes, rustling the leaves upon their branches and the flowers in their beds. 

A bare comfort of tranquil machination and serene order. 

From the order of metaphorical and naturalistic, he could here the strumming of a multisyllabic cords of song accompanying the wind in its melodic strumming with each dance across the landscape.  

“I didn’t expect to see another here, much less a cat..” 

Even if he were just inches away from the forest threshold, the area did his voice no justice but it was heard to the ear of the singing other; should they have been listening in the slightest of all things.