On Grim Wings

Follow The Red Hood!

Frankenstein and Nevermore left the tent to discuss and give Orella the privacy she'd need to change. She looked over the case that Victoria had apparently left for her, a fancy suitcase that'd been worn by age and use. In a strange sense the wear and tear made Orella feel slightly at ease. She flipped open the case eagerly to see an entirely new outfit waiting within. A dressy attire fitted with a long dress coat and dress pants as well as a white shirt and shoes that seemed much more attuned for swift walking than the ones she'd been wearing. Now that she looked her outfit over it seemed that it took quite a thrashing from either her transformation or the past two days. The once white and beautiful untouched dress now was adorned with tears and had been entirely dyed crimson. She glanced about to ensure the other two were still present before quickly changing into the new outfit. Its dark red hue made her smile. Red, her favorite color.

"Is that stereotypical of me to say?" she pondered as she examined the outfit. The dress coat reached down to her knees. Was it big or was the intended wearer just tall? Regardless she walked towards the same tarp door she'd step through prior before seeing the large zipped door. As she unzipped, the two who'd been quietly discussing looked at her.

"Whoa!" Monstra exclaimed with excitement. "That looks way better on you than me!"

"Hm? Then it was yours?"

"Yep yep! Vicky made it for me so that I'd have something to wear into the field! I wanted it to be green but they said I'd look better in red." watching Monstra speak gave Orella a realization. Regardless of who was speaking the two had a tendency to gesture exaggeratedly with their hands and bodies as they spoke. Orella smiled at the thought. Monstra's eyes and posture quickly shifted back to Victoria's typical refined posture.

"I agree that it suits you quite well. I hope you've noticed the touches I made to it. Most suits of this kind would be way too stiff to move around in, so I made corrections as needed."

"Huh. I did notice how surprisingly easy it is to move in. It's also way lighter than it looks."

"That'd just be you, Miss Tepes. I made no adjustments to the suit's weight." Victoria noted before being interrupted by Nevermore clearing her throat.

"My dear allies, as invigorating as this discussion may be. I believe you, Doctor Frankenstein, who said we had a matter of urgency to attend. Lest our target evade our grasp." Nevermore chidded.

"Right. Miss Tepes, Nevermore and I were discussing our target as you were entering. A large fable called Knock by the one who reported. It's moderately strong but we agreed that it'd be for the best if you came along."

Orella glanced at Nevermore.

"I feel it best you witness a clash with a fable before you were to attempt to face one yourself." Nevermore nodded.

"Alright then." Orella said. "But..."

"You're wondering how we'd find the beast, aren't you?"

Orella nodded nervously.

"Ordinarly, I'd have attempted to track it on my own." Nevermore then nodded to Victoria. "But Doctor Frankenstein has already prepared for such a situation."

Orella looked confusedly as Victoria used her zipper. Perhaps she'd produce some form of tool or-.

A Locust. She pulled a locust the size of the Jerboalope she'd eaten the day prior. A shudder ran down Orella's entire spine. The creature's lifeless eyes seemed to burrow deep into Orella's soul. Orella began to slowly hide behind Nevermore.

"Miss Tepes, I believe that entirely unnecessary." Nevermore said. Trying to hide the amusement in her voice.

"Can you both take a step back? She needs some space when she arrives."

Orella looked confused as she and Nevermore backed up about a foot. Victoria began to focus on the bug and shut her eyes. Two long red tendrils of cloth extended from Victoria's back as she focused. Wind began to pick up and her brow furrowed. The red cloth wings began to flap wildly in the wind.

"I need guidance down the forest path..."

Her eyes shot open and held the dead locust aloft.

"LITTLE RED!!"

The wind stopped all at once.

POOF!

Small puff of smoke formed in the air. A figure, only about a foot tall, quickly fell out of it and landed hind first on the ground. The two looked in at the small sprite, it was without detail save for it's pure red eyes and tiny red hood that covered all of it's body save for it's small stubby legs and shadowy face. The creature looked between the two, eyes widening, before it jumped to it's feet. The two watched in surprise as it quickly began scurrying, its legs almost becoming blurs underneath it as it ran and hid by Victoria's leg. It looked up fearfully at Victoria who crouched down and began petting its tiny head.

"You have no need to fear them, Little Red. They're my friends. They're here to help us." Victoria spoke gently. An almost motherly warmth evoked from her tone. The small red and black sprite glanced back again before hopping in place and quickly scurrying back to the two.

"Ain't she just the cutest?" Monstra chimed in.

"Y-Yes, actually." Orella said as she kneeled down to look over the little being. It seemed just as confused of her as she was of it.

"With all the bravado, I'd expected the return of your savage wolf rather than...this little one." Nevermore commented, looking back to Victoria.

Monstra leaned down "Actually, the one summoned is based on who's summoning it. Big B's mine while Vicky's got this adorable little baby."

Nevermore looked back to see Orella patting the small sprite, all but captivated by its adorable charm.

"Little Red." Victoria spoke up. The sprite hopped in place again, performing a full 180 to face her. "You caught it's trail, right?"

Little Red performed a large nod.

"Lead and we shall follow."

Little Red hopped again and began scurrying into the woods, far faster than Orella had expected, what with it having such tiny adorable nub legs. She sighed sadly as she stood up, following after the rest of the group who'd begun following Little Red in the direction of the woods. Nevermore looked at Orella.

"Perhaps if you asked courteously enough, Victoria would afford you some time to play with the sprite."

"You really think so?" Orella smiled weakly

"After the night I've had prior, all possibilities have become possible to me."

With that the two quickened their pace and followed Victoria and Little Red as they wandered into the timber graveyard left from yesterday's brawl.