Memories (Of Dreams and Demons)

Last Party

Rabbits have gathered around a tall fire, rubbing their paws together for warmth. They stand on their hind legs like proud human warriors, decked from head to toe in an exotic assortment of finely-crafted armour.

And it's not just for show - dents and marks in the plated pieces prove heavy battle use. Two stand guard on either side of the clearing, their watch alternating between us and the brooding forest.

An owl rests peacefully on a branch high above the fire, seemingly asleep. Its flames flick patterns between shrubs and trees, their warm glow keeping the greyness at bay. Silence befalls the camp as we enter. Vuitton bows and steps aside, letting the group do with us as they will.

The tallest among the rabbits steps forward, his eyes resting on us with analytical confidence. He must be their leader.

'Hello," he says.

"Hello!" Naoko smiles at him.

She skips forward a few steps, raising her hand to shake his, but pauses when two draw their weapons.

"At peace," the leader says, waving his pay to them, "I have heard of this old custom."

He presents his paw and shakes Naoko's hand gently. Despite his confidence, up close I can tell he is extremely tired, and wary of our arrival.

"My name is Chi," he tells us, "may I ask yours?"

"I'm Naoko," she replies. I also introduce myself.

"I see you've already met that little monster Vuitton," Chi says with a small grin. He waves fondly at the mouse, who stands beaming.

"They have!" Vuitton squeaks.

"I'll let the others introduce themselves," Chi says.

An aged and wise looking female bows her head slightly, "my name is Qis, young ones. Welcome to our fire."

A tall, sharp-looking male spreads his hands apart and bows with a flourish and a smile, "I am Tiz."

The rabbit on guard to our left sheaths his weapon. Dark-furred and stocky, scars decorate the parts of his body not covered in layers of plate.

"Name's Chai, the honour is mine," he says with a deep, friendly voice.

Shortest by a good few feet, a female still sitting and resting her legs up, waves at us and says, "call me Zen!"

Lastly, a slim and dangerous-looking female rabbit winks at Naoko and simply says, "Shei."

Chi is silent a moment, "the owl is named Minerva. She's currently asleep."

My mind is spinning with talking animals and names. I've most definitely been introduced to too many too fast. Alia the kitten, Vuitton the scouting mouse, Minerva the owl, and the six rabbits, Chi, Qis, Shei, Tiz, Chai and Zen. The last six I'm definitely going to need some time to remember.

Naoko claps her hands, her face scrunching up in a smile and says, "what wonders you all are!"

"Why are you so happy, little one?" Chi asks, circling her warily, "where do you come from?"

Naoko raises an eyebrow at him, "from the library."

"Library," Chi mutters, "is not somewhere I have heard of. Do you have peace?"

"Peace?" I ask.

"We have died by the tens of thousands fighting darkness and shadows," Chi replies solemnly, "we're all that's left. We need to escape this land."

"That's terrible," Naoko's voice trails off, her eyes bright.

"We are the last party," Chi nods, "seeking somewhere with peace."