Mutations

Chapter 6: The Bird's Nest

It was cold, colder than most nights, and I wondered if wintertime was arriving fleet this year. Sushi laid her head on my lap, and for a moment, I saw a slight gleam in her golden eyes before she closed them. The rest of my group, Dawn, Emilio, and Alwen, rested inside the carriage, as Cedric and Unmei stood out, observing the horses going in the right direction. Axis was so considerably away yet so near, it took us almost a week before we eventually reached. "How much longer?" I asked; Cedric puts out his cigar and says, "Few more minutes, I believe I see the pillar to there town." I nodded as I scrutinized through a small crack inside the carriage. Though it felt chilly, it didn't look like it was. Dawn opened her eyes as she saw Alwen snuggling on her arm she was resting on. "Hello, Dawn." I said Dawn stood quiet for a moment; it's almost as if Dawn acting quite peculiar since the time we departed from home. "Hello." Dawn replied softly. She looked bewildered, I felt a strange presence from her, and it smelled like sin. But, who am I to ask what's going on in her head these days. Dawn and I felt the carriage stop as Unmei said we were here. The noise of working villagers and families in the streets awoken Emilio. "Hello, Emilio," I said; Emilio stood quiet; he looks more aggravated than Dawn. Ever since that day, she got possessed by that marble, it's almost like there's a wall between them. "Maia, we can get out now." Cedric said. I got up as Sushi followed too. Outside of the carriage was a carefree, sunny sky that kissed you with its warmth and happiness. Though, the freezing weather showed no remorse from the skies content. "They weren't kidding. This place is vivacious." Cedric saw a bunch of kids huddling over a puppet show nearby. Cedric, Unmei, Sushi, and I walked over to observe the puppet show. The kids were laughing at the demon being killed by a knight as he protected a girl. Then suddenly, another demon took the girl as the knight was too distracted, annihilating the other. The kids all looked worried for a moment before the puppet master ended the show saying the end. The kids went back to there parents upset, and all the parents and villagers got irritated by the puppet masters show. "Oh please, show your damn kids some reality." The puppet master stepped out the box as Unmei's eyes widened with surprise. I turned to Unmei; he looked rattled, "What's wrong?" I asked, he fell into his normal composure. "Nothing just saw something interesting." He replied. Dawn and Emilio came out of the carriage and walked over to us. They were both speechless like usual; Cedric took a pad out of his pocket; on it, there was the number 407. "What is that?" Dawn asked, "Lady Tomoya." Cedric answered as he went to ask a villager for some directions. "AHHH!" Alwen shouted from inside the carriage. Unmei had dragged her out because she was still sleeping. "THIS IS UNFAIR!" Alwen looked upset as she sat on the pavement. "Stop being a baby, we have work to do." Unmei answered. Alwen pouted before Dawn went over and gave her a hand to stand up. "How annoying." Emilio mumbled; he looked tired from the trip here. I pondered for a moment, "Didn't you and Dawn live here?" I asked. Emilio's eyes darkened for a moment, "Yes, but this is no longer my home, and it shouldn't be for anyone." Emilio replied. "How co-" I was stopped by Cedric, who shouted at all of us to come to him. We all walked over and saw him standing next to a woman with long dark chocolate hair with emerald eyes. She stood smiling at us, "Everyone, this is Lady Tomoya. She will be our host and guide to this whole mess." Cedric said. We all bowed as Sushi gave her a paw to show her respect. She giggled before speaking, "You all are so kind, oh?" Lady Tomoya stopped speaking for a moment as Dawn felt her staring. She then proceeded, "I will show you the rooms I provided." She gestures us to follow her inside the inn. "Lady Tomoya, I'm grateful you are letting our group stay here as we investigate on your behalf." I said she nodded her head. "Of course, you guys are people who we need here. After all that has been happening, I want the villagers to feel safer again." She answered. Lady Tomoya pointed at a door, "This is for the men, enjoy!" Emilio, Cedric, and Unmei all nodded and walked inside there rooms. "Ah, for you ladies, I was only able to get one room for two people." Lady Tomoya said, "Oh? But were three, aren't we?" Alwen started to count as I sighed. "I'm sorry she's kind of a bit slow these days." I replied as Lady Tomoya giggled. "I assumed you would want one by yourself since you are, of course, the Goro's daughter." Lady Tomoya said, "Well, don't let that be a reason for special treatment." Alwen said as Dawn kicked her on the knee, and she quenched in pain. "Actually, I wanted to ask if you can give that room to Dawn. It's that time of the month for her," Alwen smirked; Dawn was a bit aghast at my words, and before she can even say anything, Lady Tomoya concurred. She gestured Alwen and me to our room as Sushi followed. Dawn and Lady Tomoya walked over to the room Maia was supposed to stay in. "Dawn, this is where you'll stay. If you need anything, let me know." Lady Tomoya smiled. "Thank you." Dawn answered as she stepped inside the large room. "Of course, after all, your the Tzu's daughter." Lady Tomoya said before shutting the door with her eyes shining a slight red. Dawn's heart began to beat a bit fast, the room was placid, it was all organized. Dawn tried to take a deep breath, she closed her eyes and calmed herself down; she knew Lady Tomoya. "She's keeping my secret.." Dawn mumbled. She went over to the bed and fell on it. "This has been such an exhausting journey. Maybe, I see things." Dawn mumbled. "Oh, my baby." Dawn ignored that voice, "Now my thoughts are talking, oh great, just what I need!" She gets up from the bed. Her eyes widened as  a familiar face grinned at her."Hey Maia, did you really give that room to Dawn over me?" Alwen pouted as I sighed; Sushi almost looks like she rolled her eyes. "She's been acting strange lately, so I think she should be away from us, so she doesn't feel so annoyed." I replied, "Annoyed by who?" Alwen asked as Sushi, and I stared at her ironically. "Well? I'm waiting. I open my bag and saw that my box of cookies was missing. "Hey, Alwen, do you know where my cookies are?" I asked. "What? What is that? I don't know what you talking about.." Alwen said nervously. I sighed and pretended to look through my stuff again before I heard Alwen voice. Also, Maia, I kind of ate your cookies." Alwen said, "Alwen, those weren't mine. Those were Sushi's." I said. "I ATE DOG FOOD!" Alwen shouted as the breeze coming through the window felt welcoming, just like the skies.