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Shouyousei listened, she listened and remembered, burying this knowledge inside of her and letting the information flow like a story. Kalokin did not add illusions to the tale, as he had before, but even so she felt she could see the scenes playing out before her. Her fingers twitched, and not for the first time did she regret that her paints had been left to burn in her apartment.

Thievery, reverence, fear, and murder. Revolution. And what was revolution without war? To hear Bhalxash tell it, perhaps war was necessary, but for a vessel of Fear that was a dangerous and heady thing to indulge in. She had felt in Nikolak's soul a violence unrivaled by anything she knew... it was quenched by empathy and buried with joy, but even now she could feel it. Memories rose from Nikolak's soul unbidden, oceans of blood, bodies left mutilated in their wake... and an unashamed ecstasy for the work that they'd done. There was guilt and shame now, but at the time, Nikolak only remembered a feeling of... wholeness.

Shou whimpered when the story reached its crescendo. Into the castle, into the glass halls to claim victory. Then finally to the destruction of his own soul. Her ears splayed and she considered her response to this legend carefully.

"What I know of your history, of Fear, tells me that what she did was what was natural to her before. So I wouldn't say she'd been corrupted per say. But I would say that Rikh Ghanyr had been corrupted by the soul of one who is foreign to the Naga."

They had told their story, they had learned the damage of being something she had never meant to be. "I think giving her a vessel that had been a Naga was the reason they went so mad." She glanced at Nikolak. "She's a wolf, because He was a wolf once... But now she's a hybrid because I'm so. After so long trying to fit as a Naga? Only something in between would fit her."

Spreading her hands gently she looked up at her mate. "He had been changed by fear, many people are changed by it in such a way that they become inhuman. That Niko was involved is the only special circumstance... but some people lack even that. You'll never know if he did what he did because he hosted Niko or if he was unstable enough before, because it sounds to me like he was well on his way to madness. Being addicted to fear."

And yet Khaesho remained afraid. She could taste it on his soul, could hear it through his bones. "I knew from the moment I entered civilized territory that your souls are not like the Naga. You are right... many believe that Ghanyr would have fallen into madness regardless, but Fear's involvement certainly hastened that process. Your soul seems stable, and Nikolak... I've never seen her separate from Kalokin for this long without something going wrong. I'm not sure I even recognize her. She looks... proud. Confidant. Whole."

But that wasn't it. Khaesho was afraid for Shou's safety, but that wasn't foremost on his mind. In a moment of fleeting clarity, Nikolak saw and remembered. She remembered a different legend, one all too recent, too freshly carved into the desert sands. In the time it took her to understand, Kalokin casually reached into her mind and crushed the thought that followed, silencing her with a single action. Where only she could hear, he whispered, Sacet Nihm Vosh. This secret is not yours.

His soul was cold as she regarded it, and she relented, burying the thought as quickly as it had surfaced. Khaesho would tell Shou when he was ready... he'd earned that much.

This transpired in less than the time it took for Shou to blink; she didn't even notice their souls quiver from the exchange. She turned to regard Nikolak now though... Nikolak, who had been silent through it all; Shou needed to hear the legend, so she let Sasha tell it. She didn't correct the inaccuracies, didn't disclose the identity of the Diamondback, didn't explain his twisted reasoning... for such things were lost to history, and the best legends were always several steps removed from the truth. She nodded to Khaesho's compliment and allowed herself a smile. "Thank you, Khaesho... your eyes serve you well; I barely recognize myself."

Shou smiled a little, borrowing words from an old book and adapted them as needed. "You are exactly who you are. Sometimes people change, but you're still yourself." She certainly had changed, and her new manifestation surely reflected that, but... the goddess looked to her as she always had. Even when she'd been a part of Kalokin... there'd been a piece of her that had called to her, a piece that was frightened, lonely, and hurt. This, she now knew, was the innermost core of Nikolak's soul... her godspark, as she'd called it, and though it was polished and shining, she was still damaged. Only time, trust, and family could truly make her whole again.

As they approached the outskirts of Shou's hometown, Niko just -happened- to pick a course that went past a movie theatre. One of the boxes was playing some horror movie, a nightmare dredged from the darkness of the mind... and the bipedals inside were enjoying it. They loved the thrill of adrenaline, the sharp spike of fear, and in that passing moment, she pulled energy from them as a group, enough to sate her for a week. Each inside might feel exhausted afterwards, but in the way that a body always feels tired as adrenaline seeps out of it. This, more than anything else, convinced her that she and Shou were right. Bipedals could -enjoy- fear, and she belonged amongst them.

On her drive, she slipped just a little deeper into Shou's memories to find a grocery store where they could stock up on provisions. It was fast, easy, and hopefully populous enough that nobody would give a Chimaera a second glance. Before they even pulled into the parking lot, Sasha was bouncing in her seat. "Oooh ooh, I wanna come!" Bhalxash had been quiet for an uncharacteristically long time, marveling by staring out the window at all the strange sights she hadn't bothered to explore before. After taking a moment to cross her eyes in focus, she manifested legs, sprouted wings, and surfaced her body until she was a chipper looking canary ready to take on the world. The only noticeable problem was her clothing; she'd wrapped herself in flowing white linen that would have looked perfectly normal on a serpent, but looked rather silly on a bird.

Shou chuckled as she glanced at Bhalxash... Sasha... and tilted her head just a little bit at the sight of the Canary. Well, she made a very pretty bird. Her feathers lacked definition, but gained clarity before her eyes... perhaps she'd been silent to focus on this? Her outfit could use a bit of tweaking though, and Shou turned to face her with a small smile. "Close, but you'll need some contemporary clothing. Can you slip into my head like the others seem to? You might find inspiration for clothes..."

Sasha nodded easily, talking as she did. "Well, I can, but it won't be easy, and you probably won't like it. Niko and Kalokin are your patrons, they're already in your soul. Unless you like getting bent, it'd be better for Nikki to- ooh that's perfect!" Speech was such a wasteful method of communication; before she'd even finished the sentence, Nikolak had outlined a small wardrobe's worth of choices.

Nikolak nodded as they pulled into the grocery store parking lot as Bhalxash glanced through Shou's ideas for what would fit the flighty "canary." Many avians, even the females, went without any kind of torso clothing as the wings made it quite a bit trickier than most, a fact that wasn't a problem considering the lack of breasts. Still, she'd look better with something stylish.

Shouyousei's ideas came mostly from what she had seen in magazines, and in the few birds she'd met in the theatre. Loose skirts, brightly colored to match or contrast feathers seemed to look the best. She knew quite a few who favored jewelry as well. Specifically Shou envisioned her in a skirt a shade of purple, with matching trim to the color of her feathers. No shirt for her, but a black denim jacket inlaid with electric designs in a shade of purple that was shocking in its intensity. It was equal parts wild and classy, and she thought it fit the electric goddess well.

Bhalxash nodded eagerly. "That's right, dye and color is cheap here, so you get fancy with clothing! Alright..." She did take Shou's suggestions into consideration, but she wasn't fond of appearing as overtly feminine. She might have sided with a more feminine body, but there wasn't much that was ladylike about her. She went with a scandalous shock of a purple miniskirt that would have been indecent if not for the black leggings beneath. The sheer fabric was torn in places to let her bright yellow feathers act as an accent. Black and purple ink appeared on her wings in jagged thunder strikes, the kind of tattoo job that would have cost an exorbitant fee for the size, scope, and detail of it. She took the jacket as suggested, back cut low for her wings, and finished the ensemble with at least half a dozen thin, sparkly, jangly bracelets on each arm. "There! How do I look?"

Kalo grinned a little in his response. "Like someone would spill blood on the dance floor in order to be next on your card. I'll stay here and keep Khaesho company, you three enjoy some Girl time."

Shou smiled a little, and chuckled at the tomboyish appearance she ended up going with. Her eyes drinking in the feathered bird and nodding as she finished her outfit. "Perfect!" She turned towards Khaesho to press a passionate kiss to his lips. Her arms looping around his shoulders, and then her head resting against his for several moments. "Be back soon."

Clearly there was longing there. Longing for him to go with her... but that would cause an uproar the likes of which they weren't ready to face yet. He'd be fine here, long enough to buy some food... but she was worried for the look in his eyes. He kissed her back with equal passion, but he was far from calm. He gave her the best smile he could and nudged forwards. "Scamper on, foof... I'm not going anywhere."

Bhalxash and Nikolak were quick behind her. "Nikki" was eager to arrive at their destination, while "Sasha" was equally eager to explore and have fun. Each fell in to Shou's sides, a half step behind, letting her lead the way while Bhalxash babbled absentmindedly. "I don't think I've been anywhere new in eons! Man, it feels good to stretch and explore again, get a little distance from responsibility... might even see about finding a night club and a cool drink of water, if you catch my drift."

Shou was likewise eager to get home and settled in, but there would be a lot of work needed before they could relax fully. She wandered with the two and answered "Sasha" with a smile. "I'm sure you could find someone to your taste. There is a club or two in town if I remember right, nothing terribly fancy, but there all the same." She reached back to slide her hand into Nikolak's. She was amazed at her own feelings and the strange openness of them. While she didn't view everyone as a potential bed mate, Nikolak, Kalokin and of course her Khaesho fell firmly in the category of those she would take into her bed. It was... a novel experience to feel. Nikolak, ever-aware of her emotions, turned and shared a soft smile with her, but hers was a good bit more nervous... wait, was she blushing? Thoughts skipped between them rapidly before Shouyousei could give them voice. "Wait, Nikki, you... you're a virgin?"

The darker wolf blushed crimson beneath her fur, much to Sasha's delight. She chirped happily as she taunted. "Fresh and clean as they come! Never in a manifestation, and her inability to resonate meant she couldn't enjoy her vessels secondhand either. So you and Khaesho be sure and make her first time special!"

Nikolak blushed so fiercely that it was all she could do to keep walking, eyes downcast as she swallowed the lump in her throat. Shou administered a playful bonk to Sahsa's head and wrapped an arm around her aethereal counterpart, reassuring her as best she could. "Don't you worry... Tonight will be a grand night for sure."

Swallowing past her embarrassment, Nikki offered a suggestion to the yellow menace. "While I know you certainly love to party, I think... if Shou remembers correctly, you'd quite enjoy the off-road bike rally.

"Biking... wha-" She didn't get to finish the question, as Nikolak passed a few mental images of people sailing along forested bike trails at high speeds on two wheels; specifically, the group that paid to use the ski lifts to get up a mountain then used their bikes to ride down. "Downhill biking... Nikki, you're telling me that they risk life and limb just for the thrills? Oh I'll definitely go pay them a visit..." She fell silent as she began plotting, thinking of how she could mimic a bike as an extension of manifestation.

Shouyousei hummed a little as she grabbed a cart, clearly confused. She kept her voice low to keep others from growing too interested, but the question needed to be asked. "Biking? But I thought you all fed from... you know."

Nikolak raised an eyebrow and smiled. "We're not all shameless sluts like a certain coppertone... besides, we each have our tastes. Sahsa particularly enjoy... ecstasy, I think is the closest translation. Quite close to adrenaline, I believe... I suppose that's why I've always liked her the most."

Shou's expression cleared and she smiled brightly. "Ah! That makes sense. You'd probably love the Circus when it's in town then. Or some of the Cirque de Soliel shows too." She nodded a little bit as she walked beside the two, loading up groceries as they began a slow circuit of the store. Walking the isles, she was a little bit proud in a way that she hadn't been before... proud that her nation, her culture could yield such abundance and put it on display.

Bhalxash nodded absentmindedly, making a mental note to investigate a name that she immediately forgot as they stepped into the produce section. The abundance of color alone was astounding, and they marveled at it. Nikolak snagged a fresh pineapple and glanced at the price, then made a few calculations of currency exchange and wage rates to get an idea of how much the food actually cost, compared to labor needed to purchase it. "Shou... these prices, they're all accurate? They had to ship all of this fruit from the tropics, how can it cost so little?"

"Yeah, everything is accurate. I mean there is a small tax at the end, about 7% give or take, but it's around that price." She nodded a little bit and plucked up several different kinds of food to place in her basket. Then hesitated, and realized what her questions might be leading to. She bit her bottom lip, ears flicking thoughtfully.

"Mostly because we buy in bulk, but more than that - we've got trade agreements in place. These are from farms that once the needs in their own area are met, sell the abundant fruits so that it doesn't get wasted. The companies that buy and resell them here in the grocery store make enough overhead with it all that the cost of buying and having it shipped is minimal compared to the overall value of the sales. Plus, we can transport it with planes, ships and trucks... a single truck driver can move several tons of inventory across the nation"

"And I suppose... you can move items great distances with speed..." Bhalxash seemed almost... depressed? She gazed around the store as one might look upon past mistakes. "This could have been our legacy, our grand achievement..."

"Yes, we can. We've got boats and planes, trains, huge automobiles.... we can move things swiftly and with surprising ease. We've learn from past mistakes and don't cause nearly so much damage to the land, we've got the earth recovering from our predecessors mistakes." She offered softly, recognizing the gravity of their words and gazes.

"But... you know... new trade agreements come up every day. With new countries."

Nikolak smiled faintly; Shouyousei couldn't have phrased it better even if she'd been coached. Bhalxash turned to regard her, once again carrying an entire conversation in the space of an eye blink.

This is why you wanted me to stay, isn't it? You wanted me to see their world first hand... you knew you'd need help convincing the others.

Whatever do you mean? Nikolak's tone was playfully coy, but feigned ignorance only annoyed her sparky sibling.

_You're a horrible liar Nikki, leave that to Kalokin._A sigh, and then she returned to speaking aloud. "Your mind and heart are open, Shouyousei, but can you say the same of your people? Perhaps time has dulled your kind's hostility, but there was a time when the Naga were hated. Especially the venomous breeds, and any capable of-" She remembered quite suddenly that they were in public, and it would behoove her to keep her voice low. "Magic. They have always believed the Naga to be heathens who trade their souls to demons in return for black magic, and they cast us as dark lords who corrupt all that we touch. As the rest of the world grew more powerful, we chose isolation because we thought there could be no true peace."

Shouyousei shook her head in slightly. "Oh there would undoubtedly be trouble. Complaints and outcries. But people are curious, and there are those who have searched for the Naga to their own detriment. We have learned that war is not necessarily always the answer, and our society and culture are advancing. I know that breaking your isolation is a heavy decision to make, but-"

Bhalxash cut her off. "It would mean you and Khaesho would not need to live in secret. It could mean an end to our perpetual threat of famine. It could allow us to advance your medicine and understanding of the body in leaps and bounds." She sighed, deep in thought as they trolled through the aisles. "But it is not our decision to make. We hold council to the queen, and she is the one we must convince."

Nikki took careful note of the pronoun used in the last sentence. "we" must convince the queen... when given with a smile, it was a subtle hint that Bhalxash would support her endeavor.

Shou smiled easily... she'd noticed as well. "I was thinking that, if we could, Khaesho and I might go to the Desert at some point. I'd like to see where he's from, and the capital city of the Naga." Her expression softened some, her ears flicking. She led the way to the dairy section and got eggs, milk and cheeses. "It'd be fun I think, to meet other Naga as well... and I know he'd like to see his home again."

Nikolak paused for a moment as she surreptitiously added a second carton of eggs to the basket. She and Bhalxash shared a knowing look before she cautiously spoke. "I do think he'd want to do that, yes... but it isn't quite that simple. The desert has much history with him, going back might only dig up skeletons long since lost to the sand." Bhalxash glared at her, and the black wolf anxiously amended her words. "I... er, I shouldn't have said anything. Sacet Nihm Vosh, it isn't my secret. Just... he told you that he chose this, right? That he voluntarily chose exile? Going back means facing everything he ran away from."

Shou caught the look and flicked her ears a touch, suddenly curious... "Sometimes you have to face what you run from to find peace with everything. Even when you chose to leave it behind in the first place." She quipped gently, a knowing look given to Nikolak and an appraising one given to Bhalxash. She was no stranger to leaving skeletons in the closet.

Nikki nodded in agreement, but looked troubled all the same. "Ask him what he ran away from... and then decide if the price is worth the peace of mind."

Bhalxash bonked them both on the head, mild annoyance on her lips. "Enough you two! It's rude to talk about someone behind his back, yanno. If he hasn't told her yet, then you shouldn't have brought it up anyways!"

Shou yelped a little when she was bonked, and she gave Bhalxash a long, searching look. Her expression tightened a little around the eyes and her ears pinning back. "You say that as if I was not going to tell him every detail of the conversation we're having. So quick to judge."

The avian sighed a little and shook her head. "Just try to put it out of your mind. One step at a time. Food, safety, and then we need to take a full measure of you and Nikki's souls. I trust the both of you, but if something's quietly going wrong, we need to know sooner rather than later. You and Khaesho can talk about his ancient history after that." Her voice softened a little as she continued. "Just... remember what you know about him? You know who he is... and who he is hates who he's been."

She clicked her tongue and shrugged as they turned the cart towards the cashiers. "Oh ye of little faith. I accepted Niko as she is, have I not? Do you think me so easily swayed by the past? Hmph." The ballerina shook her head and rolled her eyes some as she snagged a rotisserie chicken for dinner. It was something she rarely had enough of, and she was eager for it. Especially as she didn't have to watch her weight so staunchly without a show to prepare for.

Nikolak waited a few quiet moments before replying in the only way she could. "He will remain afraid of your judgement just as you remained afraid of him abandoning you. The greatest fears are given by those you love." Nikolak's voice was solemnly quiet and it abruptly reminded Shou of how anxious she'd been in the near past. She bit her lip quietly, understanding more than she did before, but there was nothing to be gained by pursuing the topic.

Sasha tried to lighten the mood again in her usual method; by cracking jokes at others' expense. "I dunno, I've known you for what, half an hour? Kalo and Nikki haven't exactly been around to the desert lately, and Shelly... well, she isn't known for making good judgement calls about character. Body first, personality later, but I'm sure you figured that out by now."

A blue loop quietly curved its way around the inside of Shou's ear, long enough for Kalokin to give a few words. "I know there's a lot that we need, but do remember we're in a stolen vehicle? Just grab what's essential and get back out here, I'm not sure I'd be able to dissuade an authority if he took special interest in us."

She reached out to caress his soul with an ease that almost surprised her. That kind of magic, at least, felt as simple and natural to her as wagging her tail. Of course, Kalo, forgive me. While waiting in the checkout line she leaned against the cart and nodded towards the colorful canary. "Indeed, I'd noticed. She seems to have taken a liking to me though." Her words were dry, and she rolled her eyes a little again. Despite her apparent "irritation" she felt more amused than insulted or upset.

They kept chatter down while checking out; no need to discuss gods and heartache with the bored looking Doberman. He knew his work, and they were soon headed back out into the parking lot, her wallet lighter and her heart bursting to see her mate again. Though it had been maybe half an hour, she did so love the feel of his scales.

There was a thankfully distinct lack of sirens in the parkinglot, and Bhalxash went as far as loading the groceries onto the back seat stopping to give Shou a quick hug. It startled her even though it shouldn't have, but after a belated hesitation, she hugged back with a smile. "Was nice to meet you, Shou, but Ghoz will bite my tail off if I play hooky for much longer... that, or he'll tell his farmers how to dodge taxes, which is just as bad. Nikko, be sure to tell us when they pick a date, we'll see what we can pull together, and Kalokin..." She paused and gave a wry smile to the phantom. "When you make your play, you'll have my support." The impatient minx didn't even wait for a response, instead climbing into the car to step on a rather surprised Naga before dissipating once out of sight.