[RL with 9]

[devil_forge]

It was not long before Hector, with Crystal Rod, appeared in the library in 9's world. It looked like no human had been there for some time now, and there was an eerie feeling in the air. The Devil Forgemaster knew that feeling all to well. It was death, but it did not surprise him, since 9 did say that plants and animals no longer lived on this world.

Hector glanced around, wondering where 9 was. The little devil with him started hoovering around, making curious noises as it inspected the various books laying around.

Comments

[devil-forge.livejournal.com]

Hector gave 9 a reassuring smile. "They usually do not come up to humans. In fact they run from them. I was born with a special power that attracts animals to me."

[9th-stitch.livejournal.com]

"... really? Why?"

[devil-forge.livejournal.com]

Hector shrugged. "Tis how I was born. All I know is that it allows me to forge devils."

[9th-stitch.livejournal.com]

"... so-- so you're the only one who can do that?"

[devil-forge.livejournal.com]

Hector thought for a minute, looking down at the rabbit. "I am now," he finally said. "There was one other Devil Forgemaster, but he is gone for good."

[9th-stitch.livejournal.com]

"... oh..." 9 watched him for a moment, unsure of how to react.

[devil-forge.livejournal.com]

Hector moved his hand away from the rabbit and watched it bounce away. He stood back up and started walking again. "There are more animals at the home I share with Julia if you want to see. They are more tame and used to contact."

[9th-stitch.livejournal.com]

"-- that would be great!" 9 said, a little excitedly, before he caught himself. "Ah-- who's Julia?"

[devil-forge.livejournal.com]

"Julia is a woman that I live with." Hector explained as he walked along. "She went down to the village for supplies today, so I am afraid I will not get to introduce you two."

[9th-stitch.livejournal.com]

"Oh..." He'd never seen a human woman before-- but then his mind jumped back to something. "I-I'm sorry about what 7 did."

[devil-forge.livejournal.com]

"Tis fine," Hector said as he walked under one of the arches that was built over the path. "She has an understandable reason to mistrust humans."

[9th-stitch.livejournal.com]

9 hesitated before nodding. "She awoke when the war was still raging... she was there when one of our friends was damaged in the crossfire. He lost his eye. After seeing that..."

He fell silent. Really, he honestly couldn't blame her, but... all humans weren't the same. Just as he'd learned through the community that not even all machines were the same.

[devil-forge.livejournal.com]

"I see," Hector said softly. "That is indeed unfortunate that she and your friend had to experience that."

They came up to a cabin that was nestled between two cliffs. Hector came up to the door and opened it. Inside the main room were several shelves filled with books and artifacts.

[9th-stitch.livejournal.com]

9 just nodded. The entire ordeal had been... unfortunate.

When they entered the cabin, he stared around, marveling at how neat things could be when they weren't in ruins.

"3 and 4 would love it here," he mused, smiling just a little.

[devil-forge.livejournal.com]

"Are they more like you and 7?" Hector asked as he came up to the counter that went across the room. Julia used the main room as a shop for those who wished to buy potions and other remedies. On the said counter was a cat, curled up and sleeping.

At the top of one of the book cases was a large gold colored bird. What was odd about the bird though was there were a few crystals coming out of its head, forming a crest. No doubt another devil the Hector has forged.

[9th-stitch.livejournal.com]

9 nodded, taking in the room and its creatures-- how strange they were!

"3 and 4 are like us-- other pieces of the same soul," he explained. "Actually, they're twins. They love books."

[devil-forge.livejournal.com]

"They are scholars then?" Hector asked as he lightly set 9 down on the counter. The devil, Crystal Rod went through the door way into another room. Probably to see where the other innocent devils, that were not sealed away, were.

haaa there is actually an icon of 3 that says "scholar" on it /nerd

[9th-stitch.livejournal.com]

"Scholars? Ah-- something like that." As much as he'd enjoyed the ride, 9 definitely seemed happy to be back on solid ground.

"... what's that?" He asked, indicating the strange bird.

XD That is awesome.

[devil-forge.livejournal.com]

"Hm?" Hector looked up and saw the bird on the bird perched on the book case. "He is another devil I have forged, designed to look like a bird." He raised his arm up and the bird, as if on que, flew down and perched on Hector's forearm. Now that the bird was up close, you can see that it was larger then an eagle.

it took a special effort not to call her helmet the skullmet

[9th-stitch.livejournal.com]

"A bird?" 9 echoed-- birds... he may've seen pictures of them in the past. It did seem familiar-- and then he realized what its beak reminded him of.

"... like 7's mask. That's what it looks like-- there was a mask o-or a helmet 7 used to wear all the time."

[devil-forge.livejournal.com]

"A helmet?" Hector asked as he lowered his arm so that 9 could get a closer look at the bird. "Perhaps it was made from a skull..." It would make sense if everything on 9's world was dead.

[9th-stitch.livejournal.com]

"... that was it," he said, inclining his head slightly. "A-a skull." It had been some time since she'd worn it, though... since the final battle with the fabrication machine. 9 had wondered if it had been lost then.

He watched the "bird," fascinated. "So this is what they look like alive..."

[devil-forge.livejournal.com]

Hector nodded. "There are all kinds of birds of many shapes and sizes. This devil, though not a real bird, looks like some species of birds."

The cat at the end of the counter woke up and stretched. It looked over at 9 showing some mild interest before jumping off the counter and wondering off to somewhere else.

[9th-stitch.livejournal.com]

"... and-- that. What was that?" He asked, glancing to where the cat had been.

[devil-forge.livejournal.com]

"Hm?" Hector looked up and noticed the cat walking away. "T'was a cat. Fortunately he is a lazy hunter so you should not have to worry about him stalking you."