Dark Cheshire walked out into an opening of Hauntwood Marsh; however, it would be hard to see him at this point. Most simply because of the thick black darkness that came because of night. Cheshire only revealed himself in the night, for during the day, it was too bright for his own tastes. He wasn't a creature that couldn't withstand light, like a vampire, he just disliked it greatly. Light was so symbolic of good things in the world; hope, dreams, and happiness. Darkness was likewise symbolic of evil things, hate, anger, and apathy, which imbedded themselve deep within the confines of Lenny's blackened soul.

He would be there because it was dark and it was a place he enjoyed being in and it was a place that he could start mischief. He had never been to Hauntwood, but he had been to Gloomwood and they were similar in many ways. Both were marshy and they were darker than any other place during night, which forced a grin onto Cheshire's face. Though, it remain unseen behind his mask which was solid black, except for two slits for eyeholes and a big white grin that stretched across the mask. It was a reflection of who he was, sadistic and always grinning evily at everything, whether it was funny or not. Through the eyeholes would shine two gleaming red eyes, signifying his evil, but only in the eyes of the narrow minded.

The wind picked up and even as it did, his cloak would not swish in the wind when any person looked upon it. Creating such an illusion was simple and effective in creating intimidation that filled the dark air, and it tricked ven the brightest minds, which made the grin even more prevalent from behind the mask. He stood, in the darkness, in the cold wind, waiting for mischief. For mischief was afoot this night, not because Cheshire caused it, but because he WOULD cause it.

Tanner was unsure of his footing in this place, and due to his lack of experience in the area he found himself lost, as always, trying to follow stag trails, which in this part were harder to find then a smile in Balefire. A greenish mist rose half a foot from the ground, making it not only hard to track anything that would lead Tanner out, but also acting as a source of protection seeing as how nothing could track him either. Well, no human anyways, which was a small comfort, but a greatly needed one in this creepy place. He was extra wary here, being sure to move as silent as possible and listen to everything carefully, for it is hard to hide in such a dark green place with light blue and white clothing. What an awful place... How am I ever supposed to find a way ou-. His eyes widened as he came upon an opening in the forest, walking straight into another man's -At least that’s what he thought it was- view.

The thing was a regular size for a human male, but it's face seemed to be non-existent in his cloak, only showing a wide white grin that seemed much too large to be real, and bright red eyes, which was surely another trick to make the man appear more dangerous. No matter what he thought of the man from his appearance, tanner knew better than to play it too relaxed. Still eyeing the thing he adjusted his bow for easy access and stretched his fingers over his arrows, ready to nock them at any time.

"Greetings, stranger," Was all he managed to squeak out before realizing the strange feeling he got as soon as being near the man. It was a strange feeling, like thin strands of cotton being drug across his skin, and he rubbed it off, noting it as nonsensical. "What brings you to such a place that I have lost myself in..?"

The voice that came through the darkness almost startled Cheshire; although, it couldn’t have been seen due to the mask that covered his face. This person had been able to sneak up on him, mostly because he wasn’t paying any attention. His eyes had rested on a distant object for a moment, and he had ignored his physical surroundings. There was a slight pause as Cheshire forced himself to tear his eyes from the distant darkness to give a response. He was going to talk directly, but the effects of that were to straightforward and besides it would be more fun if the man played along like a person he knew from Richimon… Ethstar had talked to the cat as if it were a normal thing. Hopefully, this person would see things differently.

The cat would make a spectacular enterance through the darkness and sit on a long next to Cheshire. His entrance would consist of his head appearing, by itself and alone, then followed by the rest of his body. They simply appeared from thin air, as if the creature itself had teleported amongst the two of them. There was again as slight pause as Cheshire thought of the best response that he could make with his cat speaking for him.

The cat would be gray, and would have tattoos upon it, black over the gray. It would be bony, like it had not been fed ever and was slowly but surely starving to death. It’s personality would be sinister and dark and yet comforting in the darkness. His voice would project from his mouth and hit the ears of the newcomer, "This place is filled with darkness and mischief, my master and me both enjoy the two so well. You say that you are lost… perhaps I may help you?” The cat’s voice was deep and cunning, slowly drawing out each word, as if he were speaking in a riddle; pulling the last letter of some words to add emphasis. It was as if the cat had known how to speak from the day that it arrived on the earth.

“What is it? Cat got your tongue?” The cat tested as both he and his ‘master’ waited for a response.

Tanner flinched as the cat appeared, and in an act of reflex gripped the back of a shaft of a bow and pulled it inched from the quiver before realizing it was just a cat and dropping it back. The sneaky animal looked as though it were dieing, perhaps the man had saved it from the place. As soon as words seeped from the feline's mouth Tanner had an arrow knocked and was aiming directly at the cat who continued talking. This cat was not ordinary. It was covered in intricate tattoos and it was talking, Tanner could only assume it being demonic or an umbra of sorts, but what umbra could talk?

"What made that cat talk? What evil is this?!" Tanner yelled as he drew in the arrow a bit more, causing the bow to creak and his arms to shiver from the struggle. He realized now what that feeling was, he recognized it as evil. "T-Tell me, Demon. Are you female?" He stuttered, but merely from the fact that holding the arrow this long was straining, especially while keeping it aimed at the feline and switching it from the mans head, back and forth.

Cheshire was grinning and almost snickering from behind the mask; this human was almost afraid of him. This was turning out much better that when he had done this same theatric with Ethstar; this man was falling for this trick very easily. However, there was no doubt at this point that this man was one that was ‘good aligned.’ He seemed unfamiliar with evil and therefore had a reason to be afraid of it; the red eyes that glowed brightly from behind the mask dimmed a little. This signified nothing in particular, just that Cheshire was enjoying this more than anything ever before.

The cat would talk once again, this time, more sincere, hoping to calm the man down, “There is no need to be afraid my friend, my master and I will do you no harm. As to what evil is this…” the cat smiled friendly and closed its eyes before adding, “…I have no idea.” The cat would pause, and the man would finally speak, letting the cat share the spotlight for the moment. The man’s voice was deep and certainly not female, so therefore that would address the man that he was, in fact, not female, “I am no demon… and I am no female… And what shall I address you as?”

The cat now spoke again, finishing up the dual personality talking, “You do have a name, or perhaps an alias; they are becoming more and more common as of late…” In this man’s eyes, the cat was actually speaking and making sounds, in the real world, however, the cat was sitting there, happily washing it’s paws. This was all an illusion, but the newcomer couldn’t tell the difference, for this illusion was perfect…

Unknown to Cheshire Kazuma had been hiding in the close area for quite some time now. As Cheshire's body language was pointing to the obvious conclusion that he was having some fun with the man, Kazuma decided to end the fun... however possible... by screwing things up as usual. And besides Kazuma wanted to learn more about this hooded figure. So kazuma backtracks a bit and winds up on the road a good distance away from the group so as not to attract much attention. As he is walking kazuma realises that it would have been more fun if he had stayed and watched, but as he was already going into sight he couldn't very well stop now. So Kazuma decides to stick with his plan and ruin everything else.

"Ho there travelers" "I come seeking knowledge of your conversation"

Tanner sighed loudly as yet another figure appeared from the edge of the clearing, and quickly glanced at the new arrival and decided to continue aiming it at the man with the cat. Still feeling a bit angry at the fact that there was a dark magic being used on this cat, he glanced at the new arrival and in a growling tone said, "Whatever your name is, if you want to seek knowledge of our conversation hit a library, I don’t want to have to worry about shooting at the both of you.” and with that he turned his attention to the man with the smiling mask and pulled his bow back further. "As for you, whatever trickery this is, stop it, because at this point I can shoot an arrow with enough strength to go through both your heads, and you can't move quick enough to dodge an arrow." He said confidently and he focused on his void to keep his straining arm steady. If this man was going to attack him he had better do it quick before his arm gives out.

Cheshire was surprised by the man on the ground’s sudden aggressiveness. However, he would continue with his ‘trickery’ because as a matter of fact, he knew that his reflexes were fast enough to dodge the arrow. Besides, if the man had shot an arrow at him, there would be no point. The arrow would simply fly through him and land on the ground or in a tree behind him. Cheshire was truly somewhere else and casting this illusion that he was standing in front of the man. Cheshire smirked from behind the mask.

As for this newcomer, newer than the man lying on the ground, Cheshire seemed to ignore him and he would agree with the bowman. If he wanted conversation and knowledge, then he should go elsewhere and not ruin Cheshire’s fun. The cat spoke again, “If you think you can shoot at me and harm me, then fire an arrow. Prove to me and to yourself that you can. I must warn you however, that your life will be in severe danger afterwards.”

He awaited a response.

((OOC: I apologize for the shortness in length, I’ve been busy… and still am))