into the woods without any red hoods

[Shantotto]

Shantotto stepped through the gateway, arriving in an entirely different place, no tunnel, no sense of travel, just stepping through a doorway from one room to another. The temperature change was the only thing that made her feel like there was a change. The glare of the sun high in the sky casted short shadows from the trees in the distance upon the plains around the gate. A worn dirt path severed the tall grasses, splitting them like a canyon.

People trotting along the pathway with wagons and large animals was a sight that reminded Shantotto of Windhurst. Her little tarutaru heart yearned for home thinking of how little time she had spent back among the tarutaru of Windhurst. The feeling abated quickly as the short woman began waddling along the dirt path.

The wind was blowing at just a light breeze, still it was enough to blow the pigtails of her hair around, the distinct scent of the woods filled her little nose, she pulled the journal from her pocket as she waddled along making a small note here and there, she only glanced up once every few words and found herself drifting off the beaten path more than once, small drawings filled her book quickly as she quickly sketched every little animal or insect she came across. The plant life was very familiar to that of Vanadiel, and so was the wild life. Still in her short time in the Omniverse she had already seen mechanical constructs as well as overbearing clowns and even a little goth loli girl.

Still for one such as herself, her physical attributes were somewhat lacking, and something of such a long journey they were simply not adequate. She knew she needed something to get her from one location to another quickly. Something like the giant bird known universally as the chocobo.

The thinking seemed to take longer than Shantotto had realized as she looked up from the journal and slid it into the pocket once more after reducing the leather bound book in size. She was no longer in the plains and instead was now walking in the midst of the trees. The moist air smelt of moss and fungi, some of the capped mushrooms we're nearly as tall as she was.

The path she now walked upon was now less traveled, in fact it was one that looked rarely traveled. The pathway was full of moss and stone, the walking was getting tiring, Shantotto was not nearly as young as she used to be, even if her body was seemingly no older than that of a young adult tarutaru. Still her mind felt the fatigue, the day so far had proven to be one that had been full of surprises.

Grabbing the orb of omnilium Shantotto focused once more this time focusing her thoughts on a simple hammock, to hang between a pair of trees. Slowly the makeshift bed took shape. The woven linen fabric finished being constructed, resting in a heap on the moist dirt.

Shantotto picked up the thick fabric and rope, and made a quick knot, slipping it around the thick trunk of a sturdy oak tree. Waddling to the second tree she did the same thing, tightening the ropes to make the hammock go tight.

Looking up at the hammock Shantotto decided to climb the trunk of one of the trees. And using the rope to get into the hammock. It was not as comfortable as a best and nowhere near as comfortable as the bed she had in the name academy in Windhurst.

With the sun setting she could hear the sounds of predatory animals beginning their nighttime prowl. Such things were trivial for a mage of Shantotto’s caliber however there was no reason for her to waste even a sliver of her power to quell something she could just avoid out right.

[Shantotto]

Shantotto closed her eyes, listening to the hooting of owls, and the howls of wolves hunting. She had already heard the sounds of people passing by, along the pathway she herself had taken, though she wanted to avoid contact with people for the time being, the only people who would travel at night would be poachers, brigands and thieves. None of which she wanted to deal with this evening. She already had enough blood on her hands back home she didn't need to come here to spill even more.

With the moon rising slowly in the nighttime sky Shantotto closed her eyes finally. Even without her magic sleep came easy as if she was back home, that is that every hair stood on end despite the restful sleep she got.

The sound of leaves and twigs crunching underfoot jarred Shantotto awake as her brown eyes adjusted to the lack of light in the early hours of the morning.

“Wat oo we ave ere?” A scruffy voice spoke into the darkness, “ooks like a Sqeerrel” A second voice replied. Shantotto sighed with exasperation as she sat up in the hammock, the linen fabrix swaying under her as she turned to face the two men.

“Pardon me you fine fellows, but perhaps such language is best served manning the bellows?” Shantotto said with a small degree of irritation

[Shantotto]

“Da sqerrel has a tongue” One of the men said as he reached a meaty arm to grab at Shantotto’s robes. He was met by as swift strike at the write from her stardust rod. The resounding thud was audible for a distance, and judging from the howls the man gave off almost right away, his wrist had been reduced to a limp extremity made of jello.

“Da lil cunt broke me hand!” The man screamed as he fell backwards from the force of the blow, her magicly aided strike as the second man gripped a large knife in his hand. “Ow you done it lil squerrel!” he screamed as he held the knife up to threaten her.

Shantotto didn't even flinch as she focused on the first man once more. “You use such harsh language, with the intent to berate… perhaps I should inform you that I am a mage, first rate.” She told the man, a small smile formed on her otherwise childish face as she held her stardust rod out, and a violent gust of wind began to surround the pair of men. Around and around the winds blew gathering speed and force, chips of stone and branch struck the men with force. In a matter of seconds the men were thrown upwards by a small tornado formed from the gust.

Shantotto wasted no time as she was already channeling a maelstrom where the men were going to land. Almost as soon as they were back on the ground a loud snap was heard as the maelstrom flash froze, the men inside instantly hurt by the harsh nature of the storm.

Shantotto sat back up, she hadn't done enough to kill the men, she didn't want to be party to murder, but the damage done was surely enough to make them reconsider accosting her.

[Shantotto]

Shantotto slid her stardust rod back into the loop at her belt, the thin wood and silver embossed rod slid down and stopped at the large pearl like focus. The weapon currently powerless was still a part of her, the crowning achievement of a black mage, to create a weapon of great power. If nothing, the weapon was still good for smacking someone around. As The two would be villains had just found out.

The moon was still in the sky, but the sounds of the wildlife was less audible and almost silent. Leaving her hammock, Shantotto jumped down, a small grunt left her lips as she struck the ground, her knees bending at the impact. Without a though she looked for the pathway from where she had left, and shortly found it. Her desire to keep walking was lacking but now that she was awake there was little she could do to get back to sleep. The path winded through the trees, finally at daybreak she reached the end of the forest, a wide open field with ruins in the distance and what appeared to be a city built into a mountain, seven layers and white stone made the large scale city stand out from any other Shantotto had seen.

[Shantotto]

The bulwark of Camelot Minas Tirith sat ageless, before her. Shantotto drew out her journal and took a sit nearby a tree watching and sketching the massive city, It took hours for the over the top detailed image to take shape but time was never a worry for a mage such as herself. Even if her mind was nearing one hundred years her body remained a constant age for a young tarutaru. The spell work she used never needed to be refreshed, nor did she ever have to really worry about her mind going bad. it was in deed not a bad bit of spell work. Though despite her overwhelming power she was unable to create worlds like this. Her initial assessment of Omni was off, while she had the ability to destroy worlds, she lacked the ability to create them.

Concluding her sketch and her notes Shantotto stood up finally, already several hours had passed, the sun sitting high in the sky indicating close to mid day. There were caravans of wagons and other vehicles crossing the plains before the city. Beginning the long waddle towards the main gateway Shantotto couldn't help but watch as the multitudes of people and things seemed to pepper the landscape, small farms had been erected in the surrounding areas. All in all this large city was impressive.

The day kept going as Shantotto got closer and closer to the main gate. Soon she was staring up at the towering construct of wood and iron. Whispers from onlookers followed her every step of the way. as she stepped foot into the walled city of Minas Tirith

[Shantotto]

"Of course it would continue..... you boys are no brain just sinew." Shantotto said, agitation touching her childlike face as she was halted by the guards at the gate, the looks of scorn continued. after they had initially stopped her. "Halt, we are looking for a dangerous criminal matching your description." The guardsman who approached her was clad head to toe in armor, a sharp blade resting on his side.

"What are the chargers oh officer of law? Please enlighten me with what it is that you saw?" Shantotto replied as she put her hands to her hips and glared.

"We have reason to believe that you attacked and severely wounded two men traveling in the woods, they arrived this morning in need of medical care, and unless you wish to have additional charges filed." The guard said as he stooped down to restrain Shantotto's arms.

Her irritation only grew as she replied. "Now listen here you insufferable pup, if you want to catch the culprit find those two boys who act up." She said as her irritation slowly faded.

The guards eyes looked confused hidden partially by the visor of his helm.

[Jack Darby]

As he had started walking, Unicron was in charge at the moment. Of course this was because Rafael was asleep at the moment. The boy needed his rest in the opinion of the Chaos Bringer. Unicron approached, hearing about the potential arrest. Thinking it to be useful to get a powerful minion on his side, Unicron looked at the armor clad warriors for a moment. A look was shot at Shantotto to leave this to him.  "Excuse me, but she couldn't have done what you say. She was with me the entire time," said Unicron, in a way that hopefully would be convincing. "She was sleeping at the same place I call home, that I need to repair, and make my own fully." 

Hopefully the individuals would take his word for it, and accept his statement. If not, it was likely to come to a fight. A brouhaha was the absolute last thing anyone needed, because Unicron didn't want Rafael to wake up yet. The kid was too soft. However, it was the softness possessed by the boy that let Unicron take over this easily, so he supposed he ought not to complain about it. 

[Shantotto]

"Now listen here you walking steel wall, Do you choose to come after me because i'm small?" Shantotto said just as a young looking boy came up and spoke to the guard. Interestingly enough the boy was coming to her defense. "Good day I say" She said as she turned her focus towards the boy in a brown vest.

The guard looked at the pair in confusion as he watched Shantotto. "Sir the witness said that he was brutally attacked by a small girl with blond hair black nose, and hit with a rod, She meets all of the criteria of the suspect in question. and sir... lets be real here.... how many of...her kind have you seen?"

Shantotto looked on in awe of the way the guardsman was belittling her, not only was he talking down to her, but he was clearly racially biased.

"Well to you sir I just have to say If you mean to use my race as a means to hinder, you can guarantee I shall incinerate you to a cinder." She said as she placed her hands on her hip once more.

THe guard was aroused by those words as he grew two of his comrades close.
"Is that a threat?" He said as he eyed the pair.

[Jack Darby]

"I am sorry about my companion. She has anger issues,  we will be on our way now,"  stated Unicron, attempting to grab Shantotto by the arm and if successful he would drag her off, or start to do so anyway. The guards they were dealing with were clearly bigots, and Unicron wanted to get away from them before they noticed that he was inside of Rafael, and was currently using him as a puppet. Unicron hated that he was playing the role of the hero. Actually, he loathed the fact he had to do so, but he could ill afford not to, at present. This girl needed saved, and he wasn't going to hear the end of it from Rafael if he didn't save the girl's life. Unicron wished he had Scourge or Starscream, or Megatron or all three at his disposal. Well not Megatron, Galvatron. The three of them could have easily taken these guards, and then murdered the rest of the guard's unit, but he did not have any of the Cybertronians at his disposal....yet.

[Shantotto]

Shantotto was easily lifted up by the teenager in brown vest. "Unhand me you oaf, I am quite able to stand. Perhaps you should learn when to not lay a hand." Shantotto said with irritation as she brushed the dust off her robes, The black and gold looked like new when she had finished, the bright gold threads woven into the robe were originally a way to amplify her magic, the robes crafted by mages of old. Now in the omniverse was little more than gold.

"My name is Shantotto, thats Doctor Shantotto to you, If you had not interrupted me I might have had a breakthrough, Those kids of today are so very rude, how do they expect to get anywhere with such an attitude." She said as she turned around and looked back at Minas Tirith, She half expected the guards to start gathering a posse to come after the pair. She wondered if she was able to summon a meteor to completely end the city carefully debating it she decided to focus her energies elsewhere.

"So tell me young boy do not keep me waiting, What is the name parents gave you when they finished mating." she asked as she once more looked at the boy, There almost seemed like a coldness in his eyes as she watched him.

[Jack Darby]

"The name of the body of the child you are talking to is Rafael Esquivel, but he will not remember our conversation. I am Unicron." said Unicron as he examined her. The robes reminded him of someone who loved to study knowledge. Perhaps she might make a good herald, given the proper incentive, once enough of his own power had returned for him to give her a power boost. "Had I my true power, the guards at that area and all of their brethren would be smoldering heaps on the ground for the way they treated us. Now, I have done you a favor. One you shall repay in kind, Shantotto. Since I saved you, you are going to help me harvest enough Omnilium to turn the place I am staying into a fitting evil lair for myself." stated the Chaos Bringer.

[Shantotto]

"Ohohohoho" Shantotto laughed at his remarks. "You've not got the garb of a jester but you do have the wit of one, I could laugh for hours and still not be done." She commented as she looked on at the boy once more, "hmmm posasession? no that would be too simple, this creature is imbedded much like a pimple." She said as she studied his face, Unicron looked on at her disbelieving, the fact the small creature was mocking him to his face...well Rafael's face. He was the Chaos bringer, one who ended sentient life on a whime, he had just given this lesser creature the option, no... not option. The right to serve him and she had outright mocked him.

His fist clenched tightly as he watched the short Tarutaru walk back and forth.

"You mistake me lad I do appreciate the kindness you've shown, But this is an introduction, and once you've just blown." She said as she pointed her finger tip on her right hand at him. "Now listen here, I will make this quick, two choices I shall present you, but only one you can pick."

"If you will follow me, I can teach you the error of your ways, perhaps you'll get stronger in a number of days." she stopped and chuckled once more "Ohohohoh" she looked on at him with her bright brown eyes "Or I can provide you with aid, in a battle to come when the fight is not close and you know you've not won."

She waited for a brief moment. waiting for his reply, never mind the fact all she had done was redirected his attempt to recruiter her, right back at him.

[Jack Darby]

It was at that moment, that something the Chaos Bringer had hoped would not happen occurred. To be exact, someone had woken up. To be more precise, Rafael had woken up, and taken charge. 

"Excuse me, but who are you?"  asked Rafael, not knowing who she was, because Unicron and him didn't fully share memories.  "And why does my arm feel sore?" questioned Rafael, as he looked at his arm. It was the one he had used to tug her out of that situation. Rafael was curious about a lot of things, including how his arm was sore. What exactly had Unicron been using his body for?

[Shantotto]

Shantotto paused, realizing her offers had also gone unanswered. "Curious" she said as she put her hand to her chin and studied Rafael.

She ignored his words initially, walking around and around oblivious to the world around her as she thought. " Hmm, I assume that you are the host? this puts me in such a curious post." she said as she summoned forth her journal and began to scribble down in her strange ciphers, each small artistic scribble written in such a way that only Shantotto could decipher it.

Rafael was confused, "Umm? Can you please tell me what is going on?" He asked once more. His face still clearly wondering what was going on.

"Good day I say." Shantotto said to him once more, this time addressing what she perceived as the host. "It appears that you have a parasite inside, but when confronted it chose to hide" She said as she looked at the boy's scrawny arm. "Shall I present it in a way you may understand? Why it is that you have pain in your hand." She said.

"It all began just a few hours ago, I struck a would be bandit with a mighty blow." She said as she once again laughed " Ohohohoho This would be robber soon found that against my might he was but a toothless hound." She said as she recalled the situation in vivid detail nearly as if watching it unfold before her again.

"This insolent pup ran with tail between legs, come to think of it I should have just bashed his eggs...." She said with a small grin that relayed the not quite so hidden meaning of the words. "He ran to those guards with the intent to turn the tale against me, But thanks to you I am now free." She said as she bowed her head slightly.

[Jack Darby]

"So let me get this straight,"  stated Rafael, trying to make heads or tails of the rhyming sequence of her words. "A bandit decided he wanted to rob you, you hit him, he tried to get you arrested, and Unicron saved you?" There was one good thing Rafael could think about Unicron at least. Unicron had done something that would have been useful for the both of them. Perhaps this individual knew more about the Omniverse than either of them did, and Rafael would welcome any and all help he could get in figuring this strange new world out. Rafael knew he was going to at some point have to repay the Chaos Bringer, but how could he do so? Perhaps if he were to get himself stronger, that would be sufficient payment. After all, they shared a body at present, though he wished they didn't. So if he got stronger, perhaps Unicron would be able to get more powerful as well, and handle the parts of the activities in the Omniverse Rafael detested. The fighting, to be exact. "My name is Rafael, and you are?" 

Rafael was curious about her. Unicron contacted him telepathically. 

You owe me kid.

I know. I'll pay you back soon, Unicron. I promise. 

Rafael then looked her over for a moment.  "How much do you know about this place?" 

[Shantotto]

Shantotto Looked up at the boy and shrugged. "It would seem of the situation you get the gist, though the amount of data would be comparing rain to a mist." She said as she debated to elaborate on his short handed recap of what she had said. "As for what I know of this place is still quite vague, but based on the denizens of this place it deserves bad plague." She said with just a hint of spite in her words. "If I so wanted i could rain fire and hell, reducing this rude city to nought but a shell." she said as she yawned. "Once again I shall introduce my self, Doctor Shantotto is what you may call me... Remember it well for I shant tell you times three." She held her hand out and shook it at Rafael.

"Never let it be said I'm a taru of low birth, For you young Rafael show some true worth." She said conseeding a compliment to him, For someone as young as he, he was showing very good manners at least this personality.

If you refer to this single place I am not much of use , but If talking of the Omniverse as a whole My knowlege is quite vast and with it I shall be loose." she turned towards the trees from whense she had come. "Come along pup, there is no need to wait, let us leave this useless city poluted by hate.

a strong wind blew and fluttered her hair and her robes as she walked, her leather and cloth boots kicked up dust as she walked, leading Rafael along the same pathshe had traveled it took a but a half hour for them to reach the tree line.

"What is it that you wish to know? If I can answer it I shall and on a journey of knowlege away will you go." She said with a laugh
"ohohohoho"

[Jack Darby]

At that moment, Rafael was not sure what to make of Doctor Shantotto. The robes were clothes that he had never seen before. The staff looked like a sort of weapon, a weapon from a video game. While he couldn't put his finger on the particular game, or what occupation in said game would possess a staff like that, he knew it was familiar. "For starters, what is your opinion on the individual known as Omni? Unicron, the 'parasite' as you call him, wishes to disembowel Omni for kidnapping him, and ripping the bulk of his power from him. Where do you stand? Are you for sparing Omni for what he has done, or for dealing with him somehow?" asked Rafael, to her.  "Secondly, why can I not remember how to program, or even operate a smart phone or tablet all that well in this place? What prevents me from being good with machinery? Fourth, what is the area we are in called? Fifth, is there anywhere you have that you call home here in this particular place?" 

Rafael was beginning a barrage of questions. Rafael was of course very curious.  "#6. What are your robes for? Why do you wear them? What's the staff for, Doctor Shantotto? #7. Do you mind helping me get stronger so the parasite Unicron will stop complaining about me being too weak?" 

[Shantotto]

"I can see that you enjoy to shoot of questions like a flurry, But I shall take time to answer each one do not worry." Shantotto said as she rested her back against the trunk of a thick oak tree. "The one called Omni is one i cant pass judgement on, for his mage craft is shoddy but his power over creation is no con." She said quietly "While it is true here our powers are quite a bit less, I find not having to worry about that is less stress." she yawned again. "So when the times comes for me to go home, I do not care if he is living or bone. Do what you want if it pleases you so, But remember young Rafael, which way the winds of vengeance do blow." she laughed once more as she considered the meaningless babble taking place. "As for your second question, I'll answer that now, When we were transported we lost our know how." She replied curtly, watching the sky as the sun showed mid day. "Your lack of knowing where are are in the place, is a situation I share much to my disgrace. Though while I know not where we are, I have notes to compare, Follow this path once more and we can find out again without error."

She started walking along the pathway once more ushering Rafael along with her.

"As for a place that I can call home or a place to rest my head, When I grow bored of this place I will just make a portal home and back to my bed. Leaving this place should not be that hard, Worst case scenario I leave it all charred." She said once more laguhing afterwards "Ohohohohoh"

The pathway before them came to a fork, a larger thick pathway leading in both directions left and right.

As for my rod, and the robes making up my attire, They are for channeling magicks of the like of ice and fire." she looked back towards the scrawny boy. "The journey to gain power is riddled with death and despair, Tread it carefully young boy and do so with care. If you truly wish to find the power you seek, you must take charge of situations and not be so meek. This orb of omnilium you hold inside your hand, Is the key to unlocking everything you have planned, But use it wisely for it is not common, and abusing it will lead to being hunted by lawmen. If it is a teacher that you wish to have show you the way. Perhaps we will stay in this forest for at least another day." She said as she drew out her stardust rod and pointed it at a cluster of trees. She focused for a few seconds and a tornado grew between the tree's ripping them out by the root. right afterwards a torrent of water erupted from thin air and blasted the uprooted trees out of the way leaving an area for training.

[Jack Darby]

The rhymes were beginning to grate on his nerves, a thought that Unicron also shared with him. The rhymes were something they didn't want to continue dealing with, but would have to for the time being. Perhaps with her lessons, the two of them could get strong enough to the point where they could eventually separate from one another permanently. This was the hope of Rafael. Well one of the hopes. Part of him wanted the Matrix of Leadership so he could use it to excise Unicron from his body in the same way Unicron had been made dormant. For now however he followed the path that she took. She did not appear to care whether Omni lived or died. So her robes had special properties that made her ability to manipulate ice, and fire, like a character from a video game. There was something good to know. 

As she cleared the area, Unicron watched appreciatively. Such power was in her hands, and yet he was jealous. For he wished he possessed power like that at present. Finally, Rafael spoke. "Yes. Please teach me." 

[Shantotto]

Shantotto pulled her orb of Omnillium out and showed it to Rafael, "This orb heeds your commands, so take it out and make it focus on your demands" she said cryptically "It can do anything and everything"
Focus on something you wish to create, Even if it takes time i am sure you'll do great." She said as she waddled towards the clearing opting to not spend any more time making the place more flat, the divots in the ground would serve her lessons well.