out of the woods

a closed mouth gathers no foot.

[tramp-the-rebel]

Tramp grinned. “I’m glad to hear it. You know I wouldn’t be able to stand it if something happened to you.” The two had been close for centuries. That wasn’t something he could let go of. Mouth truly did mean a lot to him. She felt like a little sister to him and he swore to himself a long time ago that he would protect the girl at all costs, even if she didn’t want him to.

"If you were careful, you wouldn’t have gotten caught," he smirked. Tramp laughed as she sat down next to him. It did always seem like Mouth was running into a bit of trouble, but he was that way as well. Most of the rebels were too. Trouble just seemed unavoidable in Neverland. ”I’ve noticed. But we all are, I suppose,” he shrugged. “It does make for a more interesting time although.”

[wheremouthis]

Mouth smiled up at the boy. She knew he meant it, too. "And the same to you," she said before nudging him playfully. Tramp would always be family and she would never let a thing happen to her family. He was quite stubborn, though, something she would chastise him for constantly. "Exactly! If we didn't have so much trouble, we wouldn't have as good of stories to tell the rest of the rebels," she said with a genuine smile. "Think about it," she said, beginning her massive tale. "Tink and her white horse and the tale of pirates--It'll be a grand story, don't you think?" She exclaimed with such joy. It'll only be a short while until the fighting was over and everything would return to normal. She just knew it would.

[hrlequins]

Smee remained silent, sizing her up, his eyes like that of something animal — and hungry. Such a kind and gentle girl should not be here before him, though. People like were not made to withstand this sort of place and it impressed him, to some extent, that she still stood. The island, it broke people, and they never did manage to put themselves back together. After a long moment, Smee spoke again, a false smile breaking out with ease across his face. It was one of the few things he was good at, painting himself like someone with life inside of them. “Perhaps it’s just me, then.”

His voice was hoarse, as though it hadn’t been used in a while, when really the boy just suspected that he was decaying. Rotting. Like an old, forgotten tree. He swallowed, fidgeted routinely with his hands, something he could not avoid, and shrugged his shoulders. “Fine, I’ve been just fine.” He drawled in a fashion that was almost musical, voice animating itself, lifting up and down despite the monotone beneath it. His whole life was one long, long line of monotone. “So why the truce? Isn’t it boring? Just sitting around and waiting to go back to killing?”

[wheremouthis]

The longer Mouth stared at Smee, the sadder she felt. Her body became colder and she wasn't sure why. Perhaps it was just the longer she stood int he snow. Maybe she didn't have the ability to withstand it like she used to. Afterall, the years or months or whatever they were grew longer and longer as Mouth grew older and more tired.

"You just need a little more color," she said blissfully pulling out the paint she used to decorate the pine cones. She put a little on her finger and then her cheeks before offering the same to him. Mouth leaned herself against a building as she thought about the truce and the battle. "Of course not," she said. "It's a nice break and I am happy for it." She really was. She couldn't bare go on anymore without some breathing room. With her injured arm and being captured, she'd been through a lot already. "Plus, I get to make everyone gifts. What's better than that?"

[the-one-who-loves-the-night-dea]

Nyx was sneaky because she was used to being a part of the night. She had always admired the night. So when it came to fighting in the dark, she was in her element. “I definitely will. We will do it during the nighttime, so I suggest sleeping in when we plan on it.” Even if there was no place to go back to, Nyx would help this girl learn survival tricks. Mouth needed them.

Running down the halls and then down the stares, it was a complete mess. The bodies were littering the entire place. Nyx didn’t realize how many people had been fighting earlier. “Yes, I am sure that he will.” Nyx gave Mouth a smile when she healed her a bit. “Thank you very much, Mouth.”

[wheremouthis]

Mouth nodded at Nyx's words. She needed to learn to be sneaky, she really did. Fumbling and stumbling wasn't going to get her anywhere during the revolution. Or after, if there would be an after for her. "Thank you, Nyx," she said, giving the girl a genuine smile. As they ran down the stairs, bodies sprawled across the floors, Mouth pulled Nyx into a corner to finish bandaging her up. Watching Tramp do the same for her helped her learn all his tricks. "You're welcome. Now let's get out of here!"

[tramp-the-rebel]

Tramp turned to see Mouth handing him a makeshift present. He took it with a smile and looked back up at her. It was pleasant knowing that at least one of the rebels had even a shred of innocence that remained intact. It was a rare thing to find. “Thank you, Mouth,” he grinned. “Merry Christmas to you as well.”

The rebel sat back in his chair and looked Mouth over to make sure she wasn’t too injured. “I heard you were captured by some pirates. Didn’t I tell you to be careful?” he remarked. “Are you alright?”

[wheremouthis]

She plopped down next to her friend and beamed in his direction at his reaction to the present. Much better than that of the bartenders. "I'm fine thanks to you and Nyx," she said, remembering her escape from the pirates and her injured arm. It still hurt a little, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. "I was careful!" she exclaimed. She hated being babied, even though sometimes she did need it. Tramp was always the one looking out for her. The impetuous little girl just didn't know when to say no. "It's not like these things happen to me on purpose," she plopped herself down next to Tramp. "Sometimes I think I'm just prone to trouble."

[hrlequins]

Mouth came into view, a pretty little blonde thing that couldn’t keep her words to herself. His eyes ran over her, bored in his expression. He hadn’t seen her in a long, long time. The years had passed like seconds, but he could feel the time in between — it was real, all those centuries in between that he suffered through, and those years he spent beneath the ground within their hideout. He knew suffering, it was clear in the emptiness of his eyes as he stared the girl down.

"Hello Mouth," He replied, his voice dripping like slime from his pale lips. "I didn’t recognise you either." He strolled toward her, circling her slowly before coming to a stop in front of her. His gaze fell down to the pine cone in her hand, eyeing it before she handed it to him. He tossed it up in the air before catching it in one hand. "Merry Christmas to you too."

[wheremouthis]

She looked Smee in the eyes. They were darker. More sunken in. She wondered if that was the war's doing or the time that he spent as a wanderer. Mouth often had flashbacks of her time as a wanderer. She was always with her guard up, always weary of strangers, of passing danger. It made her think of how grateful she was for Tink and her makeshift family. They mean the world to her, and ever since she found them she had been happier than ever before. Mouth followed his movements. He was making her strangely uneasy, but she knew she could react if need be. She just rally hoped she wouldn't have to. "Do I?" she said, tilting her head to the side. "I think I look pretty much the same." She gazed down, adjusting her rags slightly. Her big doe eyes met his again. "How have you been?"

[hrlequins]

Snow fell in a flurry around him, dancing through the air in a way that some thought to be magical, but he saw it as it was. Weather. Freezing , a killer of its own. As he strolled through the port town, it was wonderfully empty of civilians, all cooped up in their homes or taverns for the night, drinking and laughing in the surprise Christmas truce. It was boring, much too boring, and he found himself wandering around looking for something, anything to do. A figure up ahead made him stop though, a single, lone silhouette, almost beckoning to him. He moved forward.

[wheremouthis]

Mouth admired the snow. While she wasn't a huge fan of the cold, she liked watching the little flurries fall around her. She stood at the sea ahead, a beautiful icy thing.  She had finished all of her gifts and was now looking for someone to give them to. While most seemed happy with her gift, there were others that simply shrugged it off. While a rude gesture, she tried to ignore it. She gazed out into the sea before hearing the crunching of footsteps in the snow. She whipped her head around--a force of habit. "Oh hello, Smee," Mouth said wistfully, still toying with the pine cone in her hand. It had been a while since she had seen him. When the Rebels took him captive, she would often visit him with extra pieces of bread. Just to make sure he was alive. But that was a long, long time ago. "I almost didn't recognize you." She held out the pine cone she had decorated for him. "Merry Christmas."

[wheremouthis]

Mouth was so grateful for this truce. She sat cross-legged on a bench by the port, a giant dirty sack next to her. From far away it may have appeared as a body of some sort, but looking closer it was obviously a bag pull of pine cones. A truce. The girl decorated each pine cone with a different design. She used her fingers to trace white embellishments and doodles on its ridges. She was going to hand them out to everyone who passed by. She needed this moment of peace, just so she could catch her breath and return to her reality. Her hair had reached a new level of disheveled before this and her mind was too much to handle. Not to mention her wounds needed time to heal before she was back out and fighting again. As she heard footsteps approach, Mouth whipped her head around and pulled out the pine cone almost like a sword as a force of habit. She hated that she had become programmed to do that. But no one was a threat today. She held out her hand, the pine cone clenched in her hand. "A gift for you," she said, beaming up at whomever was approaching. "Merry Christmas."

[tramp-the-rebel]

A truce had been called. For the time being at least. This time of year was one usually spent with loved ones, not at war. The people of Neverland knew that no matter how hard and cruel their hearts were. Some were not participating in the truce, but Tramp was. He was far too kind and loving to resist it. The more happy memories that could be made, the saner he would feel. The break from this war was one he was grateful for.

Tramp found himself sat at a pub in the town, enjoying the brief time of peace as much as he could. He grinned at himself when he felt eyes on him. Someone had approached him from behind, but the rebel felt no threat for the first time. For once, he didn’t have to worry about being attacked. Tramp took a long swig of his beer. “Take a seat. Have a drink. Enjoy it while we can,” he said to whomever had crept up on him.

[wheremouthis]

Mouth was so relieved for this truce. She really needed it. She need to feel safe and protected for once. Granted, she couldn't feel as if she could totally let go. Having to constantly check behind her back made her weary wherever she went and sometimes she found herself still whipping her head around at the slightest footstep. But still, she tried to embrace it as she entered the bar. She looked around and saw many unfamiliar faces. So many unfamiliar, but equally tired faces. Nearing the bar, she handed the bar keep an odd sight--a small, decorated pine cone. A present. She smiled at the man, who seemed taken aback by her kind gesture. Nevertheless, Mouth grinned before spotting her fellow rebel and friend. "Ah, Tramp, just the Doctor I wanted to see," she said cheerfully. She pulled out another pine cone and handed it to the boy. "Merry Christmas!"

[tramp-the-rebel]

Tramp shrugged. “Don’t worry about me.” He’d been on his own long enough to know how to treat himself if he was injured even if the pain seemed unbearable. He could always push through it because he knew that if he didn’t, it was likely that he would die. Tramp had learned quickly to care for himself. “I can handle it.” He smiled fondly down at the girl. “Thank you, Mouth,” he spoke softly. It was comforting for him to know that a girl such as her was there for him. The two had been through much together in this war. It was nice to know he always had someone to fall back on. 

"Good, I’m glad," he grinned as he reached for the bandages in his belt. Wrapping it tightly, Tramp secured the makeshift gauze around her arm at the site of the wound. "Do you think you’ll go back out there and fight?" he questioned curiously.

[wheremouthis]

"Well, somebody's got to," she said wistfully. Mouth smiled up at Tramp. She wanted him to feel protected. He'd done such a good job of protecting everyone else, it was the least she could do. She had done her fair share of providing for her family, but it was time that her family provided for him. 

Mouth gazed at her gauze-covered arm and turned it over from side to side. "As good as new," she said, flashing him a weak smile. The thought of fighting again kind of made her sick to her stomach. Part of her wanted to; needed to. But she was  afraid. Can this keep going on? How many more will die? It was a risk she was willing to take, though. Even with a weak arm, she would do her best. "Of course I am," she replied confidently, hopefully as confidently as she felt.

[the-one-who-loves-the-night-dea]

"They were on a rather large pirate that was guarding the area." Nyx couldn’t help, but laugh at the bone key. She winced in pain from laughing too hard. The key would have taken awhile before it would have been ready. Her deep brown eyes looked the girl up and down. Mouth seemed to be unharmed, which was what mattered.

"Oh this?" Nyx looked down at her wound. "I am completely fine." She bit her lip from the injury. "Okay, maybe it hurts a bit. One of the fights got kind of bad. I’ll be okay though, Mouth."

[wheremouthis]

Mouth beamed at the girl. She was so sneaky, something Mouth often tried to be, although often failed at. She was far too clumsy to successfully pull of sneaky. "You'll have to show me your tricks when we're back at camp," Mouth said, without really realizing the severity of her words. Will they ever be  back? That issue had never really been addressed. She could only hope. After all of this, they just had to go back home. If home was still there. But the tiny girl shook her head. "No way, Nyx," she said as they ran down swirling stairs. Mouth remembered being dragged through this hallway, although now it was covered with bodies. "We need to go to Tramp. He'll fix you right up," she paused to open her sleeve to a freshly healed wound. It still hurt a little bit, but much better than before. "See?"

[fiery-little-pirate]

McKenna ripped out her sword from it’s hilt and shoved it against Mouth’s throat. “I want you to just shut up.” The girl’s fiery temper always got the best of her. McKenna didn’t enjoy the fact the this girl felt that she could make a fool of her. He sword pressed hard against the girl’s throat, it was enough to draw blood. It wasn’t enough to kill her.

"I’m not going to get, Hook. You think I would leave you alone? Do you honestly understand how stupid you are for doubting my intelligence?" A low growl came from her as her hazel eyes held a ferocity that would scare the most vicious Neverbeast.

"Now." She moved her sword down the girl’s body. A light scratch went from her neck to her heart now. The sword was held firmly into her breast. "I just have to keep you alive, which means I can torture you. Torturing is honestly my favorite part of my job. I was trying to be nice. So I suggest that you sit down and be quiet."

Sighing, she pulled back her sword and placed it back in it’s hilt. A wicked smile playing on her face. “Or if you don’t want to do that. The torture option is always available. It’s your choice.”

[wheremouthis]

Mouth was shocked by the impetuousness of this girl. She was quick with a sword, but if Mouth still had her blade, she wouldn't hesitate to swing back. She didn't even realize she was bleeding at first. Her heart was racing faster than she could fathom a coherent thought. She hated this girl, but she wasn't about to back down. The other rebels wouldn't. And anyway, what does she have to lose? "Why won't you leave me alone? Afraid I'd actually escape?" Her voice was breathier than usual when she felt a cold red line trace her porcelain skin. A sly grin formed on her chapped lips. "And then what? Hook wouldn't take you to bed tonight?" The tiny girl backed away when the ginger allowed her the chance to. She wasn't afraid, but she wasn't about to lose her life in such a cowardly way. And besides, she had a key to carve and she would carve it with or with this girl's presence. She sat Indian-style now and rocked back and forth, the precious key between her legs. What else was there for her to do? She wasn't going to attack. Mouth scoffed at the girl's empty threat. She hummed a little song, getting impatient with this girl. She just wanted out. "I'd like to see you try," she muttered, not necessarily to anyone in particular as she continued humming.

[tramp-the-rebel]

Yes, Tramp would have rather been out there fighting against Hook’s army and reclaiming what had been stolen from them. However, he couldn’t bear the thought of participating in the battle and watching the rebels die. He had always been the one to take care of them, so why would that stop now?

"Of course I’d love to be out there fighting with all of you and I will if I have to," he began. "But the safety of the rebels is my priority. I want as many of you to survive as possible. If I don’t aid you, it’s likely that you would all have to do it yourself and that could be dangerous." Rebels were dying left and right out there, but Tramp was doing all he could to prevent more death than necessary. But even then, it didn’t feel like enough. Images of dead rebels were lingering in his mind. "I’m just here to look after you all," he said calmly, hoping to mask the pain he felt for his family. 

Tramp’s forced smile became genuine at her efforts to lighten the mood. Mouth was always good at cheering the rebels up when they needed it. And they especially needed it during times like these. “No, you don’t.” He returned his focus to her wound as he finished up the stitching. “It’s my pleasure. I want to do what I can to make sure you stay safe,” he said softly. He returned her gentle smile in hopes of comforting whatever pain she felt. 

[wheremouthis]

"And what if something happens to you?" She asked, not wanting to think about what could happen to Tramp. He had always been like a brother to the girl. If he was hurt, then there was no hope for any of them. "I know," she said, perking up. The pain was starting to go away. Or at least, numb itself. "I'd look after you." She beamed at him, remembering one of their first memories together many many years ago. Tramp and Mouth had been old friends for a while now, and even though she wasn't a fighter, she could certainly think on her toes. Tramp had taught her all there is to know about healing from her first day joining the rebels. She was so grateful. "I assume you're doing a great job, Doctor Tramp, because I can't feel much of anything anymore," she grinned. Not feeling anything was better than feeling pain, that was for sure. She was still weak and short of breath, but definitely feeling slightly better. 

[tramp-the-rebel]

Tramp ignored the look of pain on her face and the yelp that escaped her. Any other time, he might have felt bad for harming her. But this was a battle. There was no room to treat people tenderly. Everything had to be done quickly, even if it meant a bit of pain. He looked over his shoulder to see if her cry had attracted any attention. The last thing they needed was for a pirate to attack them. They were both vulnerable in this state. Tramp was relieved to see that the cries of the battle drowned out her own. 

"Good," he nodded. "I’m glad you’re willing to fight for her. That’s all we can ask for." Tonight was a night where Tramp was truly impressed by the loyalty of the rebels. They were all willing and ready to die for the fairy and her cause. The thought made him happy. Losing rebels, however, did not. Tramp smiled down Mouth. "I’m the closest thing we have to a doctor here," he answered. "Take it or leave it." His voice was light and playful. almost as if they were at the Hideout teasing each other like they had so many times before. Tramp’s fingers worked quickly over the wound so they would be able to return to the fight as soon as they could.

[wheremouthis]

Mouth closed her eyes as the pain continued. She didn't even see Tramp looking around to make sure it was safe. She couldn't really be bothered with that. If anyone had come and attacked her right now, she couldn't defend herself. She'd be dead. And suddenly it occurred to Mouth. "You are too, aren't you? I mean like, actual fighting. Not that this isn't important too. Obviously I'd be nowhere without you." Perhaps she had put her foot in her mouth with that. But Tramp was a much better fighter than Mouth, that much was known. Why wouldn't he try to contribute in that way? Then he wouldn't have to be healing the weak that would probably just go out and get injured again. She winced.

She tried to lighten the mood. "Well, in that case, I guess I don't have a choice, do I?" she teased right back. In many cases, Mouth thought teasing was what she did best. She loved these moments. "But really, thank you, Tramp." She gave him a gentle smile.

[fiery-little-pirate]

McKenna did a heavy eye roll and the looked at the girl. “I can’t let you go. You’re an imbecile if you actually thought that trick would work on me.” Who did these rebels think she was? McKenna was sharp witted and quick with a sword. If they thought they could fool her, they should think better. 

"The view is nice and if you didn’t know, the fire is of the town." She glared at the girl in the cage. "The town is on fire. Did you forget that I just got here? I know what’s going on out there and you don’t. The pirates might have started burning bodies of dead rebels to get rid of the waste. That awful smell is the smell of burning humans." A smirk appeared on her face. "Burning you alive seems like a good option right now. I’ll ask Hook when he gets back from killing rebels."

[wheremouthis]

Mouth eyed the girl up and down before replying. "No, I still believe it would probably work." She nodded her head in affirmation. The girl was all talk. Bravado. Not much else was there and it was obvious to the blonde. A part of Mouth enjoyed their quips. It wasn't every day that she got the chance to banter with someone without any physical altercation taking place. She could wrestle with the best of the boys, but they would always insist that she lost. Another part of her just wanted this girl to leave so she could continue her escape plan. She didn't need help but she really needed to find a way to get back out there and help her friends. She knew she could do it. Hearing McKenna's words about burning rebels, well, that set her off. "Then go!" She cried, launching herself to the front of the cage, the metal bars she grasped rough and cold on her skin. "If you're so concerned about burning me alive then just do it." For once, her voice was unwavering. "Go and get Hook."

[the-one-who-loves-the-night-dea]

"Yes, I plan on it." Nyx killed most of the people that were in the vicinity, but there was only a short time until it was noticed. She placed that key in the locked and opened the door. "After you pretty lady."

Nyx giggled, but the laughter hurt her side. She grabbed the place that hurt. That wound may have been deeper than she thought it was. The brunette didn’t want the girl to worry, so she decided to pretend everything was fine.

[wheremouthis]

"Where even were they? I was making my own!" Mouth explained as she pulled out the makeshift bone key she had been crafting for her escape. While it wasn't sharp, it seemed that maybe it could be...in about fifteen years. Time was an odd concept in Neverland, but Mouth assumed that fifteen years was a long time. Mouth ran behind Nyx and noticed her grabbing her side.She was limping. Had she been in pain this whole time? "Nyx, what's wrong?" Mouth went to reach for the wound but pulled away in case it might hurt.

[embrasser]

Visit Original Link

[fiery-little-pirate]

McKenna gritted her teeth together. “I cannot believe I had to leave the fighting to watch over some brat.” Her eyebrows narrowed as she crossed her arms. “Now, I don’t care who you are. I don’t care if you are a wanderer or a rebel. I just want you to shut up and we can get along just fine.” 

If the girl made the wrong move or sad the wrong thing, McKenna would stab her without a second thought. The sooner this girl was dead the sooner she could get back out there and the less of a problem she would have on her hands. Perhaps Hook would let McKenna torture the thing.

[wheremouthis]

"Oh yes, because I just really love being tied up in here," Mouth shot back, nodding her head, as a small smirk formed on her face. "You know, if you were to just let me go, that could solve both of our problems." As Mouth spoke, she formed an idea. It usually worked this way, as she often spoke before actually formulating a sentence. She was quick-witted, that was a given. "The view from here is quite nice," she mused, leaning against the stone walls, making sure the bone key was far out of sight. "In fact, it's almost like you can't see your ship burning from here." Her eyes met with the top of the cage as she could see the smoke circling above. She didn't know if it was really burning, but she could pretend. She could hope it was that instead of something--or someone--she loved. "A valiant effort though, I must admit."