Requiem: -forces himself to look her in the eyes- Oh! Spirituelle... My brother told me about you. Well, he didn't really say anything about you... He just said he was curious. B-But you do seem interesting. -pause- I-I didn't mean anything bad by that.

Edit: OMG YAY PAGE TWO~

Requiem smiled a little. He talked about me? I hope it was nothing bad... I don't disappoint him, do I? And I'm not all there is, there's Pestilence and Neiro too. Neiro's the oldest, and Pestilence is older than me but younger than Malik. The young stag paused, his smile turning into a frown. B-But we think Pestilence is dead. He was sick for a long time, and we haven't seen him around, so... He shrugged and looked away.

Spirituelle's laugh brought him back from his thoughts and he shook his head. He won't eat you if he's curious about you. And I don't think he's a cannibal. I-I think you're safe.

Requiem was silent for a few moments in thought.
Had he made some sort of mistake in telling Spirituelle the names of his brothers, and the fact that he even had more brothers than just Malikorin? Was there a reason Malik hadn't told Spirituelle? Just because Malik was curious about her didn't mean he trusted her. Requiem felt sick as he thought of what his brother might do for betraying information about their family. He tried to calm himself down by making himself believe that Malik wouldn't be upset.

He shook his head vigorously to clear it, a habit he shared with his brother, and his icy gaze flickered back to Spirituelle.

Yes, Malik and I are rather different. Each of us had our own way of dealing with--
Requiem stopped abruptly.
He almost said something he knew Malikorin would not have allowed.
...Aha.

His gaze avoided her.

Oh. I'm sorry, I took that literally... But aren't you relieved now to know he really won't eat you? But he might eat me.

Requiem laughed nervously.

Another day... y-yes, another day.

He'd let Malik be the one to tell.
He didn't want to make a mistake by telling earlier than Malik wanted and then pay for it.

When he glanced back up at her and met that sharp gaze, his ears swiveled back. He almost felt like spilling everything right there so she could stop looking at him like that.
When he opened his mouth, it ended, and he exhaled in relief.
He felt like he had been choked but was just released.

He tilted his head at her last statement.
He wondered what she meant.

He felt guilty and nervous and wasn't sure why.

What's strange?

Requiem blinked.

...If you say so, then.

He wondered if she was thinking about how weak he must seem.
He knew he was sensitive and awkward, and didn't get sarcasm or jokes very well.
He didn't want to come across that way but he couldn't help it.

Requiem decided that Spirituelle was powerful.

So. What do you think of Malik? You haven't met Neiro yet, have you?

He managed to resist flinching when she looked at him again.
The young stag carefully examined her gaze, searching for the sharpness from before.
Not finding it, he relaxed some.

His ears swiveled forward when she spoke.

Secretive.
We all are. Because Malik wants us to be.
I think it's because he doesn't want anyone to feel pity for us. I think if we told those who were curious it would help them understand us better, but he ignored me when I mentioned that to him... so I've just made sure not to tell anyone in case he gets upset at me.

Okay, good. It's probably for the best. He's not very...
Hmm.
Well what he seems isn't always what he is, and no one likes being deceived, so... yeah.

-x-

{Brb, dinner~}

Requiem nodded. He always thought of Malik as the leader, as did the rest of his brothers. However, wouldn't one think that Neiro, the oldest, would be in charge?
Yeah? I'm sure if you asked Neiro he would say something else, too.

He was feeling calmer now, but was taken by surprise at her question.
He couldn't remember the last time anyone asked for his opinion.
His icy gaze reflected a deep appreciation before he answered.

I think it'd be better not to keep our past such a secret. Our past is what makes us, right? That's what Malik said, anyway. Like I said before, I just think it'd help others understand us a little more. It's not a fairytale, though. Then again, whose past is these days? Maybe ours just affected us more. I don't know. But I don't understand how trying to hide it will help us at all. Not that we need help-..

The young stag didn't want to admit that any of them needed any help.
It sounded pathetic to him.

And then it hit.
Maybe that's why Malik insisted on keeping it hidden.

I think, if Malik wants so badly to be something more than a void, then he should stop being afraid of the possibility that he might have to be more open to others. And I wish Neiro would feel real emotions instead of just faking them. If you thought Malik was empty, wait until you meet Neiro. He knows how to imitate emotion well enough that if I wasn't telling you about him now you would have never guessed that he's farther gone than Malik is. Or maybe you would have because you seem to be very perceptive.
I want to be able to love my brothers and have them love me back. But that's not going to happen. I don't know if it ever will.

And I don't think of this forest as a prison. It's better than where we were before. It doesn't hold bad memories for me. I don't feel like I could die at any moment. I don't feel like I have to run away and hide from anyone. I don't feel any pain in here and I'm not bleeding.

Requiem finally quieted, and suddenly realized how much he talked and what he might have revealed.
His ears lowered and he looked apologetically at the white doe.
I-I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to keep on rambling like that for so long..

Requiem's brows furrowed at her words and he felt like crying.

You're the only one that can really save them.

Was he?
Was he truly the one who would be able to break their brick walls and bring their emotions back?
The thought was daunting. How would he go about doing such a thing? He believed he had a chance with Malikorin, but imagining an attempt at saving Neiro was almost impossible.

I-I-I-..
He tried again.
I can save Malik. I know I can. B-But... His tone lowered to nearly a whisper, ...I don't know if I can save Neiro.

He bit his lip.
Malik... I think he already snapped. Something happened to him in this forest and he did snap. But now I think he's making his... recovery. That's why I think I can save him. The worst is over. He doesn't lie like Neiro does. It's hard for him to reach out to others but he does sometimes, like he is doing to you. The fact that he's curious and wants to know about you is a good sign.
He at least tries to help save himself. Have you seen him smile? He can't, right? But at least he's making the genuine attempt. Neiro smiles, all the time actually, but he never means it and I don't know if he ever will.

The young stag shuddered when he envisioned Neiro snapping.

He looked up at Spirituelle, seeming less nervous of her than he was before.
Thank you.

Requiem frowned, looking down at the ground.
I think Neiro might be lost.
I want to believe there's a small piece deep down inside him that yearns to feel emotion again, but I don't know if I'm just fooling myself.
It wouldn't hurt to try. Or maybe it would.

The young stag nodded at Spirituelle's question and last words, looking back at her.
Y-Yes. I-I don't really know what set it off... I actually kind of have an idea but I don't know for sure because he never told me... and I'm, hah, kind of afraid of bringing it up. It really affected him. He felt emotion, strongly, but then he became vacant again to protect himself I think. And now he's trying to come back, but without a negative reason.
I want to help him.
Maybe I can save him.

Requiem's eyes narrowed in thought, his gaze flickering somewhere else.
I hate to say this, but I think if Neiro snaps somehow, then I can save him too because I'll know he still has the ability to feel real emotion.
And maybe it'll give him hope in himself so he'll be willing to try.

He looked at her and smiled back, feeling like he had a purpose now.
He wasn't as useless and hopeless as he thought he'd been.
He was immensely grateful for Spirituelle's presence now, rather than intimidated.

Requiem's smile turned into a grin when she shared in his discovery.
He was feeling determined. He could do this.

However, his thoughts made a turn and he came to the same conclusion that she did.
His grin faltered and faded away completely.

Is it worth the risk?
I-I..
He swallowed, closed his eyes, and nodded.
Scenarios of what Neiro would do when he snapped went through Requiem's head, and he quickly opened his eyes to get rid of them.
Y-Yes. Yes. It's worth it. I want him to feel even if...
He trailed off, looking down.
I'll save Malik first so if I don't make it through Neiro's break then Malik can finish what I started, he murmured.
He lifted his head high.
But this is if I die, hah. If I survived our... past, then surely I can survive this.

If I'm the cause of Neiro's break then he'll go after me.
But if I'm not the cause, then he might not go after me...
N-No, no, I don't want anyone else getting hurt. I'll do it.

The young stag sighed and nodded.
You're right.
...I wonder if he even realizes it.
I think he does, but the fear of being hurt again is greater than his desire to feel.
I think my first mission is to make his desire to feel greater than the fear of being hurt.

{No, but I've been thinking of making him one now that he's becoming a bigger character. I will soon.
Also, I gotta go now ;; /falling asleep
Hopefully see you tomorrow ♥
I'm really enjoying this roleplay too C: Your writing is beautiful.}

-x-

Her statement telling him that he wouldn't die made Requiem feel a faint sense of relief.
Maybe he wouldn't, hopefully not, but he was willing to.
His brothers meant more to him than anything else, even himself.

His gaze dropped at her next set of words, and then rose again. He nodded.
Her firmness encouraged him, and didn't let him doubt himself.
Y-You're right.
He tried to sound more assertive.
Yes.
I am in control. They're the ones that need to be saved.
And I will save them successfully without dying.
Requiem cracked a smile there.

His ears pressed forward to catch her voice.

Right, right.
It's just so hard for me to think of what's best for myself when my brothers need me. I want to put them before myself even if they might not do the same for me, but if I'm successful then maybe they will.
Do you have any siblings, Spirituelle?

{I agree! I'm so happy this happened because Requiem would've never come to these conclusions without her, and it's creating this little plot that is super awesome. And EEE thanks so much, that means a lot~! ♥}

-x-

Requiem nodded.
Once I know they can function well on their own, then I'll focus on myself.

He blinked, thinking about how odd that sounded.
He felt responsible for them now, as if he were the one in charge.
It was so strange, feeling that way. He had never been one with any power of any kind.
It was nice, but frightening too. It would be difficult to save them both.

Requiem listened to her speak about her lack of siblings, as far as she knew at least.
He frowned.

...Doesn't it get lonely sometimes?
Don't you have anyone to confide in when something happens?

The idea of not having any family for him to feel comfortable around was scary for him.
Not that he was necessarily comfortable around his brothers, but he could at least tell Malik about events that he witnessed or other things.
He wondered what it would've been like having arrived in the forest with no one else he knew coming in after him.
He wasn't very independent, and situations where he had to be made him nervous.
He was certainly grateful for Malik and Neiro.

His thoughts shifted to his past, and he imagined going through it alone.
He would've died.
He would not be here right now talking to Spirituelle without his brothers.

Requiem's thoughts returned to Neiro after hearing her first set of words.
He hoped his eldest brother would be able to be saved.
It was hard to imagine, but he had hope.

His attention returned to the present and focused on Spirituelle's words.

Oh.
But... isn't that like bottling up?
Won't you explode eventually?

He paused, listening to her speak again.

Mm. Then you're accustomed to it so you won't explode.
I see.

But still... what if discomfort is coming from within yourself?
Where will you find comfort then?

{LOL don't worry about it because I wasn't aware that Spirit was online either until she started approaching xD Malik was glad to see her, though. The set she was wearing was lovely~!}

-x-

Requiem tried to imagine being in her place.
No siblings, no one really to confide in.
It made him feel alone. Did she ever feel that way, negatively?

It was difficult to think about since he had his brothers, and he never experienced what it would be like to be by himself.

He felt upset that she was in such a position despite the fact that she seemed to function perfectly well that way.

Well, I guess if it doesn't bother you, then it isn't much of a problem right?
I just don't know how you're able to deal with it.
I know I wouldn't be able to.

Maybe if that's all you know, then it's easy, like you said...

What is it like?
Does it make you sad sometimes?
Or does it not matter to you that much?

The young stag agreed with her.
Sadness was certainly impossible not to be aware of.
He wished he felt it less.
He almost wished that he didn't have to notice it, but that made him think of his brothers' situations and immediately repelled the wish.

He listened to her speak again, and nodded.

When he heard her question, he paused in thought.

When I'm lonely, I feel useless.
I, uh, feel kinda worthless, aha...
I wonder why no one wants to spend time with me.

I don't know many deer in here, despite the fact that I've been here for a while...

So I get it.
Who would want to spend time with a complete stranger?

But still. I can't help but feel sad.
I know I probably shouldn't.
If I don't know anyone, how can I expect not to feel lonely?

...It's a negative feeling for me.

Requiem pondered in thought.
Yeah, maybe you're from somewhere else.
Maybe you just can't remember for some reason.
I've heard that there are some who lose their memory when they come here...
Maybe you're one of them?

He paused, looking down.
Or maybe she wasn't one of them.
But if she wasn't, then why would she feel in such a way inside the forest?

I think it would be fun to find out about yourself and your past.
Not that losing your memory is a good thing.
And not if your past is like mine.

There were so many possibilities about what might have happened to her before the forest.

Requiem looked back up at her when she said he wasn't useless, and he smiled a little bit.
He wasn't anymore, at least. He now had a purpose: to save his brothers.
He appreciated her words.

He blinked at what she said next, and realized she was right.
He was too busy feeling sad about the fact that no one wanted to talk to him to think about that others were feeling the same way, and that he could be the one to go talk to them.
If he wanted to be less lonely, he had the ability to give himself company. He just needed to act on it.
He felt ridiculous for not going up to anyone despite his social awkwardness.
He was embarrassed by it, but he admitted that it wasn't worse than being lonely.

I never thought of it that way.

ROFL DOE xD Nope, Requiem is a dude~
Don't worry about it, he had fun with it C:

The young stag felt equally shy, but he nodded. I-I definitely remember you! Y-You're really sweet... He smiled at her, his heart pounding. I d-don't think I ever got your name..? I-I'm Requiem.

Requiem's ears pricked and his smile turned into a small grin. Thank you! He saw her blush and looked down at his black hooves. When she told him her name he looked back up at her, smiling. W-Well it's nice to officially meet you, Nat-Nat. He thought desperately for something else to say.
S-So have you been in this forest for long?

@Laiia:
Requiem was silent as he listened to her speak, and he nodded slowly when she said she didn't know how she arrived at the forest. He had heard of others losing their memory upon entering the forest, and sometimes he wished he was one of them.
Maybe you'll find out how you got here one day.
As for me, I've been here for quite a while too. I remember how I got here, though. All I was doing was walking along and then everything suddenly looked different. I'm guessing there had been some sort of portal I accidentally walked through... but honestly, I like this place better than where I was before. Do you have family here with you?

-x-

@Anti: BAWW♥ Thank you so much fff <333 I'm planning on drawing him a proper reference soon, but I was too lazy at the time I was re-doing his bio so he got stuck with that |D I'm so happy you like him~!! 8DD And rofl I'm glad you think so, I was aiming for adorable C:
^{I'll bring in Cervena in a few minutes~c:}

-x-

@Kirness: You ninja!! Hehe, I'm very happy you think so~!! 8D♥