Neutral Ain't All It's Cracked Up to Be

[Python]

    Just what place was this? Apparently, there was an entire new continent or two that has be been discovered in the few hundred years that Python was gone. One part of it was called "America". A place where many people from around the world came and lived differently from back in Greece as they knew. Everything about this country was strange to the serpent dragon. But it was neutral territory beyond where the war had been taking place, so that was a plus. Anything where they could hang low was good with them. 

    The islands that they found had apparently been called "Hawaii" or something like that? Whatever, they didn't really care since they had kept to the more uninhabited and wild parts of the largest island in its chain called The Big Island. Mortals weren't really original in their naming things apparently. At least they were able to be alone and eat in peace. Though, there wasn't much in the way of big prey. Thank goodness for the natural reserves in their body to tide them over until a bigger meal could be found.

    "Such a strange place this is," Python had mused idly while hiding in a shady thicket of unknown tropical plants. "But very welcoming, at least with the nature here. I could get used to it here... If it weren't so far away from home." 

[Deleted]

"Oh I owe the Lord so much, for everything I see! Because I know with his great care, my apple trees they will still be there. Oh the Lord is good to me!"

Wow, talk about beautiful. Johnny had been told about the isles of Hawaii, and determined to visit there eventually. Never did he think a fellow traveler needing food and drink would allow him to travel there for free! The man had only said his saving grace in the wilds was payment enough, and Johnny was grateful for the goodness of the Lord in that regard.

Travelling around the islands, he found himself in a quiet spot, surrounded by tiny thickets. His trusted skunk companion, Zacchaeus, was right by his side, as were some tropical birds, attracted to the "sweet scent" coming from Johnny. A magical creature nearby would be able to sense this strange sensation as well.

Relaxing under a palm tree (as he had learn they were called), Johnny hummed his song again to himself. A simple hymn, but then again, the Lord came down as a simple babe in a stable. Johnny was sure he wouldn't mind simple praise. Listening to the wind and the nearby waves, he heard a voice speak.

"Such a strange place this is... But very welcoming, at least with the nature here. I could get used to it here... If it weren't so far away from home."

Johnny chuckled. "Sure do agree with ya, stranger! This Hawaii place is a hop, skip and a jump away from my home, too. But the calm breeze, gentle waves, even the trees are all so invitin'. A simple apple farmer like me could get used to this." He turned to see the other person he was talking to, but no one was there. Johnny shrugged, resting peacefully. Perhaps the other feller was a bit nervous around strangers?

Zacchaeus, on the other hand, was shivering in fear. He smelled a s-s-sss-SNAKE nearby, and from the strong odor the little skunk picked up, it was a b-b-b-bb-big Sn-ss-snake. Zacchaeus did NOT like snakes at all. They tended to eat little skunks like him. But the apple farmer didn't notice his best bud's shivering, or simply ignored it. After all, this was paradise! Nothing could hurt them here, right?

[Python]

    Python perked up their head when they heard someone else talking. Oh great, it was probably some mortal that was wandering around and just so happened to hear them. Well, they had the element of surprise at the moment, so they were going to use it to their advantage. The serpent gazed out and spotted a rather odd human, dressed in some outfit that definitely wasn't modern in any way. The way they talked too was rather old fashioned as well. Were they some sort of mortal who had a long lifespan or something? Curiosity killed the cat, but Python was intrigued. 

    "Just a hop and a skip for you, maybe," They replied to Johnny, still hidden in the thicket. "But I hail from Greece, so it is much farther for me. Though, I do have my ways of traveling, bless my mother's heart for that."

    Python slowly then had emerged from the thicket, neck first and the rest of their serpentine body following. They stood just barely a few inches above Johnny's maximum height, which still was a sore spot for them, but well, they were still a serpent dragon. But something about this human seemed... calming. Johnny had some sort of aura to him that seemed to burn from him, so he certainly was no ordinary human. 

    "You are a rather strange mortal human," They hissed with an idle flick of the tongue. "Something about you is different from other humans that I have seen and have had run from me. My name is... Python, previous guardian of Delphi. I suppose that I am pleased to meet you and your rather unusual little friend."

    Python craned their neck to look a bit closer at Zacchaeus. Such a strange little animal. 

[Deleted]

As Python emerged from the underbrush, Zacchaeus was terrified. Not only was it a s-s-ssn-snake, but it was a s-s-sns-SNAKE WITH LEGS! The ultimate natural predator of little skunks! He closed his eyes in terror, and unconsciously released some of his famous skunk gas.

Johnny took a whiff, grimaced and swatted the air around. His hand glowed (unnoticed by Johnny himself), and within seconds, the normally noxious gas of Zacchaeus was nothing more than just normal fresh air. Johnny breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, Zacchaeus, there's nothing to worry about, there's just another-"

Johnny looked up.

A snake walking on four legs.

Huh. A pretty majestic sight.

"You are a rather strange mortal human. Something about you is different from other humans that I have seen and have had run from me. My name is... Python, previous guardian of Delphi. I suppose that I am pleased to meet you and your rather unusual little friend."

Johnny smiled as Python introduced themselves. "Well, the honor is all mine, Python. Name's Johnny, Johnny Appleseed. And this little feller here is Zacchaeus. Not sure if they have skunks in Greece, but he's an all-American animal. Gotta be careful though, he's a bit nervous around snakes, and he gets quite smelly when he's nervous. Guess that explains why he was shivering this whole time."

The young man didn't even seem to strain to stand up, or tense to run away. Instead, his arms found their way behind his head, and he tipped back the pot he was using for a cap back to get a better view of Python. "Oh, I hope you don't mind me calling you Mister Python. Ma always told me calling someone "Mister" or "Missus" is a high form of respect."

A couple of the tropical birds land on the ground next to Johnny, and he simply pulled out an apple and his (remarkably old) knife and began peeling. It was clear to everyone he wasn't afraid of Python in the slightest. "It's been a while since I met a critter who could talk better than some humans I know, not to mention the first time I've done seen a snake walking on four legs. What brings you all the way out here?"

[Miri]

What a drag. Of all things to find out on the islands: Noisy Neighbors.

Well, not noisy in the typical sense. Magically noisy. There was something out in the wilderness that was kicking up a magical pressure, and it was a big one. Maybe a gathering of local Menehune or Obake was causing the trouble...

The look of appall on the little imp’s face at the sight of the two is evident, and the little creature gives a heavy sigh.

“Really? That’s what all his fuss is about? A big ol’ lizard, and a guy with a pot on his head. Ugh.”

Miri gives a huff as she shakes a stray leaf from her stockings, eyes gazing up at the other two entities, “Look, can y’all just.. tone down the magic? Or go somewhere else. Or, Hell, join the luau, I don’t think anyone would mind. But you’re putting off some crazy magical energy out here, and you’re freaking out people at the party.”

The little creature is a complete foil to Johnny and his Christian values. Curvy little thing in her short skirt and fishnets, a wiry tail and nubby horns give a look of a little devil. Pointed ears twitch as she speaks over sharp, little teeth, and golden eyes seem to seal the deal. In fact, if it weren’t for her casual speech and dress and her diminutive height, she’d look like a devil right out of a folk song.

[Python]

    ...Okay, this human had to have hit his head at some point as a small child or something. Johnny wasn't afraid of them, at all! Just what in the name of Chaos was this mortal even and how did he not even shiver at the raw sight of Python? What was stranger was the sudden disappearance of what ever the skunk let out, but eh, whatever. That was a small detail that didn't need to be contemplated over. The serpent dragon peered back towards Johnny with a confused look in their eyes. 

    "It is... nice to meet you, Johnny," They replied with a confused hiss. "It doesn't really matter what you call me. Mister or Missus, or whatever you mortals use to describe a creature doesn't concern me too much, since I don't really live like mortals. But the respect is welcome. It's hard to come by nowadays... But to answer your question, I only am really here to explore. Such strange places that you mortals have discovered in the few hundred years I've been dead."

    Python would have continued, but the sudden disturbance stopped them dead in their tracks. Just... what were they staring at though? The little creature that spoke was pretty small compared to the human and themselves, even for something that was obviously magical. The way it dressed was odd, but who cared about that? They were being rude!

    "You're one to talk, you little harpy!" Python hissed in annoyance. They moved quickly towards the small devil, fangs bared and yellow eyes narrowed in their clear display of annoyance bordering on anger. "You come here, acting all high and mighty for something as small as you are, and asking us to tone down our magic because we're making other creatures uncomfortable? We've done nothing to you, or to whatever creatures that hang around you, so why don't you flap those little wings of yours and get the hell out of here!" 

[Nanashi]

"Hope I lost 'em." Nanashi sighed as he made his way through the foliage. He had decided to go travelling outside of San Fransokyo, sneaking on board a cruise ship heading to Hawaii. Getting onto the ship wasn't the hard part, a bit of magnetism and he stuck onto the hull like a fly on honey. Getting off the boat though had been...an ordeal, to say the least.

The upside to his impromptu vacation was he was able to sneak some food for himself as he relaxed. The downside? Well, not being able to take a shower and living in a lifeboat for four days while he hid from the authorities didn't make for a nice vacation.

Right now he just wanted to get something to eat and get a shower.

As he was griping to himself, he had caught a whiff of something delicious. He was surprised to find that there might have people already ahead of him. Maybe he can go and get something to eat before trying to find a place to stay.

Letting his nose guide him, he ran through the brush. As he got closer to the source of the smell, he had heard people talking. He couldn't make out what they were saying as he ran closer, but he knew when a fight was starting. Nanashi would be lying if he said he didn't want a little excitement.

He parts a few large leaves with the intention of telling the aggressive voice to back off, but he faltered when he saw exactly what was going on.

A guy with a skunk, four-legged snake and...a goblin?

He felt like he walked into the punchline of a very weird joke.

"Uh."

[Deleted]

Listening intently to the giant snake-dragon, Johnny was slightly struck by the fact it had mentioned being dead for hundreds of years. If it wasn't lying straight to his face, how on earth was it alive now? Johnny simply waved those thoughts away; Mister Python was probably from those old myths in Greece and had plenty of power to come back to life. 

Zacchaeus, on the other hand, noticed Miri as soon as she entered the clearing. Hiding behind Johnny's shoulder as the little devil walked in, Zacchaeus tugged hard on Johnny's shirt until the human swatted gently and looked at the small demon. A... demon? Johnny's eyebrow raised, and the young man quickly rummaged through his bag until he reached his Bible. Holding onto it, Johnny raised a silent prayer to the Lord. If the devil was trying to tempt him and drag him down, well, they;d have a hard time.

As Python reared up and hissed at the small creature, Johnny felt a tang of sympathy. The little creature did mention the three of the were causing a ruckus somehow (although he wasn't sure how he contributed "magically"...), and perhaps there was a simple solution.

"Pardon me, but Mister Python and I were just havin' a lovely little conversation; Perhaps a bit more warnin' before jumpin' in would be nice? Now, normally I'd start readin' from the Holy Book and try and cast you away from here (no offense, Ma always taught me to handle little devils carefully), but I'm a few different types of confused right now. I could see how Mister Python would be putting off magic energy, but I'm not sure how I'd be a problem to ya. After all, I'm just a sim-"

A figure bursting from the underbrush again. Johnny wasn't used to a large group of people suddenly coming upon him, but he saw the man coming out was an interesting fellow. Skinny like a tree branch, with weird markings on his face. Spending more than a few years in the wildernesses, Johnny could tell from a quick glance when a man needed food in his stomach. And this feller? Well, let's just say he could use a good apple pie or two.

Speaking of which...

Fishing around in his bag, Johnny pulled out a small jar filled with what looked like apple pie filling. Towards the top the filling turned to pie crust, and the top was covered in a small cloth. The smell was delightful, and while it wasn't extremely hot, it was still a bit warm from when Johnny cooked it earlier that day. Zacchaeus, eyes bulging with delight, tried to reach and take it, but the human was more than quick enough to catch his small friend with the Bible and move both to the side.

"Howdy, stranger! You look like you could use something nice to eat." With that, Johnny stood up, dusted himself with his free hand, and walked over, handing the newcomer the apple pie jar. "Here you go! Apple pie in a jar, just like how Ma made it for anyone headin' west."

[Miri]

“Would you— ugh, get out of my face, you overgrown handbag!” The little creature snaps, dainty hand pushing against Python’s nose with little fear, “Think about what you just said. ‘We’re making people uncomfortable, we’re not doing anything.’? Be happy it’s just me. The Mū wanted to come ‘take care of the problem’, and I doubt anyone wants the water vampires in charge of that. And quit throwing your weight around, nobody’s impressed. Out of the four of us here,— ah, sorry, five, —the only person that has less magic than you is the skunk.”

Miri’s pulled from her tirade when Johnny pulls a Bible from his pack, causing her to tilt her head slightly, “Oh, Honey, don’t worry about that, I’m no demon. Well, maybe? .. Huh, never thought about it.... Eh, screw it. Consider me a gargoyle, born of stone. Not a harpy,” She grunts, hands on either hip, “The only thing I’m going to tempt you with is Laulau and Kalua Pork. We’ve got plenty of food back at the party, you two gentlemen are both invited! Especially you, Sparky. You look like you could eat an entire hog on your own, with how skinny you are. My sister and I will get you taken care of. I bet you she’d even enjoy your little friend there, being The Spring Sprite and all.”

As she speaks, she notably separates Python from her extended invitation. It seems, being as small as she is, she’s not a huge fan of those using their size to strongarm others.

[Slugsworth]

Slugsworth had thought things would have gone smoothly, what with his father gone and the horde at his command. He'd simply use the false sense of security Atlantica had fallen into due the warlord’s banishment to his advantage and spring his attack while their guard was down. But things weren't that easy. As the band of warriors was held to the rule of the strongest being the leader, it wasn’t long before things crumbled under Slugsworth; while he certainly was clever, he would never be the strongest.

It was clear to Slugsworth that if he wanted to stand a chance at conquest, he needed his father to keep the underlings in check. All the sea bunny had to go on was that the Gourmand was exiled to land. It hadn't occurred to Slugsworth until then that there sure was an awful lot of land.

A white shape slid gracefully over the sand in the shallows, its form distorted by the ripples of the tropical cyan waters. It wasn't long before the thing erupted from the ocean, flying through the air before planting its webbed feet on a stone a few yard’s distance from the shoreline. It shook itself off briefly, throwing a large splatter of saltwater off its ears. Red eyes looked forward before it rose its brows, apparently surprised.

“I wasn't expecting a welcoming party...,” Slugsworth commented to himself, before speaking up in a more bold tone, “You! Land-dwellers.”

Slugsworth glanced back and forth between the five land-things, placing his hands on his hips.

“You didn't happen to notice a massive jet of water rocketing through the sky in the recent past, did you?”