Tourn RP Archive

The farmland took up a decent portion of the area available on this side, and it was dense with various vegetables and bushes of fruit. Just about any plant you could want to eat was here, regardless of its usual climate or home range. The density of it all made it pretty hard to find exactly what you were looking for. A little bit of organization here might go a long way.

Nora did her best to walk along side Juno, but was very excited, so she ended up ahead of him. There were so many trees!! “Oh wow…!! M-mister Juno, there’s so many… so many trees!” She clapped her hands a little bit, very excited. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho walked carefully along the trees and shrubs, using his cane to guide him. "I can tell! There's so many..." He laughed. "Do you wanna see if we can find some apricots?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Y-yes please! Um, what.. what do apricots… do you know what they look like?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm pretty sure they're orange. And they're about this big," He made a small circle with his hands. "You said you'd heard of peaches, yeah? They basically look like that but a bit smaller." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Orange peaches… okay!” What did peaches look like again…? Unfortunately, instead of apricots, she found apples. “mmghh.. there are… a lot of apples...” She sounded very disgusted. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho scrunched his face up. "Eugh... they smell kind of rotten." He frowned, and turned in a different direction. "I think I smell something apricot-y over this way..." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She cringed, oh she hated rotten things, especially apples. She looked away from the apples and towards Juno- “Oh! Um, are those..?” She ran over towards the apricot tree and pulled down a fruit. She held it towards Juno. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho handled the fruit in his hands, then held it up to his face to smell it. He beamed, "Yeah! These are apricots! Do you wanna try them?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She nodded quickly. “Yes please! Oh- I- I can get my own- yes!” She pulled down another fruit excitedly. “Um, how- how do you eat it?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You just take a bite!" Yeonaixho said, and demonstrated. The apricot juice dripped all over his hands, and got all over his face. "Be careful not to eat the pit- those aren't good for you. The soft fleshy parts are all good to eat, though!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She sat down under the tree and took a large bite. Her eyes were wide, this fruit was sweet. Sweeter than the coconut. There was something else too, an interesting taste. Not sweet, but it felt like sour? In a good way. She really liked it. The texture was wonderful. “wow….” Nora sat in the shade, in awe of the flavors. It was a lot, and she would do anything to hold on to this. “th-thank you… It’s- it’s very good!” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I knew you'd like it!" Yeonaixho smiled in between bites of his own fruit. "I think apricots are some of the best things in the world. I'm glad I could share them with you!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Wh… why did she feel… there was a welling in her eyes, and her throat felt strange. Why was she crying?? “Y-you... you’re so nice…” Her voice was breaking a little. Ohhhh no no no no no no- why was she crying? Nothing hurt, she was happy. She sniffled and rubbed at her face. She tried to make herself stop by eating more fruit. It was so good. She was still crying. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hey, hey..." Yeonaixho sat down in the shade by Nora. "Is something wrong? I'm here for you. We can get more fruit, if you want." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She hiccuped and rubbed at her face. “I- I don’t know… I- I’m happy… I- I’m s-sorry for crying…” She nodded her head though. “I… I’d like mmore fruit.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Awww," Yeonaixho smiled. "It's natural to cry when you're happy. It's pretty much the body's go-to response for any strong emotion. I cried a ton when my kid was born. And don't apologize for crying- it's just a natural response. And it doesn't bother me." "Hmm... we could eat more apricots, or we could try and find something else. Which would you prefer?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She sniffled some more and continued whipping her tears. Not letting any fall. “It- it is? Oh… you… You’re very nice, Mister Juno… I… I’d like… new fruit.” She leaned against the tree and stood up shakily. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho offered his hand to help steady Nora. "Perfect! We can try to find some plums, or, if you want to try something different we can also try to find something else. Have you ever had mango?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora didn’t take the hand, but she walked closer this time. “What- what’s a mango?” It sounded nice. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It's another type of fruit! It's kind of like an apricot or peach in that it has a pit you can't eat, and the rest of it is soft and juicy and good. They're kind of oddly shaped-" He made a mango shape with his hands, "And they grow on trees." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Oh… What… um, what do they.. taste like?” She continued walking along with him. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"They're very sweet, and kind of creamy," Yeonaixho described as they walked. Every few paces, he'd stop by a tree and check the shape of its leaves or fruit, trying to determine what they were. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Apparently crying a bunch makes it harder to find mangoes. No matter how much she wanted them to stop, Nora continued to cry. Her happiness was quickly morphing to frustration as she ended up lagging behind a few times. Trying and failing to make the tears stop. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho noticed how Nora lagged behind, and his attention quickly turned away from finding mangos. "Are you alright?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

The rotting apples from before were stirring some less than pleasant memories… that, and her body’s insistence to continue crying was starting to upset her a bit. “I- I don’t want… I keep crying..!” Her breathing was harsh and trembling. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh... let's stop and wait here for a bit..." Yeonaixho said, and guided Nora to sit in the shade with him. "It's okay to cry, you know. I won't judge you for it. Let it all out..." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She followed him down. “C-crying is… bad… you… you’re just nice…” She continued hiccuping. “I don’t- I don’t like cryingg…” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Why do you think crying is bad?" Yeonaixho asked, his voice soft and gentle. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Her breathing was getting more erratic. Her hands tightened on the fabric of her dress as she tried to remember exactly what her Master told her. “It- it shows… a lack of control and… w-weakness…” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I don't think that's true..." Yeonaixho hummed. "Crying is just a sign that you have emotions. And emotions don't make you weak." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

He didn’t understand. He didn’t have to fight and kill things. Mister Juno was nice and she… she was not. “It’s… it’s what… I have to do.. to be strong…I-if I’m weak, I’ll die.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, right now, you don't have to be strong. You can just be you, and enjoy how things are now. I won't let anything hurt you, right now." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She started shaking. “But- but I! I have to be… be strong! That’s- that’s all I’m good for!!” She was sobbing now. She was crying too much- this was very, very bad. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Nora, I think your worth far more than your strength alone." Yeonaixho said. "Just by being here, and spending your time with me, you're worth more than that to me." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

A wave of tears rolled over her, and she just sobbed. She couldn’t speak through the tears, so she just wailed. All the while, a horrible dread was forming in her. Mister Juno didn’t understand- couldn’t understand this. His powers healed, but for her, her powers meant she had to fight. Her Master would be very angry with her for her weakness. She needed to fix this… but.. he was so kind. She didn’t want to hurt him. “You- you don’t get it…” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho let Nora have her tears, and simply sat by her, hoping his presence could offer some comfort. "Really? What don't I get? Explain it to me, please." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She sniffled a bit, she was unraveling. “You… your p-powers heal so… you don’t h-have to hurt people… my.. my powers are... only good for fighting. E-everything else… is useless.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I don't think our powers define our morality. I don't help people just because I have healing powers, I help them because I think it's the right thing to do. You get to make the choice of what you want to do with your life. Not your abilities." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“…huh? But- but my Master said… we have a duty… with our powers. It’s why w-we have them…” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho sighed. "Your powers don't define you. Yes, you can choose to do something with them, like I have, but you don't have to. They're just a part of you- like the eye or hand or voice." He paused, "And anyways, I can think of a lot of uses for your powers that don't involve violence." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“…really? I… I like.. doing other things… with my powers. I- I can.. i can make clothes..!” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yes, making clothes! That's a good idea!" Yeonaixho smiled. "Or you could put on little puppet shows with your dolls! There's so many possibilities." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“A puppet show? That- that sounds fun!! I- I like that…” Her tears were slowing. “Um.. M-mister Juno… why would.. my Master lie to me..?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hmm...." Yeonaixho thought about this for a moment. "There are a number of different reasons. Perhaps, he believes such things himself, and only taught it best to teach them to you. Perhaps, he thought he was helping you." He left out the crueler things he could've assumed about Nora's master. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“He.. he did say he was… helping me.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That makes sense. Perhaps, he was just mistaken on what the best way to help you is." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Oh… hm…” She shuffled a bit, processing that. “…Mister Juno, can we… go? I want a mango.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

(Nathan might join here, not now, but yargh

))

2

"Of course." Yeonaixho said, and stood up. He offered a hand to Nora. "Let's go find some mangoes." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She looked at the hand, but still didn’t take it. She leaned against the tree to stand, and walked close to Juno again. Mangoes… “Oh! Mister Juno, is- is this a mango?” She pulled a nice orange-green one down and held it towards Juno. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho was a bit disappointed Nora hadn't taken his hand, but didn't say anything. He took the mango when it'd been offered to him. Like he had with the apricot, he inspected with his hands and smelled it. "I think it is! Smells like a good one, too!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Yay! Um, how do… you eat this one?” She pulled down her own, this one was a similar color. “It smells really good…” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"We'll need to peel it first. The outside skin is edible, but not very tasty." Yeonaixho hummed, and demonstrated how to peel the mango. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She nodded and peeled it, smiling at the bright orange inside. She took a big bite and squealed. She giggled just a bit before trying to quiet down. “IT’S-! It’s so sweet!!!” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho laughed, and took a bite of his own mango. "It is, isn't it? They're some of the best fruit out there!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Her head hurt a little from crying, but the fruit was easing it. Oh, she had never had anything this sweet or delicious before. It was so good. “I- I think… this is my favorite... Thank you, Mister Juno.” Today was a very nice day, even though some things went wrong. It was a strange idea, to fail so terribly in the beginning and then have something so nice after. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That's wonderful! I'm glad I could help you find it." Yeonaixho smiled. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nathan seemed to have looped back to where he first started, to a cluster of bushes and trees to the left of that fall-apart brickhouse of a building. He hadn't managed to see the blue guy on his way here, so he only had to assume they were someplace else. "Oh, shit, peaches," Nathan hummed to himself, raising a hand to protect his eyes as he squinted up into the tree. Beautiful little white peaches sat nestled in the leaves, which absolutely made his mouth begin to water. Ace liked to share his peaches with him. "Hell yeah." Shoving up his sleeves to his sleeveless binder, Nathan began to scale the tree as best he could, looking like a fool straight out of hell. It didn't seem he noticed the duo that appeared to be nearby. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora turned to the sudden voice, and then watched as a newcomer appeared, trying to climb a tree. Was this person trying to sneak up on them?! She spoke in a hushed, scared tone. “M-mister Juno, someone’s here! They- they’re climbing a tree- what s-should we do?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Yeonaixho's brow furrowed. He could definitely hear the newcomer, but he couldn't glean much information about them from it. He stepped inbetween Nora and the source of the sound, and shielded his eyes. Man is light sensitive. "Hello? Who are you? Why are you up in the tree?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan, now standing on one of the sturdier branches, just about to reach one of the peaches before a voice caught him off guard. He looked down to where the voice came from, very quickly realizing that there were people- competitors? -here. None of them were the blue guy. Definitely other competitors, a kid and an adul- a kid? His brows furrowed slightly, doing a quick once-over of the kid. If she was one of the stronger ones or the...entertaining ones, he didn't know, and he wasn't too keen on finding out, judging by that witches hat. Guy seemed normal, though. Far too normal. "Heyyy," he cautiously greeted, leaning carefully against the tree. "I was, uh, just getting some peaches." He jerked a thumb in the direction he came from, continuing, "just came from the beach. Heard there were crabs and a farm here. Figured I'd get some food." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Oh, is that it? “Um… Mister Juno, do… do you think they are lying?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Hmmm...." Yeonaixho considered this. "They might be. But there were crabs on the beach.... and I can't think of a reason they'd be lying." He turned back to Nathan. "Who are you, though? What's your name?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan quirked an eyebrow at their little conversation, deciding to go reach for the peach in the meanwhile. Nice and fuzzy, he hadn't had these in a while- He winced as he was suddenly roped back into the conversation, swiftly slumping against the tree again. "Nathan," he called out, a little bitter he didn't manage to get the fruit faster. "And you two?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (edited)

“But- but um… what if this person wants… to hurt us..? What should we do?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"If that happens, we defend ourselves, we reason with him, or we run. Whichever makes most sense at the time." Yeonaixho said to Nora, then turned back to Nathan. "I'm Yeonaixho! We're friendly, and don't mean you any harm. We just came here for fruit, like you." He let Nora introduce herself, if she wanted to. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

“…okay.” She listened to Juno introduce himself and then spoke up as well. “I’m Nora.”

10:14 PM

@Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Cool, so he didn't really have to worry about having to fistfight anyone. That was completely fine by him. Nathan's shoulders visibly slumped as he turned back to reaching for the damn white peach, satiated by the fact no one was going to be lunging at each other or anything. "Hey, Yeonaixho, Nora," he greeted, mentally cheering when the fruit broke off, right into his hand. "That's totally fine by me, I have had eeenough of being jumped, or whatever." After a moment's consideration, he broke off a few more peaches, lightly chucking them a good distance away from his tree. "Extra-bonus peace offering," he called, sliding down to settle on the trunk of the tree. "White peaches are craaazy good. Haven't had one here yet, but I'm hoping it's the same as home." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho could not have caught those peaches if he tried. He really only noticed them when he heard them hit the ground. "Oh- uh, thank you." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora seemed surprised by that, and moved to pick the fruit up. She stared at the peaches before handing one to Juno. “Um…. W-we have mangoes… if you want some. They- they’re very sweet.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Sure, why not?" Nathan rubbed the peach against the corner of his jacket and squinted at the skin before turning his attention back to the pair. "Hey, if you like the mangoes, you might like the peaches. They're super sweet, but not really peachy, I'd say." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Yeonaixho took another mango from the tree, and handed it out to Nathan. "We also found some apricots, if you'd want some." To Nora, he said, "Peaches are a bit like apricots, but sweeter. I think you'll like them." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

11:43 AM

(I swore I replied to this last night

)

2

The peach felt strange in her hands. “Um, wh-why is… the peach fuzzy?” It smelled nice, but… fruit weren’t supposed to be fuzzy, unless they were rotten. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan, still settled in the tree, watched as Yeonaixho held out the fruit for him to take. He quirked an eyebrow a little, wanting to tell the guy he could just chuck it up there before noticing the white cane in his hand. He squinted, digging through each individual memory he had before remembering that, ah yes. White canes. To be truthful, Nathan felt a little...foolish that it had taken him this long to realize that Yeonaixho was blind. Shiiit, he threw a bunch of peaches at a blind guy. Nathan slid out of the tree carefully- not without grabbing another peach- and made his way over to the pair by the mango tree. He stopped just before them, not too close, yet not too distant, still somewhat wary of the others. "Nah, not much of a fan of apricots," he said, taking the mango from Yeonaixho's hand and setting the peach in it's place. "It's too...tangy, for me." Glancing over at the witch-hat-kid, Nathan shrugged, beginning to scrape away at his peach's skin with his nail. "Beats me, he hummed. "Hell if I know why they're fuzzy. Uh,but you can eat the skin, it's fine." Shaking his peach a little, he added- "I just hate the texture of the skin, it's like totally safe to eat." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"Suit yourself." Yeonaixho shrugged, and took the peach. "I personally like the peach skin, it's pretty tasty." He said to Nora. "You eat it just like the apricot." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora nodded and bit into the fruit, chewing on the leathery skin for a bit. She frowned a little, but swallowed it. “I… um… I don’t.. like the skin, too.” She tore off some of the skin and bit directly into the flesh this time. It was less sweet than the mango, but still nice. The texture was very good. “I, um.. this is nice. I... I like mangoes... more.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ (edited)

@Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"That's fair," Nathan shrugged, taking a bite of his peach. Nice. Sweet and soft and perfect. "I'll, uh, save the mango for a little later down the line." He looked around the surrounding area, a little disquieted by how far out the horizon seemed to stretch past the farmland. A thought popped into his head- the wall -and Nathan frowned into his fruit, eyebrows knitted. He wanted to bring this up to the others, but something ate at him. Ha. Like how he ate at the peach. “I'll take a guess and assume you guys are contestants, huh?” Nathan asked, lifting his head briefly. "You guys, uh, don't really look like the Toadlins. Or other guys.” After a moment, he added, “y'know, since like. You guys don't have tails. Or gills.” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That's alright. It's not for everyone." Yeonaixho said to Nora, with a smile. "I... guess we're contestants, yes?" He shrugged. "We are humans- at least, I am. No gills or anything. I just... appeared here randomly." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“I’m… human. We, um. This is… a competition… but, um… I think.. we will fight later.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Right, yeah, fight," he mumbled through a mouthful of peach. "I'll also guess you guys like, talked to that. Frogling, kid, earlier? Kinda high pitched, probably a teenager, snarky and, to be honest, a little rude?" Nathan sniffled a little, lifting his voice in a poor mockery of the Frogling guy. "Something, sacrifice, reuse for a hiiigher purpose, revive some species, something, something?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Rakin? I did... speak with him, yes." He nodded, not exactly wanting to recount how that conversation had gone. "He didn't seem like a teenager to me." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“…Rakin told me… he wanted me to hurt people, to… maim them. But… I was fighting and- and he… was mad at me.” Her voice sounded a bit like before. Scared. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Well, I didn't know him long- few minutes, at least- but that sounds about right, coming from him. And he was like, definitely a teenager. Short and high pitched and kinda scrawny. Relying-on-magic kinda guy. Chaining-people-up kinda guy because he can't fight." Scrawny two-faced big-shot kinda guy. "And he just, told you to hurt people, point-blank? Like that?" Nathan squinted a little, concern darting over his features before pure judgment returned. Whether it was reserved for that Rakin guy or Nora, it was hard to tell. "...You good?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I don't think we can trust Rakin." Yeonaixho said to Nora, concerned "I don't think he has our best interests at heart. Who were you fighting?" "Most of what he told me was that I was going to die, but he also said my healing abilities would be useful, so..." He shrugged. "I assume there will be violence at some point." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She rung her hands. Her voice was a little frantic. “I... her name…” Oh no- what was it? Oh- she could never remember names… “I- I can’t remember- I’m sorry… she… had brown hair? Um- she kept asking… about a boy. Miles. I- we talked about her… um… I- I hurt her and… Rakin came and told me it- it wasn’t time..? I don’t… understand what I… did wrong. I did what- what he wanted.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan nodded in agreement with Yeonaixho. He was definitely shifty as all hell. "Oh, a lot of that dying stuff," he agreed, shaking his head with even more fervor. "He would not stop talking about the sacrificing, reduced to atoms stuff." He wasn't all too surprised to hear there was another competitor here, but was a little surprised that Rakin had made an appearance here so soon. Could go for the legs next time. He didn't want to figure out how to get Mister Teenager here yet, though. "He...might not have wanted people getting hurt so soon," Nathan carefully tested, wrinkling his nose. "Um. Well, you did what he. Wanted you to do. So I'd say that's a bit of a thing on him, y'know?" He didn't really know how else to comfort people, especially like this. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"Ah, Theora." Yeonaixho nodded. "He should have specified, yes, if he instructed you just to attack.... he said this was a tournament, yes? So I assume there will be organized matches, and not just a violent free-for-all." "Regardless," He said to Nora, "I think you should stray away from randomly attacking people until we learn more." (edited)

4:44 PM

@Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She shuffled a little, her voice sounding like it was on the verge of tears again. “…if I didn’t do it right… it’s always my fault. I should’ve- I should’ve… understood- done b-better. We… are here to fight…” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan kept eating at his peach, attention shifting between Yeonaixho and Nora before her voice began to wobbly. Swallowing his bit of peach, Nathan slowly shuffled closer to pat Nora carefully, almost robotically on the shoulder, each pat accompanied by a slow, wary, 'there'. "It's not...always your fault," he hesitantly said. "Mistakes happen. Um. He told you something. And then got mad about it. So if anything, he kinda set himself up for it." "But, uh, Yeonaixho has a point too, yeah. But. Uh, about that fighting thing?" Nathan winced, hiding his grimace incredibly poorly. "Ehhhh, I'unno about the whole...fighting thing. Um. It's. It's weird. It's iffy. It's confusing." Patting Nora once more on the shoulder he slowly asked, "uh, how. Old are you?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Nathan's right." Yeonaixho affirmed with a nod. "It's not your fault you weren't given the right information about your expectations here- none of us were. If anything, it's Rakin's fault for not preparing you. He's the one who told you to fight, after all." He nodded. "We shouldn't be attacking people out of nowhere, no matter what. If they attack us, we defend ourselves, but it's best not to instigate violence." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Her eyes were hidden under her hat, but they were wide with an almost animalistic fear as she watched this stranger lay his hand on her shoulder. She was rigid- like a wooden doll. His voice was far, difficult to hear over the sound of her own rapid heartbeat. Her breathing was strange and shallow, and she said nothing as she stared at the hand. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Yeah," Nathan said, huffing out what could only be assumed as a laugh. "Better to find enemies than to make them, y'know?" They were fighters, yes, but it felt more like caged animals before being led to the slaughter. And the notion that everyone, and that meant everyone was going to die- fuck that sacrifice thing! -plus the addition of the stone walls, definitely didn't help ease his feelings. Nathan blinked a little when Nora didn't reapond, unable to see beyond the rim of the hat. "Uh..." he started, glancing briefly to the side. "hey, um, how old are you?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Though he couldn't see her, Yeonaixho definitely noticed how tense Nora got when Nathan touched her. "Ah, uh- Nathan, would you mind coming and standing over here, by me? I think Nora would like a little space." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora remained still and quiet. The smallest shiver racked her body, and a few tears rolled down her cheeks. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Huh? Uh, yeah, su-" Just as Nathan was moving his hand away, he felt the briefest little quiver underneath his hand, and saw the moisture on the dirt below. As quick as lightning, Nathan had stepped back to Yeonaixho's side with the feeling of dread stirring in the pit of his stomach. Oh, he messed up bad. "Uh- uh- uh- shit," he hissed between his teeth, a hand coming up to tangle in his hair. "Uh- shit. What did- what-" Nathan knelt down ever so slightly, as if trying to calm down a child rather than a teenager. "Hey, um, are you alright?" Nathan carefully asked, clearly a little out of his depth here. "You- you good ? " @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"You're doing alright. Let me deal with this," Yeonaixho said to Nathan, noticing his sudden apprehension. He knelt down next to Nora, to try and be less intimidating to her. "Are you alright, Nora? Remember, it's okay to cry." He said in a soft, gentle voice. "If there's something bothering you, you can tell me." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She was starting to tremble. Her body was tensed for a strike- and her mind could not wrap around the idea that it wouldn’t come. Something was off in her stance with the way she curled in on herself. Another shiver wracked her body and more tears fell. Despite Juno’s words, she continued to hold them back. Her eyes were unfocused in a distant gaze. The sweet taste in her mouth was morphing into the sickly sweetness of rotting fruit. She still could not speak, as if she could not hear their questions at all. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Nathan scratched awkwardly at his ear, mouth quirked up in some sort of half-wince-grimace. He really did not expect this to happen. He wanted to do something, but what good could he do? He wasn't really good at handling this stuff- in fact, he wasn't good at handling this kind of stuff at all! He kept standing there, watching Yeonaixho try to soothe her, this kid, the half-eaten peach still in his hand. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Nora?" Yeonaixho asked Nora again. "It would help me a lot if you could tell me how you're feeling. Though, if you don't want to, that's okay too. Do you want to take in some deep breaths with me? It might help you calm down." "In....." He instructed, visibly inhaling as he did so, "And out...." He repeated this pattern for a while, hoping Nora would follow. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Instructions. She can follow instructions. …her breaths were still quite shallow, but less panicked. Another shudder and the hold over her broke with a small gasp. Her body shook with a sob, and she allowed herself to cry. “I-hhh- sssorry…” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Something tightened in Nathan's chest when Nora began to cry, something akin to guilt and worry. This wasn't right- aside from the whole making a kid cry thing; she was just a kid! And something told Nathan that him setting his hand on his shoulder meant a little more to her than just that. "Hey," he quietly said, kneeling down a little next to Yeonaixho, "it's alright, okay? You don't have to apologize about anything, alright?" "It's- it's alright to cry, and...it's- it's alright to be worried, and have boundaries. And stuff." Despite how much he was trying, he was still doing quite poorly. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"You don't need to apologize. You can, if you like, but it's not necessary." Yeonaixho continued gently. "Like I said before, I don't mind it when you cry around me. It's just an expression of emotion, remember? There's nothing bad about it." "And like Nathan said, it's okay that you don't want to be touched. It's a perfectly reasonable thing to want. You don't have to apologize for that, either." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ \

She decided she didn’t want to stand anymore and sat down, pulling up her stuffed cat and hugging it to her body. She sobbed a bit more. [child abuse tw] Her voice was quiet, and she seemed to be talking mostly to Juno. “I- hh- I was… scared- I don’t want… to be hit- hh- anymore…” Another sob shook through her and she curled in on herself, bringing her knees to her chest. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Well that was something you never wanted to hear from a kid. Yeonaixho's heart sank, he struggled to keep a calm face and even tone, but he did so for Nora. "There is nothing to be scared of right now. I won't hit you, and neither would Nathan." If Nathan said anything of the opposite, Yeonaixho would deal with that. He doubted he would, though. "I would never hit you. No matter what." He paused. "If I may ask... is there someone you know who has hit you before?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ (continued discussion of child abuse)

[continued tw] A few more sobs and she nodded her head. “M-my…Master…. He- when I did something wrong h-he would… he ssssaid it s-so I.. hh.. don’t do it again… B-but I- c-couldn’t do it right… ever! He- he hated me..!! Because I c-couldn’t do anything right…” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ (edited)

Now, Yeonaixho couldn't even hide the shocked fear in his voice. "Nora... that's abuse. That is not how a kind person behaves, and you shouldn't be treated that way. No one deserves to be in a situation like that, especially not a child such as yourself. You did the right thing, by telling me." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Her tiny frame continued to shake with each sob. “H-he hated me! He hated me… I- I did- everything I w-was sssupposed to and-! And it didn’t matter!! I- I HATE HIM!!” Her once weak and monotone voice was now shrill and shaky. She wailed with frustration- it was the most emotional she had ever been. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Let it all out..." Yeonaixho let Nora express her emotion. It would be good for her- he suspected she'd never had an outlet for these feelings in her life. "You have a right to feel angry, and sad, and frustrated about this. To me, it sounds like he is a very cruel man who deserves to be hated. You did not deserve to be treated that way." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

“He- he mmade me hurt p-people- I didn’t want to- I wanna be good…!! I hate him!! I hate him…!!” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Throughout all of it, Nathan had knelt there, hands balled into fists within his jacket pockets. He had kept his mouth shut- mostly because he didn't knew what to say or how to comfort her, and also because he knew that what he did have to say would most likely add more fuel to the fire. "You deserve to be pissed," he quietly agreed, trying to keep the anger out of his voice. "Dude, that's fucked, what he did to you was totally wrong! You didn't deserve any of that. Hate him as much as you want, because he sucks and he deserves it. Every- every bit of it!" "You don't have to hurt people here if you don't want to. If you do, cool, if you don't, also cool. You get to make your own choices here, you don't have to listen to some fuck who- who- who- yeah." "M'sorry for grabbing you. I didn't- I didn't know, but it doesn't excuse it." Nathan sighed a little, gesturing a little with his hand. "I'm sorry for upsetting you, and I'll know now not to touch you unless you- you- yeah." He winced a little, returning to scratching at his ear. "Sorry, again, not really good with this." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (edited)

Nora was starting to calm down a little, though her body was still shaking a bit. She listened to Nathan and nodded. “..mhmm, you… you scared me.” Fuck. Angry word. She was angry. “..master- mmgh. Salvatore is a fuck. I- I hate him. It’s- it’s good he’s dead.” Ohhh she was so mad. He was so mean to her!! He was awful!!! @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

It was better to be angry at a dead man than a living one. Yeonaixho, who had been nodding along with what Nathan was saying, couldn't help but be a bit surprised at what information Nora let slip. "You shouldn't be made to hurt people if you don't want to." Yeonaixho nodded. "And you shouldn't be punished for not wanting to do so. And you're right. It is good that he's dead. Now, he can't hurt you anymore. And you don't have to listen to anything he's said." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

12:22 AM

@Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"Oh, even better!" Nathan gleefully said, coughing a little into his fist to smother his emotions. "It's. Good he's dead. Because he was super awful. But then again, it's just really, really good that he's dead, y'know? Uh, death severs binding, or whatever that thing goes. You don't have to listen to him anymore, because it just straight up doesn't matter." "You're right, Salvatore is a fuck," Nathan agreed, nodding violently. "But that's not the right term for it, that's my bad. Salvatore is a bitch, a piece of shit, if you'd prefer. I have a wholeee lotta words I can teach you how to call him, if y'want." His face fell into something softer, and he picked a little at his earring. "I, uh. I won't scare you again," he reassured, not without pausing. "I'm, not sure how though. I've been told I'm pretty spooky looking. But I won't touch you without asking again, alright?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She nodded with Nathan. “bitch…. He’s… he’s a brat and- and w-worthless, and slow, and stupid, and- and all the mmmean things he said!! He’s awful!! I hate him..!” Her anger was slowly dying down, and being replaced with more confusing thoughts. “…wh… what am I.. supposed to do now? I- I don’t wanna.. be here. And fight…” She looked to the two adults, still looking for direction. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

At that, Yeonaixho let out a defeated sigh. "I don't know. I don't know what any of us are going to do. I.... I guess the only thing we can do is wait til we know more. Until then, we can stick together and keep each other safe. I have a feeling it'll be helpful to have allies here." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"Get that anger out!" Nathan egged on. "Screw the dead, he didn't do shit for you! You're your own person now!" Yet as Nora began to settle into confusion, Nathan began to settle down, too. Right. It was pretty fucked up to drag a kid into this, and not to mention have them fight others. He thought a little, simply shrugging after a moment. "Yeah, like he said," Nathan hummed, gesturing a little at Yeonaixho. "Stick together, keep each other safe, stay wary of others, I guess. There's more people around, and who knows if they're powerful or entertaining." He shook his head a little, looking between the pair. Something steady began to turn in the back of his mind. "Um. Do you guys have powers, or anythin'?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Nora nodded and pulled the stuffed cat out. “I can.. make magic string and.. control things with it.” She stared at the orange stuffy and it perked up- like it came to life. The toy walked like a cat, but its limbs were very floppy. It wobbled along in a circle and then bumped its head into Nathan’s leg. The toy was light and its fur was soft. It rubbed its head on Juno’s arm and then walked back to Nora. It went limp and flopped into her hands. “I can- I can also… make clothes, with my thread! Um, I made… my dress and my hat.” She smiled a bit, nervous pride in her voice. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho gave the plush cat a few gentle pats as it neared him. "And I have healing powers. That's pretty self explanatory, I think... and rather hard to demonstrate if no one's hurt." He turned to Nora. "Really? That's impressive! I've always wanted to try making my own clothes." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan watched the animated plush cat toddle around, his eyes alight with wonder. "Oh, that's sick," he breathed, curiosity and awe present in his voice. Looking up at Nora, some form of a grin had settled on his lips. "That's crazy cool, man. Powers that can animate stuff are always stupid cool." "Healing powers are also super helpful," he hummed, "a good asset to have on any team, or solo." "I can mess around and control clay, he said, shrugging a little with his hands. "But while I don't have clay on hand, I can transform parts of my body just like how I'd control clay and stuff." Extending his arm away from Nora and Yeonaixho, it only took him a moment for his arm up to his elbow to start shifting, morphing cleanly into a wicked axe-blade. "This axe-blade-thing is probably the easiest thing to make," he sheepishly said. "Plus, it's super easy to swing my arm around and hit things." After a moment, he coughed into his free fist, some embarrassment lingering on his words. "Um, but, sometimes, if I like. Transform stuff that's. Not part of me? Iiit results in me getting hurt. Which. Has happened. Pretty recently." He didn't want to mention tackling that Rakin guy and feeling near immediate karma. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (edited)

Nora smiled a bit more at the compliment. She watched in awe as Nathan used his powers. “Oh wow!! That’s- that is very… powerful!! Some of my dolls have.. hands like that- blades… that’s, um.. amazing! And.. you can change other things too..! Wow..” She was easily impressed it seems. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

(Don't mind me here) With a ZAP of lightning, Aileen appeared in the area... @Mister Jokestar

3

"Huh. Impressive." Yeonaixho said as Nathan explained his powers. He'd probably be more impressed if he could actually see it, but. Alas. His brow furrowed as Nathan described the 'getting hurt' part of his powers. "Oh, really? Do you need healing? I can help." His attention was briefly diverted from the conversation as someone else appeared the the area... @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"OH WOW THAT IS EXHILARATING! Instant transportation! Or at least it appears that way from my end... If I see him I'll need to add that to the list of questions... Oh um..." Aileen looked around her and saw there were others there. One with an axe hand? And a toy cat? " Hmm.. you must be some of the ones on my side! Does your arm do that often? What a very interesting bunch, but none of you seem to be like Rakin at least I can't tell at the moment..." Her trail of words spun from her voice like a whirlwind. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

@Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

A flicker of a smile darted across Nathan's face at Nora's reaction- it was nice seeing her smile again, especially after just earlier before it immediately fizzled back out into embarrassment. "Uh, yeah, a little? I think it'd be pretty helpful, yeah." Nathan winced a little at the flash of lightning, looking over to where the stranger had just appeared. For a moment, he had tensed up in the anticipation of something going wrong, but at the sound of her babbling and chattering, it was pretty clear that she was just excited to be here, or something. "Uh, zookeeper, guy, just appeared," he whispered, moreso to Yeonaixho than anything. "Um. Orangey. Red. Human." To be honest, she kind of reminded him of Emmie, in some way. Huh. Easily excitable or something. "Yeah, I think we're in the clear, I don't think she's going to hurt us," Nathan whispered to the pair, before standing up to greet the stranger. "Hey, uh, guy. Arm does this semi-often. None of us are Rakin. Uh, far from it. I'll guess that you're a competitor, too, but what do you mean 'your side'?" he asked, setting his free hand on his hip. "We're all on the same side, we're kinda all just trapped here." (edited)

11:03 AM

@soul | 🎻 @Mister Jokestar @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Nora flinched at the thunder clap, hiding behind Nathan from the newcomer. “Another.. person.” She sounded a little scared. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Mister Jokestar @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Yeonaixho tensed as Aileen began rambling, but soon came to the understanding she wasn't much of a threat. Just... enthusiastic. He noticed Nora's hesitation, though, and tried to move in between her and the stranger. "Thank you." He whispered back to Nathan after his description. 'Orangey' and 'red' didn't mean much to him, but 'human' was useful, as was 'zookeeper'. He remained sitting on the ground, but turned to face the stranger, his gaze not quite meeting hers. "Hello! I'm Yeonaixho. We're all friendly. Just... trapped here." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mister Jokestar

"OUR side, there are two sides in this maze. We are competing against the other side. Didn't Rakin fill you in? This is our own little tournament all at the behest of Rakin's master, Alrai Pin. Oh I forgot my manners, My name is Aileen! Yeonaixho, a pleasure to meet you." She stepped up closer to the group as she talked. "And what's your name Axe hand? Its very intriguing... is that a static shape or can it be dynamic?" She seemed very interested in the powers of Nathan. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan blinked. "Woah- woah, no- no? Absolutely not? Hello?" he sputtered out. "Wh- no! He didn't tell us any of this! He didn't tell us anything about another side!" Nathan didn't even seem to register the guy- Aileen's- other questions, too busy sorting through each piece of information he had just obtained. He took a step back, axe-arm steadily transforming back into a normal arm. They were going to have to fight the other side and get sacrificed- or die trying to fight them, which wasn't a great thing either. He whirled around on his heel, looking aghast between Nora and Yeonaixho. "Did he tell you guys any of this? Like, any bit at all?" @Mister Jokestar @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora shook her head, looking more frightened by the second. She doesn’t want to be here- she doesn’t want to fight anymore! “I- I didn’t ask a-anything… I didn’t want.. to get in trouble…” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Mister Jokestar @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Two sides?" Yeonaixho sputtered. He ran a hand through his hair. To Nathan, he replied. "No! I wasn't told anything about that, I-" Suddenly, he remmebered something Rakin had said. Something he'd been far too distressed at the time to fully rationalize. "He- he did, actually. He told me about the two sides. I don't know how I forgot." Yeonaixho confessed. Was that where Jymaiyri was? To Aileen, he asked- "The- the part about the rebirth of the greatest species, were you told that?" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mister Jokestar

As they started to freak out Aileen looked a bit confused, "Hmm... must have been my inquisitive nature. May that arm truly is something... I wonder if its just your arm or..." She turned to face Yeonaixho, "No I don't think we really got to that part. He did mention that his species is alien adjacent though, so possibly the aliens could be the species they are attempting to bring back. There are others here, staff of some sort that are of the same alien adjacent species that Rakin is, I was hoping to ask them some questions. You don't happen to be blind do you? That would make traversing this maze of sorts more difficult." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Perhaps if Nathan didn't immediately start cussing out Rakin, he could have possibly learned more about all this. "We're going to fight people, and the loser gets thrown out into space, or some shit-" Nathan was quietly muttering to himself as Aileen and Yeonaixho talked, squinting into the dirt. "So, then- who gets sacrificed? Is this all just for entertainment, or- or- or- aliens." His head quite suddenly snapped up to stare at Aileen, digging through the words that were still in his ears. Aliens. That space threat. Thing. Σκατά. Despite how much Nathan wanted to instinctively lose it, his attention was captured by a frightful Nora. "Um- that's alright, yeah," he forced himself to normally say. "That's alright, hey! Are you- you- are you alright?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

(sorry I forgot to tag you both, Kip and Sauce, slip of the mind)

1

“I- I don’t w-want to fight anymore… I don’t want to kill anymore..!! I- I want to be good!” Her voice was devolving into panic again. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Mister Jokestar @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Mister Jokestar

(sorry I forgot to tag you both, Kip and Sauce, slip of the mind)

(ooo nwnw! i thought you were splitting off into a thing w/yeonaixho, ygood!)

"I-" Yeonaixho stared into space, surprised at the question then stammered, "Yes? That's not exactly relevant right now- maze?" His attention quickly diverted Nora again, though. "Let's take some deep breaths again, huh? This isn't the right time to be all worried..." His voice didn't support his words- it was frantic with fear just like Nora's. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mister Jokestar

Aileen was oblivious to the panic attack happening, though to others she would most likly come off as just not caring. "Yes a maze. It isn't obvious but we are in it. That mixed in with the tournament should prove to give us plenty to do. Also I think you being blind is information that while maybe not entirly relevent at this time could become so in the future. I make it a mission to try and soak up as much as I can." She looked towards Nora finally. "Is she okay? I mean i think she looks rather stressed." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"You- you don't have to kill anyone- again...? You don't have to kill anyone, Nora! Um- uegh-" Nathan, who had not gotten any better with words in the past two minutes, decided to let Yeonaixho try to help Nora- he certainly seemed to be better at it than they were. Instead, he turned his attention to Aileen, still prattling on about whatever it was. "Wait, so- are you on board with this entire 'fight others and get sacrificed and-or thrown into space deal'?" Nathan asked, quirking an eyebrow before harshly dropping his voice into a whisper. "And no, I don't think a kid saying they wanna fight means that they're entirely okay!" @Mister Jokestar @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Not the right time to be all worried- “I- I’m sssorry… b-breathing… breathing… I w-wanna leave….” She was hugging herself tight, certainly not helping herself breathe better. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Mister Jokestar @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Yeonaixho led himself and Nora through the same breathing exercise that he had earlier. He needed it as much as she did. "I know. I want to leave too," He sighed, his worry and apprehension clear. "We'll have to go find someone to talk to. Someone here has to know what's going on. And- and we'll figure out a way to leave." It was an empty promise. He knew it was. But he was trying. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mister Jokestar @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

While Yeonaixho and Nora went through the breathing exercises Aileen gave her attention to Nathan. "You never introduced yourself? You let slip that her name is Nora, but I still don't know yours. Also I do agree that it is grim and I don't want to die, BUUUUT this is a very unique opportunity and I mean, I've been searching for proof of aliens for long time and now I have proof. Actual tangible proof." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"I talked with someone who was here before us earlier," Nathan sighed, frustration heavy in his voice. "Llinos, on the beach. She doesn't know anything about this place, and I doubt that anyone else knows, too." Oh, Athena, a conspiracy theorist. "You're a conspiracy theorist, aren't you," Nathan tensely asked, shoulders scrunched up as high as they could go. "Or- or some scientist guy, seeing as how...fascinated you seem with magic and aliens and whatever else." He by no means considered himself a conspiracy theorist- there were Oni, Anacondrai, Serpentine and so many other guys around, it was pretty fricking easy to hope (or imagine) that there were other...extraterrestrial species, too. If not for the whole kidnapping thing, he would quite frankly be amazed, too. "And it's Nathan," he bluntly added after a moment of grimacing. @Mister Jokestar @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

After the breathing exercises Nora calmed down a bit. Unwrapping her hands and instead moving them to run her hands over the smooth cloth of her dress. “…there’s.. too many people, Mister Juno… I don’t.. I don’t like it.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Mister Jokestar @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"We can leave, if you'd like. We don't have to stick around." He suggested to Nora, voice still calm . "I'm not the biggest fan of large groups, either." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Mister Jokestar

"Conspiracy? No I'm a hunter for truth. I'm an archeologist, I find stuff from the past that explains where we come from. There is a lot more out there, I found such interesting wonderful secrets, but nothing would be as amazing and as exciting as aliens. Its like the holy grail! except... that was already found and documented. Wasn't even that special. But this is. Its the kind of breakthrough that can put your name in the books forever... I'd be set for life." Aileen smiled. It was a bit of a dream for her, sure there was the whole tournament thing, she'll figure that out later, but for now this was amazing! "So Llinos, was she like Rakin? like a similar species? She doesn't know anything about here but what does she know? Is she still at the beach?" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nathan could feel his ears steadily start ringing with each word. Somehow, being an archeologist was a liiitle worse than a conspiracy theorist. Did they talk this much, too? "Yeah, aliens are exciting 'n all," he admitted, scratching a little behind his ear. "But like, with all these different species 'n guys 'n realms and whatever the hell else is there, it's just a little...ehhh, y'feel?" At the mention of Llinos, Nathan scoffed, waving his hand a little. "Oh, no, no, no, not in the slightest. Don't mention Froglings in the same breath as Toadlins. Hell, don't even mention Froglings, or she'll try to claw you in the neck." He jerked a thumb at the beach, where he had just departed from- "She might still be there, don't know. Not much of a chatterbox as you are, though. Big ol' Toadlin guy, just kind of got dropped into here. Missing a jacket with goose feathers, though." @Mister Jokestar @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora nodded. “I- I’d like to leave… I- I don’t like… so many people...” If this was her definition of a lot, she wasn’t going to have a great time here. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Mister Jokestar @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"It's alright. Let's get out of here." Yeonaixho rose to his feet, letting Nora get up by herself. He fought the urge to extend her his hand- he'd respect her dislike of touch, he wouldn't want her to think she had to go through that just for him. Before they left, Yeonaixho glanced back to Nathan and Aileen. "We're leaving." Then, back to Nora. "Alrighty. Lead the way." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Mister Jokestar

Aileen glanced at the two leaving, "Oh good bye then you two! pleasure to meet you!" Her attention snapped back to Nathan, "You speak of different species and realms like its pretty common place? Where are you from exactly? Other then Froglins, and Toadlins, what sort of species have you encountered?" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nathan raised his hand a little as Nora and Yeonaixho left, a little concerned for Nora's sake. "Be seeing you guys," he said, taking note of what general direction they were headed. "Stay safe." He didn't have much time to watch them leave before the zookeeper was talking again. Just like Emmie. "Well, uh, yeah," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well- I'm from Ninjago- like, the heart of Ninjago City. So there's always realm magic and bullshit happening." He groaned a little, lifting his hand to start ticking off the various guys he had bumped into. "Hell, uh- Oni, for fuckin'. Sure. Anacondrai, Serpentine, Hypnobrai? Ghosts, definitely. Um. I don't know if Nindroid count?” Two, four, five? Six? “Wait, do you mean like. Anthro species or like- every. Cause I cannot name every animal or species in existence, I'd die." @Mister Jokestar

"Hmm of course... Of course... So you aren't from earth then? Ninjago... That's a separate place not in our segment of space or in mine anyways, there are a few ways to get there but the easiest were found in eastern areas... But that does make this more interesting. There are contestants from Ninjago, there might be from other as you say realms." Aileen scratched her head as she thought out loud. "Okay so then you are used to the weird and bizarre. You seem like you could be a very useful ally. I propose a partnership!" She extended her arm towards Nathan. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan shrugged, hands now returned to his pockets. "Wouldn't be surprised," he hummed. "Ninjago's been like, through fuckall and back since the start of time. Wouldn't be surprised if our little place was off-chart or something, or if there are other guys from there, too." A beat. "Or realms. Like I said, Ninjago's been through fuckall and back." He snorted a little, not yet shaking her hand. "A partnership, jeez, man," he cackled, scratching behind his ear. "We're all allies here, or whatever. Kinda gotta help each other if we, y'know, want to live a teeensy bit longer." @Mister Jokestar

"We're on the same side. But we aren't allies." She said it very seriously, get arm still stretched out. "We aren't obligated to help each other. In the end there will only be one winner, and he isn't on either side." She stated it as fact. Which begged the question, what was she going to do about it. What was her real goal. Honestly she didn't know herself, but she knew that making real allies would be beneficial. Figure out the game, and gather the pieces. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Right. Nathan squinted a little, turning her words over in his head. She had a point. Despite everything, there was only going to be one winner, and it seemed the only exit out was by playing this stupid game, whether he liked to or not. Or go after Rakin again, or talk to that Alrai Pin guy. Bargain, strike a deal, whatever it was to get him out of this. "Look, I'll be honest, we've only juuust met," he hummed, drumming his fingers along his arm. "So sorry, man, no allies here just yet. You're right, we aren't obligated to help each other, but if I had to, it would probably be someone I met a liiittle more than just a few seconds ago, yanno?" @Mister Jokestar

Aileen withdrew her hand, "If you change your mind feel free to seek me out, assuming I'm still around at any given time. I think for now I've gotten most of the useful information that I can. There are some alien adjacent people I want to meet so at this point I guess it is fare well." She looked around eager to explore and to meet said alien adjacent people. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"You'll probably most likely still be around, seeing how we're trapped in this maze with nowhere else to go." The mention of the disappearing stone walls didn't seem relevant anymore. "I'll be seeing you around, I guess." "We're in this farmlands kinda place but there should be some people by the beach," Nathan said, gesturing a little at where he had just departed from. "Probably. There's food here, and food in the streams nearby." @Mister Jokestar

"Yes my corpse might still be around, but as for my soul, well ... I've done a bit of research in that too." She turned towards the direction he noticed towards, "Thank you for the directions, I'm sure I can scrounge up some food, I have great hunting instincts..." and with that last thought she jumped and transformed into an owl to fly up and away using her flight to get the birds eye view. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Ah, yes, the soul, widely discussed, heard of it." He couldn't tell if this was a her thing or an archeologist thing. "Well, yeah, no worries. Oh, if you want some veg and stuff, there might be some down th-" He didn't have time to finish his sentence as the human had transformed into an owl, already soaring off into the sky. Nathan blinked, frozen in place mid-point, as his head began to pound. Right, yeah, so that sealed the deal. "I'm going insane," Nathan gritted out, scaling the tree for some more peaches.

It took him more than just a little bit, but he had managed to find out two things during his time roaming around the farmlands; One; these mangoes were really good. Two; he was really bad at finding clay. He would have guessed, as an 'elemental master of clay' or whatever the hell, he would be at least somewhat proficient at finding clay. If he was going to get out of here, he was going to have to have at least some clay to actually use his element on. Somewhat. Maybe he really did have to go around and look for that Tai'Tana guy. Nathan squinted a little more throughout the thicket of trees and bushes, looking for the faintest glimmer of water. Maybe going back to the beach wasn't a bad idea. @soul | 🎻

Theora was getting impatient. More impatient, rather, since she was already pretty pissed off. Sorry Nathan, you're not about to get a normal conversation. She stormed to the farmland and, upon seeing him, she wasted no time. "YOU. Have you seen Miles? Brown hair, might be tall, stupid face." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan was about to start making his way through the thicket before a voice caught him off guard, and he turned around. Not a friendly guy was his first assumption, judging by how snappy the guy was. "No, haven't seen him," he bluntly responded, quirking an eyebrow. "I've seen like. Four people since I got here. Not any brown-haired guy, though." @soul | 🎻

"You'll tell me when you see him," Theora demanded, storming over and glaring daggers at him. "You find him, you'll tell me." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Who'd this guy think she was? Nathan couldn't help himself but snicker a little as he had to look down at this not very intimidating guy who was trying very hard to be intimidating, coughing ever slightly into his fist. "You know, if you want to ask people an offer," he started, "like, to keep an eye out for someone, you could be a liiittle nicer about it, y'know?" @soul | 🎻

Theora continued to glare daggers. "It's not an offer or a request. You're going to do it because I need to find him. He's here somewhere and I'm looking for him. I have three other people looking for him-" She really did not. "-but that's not enough. I don't have an Eye on him anymore, they took his bag, so now I can't see where he is. You will tell me if you see him." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Why's this guy so important to you? Not that it would sway me into helping find him, unless he like, kills people or something, but that's also not super persuasive." He jammed his hands into his pockets, somewhat full with peaches. "Well, like, you're already not super persuasive, y'know, being a total stranger who just ran up and demanded things of." "So I will not tell you if I see him," Nathan hummed. After a moment, he just simply couldn't resist it. "Eye will not. Uh, you could ask your three other people to do it, though." @soul | 🎻

"I need to bring him back to where he belongs." Theora scrunched her nose up. "He'd be dead if it was up to me." She does not know how to persuade people - and she definitely didn't appreciate the pun. "You will. One of them is blind, one of them is annoying and the other is an annoying child. You're going to tell me when you see him." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

A squint. "Right, okay, so you're the guy who kills people," he hummed, unappreciatevely. He pressed the tips of his fingers together, a low hiss escaping his lips. "How old are you- like- fifteen? Fourteen? Um. How do I tell you this." "If a stranger ran up to you and said, 'hey, where's this guy, I gotta kill him!'" he mimicked in Rakin's voice, before promptly dropping his voice again; "do you know how batshit that sounds? I wasn't going to help you before- maybe, if you were nicer, but, um, I'm going to assume that this kid is just a liiittle foolish, a little of a clown, I'm doubly not going to help you find him. Snf. And kill him." "Oh, yeah, Yeonaixho," he hummed, gears turning a little in the back of his head. Annoying child. Well, she wasn't annoying, not to him. Uh, this kid sure was, though. "And Nora, I'm gunna guess. Out on a limb. Nora and Yeonaixho, no?" @soul | 🎻

"Nineteen," she practically interrupted him as he was guessing ages. She didn't react to Nathan mimicking Rakin because she never met that guy. "I'm not going to kill him. I'm not allowed to." Not much better. "He has to be alive when I bring him back. So he'll remain alive. I'll find him, get out of here and then I take him back. He'll stay alive. Unfortunately." Theora continued to glare at Nathan, though she tilted her head ever so slightly to the side. "You know them. Two of them." Nora. That was the annoying child. Yeonaixho was blind and Moses was annoying. They'd said their names. Nora hadn't. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Shit, you're nineteen?" Nathan practically yelped, a little- no- a lot taken aback at that. Short. "Okay, yeah, no, you should like. Really know murder is not allowed." "Take him back? Back where?" he slowly asked, mind immediately darting to their city, but that didn't seem likely, especially with this murdery thing. "I also feel like I should be asking why exactly you hate this guy so much to the point where, you know, you'd want to murder this guy." The slight shift to her head was ever enough to bring Nathan's attention fully to this guy. "Yeah, I know them. What about it?" @soul | 🎻

"Yeah. Murder isn't allowed. That's why I'm not killing him." Girl. "Yes I'm nineteen." Priorities in order. "To the facility, where he belongs. Both of us. They sent me to get him back and they're the ones who won't let me kill him." Her eyes narrowed. "I hate him because he's a backstabbing coward who will throw anyone aside to escape. He betrayed me. He deserves to be dead. The only reason he gets to live a second longer than I want him to is because I have to bring him back alive." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Mmmhm," Nathan slowly hummed, eyes getting ever wider by the moment. He was the biggest fan of drama like any rational human being would be. But this? This? "Rrright, so. Uh, facility? Hm? Where he belongs. Where you two belong? Like...what sort...of facility?" he carefully tested, fingertips still pressed right to each other. "I'm not sure if. Like, backstabbing, is a super valid-big reason for, murdering someone, you know. And I don't really think he's here, if you're like. Hunting him down, or whatever." Well. Unless. Ah, but that wouldn't be likely. "I think he's already in the wind if, you know, you're trapped here in this maze-box thing." @soul | 🎻

Theora was getting even more frustrated with this conversation. "Science." Great. "And his backstabbing was. He's here. He was teleported just like I was, I saw it. With my Eye. He's here. The same people who took us took him too. And they took his bag so I can't see him anymore. It's only a matter of time. I'm closer than I was before." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

A science facility! Fun, so fun! "Oh, he got teleported too. Huh. Mmmhm, noted." The moment she started talking about how much she wanted to kill this guy, Nathan had already made it up in his mind to absolutely not let this kid- who cared if she was 19, still a kid -get her mitts on this guy. How bad could that betrayal probably have been? Probably maybe not as bad as his little...fallout, before he got sent here. Nathan grimaced a little, though it was gone quickly. "So you just saw him teleport? I don't really get why a bag would mean you suddenly can't see him anymore." Eye and eye sounded the exact same! Right? @soul | 🎻

Theora really was not appreciating how resistant this stranger was to letting her kill/capture her target. Everyone else before had just been so agreeable. Sure. "I have an Eye on his bag," she said through gritted teeth. "So I could see him. They have taken the bag so now I can't see him. How difficult is that to understand?" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

What did that mean. What did that meanm "You had an eye on him, so you could see him. I get that," Nathan very slowly said. "Had an eye on him. Right. Um. What does them taking the bag have to do with, like, anything." "You can't see him because he's out of sight. That's how normal...vision works. I'm preeetty sure." @soul | 🎻

The English language does not have enough words to explain how angry Theora's glare was. "The Eye was on the bag," she reiterated, her hands rolling into fists. "How stupid are you? First you refuse to tell me when you see me. Now you don't understand Eyes. It's simple. I place an Eye, I see through the Eye." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"What, the fuck, is, that," Nathan enunciated, tapping his fingers together with each pause. "An eye is an eye. This is an eye." He pointed at his own eye, an eyebrow quirked in mild confusion and anger. "You don't put eyes on a bag. You don't put eyeballs on a bag. Is that not normal. You don't put eyeballs on a bag. I think that's pretty clear. What the fuck is an eye." "And for starters," he added, propping a hand on his hip. "I refused to tell you because you made it pretty clear that if not for your...sciencey facility thing, you would probably kill this guy. So. Ahm. No, I'm not telling you that." @soul | 🎻

"It's not an eyeball. It's an Eye." Theora continued to glare with the same ferocity as before because it certainly couldn't get any angrier. "I use my Eyes to see things from other perspectives. When I place them, they're permanent. I placed one on his bag so I could see him. They've taken the bag. All I see from it now is darkness. If I placed one on your clothes-" She raised her fist, putting out two fingers toward Nathan but not touching him. She kept her hand raised out to him. "-I would watch what you were doing too. You wouldn't be able to see. You'd have to get rid of the shirt. But I'd still see what it saw." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"I'm not taking off my shirt, that's weird as shit," he immediately hissed out, craning his neck at her. "So that's your special little gimmick, huh? Keeping an eye on others? That's funnn." Dragging out the last word, his arm slowly, but steadily, molded itself into the arm-axe it was before. "It's a fun little trick you have," he lowly said, hazy lavenders focused on the kid. Theora. That's the name Yeonaixho said, the kid who fought Nora. She threaten them too? "But I'm going to bet that that's the only little gimmick you have. You talk big shit but do verrry, very little. So go for it if you want. Though-" a slight shift of his arm at that, "-didn't Mister Rakin tell you to stick out of fighting?" @soul | 🎻

"You'd have to if you wanted me to stop watching." Girl. "It's not a gimmick. It's my power. It was given to me." Theora is really in the business of just saying shit huh. Her eyes flickered to the arm axe but she didn't give it too much attention. Didn't want to show weakness. "They took my gun." She put pressure on her words, spitting out the harsher words. Took. Gun. Said with the levity they deserved. Her head tilted as he shifted his arm. Copying it. "Doesn't matter. You're going to tell me when you see Miles." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Someone was stumbling along onto the farm, with a sort of breathing that suggested they were just running, or in the middle of a panic attack. A familiar red little hat and dress was moving past the trees, just before it collapsed under the shade of one. She didn’t seem to notice the others were there. Very sloppy. @soul | 🎻 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Gimmick, power, it's the same thing. I'm not going to argue over semantics with someone who named their gimmick Eye. Eye-uh." "Ooh, you had a gun, I'm so terrified," Nathan mocked, lip curling up into a sneer. Despite the fact he was verrry much hurting from earlier, he was still ready to defend himself if it came down to it. "Thought we already 'stablished that I'm not telling you when I see him." Too caught up in his own little spat with the nineteen year old murdery-guy, Nathan didn't seem to notice the little heap of red hat and cloak underneath the trees. @soul | 🎻 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"I didn't name it. The scientists named it when they discovered it." And yet, despite her gimmick - or power, rather - being eyes, she didn't see the sloppy, panicked heap by the trees either. She was too busy glaring at Nathan. Probably for the better, she and Nora haven't exactly had the best interactions. "They took it from me, like they took his bag." They really be taking shit from them. She'd been glaring at Nathan for a long time now. Probably for the better that they took her gun. Her lips squeezed tight. "I don't care. You will tell me." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

3:18 PM

@Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (i forgor)

Nora remained under the tree, too caught up in her panicked thoughts to notice the others. She curled in, knees to her forehead as she did her best to ignore the world around her. She was rocking a bit and muttering something to herself. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @soul | 🎻

CW: Threats of amputation "Well, they got really shitty naming conventions then," Nathan hummed. "All scientists do, really. S'not a point of contention." "I liiiterally do not care. I am not telling you, and before you get any idea," he hissed out, "you touch me with your goddamn Eye Powers Hands Shit, I am going to cut your goddamn arm off." He raised his arm a little higher, pupils constricting slightly. "Got it?" He wasn't really going to. Definitely could not stomach all that. But he would definitely swing if he had to. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

"They named me too," she retorted, stepping closer to Nathan. Her hand was still outreached, almost touching his shirt. Not quite. Testing him- like she had been, the thought of that invading her mind, she shuddered slightly but held firm. "Do it." She was forced to say it. Something inside her stirring. For a fight. For something. If she bested him, maybe he'd tell her. She'd be closer to finding Miles. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Theora, huh?" A cock of the eyebrow, a twitch of the finger. "Shit name too." They literally had nothing against the name. Just her. His attention darted down ever quickly to her hand, ever closer to his binder. He had a myriad of reasons for not wanting her to win; one, his binder- it was a good one, a good once that Ace got for him (traitorous piece of Shit he was), and two; that would mean she won, in some twisted sense. Had the upper hand. Three; they just really didn't want anyone to touch his binder. Not a fan of going bare and all. And his jacket was uncomfortably warm. "Not a big fan of dismembering," he lowly said. "but if you wanna find out so bad about your buddy, might as well take the chance to learn more, huh? No use in goading others on to start a fight. If you want to find out more about your guy 'n lose your arm, then by all means, do it." He hissed out the last two words as harshly as he could, some deep crackle emitting from the back of his throat. His mind was already sorting through a list of things he could do to subdue this guy- would her powers still work if he just straight up ate (not really) her arm? @soul | 🎻

Being alone really was better for her, the only thing to worry about was herself. After a bit of rocking, Nora was able to calm down a bit. Enough to become aware of the increasingly angry voices behind her. Nathan. Safe. Trust. Theora. Scary. Dangerous. She didn’t have context for what they were saying, but it seems like they were fighting?? Why was he talking about… dismemberment…? Nora stood up from her terrible hiding spot to try to get a better look at the two. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @soul | 🎻 (giving them a 2nd chance to see her)

"Who gave you your own? It's not good either. Means nothing. Sounds like nothing." Theora also didn't care about the name. Just biting back at Nathan. Her gaze followed his down to her hand. "He's not my 'buddy'. He's my mark. My target. And the only way he'll stay alive is if I take him back. He'll die out there alone. It's a miracle he hasn't already." She was probably right but don't tell her that. Theora's eyes slowly trailed back to Nathan's face, studying him for a bit. Her stomach, high in her chest, pulled against itself like string at the thought of fighting but her mind spurred her on. She wasn't sure why her body was so resistant to it. To violence. Something in her very core opposed to it. The stomach would do what it was supposed to. Digest. The brain was logical. The brain was what she was supposed to follow. The brain was behind it all. Theora ignored herself. Her outstretched hand curled into a fist. Nearby the chest. And she punched him upwards in the chin. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

If they had enough time, they could get her before she could get them. Swing, maybe. Their fist, maybe. Something was stirring in the back of his throat; something awful and primal and so very, very welcome in this instance. "Considering how your buddy has seemed to evade you at every turn, I think you're the one who'll die out here alone. It's a miracle how you even managed to catch up to him." His eyes were thin pinpricks, as she examined his face, briefly darting over every little bit of movement- the wind rustling her hair, the shift of muscle, each bit of movement he had grown accustomed to ignoring were now things he had to focus on, lest he lose to her. Movement- there- in the periphery of their vision- a familiar figure with a familiar hat, staring straight at them. Their eyes widened a fraction of an inch, realization replacing that gnawing feeling in the pit of their stomach. Shit. Shit. "Nora-" Clack. Nathan is at 10 HP They stumbled back with a grunt of pain, their free hand darting up to cradle their jaw. That hurt like shit. He didn't expect that. He was unprepared. He was making up excuses for himself. "Cheeky," they managed to grit out in an angry wince. "Real, real cheeky." Nathan lunged forward. His axe-arm down low. Raised high. And he swung the cleaver down. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @soul | 🎻 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 [EHE]

Well, Nathan would begin to swing the cleaver down, but just as he raised his arm, static built in the air. The cleaver was coming down, and Rakin appeared right in front of Theora, grabbing Nathan's wrist and holding his arm in pace. Rakin was a sweaty, heaving mess at the moment. Looked like he really needed a nap. His dark eyes glared at Nathan, then he swung around to glare at Theora, then around to glare at Nora. "I have said it once and I will say it again-" Rakin took in a deep breath, keeping his grip tight on Nathan's hand. "The fighting will only begin when I say so. This is the LAST warning for you, Theora." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @soul | 🎻 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She gasped as Nathan took that direct punch. Just as Nora was about to speak up, that terrifying feeling of static stopped her in her tracks. Any calm she had regained was immediately lost under the buzz of electricity. As Rakin glared at her, Nora’s jaw clamped shut as that telltale fear flashed in her wide eyes. She continued to stare at Nathan’s arm, dread encouraging her to slowly step back into the unkempt orchard. @soul | 🎻 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Theora's head was dragged in all directions. Toward Nora, that girl. Then his arm raising up and swinging down. Her own arm, to watch it separate and bleed. Then Rakin in front of her, someone practically a stranger to her. Not the person who brought her here, just the person that stopped her from being- hurt. Hurt. Something like that. She stared blankly at Rakin, head tilted. Was this her first last warning? Or was this the first time? Theora said nothing to Rakin, then looked towards Nora. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Static- how fun. Nathan grimaced painfully as the static built, his arm suddenly forced to a halt by a force at his wrist. His nostrils flared at the sound of his voice, a low, barely audible crackle building in the back of his throat. He didn't want to admit it, but he was secretly relieved he had intervened. Maybe she would have moved, maybe not- all he knew was that he was awful at reattaching limbs. He didn't have the faintest idea where to start. "'dn't throw the first punch," was all he huffed out, matching the little frogling's glare with an equal amount of venom. He looked worse for wear- probably worse than he did, probably. "how many fights y'had to break up, huh, guy?" he eventually croaked- ha -out. His jaw was going to hurt like a motherfucker. Yeonaixho knew how to heal. Nora was still there. Theora was staring at her. Nathan was staring at the gun kid, too. Ares, his jaw. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

"I know. Do you think I'm not watching?" Rakin huffed at Nathan, tossing his hand away. "Theora has already been fighting with another contestant. She's a common denominator of instigation." "Theora, if you continue to be involved in these situations, my master is going to get involved. And I promise you, you do not wish to see them again." Thankfully he was ignoring Nora for now. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @soul | 🎻 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Once Rakin returned to the other two, Nora’s flight instincts kicked in. She quickly turned and ran away from the conflict, fear overriding her worry for Nathan. The little red witch disappeared into the shadows of the trees. @soul | 🎻 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Well, seeing that he had given his warning out, he gave Theora and Nathan one final glare before zapping away again.

(i am soooo not nearly seven days late to replying shh) Theora stared toward Nora, though her eyes squinted with anger the more Nathan talked. She was practically closing her eyes until Rakin commanded more attention from her. "Once I find Miles, I won't need to get into these situations." Her eyes drifted back to Nathan, even if she had to shift to see past Rakin, just to make her thoughts clear: that Nathan had gotten in the way of that. Though her foot turned instinctively toward Nora, Theora didn't give chase. Once the warning had been given, she absorbed it. Good at listening when it mattered. Once Rakin disappeared, she glowered at Nathan but turned to leave herself. Bye. Off to menace someone else now.

(Gonna move us here) Moses slightly waved to the party of three before gesturing for him and Agustin to get going. Once out of earshot and closer to the farmland, Moses sighed and rubbed the skin between his eyes. "Anyways.. Back to what I was asking earlier. You said you only trusted Rakin slightly. I'm guessing he hasn't really filled you in in what he or his master is planning?" Moses asked Agustin. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Agustin dropped Rakin on to the ground once they arrived at the farmland. He glanced around the various trees and plants, eyes lingering on an especially plump orange tree.. ".. Yes, I haven't heard much. The only one of us who may have heard anything is Zahara. Rakin and her are.. Really close." Agustin said, not glancing away from the oranges. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Reaching the farm itself, Moses immediately started looking for herbs and veggies. It felt like he was at a really unorganized flea market. Though, he made sure to keep in earshot of Agustin. "Huh, I see. I'm guessing she's the other frogling? I guess that makes sense," Moses commented, pulling out some green onions and cilantro. "There anything you want, Agustin? You said your side was full of snow, right? Might be good to get some extra food and such here." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Yes, Zahara is a desert rain frog, which is unfortunate since it's freezing and blizzarding on our side." Agustin nodded. He began walking over toward the orange trees. ".. My sobrino is also on my side, apparently a different him, which is weird, but we used to pick oranges off the tree in my back yard.. So I think I'll bring some back for him. More fruits would be good for everyone though, we've been living off fish and pine needles.. Eugh.. Not really a healthy diet. I think you got stuck on the better side." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Sobrino..? As in nephew?" Moses asked as he moved onto regular white onions. He had created a small crystal basket to carry everything in, and it shined a bit annoyingly just like his crab basket. "What exactly do you mean by different? Though, it is nice to bring him a treat. I'm sure he'll like it, as well as everyone else over there," he smiled. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Yeah, my nephew, kinda. Apparently my dad and his mom were in some kind of weird thing where they died together and went to this afterlife and fought a dragon..? My dad is always sparse with the details, but I'm starting to think when he's being vague about it now it's just because he's losing his memory." Agustin sighed and got over to the best looking orange tree. "And he's.. A different universe version of the one I know. He's much older, in a weird kind of way." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Agustin may of not been able to see it, but Moses definitely made a face as he listened to him. "Uh.. Okay. Sounds like a very typical way to meet people," he said with a half-laugh. "Well, I guess weird situations like this can bring people together. I guess it's a little nice when you think of it like that," Moses added with a small hum. Taking some corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and carrots, Moses quickly filled up his basket. He wanted to make sure he made enough food for everyone. Though, that everyone number was still undetermined. "..But he's your nephew from a different universe? That's.. a lot. What do you mean by weird?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Agustin grabbed on to one of the branches and began to shake it. A few oranges fell off and on to the foliage below. "He's like a lot older than he looks. He has some time abilities that make him age slower.. or not at all..? It's hard to tell.." Agustín sighed. "But, well, you'd probably be interested to know that I know how Rakin got everyone here. Well, at least I'm pretty sure I do." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Time powers? Now that was a powerful ability to have. Though, also dangerous. "I see.. Hopefully your nephew uses it well. I feel like being immortal makes a man reckless," Moses commented with a small hum. Taking some more herbs, Moses made his way back towards the fruit trees where Agustin was. "You know how he got all of us? I had just assumed it was some weird ability of his or his master, was it not?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

An immortal man being reckless? Psh, that would never happen. "If I preface with it having something to do with me, you're not going to impale me, right..?" Agustin kept his focus on shaking off the oranges. @ajjjjjjjj (edited)

Yeah, never. Moses snickered a little at that. "I imagine you telling me that forefront means you think I won't get upset at you despite your involvement. So, shoot. As I said before, I don't tend to like to beat people. I've grown from that," he waved dismissively. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Either that meant he's grown from beating up Rakin in the past fifteen minutes, or he used to just do this all the time in the past. "Well, when my father was in the event, at the end this guy with universe powers or something made him this compass device. It could be used to go between universes so everyone who had met each other in the afterlife wouldn't lose contact.. We only ever used it to visit each other." "But shortly before I was taken here, my father's house was broken into and he was left nearly dead. I couldn't find the compass, but obviously that wasn't my concern.. He's in the hospital in a medically induced coma right now because of how injured he was. I just hope he can hold on until I'm out of here. I have these powers now- I can help him." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Whether Moses meant the former or the latter was up to Agustin's guess. Moses sure as hell wasn't going to elaborate. Now, time powers was one thing, but universe powers? Judging by Agustin's questionable choice of words and tone, Moses doubted it was literal universe powers, but something akin to the idea. Still, what a frightful thought. Hearing about Agustin's father however, Moses gave him a sympathetic look. "I see... I am sorry to hear about your father. It's great to hear he survived. Attacking someone in their own home, much less the elderly, is quite despicable. I understand why the compass wouldn't be your main issue of concern... but does that mean you believe Rakin or his master must of been the one who attacked your father?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. For a while I was convinced it was Rakin, but after seeing how pathetic he is, I think my father could have taken him. Either Rakin caught him incredibly by surprise, or it was the one above him. I haven't pressed him about it, I haven't had a chance to speak with him one on one since I spoke to Kian and leaned that he saw the compass with Rakin- oh, Kian is my sobrino. I don't think I said his name before." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Hm, interesting. Moses looked down at said pathetic man, who was probably lying under one of the trees in the shade. He wouldn't put it past Rakin, but Moses was sure the person above him was more than capable of the same thing. "You should ask him once he's conscious again. I'm sure you would like to have some closure," Moses hummed. "And I see.. So your nephew was the one who first saw it, then let you know. Even if it's under odd circumstances, I'm sure getting to see him in general is nice. You seem close," he smiled faintly. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 (edited)

"Yeah, in my universe things are starting to get rocky with his family, but in his.. Damn, it seems like it really went bad." Agustín sighed and took his hands off the branch, as all of the loose oranges had been knocked off. "I used to babysit him a lot, well, my dad would and I'd be there too. Stuff was simpler then.." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses offered another sympathetic smile. "I see. Well, I'm glad you two have this time together now, despite the situation. Time goes by faster than you think. One day they're young and asking you to do everything for them, then the next, they're leaving you behind. Kids tend to do that," Moses said with a small sigh, but seemed to smile as he spoke. He bent down and picked up some of the oranges that fell, figuring Agustin wanted to take them. "How old is your nephew now? Or at least, how old does he seem?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Yeah.. All my siblings died, so I didn't really grow up with anyone my age." Agustin said very casually. "He looks like he's eighteen or nineteen now. But he's way older." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses paused in the middle of his orange picking and gave Agustin another sympathetic look. "Damn.. I'm sorry to hear that. I never had any siblings, but I think losing them is worse," Moses hummed. "Ah.. that's quite young still. He didn't even choose to wait till his twenties to stop aging?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Eh, we were all really young, I hardly remember them now.." Agustín shrugged and began shoving oranges in to his pockets. "I don't think he got to choose his age.. I think it just kind of happened." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses observed Agustin for a moment, before going back to helping with the oranges. "..I see. Well, that makes things quite difficult for him, I imagine. Eighteen is quite the volatile age," he commented. "...Also, I can create another basket for you to carry things in, Agustin. I can even carry Rakin back if you want. I noticed you had a hard time with him earlier."@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 (edited)

".. I think there's a lot of things about his life that are complicated.." Agustin sighed. "I can carry a basket.. If you could carry Rakin I think that would be good.. Actually.. Kian saw Rakin with the travel compass, maybe we should search him to see if he still has it. If we could get that back, I could get us out of here since I know how to use it." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses wouldn't pry more about the life of a child he didn't know. He figured Agustin didn't know much more himself anyways. Instead Moses held his hand out towards Agustin. Sprouting from his palm, another decently sized basket crystalized from nothing. It was about the size of a grocery basket. "Here. And I'll grab Rakin.. Though, I guess searching him would be useful too," Moses nodded and turned towards the frogling. "Will you heal me if he strikes me with lightening again?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Of course. I wouldn't leave you injured like that." Agustin said and began placing more oranges in to the basket. He had quite a few already. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Cool. I'll hold you up to that, man," Moses nodded and went over to Rakin's sleeping body. Normally, Moses wouldn't like rummaging through someone's personal body and belongings, but they were already passed that moral point. Even if Rakin woke up, Moses started to look around and patting Rakin down for anything of interest. Any pockets Rakin had, Moses stuck a hand in. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Rakin was out. Even as Moses moved him around, he didn't react. He didn't have many pockets in his robe, the only one that he did was empty. His pants had a few pockets around the hip, and all were empty, except for a few crumbs of some kind of food. Seems like he traveled light. That was it for his pockets... @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses hummed as he felt nothing in any of Rakin's pockets. "His pockets are clean.. Do you know if Rakin is the type of guy to keep things in his robe?" Moses asked Agustin. "Or if he carries a bag by chance?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"We haven't really spoken much about our inventory preferences." Agustín said. "But he did say something weird about hiding stuff in his shoes. But the compass wouldn't fit in there." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"His shoes..?" Oh what the hell. Moses had nothing much to lose. Even if the compass wasn't in there, Moses figured there could of been something of use. Moses pried both of Rakin's shoes off and shook them around a bit to empty their contents. "Maybe there's something we could use anyways in here.." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

The guy had socks on at least. Green, of course. There was nothing outwardly obvious about his shoes, they looked pretty empty.. But there was a small lip of fabric that wasn't in line with the rest on the bottom of the inside of his right shoe. Looks like you could lift it up. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Thankfully Moses didn't lose his glasses during the kidnapping. That would of been pretty annoying, and he probably wouldn't have noticed the loose part of Rakin's shoe. Humming, Moses lifted it up. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Yep, under that layer of fabric was a little piece of photo paper that was folded up. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

A photo? Moses glanced towards Agustin and unfolded the piece of paper, allowing for the other man to also see it. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Agustín stepped closer so he could also take a peak. On the inside of the paper, there was a little drawing of two frogs, one green one much bigger than the small blue one, and then ten little tadpoles around them. Written on the corner of the note was Heyhey hoygam kae in simple but nice handwriting. The actual drawing looked childish, much more than the writing. @ajjjjjjjj (edited)

Moses blinked as he looked over the photo. "Hm.. A child's drawing?" He commented as he examined the picture. "Must be one of his family member's drawing. Rakin spoke to me about having one back on his home... Cute, but not helpful to us," Moses said and folded the drawing back up again, putting it back into the shoe. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I think the note's in Pilarian." Agustín commented. "If we keep it we might be able to use it for leverage.. But.. He'd probably just hit us with lightning if he really wanted it back." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"I have no interest in using a kid's drawing against him. Wouldn't sit right with me," Moses hummed and put Rakin's shoes back on his feet. "Well.. I'm not sure where else Rakin would hide something on his body. I didn't feel anything while patting him down." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. But you thought putting him in a cage would be fine?" Agustín asked. ".. Have you seen under his bandages at all? It seems like he channels his powers through there. Maybe he has something hidden." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"A cage wouldn't be nearly as emotionally damaging as taking something of his that he obviously holds dear," Moses commented. "A cage holds something. It doesn't harm anyone. With Rakin being only slightly trust worthy to even you, it's best to be prepared." Moses then raised a brow. "You want me to strip his bandages off??" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I mean he's been wearing those bandages since the first time I saw him, which was a while ago.. Clearly something is up with it." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses sighed. "Don't know how I feel about stripping a man of his bandages while asleep," he hummed. "Whatever is going on with that, I doubt it will help us. It doesn't seem like the compass is on his person," Moses said and stood back up. "Guess we're back to square one on getting out of here." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 (edited)

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

used /r

# 16
Details:[d20+6 (10)]

@Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge def

Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

used /r

# 23
Details:[d20+3 (20)]

(where was this earlier moses) @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Well, good thing he didn't go for the hand since Rakin was up in a hurry. He shot up to sitting and threw his bandaged hand forward at Moses, but in his haste lightning struck the ground next to him instead of on him. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Instinctively, Moses stepped back and held an arm out across Agustin in a protective manner. His other hand went up to his ear to minimize the noise. Thankfully, neither of them got caught in the strike. "Oi, you decide now to wake up? You're lucky you didn't hit Agustin with that. Calm down, Rakin," Moses huffed. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Agustín did flinch back a bit as the strike hit, but handled it pretty well. "You don't tell me what to do." Rakin hissed and pushed himself up to his feet. "Agustín. We're leaving." ".. Let me put my coat back on before we go." Agustín sighed and set the basket down. He untied the coat from his waist and slowly put it back on, along with his gloves. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses lowered his arms, rolling his eyes as he heard Rakin. "Take the basket with you, Agustin. My crystals should last even when you're farther away," he told the other man, figuring they were going to leave without hassle. He didn't have much else to say to Rakin. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Agustin managed to get his big coat back on and picked up the basket, holding it close to his chest. Without getting a chance to say anything else, Rakin grabbed Agustin and zapped away... @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

After the very unproductive conversation with Itsuki, Yeonaixho decided the best course of action was to inspect the damage done to the farmland himself. Jymaiyri had taught him enough about gardening, he was confident in at least attempting to assess the damage done, and begin repairing it. He would need to, if any of them were planning on surviving. Jymaiyri. Evert time he thought of her, he ached. Her absence lingered, as noticible by his side as her presence had been. He wished she was here, more than he wished anything else. She would've known what to do. She could've helped in this helpless situation. Trying not to let his weary grief get the best of him, Yeonaixho milled about the destroyed farmland carefully with his cane, inspecting broken bushes and fallen trees while he enjoyed the warm light Celena had provided. @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

Walking around the farm land the moment the lean shelter became much too crowded for his liking - luckily around the time the storm finally passed - he couldn't help but think of home. The effort of what likely was dense with plants all for naught in this patch as it was left wrecked with no remorse. Though besides the light left by- you know what he's not gonna even think about who left it there. Besides that he noted there was another who seemed to be looking at the remains. Specifically seeing the cane Yeonaixho held. He debated about leaving the man be... but once again he couldn't help but sigh, knowing his ma would be scolding him for leaving someone alone if they needed help. 'Why do I keep having to talk to strangers...?' "Oi, " he called out after watching the man for a few minutes. A couple yards away as to give the other some space. "You lookin for something? Storm mighta buried it in the muck with how strong it was if ya are." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho bristled as he heard a stranger's voice, but tilted his head up at Kevin's approach. "I'm just trying to find out if any of this is salvageable. There's someone here with plant powers, but he's refusing to help rebuild, so it seems we're on our own." @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

"Tch. Lazy ass." He grumbled. If the person had plant powers, it should be a piece of cake for em shouldn't it? Crossing his arms again, he glances the other up and down as if examining him. Whether for injuries or for judgement it would sorta be hard to tell with his resting bitch face. "...suppose I could help ya find out. Get them trees outta the way 'n all." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho hummed in agreement, and stood up straighter. "Really? I'd appreciate the help. Honestly, if you can just tell me what you see, it'd be a big help. That way, I don't have to fumble around this place." @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

' Ah. So he's blind. Makes sense with the cane.' "Yeah. I can do that i guess." He uncrossed his arms as he walked closer towards Yeomaixho. Figuring that would make it easier for the both of them in case he'd trip on something Kevin didn't see so he could stop him from falling. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"If you could just tell me how many of the plants survived- and maybe if you can tell what kinds of plants they are, that would be helpful." Yeonaixho asked. @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

... Kevin knows a few things. If plants are dying or dead. How to care for animals. Stuff like that. But make them try and examine the places to tell you what they are if they're not wheat or corn? Oh buddy you have a storm- well it came but you get the drift. "Uh.... yeah. I'll look some more before we move to look in a different spot in the patch 'er." He says after a few minutes of awkward silence. Maybe he should of listened to Pa when he was trying to teach him about those boring plant book stuff. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, alright." Yeonaixho nodded, and used his cane to navigate to a different part of the farmland. He hoped Kevin would follow. @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

Walking along side him, Kevin glanced here and there as they made their way. Making sure to walk a bit ahead to throw some large heavy branches out of their way that the storm blew onto the land. Luckily this time Kevin did see some plants. His ears slightly perking in interest as he made his way over to see what they were exactly. "I think we got some plants here. Branches that fell seemed ta accidentally protect em." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Really?" Yeonaixho neared Kevin to inspect the plants Kevin had found. "Oh, that's good. Seems like some root vegetables, that's pretty lucky. The edible parts probably survived." @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

"Hm. Yeah." He nods. Kneeling down to grab some of the heavier branches to throw them out of the way. Easily pitching it a few feet away to keep it out of the path they were going. "Prob should see their state, might be better to pick a few." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hm, good idea." Yeonaixho uprooted a few vegetables. They were radishes, in pretty decent shape! "Hm, these seem in good conditon. We can probably use them to grow more, too. Might want to find some better place to plant them, though." God, he wished Jymaiyri was here. @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

"...You depressed or somethin?" Kevin asks bluntly as he picks the radishes. Seeming way too nonchalant with the question. "Ya got that look on your face. " He explains a bit further. At least what can be deemed as an explanation by his standards. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Uh- pardon?" Yeonaixho stammered. "I'm not depressed. I'm fine. Just thinking about radishes." He was strangely convincing.@Barry | Taylor + Kevin

"Mm. Aight." Hr nods without further questions. Getting back up on his feet as he looks around for more plants that survived. It took a bit but luckily he did see another patch of something up ahead to the right. Pointing at it.... before remembering that the man was blind. "Up ahead a few yards. To the right- your right." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho created a makeshift satchel for the radishes out of his sweater. "Oh, great." He carefully walked to the spot Kevin had pointed out and began looking around. It didn't take him long before he found even MORE root vegetables. "Hey, we've got carrots too!" @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

"Hm. Radishes and carrots. Aint bad finds so far." He nods in agreement, seeing how many carrots there were. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I think most of what survived is root vegetables. Makes sense, I guess." Yeonaixho put the carrots into his satchel. @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

He just nods. Giving them a moment to allow Yeonaixho to rest as they've already done a good bit of walking around debris and etc to find the surviving plants on the patch of land they were on still. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I just realized, I never got your name." Yeonaixho said. "I'm Yeonaixho Sehwolh." @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

"... right. Kevin Whitlow." He didn't know why they had to give out their full names but whatever. At least he knew what to call the man besides well. The man. He had a feeling he also wouldn't of liked to of been referred to as 'the blind man' later if Kevin mentioned him so that saved him some trouble. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Nice to meet you, Kevin." Yeonaixho nodded. This one didn't seem much like one for conversation, so he saved his questions for another time. @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

"...Let's get going again after a few more minutes. Should make sure we get plenty of plants that we can cook and replant later." He finally says. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho stretched, and straightened his posture. "I'm ready to search more if you are. We should also try and look for some less-ruined land, where we can set up a little garden." @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

"Sure." With another nod he starts leading then around again as he looks for more. While also keeping an eye out for some usable land. Though that part likely will be a bit more tricky. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

With nothing to offer in the way of observation skills, and not much in conversation, Yeonaixho followed Kevin, carefully using his cane to cross the debris. "I can't believe so much was destroyed. As if this wasn't bad enough." @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

"Mm." He hummed in agreement again. This time however sounding much more quick to do so. "Ma would be screamin' at the sky like the devil was beating his wife if this was the farm." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho laughed lightly. "Would she now? I can't imagine my wife would be happy with all this. She'd be doing something about it, though." @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

"... yeah." He looks off to the distance as the talk of the women made him think of his ma more. The worry she must be feeling if she came by his room to see how he was doing. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. Yep." Yeonaixho said, then fell silent. @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

"...let's hurry and keep going." He hurries his step, tail flicking a bit in his frustration as he pushes it down to focus on the current situation. Something small and manageable. Yeah. At least till he forgot to check the ground as they walked and tripped. Getting a face full of mud.@innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Alright!" Yeonaixho nodded, and continued on. Somehow, he avoided the hazard Kevin had tripped on, and paused as he fell. "Oh- are you alright?" @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

".....fine." He says after a moment. Pushing himself up off the ground. Trying his best to wipe the mud off his face. Just in time for the morning sun huh? With a quiet grumble he took off his tank top, using it to wipe the rest of the mud off his front as best he could. Luckily he was wearing a sports top underneath, but the dirt standing his pants were a different story. It was hard to keep an unreadable expression with the rising frustration, even for him. Even if he knew Yeonaixho couldn't see his face. He didn't know what he could do... he had to be here for a reason as well. "Let's just find the damn plot of land we can plant some of these and get back. Wash clothes." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"If you got hurt, I can patch you up. I've got healing powers." Yeonaixho offered. "But you're right, let's keep going." @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

"Been through worse scuffs. I'm fine." And with that he keeps going without another word. His foot steps being the main thing altering the man to where Kevin was going. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Alright." Yeonaixho followed Kevin, still using his cane to navigate the rough terrain. @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

Luckily for the both of them. Kevin seemed to quickly find what seemed like a very suitable spot to plant the veggies they found. Although it was a small patch within the mostly wrecked patch they've walked around in, it seemed to be just what was needed to ensure the food would grow safely. "This should be a good spot. Can work on fixing the rest of the land later with more hands." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, great!" Yeonaixho paused, and knelt down to inspect the land himself, running his hands along the soil. "We've got quite a lot, but I think we should set aside the majority to feed people now. It'll take the crops a while to grow, and none of that's useful for anything if we all starve first." @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

Yeonaixho returned to the farmland, specifically the non-ruined patch he and Kevin had scoped out earlier. He got on his hands and knees and started dividing out the crops he still had on his person- a pile to plant, a pile to eat. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

All was relatively calm in the farmland. In the distance, birds could be heard chirping, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, the water in the distance greeted the shoreline gingerly- Everything felt nice and calm. Everything was nice and calm - Until it wasn't. A scream could be heard growing closer and closer. Yeonaixho wouldn't entirely know which direction it was coming from, but he soon got his answer: Up, it was coming from up. Falling through the air was Sovran, who really, really wished that he had a Remnant of Aeva's wind rather than her fire. His body twisted in the air as he tried to control his rapid descent, but alas, he couldn't. He landed in the mud with a muffled groan of pain several feet away from Yeonaixho. "What the fuck!" The man wheezed out as he rolled onto his back. This shit sucked. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

4:41 PM

"Oh- oh jeez-" Yeonaixho stood up and neared Sorvan. "Are you alright? I can heal you if you're injured." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I-I think I’m good,” Sovran groaned. His old man back was aching. “Think the mud cushioned the fall for me but- My back still hurts. Fuck- Sorry to drop in on you like this.” Quite literally. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"If you change your mind, just tell me." Yeonaixho let out a breath of a laugh. "Oh, you're alright. I was just planting some vegetables. I don't think we've met before, you are...?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’ll let you know, I’m just gonna lay here for a bit until the world stop spinnin’,” Sovran chuckled. “The name’s Sovran Zelkovas. I’m one of the guys from the other side. Who’re you?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, so you are. I'm Yeonaixho Sehwolh. Welcome to this side." He hummed in thought, feigning nonchalance when in fact his next question had been the first thing on his mind when Sorvan mentioned his predicament. "Say, you wouldn't have happen to met a woman named Jymaiyri Ke Naido when you were on your side?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran lifted his head slightly. “Yeonaixho, good to meet you,” He squinted at the other man. “I have, I’ve met her and little Minerva.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"And how are they?" He dared. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Happy as they can be given the circumstances,” Sovran’s voice softened. “But healthy, safe. They’re both doin’ well. Jymaiyri’s a very strong and capable woman.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, thank god. You don't know how much it means to actually hear that." Yeonaixho sighed in relief. He let out another breathy laugh. "Ah, this must sound a bit strange without context. I'm Jymaiyri's husband, Minerva's our baby girl." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I had a bit of feelin’ that you were. Jymaiyri mentioned havin’ a husband. Nice to meet you,” Sovran relaxed slightly. He felt far more comfortable talking about the other two now that he knew that Yeonaixho was related to them and not just some random stranger. “Nice to put a face to a name.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hah, yeah. I'm- incredibly relieved to hear she's doing well, and that the baby is too. I can't imagine how stressed she must be." He hummed. "Well, I assume it's about the same as how stressed I've been." He sighed. "But it's nice to meet you, Sovran. I wish the circumstances were better, but..." He shrugged. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“She’s stressed, but she’s got good people around her with good intentions,” Sovran spoke. “I can only imagine how stressed you’ve been this whole time.” He let out a laugh. “I wish the same thing, wish we met under better circumstances. Anythin’ could’ve been better than this.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm." Yeonaixho hummed. "But, like I said before, actually hearing about how she's been makes worlds of a difference." "Couldn't have said it better myself. I don't think there's much worse than... this." He let out a tired sigh. "What's the other side like?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I understand that completely. I’m happy to be able to ease the tension for you.” “The other side? Cold,” Sovran slowly sat up. “Imagine the snow and ice all around, it’s cold everywhere. The wind made it feel even colder. It’s one hell of a difference from here to there, the complete opposite.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, damn." Yeonaixho laughed. "Bet Jyr doesn't like that. She hates winter. Yeah, it's been pretty warm here. We just had a big storm, right before the fight, too. All this used to be lush farmland. I've been trying to rebuild." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“The good thing about it is that plenty of folk on that side got teleported with winter gear on,” Sovran chuckled. “She’s being kept warm, same with lil’ Minnie.” Sovran glanced around the area. “I was wonderin’ where I had landed in. You said a storm took out this area? Maybe I can help lend a hand, I got a bit of a green thumb.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, that's good. And here I am in my khakis, in this 90 degree weather." He laughed. "Really? I'd appreciate the help. I've got a little garden set up here, with some veggies we were able to recover. It's not much, but it should provide something." (edited)

7:41 PM

@Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“It’s a pretty big difference,” Sovran chuckled. He was already working on shedding off his coat. “I gotchu, I’ll lend a hand. Anything’s better than nothin’.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I've been dividing the vegetables into piles to plant and eat. If you could take these sweet potatoes," He gestured towards them, "And get them into the ground, I'd appreciate it." As he worked on planting some sweet potatoes of his own, he said. "Mhm. There's someone here with plant powers, but he's refusing to help. This entire endeavor would've been made a lot easier had he helped, but here we are." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Yeah, I’ll take them. No worries.” Sovran gathered the sweet potatoes into his arms. Sovran let out a disbelieved chuckle as he scooted to a spot to plant them. “That so? Kind of an asshole move, ain’t it? He’s got the ability to help but he isn’t doin’ it.” As Sovran started to dig, it was a bit of a shallow hole to put the potato in it. However, he thought it was good enough. A shimmer of yellow light appeared beside him. There stood a Remnant of a shorter girl with hair that went down to her chin. She wore a comfortable yellow sweater with leggings. Her hands rested upon her hips as she pouted at Sovran before she pointed at the hole. Deeper. Chuckling a little, Sovran dug the hole deeper until the little yellow Remnant gave him a thumbs up. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You're telling me." Yeonaixho hummed, but that was the end of his chatter for now. He didn't want to unload all his grievances onto Sovran. Instead he focused on planting his own potatoes. Since he was, well, blind, Yeonaixho didn't notice the remnant's appearance- only really noticing a glint of light, and passing it off as some weird solar activity. He heard Sovran chuckling, but thought nothing of it. Clueless mf. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

The Remnant crouched down beside Sovran and would gauge the depth of the holes. She’d eventually give a thumbs up once the hole was good. Looks like she’d be here to lend a helping hand! “You’d think that in a situation like this, everyone would be tryin’ to help everyone else.” Sovran made a ‘tsk’ sound as he shook his head. Disappointing. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You would think. But Itsuki says he's content eating bugs and dying in the hurricane all by himself." Yeonaixho hummed, clearly harboring a lot of disdane for this salamander man. "At least, not everyone thinks like him. Most everyone I've met has been eager to help." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Eatin’ bugs and dyin’ in a hurricane? Well, if that’s what he wants, then let him, I guess,” Sovran gave a slight shrug. “But that’s good that everyone’s been wantin’ to help. Seems like there’s a lot of good folk on both sides.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. It reassures me, that most of the people here have been kinder. It will at least help us survive until our fights happen." He focused on his work, not wanting to think of his grim reality. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Yeah, the fights,” Sovran grew silent for a moment as he continued to bury his potatoes. “.. It was a pretty brutal thing.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. I couldn't actually tell what was going on for most of it, but... it seemed grisly." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“It was,” Sovran grimaced. “It was two kids pinned against each other for survival. This is all one sick game for someone’s amusement.” The Remnant reached out and gave Sovran’s shoulder a little pat pat. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. And there's even younger children here." Yeonaixho sighed. "I just... I don't understand why someone would do this." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I don’t either,” Sovran sighed as he buried the last of his potatoes. The Remnant gave him a thumbs up and scooted a bit closer to see how Yeonaixho was doing. “It doesn’t make sense to me at all, most of this doesn’t.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho had nearly finished planting all his potatoes, in a neat, orderly line. He wiped the sweat from his brow. "I get the feeling I'll die here before I learn anything." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“You an’ me both,” Sovran sighed. “‘specially if I’m pinned against a kid. They’re gonna take the win, not me.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. I fear I have... more of an obligation to try and win, because of little Minerva. And Nora- she's another kid in my care now. But if I were fighting a child... I don't know. It's so... complicated." He frowned. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I get that. It makes things messy and complicated for ya,” Sovran sighed. “This whole situation is one big headache.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho sighed, and finished planting his potatoes, smoothing out the soil above them. "All we can do now is survive, I guess. Survive together." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Endure and survive,” Sovran gave a tired chuckle. “That’s what I always say. Endure and survive.” He looked to the plants on the ground. “Just like the plants. Some are still standing on their own, others have fallen. Sometimes you just gotta- Bear through it all the way to the end, and resist for as long as you can.” The Remnant gave a nod of her head as she approached some of the vegetation that was still standing after the storm. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Endure, survive, and regrow." Yeonaixho hummed, and leaned back. "Just like our little potato garden." He laughed. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Just like the potato garden,” Sovran chuckled in agreement. “We all gotta be more like these potatoes and thrive.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho smiled. "Well, we'll do our best." He sighed. "By the way, I've also got some carrots we can plant." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran let out a laugh. “Then let’s get to plantin’ these carrots, huh?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho handed about half the carrots to Sovran. "Here ya go." He got to work, humming lightly as he did so. "So, where are you from, Sovran?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran started digging. Once more, the Remnant directed him as to how deep the hole should be. “I’m from a far away land,” Sovran started his little tale. “It’s an underground city made of ice, it lies beneath the surface. You’d think it’d be pretty chilly, but nah, the temperatures there are pretty well regulated. Where’re you from?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Really? That sounds... unique." Yeonaixho hummed. "I'm from the Loucari. I was born in the north but Jymaiyri and I live in the South Loucari now. It's probably not as interesting." He laughed. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Loucari, huh? It sounds interestin’,” Sovran chuckled. “What’s it like?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"The north is cold and mountainous. The south, less so." Yeonaixho hummed. "Jymaiyri's from the south, which is why we live there. It's pretty nice." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Sounds like we had somewhat similar environments growing up,” Sovran hummed. He buried a carrot and covered it with dirt. “As the south kind of like this kind of weather that we got right now?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm, sounds like it. Though, I didn't grow up in a city made of ice." Yeonaixho hummed. "Yeah, I'd say it's pretty similar to here. A bit more marshy in the South Loucari, but similar." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"We both had the cold 'round us both, just different a bit," Sovran chuckled. "How're you adjustin' to the heat of the South? Is it somethin' that you're accustomed to, or are you still gettin' used to it?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I've been in the south for... about ten years now, so I'm pretty used to it by now, I think. Jymaiyri still teases me when I complain, but I think she will til we die." He laughed. "What about you? How're you tolerating the warmer weather so far?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

'Til we die.' Painful choice of words given the circumstances. "Ten years, huh? Good amount of time to get used to the heat, but it can still suck," Sovran grinned. "Me though? Ah, I hate it. Not used to it yet even though it's been a good ten, maybe fifteen years since I've left home. I try not to think about the heat so that way it won't bug me as much. Bit hard to ignore it when the sun's beatin' down on you like this." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

@innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

(I FORGOR) "Mhm... it can be difficult to get used to. Took me a while. It's not so bad at night, though, or when it's cloudy." He hummed. "Where've you been, since you've left your home?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

(ITS OKAY ILYYYYYY) “Night and cloudy weather’s my favorite. It’s never too bad,” Sovran hummed. “For me, well- We live in a big world. There’s lots to experience, so I’ve been workin’ on doing that, with some work, of course.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It's nice enough, at least when the clouds don't lead to storm." Yeonaixho chuckled. "Oh, really? Got a favorite thing you've seen?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Favorite thing? That’s a hard question,” Sovran chuckled. “I’m a big fan of forests, if I’m honest. Bein’ ‘round ice is fun and all, but I never really knew that the world could be full of nature like that.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. You might like the South Loucari, then. At least the part my wife is from, is absolutely full of trees. Big lush ones. I've been told it's quite the impressive sight." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Sounds like the kind of place I’d like. The more nature an’ greenery, the better.” Sovran gave Yeonaixho a grin. The Remnant gave a nod in agreement. She seemed to feel the same way. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Lueyta'Ke definitely fits the bill. It is pretty hot, but the foliage provides enough cover it's not miserable." Yeonaixho described. "It's a really nice place. You should visit sometime, if you can." He was ignoring all the 'death maze' stuff. For now. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Huh, guess I’ll add that to my list of places to visit,” Sovran hummed, though he knew that he’d likely never see it. “Thanks for the recommendation.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Of course. And if you do ever stop by, you can find Jymaiyri and I in the Lueyta'Ta. We'd be happy to have you stop by, and..." He trailed off, and narrowed his eyes at another glint of strange light, but didn't say anything. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I'll be sure not to come empty handed. I can throw down in a kitchen, so I'll be sure to bring somethin' for us to eat," Sovran glanced at Yeonaixho. "You good there?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I always appreciate having good food." Yeonaixho laughed. "Oh, I thought I saw some weird light. Was probably just the sun." He shrugged. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Then I’ll be sure to make somethin’ good for you,” Sovran chuckled. He glanced toward the Remnant before he looked back towards Yeonaixho. “Ah, that’s probably just my powers. It’s not- Too far from you, my bad, man.” The Remnant skittered away from Yeonaixho with an apologetic expression on her face. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Huh." Another person here with light powers. Interesting. "You have... light powers?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I don’t, actually. It’s more like I’m borrowin’ it,” Sovran hummed. “Have I explained my powers yet? They’re- A bit complicated, if you don’t mind hearin’ ‘bout it.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Huh." Yeonaixho thought. "No, you haven't explained them- but if you want to tell me, feel free. I don't have much else to do at the moment, other than planting carrots." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Bit of bonding while planting carrots. Sounded pretty nice. “I’ll talk ‘bout it, it’s nothin’ really worth hiding, anyways,” Sovran chuckled. “My powers are called ‘Replicate,’ where I could copy certain aspects of a person’s powers, but only if we have a strong bond with one another. However, if we’re even closer, then my powers create somethin’ called a ‘Remnant,’ which is a copy of that person’s consciousness from the memories I got of ‘em.” “A bit there to your left is a Remnant of a girl I knew from a few years ago. Her name’s Zora, she’s the one who’s got the light powers. I can only make little orbs of light and heal to a certain degree, but her as a person was capable of a lot more,” Sovran chuckled. “Like plantin’, for example. She’s been guidin’ me this whole time on how deep I should plant the potatoes and carrots.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Huh." Yeonaixho took in all that. "That's... a very unique power to have." He listened as Sovran continued, "Ahh... I suppose she doesn't talk? Which is why I didn't notice her," And turned to where he assumed Zora to be, "Nice to meet you," Returning to Sovran, he added. "There's actually another girl here, with powers somewhat like that. She's on the other side, now, though." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Unique, but a bit of a pain sometimes,” Sovran chuckled. “The Remnants can be stubborn sometimes. They each have their own thoughts and act on their own despite them being imprints of my memories.” He looked at Yeonaixho apologetically. “Yeah, Remnants can’t speak, sorry about that. They also can’t really move things, but if she touches your arm, you’ll be able to feel the warmth.” At Yeonaixho’s words, Sovran raised an eyebrow. “Another person with light, huh? Which one was it that moved over?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhmm, I would think that'd be a handful." Yeonaixho said, with a light laugh. "Oh, it's okay. I'd hardly expect your powers to cater to my experience." He shrugged. "It's fine." "Her name is Celena," He explained. "We met on this side, and to make a pretty long story short, I'm... fairly concerned for her wellbeing. But she's got healing powers, as well as some control over light. Funny coincidence, I guess." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“It really is. Everyone’s stubborn and got their own opinions, definitely makes for an argument some days.” Sovran chuckled. The Remnant slowly reached out and gave Yeonaixho’s arm a tentative poke in greeting. Hello! “Celena, huh?” Sovran frowned as he rattled the name around in his brain. No, he wasn’t familiar with that name. “Can’t say I know her. Guess there’s another light user out there that can heal.” Sovran thought back to the images that had appeared on the screen in the arena. There was a face to each name. Celena. “Huh. They got the same eyes,” Sovran mumbled to himself. Purple eyes, same shape- The only thing that seemed off was that Celena’s eyes seemed hollow, haunted. “Kid’s been through a lot, huh?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho laughed as Zora poked him in the arm, and put his hand to where he was touched. "Hey!" He replied playfully. "Yep. Celena. I'm glad to have other healers around, too. Takes some of the burden off my shoulders." He nodded. "Really? I wouldn't know, obviously. That's even a stranger coincidence." His tone grew somber. "Yeah... she hasn't told me much, but even from the conversations we have had it's- easy to tell she's been through something rough. I wish I could still be around for her... maybe she'll find Jymaiyri on the other side, though." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Zora giggled and gave his arm another friendly poke. Hiya! “Yeah, it’s good to have healers around. I’m sure the kid’s helpin’ out on the other side,” Sovran smiled as he looked toward Zora. “Hm, yeah. It’s pretty strange. Might just be a power thing. I’ve seen people who got powers, they have their eye color change because they’re attuned to their abilities. Could be that.” “.. She’ll likely open up to you soon enough,” Sovran spoke quietly. “We just gotta be patient with these kids. I’m sure that she’ll seek out Jymaiyri, too. She’ll likely pass along the word of how you’re doing to her.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho laughed again as Zora poked him. "Mhm, maybe. It's not super common where I'm from, but I have heard of that happening before." Yeonaixho mused. He hummed in thought. "I hope so. There's... too many kids here. On top of my infant daughter, I've met so many teenagers here. Are there many on your side?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I've only seen it in a few people. Suppose for light users, it's like that," Sovran frowned. "There's too many kids here. Plenty of teens, plenty of kids who are barely teens. I met a kid on the other side, her name's Connie. She's- A great kid, Yeonaixho. She's just fifteen. I hate that so many kids got sucked into this mess." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh- god. Fifteen. One of the other kids I've met, Nora, can't be over seventeen, but... god. It's just... awful." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Christ," Sovran ran a hand through his hair. His hand was itching to grab another cigarette from his pocket. "That's too young- For fuck's sake, couldn't this whole tournament have just been with older folk? There's no need to drag kids into this, not when- They got their whole lives ahead of themselves. They shouldn't have to be put through this." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It's just- unfathomable that someone would do that-" Yeonaixho said, "But I can say with certainty our host does not share the same empathy you and I do. The being running this tournament wants suffering for the sake of suffering, pain for the sake of pain. It's awful." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran sighed. He buried the last of the carrots he had and stared at his dirt-coated hands. ".. D'you think there's really a way on out of here?" Sovran asked in a low voice. "I still got hope that there's someway to get out, but that fight confirmin' for us that we're in space is-.. It makes it a lot harder to imagine there bein' a way back home." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

As Sovran's voice grew lower, Yeonaixho mirrored it. "I'm- not sure. Another man here, Moses, seemed confident we could all get home, but I'm not sure how. I assume we'd have to take charge of this operation somehow, but I'm not sure how we'd even start." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I don't know how we'd even start either," Sovran sighed. He ran his hand across his chin, the tips of his fingers scratching the stubble on his face. "I don't think we can leave through either of these sides, it has to be in that center of where we were taken to to view the fight. It didn't look like we could leave the arena stands, though, so that makes it trickier to find a way to truly explore it." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm... it's hard for me to figure out things like that, especially without causing a scene- but maybe if you can pay attention to where we are during the next fight, we could figure something out?" He sighed. "There's also, well, the maze. The maze everyone's talking about. Maybe as more rooms open, more opportunities will also." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I can do that,” Sovran gave a nod of his head. “I’ll take a look around, see what I could figure out. I could probably have my Remnants take a look, too. I dunno how far they’d get, but it wouldn’t hurt.” “Yeah, that’s right, the maze. That thing,” Sovran sighed. “That’s another obstacle we got in our way. You’re definitely right about maybe checkin’ out those rooms. Who knows, maybe we’ll get somethin’ real useful out of ‘em.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"A new area opened after the fight- a little TV area on the south side. That might be worth checking out. See if you can spot anything I missed." Yeonaixho offered. "Even if there's nothing, you could watch a movie." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"A TV area, huh? Maybe I'll have to check it out, just for some clues," Sovran rubbed his hands together to knock off the dirt lingering on his palms. "Don't think I'm in much of a movie watchin' mood, but thanks for the suggestion." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It's where I just came from, actually. I appeared there after the fight." Yeonaixho hummed. "Tai'tana might still be there, he's one of the amphibs here. She can be a bit... violent, so you might want to proceed with caution, but she does make for... interesting conversation once you can get past that." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Tai'tana? Alright, I'll keep that in mind." Sovran frowned. "Has this person threatened you?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Nah, they just offered to train me by throwing boulders at me. I declined. And they wanted to fight someone else. But they didn't threaten me." Yeonaixho brushed it off. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Alright, well- Glad they didn't threaten you, at least," Sovran squinted slightly as he glanced around. "Though- Throwin' boulders at someone's an interestin' way to train." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That's why I didn't agree to it." Yeonaixho laughed. "That, and getting boulders thrown at me is generally unpleasant." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I can imagine that most folk find it unpleasant," Sovran chuckled. "I know I would." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. I wonder if Tai'tana usually gets takers for his boulder training." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

(not by choice)

“I wonder. I wish those folk good luck,” Sovran chuckled with a shake of his head. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho let out a light laugh. "As do I. Nevertheless, Tai'tana is... a strange one." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’ll be sure to try and meet up with ‘em soon,” Sovran grinned. The man paused for a moment before he spoke up. “Say, Yeonai, d’you mind if I ask you a quick question?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, sure. I mean, I might not have an answer for it." He chuckled. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran chuckled. “I’m just curious, you don’t gotta answer, but how’d you and Jymaiyri meet? She didn’t quite say, but she made it very clear that she loves you very much.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, we met in college. We had a few of the same classes together- I think intro to microbiology was the one we actually met in. She was better at that than I was." He laughed. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“That so?” The other man grinned. “Aw, that’s nice. College lovers, I love that for you two.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yep. We started out as study partners, and we've been together ever since." He smiled fondly. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“That’s nice, and now you two have a family you’ve started. It sounds lovely.” Sovran’s smile faltered slightly. The two of them had just started a family and were now dragged into this situation. He immediately wanted to add Yeonaixho to his list of people to protect. God, that list was growing larger and larger. “You two truly sound like soulmates.” Sovran spoke softly. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. It is very lovely. I don't mean to get too personal, but- it definitely was a lot of work to get Minerva. We're very grateful to have her." He sighed. His smile grew, though there was a solemnity to it. "Yeah. I guess you could say that. I think we're just really lucky to have each other." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“So a miracle, then. I understand,” Sovran’s smile softened. “I’m glad you two were able to have her. I can only imagine how joyful it must be to have a child.” “I’m happy you two found each other,” He hummed quietly. “Love is a beautiful thing.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yep. I feel I'm a very, very lucky man, to have both Minerva and Jymaiyri in my life." Yeonaixho smiled. He paused, and hummed to himself. "Say, if you don't mind my asking, do you have anyone you hold close to your heart? I feel we've been talking about me for a while now." He laughed. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I can’t help but be a curious guy,” Sovran chuckled. He glanced away from Yeonaixho and stared at the planted carrots. “I hope you don’t mind me dampenin’ the mood a bit, but there ain’t too many folk I hold close to my heart. Or at least, there ain’t anyone to me like how Jymaiyri is to you.” ’Not anymore.’ He wanted to add. “It’s- A bit complicated, and a bit of a mess.” Sovran sighed. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho's smile grew solemn. "I'm sorry to hear that. I do hope you can find someone you can be close to, someday." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Thanks, I appreciate that,” Sovran ran hand through his hair. “It’s not my- Biggest priority, but it’s definitely somethin’ I would’ve liked to pursue eventually.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I can understand that. It can be difficult, to care for someone else when you have so much else going on." Yeonaixho nodded. "But don't close yourself off from it. People aren't meant to be alone." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’ll try not to do that, close myself off from it.” Sovran picked at a piece of grass. “.. Did that for a long time. Almost convinced myself I was meant to be alone.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"No one's meant to be alone. We all need someone." Yeonaixho gave Sorvan a kind smile. "There's someone out there for you- if not in the same way Jymaiyri and I have each other, in a different way. I've found that when you open yourself up to love, loving itself becomes easy." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran pulled his box of cigarettes from his pocket. He flicked the box open and shut repeatedly just to give his hands something to do. His gaze remained locked on the planted carrots. “Y’know, I thought I found that person. My ‘Jymaiyri,’ I suppose. Thought I found my soulmate, and a small part of me’s still hooked up on it, even after it didn’t end well.” Sovran took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It’s hard to love once it’s stung you already.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho leaned back on his arms and sighed. "Heartbreak can be... hard, I know. And I know that not everyone's relationship is like Jymaiyri's and mine, but... there's hope for you yet, if you know what I mean." He didn't pressure Sovran for details about his past relationships. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran leaned back in the grass. He stared into the sky, still flipping the lid off the box repeatedly. “Yeah, I get what you mean,” Sovran hummed quietly. “Just a matter of gettin’ there, I suppose. Of allowing myself to risk gettin’ hurt again. Love comes with risk, but it’s usually worth it in the end. I just don’t know if I’m brave enough, you know? Once bitten, twice shy.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I can understand that." Yeonaixho hummed, and trailed off. "Well, once you survive this whole space death maze thing, I'm sure you'll be able to survive the dating scene." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran let out a laugh. “You’re right about that. If I survive this, I’m sure I could survive anythin’.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That's the spirit." Yeonaixho echoed the sentiment with a laugh. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Mhm, and then from there, parenthood,” Sovran hummed. “Who knows, maybe my future kid’ll be friends with Minnie one day.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho smiled. "Maybe so. That'd be nice, one of the better things to come out of all this, I'd think." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Yeah, it’ll be somethin’ good to come out of this situation,” Sovran hummed. “We’d probably have to tell ‘em that we met somewhere else, I dunno if they’d really believe ‘fight club in space’ if we said it.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho burst out into laughter. "Yeah, they probably wouldn't. I've already been trying to figure out how to tell Minerva about this when she's older." He hummed. "I wonder if she'll remember any of it." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I dunno if she’d remember,” Sovran hummed. “Most kids and adults can’t remember much from before the age of three, though there’s some rare cases of people remembering a few things. If Minnie’s one of ‘em, I wish you luck on figuring out how to describe this all to her.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You're probably right." Yeonaixho hummed. "I guess, I'm mostly just preoccupied with getting her back home." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I get that. That’s your biggest priority right now,” Sovran paused. “Say, Yeonaixho, if I get switched back over to the other side, is there anythin’ in particular you’d like me to tell Jymaiyri?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho contemplated the question. "Well, there's a thousand things I'd want to say to her- but if you could tell her that I love her, and I miss her, and I hope she's safe- and that I'm safe, that would be appreciated." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’ll be sure to pass that along to her.” Sovran promised. “You have my word.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Thank you." Yeonaixho smiled. "Is there anyone you'd like me to pass along information to, if I come across them?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran paused. “If you switch to the other side, and you meet a kid named Connie over there, can you do me a favor and help take care of her? I wanna make sure that she’s safe and doin’ alright. Let her know I’m doing alright, and let her know that I’m thinkin’ of her, please.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh- of course." Yeonaixho nodded. "I'll be sure to watch over her as best I can, and tell her you're thinking of her." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Thank you,” Sovran visibly relaxed. “Greatly appreciated, Yeonaixho.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Of course. It's the least I can do." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’ll keep lookin’ out for Jymaiyri and Minnie if I were to get switched back over.” Sovran promised. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Thank you." Yeonaixho relaxed a bit, clearly relieved. "And I'll look after Connie, if she switched over when you're back there. Or if I switch over." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Thank you, Yeonaixho. I appreciate you big time.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Of course. Again, it's the least I can do. We've all got to look out for each other here, yeah?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Exactly,” Sovran held out his hand toward Yeonaixho’s. The tips of his fingers brushed against his hand as an indication for a handshake. “We’re in this together.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho wrapped his hand around Sovran's, and he gave him a nice firm handshake. "We're in this together." He affirmed. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran gave Yeonaixho’s hand a squeeze. Even if Yeonaixho couldn’t see it, Sovran was giving him a grin. “We are.” He hummed before he let go of his hand. “Well, I feel like I’ve taken up a lot of your time, I’d hate to take up more of it. I might take a look around, get a bit more familiar with this setting.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh- sure. I was enjoying our time, but I don't want to keep you any longer than you want to stay." Yeonaixho smiled. "Good luck out there. Stay safe. Watch out for crabs." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I could stick around if you really want me to,” Sovran laughed. “I just felt like I was holdin’ you captive with my conversation.” Sovran’s grin faltered. “.. Crabs..? What about crabs, now?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Ah, it's alright. I've got farming to do, anyways." Yeonaixho laughed. "There's crabs over by the beach. They're... somewhat hostile, so be on guard. Not too much of a threat, though." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“D’you need more help with it? I don’t mind gettin’ my hands dirty,” He chuckled, though he still looked relatively uncertain about the crabs. “I’ll be on guard from the crabs. I won’t get stuck between a crab and a hard place.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Ah, I'll be fine." Yeonaixho laughed. "Really. Go, look around, meet new people." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Alright, alright,” Sovran laughed. He got up to his feet and dusted his hands off. “I’ll see you ‘round, alright? Take it easy, Yeonai.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'll see you around, too. As much as I can." Yeonaixho laughed, and waved to Sovran as he left. "Good luck out there!" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Crap, he had been trying to avoid eyesight comments. “You too!” Sovran gave Yeonaixho a two finger salute before walking away. The Remnant followed after him only to disappear after a few steps. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Lykos was beginning to familiarize itself with this side. They followed their nose to the smell of dirt and fruit, confused by the destruction around. There were many fruit trees here, and yet none stood. Did something happen? ..Ah, the man from before. Perhaps he can explain. The wolf approached, occasionally having to jump over various trees and branches. “Greetings, Yeonaixho. What.. happened to this place?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho bristled at the unfamilar, animal noise, but seemed to calm down a bit at the somewhat familiar voice. "Oh, ah, Doctor... Lykos, was it? Hello." He turned towards the wolf. "A hurricane came through not long before the fight. It decimated all this farmland, but I've been trying to regrow." He gestured to his meager vegetable garden. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“I see. Hm.. will the other side have some similar weather event, then? Well, honorable that you would take up that burden.” They walked closer to him, looking over his current work. “Hm. I know nothing of.. farming. Will this grow back quickly?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm not sure. I hope it doesn't. This just about ruined everything we had on this side." Yeonaixho huffed. "Well, someone has to do it. Even if the people who have plant powers won't." "It'll grow back in time. Probably a few days before we start seeing anything." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (edited)

They looked back towards the destruction. “The sun here set near the time of the other side’s rising. These sides appear to correlate, and with that, they may be connected. Close by.” They turned back towards him, sitting down in the dirt. “Someone here has plant magic? Did they originally grow this place? Why wouldn’t they tend to it.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. You'd think them having opposite day-night cycles would suggest them being further apart. You know, how the earth works? That's what I'd think, at least." Yeonaixho thought out loud. "Though, that's if we're actually rotating around some star. All this could be artificial." He nodded solemnly. "His name is Itsuki. He grew all this in the first place, but won't help regrow it because he's an asshole." There were other mean words Yeonaixho could say about Itsuki, but he wasn't going to. Not right now. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

The doctor balked at that. “Erm- yes. I suppose. Still, it could be artificial, yes.” They shifted around a little, embarrassed at the mistake. They sincerely hoped an entire planet wasn’t colonized just for this stupid game. They laughed suddenly at that. “Ha! Asshole.. hmph, why even bother growing it if he never wanted to care for it. Idiot. Well, would you like any help? I am quite skilled at digging now.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. I guess we'll just have to find out." Yeonaixho hummed, and ran his hands through his hair. "Ah, Sovran and I were able to plant most the vegetables I was able to salvage. I don't think there's much more work to do, at least not right now." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Oh. Very well. You are finishing up, then?” They sounded a little disappointed at not having an excuse to dig. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Yep." He sighed. "It's not a lot, but it's better than nothing." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Indeed. Hm, a shame this place was destroyed. I doubt there will be any prey here then..” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"There's crabs by the beach, if that's something you'd want. Other than that, I don't know of anything of the prey variety." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Crab will do, I suppose. I’d rather that than eat bugs..” They stood, like they were about to head towards the beach. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. Be careful, though." Yeonaixho cautioned. "Those crabs can be fierce, I hear." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hm. Do they happen to be unnaturally large?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"The ones I encountered sounded normal size. But... take that with a grain of salt. I'm not a crab expert." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Ah, very well then. I doubt it will be that difficult then.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Alright. If you end up getting injured, come find me." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“I shall. Goodbye, Yeonaixho.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Good bye. Be safe out there." Yeonaixho waved. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Yeonaixho rose his hand hesitantly. Guess it's time to see another fight.

(to what another fight)

(damnit)

Yeonaixho was teleported back to the ruined farmland he'd been toiling over for the past few hours, falling on his face. He didn't feel defeated, though. No. Not anymore. For the first time since he'd arrived in this hell maze, he felt invigorated. He felt himself again. He felt less alone than he had in a while. Because, for the first time in what seemed like forever, they'd be together again. He sat in the dirt for a while, not yet having the strength to get up and look for Jymaiyri yet. He needed to wait til his heart stopped racing. There, in the ruined farmland, he listened to the noises of the night, til they were interrupted by the shrill, familiar cry of a baby, and the even-more familiar voice cursing the heat. "Oh- fuck- It's hot here!"Jymaiyri exclaimed as she was teleported from the kitchen. She instantly began removing her and Minerva's heavy winter clothes- it was pretty unfortunate, that she didn't have any of the baby stuff she'd just been given, but whatever. She only stopped to take in her surroundings once she and the baby were both in levels of dress more suitable to the climate. "Yeonai?" "Jymaiyri!" He stood and approached them, wrapping his hands around his wife before saying anything else. Though Minerva had been crying, she calmed down in the embrace of her family. "Oh, god, Jymaiyri-" "I thought I'd never see you again!" Jymaiyri sobbed into Yeonaixho's chest. "Oh- oh, god, Yeonai- I can't even- I thought-" "I did too." He held onto Jymaiyri, never wanting to let her go. He would never let her go. "But you have me now. You're here now." "Minnie missed you." Jymaiyri laughed away her sobs. "I did too." "I missed you more than I've missed anything else." Yeonaixho cupped Jymaiyri's face in his hands, and leaned down into a warm, passionate kiss. "I love you, lilybud." Jymaiyri sighed, still somewhere between laughing and crying. "I love you too, honeybee. I love you so much."

5

Not to ruin the moment or anything, but Sovran made his grand entrance. Like before, he appeared a few feet in the air and landed on the ground with a wheeze. “Aw, my back,” He moaned. Slowly, he prompted himself up with his elbows and looked over to Jymaiyri, Yeonaixho, and Minnie. The man grinned at the sight of the reunited family. “Well, well, look who it is. The family’s all together again, happy to see it, you lovebirds.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho and Jymaiyri had been quietly discussing things amongst themselves, but both turned upon the arrival of the man of the hour, Sovran. "Sovran!" Jymaiyri said in half-greeting, half-surprise. "Good to see you again!" Clearly, her attention was still (rightfully) mostly on Yeonaixho. "Hey, Sovran." Yeonaixho waved once Jymaiyri identified the man. "I understand you've previously met my wife and daughter?" With a smile on his face, he said, "They're here now." To Jymaiyri, he added. "Sovran was helping me fix up all this farmland before. He told me you met." "This used to be farmland?" Jymaiyri scoffed, disregarding most of that. "Damn. What happened?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I was surprised when I heard the name be announced, I’m thankful that you three are together again.” Sovran pushed himself up to his feet and approached them. “Yeah, it used to be one, then a storm hit. Not much of it’s left.” Then, with a concerned look on his face, he looked to Minnie. “She okay? You two didn’t have a rough landing like I did, right?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hurricane blew in, it wrecked the entire place." Yeonaixho answered his wife's question. "Oh- jeez." Jymaiyri looked around. "Well, I should be able to help out." Turning back to Sovran, she managed a smile- a more genuine one than any he would've seen from her on the other side. She showed Minerva to Sovran, the baby also taking in the new environment, but mostly reaching out for her dad. "She's alright. I just kinda popped over here. Landed on my feet and everything." Glancing towards Yeonaixho, she said, "Oh, she wants you to hold her-" and promptly handed over the baby. "Alright!" Yeonaixho had dearly missed holding the baby, and took her gladly. "Did you have an adventure without me, Minnie? Did you meet new people?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran’s gaze softened as he looked at the family. A husband, a wife, and a beautiful baby girl. They truly were living his dream, and it was both heartwarming yet disheartening to witness. Ultimately, he wished them the best, and hoped that they would have a better fate than what this tournament had in store for them. “You three make a beautiful family,” Sovran spoke softly. “I’m genuinely happy that you’re back together. There’s plenty of spots for the three of you to visit and take some time for yourselves.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Thank you," Jymaiyri gave Sovran a smile, and Yeonaixho echoed the sentiment, but kept most of his attention on the baby. He kissed her little forehead, and rocked her in his arms. "Somewhere, I've got a sling you can put her in." Jymaiyri informed her husband. "Mhm. That's good." Yeonaixho hummed. "Sovran's right, it is pretty nice here. You'll like it. It's not all as wrecked as this place. Are you tired? Hungry? Injured?" "I'm fine, Yeonai." Jymaiyri insisted. "I can start regrowing some of this farmland. It'll be good to have some work. You can Sovran can play with the baby." God, it was nice to have Yeonaixho around. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“If you want, you three can sit in the shade, I’ll work on the farmland.” Sovran said. “Take some rest. I may not have gardening abilities, but I could lend a hand and help plant.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Sovran, I have powers to magically grow plants. I'm a botanist. I'm better at this than you. Go babysit." Jymaiyri insisted. Yeonaixho was already heading over to a secluded area to sit with the baby. "Don't try and argue with her, she's got her mind made up." He laughed, answering beckoned Sovran over. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Yes, ma’am,” Sovran gave a laugh as he held up his arms in defeat. He headed with Yeonaixho to the shady spot. “I’ll keep that in mind,” Sovran chuckled as he sat down. “Pick and choose my battles.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri nodded, and got to work. "She's very stubborn. One of the reasons I married her." Yeonaixho laughed. It was strange, how even after time apart he fell so easily back into routine with Jymaiyri. "She probably wants a break from watching the baby. I can't imagine how exhausting it's been." Speaking of, Minerva was sitting in Yeonaixho's lap, trying to grab at the various leaves and plants around her. Yeonaixho had his hands wrapped around her, keeping her from scrambling away. "I'm really so happy to have her back. To have both of them back." Meanwhile, Jymaiyri was working on regrowing a variety of tropical fruit trees. They sprung up in seconds with the aide of her powers. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I don’t blame her, children are a handful,” Sovran chuckled. He rested comfortably in the shade on her back. His gaze was locked on the leaves that were swaying in the gentle breeze. “I wanted to offer a helpin’ hand, but I got caught up with some other kids. Things got chaotic.” “I’m happy you have them back. It must be a weight of your shoulders now to not be wonderin’ if they’re well.” Sovran hummed. At the display of Jymaiyri’s abilities, Sovran nodded his head with awe. “She’s amazing.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"They certainly are." Yeonaixho smiled fondly. Though his gaze was distant, it was clear he was thinking of his own baby. "I'm sure she understands. And I bet she's grateful to have you around, even here." "It's a relief. To be able to hold them both again- I missed them so much. But they're here again, now." He sighed, and let Minerva wrap her tiny hand around his finger. "They're here with me." Though he couldn't see Jymaiyri using her powers, he nodded in agreement with Sovran. "She is, isn't she?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran chuckled. “I’ll be a helpin’ hand whenever you both need me. It could be for somethin’ small or big, you both got me.” “They’re here with you,” Sovran nodded. “Appreciate every moment with your family. I hope that a fight and a switch doesn’t happen any time soon.” Smiling lightly, Sovran gave another nod of his head. “She truly is.” He glanced back at Yeonaixho. “You are too, y’know?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I appreciate it." Yeonaixho laughed. "If I need anything, I'll be sure to give you a call. And the same offer goes to you, at least from me. If you need any healing, or anything else I can provide, please, come to me." "I hope so, too. I guess we can only hope. Though, if there is another switch soon, I hope it brings Nora back here." That way, everyone he cared for would be together. He laughed. "Oh, I'm just- thank you. I'm really just... a normal guy, I guess." As Yeonaixho spoke, Minerva's interest shifted from the surrounding greenery to Sovran. She reached out to him with interest. "Oh- I think she's interested in you." Yeonaixho laughed. "Do you want to hold her?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Thank you. And if you need anythin’ from me, lemme know. I got a few powers up my sleeve to help on out.” Sovran raised an eyebrow. “Who’s Nora? If I wind up switchin’ by any chance, I could keep an eye out for her.” He chuckled once more. “Nah. I’ve met normal folk. You’re somethin’ else. You’re an interestin’ and a good guy.” Sovran’s expression softened as he looked at Minnie. He extended his hands, but didn’t go to grab her. “I would, but is it fine with you if I do?” Sovran asked. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Of course," Yeonaixho laughed, though his gaze sombered as Sovran asked about Nora. "She's another kid I've been looking after here. She's... important to me. She was switched to the other side when you were switched here. If you do end up going back to the other side, please look out for her. She wears a big hat, you should be able to find her easily." He chuckled bashfully. "No, I really am a normal guy. I don't- I'd hope being good doesn't set me apart from the rest of society, you know?" "I mean, unless you plan on stealing her away!" Yeonaixho laughed again, and helped Minerva move closer to Sovran. "If you stay seated, and don't let her wiggle away, I think it should be fine. She's not crawling yet." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Alright. If I see her, I’ll keep an eye out for her,” Sovran promised. “You got my word.” Sovran let out a quiet chuckle. “Yeah, I get what you mean. Rest of society should be nice in general. Shouldn’t be seen as anythin’ out of the ordinary.” “Don’t worry, I won’t be goin’ anywhere, and neither will she.” Sovran chuckled. He reached out and gently took the baby into his hands. It was obvious that he had spent plenty of time holding babies based on how practiced and how perfect his hold was. He gingerly held her in his arms, making sure that she felt nice and cozy in his grasp. The man smiled down at the infant as a sense of peace washed over him. “Hi there, little lady,” He spoke to her. “Bet you’re feelin’ happy that your Mamá and Papá are back together, huh?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I appreciate it." Yeonaixho smiled, and nodded. "Mhm. I like to think it's human nature to be kind. I... hope this tournament doesn't change my perspective on that." He carefully handed Minerva over to Sovran, keeping one hand on her little arm just so he could be sure of where she was at all times. Minerva gazed up to Sorvan with a smile, and responded to his questions with curious babbling and cooing. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I hope it doesn’t change it either. Not many people think like that, and it’s a real shame.” “That so? I hear ya, kid. I can tell you’re real happy,” Sovran chuckled. He definitely was having a good time holding the baby and talking with her even if she couldn’t speak back. This was nice. He raised a hand and gingerly touched her cheek with the back of his finger. He blinked, always in awe at how soft, squishy, and utterly precious infants were. They truly were little bundles of joy. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"She likes you." Yeonaixho smiled. "She's usually pretty friendly with strangers, but it's not always she warms up to people like this." Minerva was equally in awe of Sovran as he was of her, wrapping her hand around his finger and holding it. She laughed as both Sovran and her father did. Bundle of joy, indeed. Meanwhile, Jymaiyri had been hard at work regrowing the farmland- though her momentum had slowed once she'd finished a decently-sized grove of fruit trees. Notably, she was growing the plant life in a far more... organized fashion than Itsuki had. Deciding now was a good time for a break, she harvested some fruit and headed over to where Sovran, Yeonaixho and Minerva were. "How's it going? I've brought over some snacks, if anyone's hungry." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“That so? Well, I’m honored to be well liked by her,” Sovran chuckled. He gave Minerva a smile. “I like you too, Minnie.” When Jymaiyri approached, Sovran offered her a smile as well. “I’ll take a bit, but not too much. You and this little one should eat as much as you can. I know it was hard getting food on the other side.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hah, that's true. I did grow some berries back there." Jymaiyri hummed, placing an apple next to Sovran for him to eat whenever he wanted. "How you doing, Minnie? Making friends?" She moved over to Yeonaixho's other side, and laid down in the dirt, resting her head in her husband's lap. She handed Yeonaixho an apricot and began halving an avocado with the same kitchen knife she'd stolen from the other side. "How was the farm?" Yeonaixho asked, gently playing with Jymaiyri's hair and tracing her features. "It was alright. Soil's a bit weird, but I was able to grow some good fruit trees." She smiled. "It's much nicer here than it was on the other side. You have no idea." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Thanks for the apple- Imagine nothing but snow for miles and miles,” Sovran spoke as he gently bounced the baby in his arms. His gaze was mostly focused on her. “Below zero weather, a constant breeze- Not a good time unless you’re made for that kind of weather.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Eugh. Reminds me of home." Yeonaixho shuddered, and laughed with Jymaiyri- it was clear the refrence was made for her, more than Sovran. "That does sound awful. The weather's nicer here, though there's risk of a hurricane." "That's... not great." Jymaiyri replied, now having sliced up the avocado into mushy slices. "I'm glad we're here now, though. Any place is tolerable if I'm with you." She got up, and moved to sit infront of Sovran and Minerva. Once she realized what was going on, Minerva began excitedly waving her arms and reaching out for the fruit. "She loves avocado." Jymaiyri informed Sovran. To her baby, she said, "Who's hungry? You want some avocado?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"That so?" Sovran chuckled. "Well, who am I to stop her from enjoying her favorite food?" He scooted closer to Jymaiyri. "Here, you can take her back so she can eat." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'll take her." Yeonaixho said, and took Minerva back into his arms. He sat her down in his lap so that she was facing Jymaiyri. Minerva was still very intent on grabbing the avocado. "Alrighty," Jymaiyri smiled at her baby, and held out the mushy avocado slices for Minerva to take. Though Minerva did well holding the fruit in her hand, she didn't have as much luck getting it into her mouth, and most of it ended up on her face. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran chuckled at the sight of the little one being messy with her meal. It was always quite amusing to watch babies attempt to feed themselves. He reached for the apple that Jymaiyri left for him and picked it up. He took a nice CRONCH out of it that was particularly satisfying. Yum. First thing to eat in god knows how long. Homeboy was starving. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Both Yeonaixho and Jymaiyri were laughing, attempting to get Minerva to eat the avocado in a neater fashion. It would be clear to Sovran, who had spent time with both of them separately, that they were both incredibly relieved to be in each other's presence again. "Did you get anything for yourself?" Yeonaixho asked. "Oh, not really. I was planning on splitting the avocado with Minnie, if she'll agree to it." She laughed. "You can have some of my apricot, if you want." "Nah, you keep it. I'll get something for myself later." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“D’you want a meal?” Sovran spoke up with a smile. “There’s apparently crabs around. I could find one and get you it.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, really? I'd take some crab." Jymaiyri turned to Sovran. "Yeonai here doesn't eat meat, but I'm sure he's told you that before." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“He did,” Sovran hummed as he pushed himself up to his feet. “I’ll be back. Shouldn’t be too long.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Good luck!" Yeonaixho said, moving Minerva's little arm up to make her wave goodbye, though the baby quickly moved her hand out of his grasp to grab more avocado. "Yeah, good luck." Jymaiyri echoed. "See you soon!" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“See you soon,” Sovran held up his hand in a wave. “Take it easy and enjoy the shade.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“See you soon,” Sovran held up his hand in a wave. “Take it easy and enjoy the shade.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

As Sovran left. Jymaiyri and Yeonaixho continued talking with each other and fawning over their baby.

Going to the farmlands after everything was nice. Maki was standing there, holding onto their book with a bit of a uneasy expression before they sighed heavily and shuddered. They didn't wanna think about the fight right now. They looked around the area, waiting for Moses to arrive. Hopefully he'd show up soon... @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses wasn't too far behind, arriving just as soon as Maki. "Huh.. looks like this place took a hit, but then someone built it up again. Strange.. Maybe Itsuki actually did some work?" Moses commented as he looked over everything. @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Another fight. Another gone. Maki wrote down. The farmer man seemed scared to use his powers. And there was a necklace lady. How odd. They show the book to Moses before they shrug. I don't know who Itsuki is. Maybe they did something. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"You went to the other fight..?" He asked them with a raised brow. Moses wasn't really sure why anyone would voluntarily go see any of the fights, but he supposed it could of been a way to gather information or something. "Itsuki is this amphibian man with nature powers here. He created this farmland.. but it looks different than I remember," he commented. @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Curiosity. Maki shrugged.

Gathering information. The last fight was odd. Why put two people in a room where one has an advantage. I guess it worked out in the end. But now we know there's a weird ghost lady here too.

....An Amphibian...I see. They scribbled down. I don't talk to most of the people here... @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to.. But the last fight, what was it like arena wise? Was it the same before?" Moses asked as he stepped towards some of the newly grown fruit trees. He picked out an orange before turning back to look at Maki's note. "The Amphibian people here were here before us, and apparently, Rakin is one of them too. They can turn into their animal form and from what I've seen, all have some sort of animalistic trait that matches." @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Saw themed. Like the movie. Maki laughed a tiny bit. They followed behind Moses, looking up at him before they turned back to their note book. Interesting. They commented. So they're like shape-shifters in a sense...? They rose their eyebrows. I assume they're working with that buffoon then. So can they be trusted? @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses looked a bit alarmed at Maki's reply as he created a small basket to hold the fruit in. "That sounds pretty horrifying..." He commented, a little concern Maki didn't seem very shaken up by it. He grabbed another orange before continuing down the path of trees. He looked back at Maki's notebook before shrugging. "In a way, I guess. They're aliens, apparently, so their biology is probably a lot different from ours. As for if they're working with Rakin.. In a way, yes, they are, but it seems some more than others understand what's going on. The Amphibs on this side seem to not be aware of anything, while the ones on the other side know Rakin." @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

I like horror movies. Maki added. As Moses continued on, Maki continued to write down everything before they tapped their pen against their mask. They pondered for a moment before they sighed. Aliens. Well, that was new. Idiots. They wrote down.

I don't trust most people here. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, at least. I am glad for that. Maybe we can try and fight back somehow.

Maki truthfully had a few ideas to use to mess with Rakin's head. This place is so strange. What is the other side even like? @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Horror movies are.. interesting. Not my cup of tea, but if you enjoy them, I'm glad you have a hobby, at least," Moses teased with a faint smile. He continued walking until they got to a papaya tree and he stopped, glancing up at the dangling fruit before turning back to Maki's notebook. "I want to, but the issue is keeping everyone safe while also being able to get out. Rakin doesn't seem to have much power, in all honesty. It's his master calling the shots. His master is holding fear of death over Rakin, so I can't say there's much winning in this scenario," Moses sighed. He created a small crystal dagger and launched it at the end of one of the papaya's, causing it to fall to the ground. Smiling as he picked the fruit up, Moses gestured it to Maki. "Papaya. You said you wanted to try it, right, kid?" Moses commented before adding, "Well, from what Agustin, an amphib from the other side told me, it's the complete opposite of here. It's freezing cold and windy. There's not a lot of food there." @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

I like puzzles too. Maki wrote down. Solving things. Cubes. Puzzle balls. Matching games. Anything like that. I also like books. They scribbled down before they watched Moses.

I don't care for Rakin. Call me cruel but if he died I would merely laugh. Let his actions catch up to him, I say. Karma, if you belive in it.

They huffed a bit.

Anyway. Yes. Papaya. I would like some....and hopefully those on the other side can find some food or something. Hard to fight when you're weak and cold. Like I said, Rakin is truly an idiot. If he wants a fight give us good conditions.

@Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses read Maki's note with a small smile. "I see. Puzzles are quite fun. I'm a fan of word scrambles myself," he commented. Moses then lowered the papaya into his basket. "I don't like Rakin, nor do I think he deserves any form of forgiveness from any of us... but you should be careful about treating death lightly, kiddo," Moses hummed. "Agustin took back some oranges, but that's all. I just hope everyone on that side is safe. I hope you can get back to your family and home safely too, kiddo. I'm sure they're worried about you." @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Yes. Word puzzles. Crossword! They beamed. I am very good at those and sudoku. They looked at the basket before they seemed to think. .... Maki gripped their book before they frowned. I've seen death countless times. Moreso than someone my age should have seen if you want the truth. They wrote down. I have my doubts about my family. Though I do not think that matters in the grand scheme of things. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Looking over Maki's notes, Moses couldn't help the sympathetic gaze he gave them. He reached up and gently ruffled Maki's hair. "I'm sure your family misses you.. no kid like you should of had to witness death so numerously," Moses replied with a somber voice. He retracted his hand before continuing on. "..I'm curious, I will admit. What exactly do you do outside of being trapped in a death tournament, kid?" @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Maki took a step back as Moses raised his hand and they frowned. They gripped their book before they shook their head. ~~Dead people can't miss people. Can they?~~ ...Outside of this place? They pondered for a moment. I worked with my adoptive family. With my illusions we put it to the test with science and experimentation. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses frowned a bit as he read Maki's note. "I believe that even when we are dead, the feelings we carried with us when we were alive come with us. Family, good family, misses you no matter the distance. Death or life. You don't stop loving people," he replied. Of course, he was even more curious at Maki's next answer. "Illusional science experiments? That.. sounds very ethical. Could you be more specific, kid?" @capisnotonfire (edited)

Do you believe in a second and third death then? Maki asked curiously.

Second death; when someone says your name for the last time. Third death; when you're forgotten. If the dead can yearn than...fascinating.

There was a pause in Maki's writing and they stared at the page in their notebook before they looked up at Moses. There was a weird expression on their face- or well, the mask.

...Sounds, sight, taste. My illusions are practically identical to real life. You can physically interact with them and feel and taste them, but in the end they aren't real.

@Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

He hummed in thought, picking up a couple more pieces of fruit as he walked. "I can't say I believe in extra kinds of death. You're dead when you're dead," Moses shrugged. The older man seemed to frown as he read the rest of Maki's note. "Right.. well. I can't say I have the best experience with people using kids in experiments, so I'm sorry if I seem a bit distrustful of the idea. Are you well taken care of by your adoptive family, at least?" @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Maki stared down at their book before they simply offered a shrug in response. Why were they-? They hardly even knew Moses! Ugh. Maki scowled underneath their mask before they squeezed their notebook. I am taken care of. I also do my part. They were curious about my power and helped me control it..... @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses watched Maki for a moment, noting how they squeezed their notebook, but not commenting on it. "Well, I'm glad to hear that, at least. It's good that someone is looking out for you, kid," Moses nodded. "It's tough being on your own, especially at your age. If you ever need help with anything, I'm your guy." @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

They certainly try. Its mostly focused on my education. Maki laughed a bit- almost like they found it funny.

I am smart enough to pass almost every exam I take. Some stuff I of course do not know but give me an hour and I can pass an exam on it even with the hardest questions.

You have a family. I do not want to insert myself into yours. It would be unbecoming of me. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses read the note with an interested gaze, before looking up to Maki's mask. "Wish I was as book smart as you are at your age. I wouldn't know a bag of rocks even if it hit me," Moses joked with a small laugh. "And even if I have a family, who says I can't just look out for people? Family isn't something that stops growing, anyways," he hummed, picking a couple of strawberries. "It seems to me you could use a friend or two." @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

There were two beasts racing each other here. It looked sort of frightening for any spectator. …Lykos thought they had a good start, but Kiran immediately proved that wrong. That, and about tripping near the end solidified their loss. “Damn it! Augh.. impressive, Kiran. You surprised me with your agility.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Hmh", they glanced at Lykos with a cocky smile, before standing on two legs and dusting themself off. Their smirk fell when they noticed their self-made palm skirt had fallen somewhere on the way. They cussed quietly, not that anyone could understand. Then they looked around, surprised to see things in better shape now. "They fixed this place? Awesome, I wanted to try these things", Kiran said, looking at the fruit trees. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Lykos scoffed at their grin, looking away and admiring the now organized farm. “Ah, that they did. You have never tasted fruit?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Not these ones, I don't think", Kiran replied, and reached to take a pear out of a low branch. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Lykos watched as they grabbed a pear, and wanted one of their own. They walked over to the tree and attempted to stand on their back legs, but absolutely failed at that. They lost their balance and slammed their chin into the tree. “Shit!” They huffed and growled as they shook their head. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran let out a short set of creaks and clicking sounds, jumping slightly as Lykos stumbled. Their tail swished nervously, and they shook themself off to release the tension. "Uh. Here. You can have this one. I actually wanted to climb the tree to see if there's better ones up there", they said and offered the pear to the wolf. (edited)

8:52 AM

@Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (tagged wrong person first sorry cap..!)

Their ears were pinned as they tried to rub at their chin, it didn’t look too bad, but not like they could see that. They stopped and looked at Kiran, surprised. “Oh. I.. thank you.” They gently took it in their teeth, setting it down as they glanced back at them. “..Enjoy your climb.” They were interested in seeing how they would go about it. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran didn't react to the thank you much, at most shrugging a little. When their hands were pear free, they turned towards the tree. This was an easy climb, lots of branches, but Kiran didn't start off by grabbing them. They set their palms on the rough bark, enjoying how the hairs in them got a nice and secure grip. They smiled slightly, shook some sand off their feet, and started climbing, their paws sticking to the tree easily. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Lykos observed with great interest as they climbed. Taking note of how their hands were placed, looking for how they climbed and what mechanisms could let them climb like that. “No claws, and no long fingers- they aren’t grabbing at the bark, therefore.. lamellae? Ha! Tree climbers indeed, what fascinating biology!” They seemed to be talking to themself. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran glanced down, hearing Lykos talk, but since she didn't seem to be talking to them, the lerava shrugged, and continued higher. Their tail wrapped lightly around branches to make sure they were secure if the bark slipped under their paws. Once they reached some promising branches, they continued to grab onto one with both hands and feet, as well as holding their tail around the branch above. The pears up here smelled very sweet and ripe. Even Kiran with their less than great sense of smell could tell. They reached with their arm, but couldn't quite reach the plump, tempting pears further away. They grunted and tried to move closer, but the branch started bending dangerously under their weight. Crap... Cursed metal body... They shifted back slightly, and stared at the pears intently. They glanced down towards where Lykos waited. They could still see him down there, but they hoped the foliage and the dark of the night would be enough to conceal the lerava from the wolf's gaze well enough. Not that it really mattered, but... it made Kiran self conscious either way. They smacked their mouth lightly, looking at the pears again, before opening their mouth wide open, and reached their tongue out. The appendage stretched much longer than at first would have seemed. Unlike their arm, their tongue reached the fruit, and wrapped around it, tightening, and easily snapping the pear off the branch. Then, they quickly delivered the fruit straight into their mouth. The juice was sweet and flooded their senses. They smiled contently and hummed happily. Best treat they had eaten in a while. Definitely better than that live crab. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (edited)

Lykos was watching closely, adjusting where they were so they could always see them. Maybe it was a little creepy, but she was fascinated. They smiled a bit once they got the pear. “How is it?” They yelled, tail wagging a little. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran glanced down when they heard the wolf, and shrunk a little. They had to munch their mouthful down before they could answer. "Mm..." they mumbled and wiped their mouth on their arm. "It's pretty good", they replied. A bold understatement. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Ha! Well, there’s plenty of trees, what else do you wish to try?” They bit into their own pear, tail wagging even more as they munched on the sweet fruit. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Hmm", they looked around. The fruits probably would have seemed more appealing in sunlight, but the scent was still sweet and enticing. "Anything would probably be new to me. Everything is interesting." They climbed down, and shook some bark and dry leaves out of their mane. "What would you recommend?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hmm, I have always enjoyed figs and pomegranates. Both have many seeds, I enjoyed the crunch, once. I doubt there’s pineapple here either. Hmm… would you like to try a peach?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Hmm, I might prefer less seeds... Sure? Which one is peach?" Kiran asked, looking around. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hmm. If I recall correctly they are pink. Hm.. I cannot see any yet.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Ah, hm. It's a bit hard to see colors in this light... is it this?" Kiran walked along and pointed at an apple tree. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Ah, no- those are apples. They’re good, sweet and tart.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Huh", Kiran reached and picked one to try. It had a similar feeling to a pear, but less soft and a bit sharper taste. They munched on it, their head bopping slightly and shrugged a bit. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, they’re nice, but… ah, there they are.” They pawed at a tree with lots of plump, pink fruits. “There’s a large seed in the middle, watch for that.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Ooh", Kiran hummed and approached the tree. They sniffed and approved the scent. They hopped into the tree, climbing to the midst of the branches, before looking for tastiest fruits. After picking one, they sat down on the branch and bit down, careful enough not to chomp on the stone in the middle. "Mm.." they smiled and wiped juice off of their chin. "Dang, I need to eat these more while I can. Hmm.. nice that there's proper food again. My battery shouldn't run out in a while now." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“At least there is some good in this place. Are there no longer fruits in your world?” They glanced around for a peach they could reach, but couldn’t see one. They shifted on their paws, embarrassed. “Er- could you.. get me a peach… please.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"There might be. I'm not sure. I haven't been outside the city and all food I get is processed." Kiran glanced down at Lykos' request. They smirked slightly, stood up and picked a peach in each of their hands, holding the one they had before in their mouth, wrapped the tip of their tail around the branch they were standing on, and let themself fall forward. They spun right upside down in front of Lykos, holding onto the branch with thei feet and tail, and offered the two peaches to the wolf to choose from. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Eugh, I hate processed foods.” They watched with a growing smile at their display, and took the left peach in their teeth. They set it down so they could talk. “Prehensile tail as well, impressive! Is it exciting for you to climb trees like this?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran took the one peach out of their mouth into their free hand. "I like it, yeah. I usually climb buildings, but I get much better grip from these trees. It feels a lot nicer." They took another bite of their peach, munching for a while. "It feels familiar. I'm sure I've done it before... I just can't remember." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, certainly. I’d much prefer the feeling of bark to, tch- concentrate and glass. Hm.. well, once we escape this place, do you really have to return to that place? I don’t plan on returning to my world.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"What do you mean, 'once we escape'? Is there a plan already?" Kiran cocked an eyebrow. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Ah, it is in progress. Myself and another on the opposite side were attempting to plan when I was moved to this side. Apologies for the disappointment.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki (edited)

"Hm. Figures", Kiran shrugged, and chomped on more peach. They munched for a while, before they finally replied to Lykos. Kind of. "I'm getting used to the idea that I will die here. Your question doesn't really fit in that picture." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

They let out a low sigh. “I cannot let myself fall into that despair. I have worked all my life to be free, I will not die here.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki (edited)

Kiran looked at Lykos closely for a few moments. Then, they shrugged, and dragged themself back up on the branch. "Guess you're free to think what you want. It shouldn't make much difference to me. I have already died, and I'm not really living", they replied with a much lower, grave voice. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Their ears pinned at the looked at them with a mix of surprise and sadness. “..A shame. To have a second chance, yet unable to live it fully.” They laid down and started to eat their peach, holding it with their paws. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran frowned and swished their tail, sulking. They gulped down the first peach, and dug into the other one, juice spilling down their jaw. They didn't like the sympathy. It made them feel how sad their situation was, and they didn't want to feel sad. It was better to feel nothing. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Lykos was silent as they ate, occasionally glancing up at Kiran to check in. “…would you like to find more fruit?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Mmh. Whatever", Kiran grunted, and tossed the peach seeds away. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

They stood with a bit of a sigh and began walking towards a nearby tree. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran stood up again, and dropped down with a heavy thud. They tried to put their hands in their pockets, just to find they were still missing clothes. They kicked a rock instead, and followed Lykos, partially just to have something to do. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

They wandered along to a tree with green fruits. They were colored and textured like limes, but the fruit was sort of pear shaped. “Hmm, I’ve never seen these.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki (edited)

"Huh", Kiran came closer and sniffed the fruits. They reached up and picked a couple, and handed the other one to Lykos. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Ah, thank you. They certainly smell nice. If it was purposefully grown, it should be good, yes?” The fruits looked like this. Tiny seeds tucked into sweet, soft fruit. It had a similar texture to the pears. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

9:00 AM

(Guava! :D)

1

Kiran scronched into their fruit, and their sour expression melted into a peaceful, relaxed one, as they closed their eyes to concentrate on the sweet taste. "Mmg..." They hummed quietly wile they munched. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

The skin of the fruit was thin enough for Lykos to easily pull off and enjoy the flesh. The crunch of the seeds was strange between their sharp teeth, but it was nice. It reminded them of the fruits they once enjoyed. “Mm, this is nice. It has been long since I had this much fruit.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki (edited)

"Mhm, same. You don't have fruits growing where you live?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Well, there are some, nothing tropical like this. Most of it is imported. We have pears and apples, but mostly berries. Nothing like this.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki (edited)

"Oh huh. I see. You live on Earth?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“It is called Terre. From those I have spoken to, I believe I am the only one from that world. The land is cold, mountainous and filled with forests. There are other continents, there, but I have only lived on one.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki (edited)

"Terre? Someone I met called Earth's language 'Terran'. That sounds kind of similar, are you sure it's not the same planet?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Their brow furrowed as they thought for a moment. “I do not believe they are the same, yet.. I spoke to a Caecilian, Tai’Tana. They spoke about their world, it was quite similar to my own. They told me about the amphibian people of their world, who had names just like the creatures of my own world. It cannot just be a coincidence.” They grumbled for a moment before continuing. “This sounds insane.. There is a theory of multiple universes, the same world but different. Small changes morphing into a completely different universe. I believe.. my world, Terran, very well could be a different version of that ‘Earth.’” @Twig | Kiran + Riki (edited)

Kiran paused their munching and stared at Lykos for a while. Their tail was the only thing moving for a moment. "...Huh. Hm. I guess I've heard about the possibility of other worlds, but I always thought of that as fantacy... Well, dang." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Right?! This is insane and yet.. things line up too closely. Something as complex as names and- and language cannot be coincidence! I really thought it was a crack theory, but I cannot ignore what is in front of me.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran munched his guava in silence, listening and watching Lykos like he was talking crazy. Then they shrugged. "I mean, I guess this place also has some pretty freaky stuff I wouldn't believe if I didn't see with my eyes. S'ppose everything is possible now, huh." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Yes. I thought even space travel wasn’t possible until now. I suppose it’s not.. quite the same- still, this is a different planet with a breathable atmosphere. Last I knew none had been discovered yet. Hahaha- I supposed those Novus bastards weren’t as advanced as they thought! Ha.. hmm.” They munched on their fruit thoughtfully. “This would all be much more.. exciting if it weren’t for the circumstances.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Oh, yeah, space travel is definitely possible", Kiran laughed bitterly. "And yeah. Most people here seem to be from Earth. Me and another person so far are the only ones I know are from other planets. And you, although now it sounds like you're from Earth too but... a different one." They tilt their head, frowning in thought. Complicated shit.

2:28 PM

@Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

They nodded, sighing. “It’s for the best they never figured it out.” “Strange so many are from Earth. Especially if they can manage to pull people from different universes.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Yeah, that is funny. I kind of think this place might be closest to Earth, so that's why", Kiran speculated, and continued eating their fruit. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, I suppose.” They finished their fruit, quiet as they thought. “Hm. Kiran, how much have you explored this side? I see no walls keeping us in.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Hm? Not much. There was that storm, and I've stayed close the beach and stuff. I don't think we can go very far without being snatched back, though." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Yes, but in each fight that host Rakin has made himself a main part of the fights. And I am sure the other host would be focusing on it as well. Reveling in misery.. if they are distracted with the next fight, we could look for a way out.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Hm." Kiran gazed at Lykos with a disinterested, placid look, but their tail squirmed. "I doubt there's any point... but sure. You can always try."

2:48 PM

@Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hm. Your agility and climbing skills would be incredibly valuable. I would appreciate your help.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran sighed and rolled their eyes, popping the last bit of fruit in their mouth. They shrugged while munching. "Fine. I guess I can help. Not like I have other things to do." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Their tail wagged. “Excellent. Thank you, Kiran.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran shrugged again and mumbled something unintelligible in reply, looking away, the tip of their tail squirming. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

They watched the tail squirm around and tilted their head. “What are you doing with your tail?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Huh?" Kiran glanced over their shoulder and glanced at their tail. "Uh. I don't know. Just fidgeting, I guess." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

The doctor relaxed, watching the tail move. “Hm, alright. I was just wondering if it had some meaning. Body language and what not.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Uh. Huh", Kiran looked away, and their tail tip squirmed a little more. They seemingly weren't the best at explaining emotions or why and what they were expressing with their body language. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Well, in the meantime, would you like to explore? Perhaps grab some more fruit?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Hmm. Are you not tired? It's night", Kiran asked back, and glanced up at the sky. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hm? Oh. I suppose it’s been some time since I have.. rested. I don’t usually sleep at night, yet.. I suppose it would be a good idea.” They stood up, glancing around. “Is there shelter around here?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"I was thinking sleeping here. I haven't been able to sleep in a tree before. At least I don't... remember." Kiran scanned the fruit trees, looking for the best candidate to safely carry their weight. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

They chuckled. “Ah, of course. You are welcome to do that, Kiran. I can find somewhere.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki (edited)

"Mhm. I'll be here if you need... I guess", Kiran replied. They climbed up into another tree, got onto a sturdy enough branch, and wrapped their tail around it. Then, they threw themself off the branch, and curled up into a ball, hanging upside down, closing their eyes. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

They smiled at the display and walked off towards the beach. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

The farm looked much different. Instead of a messy forest of fruits, they were like an actual farm now. Nora had pulled off her sweater and mittens, loosely holding them as she held close to Juno’s tied sweater. “Mm.. you.. fixed the trees, mom?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yup, I grew all this. This side's much better than the other one for this sort of thing." Jymaiyri hummed. "She grew mangoes, and some other fruits too. Minnie had some avocado earlier." Yeonaixho told Nora. Since Yeonaixho still had the baby, Jymaiyri was able to retrieve a few mangoes from the tree. She handed one to Nora. "You want me to cut it up for you?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

All of the emotions from before were starting to calm, it felt.. draining. She felt better though! Having her parents here to tell her everything is okay really helped. She nodded her head. “Mm.. yes, please.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri briefly took the mango back to cut it up for Nora, as well as her own. She handed Nora's back, then turned to Yeonaixho. "Is the baby up? She might be hungry." "She's up, but drowsy. And evidently pretty interested in some mango." Yeonaixho laughed. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora smelled the sweet fruit and smiled. She missed the fruit on this side. She bit into the fruit, her worries melting away. “Hee… thank you..!” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"'Course!" Jymaiyri smiled, and pulled Minerva out sling, holding her at her hip. "You want to try some mango, Minnie?" Minerva, indeed, seemed pretty interested in the mango. She reached out for the piece Jymaiyri held out for her, and ended up getting most of it on her face. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora smiled at Minnie. She missed her too, it was nice to see her again. “Heehee.. silly Minnie.” She finally noticed the toy in her hands. It was the one Celena had made when they played. “Oh.. mm, I- I got needles, um.. I- I can.. make her a n-nice toy! Hee..” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Silly Minnie, indeed." Yeonaixho laughed as Jymaiyri handed the baby back to him. He helped her clean some of the mango off her face. "I think she's pretty tired, now..." "Really? That's really nice of you." Jymaiyri smiled. "I'm sure she'd like that a lot. It'll be a surprise for her!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Eehee, yay! Um.. what- what animal.. do I do?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hmmm... how about a bat? She's got little socks with bats on them back home, and she seems to like them a lot." Yeonaixho suggested. "That's a great idea! A little bat , with the big ears and the big wings." Jymaiyri agreed. "Could you make that, Nora?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Her eyes lit up and she giggled. “Eehehehee, bat..!! Bat will be fun!!” She can make it wings, and a cute smile with teeth, yay!! She rocked happily and ate more mango as she thought about it. “Oh, but, um.. I- I wanted to.. make a toy for- for Celena first.. um, do.. can you wait, Minnie? I- I’ll do it after!” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Minerva was too sleepy (and too little) to reply, only blinking blearily. "I think she can wait." Jymaiyri laughed. "Yeonai, do you want to put her down for a nap while I grow some more fruit and vegetables?" "Of course," Yeonaixho nodded, and led Nora over to the shade. "What are you making for Celena?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora followed along, finishing up her mango as she sat down. “Mm, I- I wanna make.. a bunny. With, um.. little stars! Hee…“ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, that sounds adorable!" Yeonaixho smiled. He got Minerva out of her sling and laid her down on his lap. She was pretty quick to fall asleep, all comfortable on her dad. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hee.. yeah! W-we’re sisters now so.. so I wanted.. to give her something n-nice!” She started pulling out some soft yellow string. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Sisters, huh? Guess that makes me her dad, too." Yeonaixho hummed. He spoke softer, since the baby was sleeping. "I hope she likes Minnie. Since you all will be sisters together." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm. I- I think she.. she will! I think.. I think Minnie will like her.. her pretty lights!” She continued to make her fabric. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I bet she will. Celena's lights are very pretty." Yeonaixho hummed in agreement. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm.. they’re- they’re nice and warm… it- it’s cold on.. the other side. It- the light was.. very nice there.” Working along, almost there! @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I bet it was. Jymaiyri was telling me about it. It's nicer here- even if it is a bit hot." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm. I- I had to.. make a ssweater and.. mittens to- to go outside.” The fabric was finished! Now to remember the pattern.. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm glad you were able to make yourself clothes! Must've been useful." Yeonaixho nodded. "It's cold where I grew up, at least in the wintertime." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Oh! Is- is that… Lou.. cari? Mm, I- I’ve never.. seen snow before. I made s-snowfoxes with M-Mister Riki! I think.. he’s here too..!” She got to work on the toy, pulling out her own kitty for reference. How does she do it without scissors or anything? Don’t worry about it! @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yup. I grew up in the northern part. Jymaiyri might be able to draw you a map later, and show you which parts each of us are from." He hummed. "Snowfoxes with... Riki, huh? I heard the name on the announcements. Maybe we'll have to go talk with him someday. We can make sandcastles, or sandfoxes, here." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, okay! I- I’m excited to.. see it. Um.. Mister Riki is.. a big white fox. He has, um... a lotta pretty t-tails too!” Very nice start to making the bunny! She started with the head. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Huh. That's pretty interesting!" Yeonaixho laughed lightly. "Fox people... hmm..." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm! He- he’s very nice. Um.. I made him.. a fishy net.” Bunny head was taking a bit.. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm glad. It's good to know that there's more nice people here." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Yeah! Mm, do you.. think Celena will… um, will like it? The toy?” Bunny head done! She’d add the details at the end. She set it aside for now, resting it gently on her sweater. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm sure she will! She'll like anything you make for her." Yeonaixho smiled. "Especially since you're putting the stars on it, she'll like that." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Yay! I wanna.. make her happy. She… looks sad a lot.” She started on the torso of the bunny. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"She does... I bet this will make her happy, though." Yeonaixho gave a kind smile. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm.” Nora looked up for a moment from her work. “Um, w-what kinda fruit.. are you, um.. making, mom?” Torso finished! She was making great progress! @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri was out working in the fields, which took most of her effort. "Citrus!" She shouted back to Nora, before getting back to work. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Oh! What’s.. what’s a.. a ‘sitris’?” She was getting pretty confident with her sowing now, but as she distracted herself, she ended up poking her finger with the needle. “Ah! Oww..” She frowned at the blood, shaking her hand a little. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It's a type of fruit- oranges and lemons and grapefruit are all citrus," Yeonaixho explained, then turned to Nora with a frown as she exclaimed in pain. "Are you alright? Did you poke yourself?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm…” She went to start wrapping it with some loose string before gasping a little. “Oh! Dad you- can you.. you fix it?” She held out her hand to him. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Of course." Yeonaixho smiled, and took Nora's hand in her own. He effortlessly healed the tiny wound, and let go of Nora's hand. "Better now?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She smiled back. “Mhm! Thank you!” Back to it.. what should she do next? Maybe get the torso and head together? @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You're welcome! If you're ever hurt, just come to me and I'll be able to fix you right up." He smiled. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Yeah! Mm… um.. what does… what’s a.. sitris’ taste like?” She got to work on putting the head and torso together. Wouldn’t take too long. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"All the different types have different tastes, but they all typically have a bit of an acidic taste to them. Oranges, and some types of grapefruit, are usually pretty sweet, while lemons and limes are pretty sour. Jymaiyri's probably growing all sorts of different types, so if you want, you can try them all!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Ooo.. yay!” This was nice. Just her and her parents, she could almost pretend she was a home with them already. Head and torso together! You could barely see the stitch it was so good. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"My favorite are tangerines- they're like oranges, but smaller and sweeter. And all citrus has a peel around it, that you have to take off before you can eat the good part inside. Technically, you can eat the peel, but it's not very tasty." He hummed. Man loves to ramble. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, tange.. tangerine. Tangyrine and.. apycot.. heehee.” With the main body done, she got to work on the hands! …Whoops! The thread came off the needle. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yup. I've been told both of them are orange, which is fun. Orange fruits." Yeonaixho hummed, and leaned back a bit- still keeping Minerva on his lap. Out in the fields, Jymaiyri was still hard at work. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, mango is.. orange inside, but um.. kinda red and greeny.. outside.” Dropped the needle :/ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That sounds very pretty." Yeonaixho hummed. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm! It.. smells pretty too! Mm.. hey dad? Can.. can you really step on.. on clouds?” Okay, finally getting onto the hands. Shouldn’t be too hard! @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"What? Stepping on clouds? Well- I certainly can't do that," He laughed, "And I don't know anyone that can. Clouds are all water vapor and air, they're not very solid." He explained. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Oh.. so, um.. there can’t be.. cast-els in.. in the sky?” She sure doesn’t know how to pronounce a lot of things, huh? Perfect little hands. Now to sow them on! @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Probably not any castles in the sky." Yeonaixho shook his head. "But there are castles on the ground. There was one kinda close to where I used to live, I think." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“R-really? Can- can we go there? Um.. w-when we’re.. home?” Hands complete! Onto the little feet. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Maybe! It's a bit far from where Jymaiyri and I currently live, but we could probably take a trip up there. There's also all sorts of cool buildings in the South, closer to where we live now, too." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“A- a trip.. heehee, mhm! That’s- that will.. be fun! Heehee..” She rocked happily and quickly finished the feet. Onto the ears! @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Yeah! We could take the ferry up, maybe spend some time with my sister- she's your aunt." Yeonaixho hummed. "Spend some good time in the countryside." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Ant? Um, what’s.. her name?” The ears were special. She wanted to make them have little star ends, so she put extra care into making them. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Her name's Yeobeine. We have matchy names." He smiled. "She's really nice, she works as a librarian." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Yeo… ben.. Yeobeine? Mm, her name.. is pretty. Matchy. Hee… um, what’s a.. librarian?” She was taking her time making the ears. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"She also goes by Judy, if you have trouble with it. Like how I go by Juno!" He smiled. "Well, a library is a big building with a bunch of books, and a librarian is the person who works there and looks after all the books!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Oo, Judy! Heehee, Judy.. I- I like that. Judy.. fun name. Hee..” The ears were done, and very cute!! Now the tail and the little details :) Nora listened with great interest. “Wow.. c- can we go to- to the.. library? P-please?” She sounded excited. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Absolutely! There's actually a library not too far from our house, but that's not the one Yeobeine works at. Both are full of books, though, and we can definitely go to both. And you can pick out as many books as you want to read." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Joy practically radiated off of her. “Eehee, yay!! I- I love reading!!” All the books she could want!! After sowing on the ears, she made a simple tail. Almost done! @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That's great! Maybe we can pick out some books to read to Minnie, too. She'll like that." Yeonaixho hummed. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Heehee.. she likes.. um.. Winnie the bear.. right? I.. I read that- that book good. I read it a lot. Mm, I really.. I really like it.” She wanted to make some purple string, but it didn’t work at all. Whoops! @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm sure she'll love it." Yeonaixho smiled, gently holding Minerva's little hand in his. Having finished growing a few more trees, as well as some bushes and vining plants, Jymaiyri made her way over to the shade. She was clearly pretty worn out. "How are you all doing?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She smiled at sleepy Minnie. “Yay!” She tried again to make purple, but it was just a muddled yellow. She huffed, but as she saw her mom coming back she smiled again. “Hi mom!! I- I’m almost.. done with bunny, look!” She showed her a little rabbit with soft yellow fabric and cute floppy ears with star shaped ends. It was roundish, with paws like Nora’s kitty. It didn’t look finished yet, but it was very cute. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, that looks great, Nora!" Jymaiyri smiled. She sat down in front of Yeonaixho and Nora, so they formed a little triangle. "I brought fruit for both of you." She said, and handed each of them an orange." "Thank you." Yeonaixho took his orange, and began peeling off the rough peel. "Minnie's been great, sleeping like a log. I think all the excitement of the day wore her out." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora smiled proudly, setting down the toy to try changing color once more… Taadaa!! Celena’s pretty purple! She got to work on making some little eyes. She paused for a moment to take the orange, smelling it and watching Juno peel it. “Oo.. um, thank you!” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Of course." Jymaiyri said, and leaned back on her wrists, enjoying the shade. "These are good." Yeonaixho hummed as he ate his orange. "You want any?" "Nah, I'm good." Jymaiyri shook her head. "I just want to rest for now." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm.. um.. what other.. fruits did- did you make?” Nora set aside her orange, focused on finishing the toy. It had cute little purple eyes and a little Y shaped mouth and nose. All that was left was the stars! @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I made some other citrus fruits- some grapefruit, some lemons, the like. I also grew some melons, and even some veggies like tomatoes." Jymaiyri hummed. "Which, are technically a fruit." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Tomato and.. melon.. oh! Is- is that.. water.. watermelon? I- I’ve seen it in- in my books!!” She was starting to make the little stars, but it took a bit as she was distracted by watermelon. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yeah, there's some watermelon! I also grew some cantaloupe and honeydew- my favorite." Jymaiyri nodded. "Maybe we can pick out one later." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“I- I’ve always.. wanted to try w-watermelon!!” She made a little purple star and started to sow it onto the tummy of the rabbit. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Then we'll have to get some! They're pretty big, though, so maybe we'll do that later." Jymaiyri hummed. "Mhm. That's a good idea. Maybe we can have that when we have the crab burgers with Sovran." Yeonaixho said. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora smiled brightly and then held up the toy. “I- I’m done!” The yellow bunny now had a purple star on its tummy and little purple eyes! It was all ready for her big sister :) @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, that's adorable, Nora!" Jymaiyri smiled. "Good job!" "Can I see?" Yeonaixho held his hands out so Nora could hand him the toy. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

(can you juno)

Nora happily handed it over, rocking in place and taking in the praise. “Hee.. th-thank you!! I- I had fun!” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho held the little toy in his hands, examining it. "It's very well crafted, you did well! I bet Celena's gonna love it." He handed it back to Nora. Jymaiyri, who had not yet met Celena, nodded. "Mhm. She'll be very impressed." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Yay!! Um, can.. can we go.. find her soon? I- I wanna give it so- so we can.. can play again!” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, the baby is still sleeping..." Yeonaixho hummed. "Best not to wake her." "You can come help me in the farmland, Nora." Jymaiyri suggested. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm.. okay! Umm.. dad can you.. watch bunny for me?” She stood up and held out the toy to him. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Of course!" Yeonaixho said, and placed the toy right next to Minerva on his lap. Jymaiyri got up, and waited for Nora. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hee, thank you!!” Nora ran over to Jymaiyri, happy to help. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm working on clearing away some of the land over here, so we can grow more crops." Jymaiyri led Nora over to a particularly debris-filled area of the farmland. "Can you help by gathering up all the old palm fronds and stuff while I get the heavier stuff?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, okay!” She picked up the palm fronds, looking at the other sticks and debris. “Um.. do you want.. this sticks s-stuff too?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yeah, get those too! We can use it all for kindling." Jymaiyri nodded as she began to collect larger pieces of wood. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Okay!” She gathered the other debris into the palm fronds dutifully. “Mm, what will.. you- you grow.. next, mom?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Probably some root vegetables- carrots and potatoes and such. Potatoes are actually tubers, not roots, but you get the idea." She hummed. "It'll be good to have some variety. And we can make soup with the veggies." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Toobers heehehee.. mm, I like soup! Um.. I helped.. dad and M-Mister Moses mmake some.” Stick stick stick stick- she found a nice long one and held it like a little staff. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Ooo, that sounds nice. We can definitely make more, we've got enough crab to feed a small town." She laughed. "Got yourself a hiking stick there?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Yay! Mm, it’s- it’s my.. wizard stick!!” Having a wizard stick wasn’t super conducive to picking up more sticks. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Nice, nice." Jymaiyri nodded sagely, and got back to work. "Good job so far with the palm fronds, grand wizard Nora." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Heeheehee… grrand wizz..” She walked along with the stick until she couldn’t fit anything else in her hands. “Um.. I can’t.. carry a-anymore mom.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hmm... how about, you set it down over by Yeonai, and then once you're done you can carry it around? He'll take good care of it, I'm sure." Jymaiyri offered. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, okay!” She ran over to Juno, dropping a few twigs as she went. “Hi! Um.. mom said.. you can- can hold my.. my stick. Mm, th-thank you!!” She set down the stick next to him and ran back over to Jymaiyri. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Alright! I'll keep it safe." Yeonaixho nodded. When Nora came back, Jymairii guided her to a pile of debris she had built up. "You can put all your sticks and palm fronds over here, and we'll take them all over to the fire later." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Okay!!” She tossed them down into the pile and looked back over to her. She seemed to be having a lot of fun somehow? “Umm what’s.. next?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Well, we've still got a lot to clean up." Jymaiyri hummed, and got back to moving large logs. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She nodded and got back to it. “Mm.. dad said.. he has a sisster, J-Judy! Um.. do you.. have a sister?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri stiffened a bit, but the movement was small and quickly passed. "Yeah, I actually have two. They're both younger than me." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora saw the reaction and looked at her confused. “Mm, I- I have.. two sisters now too!! Umm.. what do.. they do? Judy works.. at a- a library. Hee, I wanna go to.. to one. Dad- dad said we can.. can take a- a trip! To- to a library.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm not actually sure, I think Shainora's a schoolteacher. Nourida's a stay-at-home mom. I'm not really close to them." Jymaiyri hummed. "Oh, really? Well, we can definitely go do that. It'll be fun." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She gasped, nearly dropping the stick she picked up. “S-Shainora.. heehee that’s- that’s like.. like my name!! Mm.. you don’t.. live by them?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yup! Nourida's name is kinda like yours, too." Jymaiyri nodded, then sighed. "Well... we live close, but we don't get along very well." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm! Oh.. why not? Did- did something.. bad happen?” She continued picking up her sticks, occasionally waving one around like a sword or wand.

11:38 AM

@innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh... it's..." Jymaiyri had to take in a breath. "They stuck with my dad after I left home. And they don't like Yeonai, so..." She trailed off. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

That made her pause. “Huh? Wh.. why don’t.. they like dad??” It sounded like an impossible concept to her. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Nora darling you don't even know. "Well... my father didn't think he was a very good choice of a husband for me. Since he's northern, and he's, well, not from a very wealthy or well-known family." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She really doesn’t. “He.. huh? He doesn’t.. like him because… of a place? Mm, why does… that matter?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri was visibly having trouble explaining this in a tactful way. "Well, uh... Nora, do you know what nobility is?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Noble.. ummm….. it’s what.. p-princesses are??” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Yeah, yeah, like that." Jymaiyri nodded. "My family's like that- we're nobility. Except instead of being a king, my father is a duke. He only wanted me to marry other nobility, which Yeonai isn't." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Ohh… that’s- that’s not very.. nice. Oh- did- did you live.. in a castle!?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yeah. That's why I left home, to go be with Yeonai." Jymaiyri explained. "I grew up in a manor. A really old, really big house. Kinda close to a castle." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm… um, big houses.. are cool, but- but they’re not.. because they’re mean. Mhm.” She went back to picking up the sticks. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It is a nice house. I wish you could see it someday, it's got these huge windows and big gardens and a whole koi pond in the courtyard." Jymaiyri described wistfully. "But I don't want you to have to deal with my father." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm.. they- they’re mean.. I don’t like m-mean people.. mm. I- I’m sorry your.. dad is mean.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, it's alright. You don't have to apologize, it's not your fault he's like that." Jymaiyri gave Nora a supportive smile. "You don't have to worry about it." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm.. but it’s.. it’s sad.. mhm. Do you have.. any other f-family? Nice?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Some of my cousins are nice." Jymaiyri shrugged. "And you're nice, and my family." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She smiled at that. “Hee.. um, have you.. seen Celena? Um, she- she’s nice too!! I- I think you.. will like her. Hee..” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I haven't met Celena, not yet at least." Jymaiyri hummed. "But we're gonna go looking for her when the baby wakes up! I'll meet her then." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Yeah!! She- she can.. um, heal!! With her.. her pretty light. Um.. she said she.. could change colors.. before but she.. she can’t ch- change it now. I- I’m gonna.. help her practiss.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, that's good! It's good to have more healers around." Jymaiyri nodded. "And it's very nice of you to help her practice! And to make the bunny for her." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm! I like.. I like helping! See!” She set down another bundle of debris into the pile. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

By now, they had cleared out a good chunk of land. "Now we can work on smoothing out the dirt, so it's better for the plants." Jymaiyri hummed, and got to her hands and knees, evening the terrain with her bare hands. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Okay!” Her dress was getting a bit dirty now, but she didn’t seem to notice as she went to her knees to help her mom. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri hummed as she worked, focused mostly on evening the ground out. "Are there any vegetables you want me to grow? Or other fruits?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Umm… I dunno. What.. veggies do- do you like?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, I was thinking of growing some cabbage. Cabbage is always good." Jymaiyri hummed. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Ooo.. um what does.. c- cab.. cabbage taste like?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It's pretty mild, kinda sweet, mostly tastes like nothing. It's really crunchy, though, which makes it good. And you can make it into all sorts of things." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Ohh.. mm, okay! Umm.. can you.. make… corn too?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, yeah! That's a good idea, we can have corn on the cob." Jymaiyri nodded, and got to her feet. She started with the corn- tall, leafy stalks rising from the earth under guidance of her powers. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora watched with amazement, poking at one of the rising stalks. “Mm.. I- I had.. tor.. tortillas? Um made.. made of corn! They- they were yummy.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, corn tortillas? Those are really tasty! I don't know how to make them, myself... maybe someone here does, though!" Though she kept her voice cheerful, she braced herself on her knees to catch her breath- it was clear all this work, in this weather, was taking its toll on her. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm! I- I had them.. a lot. Th-they... are easy.. um.. are you.. tired mom? You- you did.. a lotta work!” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"I'm good, I'm good..." Jymaiyri wiped the sweat from her brow, and laid down in the shade of the corn. "Man, it's hot out here. Pretty different from the other side, huh?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She scooted a little closer to her, waving a hand to try to cool her down. With how big her sleeves were, it sort of worked. “Mm.. it’s- it’s really… um.. the air f-feels.. wet. It.. makes it hotter.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That's humidity for ya." Jymaiyri hummed. "It gets like this where we live, in the summers." She laughed at Nora's sleeve waving. "Hah! You wanna go take a break?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“It was.. really hot where.. I was. But um.. it wasn’t- didn’t have… humidity.” She quit her fanning at the suggestion. “Mhm… mm.. maybe.. maybe I can nap too.. I’m tired…” Lots of hard work! @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Dry heat, huh? I've always been taught it's more tolerable. I grew up where it's humid." Jymaiyri got up, and walked over to where Yeonaixho was. "Yeah, that sounds good. It's been a long day for you." By now, Minerva was up, and Yeonaixho had her sat in his lap, letting her hold Celena's bunny. "Oh, hey Jyr, hey Nora. Minnie's up now!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora followed, rubbing a bit at her eyes. She smiled a little and sat down with Juno and Minnie, blinking slowly. “Mm.. mom and.. and me need.. nap now.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Alrighty. You two have been working hard, you deserve it." Yeonaixho nodded. Jymaiyri sat down at Yeonaixho's other side. As she did, Yeonaixho turned to her. "Oh, Minnie's been pretty hungry since she woke up." "Ah, I'll nurse her." Jymaiyri hummed, and took the baby into her arms. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora took her sweater and placed it by Juno, laying her head down onto it. Her hat blocked out the bright sun and she held her kitty close as she settled down for sleep. “mm.. good.. night.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Good night, Nora." Yeonaixho smiled. Both he and Jymaiyri talked quietly amongst themselves, trying to not wake Nora. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

In a shaded area, half-buried in the dirt, an unfinished friendship bracelet lays. It's made of sky-blue thread.

And just like that, they were back. In returning to the farmland Jymaiyri fell from Riki's embrace to her knees, then wholeheartedly onto the ground. She trembled- still drained of her tears yet still so full of emotion. Her hands clawed helplessly at the dirt, and from beneath them sprung up marigolds, their bright-yellow blossoms dancing in the light wind. She was worn, she was tired, and her grief was consuming her. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki staggered, and the heat and humidity attacked him from all sides. His ears fell flat, he wheezed, and his hands grasped his neck. It was suffocating. Once he recovered from the initial shock and change in scenery and temperature, he looked down at the grieving woman. He dropped down on his knees next to her, and leaned down. "Lady Jymaiyri..." he called quietly in a strained voice, and put a hand gently on her upper back. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri turned her head slighting towards Riki, then fully turned onto her back. At least to her, the humidity was more comfortable than the sterility of the stands. It was what she was used to. "Riki..." She asked in a gravelly voice. "Can you get me some water? Please?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

The fox nodded. "Yes, of course." He stood up, and looked around. There was still some palm leaves on the ground after the storm. He picked one up, and navigated to where he could smell water. After a short while, he came back with the leaf rolled into a tight cone, full of water. His fur seemed a little damp, and his tails were fully dripping wet. "Here you go", he said gently, kneeled next to Jymaiyri, and offered the leaf cup to her. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Thank you." Jymaiyri sat up and took the cup, drinking all of its contents. She cleaned her faced with any that had spilled on her hands. She looked better now- or at least, less dehydrated. Then, she let her gaze drift to the distance. For now, she didn't say anything, but it was clear she was thinking of Yeonaixho. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"You're welcome. I'm at your service.." Riki replied softly. It was all he could do now. Usually, he had the right words to comfort and encourage others, but now... He couldn't even convince himself that there was a happy ending to all of this. Right now, he could only stay by Jymaiyri's side, and help her any way he could. He sat on his knees, and looked the same way she did. He understood, or at least he believed he did. If he had ever lost Seki... his world would be torn apart. He wouldn't believe it. He couldn't imagine a world without his beloved. How could he possibly take that pain away from her? He sighed lightly. "At least... he is free now" the fox said quietly. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"He no longer has to suffer with the rest of us." Jymaiyri said in agreement, her voice vacant. "Just as well, I guess. I don't think he'd be able to live with winning. With... being the cause of another's death." Even if it was the death of that thing that had killed him. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki nodded quietly. Yeonaixho... such a gentle soul. The gentle ones would not last in a tournament like this. He sighed heavily. "Would you?" he inquired, still in a soft tone. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"That," Jymaiyri said with heavy breath, "Is something I will have to figure out sooner or later." She paused. "What about you?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki nodded again, understanding. Then, he smiled faintly. "I'm a soldier. I was trained to carry that burden. ...However, I would not have a good conscience about causing anyone's death in here. None of us deserves it. Especially..." he sighed, "the children. If it comes to that, I will rather sacrifice myself than doom any of them." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That is very noble of you." Jymaiyri said. "I can't sacrifice myself. I can't leave Minerva an orphan." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki nodded seriously, and was quiet for a long time. Of course, he wouldn't ask a mother of an infant to do such a thing. And yet... "...I have Hoshi, and Song... but... If I was face-to-face with a child, knowing one of us is going to leave the arena dead... I could not bear to bring myself to do it. To kill another's child. Me, a trained fighter, an old man, to destroy a bright, young life. No..." he fell quiet, his forehead creased with anxiety and worry. "To see my children and love again, it would be the greatest joy, and yet... if it comes down to it, I don't know, what my heart will choose to do", he admitted with a quiet tremor in his voice. His eyes narrowed, and his ears pinned back, as his face muscles tightened. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I don't think any of us can say what we'll do when its our time." Jymaiyri sighed. "I don't think Yeonaixho knew." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Indeed", Riki sighed as well. "Especially when Rakin likes to play games", he growled. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri didn't answer. She didn't want to think of Rakin now. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki breathed heavily, and his heart was pounding. The dip in the stream had helped a little bit, but he was still horribly uncomfortable and overheated. He brushed his mane back and growled again. "If I could... I would... end this right now. I would... I.. I would challenge him to a duel, him or his master. Damn this heat... it's making me weaker.." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Don't overexert yourself. I don't want you getting heatstroke." Jymaiyri cautioned. "I don't think any of this could be solved so simply as a duel." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki huffed out a gruff sigh. "I know... but I wish it was that easy." He groaned quietly and pulled his long mane over his shoulder and started twisting it in his paws. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"A lot of good wishing does us here..." Jymaiyri sighed heavily. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Hmm..." Riki grumbled. "I should take you to proper shelter." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I want to stay here. Please." Jymaiyri insisted. "If you want to leave for the shelter, that's okay, but- I want to stay." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki had shifted to get up, but paused when the lady refused to leave. Riki glanced at her with concerned confusion, looked up and around, and sighed, before settling down. "Very well, I suppose the trees give enough shade..." he relented. "...Tell me if there's anything I can do for you." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I... just want to sit here. For a moment." Jymaiyri sighed. After a moment of silence, she spoke again, quiet and afraid. "I won't even be able to give him a proper burial." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki's ears bent back. "...That's not certain. If we manage to turn this boat and take Rakin hostage, we might be able to retrieve his remains... And even if not, you can always give him a beautiful memorial. ...Do burials have some important spiritual meaning to you?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Not in my culture. We cremate our dead." Jymaiyri explained. "But... they were important to Yeonaixho. Incredibly important. They say if a body isn't buried properly, the soul doesn't assimilate into the immaterial fold. It's- all religious stuff, but-" She grimaced. "I'd think he'd want a burial. A good, proper, Loucari burial. That I can't give him. I don't even know the rites. I- we never talked about this! I thought we'd have time!" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Shh..." Riki put his paw on Jymayiyri's shoulder. Even against her warm skin it felt too warm. "Like I said, it's not certain. We might get his body back. And when you can go home, you can research everything you need for a proper burial... Yeonaixho would appreciate your effort, even if you didn't get everything right." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri nodded, but she didn't seem fully convinced. "I know. I just... thinking about him, just lying there... it makes me feel so sick." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki nodded. He could imagine how it must have felt to her. He hated the idea of Yeonaixho's corpse being left like that as well. He couldn't say anything to that. He couldn't do anything to help with it. He rubbed Jymayri's shoulder gently for a moment, held his paw there for another, before letting go and sighing quietly. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri pressed her hands to her temples. She had so many questions, yet none of them she could voice, and of course none of them Riki would have any sort of answer to. So she kept those questions safe, in the locket of her heart, where she'd store away all those sweet memories now gone sour. Everything now felt so wrong, in Yeonaixho's absence. She wondered if it would ever feel right again. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki remained quiet. He was there, if Jymaiyri needed him, but he didn't have anything more he could say. His breathing was heavy, and it left him in rapid panting, as he tried to cool himself off by breathing through his mouth like dogs do. His head was starting to hurt, and he felt very nauseous. He knew it wasn't good, but he couldn't leave Jymaiyri. He didn't believe she would do anything stupid to herself, but it felt wrong to leave her alone. He wrapped his tails around himself for a brief moment, wishing the water in his fur could cool him down, but it had mostly evaporated, and was warm, anyway. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yummy. Fruit central again. Connie laid in the grass, already kind of sweltering in her jacket already. Huh. Somehow, every time she got swapped over, she just felt all sad and tired and mopey. That's nuts. "Bluh," she groaned, peeling her jacket off of her with grrreat effort. Fruit might help the sadness stuff. Oranges. Peaches. Yum. Huh. Did Lykos ever have any oranges? Considering their wolfiness and all. It took her a few minutes to readjust to the heat, but she managed to force herself to her feet and begin to wander. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran was in fruit heaven. They were convinced this was the best place in the whole maze, although they hadn't been to every room yet. They were currently trying their best to attach blankets on some sturdy apple trees, so that they would have a nice shade, as well as a hammock to chill in. It was difficult without any tools, and they were grumbling to themself as they perched on a thick branch, trying to tie the ends of a blanket around it. Luckily the evening was also making the heat more manageable at least. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ (edited)

Ooo, apples. To be honest, she wasn't the biggest fan of apples. Sometimes they were too sour, sometimes they were too hard- other times they were just kinda offputting. But these ones looked pretty good! Huh, were the oranges near the apples last time? She forgor. Connie suddenly froze in place, obscured by the leaves of the trees and the darkness. There was someone else here- though, she didn't seem all too startled- moreso intrigued at the guy perched on the branch amd wrangling with something. It might have been weird to just stand and stare, pale eyes gleaming in the dark. @Twig | Kiran + Riki (pewpew lightning kiddo)

The blanket slipped out of its knot and fell on the ground. Kiran cussed and smacked the branch with their palm, their taiö whipping and whacking the tree. Their translator didn't translate the words, so it only sounded like complicated shrieks, clicks and creaking sounds. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Connie had crept forward a step or two when the blanket fell to the ground, but had promptly bolted back the moment they started shrieking and clacking. Screw that- she mustered up enough strength and she was done with it, there it went- bye bye. When a stick jabbed into her back, she couldn't help but let out a shriek of her own, static crackling along her knuckles. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

The shout, but especially the electricity in the air made Kiran jump and their fur bristled up into sharp scales. They scrambled to jump off the branch and run, but slipped and fell on the ground face-first like a dumbass. BONK! @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ (edited)

Connie rubbed the sore spot where the jabbed her as she watched the monkey-kinda guy bolt off and immediately eat grass. Like near instantly. "Oh- stars!" Connie yelped, fully removing herself from the shadows. She shuffled closer to the fallen guy, wringing her hands as she watched their. Very still body. "Um- um- a-are you alright?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran lied on their belly, limbs outstretched and tail slowly squirming in pain. "Owww...." they whined. They slowly turned their head to look up at Connie. "Ohh... It's you. I thought him..." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"It's me?" Connie asked, a little puzzled. "Have we met be...fore? I don’t think we have...?" Him? "Who did you think I was? Is there someone else who looks like me?" There was still traces of lightning. Seems she hadn't shaken it off completely. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran frowned and eyed the sparks alongside her nervously. "Put that away." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"P. Put what away." Crackle zap spark. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran flinched and their eyes widened, and their mane stood on end from the static. "That... electricity. I've had my circuits fried enough for the rest of my life, thanks", they grumbled and shifted away. They sat up slowly and painstakingly, holding a hand on their head. "I saw you at the spectator area. I thought you were that... annoying... green man," they huffed, avoiding Rakin's name like it would summon him. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Oh- oh! Oh, sorry!" Connie backed up a considerable amount and shook her hands free of the static, trying not to get it on the guy. Circuits, huh? "The spectator area..." Huh. Lykos' fight, maybe. Her powers kinda did go crackly then. "Yeah- mm, m'bad! That's on me. I spark when I get nervous. Or- or happy. Or sad. My feelings have been hayyywire." She squinted a little, the cogs turning in her head. "Green man- who, Rakin?" She did not Care or Think long enough. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Hsssh!" Kiran cringed and shrunk. "He might hear..." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

That...was fair. Though, after that fight, it didn't really seem like he was in fighting condition. "I won't say his name," she promised. "Though, mmm, after that fight, I don't think he can really fight. Or, um, well- well, I don't think talking about him is gonna get us in trouble either. We're not conspiring or anything, just talking." "But I won't say his name, if it makes you feel any better," she reassured. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Hrrm", Kiran sat up, although still sulking, and their tail brushed and tapped the ground. "I guess you're right, he did get pretty beat up. Wasn't in the last fight either. Wonder if he died..." Kiran lifted their head in thought and watched the foliage above. "I just don't think he likes me very much. I'd rather avoid him." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"I'unno," she shrugged, not wanting to speak ill of the dead if he did. Bleh. Die. "It was just that...voice. And the colors. I think...the demon lady called them Alrai Pin? I forget." They weren't in one of the fights...right? She didn't go to a few. "He doesn't like you?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Alrai Pin, yeah..." Kiran fell in thought for a moment again. Then, they shook themself awake. "Yeeah. I was climbing the ceiling of the maze one time and he really didn't like that." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"You huh." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"What?" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"There's. A ceiling? You climbed? The ceiling?" There was a ceiling? Connie clearly didn't know about the stone walls thing. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Uh, yeah. We're in space. There has to be a ceiling or else we couldn't breathe." Kiran shrugged. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"I. Well. Well, yeah, that makes sense." "Wait, how'd you even manage to get on the ceiling? Did you like, climb the trees or something?" The trees weren't that tall... @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Well, uh." Kiran looked around, and unsteadily stood up. After looking for the right direction, they pointed towards the stream. "On the other side of the stream is a wall. You can't see it from here because of some sort of, hologram, illusion, something like that. But when you get close you can see it. I climbed that and reached the ceiling and then climbed on that." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Connie looked to where the guy was pointing, brows furrowed in quiet concern. "That's...unsettling." She'd been in here long enough to get used to the whole being trapped part, but still. "That's really unsettling. It just looks...normal." "What did you find on the ceiling? Anything at all? Or were y'just chilling?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran shrugged again. "I mean. We are in a glorified cage. I guess it's made to look like this for our comfort or whatever." They rubbed the back of their head and leaned against the tree trunk. "Uhh, well, it was see-through, so I could see outside. Nothing much but space out there, though. Space and some junk floating around. Like, I dunno, some old machines or something. Seemed busted. A little bloody maybe", they spoke casually and seemed disinterested. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

See through. That made sense, probably. Connie listened intently, leaning against another tree herself. Space and junk. Space junk. Spajunk. Machines and- "I- um- blood? Blood on the like- machines and stuff?" Connie's voice pitched up slightly, a little bit more than just casual. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Yeeah. Blue. Could have been something else too like anti-freeze or something", Kiran nodded. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

What kinda blood was blue??? "That's. Also unsettling. And kinda disturbing if it's blood," Connie muttered, rubbing her arms. She was getting the heebie jeebies just thinking about it. "I'm just gonna believe its antifreeze so I don't lose my mind." "I guess...he didn't like that too much, huh? Have you seen him around since?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Well, it's probably not any of the contestants', since all I've seen bleed have had red blood. But the little animal I ate earlier had blue. And avesauria also have blue blood, so I'm kinda used to that more." Kiran's tail squirmed and flicked. "Yeah, he appeared and threatened to blast me off the ceiling if I didn't come down. Guess he was afraid I'd see something I wasn't supposed to." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Yeah, probably somethin' with the blue blood..." Couldn't be Rakin's. He was verrry much bleeding red when Lykos and Riki attacked him. "What's an avee...sauria?" Connie repeated. "What's that? And what animal did you eat here? Fish? Crabs?" She seemed particularly interested in the food part. Maybe Lykos could eat it? (Or Aldreda, but she could eat anything, really.) @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran looked away with a frown, and their casual demeanor cracked as they became evasive and fidgety. "They're... aliens that invaded my planet..." Then they shrugged and looked towards the stream. "I think the person I talked with called them crabs. It had a hard shell. It tasted okay, mostly, but I'm sure it would have been better cooked. I prefer the fruits here." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Oh," she quietly said, feeling guilty for stirring up unwanted memories. "Oh... I'm sorry, that's awful." What else could she say? She didn't really know much about...that stuff. "I...I hope you're alright..." Connie wrung her hands a bit, trying to shift the topic along with the guy. "Um! Crabs! Crabs have blue blood? I- I didn't know that! I think the fruits here are pretty good, too- oranges, um, uh, I think that's all I've had here actually." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"It's fine", Kiran said quickly, though rather sharply. They were eager to change the topic as well. "Which ones are oranges? I've had a pear, and peach, and something others I don't know the name of." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Oranges are like! Super tangy and citrusy, and they're orange! Um, I think there's a few here?" There! Her memory was pretty spot on, it seemed. Among the many trees that surrounded them, there was an orange tree, with perfectly ripe oranges to pick. "Those are oranges!" Connie grinned, pointing at them. "I'll get a few!" However, the low hanging ones seemed to have been...a bit too tall for her. Despite how much she tried to snag one (or two), her fingers kept just barely grazing them. Dang. "Weergh." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran looked over to the tree that Connie was pointing. Oh, interesting, the fruits did have a sharper smell than the ones they had tasted before. "Nevermind, I'll get them", the lerava said. Though they were a little taller than Connie, and their arms were longer, they didn't feel like jumping like a wind-up toy. They went and climbed the orange tree, and aimed to collect the same fruits the girl had reached for, but the branch started bending dangerously under their weight. "Uh. Or. Maybe try getting them while I lower the branch like this?" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Connie watched, absolutely entranced, as the guy scaled the tree with ease. "Oh- oh, okay! Thank you, um- um- I dunno your name." Connie tried, again, with much (futile) effort. She managed to at least grab it! But she couldn't really pull it off. One more try, hopefully. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"I'm Kiran. You?" they replied, lounging on the branch. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"I'm Connie!" Fumbled again! "Kiran's a pretty fun name- weh- then again, most names are pretty fun!" "I haven't really seen you around," she admitted. "Have you just...been on this side?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran nodded idly, dangling their arm down and leaning their chin on their other hand. "Nah, I've just tried to lay low since we made Rakin angry." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Finally after each pitiful, miserable attempt, Connie managed to snag two oranges! That almost took 7 tries altogether! "I GOT 'EM!" she squealed, holding up two nice little oranges in her hands. She held them upright over her head, one for Kiran, another for her. She seemed to falter, slightly. "'We'? Did you climb the ceiling with someone else?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Nice", Kiran smirked, let themself slip off the branch and hang from it with their tail and feet. They took the orange and sniffed it. "Oh, uh. No, I was the only one who climbed, but I did it because this Lykos person asked." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Silly! Like a lil' monkie fella. Connie decided not to mention it, deciding instead to sink her teeth right into the orange. Yummy. "Lykos!" she suddenly gasped, orange bits going everywhere. Aw, she should'a known they were behind this! Cheeky! "Lykos, they're my friend! They're a doctor, they do a lotta magickey-transformation stuff! I mean. I mean, it kinda makes sense they were the one behind this, they really like finding out stuff." Curious little guy. Her heart was already aching thinking of them. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Oh yeah?" Kiran cringed a little from orange bits and juice sprinkling out of Connie's mouth. They hummed and bit into their own orange. Ooo. Interesting. Very fragrant and tangy. "Mhmm. Got me in trouble because of that", they mumbled. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"That sounds like Lykos," she giggled, sucking up the juice from the orange. It was only after a moment or two that she looked up to see Kiran doing the exact same thing. "Bluh- wait, that's not how you eat- um- um-" Aw, that was on her- "um! Do you...like it like this?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran grunted. They paused and looked at Connie confused. "Huh?" They blinked. "...I mean. It tastes good. The different textures are a bit weird together, though." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Argh, that's fair! Um, you're normally supposed to peel the peel off before eating the fruit," Connie sheepishly said, "but I just like biting into the fruit itself. Um, here- can I have your orange?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Oh?" They looked at the fruit before handing it to Connie. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Connie bites into her own orange, holding it in her mouth as she begins to work her fingers along the inside of the fruit where Kiran had bit. Carefully, but efficiently, she runs her fingers along the inside, separating the fruit, and tears off large sections of the peel at a time. Eventually, the orange is thoroughly skinned (unsettling as that word is), and she hands it back to Kiran, with a little pile of peel in her free hand. Her palms are dripping with fruit juice, but she grins as best as she can with the orange still in her mouth. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

At the announcement, Connie was zapped away. The two oranges dropped to the ground where she once stood. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

At the announcement, Connie was zapped away. The two oranges dropped to the ground where she once stood. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran blinked when Connie disappeared. They sighed, and went back to trying to set up their little hammock and shade. Later, they were lying in their hammock and eating a fruit, when they heard the new announcement. All winners? Huh... what was that about? They frowned, and wondered if it was worth going.

After his rather interesting meeting with Taylor, Bridge decided to visit the other side of the dome. Luckily for Bridge, he didn't feel the affects of temperature. Otherwise, the suit he was wearing would probably be the death of him. He teleported to an area with freshly grown trees and plants. He hadn't been here yet, so he was a bit curious to see what was around. To his pleasant surprise, Bridge spotted something even stranger. Some sort of.. furry creature, sleeping in a hammock. Curiously, Bridge teleported right beside the hammock, peering down at Kiran with a smile. "Hello there!" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran had not bothered going to the big event. They were now in a dormant state, muzzle and hands a little sticky and stained from various fruit juices. They looked cozy in their blanket hammock, under the shade of another blanket that they had stretched between the trees. They were even holding a big palm leaf as a cool blanket. When Bridge greeted them, there was a hardly audible click that came from them, and an equally quiet mechanical hum that followed, before their eyes snapped open. "NrgrEH?" Kiran startled, hardly managing to stay on the hammock, gripping at it with all four limbs and tail swishing agitatedly. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kiran's reaction was quite humorous to Bridge and he chuckled, taking a small step to the side to wave at them. "Hello! I'm Bridge. Who may you be, my furry little creature?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

As Kiran figured the man wasn't a threat, the sharp, metallic fur clumps on their back lowered, and they relaxed. They narrowed their eyes and scowled at Bridge. "Don't hover like that, you big brute! Couldn't you see I was sleeping?" They snapped. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Brute??" Bridge repeated with scrunched brows. "I'm hardly a brute. Gentleman, perhaps," he huffed as he looked over Kiran. "And yes, of course I saw you were sleeping! Why do you think I came to introduce myself? You have to be awake to exchanged pleasantries with me." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran huffed as well and pulled their leaf blanket up their chest. "Hmph. Maybe it's polite in your culture, but I don't appreciate being woken up while I'm resting." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Bridge made a face at Kiran, almost pouting. "Well, you're awake now, so no real point in arguing. So, are you going to tell me your name, my fellow furry creature? You're very different from all the other contestants here.." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran tilted their head with narrowed eyes, studying Bridge. The man was covered by fancy clothes, so it was hard to say if he was as hairy as Kiran, but they shrugged. "The name is Kiran", they grunted, and shifted to sit up a bit. "Yeah, most people here seem to be humans or similar. Kinda funny. I'm a lerava." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"A Lerava?" Bridge titled his head in return, quite curious to learn what that is. "Where does your species originate? I don't think any of you exist on Earth.." He hummed. "And do you have a sort of special power? I don't think Mr. Rakin spoke about you before." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"I wouldn't think so. We didn't have space travel. We're from Velos." Kiran crossed their arms behind their head and leaned back. "A lot of these bozos seem to be from Earth, though. Are you?" They then frowned a bit. "You've been talking with the green guy?" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Velos..?" A ring light seemed to circle behind Bridge's red lens, as if he was searching for what that was. Nothing. He sighed, unable to gather any information on his own. "Velos..? Is that name of your planet or your country? And what exactly kind of environment is it like?" Bridge continued to ask. "Mr. Rakin is my boss on paper, though, I like to think of him as my cool guy friend. It's a mutual feeling, but he'll pretend like it's not," he chuckled. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Velos is a planet. And I dunno. It has a lot of different environments, I guess. I only remember living in the city, though", they hummed. "Your boss?" Kiran paused, looking at Bridge closely, though they were more suspicious than they let out. "Huh. Does that also make you that Alrai Pin's thrall, or are you only connected to Rakin. Like. Just hired personnel?" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge (edited)

"Hmm.. a city? That's interesting," Bridge nodded, and if he had a pen and paper right now, he'd be writing it down. "What's the city you're from like? Does it have a lot of buildings and people?" He asked. Though, Bridge couldn't help but chuckle at Kiran's question. "I mean, I suppose it does if you follow stereotypical chain commands.. but I mostly work under Rakin directly. The Master doesn't really need me for anything," he explained with a small grin. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran grunted and looked away with a sour expression. "The buildings are bigger than people like you and me would require... Glass, metal, concrete, stone. As far as you can see, even when you stand on the top of them. And beyond them is just a desert. The people... also bigger than you and me. The avesauria can be as tall as these trees", they gestured vaguely at the fruit trees. "Or even as big as those", they added, pointing at the palm trees that could be seen towering above everything else. Kiran continued to silently evaluate Bridge after he elaborated. "Hmm. Alright." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge (edited)

A city surrounded by a desert. Pretty typical environment, in Bridge's opinion, at least. Glass, metal, concrete, and stone.. All very common on Earth as well. "Hm, it seems to me that your home planet is not too different from Earth's. You would probably feel right at home if you visited any cities there," Bridge commented with a small smile. "..But what is an 'avesauria'?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Hm, really?" Kiran asked, almost intrigued, and glanced at Bridge with a slightly raised eyebrow. Then, they continued looking away. "Avesauria are a species of aliens that invaded our planet." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge (edited)

Bridge held his hand out and a small blue light was emitted. The light took shape and form, becoming recognizable as a city. It was a direct replica of New York's city skyline, and he held it out for Kiran to see. "Mhm. This is a city from Earth. Does it look similar to a city you're talking about?" He asked curiously. "And aliens? Huh. That's kinda scary." Ironic coming from the guy working for an alien, Bridge. "They invaded your planet..? What happened?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran looked over and inspected the hologram, even so much invested that they shimmied themself into a more upright position so they could see better. "Hmm... Yeah, I guess. This has a lot more, hm... variation and uh... I dunno, it looks like daintier." They slumped back into the hammock and crossed their arms over their chest. "Tell me about it..." Kiran sighed, and their tail started squirming and swishing restlessly as they looked away again. They were quiet for a moment. "They just appeared. Attacked. I don't like to talk about it." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Hmm.. So yours is more small-scaled, I suppose," Bridge commented as the hologram faded into nothing, fizzling out with a few blue sparks. "Aliens just appeared and attacked? Geez, that's rough buddy," he frowned with a shake of his head. Again, super ironic from the guy who works for an alien. "Guess this whole event must be pretty difficult to bear for you, huh?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Huh? I dunno about that." They shrugged. Kiran's grip on their arms tightened and their tail swung with more force. Their expression darkened and their eyes glazed over with some sort of emotion. "You don't say..." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

A small chuckle escaped Bridge's lips as he saw Kiran's changed expression. "Be easy on me, kitten. I'm just stating a fact. You seem rather peaceful just lounging around, however. Have you not gotten close to any of your fellow kidnapees?"@Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran grunted, still not looking at Bridge, but their expression twitched slightly at the nic name. "I don't make friends." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

He snorted hearing that. "Quite the loner type, hm? Maybe I should call you lone wolf instead," Bridge chuckled. "Afraid to approach humans or something? We speak a similar language, so it can't be that difficult to relate to some of the others here. There is shared comradery in a tough situation, after all." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"I'm using a translator", Kiran pointed at their throat. There was a quiet click, and the next thing Kiran said came out without a filter, a series of clicks, creaks, chirping and chattering, sounding kind of like a dolphin, a bat, or maybe a magpie, or all of them mashed together. Then, they switched the translator back on and looked at Bridge, scoffing softly. "Don't tell me you think I'm good company." They laughed dryly. "It's better for everyone if I don't get close with anyone. You should know better that in this place we all just fight each other in the end. Although, you seem a lot less knowledgeable than your boss. Maybe you don't know." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge (edited)

The moment Kiran pointed out the translator, Bridge's eyes went wide with intrigue. "Woaaah! An automatic vocal translator? Who made that?? Did the Master? Or did someone you know do?" He asked with an genuinely excited smile. Though, his smile turned playful as he continued to listen to Kiran. "Boy, you're just a ball of sunshine, aren't you, kitty? Even if you fight, friends can still be made, don't you think? It's loads better than suffering alone in silence. Do you have any family you want to go back to or anything?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran took a second before replying. "My master, yes. Or his scientists, rather. And I don't know what came of my family. I can't remember any of them. I must return to my owners, however, if I survive from here. Which I doubt. And I'm quite frankly content as I am, no need for 'friends'." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge (edited)

Bridge curiously looked over Kiran as they said that. "Oh.. You're a lab rat," he commented with a nod. "A servant of sorts? Well, you must be quite pampered to have such high tech used on you... Such a shame. You have the ability to make friends and communicate. All living creatures need community to thrive, even if you ride solo most of the time. Are you not lonely?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran t at hrew a glare at Bridge at being called a 'lab rat', and was about to correct him, but the man continued to speak. They averted their gaze, seemingly uncomfortable, as their tail resumed squirming again. "I'm a pet, thank you very much. And what do you care about my feelings anyway?" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Pet, kitty, lab rat—Same thing at the end of the day," Bridge mused with a teasing grin. "I care in a surface level way about all the guests here. It's no fun if all you're doing is brooding all day. Try to have some fun! It'd make things a lot less miserable for ya." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Just like you and your boss, eh?" Kiran huffed. "And stop calling me baby. That's weird." "Ah, so you are worried your master isn't getting the best entertainment out of me, hm? Bummer." Kiran crossed their legs and swished their tail, lounging back on the hammock. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Bridge chuckled at what Kiran probably thought would be an insult to him. "If only my boss would call me his kitten. He's so uptight, it's sad," Bridge sighed before smirking at Kiran. "Well, it is boring here, isn't? Just a bunch of lazying around with nothing else to do. I bet talking to me has been the most fun you've had so far." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Mhm," Kiran pulled a bit of a face, apparently not enjoying the thought of their captors having a love life. "I was referring to your position in your master's eyes. And no wonder Rakin is uptight. Your master seems about as gentle as mine. Funny that you seem pretty much unaffected." "I was having a very pleasant time climbing and picking and eating these weird alien fruits. I was also having a nice rest before you came around. What makes you think talking to you is fun?" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Well, Mr. Rakin is just a guy, but the Master.. they're something, alright," Bridge hummed. "We're probably no more than playthings for the Master, but as long as we live in the end, I don't really mind." Bridge then teleported to the opposite side of Kiran, taking in a different perspective of the alien. "Oh, I am a joy to be around, I know. After all, you wouldn't be talking to me if I wasn't," he teased. "You could of easily ignored me or fought me off.. but you didn't. I have to be at least tolerable," Bridge chuckled. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"So about the same as me. At least to my younger master", Kiran hummed, bouncing their leg and looking up into the foliage. Kiran jumped and flailed again with start, and this time fell off their hammock. "KRIEH!!" Bonk, on the floor. They curled up and growled lowly in pain like an angry cat, the sharp ridges raising on their back fur again. The lerava glared up at Bridge. "You did that on purpose! Stop scaring me you <<skrrekkrnrreew>>!" They huffed, carefully sat up a bit and shook themself. "You wouldn't have left me alone if I ignored you. If I fought you I'd be in trouble. But sure, you're infinitely less annoying than that kid I have to tolerate every day", they sighed. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge (edited)

Seeing Kiran bounce and flail, a laugh escaped Bridge's throat. He held a hand up to the lower half of his face, chuckling. "O-Oh, my apologies. I really didn't think—Wow, y-you jumped really high-" Bridge snickered. Catching his breath, Bridge let out one small breath of a laugh before smiling at Kiran. "A kid? So a family owns you then? I'm sure you make the most adorable kitten for them." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran growled and scoffed, crossing their arms and thumping the ground with their tail. "The royal family, yeah", they grumbled. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Ohhh, the royal kitten stands before me. What an honor. It makes sense how you have that translator on your neck now. Power and money.. you must be pampered," Bridge mused. "Do you like serving your family?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran's eyes darkened and the scaly lumps of fur stuck up straighter, rending their back with a sand paper-like texture. They sneered and snarled, their natural speech rattling under the words. "Shut up. You don't know anything." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"You're right, I don't. So why don't you enlightened me? I'm quite curious to know the life of a foreign species," Bridge smiled. It almost seemed genuine too. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran gritted their teeth. Their tail swung from side to side, and they folded their arms across their chest, gripping their arms. They averted their gaze, seemingly uneasy and anxious with how they squirmed. "I don't... I can't talk about it." They muttered. "It's not an honor. I'm not..." They sighed and shook their head. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"You don't want to..? Or you can't?" Bridge curiously asked, tilting his head as he looked at Kiran. "There's no one here who would hurt you if you talk about your life, yknow. That's one of the good things about being in such a strange and new place--No one cares about who you are. They're no restrictions like there here." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran groaned in annoyance and anxiety. They shook their head and pulled on their mane. "No, you don't get it, you don't get it..." They started to pace. What would happen if they just ran? They wanted to escape the situation so bad. "Would you really not care? Would you really not judge? You would, you would... but... what does it matter...." Those words came out in raspy whispers, and Kiran didn't look at Bridge, like they weren't even talking to him. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Bridge's head moved side to side as he watched Kiran pace. He tucked his hands into his pants pockets and smiled at the alien rather genuinely. "Why would I care or judge you, mate? I'm just some guy working here who's curious about the rest of the universe. I don't really have the need to judge," he answered. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

CW: war, slavery and dehumanization Kiran paused and glanced at Bridge. "...They took our planet. The invasion... they destroyed everything, I.. I don't remember... just... the world was on fire, everything shattered, the sounds were so loud a-and horrifying... I..." they took a breath. "Now they treat us as animals. Our planet isn't well known to the outsiders because it used to be inhabitable for ages, so it's easy for the avesauria to convince others that we're dumb critters. Translators are prohibited from us. I only have one because..." They stopped. Why were they telling this? They avoided thinking about it as much as possible. Why were they now opening up to this annoying weirdo? @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

While Kiran was probably telling some of their worst traumas to Bridge, the other man just seemed more, and more curious about the topic. Seems like slavery and war were common things throughout the universe. Living creatures were so fascinating. "Mm.. That does sound difficult.. traumatizing, actually. No wonder you have a hard time thinking about," he hummed, his voice neutral. "So, why is it that you're special? Is it because you're the royal pet?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Maybe..." Kiran replied evasively, gripping their arms and their tail writhing. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Bridge hummed, staring at Kiran with an intrigued expression. "You are quite the interesting one, Kiran. I'll give you that much," Bridge chuckled. "Well, I'm sure you'll like to get back to your boring day, so I'll bid you adeu for now. Hopefully you'll find someone to entertain yourself with before the end." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran sighed, relieved that they didn't have to elaborate further. "Right, the end," they muttered, and went back to their hammock. "Bye," they grunted, as they climbed back on it. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

The program chuckled as he watched Kiran wobble back into the hammock. "See ya, kitten!" Bridge mused with a wave before disappearing into thin air.

Everything Jymaiyri had grown in the farmland (which was most of it) spontaneously, rapidly, withered and died. It'd seem as if every individual plant had been overtaken by mold from the inside. The entire place would smell like decay and rot.

6

4

…Nora landed here, in the field of rot. Already choking on tears, the smell seized her throat and she wheezed, covering her face and Minnie’s with her sleeve. She had tried to hold herself together in front of Rakin, terrified of showing anymore weakness to him. She couldn’t control herself anymore. The entire fight was one horrible nightmare she couldn’t escape from. Nora curled around Minnie, unsure of what else to do for her, and joined her crying. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Caught off-guard by the sudden change in temperature and environment again, Minerva wailed and cried as much as her tiny lungs would allow. She was confused, and too hot, and hungry and it hurt to breath and there was no one around taking care of her! As Nora curled over in her anguish, Jymaiyri's powers, still held in the totem, seemed to react. Mushrooms and other fungal growths of varying shape, size and color sprouted up from the earth around her, encircling her completely. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora started rocking, attempting to soothe herself. Her voice was weak and quiet as she spoke to her little sister. ”’m ssorry M-Minnie….sorry… I- I don’t.. kn-know what.. what t-to do…” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Zora and Nathan, luckily, appeared on A side. The familiar area was now that of rot and ruin, which made the girl sick to her stomach once more. She squeezed Nathan’s hand a bit tighter. The fields that Jymaiyri had built for them were no more, and it was- Terrifying to see. Absolutely terrifying. Before Zora could get lost in her mind once more, her gaze rested upon the quivering frame of her sister. Hope and warmth spread from her chest to her extremities. There, her sister, her lovely sister, was crouched in a circle of fungi with a crying infant. “N-Nora-!” Zora’s cry was that of a tearful sob of relief. The tears started to fall once more. Immediately, she started to run, still holding Nathan’s hand as to force him to run as well. She had to get to her side immediately. “Nora- Nora!” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan groaned, covering their nose with their arm as they were dropped in. All of the trees that Jymaiyri had grown now were now- gone- as if they all had just rotted away in the little time they were gone. Nothing but death and decay remained, except... Nathan perked up at the sight of a familiar figure- rather, two of them, kneeling in a fairy circle of mushrooms. They were relieved to see that baby Minnie was still with her, but was even more alarmed at her general state. She had just fought, and now she was here, too? He didn't have much time to think before Zora was running, and they were too. "Cover your nose," Nathan gritted out, part of their free arm starting to melt and warp. Rather than forming into the axe, it just stayed that way, perpetually drippy and melty. Around them, the area began to vaguely smell of clay. "Watch your step-" While the scent of petrichor wasn't enough to dull the scent of decay, it followed the pair, carrying a distinctly muddy, rain-like scent with them. Had he had all of his powers, it might have been enough to override the smell entirely. "Nora, hey- hey, Nora! We're here!" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora lifted her head, her body still curled around Minnie. Her cheeks were wet with tears, exhaustion and fear clear on her face. ”Zora….N-Nathan..” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Zora could care less for the smell. It was agonizing, nauseating, and made her stomach upset, but the sight of her sister alive in front of her was a relief. It felt as if a large weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Sobbing, she finally reached Nora’s side. An arm reached out to hug the girl tightly. Warm, alive. She was here, she truly was here. This wasn’t Alrai Pin or anyone messing with her mind, she was truly here. “Y-you’re alive,” Zora choked out through her tears. “O-oh, Nora- Nora! Y-you’re- I-I’m so happy you’re here- Oh, Nora!” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan carefully dropped to their knees next to Nora, not quite touching her just yet out of fear of startling her further. Pale eyes did a quick once-over of her- she seemed pretty startled, but uninjured. Looks like Rakin didn't do anything to hurt her, which was a relief. Their shoulders visibly untensed, though the scent of petrichor didn't let up. "We're here," Nathan reassured, voice wavering all the while. "And- and you're here, too. Are you alright? Are- are you doin' good?" Probably not. Most certainly not, They extended their hand for Nora to take- and one for Minnie, too. Poor Minnie- poor Nora, poor everyone, really. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Minerva was still crying and wailing and screaming- pretty typical for a baby- but Nathan's earthy petrichor smell seemed to calm her down a bit. He smelled like dirt, almost in the same way her mom had smelled like dirt. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Hey, Min-Min," Nathan quietly cooed, gently nudging her small baby fist. Baby kiddo. At least she seemed to calm down a smidge. "Heya, hey. How y'doin, Min-Min?" They didn't know if the smell of rot or dirt was putting her off, but she seemed to be...alrightier. They also didn't know if they should hold the baby while Nora and Zora reunited... @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Nora felt cold and shaky, but alive. Tears fell in quiet relief. Nora had no free hands, instead leaning into her sister more to try and return the hug. The contact was good. It wasn’t cold hands or porcelain fingers. It wasn’t the sticky wet fuzz of mold or rot. It was home. Her throat hurt. She looked at Nathan and slowly shook her head no. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I-it’s okay,” Zora sobbed out as she hugged her sister. “It’ll be okay, w-we’re here- We’re here for you, we’ll m-make sure things will be okay,” Light appeared over the four of them. She began to heal Nora’s injuries. The light would be warm and soothing to feel, absolutely calming. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

6:14 PM

(I forgot we have a cult family @ lmao)

At the notion that Zora's hug wasn't doing anything awful, Nathan carefully set their other hand on Nora's shoulder, rubbing slow circles into her arm. They let Zora do most of the comforting-talk, instead just silently watching Nora's shake of the head. "That's okay," they quietly said, "it's alright you're not doin' good, you're okay. We're here for you now, just take it easy, yeah? Want me to hold Minnie for you?" @cult family

Despite the soft touch and light, Nora still felt cold. Everything felt loud. The smell of rot was mixing with mud and wet and rotting fruit, all culminating in an overwhelming choke. There was a crawling feeling under her skin, stopping at where her family held her. The sensations blurring and pulsing in intensity rhythmically. Everything was wrong. Nora’s eyes drifted down to the mushrooms, that intense stare of fear in her eyes. @cult family (edited)

In reaction to Nora's heightened emotion, mold began to grow over the dirty ground and any surrounding objects. More mushrooms and fungi sprouted up from the ground. A cloud of spores grew dense in the air- dense enough to choke on. Minerva began coughing harshly, and crying even more. @cult family

The light remained radiant, an everlasting glow of warmth and safety. It continued to heal, even as Zora was actively getting injured. She would’ve winced in pain as her burn injuries, both fresh and slightly older, became agitated by the fungi and spores. It all hurt. Her throat was rapidly closing up as her eyes burned. Zora coughed, choking on the spores. It brought her back to younger days. Dazed, blinded, stumbling through thick smoke and the smell of rot and ruin and decay- Still, she held Nora lovingly and gently. “I-it’s- O-oka-kay,” Zora wheezed out. “I-I’m h-here- Y-your s-sister’s- He-here-” @cult family [Zora’s at 22 HP]

"Snnfhh," Nathan wheezed, scrunching their eyes shut as the mold began to grow even more. He seemed to be mostly unphased, though the smell was kind of getting to them. Nora probably didn't mean to hurt them, but knowing the orb, it was acting up with her feelings, too. "Hey, it's alright- we're here for you," Nathan repeated, coughing slightly. Arrhg. Moldy. "It's good, alright? You're doin' good, we won't take Minnie from ya." They didn't let go of Nora- not now. They wouldn't leave her alone again. "Do- hhf- do you wanna get outta here? Somewhere- hhgn- fresh air?" @cult family

Nora wheezed, but continued to hold onto the totem and to Minnie. She held her tighter. [rot.] Everything was spinning and pulsing and rotting around her. Mold and dust and decay swirled in the air, crawled over her skin. Over everything. There was nothing. She said nothing. She stared at nothing. @cult family (edited)

Minerva's coughing and crying was growing desperate and pained now. @cult family

The light remained over them, its beams piercing through the thick smog of spores to reach everyone inside. Zora’s eyes continued to burn. She coughed harshly, only to breathe in more spores. Her throat was continuing to close up, her lungs were spasming, everything was hurting. Rot, ruin, death, decay- A haunting scent. She was in agony. Still, she hugged Nora. “I-it’s o-okay-” Zora’s hand rested upon Nora’s hand that had the totem. This needed to be taken away now. “C-can I ha-have this? Y-you can- Tr-trust me, please- Please, Nora. I-it’s me, Zora.” She squeezed her sister a bit tighter. It was becoming harder to breathe. “Pl-please..” [Zora’s at 25 HP] @cult family

Nathan was coughing now too, eyes scrunched shut painfully. They doubled in on themself, trying their best not to inhale through their nose. Or their mouth. Or through anything. It was starting to burn. Their throat was starting to itch. Nathan tried to cough, but all that came out was crackling static. What was left of their good vision became a hazy, pale blur. Death, dust, fog, decay. [Nathan's at 20 25 HP] "Whh, we're here," they repeated like a mantra. They never once let go of Nora. "We're here for you- hhf- kh- w-we're here- Zora and- and Nathan-" They doubled into another cough-wheezing fit. Were they going to die again? @cult family

Mold was growing and festering, then burning away with light, over and over and over again. It hurt. ’Can I have this?’ ‘Want me to hold Minnie-‘ ’Take care of her.’ Everything hurt. @cult family (edited)

"Nora! Nora, are you over here?" Yeonaixho was calling out as he and Sovran neared the farmland. It smelled awful- but that was the last thing on his mind right now. He could hear Minerva's crying, and was trying to navigate towards it. "Minnie?! Nora?!" @cult family

The smell was familiar to Sovran, but the screaming of an infant is what caught his attention. It sounded pained. Sovran’s heart pounded in his chest as he attempted to activate his Nullify. However, the cloud of spores was too thick for his power to pierce it. Cursing, he used his crutches to rush into the cloud. Meanwhile, Zora was growing weaker. Her breath was becoming pathetic gasps as she began to slump over against Nora in an excuse of a hug. The light over the spores began to fade away as the girl’s consciousness was beginning to waver. @cult family

The smell of petrichor was withering away. Fog- dark as death, cold as ice- clawing at his throat, his lungs, his chest- pulling him under. Their hold on Nora was slipping. Their terrified faces as all feeling faded from his fingers, their terrified cries as the world around him shuddered into deep grey haze. Nathan's wheezing was growing quieter. @cult family

The rot continued to spread. Over her clothes, her skin, her lungs, her family. Over the farm, the ground, the sky. The pulsating mold, sinking into her skin and clogging her throat. Clouds of spores darkening the sky, darkening her vision. There was nothing but rot. Nora closed her eyes. Her mom was here. Her skin sagging, replaced by mushrooms and mold. She said nothing. @cult family

Yeonaixho coughed as he stepped into the spore cloud, and kneeled down before Nora. "Nora, it's me. It's me." He repeated, wasting precious breath reassuring her. "It's gonna be okay. I- I don't blame you for what happened to Jymaiyri. But I want to keep you safe, and Minerva safe, and it isn't safe right here. Can you hand me the baby?" @cult family

“You’re alright, kid, you’re all alright.” Sovran soothed. Getting further into the cloud, Sovran reached Nora. He rested a hand upon her shoulder and held his breath as he activated his nullify. The gold of his eyes illuminated through the spores, and immediately, he made the cloud disappear. A gold light washed over them as the spores faded away. Still resting against Nora and having her hand on top of her sister’s, Zora desperately coughed for air. The rot and fungi had spread over her as well. As she sputtered and gasped for air, the fungi had fallen from her skin and clothes. All she cared about was Nora and making sure that her sister was safe. “N-Nora- I’m here- D-dad’s h-here, and Nathan’s h-here- It’s o-okay..” Zora wheezed as her lungs slowly began to expand further with each breath. Her other hand began to brush the fungi and rot away from Nora. Off, off, this needed to be off of her sister now. @cult family

Itching, scratching, dragging, burrowing. Oni, dragging themselves to life, crawling past his petrified legs- He could feel everything. And suddenly, there was air. Pure, beautiful, still foggy air. "Hh," Nathan gasped, bits of fungi and mold falling from their hair. They slumped even more, but in some wobbly attempt to keep breathing. Lungs. Lungs. Lungs. Why did they feel itchy too? "Mm- mh,m." They couldn't really muster up words right now. That clawing feeling was still there. "Hh, ye- hh." They lightly squeezed Nora's shoulder. Were there other voices here? @cult family

The pulsating suddenly ceased. Mom was gone. Nora opened her eyes. She looked to Juno, recognition clear as she pulled away slightly from Zora. The totem rolled out of her hand- both moving to hold Minnie and give her to her papa. Once Minnie was out of her hands, she collapsed back into her siblings arms. Leaning on them for support. She wheezed, her voice failing her as she mouthing out, ‘sorry’. @cult family (edited)

Yeonaixho took Minerva into his arms, and instantly began to heal her. The baby's fitful crying calmed as she was taken into her father's arms- things were safer, with her papa. It wasn't as scary anymore. "It's going to be okay, Nora. I promise." He reassured, drinking in the clean air. @cult family

As the orb rolled across the ruined floor, Sovran reached over and picked it up. The gingerly placed it into his pocket for safe keeping. “Sh-shh- D-don’t you apologize for a thing,” Zora’s arms gently supported her sister, though they shook slightly at the weight. Tears pricked at the girl’s eyes. “I-it’s okay, we’re here- W-we still love you. It’s okay. It’ll all be okay, hermana.” @cult family

"hh,'s'all good," Nathan managed out, enveloping Nora completely now that the baby was safe. "mm, adelphē." "we're hhe,re. you're h'ere. s'okay, we're'kay." They descended into another coughing fit. "b-breathe- hh, take't'easy." @cult family

Everything was too much to wrap her head around. The dust in her lungs made it harder to think- where was she, what happened? Tears drifted down her face and she continued to wheeze. Her family’s words were soothing, lovingly brushing over and calming her pain. @cult family

"Was that... Jymaiyri's powers?" Yeonaixho asked, his voice soft and low, as he comforted Minerva. The question was mostly directed towards Sovran. @cult family

“Yeah, it’s Jymaiyri’s,” Sovran took the orb back out to analyze it. The orb reflected the rot and ruin of the surrounding area. “It’s her’s, alright. I can feel it.” “I-it’s okay, it’s all okay, I promise,” Zora’s hand quickly reached up to gingerly brush Nora’s tears away. “We’re here, we’re here, we love you, you’re safe- We’re never going to st-stop loving you.” @cult family

Nathan lightly ruffled Nora's hair, bits of mushroom and other gross things falling from her hair and their skin. Their breathing was getting slightly betterish now. "We're hhere," they coughed. "S'alright, hey- you're safe w'th'us, we'll make sure f'it. We love'you, Nora, you're l'right now." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

12:14 PM

@cult family

12:14 PM

(bluder in craft)

Her face scrunched as Zora rubbed at her face and Nathan brushed over her hair. She looked at them, dazed. ”..wh..at… hha..ap..ned..?” She could hear her papa and.. someone. What were they..? She turned away and coughed harshly. It sounded like she got the worst of the spores. @cult family

"Mhm... she didn't have control over fungus before..." Yeonaixho frowned. He turned back to Nora. "Are you okay? I think you breathed in some spores- do you need healing?" @cult family

“Shhhh, don’t even w-worry about what happened, wh-what matters is that it’s over,” Zora coughed. She rubbed furiously at her own face to brush her tears away. “Ev-everything’s o-okay..” Sovran silently held the orb for a few moments before he pocketed it once more. “It must’ve reacted to the high emotions, everythin’s alright.” @cult family

"Y-yeah, yeah," Nathan nodded. "It's all good, donn't- hff. Don't worry 'bout a thing, we're here. Hhf." Their vision was coming back slowly. Carefully, Nathan brushed at both Nora's shoulders, and then Zora's, in an attempt to get rid of all the clingy bits. Eeeucgk. Gross. Nathan tried not to make a face. Peering over their shoulder, Nathan was relieved to see two rather familiar faces- yup, that was Juno alright. "Heya, Nai'o," they coughed, squinting up at the stranger next to him. "And uh, friend. Heya. Hhhfknk." More coughing. Yummy yum mold. @cult family

’Don’t worry. It’s over. It’s okay. We love you.’ Nora nodded. She trusted them completely. Another coughing fit. ”h-hurts.... evyth.…a-all h..hurts..” @cult family (edited)

"Oh, this is Sovran. He's... a friend of mine. Yeah. A friend." Yeonaixho nodded. He reached out and placed a hand on Nora's shoulder. With his touch, her breathing would ease. "Is that better?" @cult family

A friend. Owch. But there would be better times to explain what they were at another time. He wasn’t what was important right now; The kids mattered. “How ‘bout you two, kids?” He directed at Zora and Nathan. “Do you two need healing?” “.. M-maybe,” Zora coughed out. Her lungs felt heavy and painful still. “Th-thank you, Sovran..” “No problem, kid,” The older man spoke softly. His light formed over the siblings. It would feel exactly like Zora’s light, with its gentle and soothing touch. Zora relaxed under the sensation. This was nice. Her racing heartbeat began to calm down slightly. @cult family

Kids? Nathan was too disoriented to protest that. Couldn't really care at this point. They flashed a thumbs up, soothingly rubbing Nora's back as she coughed. "thank youuu, sovr'n," they sighed. The healing felt just like Zora's- warm and nice and reassuring. Guess they got another healer here, too. Three healers all in the same moldy, dusty, awful place. Hooray. @cult family

Soft, warm light spread through her lungs and skin, clearing away her pain. Nora breathed deeply for the first time in hours. Nora sighed softly and her eyes gently closed. “Th…thank.. you….love you..” She sounded exhausted. @cult family (edited)

"Of course." Yeonaixho managed a weak smile. "I love you, too." He turned to the rest of the group. "If Jymaiyri's powers really caused all this... I think it's best that her totem is kept with someone responsible. We can't risk something like this happening again." @cult family

“I can hold onto it, if it’s alright with you four,” Sovran offered them all a small grin. “I know I’m just meetin’ some of you, but I could hold onto it. I won’t go far with it, either, if that’ll make you comfortable.” His light vanished once the kids seemed alright. Zora took in a deep breath, her body still trembling with adrenaline from the situation and from how tired she was. After doing a lot of healing, freaking out in the arena stands, and then almost perishing just now- Homegirl was tired. “I-I trust you with it,” Zora turned to look at both Nora and Nathan. “I know him, h-he’s dependable. He can b-be trusted.” @cult family

With a quiet groan, Nathan rolled back their shoulders. The healing definitely did wonders- not that Zora's didn't, but it was kinda hard to feel the sunny healing with the mushroom fog. Yeeeup. That was a lot of things in a row; nearly dying twice in three hours and reliving your first death does something to ya. Nathan shrugged, still quietly groaning; "I got no say in th'matter," they explained, "but uh, if Zora and Nai'o trust you, m'alright with that." Again, he'd never met this guy, but if Zora's word was anything to go off, he trusted him too. @cult family

Nora was leaning into Zora, eyes half lidded as she listened. They were talking about mom and…. something about trust.. ”mm… I trust you..” Her eyes were slowly closing again. @cult family

"Mhm- Sovran, if you'd look after it, I'd greatly appreciate it." Yeonaixho hummed. "At least... for the time being. Once all this is more settled, we can think of a more permanent solution." @cult family

"Thank you," Sovran smiled. "I'll take good care of it, thank you." He put it back into his coat's pocket. It'd be safe there and would remain there. It seemed to be dormant now thanks to Sovran being in complete control of his emotions. Everything would be okay. Sniffling, Zora kept Nora propped up. "C-can we- Could you help us m-move away from all of this, please? M-maybe we can m-move to a clearer spot..?" She wanted to get away from the rot and ruin. She and Nora and all of them had to get away from the fungi. Rot, ruin, death, decay. It surrounded them all, it was sickening, it was nauseating- Zora couldn't do this any more- @cult family

Nathan pushed themself to their feet, albeit very wobbly- trying to slowly inhale real air again. It was still all dusty and cloggy and muggy, but it was better than being trapped down there. Hooo boy. Still dizzy. That was alright though. "C'mon," they murmured, once their knees felt slightly sturdier. They knelt back down to help Nora, an arm carefully wrapped under one of her arms. He probably didn't have the strength to get her to her feet by herself. "Y'ready to get movin'?" they quietly asked Nora. "We can get somewhere with more water 'n air. Fresh and good air, maybe get some mangoes for you, yeah?" Fresh water- the beautiful blue sky being eaten up by a purple fog of death and despair. Their throat was all dry now- or was it drying out? @cult family

Nora stirred as Nathan moved her. She blinked sleepily, but stood with him. ”mm..” She clung to his arm, her hat smushing against their shoulder. Small spores still clung to her clothes, irritating her throat. Water sounded nice. Fruit sounded nice too.. ”...mmom..make mmore..mango..?” Her voice was still weak, barely a whisper at Nathan’s side. @cult family

"Sovran and I were just at the beach- maybe we could all head back over there and get something fresh water." Yeonaixho suggested. "Minnie's hungry, though, so at some point we should head back over to the cold side and I can make her a bottle." His face fell as Nora spoke, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything. @cult family

"Maybe we can ultimately head over to the cold side, then. There was food in the kitchen, we can get Minnie her bottle, and get Nora her mangoes," Sovran offered. "There's water there, too. We can just take it on easy there. Plus, there's a sink, and there's some dish soap there, if we wanted to get the clothes cleaned." Zora's heart ached at the mention of their mother. Oh, Nora. Nora. Zora wanted to get up and hug her sister tightly again, but her limbs felt like lead. All she wanted was for her sister to be okay. "Come on, let's get you up, too," Sovran awkwardly used his crutches to help lower himself to the ground. He was in a single legged squat at this point. "This is as low as I can go. Think you can help yourself onto my back, piggy back ride style?" "Y-yeah," Zora sniffled. Slowly, painfully, she made her way onto Sovran's back and wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt too weak to do anything other than bury her face into his shoulder. She wanted to leave this rot and ruin and decay and death behind, she wanted to leave now, the smell was horrendous and it made her head spin. Bleh. The call of the void lingered in the back of her mind. More, it still wanted more. Who else would it take? Who would be next? @cult family

Nathan steadied Nora as she slumped against him, brushing off the bits clinging to her hat. They considered using their powers to muddle the scent of decay, but it would probably make things worse at a distance. They resolved to save that for later at the river. Instead, they tried to focus on the discussion around them. Going back to the other side didn't seem like a bad idea. They could get out of this heat and this haze. As Nora asked about her mom, their brows pinched together painfully. Losing her dad and then her mom in the same few hours- and she was just a kid, this was her first time out and about- how cruel could Rakin be? "We'll get more mango for ya, yeah," Nathan quietly said, trying to smile. "But first, let's get you some water. There's a river nearby, d'you remember it? Buncha fish and trees nearby. Oh, and there's hot chocolate on the other side, nice and good 'n toasty. You ever had it before?" @cult family

At Nathan’s steadying, she just leaned in more. Her whole body weight was against him (not that she weighed much to begin with). Hugging Nathan was nice. They smelled more like rain than dust, it was comfy. She was starting to drift off again.. …what were they talking about..? Something about.. water. And food. Chocolate..? ”..want water…’n choco..” Nora was much too tired to keep track of the conversation. @cult family

"Mhm, let's head over to the cold side, then." Yeonaixho nodded, and stood up, keeping Minerva close to his chest. The baby was calmer now- while clearly not happy, being around her father was soothing. "Mhm. We're going to go over to the other side, and get food and water and clean all of our clothes." Yeonaixho said to Nora, and offered a hand to either Nathan or her for support. @cult family

“W-we’ll get you s-some chocolate and water, Nora,” Zora promised, her voice that of a shaky whisper. It seemed as though she herself was close to falling asleep as well. However, her anxiety of being in this field and hearing the call of the void kept her firmly awake. She wanted to leave now, now, now- “Easy, kid,” Sovran gently spoke to her. “It’s gonna be okay. You’re shakin’.” Her arms around Sovran tightened slightly. “S-sorry..” “No need to be sorry. It’s gonna be alright, kid,” Sovran promised. He looked to the others. “Let’s head on over, then. Rakin said somethin’ about a room that’d teleport us? We find that, we get over there easily.” And with that, Sovran began to lead the way to #teleport . @cult family

"Right, yeah, the teleport room." Nathan would offer to carry Nora, but they didn't know if they had it in them to carry her without dropping her. Leaning against was the best one, then. Nathan took Juno's hand instead, squeezing it carefully under scratchy, crackly fingers. "Good t'have you back, big man," Nathan quietly said to Juno, grinning. Alive and warm and well. "Nice threads. They fit you." I'm sorry about Jymaiyri. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (just a little tidbit. teehee)

1

Peaches Mangoes and Apricots

A Strange Bird Woman Appears

Nathan and this Strange Angry Child

Rakin says No More Fighting

Moses and Agustin get Produce & Rakin Leaves

Yeonaixho and Kevin repair the Farm

Dudes being Guys at the Farm

Wolf at the Farm

Back Together Again

Sovran's Favorite Couple

Maki and Moses at the Farm

Creatures in the Farm

Family Farming

What Can I Do Without Him?

Kiran and Connie

Technology Guys

After the Rot