Tourn RP Archive

Toward the back of the area, and at the end of a the poorly kept #pathway, there was a building held together with mud and vines. It wasn't that big, only big enough to fit maybe ten people lying comfortably. It was dirty and messy, and the only thing inside was a small fire that was maintained occasionally with leaves. The few windows the building had didn't do that great of a job of letting out the smoke the fire made, so it was just kind of a miserable place to be. Why even bother keeping it up? Ugh. (edited)

With a ZAP of lightning, Nathan appeared in the room... No one was here. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan all but keeled over into the dirt, grunting a little as his shoulder slammed into the dirt. Dirt, earthy, not-stone, not-boxlike, not- He cursed loudly, angrily, brushing the loose bits of dirt and leaves off his pants. "Shit!" he hissed, pushing himself up. "Shit, shit, shit! Fuck!" He was so close! Ares help and forgive him, he was going to punch that guy in the throat twice. "Your game show sucks nuts!" Nathan shouted out to no one in particular, shoving his sleeves up. "Your building looks mid as shit!" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

No one was here to listen.

Isabelle made it to the barracks with Celena, looking it over carefully for any potential collapse. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena was extremely cautious the closer they made it to the old barracks. “Yup.. This is definitely a horror movie setting,” She looked up at the building. @

6:54 PM

@Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Absolutely." Isabelle took a moment to think before walking in, immediately stepping back out, coughing aggressively. "Shit! For a dilapidated building, you'd think it'd air out better." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena made a face as she waved a hand to waft the air away. A part of her wondered just what kind of diseases could've been inside of this building. "It smells horrible in here," Celena coughed. "The heat doesn't help, either. It's gross." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Smoke. Someone lit a fire in there. Miracle is hasn't spread." She's still huffing between sentences if you can even call them that. "Couldn't they put it anywhere else?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Who would be dumb enough to light a fire in here?” Celena frowned. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Why should I know?" Isabelle shrugged before tugging the neck of her sweater. She pulled the turtleneck over her nose and mouth and tried once again to enter and look around. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“It’s more of a question I’m just throwing up in the air,” Celena fought back an eye roll. She attempted to enter the building as well. “I wonder if we can open the windows a bit. Air the place out? You wouldn’t happen to have wind powers, would you?” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Nope. No useful powers at the moment. What about you?" She noticed the open windows. Not much air is gonna get in here. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu heyyyyyyyy mads do i get anything with a 10? @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

“Nope, nothing that could create a current to help us out.” She sighed. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru (Anything with a 17? blurryeyes

@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 )

(Hmmmmmm)

2:34 PM

Upon close inspection upon the back of the room there was a window like area that had been filled in with mud. One of them would probably be able to push it out. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Lovely... wait a minute." Isabelle moved over to the vague window shape. "You see this too, right?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Yeah, I see it.” Celena cleared her throat. “We can push it out- Or I could use my powers to shoot it out, so we don’t have to get our hands dirty.” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Think it'll collapse on us if we try?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“.. I mean.. Maybe?” Celena gave a slight shrug. “We can see if it’ll collapse. This place is already in shambles as it is.” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Fair enough." Isabelle commented and looked back at the window shape. "I guess I'll leave it to you." She took a step back, allowing Celena to use her powers. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena put her hands together and focused on her powers. Bright sunlight began to form, illuminating the dilapidated building. It was white light, but there were flares of oranges and reds that would shine through it. Creating an orb of this light, she took aim and fired it at the window. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

The orb of light struck the mud clogging up the window and sent it crumbling out. Some of the smoke began to billow out that way, but it was still pretty smokey. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"That worked! Slightly better but we should probably get some fresh air." Isabelle started to make her way outside. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“.. Well, glad it all didn’t collapse on us,” She hummed. “But yeah, let’s definitely get some air.” She followed Isabelle to the front door. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Stepping outside, Isabelle coughed a bit as she uncovered her mouth. "Man... I'm gonna smell like shit for a while." She sighed, noting the very obvious smoke smell. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"You and me both," Celena sighed as she stepped outside next. She frowned unhappily at her clothes. "At least our time outside'll air us out a bit.. Still sucks." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Yeah... we didn't get much. Other than an existing fire source." She sighed, sitting down. She still had the crab. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I can always.. Make a fire, if you want," Celena glanced around for some wood. "So you can cook it and eat it.." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Right... so it's light, right?" Isabelle asked. "Your power, I mean-" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Yeah, it's- Yeah, light," Celena stiffened up slightly as she glanced to the side and coughed. "Light, sunlight- Yeah, light. What, uh- Do you have powers..?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle was also coughing a bit. "Funny enough, it's reflection. They took my only mirror though, so I'm kinda useless power-wise." She sighed. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Reflection? Huh, that's- Pretty neat. I haven't heard of that kind of power," Celena frowned. "They took your only mirror.. I wish there was a way to make it. I'd probably be able to make some glass out of the sand with enough heat from my sunlight, but I don't think there's a way for us to be able to make that reflective.." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Nope. Not to mention the lack of backing. It's more complicated than you'd think." Isabelle doodled mindlessly in the sand.

6:07 PM

@Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

".. Is it really that complicated?" Celena asked, genuinely intrigued. She took a seat in the sand and doodled alongside Isabelle's drawing. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Modern ones are. Fun fact: the reason vampires don't appear in mirrors in the original lore is because the backing is made of silver. So technically, they shouldn't be invisible in modern mirrors or cameras. According to the original literary origins at least." She explained. I wonder what they're doodling. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Huh, that’s pretty interesting. I didn’t know that, actually- That makes a lot of sense.” Celena continued to doodle. It was a cyat she was doodling. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle is also doodling a cyacht. "You learn things the hard way when figuring out powers as abstract as mine." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“.. Yeah, I get..” Celena cleared her throat and finished her doodle of her cat. “.. Want me to get started on that fire so you could make your crab?” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"I don't have many tools to do so... gonna have to find at least a few rocks." She noted, looking around. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Oh.. Yeah, that’s right, the-” Celena made claw motions with her hand. “Claws. Right. Well, I can help find rocks..?” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"I guess... yeah." Isabelle left the crab in the sand, looking around for some rocks of different sizes for various tasks. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Looking around for some rocks, she had an okay enough time finding some. ".. How are these?" She asked as she presented the rocks to Isabelle. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

She didn't do much better honestly. "Well I can work with this I suppose." I am tempted to rizz my way through this cooking process. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena had gathered some sticks and wood to use for a small fire. She used her light to set it on fire. Do it, do the rizz. “I’m sure this’ll be good enough. It’ll be fineeeee.” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

She did the RIZZ!!!!!! Despite the odds, she managed to grill the crab with efficiency and even flair. Not much she could do without seasoning, but it looked pretty tasty regardless. "Now that's what I'm talkin about!!!" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Good job,” Celena praised with a smile. “It looks pretty good!” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Leaving the ethics of how that happened aside, Isabelle set the cooked crab on a clean rock, before snapping a leg to crack open and taste. "You said you're used to this climate, right? Ever had crab before?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’m used to heat and humidity, but I’ve never been much of a seafood kind of person,” Celena admitted. “You’re more than free to have the whole thing. You probably worked hard to get that crab to begin with.” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"That's fair. But ya might have to get used to it. Only other food source here from what I've seen is coconuts." She explained before shlorping the leg meat outta the crab. Kinda scary how efficiently she does it. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena shuddered at the sound. Gross. "Yeah.. Maybe I'd be willing to try fish, but crab and things that just look like they're from another planet-.. Yeah, I might have to pass.. I'm not strong enough for that." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"..." "We're literally in space." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“.. So I’m right, they are from another planet.” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"These aren't normal crabs." She would know the difference they are different but similar enough. "But anything here is going to be alien in nature so I'm not sure what you're expecting to eat." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena grumbled and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ll figure something out..” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

8:23 PM

weak behavior Isabelle kept her thoughts to herself. She could only imagine how much louder it would've been with a reflection around. "Alright. I suppose I just don't get squeamish around most things. Being travelled will do that to you." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’ve traveled around- I just- Am very particular with my food, and the textures, and- Things like that,” Celena shuddered again. Seafood just seemed slimy. Why did shrimp have that many legs? For what reason? Why were they built like that? “Forget it, I’ll get over it- Anyways, uh- You’re liking the crab..? On a scale of one to ten, what would you rate it?” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle hummed in thought for a bit. "That is also true. Didn't think about that." She started on the other leg. "I don't know how much time we have if you really want to get into the implications of marine evolution because it's a rabbit hole you're not ready for based on that reaction to crustaceans." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena shuddered for what felt like the tenth time that conversation. "I'm- I'm good, thanks, thanks, I'm good. I'd like to avoid that rabbit hole, thank you very much." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

She laid the shells delicately on the clean rock. "Probably for the best. Fucking hate the ocean." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Yeah, me too," And to think they were surrounded by so much of it. Disgusting. "I'm not too crazy about it. I can't swim, actually. So, uh, even more of a reason to stay away from it, I guess." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

“Alright, well, uhm,” Celena motioned over her shoulder. “I’m gonna go ahead and look around some more. Have a good one, and enjoy your crab, alright?” With a wave, Celena made her leave. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle did not blame her. "Of course. Hopefully you find something." She continued to sit on the sand, but noticed how big the crab was. Not as big as the one the other had caught, but still sizable.

With another crack of lighting, Rakin appeared outside of the decrepit structure. He took in a few deep breaths and put his good hand against the crumbling wall, wincing as he flexed his bandaged fingers. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Whatever momentary peace Rakin had was unfortunately cut short by the approaching sounds of heavy footsteps. Moses was walking around still, crystal bag of crabs under his arm and shirtless. His dog tags jingled softly as he walked and for a moment, it seemed like Moses hadn't even noticed Rakin. Moses was lost in his thoughts, which delayed his reaction to the lightning at first. When he finally processed the sound, Moses glanced around the area with narrowed eyes. And of course, his gaze fell right on Rakin in the distance. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Hm. Seems like Rakin either didn't notice Moses, or he didn't care that someone was approaching. He took his hand off the wall and walked around to the other side of the building where the part of the wall had been pushed out. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Well, Rakin may want to start caring soon. Slowly, Moses put down his basket of crabs and folded his arms over his chest. He watched Rakin walk to the other side, but he was still close enough to be able to hear Moses. "Hey. I don't know what the hell you're doing, but you got some nerve coming back here all of a sudden, Rakin," Moses huffed. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

There were a few moments of silence. "Well, I am going to try to fix this wall. I'm sure you've noticed the weather is getting worrying. The little shelter you made will not hold everyone." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Oh, how funny. The guy who brought us here to die all of sudden cares about our safety from a storm," Moses scoffed. "Cut the shit, Rakin. Whatever you and your master or whoever it is are trying to do, we're not going to just sit idly and follow." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Rakin peaked is head around the corner of the building to look back at Moses. "Yes. I do care. That's why all this is happening. Now, do you want to die now or later? You don't have much of a choice." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses had walked over towards Rakin, leaving a small trail of crystals in his steps. He glared at the other man and seemed to still be holding back physically. "So you have enough emotional capacity to care now, but not before kidnapping people and literal children here? How about I ask you if you would rather take a beating now or later?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Rakin watched him as he approached, but didn't try to flee or even simply teleport away. "I didn't have a choice about bringing people here. I have a choice on what to do before and between fights. It's the least I can do. But I wouldn't expect you to understand that." Rakin huffed. "And I would say now would be best. You may be dead soon. If you have a problem with me, best to handle it as soon as possible." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Well, thankfully for Rakin, Moses was the person with a lot of problems with him. Not many people were shorter than Moses, but Rakin just so happened to be. He pulled the man by grabbing a fistful of his robe together in the front and held him up like a sack of grapes. "Everyone has a choice, Rakin. If I'm going to die, I'm making sure everyone gets out first. What exactly is holding you back from not letting innocent people be killed? Your master threatening your own safety? Your family's? What sort of morales do you even bother having?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Rakin just.. let that happen. Yeah. He could've turned in to a frog or something to get away, but he just sat there. "My master is not kind. Or understanding. Or just. But I don't have a choice." Rakin huffed and managed to cross his arms underneath Moses' grip. "If this doesn't happen, many more innocents will die. Not just me, not just my family, but so many more. This is for the greater good." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Tch. 'Greater good', my ass. You know how many people I've heard say that before they go ahead and murder thousands? Justify it however you want, but this isn't right. And from the looks of it, you know it too," Moses said with narrowed eyes. "And why exactly do you think you don't have a choice in this? To me, it seems you're just a scared, pathetic man." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Alrai Pin isn't just someone I decided to follow some day, they are my god. They have the power to destroy every single amphib if they don't get exactly what they want." Rakin said. "And yes. I am scared. And pathetic. I'm hardly a human man. Do whatever you want to me to make you feel better." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses' gaze didn't soften, but he did lower Rakin some. "A god? Some useless god if they have to make a henchman like you do their dirty work," he commented. Moses slammed Rakin onto the ground, making sure to land the man on his back. "But even if you're just a scared, pathetic man, I can't let it slide. You brought a baby here, Rakin? If you have a family, you understand where I'm coming from with my anger. Where is yours? Why are you following such a worthless God? A God who on a whim would want to kill their followers?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Rakin landed with a thump and grunted, moving his hands out to the side much too slowly to catch him at all. "Yes, I understand. They are back home. On Earth. Alrai Pin said that they'd stay there as long as I stay in line." Rakin sighed and started to roll over on to his side. "And none of us had a choice to follow them. They made us. We can't just stop believing. Believe me, I tried." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses was equal parts curious as he was angry. Interrogations were never his favorite part of any job, but somehow, he was always the one doing them. Again, Moses grabbed Rakin's robe and forced him up, but kept the man on ground level--sorta just keeping him steady and unable to escape. "So are you saying that if faced with this Alrai Pin, Tai'Tana and Itsuki would also follow your master's orders? Is that why they were brought here in the first place? To keep us in line? Why keep them out of the loop? They don't even know who you are." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Rakin continued to lay there. Not like Moses holding him was having much effect. "Hm. Itsuki probably if he was puppeted. Tai'Tana might. Neither of them are too personally invested in the Pilarians. Neither is the toad." There was a notable edge to his tone that hadn't shown before- even when he was getting beaten. "The amphibs I selected for this side are lazy, nearly incompetent, and entirely undevoted to anyone or anything. I'm sure you could kill them or whatever if you needed to." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

The grip on Rakin's robes tightened and this time, Moses threw Rakin against a near by tree. "Believe it or not, but I don't take joy in killing people--Unlike you or your master, it seems," Moses growled. "If they're useless to you, why even bother bringing them?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I didn't say you'd like it-" Rakin winced, grunting slightly as he hit the tree. He had to take in a deep breath after his wind was knocked out of him. "I can't answer that." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses rolled his eyes and walked towards Rakin once more. "Why not?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Rakin made no move to protect himself or move away. He actually looked a bit.. Expectant..? "If you knew, well, I think my master would have a time with the both of us. And then after we are dead, everyone else." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Tch. You guys want us all dead, so what's the point of using the threat of death?" Moses rolled his eyes once again. "Why doesn't your master come down themselves to just kill us? Surely, dragging it out only winds down the excitement of destruction." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I was more so threatening torture. And then death." Rakin corrected. "And no, not really, it's about the dramatics. The theatrics. Killing everyone at once would be underwhelming when they have so many plans." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Unfortunately for your master, torture isn't exactly something I'm not used to either," Moses said as he folded his arms across his chest. "I'm sure if your master wanted some true chaos, they would do something much more interesting than just forcing people to fight in the middle of no where. Really, what sort of M.O do you guys have?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Well, if you think beyond yourself, I am sure you would be appalled at the prospect of the children here getting tortured as well. There is an infant on the other side, after all." Rakin said. "And do you think this is the only stage of this plan? This is just the beginning." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses quirked a brow. "There's no point in torturing the others if only you and me discuss why you brought other amphibs here. After all, even with just me gone, there's still plenty of people for your master to drag things out with, as you said. No point in trying to torture anyone else beyond what you're already doing. If anything, it's waiting energy," Moses commented. He then picked Rakin up again, dragging him along back to the half made barracks. "Alright, then start talking. Besides torturing us to death via boredom and survival here, what does your master plan for us?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"My master is not reasonable. If any of you know anything, they will be displeased." Rakin shook his head. There was a growing feeling of static around them, enough to make Moses' hair stand on end. "I can't tell you anything more." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Well, they need to become more consistent. Do they want us to have a long, dragged out death together, or do they want us to be tortured one by one?" He huffed. Feeling the static, Moses' grip on Rakin became tighter. "And why not?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I can't say any more." Rakin hissed. He moved his bandaged hand out to the side and the feeling of static became stronger. The dark clouds overhead began to swirl above the two of them, and lightning flashed inside of them. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses furrowed his brows, refusing to let Rakin go. "Don't even think about it, asshole," he faintly warned as he saw Rakin raise his hand. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

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# 25
Details:[d20+6 (19)]

@Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge def

Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

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# 9
Details:[d20+3 (6)]

(I assume I'm rolling power damage?)@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

(Ye)

Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

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# 7
Details:[d7 (7)]

(Goddamn Moses. I believe he's at like. 18hp) (edited)

12:10 PM

@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Well, that vague threat didn't accomplish much. Rakin turned his hand to a fist, and lightning struck down on top of Moses. It was a pretty nasty, head on strike. Clearly he'd be dead if it was at full power, so Rakin was somewhat holding back. Still hurt like hell. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

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# 13
Details:[d20+3 (10)]

@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 def

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

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

(Rakin what the hell)

(Damn rakin making up for every other time he's failed ajfjwk)

And hurt like hell it did. Moses was struck down the moment the lightning hit him and he finally let go of Rakin. God, the last time Moses fought someone with lightning powers, it was equally as a pain in the ass. Blood caramelized from the point of strike, leaving a nice crisp burn from his head to his neck and shoulder. Moses let out a loud grunt of pain as he laid on the ground, reeling in from the shock and sound of lightning. It rang in his ears in a painful measure. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 (edited)

Rakin managed to gracefully land on his feet after being dropped by Moses. His bandaged arm was trembling awfully, so hard that the rest of his body was shaking with it. "Y-you're welcome. I could have zapped you away with me, but this is your warning." Rakin said in between breaths and began to stumble away from Moses. "I-i would recommend you stay down until I have the s-strength to teleport out." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

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# 16
Details:[d20+3 (13)]

@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 one more pathetic attempt by moses

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

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# 7
Details:[d20+3 (4)]

(There it is)

10:21 PM

(Powers?) @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

(ye)

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

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# 6
Details:[d7 (6)]

(Rakin is at 19 hp)

Before Moses even got up, crystals haphazardly sprouted from the ground like spikes, impaling Rakin's lower half and torso. Seems like Moses wouldn't catch a hint. "S-Sorry, you're going to have to be louder, asshole. I'm partially deaf in my left ear. W-What did you say?" Moses mocked as he managed to hold himself up from the ground. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Yeah, he should've seen this coming. He gasped as the crystals impaled him, blood trickling down them and pooling out on the ground. He was frozen for a time before he began to levitate and floated off from the spikes. He moved his hands to cover the profusely bleeding injuries, hardly slowing it down. "Y-you-" Rakin hissed. "Do you honestly think you're helping anyone b-by maiming me?!" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Still can't hear y-you-" Moses huffed as he stumbled onto his feet. It didn't seem like he was going to attack again, but he sure wasn't lax yet either. "Who exactly are you helping right now? Cause it sure ain't any of us." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Rakin slowly lowered himself to the ground, and as his feet touched the grass, totally crumpled down and curled in to the fetal position, covering up his wounds. "Y-you have no patience." Rakin hissed. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"And y-you have no wit," Moses retorted. It took everything in Moses to not go back to attacking Rakin, but at this point, it'd serve him no purpose. "Tell me something—Do you r-really think serving your master is going to bring more good than bad to you? First they kill all of us.. then what's stopping them from going after you or your family? D-Do you really trust 'em?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"They are listening." Rakin answered him. "Do you think that t-trying to kill me will help anyone?" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses scoffed. "So I'm taking that as a 'no' on trusting them," he said with a shrug of his shoulders. "I'm not trying to kill you--I want answers. I don't crave death and destruction like you all," Moses corrected Rakin with a glare. "Beating you up is just my way of greeting you." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I-if you haven't been trying to kill me, I'd hate to see what trying would mean. You sent a spike through my neck last time." Rakin began to hold up his bandaged hand again, and that static feeling began to creep on in. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"A-And yet you're still alive and breathing," Moses huffed, obviously aggravated. "Plus, I'm sure anyone who was suddenly kidnapped and chained to a wall w-would react similarly to me. Don't act like you were the victim then." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"D-do you think I just magically get better? N-no-" Rakin turned his hand to a fist, and for a moment, nothing happened.. Then, once he opened his fist, lightning struck the ground next to him. A large man was standing next to him now- wearing a fluffy coat with pink sleeves, gloves, big pants, and snow boots. There was snow on the top of his head that instantly melted, getting his curly hair and weird little protrusions from his head all wet. It was obvious he was extremely confused as he stumbled forward to one knee, instantly sweating. "Whhh-.." He blinked a few times and moved his hands up to shelter his eyes from the blinding sun. "Rakin-.. Where-" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses was just as confused as the stranger. He had put one hand up to his good ear as the lightning struck, not wanting to hear the ringing again. "Of course I don't. God, y-you're equally as stupid as you are annoying," he finally answered Rakin, before giving the new guy some attention. "Brought a buddy? He's not quite dressed for the sun." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Why is it so hot-" The man asked, his eyes finally starting to adjust to the brightness. "H-help me." Rakin said, still curled around himself. "Rakin.." Agustín sighed and quickly shoved his gloves off. He moved his hands to Rakin's torso and placed his hands right above the injuries. They began to close up. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

The pieces quickly came together as Agustin healed Rakin's wounds. "Ah, so you keep people around to heal you. Got it," Moses commented. He wasn't going to stop either of them, Moses didn't believe in attacking medics, after all. He had some morals. "You, medic. Why do you help that man?" Moses asked instead. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Once all his injuries were taken care of, Rakin closed his eyes and seemingly fell asleep.. Or he was relaxing. Taking that as his cue that he might be here a while, Agustín began to take off his coat. He threw that to the ground, and was left in a dark blue sweater, which he also shoved off and tossed to the side. His whole body was sweaty at this point.. Gross. "My name is Agustín Alejo. I- I just help him since one of my companions trusts him." Agustín wiped some sweat off his face. "Where are we?" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses shifted his weight to his right foot, feeling like he may fall over he stayed too much on one side. Getting struck in the head by lightning would do that to you. "..I see. I'm Moses. This is just me assuming things, but you're probably from the other side I've heard about. So.. that'd mean you're on our side now," Moses answered. "Is it snowing or something where you were? It's been nothing but sun here," he asked and gestured around them. "I wanted to ask that bastard some more questions.. but I guess whether it's by choice or by his master, he won't answer them. I hope you're more willing to." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"The other side.. Yes. It's very, very, very cold. And snowing. But it was just starting to clear up.." Agustín sighed, slowly looking over to Moses. "And um-.. You're not going to impale me too, right? I-.. I don't mean to cause any trouble here. I can heal you if you need it." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

A side with snow and a side where it's extremely hot. Just perfect. Moses sighed and shook his head, slowly reaching down for his basket of crabs. "No. I figure you're like the other amphibs who were taken here. You don't really know why you're here and you were taken against your will. The only ones I have a problem with is Rakin and the person above him," Moses replied. He quirked a brow at Agustin, however. "You'll heal me? You'd do that for the guy who just impaled Rakin?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. There are other amphibs here?" Agustín asked, frowning. That added on to some of his theories about why they were there.. None of which were very great. "Oh- well, I was offering so you would be less inclined to stab me.. But I guess I shouldn't rescind the offer just because you said you won't anyway. I don't blame you for wanting to injure Rakin, I had to heal him many times in the past few days.." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Guess he's not very popular around here," he commented as he glanced down at said pathetic man. Moses looked back over at Agustin, his hardened expression slowly fading and sighed once more. "I would appreciate the healing if you're willing. Promise I don't stab people for fun," Moses joked, though it was quite weak. "..And yes, there's other amphibs here. Uhm.. A salamander, a caecilian, and a.. toad, I believe." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Agustín stood up and cautiously approached Moses. "A toad and salamander..? I haven't heard great things about them.." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses waited with a relaxed stance and gestured his head towards Agustin. The wound where the lightning struck him had burnt all of the skin and blood around that area. Wasn't the prettiest thing to look at. "I don't know much about any of you amphibs. Rakin didn't seem happy about the toad either. You guys got some weird racism going on?" Moses asked. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Racism..? I dunno if that's.. The right term for it. I'm also not sure of too much of the details myself, I grew up in a city away from my home lake." Agustín said and got to Moses. He held his hands out over the injury and began to heal it. "I heard from my companion that is a frogling that there was some hardship between them and the toads recently. Nothing good." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses hummed as he was healed, appreciating the feeling of not pain. Just cause he was used to it, doesn't mean he liked it. "Hm.. I see. I guess that means there are more amphibs on your side then? I asked Rakin why he had gathered all of you, but he refused on the terms of his master," he commented. "What exactly happened between the toads and frogs?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

It only took a few seconds to fully heal Moses' pretty gruesome injury. "Apparently the froglings were seeking refuge with the toads and the toads enslaved them or something. Zahara isn't keen on speaking too much about it. It was when she was a child." Agustín took a few steps back. "Oh, there is also a newt on our side. So an axolotl, newt, and frogling." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Toads enslaving frogs..? "Huh. Okay then. Well, that would definitely explain a strained relation between the two species," Moses nodded. He gave Agustin a small, thankful smile as he felt his wound fully heal. "And thanks for the touch up. Even if you technically work for Rakin, I don't feel like any of you all will really hurt us," Moses commented. "What do you plan to do now that you're stuck here..? I don't think there's really any way for us to interact with the other side.. You'll probably be here until Rakin decides to wake up." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I think I'm gonna melt if I have to stand around here any longer. These pants are wool." Agustín sighed and stepped back over to Rakin. "But I wish I was on this side in some different clothes. I hate the cold.. Makes my gills all dry." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses let out a small laugh and adjusted his bucket of crabs under his arm. "I get that. I'm much better in extreme heat than extreme cold. I can't really offer you much in terms of better clothes... but there is a river near by if you want to stick to somewhere cooler," he hummed. He glanced down at Rakin once more, and a part of him wanted to tie the man up to interrogate him again later, but Moses figured he wasn't going to get more out of Rakin any time soon. "Do you trust Rakin, Agustin? In whatever he's planning to do?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Home sweet, ugly, home," Nathan sighed, lifting up the vines that covered the entrance to the building. "As shitty as ever, bless this mess. We should get a live, laugh, love sign up in here, make it cute and everything," he snarked, none too pleased he had to come back to this place. Hopefully it was better than the lean shelter. If only they had some clay. Still holding up the vines for the pair, his attention fell on the two people who already seemed to find the place. Another...amphibian. Guy- Tai'Tana? -and another competitor, by the looks of it. That wasn't the worrying part. The worrying part was the Rakin corpse. "Oh Athena, you killed Rakin," Nathan balked. Was he supposed to feel sad? Mad?? "You killed Rakin??" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (edited)

Yeonaixho followed Nathan to the old barracks, cane in hand. Despite the weather being bad and his general anxieties about everything ever (which had only gotten worse since he'd gotten here), he was actually feeling pretty at ease this evening. That was, until Nathan starting shouting about corpses. "Rakin? He's here? And he's dead?" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Nora was also having a rather nice time. Much better than before, and like Juno, she stopped dead in her tracks when Nathan spoke up. She stared at the large man standing over Rakin, scared. She moved closer to Nathan, hiding behind him. “Wh-what… happened..?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

@Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 (whoops)

"I trust Rakin slightly." Agustín said. "He and Zahara-.." He faded off as the others arrived, looking them over. "Uh. He isn't dead." Agustín said. "Rakin called me in to help him. I'm just a healer." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Moses raised a brow when he heard footsteps approach, as well as voices he didn't quite recognize right away. Though, he did recognize Yeonaixho, and Moses wondered just when and why he had two others accompanying him to this half-made mud hut--And was that another kid?? Just perfect. "We got into a bit of a fight. He's just sleeping now. Everything's fine, everyone," Moses explained with a small sigh. "Yeonaixho, why are you all here? Did something happen to the shelter?" He asked, hoping the other man would recognize his voice. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan was completely tense throughout the whole little back and forth, arms outstretched as he stood in front of Nora and Yeonaixho. Despite the internal mind debating over if a sixteen year old's death was a good or bad thing to celebrate (it was VERY bad, but again- it was this guy), the big guy's words seemed to get through to him. "So he's sleeping sleeping," Nathan warily tested, lowering his arms ever slightly. "Sorry, still on edge. He, uh-" a jerk of the head to the pile, "-kinda intervened in a fight earlier. I still do not know if I'm in trouble or not." Two healers! Oh, that was great. "You're, uh, Tai'Tana, right?" he asked the non-competitor guy. "Llinos mentioned you earlier." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Yeonaixho seemed to calm down a bit as Rakin was confirmed to be Not Dead. He took in a breath. Moses was here. Okay. "The weather looked bad. We didn't know if it would survive, so we decided to come here and see if this was any better accommodation-wise." Yeonaixho explained. "This is Nora and Nathan. I told you about them both earlier, I think." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora continued to hide behind Nathan, but she was calming a little. Still, there was a lot of people she didn’t know here. She stayed quiet. Shifting the blanket in her arms to hold on to Nathan’s jacket again. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

".. I am Agustín. I don't know who this 'Tai'Tana' is.. Or Llinos. I believe i am from the other side." He said. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Ah, that made sense. Moses nodded and readjusted his basket of crabs once more. "The mud hut here is a bit lopsided.. If you guys were to stay here... hm, I'd give a 50/50 chance of being better than the lean shelter during the rainstorm. I was gathering supplies to reinforce the shelter, it'd be easier than fixing up this hut, but with the right materials, this hut could be improved," Moses examined. "Rakin called Agustin from the other side to heal him. He's another amphib, and apparently, there's more of them where he was.. Oh, and it's nice to meet you, Nora, Nathan. I'm Moses. Promise I don't go around beating people up willy-nilly." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan shuffled out of the doorway, taking care to make sure Nora could still hang onto their jacket. "You guys can come on in," he offered. "Better to stay out of the cold than in it." "Oh, shit, clay?" Nathan asked, perking up. "Hey, if you need help making this place sturdier, I can do a bunch. I can mess around with clay and stuff, so that should speed up the process." Man. This awful pile of sticks and gunk actually had clay in it. Bless. Right, the other side. Two sides, one maze. He raised his hand to greet the pair properly, not at all upset that Agustín wasn't Tai'Tana. He had all the clay in the world to work his stuff. Well, all the clay in the...maze. This half of it, at least. "I'll gander the healing went semi-well?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"The other side-" Yeonaixho stammered. "My wife and kid- they're on the other side, have you seen them? Jymaiyri and Minerva. Please. I need to know if they're safe. Please. Minerva, she's just a baby-" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"Yes, the healing was fine.. I actually don't know why Rakin is asleep." Agustín sighed, and looked over at Yeonaixho. "Jymaiyri and Minerva..? I'm sorry, I haven't met them yet. I know that there is a woman and baby on my side, but.. It could be someone else." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora stared at Moses for a bit, still somewhat scared of him. She looked over to Juno as he spoke. He seemed.. scared. Worried about his family. It made her feel sad for him again. Her hold on Nathan’s jacket tightened, but she continued to stay quiet. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Ah, right. You're the kid who can use clay.. Yes, if you're able to support this structure, that'll be great. We can actually have a proper place to stay," Moses smiled, genuinely relieved. Though, he seemed a little less relaxed with Agustin's answer. "Just how many women with babies are on your side..? But, I guess to be fair, there's much more children here than I would even think would be here..." Moses sighed. "Alright everyone. For now, why don't we split up again? You three of you can stick to the hut, fix it up a bit. I'm going to get more food to make something more sustainable than just crab. Agustin, since you're here, do you mind coming with me? I could use someone who could handle carrying stuff." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Nooo worries," Nathan hummed, cracking his knuckles a little bit. He could ignore the 'kid' for now, 'specially since Moses seemed pretty relieved at that. "We'll hang here and fix up the place. Just, uh, send any guys y'find this way, yeah? It got nasty real quick." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"Well... even if it isn't them, please look out for them, anyways." Yeonaixho said. He figured Agustin wouldn't be sticking around. "And if it is, and you see them again, please tell them I'm doing alright. Please." As the topic changed to storm preparations, he refocused. "Right. We'll stay here.Good luck out there." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Nora listened dutifully. “….should I… um, make more.. blankets?” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Uh.. Sure. Are we just going to leave Rakin here..?" Agustin asked, glancing down at the unconscious man. "I think we need him to not be dead." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Moses smiled faintly at both Nathan and Nora. "Anything that may help would be good. Appreciate it, kiddos," he hummed before turning his attention back to Agustin. "I could cage him for the time being. Unless you guys just want to throw him into the hut and let him sleep there. I don't necessarily trust to leave him close to any of us." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan grinned back at Nora, nodding a little with praise. "Yeah, you can keep makin' those blankets," he quietly said, winking a little. "I'll get you more leaves later if you want them." Their attention was very quickly dragged back to the mention of a cage? "I think he'd ki- be very...unhappy if we cage him up," he winced. "But also, uh. I don't think we should like, drop him off at the lean shelter. 'Specially with the storm. That just keeps, getting, worse." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That's a great idea, Nora. With more blankets we'll be able to keep warm in the storm." Yeonaixho nodded, and gave Nora a smile. "We'll get you some more leaves, too." "I don't think we should just let him stay there..." Yeonaixho sighed at the subject of Rakin. "I don't know about caging him, though. Seems... extreme." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"I think if Zahara heard that I put Rakin in a cage she might never speak to me again once I get back." Agustín said. "I can probably carry him, he's not too big. I don't really want to leave him behind in case he decides to leave without me." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora smiled a bit at being able to help, but at the mention of caging from the man she immediately went back to looking scared of him. Hurting people and putting them in cages.. even if Rakin was scary, Moses seemed… scarier at the moment. “Um.. I-I think… you should take him. Away. N-no.. cages.” @ajjjjjjjj @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 (edited)

Moses didn't see what really was the issue with caging Rakin. Maybe that's just cause he's the guy who also beat Rakin up. He shrugged and gave Agustin a small nod. "Fine. Probably better we're the ones keeping an eye on him," he agreed and dropped the basket of crabs by the entrance of the mud hut. "I'm going to make a soup later with these, but if any of you are hungry, there's cooked crab in this basket. We should be back before the storm," Moses said. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Agustin crouched down and picked up Rakin, with notable effort despite his small size. He got him up over his shoulders and stepped over to Moses. Now his sweat from lifting up a whole guy and the heat was getting to him. He looked pretty gross. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Nooo worries," Nathan hummed, carefully shuffling away from the exit to make room for the pair and for Nora to follow along. "Just stay safe- there's a farmland like, I wanna say, that way-" a vagueish gesture in some direction, "-fruits and veg and whatever else. Come back in one piece, yeah?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Yeonaixho moved out of the way as Nathan did, letting Moses and Agustin leave. "Good luck out there," He called one last time as the two men headed out, before turning back to the kids. "Alright... guess we're here now." He sighed. "Are you two doing alright? That was... a bit much. I wasn't expecting any of that." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora frowned, still looking a little scared. “M-mister Juno… you- you said.. Mister Moses.. was nice. He- he was… scary.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ (edited)

"I'll be honest, I didn't know if he was deaaad, or not," Nathan winced, scratching behind his ear. "Uh, but. At least he's alright. I guess?" Well, he was an ass, but he could still feel a little twinge of sympathy. Only a little, though. He glanced a little behind him at Nora, remaining a little silent as she spoke. He didn't seem all that scary to Nathan, but he could get why Nora would be spooked by him. Big guy. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm very sorry, Nora." Yeonaixho said, and put his hand to his heart. He sounded genuinely, really apologetic. "I didn't know he would be so intimidating to you, and I wish I had prepared you further. I also didn't know he was going to go beat up someone or talk about throwing them in a cage." He huffed. "While I understand his motivations and intentions, I don't know if that was the best choice... regardless, I'm sorry." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She seemed surprised at Juno. “You- you didn’t… it’s not.. you didn’t make him… um.. do that. You don’t.. you don’t have to… be sorry.” She looked down at the blood for a moment, but closed her eyes quickly. The longer she was here, the more she started to hate the idea of fighting. “…he said.. he would make soup. So, um…. maybe he’s okay.. mmhm..” She let go of Nathan’s jacket finally and moved to sit somewhere comfortable. Away from the blood. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Nathan quietly watched as Nora ambled off, his attention darting over to the blood that still stained the ground where Rakin once was. Huh. "Hey, Naixho," he said, lightly tapping his shoulder. "I'm going to get some clay and leaves, and stuff, I'll be right outside." He certainly couldn't fix the entire roof on his own, but he could...try to patch it up a little bit. "You wanna hang with Nora?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Still. I felt like I should apologize." Yeonaixho said. "I hope he's okay, too." He followed Nora away from the blood, keeping his cane out to navigate the uneven ground. "That sounds like a good idea, Nathan." He hummed. "Good luck out there. Don't spend more time outside than you have to, I don't want you getting caught in the storm. I'll stay here with Nora." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora watched Juno as he sat, still confused. “Why… do you.. apologize?” She took the bundled up blanket and tried to hand it to him. “Do you.. want?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Eh, I'll be right in again," he assured, already heading to the door. "Stay cozy." Outside was just as bad as it was before, if not worse. Nathan gathered a decent bit of palm leaves for Nora (and to cover the Ghastly Stain on the ground), but it seemed that fixing the roof would be the worst of it. He could totally do the walls! But he could Not reach that roof. He watched Yeonaixho settle down next to Nora through the large gap in the wall, some little conversation amidst them. He hoped they'd be alright. They were a good pair. Clay /klā/ (πηλός) is mud, mud is not clay; clay is good for compost, bad for planting, easiest to get clay out of mud, it's sediment size is- Pressing his palms to the crusty, fall-apart wall, Nathan felt the bits of dried up mud between each plank. Petrichor was thick in the air; the scent of moisture and the earth, damp and wet and far too familiar. Like the smell of the pottery stations, or the first spring rains. He inhaled through his teeth, a tingling feeling running along his spine. Work your magic, king. There is clay in mud, in dirt, in soil; Mud [/məd/] is a soft, sticky matter resulting from the mixture of earth and wa- "Hai!" Nathan exclaimed, as the newly separated clay rushed upwards along the wooden planks. In only a moment or so, it pretty much solidified into a sturdy wall. There were still soft spots here and there, but he'd deal with that later. He gathered his leaves and moved onto the next one. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora watched Juno as he sat, still confused. “Why… do you.. apologize?” She took the bundled up blanket and tried to hand it to him. “Do you.. want?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Thank you," Yeonaixho smiled, and took the blanket. He wasn't super chilly, but he held it carefully in his lap so it wouldn't get muddy. "I apologized because I felt sorry, that's all. You were upset, and I felt bad." He shrugged. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

“So you… apologize when you.. feel bad for someone..?” She thought over this for a moment. “…um, I’m sorry… you can’t be with.. your family, Mister Juno. You.. you miss them. I feel.. sad. For you.” As she spoke, she began to pull out more string to make more blankets with. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"I do, at least. I think it's a nice way of letting someone know you're caring for them." He smiled. "Aw, thank you. I appreciate it. I really hope they're safe out there, wherever they are." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm. Um… I’m gonna eat.. my mango so I can make more.. blankets.” Her hands were free now, and she wouldn’t get any juice onto it with Juno holding the blanket now. She set aside the string she did have and started peeling her fruit. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That's a good idea. Good to keep your strength up. I think Moses left the crab, if you want to have some of that, too." He hummed. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She bit into her fruit, smiling at the sweetness. “Mhm. How do you.. eat crab? Do you eat like.. eat it like bug?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

The second wall went well, but the third and fourth walls went absolutely downhill. Nathan squinted upwards, hands planted on their hips. They'd take a crack at it later, maybe. Probably. Most certainly, but later. "Damn," he hummed, squinting at the roof. He probably needed more leaves than just this. The palm trees in the distance didn't seem too bad of an idea. Setting down the leaves, Nathan made his way over to the palm trees.

"Uh-" That caught Yeonaixho off guard. "Well, I guess you would. They're kinda bug like, aren't they? I don't eat crab, so I don't really know." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

[kinda gross. Bug talk.] “Bugs are hard.. they’re um.. crunchy. Um.. grasshoppers are.. I like them. It’s better to… cook them so.. um, you can’t get…..” She sat and hummed to herself, trying to remember the words. “Par…. pa.. parsites. Parsites are bad, they’re like, um… tiny tiny bugs that live.. in bigger ones. They hurt your tummy, but if you cook the.. the big bug they die.” She looked over at the basket of crabs. “Crabs look like big bugs.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Mhm, I know what parasites are. Generally, it's good to eat most things cooked to avoid them. The crab is cooked, so that solves that issue." Yeonaixho hummed, then laughed. "So I've heard. I think they're related to bugs, somehow." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora bit off some more of her mango before getting up to look at the cooked crabs. She pulls one out and returns to her spot, staring curiously at the crab. She turns it over in her hands for a moment before biting it. The shell was much harder than she was expecting. “Aa-! oww.. it’s. Hard.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Oh- be careful! Don't hurt yourself." Yeonaixho cautioned. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm.. h-how am I… supposed to eat it.. it’s too hard.” She sounded frustrated. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hmm- you could try cracking the shell open with your hands, and then eating the meat. I think that's how you're supposed to do it." Yeonaixho suggested. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Crack.. Okay.” She stares at it for a moment, before hitting the crab against the ground. It does nothing. She huffs and sets the crab away. “I can’t… mm.. get it.” She returns to eating her mango. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Do you want me to try?" Yeonaixho asked, extending his hand out so Nora could hand him the crab. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“…okay.” She sounded a little upset, but handed the crab over. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho attempted to crack open the crab with his hands, but couldn't. "Man, that's tough." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She scowled at the crab. “..stupid crab.” She returned to eating her mango. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Being the stubborn idiot he was. Yeonaixho kept trying. He wasn't getting anywhere though. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora kicked her feet around and she ate her mango, trying to push away her frustration. “..are they.. supposed to be.. easier to open?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I would think so..." Yeonaixho hummed as he worked. Eventually, he cracked the damn thing open. "Yes! Here you go, Nora." He handed it back to her. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Bwuah? You- you did it..! Thank you.” She eyed the crab meat for a moment and then dug in. “Oh, it’s-! It’s sweet..? Hmm.. and salty. I like it.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"No problem!" Yeonaixho smiled. "I'm glad you like it. If you want more, I could probably open another for you." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She smiled back. “I’m- I’m okay… um, thank you, Mister Juno. I wanna… make another blanket.. when I’m- when I’m done.” She took another big bite. Very nice. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Alright." Yeonaixho smiled, and leaned back a bit. "More blankets is a good idea. If you're feeling up for it, maybe you could make one for each of us- you, me and Nathan." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, okay!” She sounded happy. After a bit of munching, she finished. Wiping off her hands, she moves to start, but pauses. “..um, do you think.. Nathan would like.. a different color? The first blanket.. is red, but I can… try other colors. Do you think.. he’d like.. purple? His- his jacket.. is purple. And um.. so is his hair.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hmm... well, I think he'd like that, having a blanket in a color he likes. And since it's the color of his jacket, he probably likes purple." Yeonaixho nodded. "If you make one for me, you can make it whatever color you like." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She rocked happily. “Eeee yay! I never- I don’t get to make.. things for others.. ever. It’s.. it’s fun. hmmm.. pur…ple.. purple…” She closed her eyes and held her hands together, thinking about the purple of Nathan’s jacket. Opening her eyes and pulling out her string… it was purple!! “I- I did it!! Eheee..” She got to work on Nathan’s blanket, humming happily. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Yeonaixho smiled at Nora's expression of happiness, and laughed lightly. "It's nice to make things for people!" He agreed, but let Nora work without interruption. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm!” She started with getting lots of string, then weaving them together, just like before. Unlike before, she felt a little more like talking, distracting her a little from her work. “Um, I like- I like to make.. clothes for.. my dolls. But, mmm.. I like making.. things for people. People.. smile and say nnnice things.” This was nice. Having someone around. “I like.. being with people. Ummm.. sometimes.. it’s scary but when- when they’re.. nice, it’s… nice. Hee..” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You make clothes for dolls? That's really cool!" Yeonaixho smiled. He nodded. "Making things for people is really nice. Before my baby was born, I embroidered some little hats for her. She's still too little to fully appreciate them, I think, but it's really cute nonetheless." He smiled even more as she continued on. "I like being with nice people, too. I always feel safer than when I'm alone. I'm glad we have each other to keep company, Nora." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Distracting herself with talking, she messes up the weaving a little and needs to undo some work. It doesn’t bother her though. “Mmhm!! I really like it. It’s, hee.. it’s fun. Um, what’s- what is.. embroider..?” She continued to rock as they chatted. “I feel.. safe too. I don’t.. I don’t like being alone. I like.. I like talking.. with you and- and Nathan. Hee..” She smiled back. She felt so much happier than she ever did in that house. People here were nice and kind and didn’t yell and they talked about fun things. She was happy, even though she was stuck here. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Embroidery's when you sew a piece of fabric, but you make the stitches into a pretty pattern or a picture! I embroidered little hibiscus flowers onto Minerva's hats." Yeonaixho smiled. "I'm very happy you feel safe around me, and Nathan. It means a lot." He nodded. He was pretty at ease right now, and it was evident in his relaxed posture and facial expression. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Even with the setback and the distractions, she was making nice progress! “That.. that’s fun! Um, maybe.. maybe you can do it on.. or um.. I don’t think I.. have a needle to.. sow with. But if I- if I can get one, can… can you show me how to? Please?” “Hibiss… hibisskiss.. I like that. Hibisskissss. Heehee..” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'd love to show you!" Yeonaixho beamed. "Cross-stitch, the kind I do, isn't hard to learn at all. If we find some needles, I can definitely teach you!" He laughed. "It's a kind of flower! Jymaiyri grows them in our garden back home, and we decided they'd fit well for baby hats." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

The blanket was nearly done! It wasn’t her best work, but it was purple. “Yay! Heehee.. I like flowers. And, um.. I like stars. Um, I made.. I made some and put them on.. my clothes. Um, you can make.. wishes on stars. Is that.. true?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Stars are nice." Yeonaixho nodded, despite never having really experienced them. "You can make wishes on them! I never really did that, cause I can't see them and all, but it's definitely something people do." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

So some things in her books were true! That made her happy. “Stars are pretty. Um… I think… they’re like little suns, but you can.. only see them at night time when.. when the sun goes to sleep. Then the little suns come out. I think.. they’re warm, like- like the sun is. They look warm.” The blanket was finished. She held it in her lap, running her hands over it. It was a little messy but it was full of care. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Yeonaixho nodded along with all Nora told him. "They are the same as the sun- the way I learned it, the sun is a star that's closer to us, but I guess it also makes sense that all the stars are mini suns." He smiled. "I bet they are pretty warm." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mmhm! Um.. in my books, the stars.. fall down sometimes. And… and they’re warm and pretty and the animals like them.. but the stars need the sky.. they live there. So.. you have to help them back up.” She rocked as she spoke, remembering one of her favorite books. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho hummed in thought. "That's a very sweet story." He mused. "It's very nice of the animals to help the stars return home, even though they enjoyed their company on earth." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm! I really like it. The star.. it’s still in the sky.. so the animals can still see it and… and it makes them happy. And the star gets to.. be home.” Home… “um… what’s.. your home like, Mister Juno?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"My home? Do you mean where I grew up, or where I live now?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Um, where you.. live now.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Well, I live in the South Loucari with Jymaiyri, and now with Minerva too. It's pretty hot there, especially in the summertime, which is really different to where I grew up. I like it though. There's a lot of lush plant life everywhere. 'Mari and I live in a small city, and sometimes we'll go on trips out to the countryside to visit her family and such- she grew up out there, and still has some cousins she likes to keep in touch with." Yeonaixho began rambling. "I really like where we live, because we get the benefits of living in a city but also all the nice parts of being close to the countryside. It's really nice. I'm really happy I get to live there." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She nodded along, interested. “It’s hot where I.. lived too. There weren’t.. a lot of plants though. Cousins… you have.. a big family?” “Oh- um.. I should start.. making your blanket! Hmm..” Juno’s outfit was kinda yellow-y, but she liked the sky blue of his shirt. Focusing again, she tried to replicate it. …that was NOT blue. Oops. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Jymaiyri has a big family. Lots of cousins and siblings and such. I only have two half-siblings, and I'm really only close with my sister." He thought. "Oh, thank you! I don't mind whatever color you choose for it. They're all kind of the same to me." He laughed. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hmm… I don’t.. have any family. That.. that’s a lot of family.” The color she ended up with was more… purple grey. Not a color she liked. Trying again… It was a perfect match! “Hee.. I’m making.. it the color of.. your shirt. It’s the sky color.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"It's alright. You're always welcome with me and my family." Yeonaixho offered with a calm smile. He smiled more when Nora described the color of the thread. "Really? That's a good choice. And hey, with yours being red and Nathan's being purple, we all match!" Juno might not know too much about color but man knows blue and red make purple. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

‘You’re always welcome with me and my family.’ “I- I.. am?” Her voice broke a little, tears welling in her eyes. “M-me… fffamily…” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Yeonaixho's smile faltered only a moment as he heard Nora crying. "Well- yeah, of course! You've been really nice to me, and I'd want to return the favor. And anyways, I like having you around!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Family… home.. safe. She.. she did feel safe. Juno would never hurt her. With a sniffle leading into a sob, Nora held Juno’s hand. “I- hh- I like… h-having.. you a-around too..” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Yeonaixho smiled, and wrapped his fingers around Nora's. "Thank you, Nora. That means a lot to hear." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She sat and cried for a bit, a mixture of happiness and relief. She would never be alone again. “Th-thank you.. thank you…” She was trying to calm, like Juno has taught her to. Yet, it sort of felt… good to cry. She wasn’t worried about being weak now. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Yeonaixho let Nora have her tears. It would be good for her, to express herself in that way. "You don't have to thank me. But you're welcome, anyways." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

After a bit, she calmed down a little. “Y-you.. you made me.. fffamily… it’s really.. nice. You’re sssso nice…” She sniffled a little more. “If.. if we’re family… are- are you.. my- my dad?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Aw, thank you." Yeonaixho smiled. His smile only grew as Nora asked her question. "Well, if that's something you'd like, sure! I can be your dad." He nodded. His emotion peaked through his voice. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She smiled brightly and squeezed his hand. “Hee.. dad.. um.. if you’re.. my dad, then.. is- is your.. Jymaiyri my.. mom?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho nodded. "Yeah, I'd think so. I think she'll like you a lot. And Minnie's your little sister!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Heehee.. yay! And a.. a little sister.. am I.. a big sister?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yep! You've got a little sister. And you're her big sister!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She swayed a bit. “Heehee… I get.. I get a family… Minnie and.. Jymaiyri. Hmmhmm..um.. can you- can you tell me more.. about them?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Of course," Yeonaixho smiled. "Hmm... what to tell. Jymaiyri works as a botanist- that's plant science. She actually is a doctor in botany. We met in college together, and we've been married for about eight years now! Minerva's our little baby. She was born about six months ago, and she's still really little. She's just starting to eat solid foods now, though, which is really exiciting. She really likes avocado, and mangos too. That's something you two have in common." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“A.. plant doctor. Wow… I didn’t know that.. um, plants get sick! Um.. what’s a.. collage? College.” Now was a good time to start working on Juno’s… dad’s? Blanket. She started getting more string out. “Hmm… Minnie.. mini. She couldn’t eat.. before?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Jymaiyri knows a lot about trees and plants. You should ask her more about it, when you two meet." Yeonaixho nodded. It was a when, not an if, that Jymaiyri and Nora would meet. "A college is like- a big fancy school you can go to, to learn and study things." "Kinda. When babies are really little, they can only really drink milk. That's most of what she's eating, still." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm! I want to meet her. School…. I- I’ve never seen.. a school. What is.. what’s it like?” She tilted her head. “Babies.. only eat milk? Huh… but she can eat food now?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It's nice. I really liked my time at college. You go to your classes, you hang out with your friends- all my friends were nerds like me. I studied health science." "Yup. They aren't developed enough to eat other foods til they're about six months old. Minerva can solid food now, as long as it's mushed-up enough. She doesn't have very many teeth yet." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora got to work on his blanket. After some practice, she was starting strong! “Health.. are you.. also a doctor? And.. Minnie doesn’t.. have teeth?? Babies don’t.. have teeth… why? Where did.. they go?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm an occupational therapist! It's kind of like a doctor. I help people who are hurt or sick recover or develop skills." He explained. "Nope. No teeth. Babies are born without any teeth, and they grow as they get older. It's just part of how they grow." He laughed. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Wow.. that’s- that’s nice. You.. you help.. a lot of people! Hee.. no teeth.. I didn’t- I didn’t know that. So they can’t.. chew so they need.. milk. Minnie has some teeth.. she can eat.. mango. Hmm.. does she.. have a favorite animal?” Little mistake on the blanket, but no big deal! @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I try to." Yeonaixho smiled, then laughed. "Yup. She's got a few tiny little baby teeth. We don't know if she has a favorite animal, she can't talk yet either." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Huh?? She.. why can’t.. she talk??” Very good work on blanket. Just a little more.. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"She just doesn't know how yet. She doesn't know what words mean what things. She's learning, though. She's really good at making the different sounds." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Huh… she’s too.. little to know words.. lots of words to learn. Okay. She.. she can’t say anything??” Apparently this amazed her so much she messed up her weaving. One more time.. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, she can make sounds, but I don't think she knows what any of them mean. But if she's upset she'll cry, and if she's happy she'll laugh, and we can usually figure out whatever she wants just from that." Yeonaixho hummed. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Ohh… okay! She.. can’t talk now, but.. she can still… um.. you still understand.” Nora smiled and held up her work. “I- I finished your blanket Mister Juno!” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho nodded. "Yeah, that's a good way to put it." He smiled more as Nora announced the completion of his blanket. "Really? You worked fast! May I see it?" He held out his hands so Nora could hand it to him. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She smiled and handed over her work, rocking happily. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho ran his hands over the blanket. "This is really well made! It's nice and soft, but strong enough that it'll last well in bad weather. Great work, Nora!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hee.. I’m.. I’m glad you like it. Mm.. I’m hungry again.. lot of work..” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I think there should be more crab, if you want that." Yeonaixho suggested. "I wish we had more fruit. I hope that's what Nathan ran off to get." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm.. fruit.. crabs is.. hard. But… can I have some?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"If you want more, you can have more! I can open it again if you want." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Yes please.” She yawned a little. Hard work making blankets! @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho reached over to the crab basket, grabbed a new one, and absolutely failed at cracking it open. Man, he sucks at this. "Hm. Give me some time." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Okay..” She moved Nathan and Juno’s blanket so she could lean on them a bit. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

This time, it took Yeonaixho considerably less time to crack open the crab. "Yes! Here you go, Nora!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Yay! Hee.. thank you.” Munch munch :) @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Well, Agustin and Rakin had left without a word, so Moses was left alone as he finished picking food for the soup. After getting a bunch of everything, Moses made his way back towards the barracks. "Hey, I'm back," he announced as he got to the entrance. "There was a whole bunch of stuff on the farm. This soup is gonna be awesome," Moses chuckled. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You're welcome!" Yeonaixho smiled, then tilted his head up as Moses returned. "Oh, hello again, Moses." He waved, but didn't get up. "Is Agustin there too?" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Happy and comfy on her blankets eating crab, Nora was on cloud nine. Then that scary guy from before was here. She jumped a little when Moses suddenly appeared. Juno didn’t seem worried, though. She relaxed just a bit. “Soup… um.. what did.. you get?” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Rakin woke up and took Agustin back to the other side. He got to pick some oranges though, so.. I guess it worked out," Moses shrugged as he started working on a fire pit outside the hut. "I got some good stuff, kid. Potatoes, corn, carrots. Plenty of it too. With the crab, it'll make for a hefty soup for everyone during the storm. Nice and toasty," Moses replied. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Huh.... well, at least we don't have to deal with him anymore." Yeonaixho said in reference to Rakin. "Oh, that sounds good." He nodded as Moses described the soup. Man loves a good soup. "I hope you two enjoy it. I don't eat meat, so I'll pass on the crab soup." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm.. okay. That’s.. a lot.” She sounded happy about it, but still a little wary of Moses. She titled her head at Juno. “Why.. don’t you eat.. meat?” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, you're vegetarian, Yeonaixho? No worries. I can grill some veggies on the side for you so you can still have warm food to eat," Moses said. "Make some kabobs or something," he chuckled as he got a fire going. Much like with the basket, Moses created kitchen equipment from his crystals. Seems like he was used to having to make stuff on the spot with them. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Thanks, Moses. I appreciate it." Yeonaixho smiled. Turning back to Nora, he explained, "I just don't, I guess. When I was younger I stopped eating meat, cause I had this weird paranoia my healing powers would affect it somehow without my knowing and make me sick. I've been vegetarian for so long now, it just kind of makes sense for me." He shrugged. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora watched Moses curiously, mesmerized by the way the fire glimmered on the gems. She titled her head as she listened to Juno. “Oh.. mm, that would… if the food.. got better in you that.. would be bad, mhm.. then they’d.. be like p.. parsites. Bleh..” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Moses hummed as he listened to Yeonaixho. "Interesting. I never thought of healing powers in that way before," he commented as he created a big stew pot out of crystals. He turned to Nora and smiled a bit, "Hey, kiddo. Do you want to help me for a bit? I could use an extra hand on peeling the veggies." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho laughed. "Yeah, it'd be pretty bad. Best just to stay safe, I guess." "I can help, if you need someone to peel vegetables." He offered, at Moses's question. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Huh? Um..” She looked at Juno. “Um.. I don’t.. I don’t know how.. to do that..” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh? If you can too, Yeonaixho, that's even better. We can teach ya, kid," Moses smiled even more. He always liked cooking in a group. "It's easy, trust me. You just gotta be careful with your grip and aim, but it's always more fun with people to talk to while you do it." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'd love to help." Yeonaixho said, and moved over to where Moses was working. He beckoned Nora over to join them. "It really is easy. We'll show you how." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm.. o-okay.” She scooched a little closer, watching them closely. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Moses had created a work island and utensils like knives, cutting boards, and peelers out of crystals, making the scene look like a really weird, yet expensive play kitchen. "This is a vegetable peeler. It'll be easier and safer to use than a knife to peel things," Moses said as he held up the crystal peeler in his hand to show Nora. "Yeonaixho, the table is in front of you, the fire and the pot are about five feet to your left, the cutting boards are on the table, with the knives and peelers in the center. I organized the veggies in their own separate piles on the opposite edge of the boards." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Thank you," Yeonaixho nodded as Moses described his surroundings. The detailed description was incredibly helpful, as he didn't need to fumble around for a few minutes, and he got to work quickly peeling some potatoes. He tried to hold his hand in a way Nora would easily be able to see what he was doing. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora stared at the scene, watching Juno carefully to figure out the right thing to do. “…where did.. you get.. um.. this?” She pointed at the tools. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

4:22 PM

@Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses began peeling one of the carrots and looked over to Nora as she asked her question. "Oh, I guess I haven't told you yet," Moses hummed before holding a hand towards Nora. In his palm, a small teddy bear made of crystals formed. It was no bigger than a finger, but the details on it were quite fine. It even had a small bow on its neck. "My powers are crystals. I can create them from nothing, and mold them like clay. I've had to make this whole makeshift kitchen before, so I'm already quite used to having to make all of these things," he explained with a small smile. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"It's a pretty useful power to have." Yeonaixho nodded as Moses explained his power, but otherwise worked happily in silence. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

When Moses produced the bear Nora’s eyes lit up, amazed. “W.. wow…” Her hands moved towards it tentatively. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Moses slowly moved the bear closer to Nora and smiled a bit more. "You can have it. It'll be a nice little gift from this otherwise weird situation," he joked lightly with a small laugh. "I feel a bit safer if you start out peeling the veggies with the peeler. I can show you how to use it with the carrots while Yeonaixho peels the potatoes, Nora." "Oh, and just for context, I made a small crystal bear to demonstrate my power, Yeonaixho." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"I figured it was something like that." Yeonaixho hummed, a light air to his voice. To Nora, he said. "Moses is right, the vegetable peeler is much safer, especially since you're just starting out. It's got a guard around the blade, so it's not as easy to accidentally slip. Though if anyone does get hurt, it should be too difficult for me to patch either of you up." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She stares at the bear before quickly snatching it, not letting him change his mind. She stared at it, rocking a little and running her fingers over the smooth surface. ..vegetable peeler? “Oh-! Um- okay.” She grabbed at the tool, still holding the bear. “Um…wh.. what.. do you want me to.. peel?” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm glad to have more medics around here. Who knows what could happen to any of us out here," Moses said with a small sigh of relief before smiling a bit more at Nora. "You may want to put the bear down or in a pocket somewhere, kiddo. You're going to need to two hands to handle peeling," Moses instructed gently and picked up the carrot he was working on again. "Using the peeler, you're going to want to angle it down away from you. Start at the tip closest to you, then slide down against the vegetable, in this case, the carrot, to peel off the outside skin. Then you just keep rotating the vegetable until all of the skin is off. See? Easy." Moses demonstrated with his own peeler and carrot, hoping Nora would follow along. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho nodded, and listened as Nora and Moses talked but otherwise kept to himself and peeled his potatoes. Yipeee. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Oh, mhm..” Nora sets her peeler down to focus on her bear. She pulls out a thin red string from her empty hand, now closed in a fist. She ties the bit of string around the bear’s neck, pausing for a moment. She decides to wear it like a necklace. With both hands free she returns to the peeler, picking up a carrot like Moses. She rubs the blade along the carrot, making messy peels. “Am- am I.. doing it right?” She presents the carrot to Moses. It looks a little rough. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @ajjjjjjjj (edited)

Moses smiled warmly as he watched Nora wear the bear. How cute. "It looks good on ya, kid. Nora put the bear on a string and is wearing it like a necklace, Yeonaixho," he complimented before watching Nora carefully. He nodded and smiled. "Good job, kiddo. Not bad for your first time. Now we can just put them in a pile of finished ones and continue with the rest. We got a lot to get through." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Aw, that sounds cute." Yeonaixho smiled warmly, but still focused on his own work. He didn't want to interrupt Moses's teaching. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora smiled brightly at the compliments and continued her carrots. Not super even or anything impressive, but pretty decent work!! “Hee..heeheehee.. um, thank you.. for the bear. I really.. I really like it.” She smiled at Moses and swayed happily. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses nodded and continued with his own peeling. "No problem, kid. If you ever want anything else, I'd be happy to make it for you," he hummed. "Where did Nathan run off to? I thought he was going to help out with building the hut up." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"He fixed up a few of the walls, but then he left. Nora, do you remember what direction he left in?" Yeonaixho asked. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“R-really? I would… I’d really like that, hee. Umm.. Nathan.. he was.. he was getting.. leaves so.. maybe he went.. to the.. the tree place. The farm..?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

He raised a brow and looked back towards the direction he just came from. "Hm, guess I must of missed him then," Moses shrugged. "But yeah, it's no problem, kid, so don't be afraid to ask," he smiled as he continued peeling the carrots. "Hopefully we can finish this before the storm comes. We'll have some cozy food for cold weather. Nothin' better than that." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I hope he's coming back with more food. If more people show up, it'd be a shame if we couldn't feed them..." Yeonaixho hummed. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, maybe.. maybe he can bring.. more mango. Um, Mister Moses.. I- I did it..” There was a nice little pile of peeled carrots. Some of them were… uneven. But it was mostly good! @ajjjjjjjj @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"If you guys want some fruit, I'd be happy to go get more after we toss everything into the pot," Moses commented before turning to Nora's pile of carrots. "Awesome, kiddo! Looks great. I'll start cutting these and the rest of the veggies. Then we'll just toss everything into the pot with some water and the crabs, then we'll garnish with the herbs. I wish we had salt or some sort of seasoning, but the soup should still be nice and hearty," Moses mused. "And the veggies should at least have some nice char for ya, Yeonaixho." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"More fruit would be nice." Yeonaixho hummed. "Depending on what's grown in the farm, we might be able to find some onion or garlic or something. That would be nice." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mhm! Hee.. I love fruit. Um.. do- do you have.. a favorite fruit, Mister Moses? I like- I like mango! And.. and Mister Juno, he.. he likes apricots.” She rocks happily as she speaks. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"Oh, I got some onions and garlic already, so need to worry about aromatics," Moses chuckled. "Oooh, mangoes and apricots are really tasty, yeah. I'm partial to dragon fruit. The red ones are my favorite. Mm, I also really like Logan fruit and watermelon. Honestly, I'm a fruit kind of guy," he laughed some more. "I had my hands full with this stuff here already, but I'll grab more fruit later. They'll make for some nice snacks during the storm." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"Oh, that sounds wonderful. I, obviously, did not see them." Yeonaixho laughed. "Mhm, my wife likes dragonfruit." He almost thought to suggest getting some for her, before she remembered Jymaiyri wasn't there. "That's a good idea. We should stock up on as much as we can before the storm gets bad, just incase we'll be stuck here for a while." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Nora’s eyes went wide. “D-Dragon fruit!? Wow!! Does it- does it come.. um, come from.. real dragons??” Her fingers drummed on the table excitedly. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yeah, my son loves dragon fruit too. It's hard to eat any when he's at my place, he'll beat me to it all," Moses chuckled as he started cutting the veggies into smaller pieces. "And unfortunately, dragon fruit doesn't come from actual dragons. I know, I was bummed out when I learned that too. They get their name from its appearance. It's bright red and has these spike looking things coming from its skin. It makes it look like scales on a dragon," he explained. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho laughed, both as Moses's anecdote and Nora's question. "I would think there'd be dragonfruit in the farmland. We didn't find any earlier, but I don't think that farm is as organized as it could be." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Oh…” Nora was in fact bummed out by this. “B-but… dragons.. dragons are.. real.. right?” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Moses hummed and tossed the chopped veggies into the pot of boiling water. "I'll have to go look, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was any," he nodded. He smiled a bit at Nora and started cracking some of the crabs open. "Dragons are real. They may not exist in some worlds, but they're real. Would you like to meet one some day, Nora?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho began dicing the potatoes as he finished peeling them, but let Nora and Moses have their conversation. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora smiled wide. “Eeheheee!! Yay!! I want- I wanna meet one!! Um, in- in my books… most dragons are- most are mean.. and scary but I wanna meet.. a nice one!!” Her voice was getting louder the more excited she got. It was usually so light and quiet. She’s really excited. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm sure you'll meet one one day, kid. I'm sure there's a nice one out there who would like to meet you too," he nodded as he tossed the crabs into the pot. Moses then chopped and peel the onions and garlic. He tossed those into the pot as well before turning back to the two. "Do you guys want some corn? I could grill some up real quick. Bet they're nice and sweet." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh- some corn sounds great! Thank you, Moses." Yeonaixho smiled. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Yes please!! Hee.. um.. can I help?” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Moses nodded and picked up a few cobs. "Mhm. Could you help me peels these too, kiddo? This one you can do with your hands. You just peel the skin off and break the end off," he explained as he peeled the corn clean so you could see all of the kernel. He then created a skewer, out of crystals of course, and stuck it through the cob. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I can help too, if you need." Yeonaixho said. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm.. okay!” She peeled the leaves off with little effort. “Um.. do you.. want these.. stringy bits, Mister Moses?” She showed the cob to him. (Fun fact that hair is called corn silk!) @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'd appreciate it, Yeonaixho," Moses hummed and pushed some cobs towards the other man. "I put them beside you on your left. And no thanks, kiddo. Those pieces get stuck to your teeth if you keep 'em on," he replied with a shake of his head. Moses made a few more crystal skewers and shoved them through more corn. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho hummed in acknowledgement, and began shucking the ears of corn- it was clear he'd done this kind of labor before. It was also pretty clear he wasn't the type of guy who talked a lot while he worked. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

“Mm, okay.” Nora happily picked away at the strings. Once she finished that, she moved on to the next piece. “Mm.. um, Mister Moses.. can you, um.. make pop- um.. popcorn from this?” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Moses appreciated all of the help, even if Yeonaixho didn't speak much during so. "Popcorn? Hm, probably. I've never tried it before in a pot or anything, but if I made a lid for it and cooked it over a fire, there's probably a good chance it'll work," Moses chuckled. "I wish we had someone who had fire powers. It'd be nice to keep a constant fire source available.." He commented, not really towards anyone. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, Popcorn would be nice. Maybe we can set aside a few ears of corn to experiment with that." Yeonaixho suggested. "J haven't met anyone with fire powers yet. But then again, I'm sure there's people here I haven't met." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hee.. yay! Um.. I haven’t.. met anyone with fire too. Um… there was.. a boy with w-wind… and um.. someone with.. a weird face..” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yeah, I'll set aside a couple," Moses nodded as he did just that, before raising a brow towards Nora. "Someone with a weird face..? What do you mean by that, Nora?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hm? What were they like?" Yeonaixho asked further. He didn't want to bombard Nora with questions, though. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

“Umm… it didn’t.. their face.. didn’t move when.. it talked.” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Their face didn't move..?" He repeated. "They must of been wearing a mask of some sort. I met another child with a mask, but they were quite emotive," Moses chuckled faintly. "Well, regardless, that is interesting," he shrugged and started to roast some of the corn. The smell of both the corn and soup would start to fill the air. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That would make sense." Yeonaixho hummed in thought. He leaned back on his wrists as Moses cooked, savoring the smells. "What were they like?" Yeonaixho asked Nora again. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm.. I don’t.. I don’t know what.. a mask is.. um.. it said a lotta words.. I didn’t.. understand. Like um… in.. in-vi-ro-mint.. and um… decor..? Decor.. ration.” She scrunched her face as she tried to remember the words. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Nora's vague description didn't help much, but he figured the kid didn't mean to not be descriptive. "A mask is something used to cover up your face. It can have colors or designs on it to look like a face, or not, but it's main purpose is to hide a person's identity," Moses explained and flipped over the cobs. "But don't worry about the details, kiddo. As long as they didn't hurt you or anything." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (edited)

"'Environment' is kind of just a fancy word for 'a place'," Yeonaixho explained to Nora. "And 'decoration' is things you put on something to make it look nicer. Like my embroidery I was telling you about earlier." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She tilted her head a little as she thought about them. “Um.. no. They didn’t.. they didn’t hurt me… they were.. scary. Um.. there was.. a lady with them. She didn’t hurt me too.. mm.. I don’t.. I don’t know them. I don’t.. remember the.. their names.” Once the mask was explained, Nora nodded her head in understanding. “Ohh… um, it- they said.. the mask was a deco-ration. Mm.. so it’s like… like a costume?” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Seems like these people were too scary for Nora to remember. All well. Moses figured he could beat them up if necessary (not like he wasn't also a scary person to Nora like ten minutes ago) "Mm, I see. A mask usually is part of a costume, so that makes sense," Moses nodded before taking the corn off the fire. "Alright, corns ready! I'm gonna hand it to ya. Make sure to blow on it first. It'll be piping hot," Moses smiled as he offered the first two cobs to Nora and Yeonaixho. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That's alright. We'll try to avoid them, if we can." Yeonaixho reassured. "Oh, exciting!" He smiled as Moses distributed the corn, and took the cob he'd been offered. He gave it a moment to chill before eating. "Thank you for preparing all this, Moses!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

(Sorry Cane and Isabel, everyone is scary to this traumatized little girl.) Any sort of worry she showed immediately melted away at the sight of food. She snatched it hungrily, but stopped just before biting into it. Good thing she was warned. “Heehheehee!! Hee… thank you!!” She fidgeted in her seat as she waited for it to cool. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Moses smiled brightly at the two. "No problemo. I quite enjoy cooking, especially this kind where there are people cooking with me. Makes it more fun, despite the situation, yknow?" He chuckled a bit before starting to cook the other cobs. "I don't get to cook for a lot of people often, so this is rather nice." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho hummed pleasantly. "Yeah, I get that. I like cooking with people, too. It's pretty fun, when you're in good company." He laughed. Once he figured his corn had cooled off enough, he took a bite off the side. Chomp. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora saw that Juno had started to eat his corn and bit directly into hers. She struggled for a moment, as she tried to tear away from the hard cob and not just eat the kernels. After a moment she figured it out, and was rewarded. It was rather sweet! She absolutely loved it. “THIS-! ah, this is!! Um, really good!! Thank you!!! Hee… I like- I like cooking t-too!! It’s… it’s fun, heehee..” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

He let out a hearty laugh as he watched the two, happy they seemed to like the food. "I'm glad you like it, kiddo. There'll be more if you want any," Moses smiled as he finished grilling the other few cobs. Seeing more dark clouds rolling in, Moses stepped over to the pot of soup and gave it a quick taste test. "Mm, the soup is pretty good despite no seasoning. I'm going to move it inside for now. Looks like the storm is going to be rolling in soon. Would you like a bowl, Nora?" Moses asked as he propped the soup bowl off from the fire. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"This is pretty good." Yeonaixho smiled. He hadn't eaten much the last few hours, so a meal of grilled corn was pretty good. He paused though, as the weather worsened. "Hm, smells like storm." He commented idly. "I hope everyone out there gets to shelter... we haven't heard from Nathan in a bit, I'm starting to get kind of worried." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora was enthusiastically eating her corn for a while, but after a bit she started to slow. She started to feel a bit nauseous.. she set away her corn, frowning at it. “Mmgh…” She rubbed at her face, taking shallow breaths through her mouth. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Moses' smile fell a bit as he settled the pot of soup onto the ground in the barrack. "Yeah, you two should get inside," he nodded and began cleaning everything up before giving Nora a concerned look. "Are you alright, kid? Corn isn't too sweet is it?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho leaned over to Nora, his brow knotting in concern. "Are you okay, Nora? Can you describe how you're feeling to me?" He had a suspicion of what might be causing her to feel bad. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Her hands dug into the ground below as the nausea built. “I.. fffeel sick. Mmhhh…” She shut her eyes tight to try to make herself feel less wobbly. @ajjjjjjjj @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Oh no.. the corn didn't have any bugs or anything on them, did they? Or germs that we're not used to because we're in space??" Moses worried he may of fed both Nora and Yeonaixho something bad. "Yeonaixho, can you help her??" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That could be it, though since I'm not having any symptoms, I think there's a more likely cause." Yeonaixho explained. "Sometimes, when someone's malnourished, eating too much at once can make them sick." "I can help," He turned back to Nora. "I'll have to put my hand on your stomach, though. Are you okay with that?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Her breathing gradually got more shallow. She shook her head no, but stopped quickly as it just made her more nauseous. “N-no.. don’t- hh.” That awful feeling was here. She stood up quickly, stumbling out of the barracks and then [gross] threw up in the sand. She coughed a bit before crawling away from the mess. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Malnourished??" Moses asked with deep concern, but was taken aback when Nora had gone out of the barracks. He followed to where she fell and gently put his hand on her back. "Hey, hey. Breathe, kid. Get it all out," Moses coaxed her quietly before turning back towards the barracks. "She's over here, Yeonaixho," he called to him. There wasn't much Moses could do to help physically, so he could only help the other man could. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho neared Nora cautiously, making an effort not to touch you. "Take some deep breaths. Are you sure you don't want me to heal you? I can do it by having my hand on my lower back, if you don't want me touching your stomach." He offered. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora flinched away from Moses, but calmed a little as she listed to Juno. “Eeugh… um.. okay.. um.. can we go in first… it’s.. it’s cooold.” She still sounded a little rough. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Moses gently removed his hand from Nora, not surprised by her flinching. He nodded and backed away from the kid to give her some space. "Alright, just take it easy," he commented. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Of course. Let's head over there." Yeonaixho said, and began leading Nora back over to the barracks. He offered her his hand for support whenever he thought she might need it. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

She gingerly took the hand, her touch hesitant and light. Once they were inside, Nora sat on the blankets, her breathing still a little shallow. “Um.. p-please… please tell me when… when you’ll touch me. Please..” She seemed to be bracing herself for the healing. @ajjjjjjjj @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Yeonaixho led Nora steadily back to the barracks, and sat down next to her on the blanket. "I'll give you a countdown before I touch you, from three. When I say 'one', I'll put my hand on your back to heal you, and if you want me to stop at any point you can say so and I will. Does that sound alright?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She pulled out her cat, the little beads within shifting as she fidgeted with it. “Mhm.. th..thank you..” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm, of course." Yeonaixho said. He extended his hand so it hovered over Nora's lower back. "Alright. Three... two... one..." At 'one', he pressed his hand gently to Nora's back, and began to heal her. The process was slower than it might've been had he healed her from the stomach, but she'd soon feel relief from the nausea and pain as he eased her digestion. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

With the warning the touch wasn’t so bad, but the longer it took the more she wanted to squirm away. Over time she started to relax, holding her cat close and squeezing its paws. She felt a much less nauseous and her stomach hurt less. She let out a little relieved sigh as Juno worked. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

The longer Yeonaixho worked, the better Nora would begin to feel. "How are you feeling? Is this helping?" He asked partially through his work. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Her breathing had mostly returned to normal now. “Mhm. i feel… I feel better.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm glad to hear it." Yeonaixho smiled, and slowly took his hand away. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Now that her stomach had settled, she was starting to feel hungry again. “Um.. can.. can I eat? Or, um.. is it still.. still bad..?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"If you're hungry, you should eat. But make sure to eat slowly." Yeonaixho cautioned. "The soup Moses made would probably be a good thing for you to eat to start with." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, okay. Um.. Mister Moses, can.. can I have some soup?” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Moses had gone back into the barracks as Yeonaixho helped Nora out. He trusted the man enough to help the kid without him. Moses had silently dissolved most of the crystals outside and moved whatever he still needed inside. The soup pot was sitting against a wall, thankfully still quite hot. The roasted veggies were sat on a crystal shelf built next to it. He smiled as Nora seemed to feel better and nodded. "Of course kid. Here," Moses said and created a small bowl and spoon for Nora. He poured a small amount of the soup into the bowl, only about half of the portion, before handing it to Nora. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho had heard Moses bringing everything in, and wasn't too surprised when he neared him and Nora. "Thank you, Moses." He nodded. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She took the bowl, now with much less fervor than before. She eyed the soup for a moment before sipping at it, eyes widening with delight. She did her best to go slow, but was still eating it rather quickly. Like someone was going to take it from her. “It’s.. it’s really good!! Um, thank you.” @ajjjjjjjj @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

He chuckled faintly as he saw Nora eat. "You're welcome. There's plenty to go around, kid. So, don't feel rushed," Moses reassured Nora before turning towards Yeonaixho. "There's still plenty of roasted veggies if you want them too, Yeonaixho. Do you want some?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yeah, I'll take some more." Yeonaixho nodded, keeping his attention mostly on Nora. "Thank you." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She pouted a little. “I.. I am eating slowly…” She didn’t seem to realize she was rushing. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Moses chuckled faintly. "Right.. Here, Yeonaixho. More corn and a kabob of mixed veggies," he said as he handed the other man more food. "I hope more people start showing up soon.. The storm is going to get bad any minute now." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Thank you," Yeonaixho took the food from Moses with a nod, and took a bite from the kabob. "Oh- slow down, Nora." He cautioned. "If you eat too fast, you'll get sick again." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

She set down her spoon a little hard, frustrated. “I.. I’m trying..! I’m.. I’m eating slow..” She watched as Juno ate his corn. “…you’re.. really slow.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena arrived at the barracks. Awkwardly, she made her way inside with all of the supplies she and Nathan had gathered. "H-hello..?" She called out. "I, uh- Brought stuff.. Before the storm hits.." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"I guess I do," Yeonaixho laughed, then tilted his head up as Celena and Nathan entered. "Oh, hello! Is that you, Celena?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Y-yeah, it's me." She did an awkward little shuffle closer towards where Yeonaixho was at with both Nora and Moses. "Hi, I have stuff-" At Moses and Nora, she gave them a small nod. "Hi, nice to meet you.." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Oh, looks like more people were coming in after all. Moses scooted a bit back into the barracks, making room for whoever was going to be coming in. He smiled at Celena, though mentally noted that this was yet another kid on their side. "Hey there, kid. Nice to meet you too, Celena. I'm Moses," he greeted before gesturing towards the bowl of soup. "There's some warm food over there--Seafood soup and roasted veggies, if you want any. It'll keep you toasty during the storm." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora stared at the newcomer, seeing that she was with Nathan and Juno knew her, she was.. probably safe. “…um.…hello.” She continued to stare. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"This is Nora." Yeonaixho gestured to the girl closer to him. "Nora, this is Celena. She's nice. She's another healer, like me." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Celena attempted to give a wave. As she did so, some of the leaves in her arms fluttered to the floor. Slowly, she knelt to the floor and began to unload her stuff. "Hi, Nora, Moses, nice to meet you both.. I have leaves for the shelter, and I have some strawberries, mangoes, and some other veggies.." She cleared her throat. "I- Appreciate the soup, but- It's okay, you guys can enjoy the soup yourselves. I appreciate it. Though, I mayyyy take some roasted veggies if it's really okay.." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Mangoes…. Ohh, but she didn’t want to be sick again… She finally looked away from Celena and turned to Juno. “Um.. Mister Juno can… can I have a mango..? I’ll eat.. I’ll eat it slow..!” She really wanted that mango. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"The corn is pretty good, I can vouch for it." Yeonaixho told Celena. "That should be alright- as long as you eat it slowly." Yeonaixho cautioned. "I'd hate for you to get sick again." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (y'all wanna make a thread?)

(:3

)

(Sounds good to me!)

Not too much later, a toad hopped in and settled along the wall. And then a little flame began to burn in the far corner of the room.

An owl flew in and perched where it could observing those inside.

Theora is totally here I didn't forget.

…There was a discarded red blanket here, along with some makeshift children’s toys. Maybe someone else could make use of them.

1

Sovran made his way to the barracks with Maia in tow. The large crab floated above them as they headed over. Immediately, Maia headed to the blanket and toys. Surprisingly, the toys began to float near her as she settled down to a seated position. Using the same power that Sovran was wielding at the moment, the toddler began to play with the toys. “Be careful with those, Maia,” Sovran warned as he set down the crab. “Those may be someone’s. Be careful not to break them, kid.” Maia hardly paid him any mind as she continued to play. The man shook his head and created another knife. Now, it was time to start prepping this crab. @soul | 🎻 (in case you’d still like them to talk FHDKDBDJDJ but if not it’s okay)

After that fight, Mallon had disappeared. Sad. Miles had liked chatting to them. As he oft did when he didn't know what to do, he just started wandering. And thus wander he did! To the barracks. Then. Large fuckass crab. And some guy. "WHOA WHAT IS THAT!" Miles did not hold back from yelling, staring at the crab. He didn't even notice Sovran or Maia, or at least he didn't acknowledge either of them. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran, who had been pretty deep into cutting away into the claws, poked his head out from behind the crab where he had been somewhat hidden. “It’s a crab.” Sovran answered with a raised eyebrow. “A big one- Who’re you?” @soul | 🎻

"A crab.......I don't know what that is," Miles said, all in one thought. He approached the crab and poked it with his finger. Then he turned to Sovran and gave a little wave. "I'm Miles! Is this your crab?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Oh- Uh, a crab is like an underwater spider that comes on land," Sovran explained. "You can eat these. It's a crab that Jymaiyri, Yeonaixho, and I killed." Sovran looked at Miles. Oh god, another child. There were so many children around. "Nice to meet ya, Miles. I'm Sovran. That over there-" He motioned to Maia. "Is Maia." @soul | 🎻

Miles knew what spiders were. "I think a spider crawled on my hand when I was blurry and there was stuff on my fingers after." Well, now he didn't need to ask if he could eat it. He neared closer, eyes lighting up. "I know Jymairyi! She has the cool baby!" He sat down next to the crab, experimentally tapping on it as Sovran introduced himself and Maia, only to ask, "Can I eat it now?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

When he was blurry? Was that some type of new slang the kids were saying these days? This man was definitely out of the loop. "That might've been the spider's web. Crabs don't have that. They only have big meaty claws." Sovran hummed. "Minerva is pretty cool, I agree. As for eating the crab- It's gotta be cooked first." @soul | 🎻

"Oh. Mallon was saying that food's better fresh." Miles continued to inspect the crab, not that he knew where to look. "She liked it when I stretched but Jymairyi didn't." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Well, it is pretty fresh. It was killed not too long ago." Along with himself, but Sovran didn't want to bring that up. The man couldn't help but frown. "When you stretched..? What'd you mean by that?" @soul | 🎻

Miles tried to listen to Sovran but- "Hold on, there's a girl speaking to me, uhm." And for about five minutes, Miles just sat there listening and talking to himself, getting more and more confused. Then concerned. Maybe a little frightened, if he knew what was good for him. Then he eyed Sovran, and the crab, blinked a couple times and tried to move past it. "Uh. Wha'd you say?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran blinked a few times. What was this kid going on about???? "You good, kid?" Sovran asked in a softer yet cautious tone. "You looked a bit spooked there. I was just askin' what you meant about the whole stretchin' thing." @soul | 🎻

"I just had a girl talking in my head... about killing me? Kinda. I think. I dunno." Miles took a little while to shrug it off, at least partially. "Oh, the stretching!" And. There he went. His arm did that horrible cracking as he stretched his arm out to loop around the crab. "Like this!" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I get that, I've had that before," Sovran shuddered. "But that sounds weird for it to just suddenly appear- Holy fish- What in the world-" Sovran's eyes were wide as he watched Miles twist his arm. "Th-that's your power? What?????? How's- How's that- HUH." @soul | 🎻

"Yeah, I can stretch super far! It doesn't hurt or anything! I can become taller or shorter if I want as well." Miles slowly grinned, unstretching his arm and pulling it back toward him with that same horrific crunch. "Cool isn't it?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran fought the urge to make a face. "That- As long as it ain't hurtin' you, that's what matters- Jesus, kid, you almost made my heart give out. That's a cool ability, though, it's real impressive." @soul | 🎻

"Yeah it just makes a weird sound." Miles streeeeetched his arm out, his bones still making that horrible sound, and. Patted the crab. "I think it's pretty cool!" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran actually gave a shudder this time at the sound. God DAMN. Snap crackle pop, there go the bones. "Yeah, it's cool, alright. The sound's weird, but- It makes sense. With the stretchin' and crap." @soul | 🎻

Miles did not notice the shudder. "Yeah, exactly and it don't hurt so yknow! Buut dunno if I'm supposed to be able to stretch. Cause if I was I think my bones wouldn't have to crack for it." He patted the crab again. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Do your bones stay broken when you’re back to normal?” Sovran asked. “Because if not, then maybe it’s alright for your powers to be like that.” @soul | 🎻

"Uhhh I dunno! I think it's all good. My bones are sturdy." He unstretched his arm to a mostly normal length. "How do you cook a crab? I know you need heat." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Then as long as your bones are all good, I can’t see much of an issue besides the cracking. Hopefully, you don’t get arthritis when you’re older.” Sovran gave a nod of his head. “Mhm, you need heat and water to cook it the best. My powers are gonna be able to help with that.” @soul | 🎻

"You use water to cook???? I thought you were just supposed to drink it. Or sit in it. Whoa." Miles. He leant forward curiously. Tap tap tapping tha crab. "I dunno what arthur-write-us is..." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“You could use water for all sorts of things. Pretty cool, ain’t it?” Sovran chuckled. “And arthritis. It’s somethin’ you’re not gonna have to worry ‘bout for a very long time. It’s when your joints of your bones start to ache and hurt. Usually happens with people who are older.” @soul | 🎻

"I don't think my bones will ever ache. Sometimes I forget I have em." Hey Miles what. He considered the versatility of water with a hum. "How old's older? Like.... you?" rude. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

That stung. That truly did sting. Hurt as much as his knees did. “Yeah, like my age kind of old,” Sovran fought back an eye roll. “It can happen in your twenties, too. Be careful not to overdo it.” @soul | 🎻

Sorry Sovran Miles thinks you're old. He nodded along to what was being said and honestly, he seemed way more into the crab than the conversation. "You're gonna need a lot of water for this. Are you just gonna eat it like this? Do crab burgers exist?" Miles stop thinking about that burger Rakin gave you challenge (impossible). @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I got water, I can make a lot with my powers, and it'll be easy for me to heat it up with my fire." Sovran hummed. "Now, I've never heard of crab burgers, but it wouldn't hurt to give that a try- But we don't got any bread, so it wouldn't be much of a burger." @soul | 🎻

Miles' eyes were shining. "You have FIRE???" He abandoned the crab to sit far too close to Sovran. "Are you like... a guy who cooks stuff? For a living?" Yes there is no other reason to use water and fire. "We could ask for bread! The Rakin guy, he gave me a burger when I got grabbed into space, yknow, like how Mr Campbell gives me bread, so maybe we could ask for some?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran slowly leaned away from Miles. God, this kid had so much energy. "I do got fire, and I do cook, but I'm no chef or anythin'. I just cook for fun." Sovran chuckled. He glanced away, an amused expression on his face. "Maybe you can ask Rakin yourself, bud, for the bread. I would, but- He and I ain't on good terms." @soul | 🎻

Miles leaned forward, fascinated by the prospect of fire. "Whoa. For fun... I thought you had to cook to eat." However, his leaning forward became not just about his interest in fire but also curiosity about Rakin and Sovran. "You're not? Why?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Well, cooking can be for all types of things. Whether it's to just pass the time, or to eat, or to have fun doin' it, you know, it's ultimately for a good time and to get a full belly." Sovran hummed. "Ah, it's complicated. We weren't the most civil when we first met." @soul | 🎻

"I don't really cook but most of the stuff I eat was already cooked, I think. I know you gotta cook bread so it can be bread instead of... that goop." Boy. "Civil? What happened?" He was ready for that tea, even if he didn't know what 'tea' was. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Want me to teach ya how to cook this crab?" Sovran asked. "I'm still cuttin' it up to make it easier to cook, but I'm just about done." Sovran went back to cutting the crab. He chuckled, "Ah, nothin' much. We fought at the start." @soul | 🎻

"Yes." No hesitation. Miles wanted to cook this crab. Even though he didn't really know how to cook. Water and fire. That made a meal. "What about? Did he not give you a burger?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Good. Just gimme 'bout five more minutes, I'll be done then." Sovran continued cutting the crab. "Nah, he didn't give me a burger. Was it a good burger that he gave you?" @soul | 🎻

"It was the best burger I've ever had in my life." Sir this is a Wendy's. "Can I help cut the crab?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Well, this burger’s about to be much better.” Sovran hummed. He spun the knife in his grasp and held out the handle to Miles. “Sure, you can help out.” He then pointed along a joint of the crab. “Can you cut along this part, bud?” @soul | 🎻

Should Miles be trusted with a knife? Absolutely not. It was a goddamn miracle that he actually managed to cut the crab, surprisingly well given his everything. "I don't know if the burger I got was a crab burger. Maybe it was." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Nah, chances are it wasn’t. Classic burgers are made of ground beef, so it’s likely that was the kind of burger that you had.” @soul | 🎻

"Ground beef." Miles grinned at his handiwork. "I'm good at cutting crabs, huh!" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Yeah, you are, kid! Good job.” Sovran praised with a grin. “Wanna get that other leg for me? Right at the joint, just like the one you just did.” @soul | 🎻

Miles' grin stretched - haha - wider as he nodded, shuffling to that leg and trying to cut it. He was. Not as good as he was before. "Ow," he mumbled as he lightly caught him, pressing his hand to his mouth. "Crab got me back." No the knife did. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“That’ll happen, they’re feisty, even when dead,” Sovran frowned slightly. “D’you want me to heal you?” @soul | 🎻

"With fire?" Miles said, a little muffled with his hand against his mouth. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“With light,” Sovran chuckled. “Which sounds just about as crazy, don’t it?” @soul | 🎻

Miles just stared bug-eyed at Sovran. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

With a grin, Sovran made an orb of light appear in his hand. It was small and floated above his palm, but it was gentle and warm to look at. Miles would be able to feel the soothing warmth from where he was at. @soul | 🎻

Miles stared at the orb of light, eyes wide. "Could you cook with that?" He asked as he felt the warmth. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I could, but it’s much faster to use my flames,” The orb of light suddenly became a small little fireball in Sovran’s palm. It shifted back into light. “Only thing I can really do with light is heal, make things comfortably warm, and create little lights if it gets too dark.” @soul | 🎻

Good thing Sovran shifted the fireball back to light because Miles was about to poke it. "Cool... I can just make myself taller. Or shorter. And grab stuff too real easy." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“That’s pretty helpful! Helps ya grab stuff that most people wouldn’t be able to get,” Sovran hummed. “That’s real useful.” @soul | 🎻

Miles nodded eagerly. "'xactly! Jymairyi didn't like it, and the wolf doctor seemed confused but the baby thought it was cool! She's a cool baby." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Minnie?” Sovran laughed. “Yeah, she’s a cool baby. She’s got good taste.” @soul | 🎻

Miles nodded. "It's cause her parents are cool. It spreads. I think." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Yeah, I agree with that,” Sovran chuckled. “They are pretty cool, aren’t they? It makes sense.” @soul | 🎻

"I only met Jymairyi but she said the dad guy was cool too." Miles looked Sovran up and down. "Are you the dad guy? Cause you're cool. And old." Stop that. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran let out a louder laugh. Amused, he couldn’t help the red that rose to his cheeks. That was truly amusing. “Nah, nah, I ain’t the dad,” Sovran laughed. “That’s Yeonaixho, who’s cool and older than me.” @soul | 🎻

Someone older than Sovran? Not possible. Well. Probably possible. "So you're just... cool?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I don't consider myself to be someone 'cool,' I'm just-" Sovran snapped his fingers a few times as he tried to think of a word. "Just a man, I guess." @soul | 🎻

"I guess men are just cool then." Back to crab. Miles thought that was cooler than Sovran. "Are they usually this big?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Some men are cool, others are uncool. It's just a matter of figurin' out who's cool or not." Sovran glanced to the crab. "Usually, they're not. They tend to be much smaller. And less lethal." Sovran glanced down to his abdomen. His fishnet top had practically become a crop top with how he had been impaled. Rip the rest of the fish netting. "Now, lemme see that hand." @soul | 🎻

Miles didn't really pay attention to the stuff about figuring out who was and wasn't cool. The crab was cooler. "How small?" He didn't really get what Sovran meant by 'less lethal', but figured that since the crab was going to be a burger soon, it couldn't have been that dangerous. He only turned to Sovran again when he asked for his hand, which Miles held out. There was a cut across the palm but luckily for him, not that deep. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“So much smaller. Some are maybe like the size of your hand.” Sovran hummed. He held his hand closer to Miles’. Light radiated from his palm. Different from Celena’s, it began to shimmer through various colors of the rainbow, almost as if Sovran was showing off a bit. The light steered to Miles’ wound and quickly, the cut began to mend itself shut. Yippee!! @soul | 🎻

Gay healing light... Miles stared, eyes so wide his head stretched slightly to accomodate it. Little freak. "Whoa.... That's a small crab. Like, burger size?" Stop talking about burgers I beg you. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Yeah, like burger sized.” Sovran hummed. He kept the light going for several moments longer before he let it fade. “There. How’s the hand?” @soul | 🎻

Here come the family, just at the right time to walk into the conversation! "Hopefully, Sovran's prepared some of that crab by now..." Jymaiyri was saying, while Yeonaixho carried the baby and walked along with her. "Oh, hey Sovran." A pause as she looked over Miles, grimacing slightly. "Hey... Miles..." Minerva, at least, was happy to see both Miles and Sovran. She smiled, and reached out her little hand towards them. And the big crab. "Miles..." Yeonaixho repeated. The name sounded familiar. "Nice to meet you, Miles. How're you doing, Sovran?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @soul | 🎻

Miles looked at his hand, turning it over. "It's gone!" Good timing, because now he had new people to show his healed hands. "Hey Jymairyi! Sovran healed my hand- he was letting me cut the crab and first I was like really good at it-" He mimed cutting the crab super well. Sorry Juno. "-but then I cut myself on it and he used his light to heal it." He then waved with his healed hand at the babby, then of course he stretched his hand out to 'high-five' her, poking her little hand. "Cool baby, we meet again." With that same hand, he waved at Yeonaixho. He does not know. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Sovran smiled at the sight of the little family. “Good to see you again,” Sovran chuckled. “We had a slight cookin’ mishap, but everything’s fine. We’re doing good. I just gotta boil it with my powers and that’s it. You came at the right time.” @soul | 🎻 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Glad to hear it." Yeonaixho smiled. He, obviously, didn not see Miles's wave. "If anything else happens, I'm here now, so I can help out on the healing front." Jymaiyri grimaced as Miles stretched out. "Stop doing that in front of my baby." She chided. Nonetheless, Minerva was enjoying it. "What's he doing?" Yeonaixho asked. "Oh, just his weird stretchy thing. It's his powers." Jymaiyri explained. "Anyways, Miles, this is my husband, Yeonaixho. He's Minerva's dad. Yeonai, this is Miles, a kid I met on the other side." @soul | 🎻 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Are you a doctor? Jymairyi said I should see a doctor. The wolf's also a doctor!" Miles grinned, not catching that Yeonaixho could not see it. He did retract his stretched out arm though at Jymairyi's chiding. "Yeah, I can stretch!" And stretch he did, his bones making awful noises again. Yikes. "I'm helping make the crab burgers." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

“Mmhm. Leave the boilin’ to me, then you can help make the crab into burgers, alright?” Sovran hummed. With his hands now directed at the pieces of crab, he used his telekinesis to make it float. Water began to form in the air around the pieces. A red glow traveled down his arms to his fingertips, and slowly, the water started to come to a boil. “Just gimme a few moments.” Sovran hummed, though he looked focused on the task. @soul | 🎻 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Burgers, huh? I can grow some lettuce and tomato, though I don't know what we'd do for bread." Jymaiyri offered. "I'm a physical therapist. Close to a doctor, but not quite." Yeonaixho grimaced as Miles's bones made that awful noise. "Eh. Lilybud, why does this kid need a doctor? Other than the stretching." Jymaiyri whispered something to Yeonaixho, out of Miles's earshot. He replied simply with. "Oh. I see." My man you do not. @soul | 🎻 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

"I'm gonna see if I can ask Rakin for some since he gave me a burger and Sovran said he doesn't get on with him." Miles was ignoring that Rakin had been in a bit of a state at the fight. "And if not I'll find something, I'm super good at finding stuff." Dubious whether the stuff was good. Or if that was true. He eagerly watched Sovran boil the water as if it was the most important thing in the world. He didn't notice Yeonaixho's grimace or Jymaiyri's whispering. Honestly, he just looked ready to poke the water. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

“Or we could use the lettuce as wraps instead,” Sovran suggested, keeping his gaze trained on his cooking. “Some folks do that with their burgers. We could do that.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @soul | 🎻

"Oh, that's a good idea." Yeonaixho commented. "Lettuce wraps are always tasty." "Probably a better bet than Rakin. I asked him for stuff for the baby earlier but it's all on the other side." Jymaiyri sighed. "I'll start on those veggies." "Alrighty. Good luck, lilybud." Yeonaixho bid Jymaiyri farewell with a kiss, before she left to a nearby area to grow some vegetables. "If you don't need any help, Sovran, I'll just be over here with the baby." He said. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @soul | 🎻

"I don't think I've had lettuce," Miles commented. "Huh. Wonder why he gave me a burger and you guys nothing." Miles shuffled closer to the crab, tilting his head to stare at the boiling water. However, this time he did notice Jymairyi as she left to grow vegetables and he waved to her. "Have fun doing vegetable stuff!" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

“Lettuce is real good. It’s mostly just water, but it’s crunchy. Pretty okay.” Sovran waved a hand toward Jymaiyri. “Thanks for gettin’ some veggies for us.” “I’ll be all set here in a few moments, maybe by the time Jymaiyri’s back.” Sovran hummed. “Take a seat with the baby. Maybe Maia can show Minnie the toys that she found.” At the mention of her name, Maia jumped up and bounced towards Yeonaixho and Minerva. The toys she found floated above her, and slowly, she floated one of the toys just above Minerva to show her. @soul | 🎻 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho took a seat a bit off to the side, though still in conversation distance to Sovran and Miles. "Hi, Maia," He smiled, assuming this was another remnant. Minerva smiled too at the return of her friend, and reached out to the toys she floated near her. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @soul | 🎻

"Crunchy.... still edible? Sometimes the bread Mr Campbell gives me is like basically inedible cause it's so stale and that's pretty crunchy unless you soak it in water, then it becomes all like- separate and also a bit dirty. Not like this water." Miles reached out toward it Miles no. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Maia smiled brightly. With one hand, she gently touched Yeonaixho’s shoulder as if to greet him. Hi!! The toy floated a bit lower to Minerva. “Uh- No, some crunchy is edible. Other crunchy has to be thrown out, that’s when it’s not good to eat anymore.” Sovran made the boiling water float higher. “Nah bud, keep your hands nice and safe.” @soul | 🎻 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho startled briefly at the touch. "Hey, there!" He waved to where he thought Maia was. As Maia lowered the toy down, Minerva reached up for it, though she couldn't quite grab it. @soul | 🎻 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

(I'm just gonna respond real quick since this was mostly directed at my characters-) Sovran frowned at the sound of the announcement. However, he didn't raise his hand to go and view it. Instead, he continued to cook. After several moments had passed, he lowered down the crab legs. "An' now, it's done," Sovran hummed. "Bon Appétit." Maia lowered down the toy further for Minerva. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @soul | 🎻

Minerva grabbed the toy just as the announcement rung out, announcing the switching of sides. "Nora-" Yeonaixho repeated as his daughter's name was announced. He turned to Jymaiyri. "We have to go find her." Though Jymaiyri was hesitant, she nodded, and hummed so Yeonaixho would know. "Right. We do. Sovran, we'll be back. Maybe with another mouth to feed." The couple didn't wait much longer before setting off, baby in tow, to look for Nora... @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran nodded. “Of course, go do what you have to do.” Meanwhile, he’d prep the borgers. Yum. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

This horrible, unbearable heat. Riki was glad his fur was white, or else he would have been getting even more overheated. What torture. From freezing cold to suffocating high temperatures. The fox was panting heavily, his mouth open and his tails flared far apart from each other, to at least attempt to keep them cooler. He had no idea how to survive this weather, so he trudged into the first building he saw, hoping it would provide some shade and cooler air. Riki didn't bother knocking, instead just entering the shack and slumping onto the floor, huffing heavily. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran jumped at the sight of the fox. “Oh, crap,” Sovran winced and got up to his feet. He had long ago shedded his coat and was just now with his fishnet shirt and pants. He rushed over to Riki and tutted quietly. “Poor little guy, hold on.” With a hand, he summoned some cool water and lowered the orb down to the fox. “Want some water, lil’ guy? It’ll make you feel better.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki had dropped his winter clothes the instant he had realized he was in an outdoor sauna. He was holding his shirt in a bundle in his hand, now against the floor as he was on hands and knees. Hearing Sovran, he looked up. His head was slightly spinning from the heat, and he wasn't sure at first who the other man was talking to. Once he realized that Sowran was talking to him, and offering some cool water, he smirked, amused by the way the younger man was talking to him, but leaned forward to drink up the water from the air. It was refreshing, and he felt a little better. "Thank you", he said after the water was gone. He looked up at Sovran, appreciating his view, and chuckled softly. Then, he carefully stood up from the floor, still feeling uncomfortable in the heat and swaying slightly, but he smiled kindly to his helper. Now, they were on the same level. Just noticed bros are the same height. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Oh, yeah, no problem,” Sovran nodded his head. He took a seat back in his spot. “You want a meal? I got crab. Lots of it. Take a breather, this weather’s deadly.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"I'm really not hungry at the moment", Riki sighed and shook his head, holding a hand on his forehead. "This horrible weather... The air feels so thick I can hardly breathe." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Yeah, it’s sucky weather,” Sovran sighed. “It sucks for me, but you, pal- I’m sorry, you must be suffering.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki nodded, and sat down. "I just had started growing thicker undercoat..." he huffed, and shook his head. "Ah... I'm sorry. How rude of me. I'm Captain Riki Icefang. It's a pleasure to meet you." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Poor timin’ for that, buddy,” Sovran offered him a sympathetic smile. “Ah, a cap’in. Great to meet you. The name’s Sovran Zelkovas.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Yes. The climate on the other side was very different", Riki grunted. He smiled, however, when Sovran introduced himself. "Yes, I wish it could be in better circumstances. Forgive me for skipping the chitchat, but have you been to the fights?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I miss the cold of the other side. It was better than this humidity,” Sovran sighed. “And don’t worry ‘bout the small talk. I’ve been to the first one an’ the second, but not this third one.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Indeed, it was much easier to bear", he sighed as well. "I see, so the same as I. Have you met Rakin in person?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I have.” Sovran’s eyes narrow slightly. “Didn’t have the best experience with ‘im. How come?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"I'm trying to learn more about him, and about this whole event. The more we know, the better we know how to survive. If we play their game, we'll all die. He told me even the winner of this is finally killed. So, we must stick together and find another way out." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Yeah, he gave the same spiel to me ‘bout it all,” Sovran sighed. “I was hopin’ to check out some of the new spots that’ve opened up. I wanted to see if there’s anythin’ there that could hint to a way out that was left by other competitors. Have you seen anythin’ like that or been to the new rooms?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"I haven't, I was too focused on getting some food for the others back on the other side", Riki shook his head apologetically. "But that's good you are on the same page. Hmm. So you think other competitors might have found a clue?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“That’s kind of you to look out for some other folk. Good on you, bud,” Sovran hummed. “I think someone might’ve found something, someone’s had to.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"That would be good. Hopefully so", Riki hummed. "You haven't found anything useful yet either? Do you know about Rakin's background and why this maze tournament is being held?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Nah, I’ve been goin’ around and helpin’ people as much as I can.” Sovran sighed. “I got no idea why any of this is up and runnin’.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki nodded. "That's good you have been helping people", Riki smiled. "Well, I can tell you what I know. This is happening so that Rakin and his master can sacrifice us for some ritual to revive an extinct species: Pilarians. They seem to be a powerful species, that created the amfibs, but they are cruel, and supposedly wiped out by Rakin and some others. Rakin is the king of froglings, a species of amfibs. "There was a frogling on the other side, who seemed extremely loyal to him, regardless of her being very kind-hearted. She trusted Raking blindly, and believed he has a plan to help us all. I wish I could have talked to her after those fights.. I'd like to know what she think of that now. In any case, Rakin seems to be a very liked king, and his subjects seem loyal, so I wouldn't trust any froglings too much. "Oh yes, the Pilarians have a mind-controlling ability. People being controlled by them get 'starry' eyes, like Zahara described it. Rakin's eyes look almost exactly like that, except that he only has one 'star' in each eye. He also apparently acts like himself, instead like a mindless puppet. However, itäs obvious his master has some literal control over him. Why would he try to revive a speciies he worked so hard to destroy, otherwise?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

As Sovran listened to Riki, he stroked the stubble upon his chin. Huh. Interesting. That was a lot to take in, but it was necessary information he should’ve sought out earlier. “That’s a lot to take in,” Sovran commented. “But that’s a good bunch of information. Thank you for the heads up and for gettin’ me updated.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"No probem. If I go down next, I want others to have at least as much kbowledge as I did, so they have a better chance at survival. Though, I don't plan on dying here.. yet I hate the idea of casting another innocent person to die", Riki said somberly, looking down with a deep frown. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“That’s exactly how I feel,” Sovran sighed. “I feel like I already made peace with the thought of dyin’. There’s so many kids here, I can’t stand the thought of livin’ longer than any of ‘em, especially if I got pitted in a fight against one. I’d let them win so they could live on for just a while longer.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki (edited)

Riki nodded. "Yes... I want to stay alive to protect them, but if I was pitted against a child..." he sighed. "I wish I had been doing more. Every day we are growing fewer. With every fight we are driven more and more against each other, and alliances will tear, when friends are lost and those who have won are blamed... We need to find out more, we need to solve this as fast as possible. It's our adults' duty to protect the kids... but if the kids are all who remain, if we die, we at lease need to have relayed them plenty of information they can use. "However... the fewer of us remain, the smaller are the chances of us being able to stand up against our... 'hosts'..." Riki spoke, though he seemed a little out of breath after all that. He panted lightly, and pulled on his thick neck fur, plucking out tufts of white, woolly undercoat. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Want more water?” Sovran offered. “But you’re right, we need a solid game plan for bustin’ out of here. If we can’t, then at least the kiddos can survive.” Sovran paused. “Ya think we got a genuine shot at takin’ down the hosts?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Thank you, water would be appreciated", Riki nodded. Riki took a deep breath, and leaned against the wall, staying quiet for a moment with a serious, thoughtful expression. "...Yes. I believe we do. It is probably part of the reason why we are split in two different areas, so it would be more difficult for us to organize anything. Together we are powerful. The less there are of us, the less we are willing to work together, the weaker our chances are. But if we could stick together, I think we could beat them. We only need to know more about them, about everything, and we can strike to a weak spot. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran created another orb of cool water. He let it float over to Riki. "Yeah, that's a good point," Sovran ran a hand across his stubble as he thought to himself. "The only time that we're all technically in the same place is in the arena stands. That might be our only shot of actin' on a plan, if we get one together. It's just a matter of figuring out how to get through that glass and how to get at Alrai Pin." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki nodded, and held his hand behind the water like he was going to blow a candle light, and he sipped the water eagerly. "Mhm, that is a good idea. However, there's the vaccuum of space right behind that glass. If we break it, I fear we might risk getting us all sent out into the abyss." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Alright, so avoid doin’ that, got it,” Sovran chuckled. “Well, shit, guess we got only a few things to work with, huh?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"So it seems. Which is why we need more information. I would like to know where the hosts spend their time. They can see us, so I wonder... Hm. Either way, I believe we need Rakin alive, but his master, I'm afraid we have no choise but destroy." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Of all people, of course we need Rakin alive,” Sovran sighed. “Guess he’s more useful than he seemed. Good to know.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki smirked snidely. "Would you rather take his master, who has the ability to alter your mind?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Got a point there,” Sovran chuckled. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki chuckled as well and smiled. "I understand how you feel. But Rakin is the only one who knows how I got here, for example. And I am going to make him find a way to bring me back home. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“He had said that his abilities were used only to bring us here,” Sovran sighed. “I think there’s a way to reverse it, I think it’s just a matter of getting there.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"He can say what he wants. I'll make him to find a way", Riki repeated with a growl. He then took a breath to calm down, closed his eyes and panted lightly. He finished drinking the water, and lied down on the floor. He was not feeling great. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran was suffering as well, but he was simply vibing alongside the crab. He was truly doing his best. “Dunno if roughin’ ‘im up will get us anywhere with ‘im. Didn’t seem to work with me when I was beatin’ on ‘im earlier.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"You did?" Riki grinned. "Ah, I'm afraid you're right. He seems used to violence. But there's other ways..." Riki sighed. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I did, got ‘im pretty good,” Sovran grinned. “But maybe we have to be- Nice to him to get things we want. Hate the thought of it, though.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki chuckled lightly. "Good for you... We'll worry about that wen the time comes. But, I don't think he is doing all of this willingly. For what Zahara told me, this feels out of character... Then again, she might not be the most reliable source. If there's other amfib people here, asking about king Raina might be helpful to know how true her stories are. In any case, Rakin is likely under at least a partial mind control. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Partial mind control, huh? Well, given the big boss can mess with people’s minds, I wouldn’t be all too surprised if somethin’ like that was messin’ with Rakin.” Sovran wiped away beads of sweat that were running down the side of his face. He summoned another orb of water and let it drop on top of his head, dampening his messy hair. Ah, relaxing. Nice and cool. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Yes... Pilarians can do mind control, and Rakin's eyes look similar to when that is in effect, according to Zahara..." Riki muttered. "He does seem... almost sympathetic at times, even offered himself for me to vent my feelings on when I was first summoned..." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“That so?” Sovran hummed. “Huh. That’s interestin’ to hear. Alright, good to know that he might be under control. An’ the fact that he seems sympathetic is good to know too, I wasn’t aware that he could be.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Yes..." Riki was quiet for a while, panting lightly with his eyes closed. "Although, it's hard to know... perhaps he just is a masochist..." he let out a dry chuckle. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran paused. “Y’know? That might make some sense based on how my interaction went with ‘im. I’ve known freaks, and he definitely fits that category.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Huh, well, there you go... But try saying that to Zahara and she'll punch you..." he laughed weakly. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Learned that from experience?” Sovran smirked, already quite amused. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki grinned. "She was quite upset when I insinuated that way... I managed to talk my way out of it without getting in a scuffle, though... but she does not like a bad word about her king..." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Gotcha, I’ll keep that in mind,” Sovran chuckled. “Thanks for gettin’ that info.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Mhm, you're welcome..." After that, Riki fell quiet again, aside from panting. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“You sure you don’t want any crab?” Sovran offered again. “I got tons.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"I feel honestly rather ill.. I don't think I should eat..." the fox sighed. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Okay, understandable. The heat’s pretty intense,” Sovran nodded. He took a piece of crab and took a bite. “But I did almost die for this, so I suppose I should eat.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Huh? How so?" Riki asked, opening his eyes in concern. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Practically stabbed me all the way through with its claw,” Sovran motioned to the tear in his fishnet shirt. “But guess who’s out here winnin’? This guy.” He took a bite out of the claw meat. “Jymaiyri and Yeonaixho saved me.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Dear me. How big was that crab?" Riki's eyes widened. "Jymaiyri... she's on this side now too, right..." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Oh, it’s a big crab. The size of three 2018 Ford Fusion SE models side by side and four that are on top of each other. Big ass crab.” Sovran hummed. “And y’know Jymaiyri?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki whistled. "Congratulations. That was an impressive kill. Hm... I suppose I could have some, to honor that", Riki hummed with a smile. "Yes, we have met. Poor woman, with such a young cub with her as well... She is taking this better than I, though", he smiled sadly. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Don’t force yourself or make yourself sick, it’s all good,” Sovran chuckled. “But Jymaiyri’s a strong and capable woman. I’m sad she’s here in the first place, but I’m proud of how strong she is.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"No, it's fine. I think..." Riki paused for a moment to ponder. "I don't believe... I have eaten anything since we came here", he frowned slightly. "Which could also be part of the reason why I feel nauseous, actually." He nodded. "She really is. I was near a breaking point just thinking about my children back home, having to grow without their father..." Riki trailed off for a moment, before gathering himself. "But Jymaiyri doesn't show that sort of weakness. She has steely determination to get her and her family free, and we could take her example", Riki hummed and smiled wistfully. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran began to cut up some pieces of crab for Riki. He listened to the other’s words before he paused. “You’re a father?” Sovran asked softly. “Fuck, I’m- Sorry you got dragged here, Riki. Your family must be thinkin’ ‘bout you.” He continued to cut the pieces of crab as he took in a deep breath. “Yeah, we could really follow her lead. She’s strong, and extremely capable of anythin’ she sets her mind to.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Yes... I'm sure they are. I'm worried about them..." he sighed. "Indeed. I'm glad we have someone like her with us, although, of course I wish she could be safe and sound at her home." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’m sure they got you on their minds. I’m sure you’ll be able to make it back home hopefully soon,” Sovran reassured him. “I wish everyone could be home safe and sound,” He sighed. “Everyone deserves to be back home and comfortable.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki

As Sovran and Riki were talking, Yeonaixho returned to the barracks, cane in hand. He was also carrying the satchel he had made out of his sweater, now full of tomatoes. "Sovran? You still here?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Riki lifted his head from the floor slightly to look at the newcomer, and moved his tails out of the way so Juno wouldn't trip on them. "Hello..." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Still am!” Sovran grinned when Yeonaixho came into view. “Welcome back, Yeonaixho! How’ve you been? Everythin’ alright?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hello!" Yeonaixho waved. "I've been well- we were able to find Nora, she's resting with Jymaiyri now. I've brought you some vegetables for the burgers." He lifted the satchel. When Riki spoke, he turned towards the unfamiliar voice. "Ah, hello! You are...?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki sat up slowly with a grunt, and stood up even slower. "Riki Icefang, nice to meet you... I apologize for my current appearance. This weather is not agreeing with me..." he introduced himself, even though his head felt woozy and his nausea got worse from standing up. He offered his paw for a handshake, glanced at Juno's cane, and figured appearance might not be something this man cared for anyway. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Good, glad to know everythin’s alright,” Sovran let out a sigh of relief. “Yeah, we can get to makin’ those burgers and havin’ ourselves a good meal.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Ah, Riki! Nora told me an out you." Yeonaixho nodded, and gave Riki's paw a good shake. "It's good to meet you. And you don't have to apologize, I don't think this weather is agreeing with any of us." "Great! I won't have any, but if you could set a few aside for the girls- Jymaiyri said to bring one back, and Nora might want one too." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki's hand was soft and fluffy, but the paw pads were quite sweaty. "Nice to meet you too, sir", Riki smiled. "Aw, little Nora. I'm glad she's back with both of her parents again. Apologies..." Riki sat back down on the floor, leaning on the wall, and pulled out more of his undercoat, even though it didn't help much. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Yeah, no problem, I’ll set food aside for them,” Sovran smiled. “Thanks for gettin’ the other veggies and stuff, much appreciated.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm glad, too." He nodded, and took a seat close to the others. "Say, Riki, are you feeling alright? I can heal you up with my powers, if you need." "Thank you." Yeonaixho smiled, and set the bundle of veggies near Sovran. "There's more where this came from back at the farmland- Jyr's been hard at work all morning." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki's ear flicked a little, and he looked at Yeonaixho curiously. "You have healing powers? That is good... But no, I'm not hurt. My fur is just way too thick for this weather. I almost wish I could shave it all off right about now", he chuckled dryly. He lied back down, panting quietly. His mind went back to the first summer in Ninjago, when the weather had suddenly gotten very hot and Riki still had part of his winter coat. Seki had helped him groom his fur... Riki closed his eyes and his heart ached as he lived a moment in the memory. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I can always make water if either of you need any," Sovran offered. He took a look at the bundle of veggies once it was placed by him, and he couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh, Jymaiyri, does she know how to take a break? She deserves one." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Ah, I see." Yeonaixho hummed, and laughed to himself. "If you do need anything, don't hesitate to ask." "Thank you, Sovran." He nodded, then sighed. "Well... she's resting now, at least. I think she's stressed about everything happening here. And when she's stressed, she likes to have something to do." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

10:03 AM

@Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Thank you... I guess I just need to get rid of my excess fur and keep hydrated", Riki sighed. He ripped off more tufts of fluff from his neck, part of it wasn't ready to fall yet but he was feeling a little desperate. "Could you splash some water on my face, Sovran? That would feel nice..." Riki requested and then listened to Yeonaixho. "I understand... If only this damn heat wasn't making me lose my senses, I would be out there trying to find anything to help us..." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I see. I'm somewhat the same way, I like bein' kept busy just to keep my mind off of a bad situation." Keeping himself busy, mmhm, he had his methods of 'keeping himself busy.' "Hopefully, she could take a moment to just relax and enjoy a crab burger." "Yeah, no problem, Riki." Sovran hummed. He made an orb of water appear over Riki's face. Then, it dropped down with a light splash. @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Don't push yourself. It's good to want to do something, but not at the expense of yourself." Yeonaixho cautioned Riki, and laughed as he got splashed with water. He leaned back. "I think she will. She needs the food, at least. She keeps telling me how there was only dried fish on the other side." He laughed. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"I know... but it feels horrible to just lie here, knowing with each fight, one of us dies... we have already lost too many..." Riki said seriously, but smiled and chuckled when the water fell on his face. He smeared it from his face back onto the top of his head as well, feeling relief as its coolness seeped into his fur. "Thank you, that feels better..." He laughed as well at the mention of the dried fish. "Oh dear, it was miserable. I was about to cook everyone proper fish soup from the fresh fish I caught, but I got transported here before I could get to it. Hm... I hope someone finds the fish I left behind." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

At the mention of fish, Sovran felt an aching pang through his chest. Right, he was supposed to teach Connie how to fish. It had been so long since he had seen the kid. He hoped that she had been doing alright. He busied himself with preparing the crab wraps. "Well, she won't have to have any more fish ever again if she doesn't want it, we got more sources of food here than we did on the other side." Sovran gave a light chuckle. "Yeah, no problem, bug. Any time either of your ever need a splash to cool down, I gotchu." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It is. It's so... demoralizing. I can't even bear to watch the fights anymore." Not to mention that watching the fights likely meant having to endure Itsuki, but whatever. "Mhm, I think she'll appreciate it. She's already been building up our resources here again." He sighed. "It's just... so good to have her here." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

("To watch the fights")

Riki chuckled, and his tails wagged tiredly on the floor. "Thank you, Sovran..." "Indeed... I think I'll go watch the next one if I can. I need to get out of here for even a second. And I'll try to find anything that could be useful.." Riki hummed, shifted, and started pulling more fur out of his neck. A small pile of white fluff was already forming on the floor. Riki listened to Yeonaicho talking warmly about his wife, and couldn't help but think about his own spouse. He sighed, his eyes losing focus as he thought about him, and his face stiffened with longing and worry. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yeah, these fights are gettin' rougher and rougher," Sovran sighed. He finished prepping one crab burger and he set it to the side. He went on to start another one. "I plan on attendin' the next one though, just to see if there's anythin' else I could notice this time 'round that I didn't notice before." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I don't know if I'll go to the next one... I guess I'll just see what Jymaiyri wants to do. I don't think I'd be a good candidate for looking for things." He laughed. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

1

Yeonaixho's joke snapped Riki out of his thoughts for a moment, and he hummed with laughter, his tails moving on the floor again. Though the weather was horrid, and he still felt like he was being suffocated by the humid heat, the company was at least good. It was nice to chat with pretty men

"Yes, you should spend your time with your family, as you have the opportunity..." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Yeah, Riki's got a point," Sovran spoke in a softer tone. He finished yet another wrap before he started on another one. "Spend as much time as you can with your family, 'ppreciate every moment you got with 'em. Every minute counts. You never know when it'll be our time to get into that arena." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Oh, I am. I'm not taking for granted the time I have with them now." Yeonaixho hummed. "Every minute counts. Every second does." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Indeed..." Riki hummed, his voice weighed by his own longing. He continued grooming his fur, and the pile of fluff on the floor next to him kept growing. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"It does." Sovran, along with the two others, hummed. Lots of humming. Soon, Sovran finished up on the wraps. He had used up all of the crab and made plenty in case they ran into some other people. "There we go," He smiled. "I got the wraps done." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, good!" Yeonaixho smiled. "Thank you, again, Sovran, for making these." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki smiled and lifted his head a little. "Wonderful. I suppose I'll try and get something down... I'm sure it's delicious of course", he hurried to add and chuckled. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"'course, thanks for savin' me back there," Sovran chuckled as he placed a wrap in Yeonaixho's hand. "Least I could do is help to make sure that you all get a good meal." "Yeah, give it a try. I hope that it'll sit well." Sovran hummed as he handed Riki a wrap as well. @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You should try to eat, Riki- hunger will only make you feel worse." Yeonaixho advised. "Ah, you're welcome, then." He took the wrap, and set it beside him- saving it for Jymaiyri. "You don't have to pay me, though. It was just the right thing to do." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Yes, I should try... Thank you," Riki sighed, and sat up again and took the wrap from Sovran. He nibbled on it quietly and slowly ate small pieces at a time. He was still breathing a bit heavily, his body almost radiating heat around him. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Nice and slow. If you need water to drink, lemme know.” Sovran hummed. “And I know, but still, I appreciate it. Most folk wouldn’t stick around to lend a hand. I still appreciate it a bunch.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm, I'll take some water if you don't mind." Yeonaixho said. He frowned as Sovran spoke. "I'm sorry you'd think that, or that my kindness would be an exception. But, you're welcome." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"I could drink again as well..." He glanced at the two of them with a small frown and nodded. "That is unfortunate if you have that kind of experience, Sovran. And I'm glad Yeonaixho was there to heal you up, so you are still here with us." He smiled. "I hope everyone here understands that we need to work together to survive..." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Of course- It’ll be floating closer to your face if you wanna reach out and touch it,” Sovran formed more water in front of Yeonaixho. “An’ it’s alright, it’s just the way things have been for me. This place, even though it’s an out space fight arena, has shown me that there’s still plenty good around here. Appreciate it big time.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho felt for the bubble of water, and drank from it in the awkward manor of someone who has never before drunk floating water. "Thank you, Sovran." He smiled. "Yes... I'm very glad there are good people, like you two, here. It gives me hope about this whole situation, about our ability to get everyone out." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Indeed. I have had the pleasure to speak only with polite people. Have you had trouble with someone?" Riki asked both of them. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Any trouble with some folk? Nah, other than Rakin,” Sovran shrugged. “Most people have been pretty chill.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I had some trouble with Itsuki- though, I'm sure Sovran's heard enough of me complaining about him." Yeonaixho hummed.

2:55 PM

@Twig | Kiran + Riki @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"That's good to hear", Riki replied to Sovran. Then, he frowned slightly at what Yeonaixho said. "Itsuki... Why, should I be on the lookout for this person?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’ve met Itsuki, he was very-” Sovran paused. “Very interested in having some companionship, if you get my drift.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That's one way of putting it." Yeonaixho let out a dry laugh. "He refused to help rebuild the farmland after it was destroyed during the storm." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki let out a surprised laugh at what Sovran said, but quieted down when Yeonaixho told about his experience with the salamander. "..Well, I suppose I'm glad someone's feeling relaxed enough to have some desires left, but why would he refuse to help with the falrmland? It doesn't sound like he understands the gravity of the situation." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Nah, he understands,” Sovran shook his head. “He just hates Bein’ known as the ‘farming guy.’ It’s not exactly a role that he wants to be known for and do.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I can understand not wanting to be defined by one's powers," Yeonaixho said, "But it's not an excuse. Everyone here relies on that farmland to survive. It's just- so selfish and lazy to do nothing about it, when he could." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Huh... how old is he? He sounds like a teenager. We probably won't be here for long, surely he could take care of farming for a week or two", Riki huffed, still rather amused by this person he had not met, if also annoyed with him. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

“Nah, he’s older, maybe a few years younger than Yeonaixho and I.” Sovran hummed. “He said that it does drain ‘im yo do, but It is pretty stingy of ‘im to do. We’d be able to keep ourselves up float for a long while with that kind of help.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"He didn't tell me that when I asked him," Yeonaixho huffed, then sighed. "Jymaiyri's been able to patch up the farmland, since she's been here. So at least we have that." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"I see... Well, of course he could take breaks. I doubt maintaining a farmland requires powers, so the rest of us could help with that. But I'm glad the problem is resolved, and this Itsuki doesn't sound much like a trouble maker at least. Just, a bit more hedonistic and thoughtless than the situation calls for, I suppose." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"He got into some details with me about it, but those two reasons are big reasons for him not to help out," Sovran sighed. He finished a few more wraps before settling them down on a pile. All of the crab was pretty much gone at this point. "Jymaiyri's been a blessin' this whole time 'round, if I'm honest. We owe a big part of our survival to her." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It's just so... selfish." Yeonaixho said, with clear disdain. Talk of Jymaiyri seemed to divert his attention. "Mhm. She's wonderful, she is... I'm repeating myself, but I'm very glad she's here." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki chuckled warmly, glancing at Yeonaixho. "You are a lucky one, Yeonaixho... How long have you two been together?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I'm glad she's here, too," Sovran hummed. He fell silent, waiting for Yeonaixho's response. @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"We've been married for... about eight years now, but we've known each other for about... thirteen or fourteen? We met at college." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki's eyes widened in surprise. "So long! You are a lucky one indeed. I'm glad you have been able to be with your beloved for as long as you have", he smiled warmly. He had been slowly working through his crab burger and plucking fur tufts with his free hand, and the pile of woolly fluff on the ground was starting to look like you could build a decoy Riki out of it. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Mhm, I feel the same way. Congrats, Yeonaixho," Sovran hummed. @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Thank you. We're very lucky to have each other." Yeonaixho smiled. "A shame, that we're stuck here now, but..." He trailed off. @Twig | Kiran + Riki @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Riki sighed. "Yes... but at least you are together..." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Through sickness and through health," Sovran hummed quietly. "Bet no one ever thought to add 'through evil space competition' to the vows. Wish the circumstances were different for you both." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yes... we are." Yeonaixho sighed, though he laughed at Sovran's quip. "We're sticking by each other, even if it wasn't in our vows. I wish circumstances were different for all of us- I know we aren't the only people here with loved ones." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Indeed. I'd rather have you being together at your home, safe and comfortable, than struggling here with us. And yes... I'm sure most of us have people at home we are missing..." he sighed. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran glanced away and ran a hand through his hair. "Mmhm, yeah, I'm sure most folk do got people at home they're missin'. Most people got someone they love." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm... Riki, do you have people at home you're missing?" Yeonaixho asked out of curiosity. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki smiled sadly. "Yes, my family... My spouse Seki and two little ones..." his face tightened, and his mouth twisted into a small pout as he suddenly had to fight back the emotion. "The younger one isn't even a full year old... about the same age as your Minerva." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran looked crushed. “I didn’t know your little ones were that little. Christ, Riki, I’m sorry that you got dragged into this too.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho's frown deepened. "Oh, Riki, I'm so sorry... two little ones, and here you are..." He shook his head. "I'm sure they're thinking of you, as is your spouse. We'll get you back to them." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki's ears drooped, and he sighed. "Yes... I... I worry... Seki, he- he has a history with depression and.. It makes me sick to think how my sudden disappearance has made him feel... I worry how he's able to care for our young in this situation, and how he's able to take care of himself.." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“We’ll definitely try and get you home as soon as possible,” Sovran frowned. Once more, he was itching for his pack of cigarettes. “I hope your partner’s doin’ aright, and that he’s findin’ the strength to push on.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, that's just awful... I can't imagine how worried you must be." Yeonaixho frowned in sympathy. "I hope we'll be able to get everyone home, as soon as possible." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Yes", Riki replied with a strained voice, pulling out his fur a bit more frantically. "As soon as possible", he repeated. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

(OOP MY BAD YALL) “We’ll figure this out as soon as possible. Thankfully, not too much time has passed,” Sovran offered. “It’ll be alright.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho nodded. He didn't seem to have much more to say on the topic, unsure how to reassure Riki more than vague promises. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki smiled at Sovran's words, a look in his eyes sad and anxious. He appreciated the attempt to console him, but he remembered very well what they had been talking about before Yeonaixho had join them... Not much time had passed, yes... yet so many had already lost their chance to ever go home... @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran fell silent, unsure what to add to the conversation. He cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly. “So, uh. Anyone got any hobbies?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I like to embroider." Yeonaixho offered. "I made Minnie some cute little newborn hats when she was littler. She's too big for them now." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Aww..." Riki smiled slightly, though his ears were still down. "She was probably adorable in them..." He sighed, and took a moment to gather himself. "I have picked up painting in recent years. Other than that, I spend my free time reading books, going on walks and... hm, hobbies we share with my partner." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I can just imagine,” Sovran chuckled. Babies with their little baby mittens were always an adorable sight. “Maybe I’ll commission you for some for my future kids. How’s that sound?” Speaking of the future as if it was guaranteed. Right. They’d reach that future. “Looks like you both are creative, huh?” Sovran hummed. “It’s good to have a creative outlet.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"She was... I'm thinking I might make her some more..." Yeonaixho smiled fondly. "Oh, painting! That sounds lovely, Riki. I'm afraid it's something I've never pursued myself, for... rather obvious reasons." He laughed. "Oh, that's nice of you to offer," Yeonaixho smiled. "I'd be honored to make gifts for your children." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"That's a good and useful skill", Riki smiled to Yeonaixho. He laughed at his comment about painting, and his ears seemed to be picking up and relaxing again. "Well, back when I was still in the academy studying to become a royal guard, we also had mandatory classes for how to be a good husband. That included some artistic skills like painting and playing the lute, and so on. I never thought myself an expert, but it is relaxing to paint." "Say, Sovran, you didn't tell what hobbies you have?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’ll definitely ask you for things for ‘em in the future,” Sovran hummed. “Paintin’, huh? That’s a good hobby. You can make a lot of different things with that medium.” “Looks like you caught me,” Sovran laughed easily. “Well- I don’t got many hobbies these days. I used to be big into poetry, though. Particularly, French poetry.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, poetry's wonderful? Do you write, read, both..?" Yeonaixho asked. "I haven't ever read French poetry myself, but I did have a phase in college where I got into old Loucari romance poetry." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki smiled softly, his eyes becoming wistful once more. "Seki also loves poetry..." The fox caught himself and cleared his throat slightly, not wanting to derail the conversation. "Could you perhaps recite something?" he asked with a brighter smile. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’ve read some, but I’ve written some as well. Nothin’ that’s worth repeatin’ or good enough to say to you all.” Sovran chuckled. “But I could recite somethin’.” He took in a deep breath before speaking, “N'écris pas. Je suis triste, et je voudrais m'éteindre. Les beaux étés sans toi, c'est la nuit sans flambeau. J'ai refermé mes bras qui ne peuvent t'atteindre, Et frapper à mon coeur, c'est frapper au tombeau. N'écris pas!” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Yeonaixho, who didn't know any French, still seemed impressed. "Oh, that sounded beautiful, Sovran! I... admit, I didn't understand it, but it was beautiful." "I could recite something, too, if you two would like to hear it." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki listened with a serene smile, and clapped lightly once the poem ended. "It did sound beautiful. Would you mind telling us the meaning? And of course, Yeonaixho, we would love to hear you recite a poem or two!" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“It’s a bit morbid, but it’s from one of my favorite poets.” Sovran hummed. “Do not write. I am sad, and want my light put out. Beautiful summers without you are like a night without light. I have closed my arms again. They must do without. To knock at my heart is like knocking at a tomb. Do not write!” When he was done, his face was slightly pink from embarrassment. “Like I said, a bit morbid, but one of my favorites. Now, I’d love to hear you recite somethin’.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Oh, that sounds beautiful." Yeonaixho smiled wistfully. "Morbid, yes, but there's something to be said about the poet's ability to turn even the darkest feelings beautiful." "I suppose it's my turn..." Yeonaixho said, and cleared his throat. "Rise with the sun and fall with the moon, You become me, and I become you, Spit me all out, drink me all in, And I become renewed again. In moonlight we frolic, a lover's pair, Still shade of absence lingers there, Like lilybud and honeybee, You know I cannot set you free. Your grave is shallow, and I remain, Yet here I persist in eternal pain. I'll bury my love, under golden sand, Your tongue on mine, your heart in hand." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki's fur bristled slightly. The images poems painted were so strong. "Ohh, those are some powerful words... Seki would love to pick both of those poems apart, study them and revel in them, I'm sure", he chuckled with a meek smile. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

Sovran listened with an inquisitive expression. “That was a beautiful poem, Yeonaixho. Powerful stuff right there. Is that from a poet, or somethin’ that you made?” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh- I didn't write it. It's an old Loucari romance, so old they don't know exactly who wrote it." Yeonaixho laughed. "It's one of my favorites. "I've never had the talent to write poetry myself, but I do enjoy reading it." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I wonder what inspired those poets to write these poems. They are dripping with strong emotions", Riki hummed, idly pulling out more fur out of his scruff. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Love’s a strong emotion,” Sovran hummed. “Motivates us to write and express ourselves in all kinds of ways.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. For as long as people have been expiriencing emotion, we've been trying to put it into words. That's all poetry is, at the end of the day." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"So it is..." Riki smiled softly, lifting his head, a distant, reminiscing look in his eyes. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

“Mmhm, just somethin’ to read and look back on. It’s crazy how much poetry exists from back in the ol’ days. A lot of it’s got unknown authors.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho nodded. "At least in the Loucari, it was very common for poets to publish anonymously. If there's a reason for it, I'm unaware of it." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Indeed. I apologise for not being able to take part in poetry recitation. I can't remember any poem from the top of my head, unfortunately." Riki looked at the mess of fluffy tufts on the floor and started gathering them up. He bunched them up into a neater pile, and squished it until it was a loose ball of woolly undercoat. Pretty decent size, too. Someone would get a pillow out of that. He put it aside, and continued ripping fur out of himself. It seemed to never end. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @

3:03 PM

@Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I'm not too sure 'bout the reasonn for it either outside of Loucari. And don't worry 'bout it, Riki," Sovran chuckled. "It's all good." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, it's alrigt, Riki." Yeonaixho smiled. "It's nice to have you here to listen." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Heh, alright... Seki could read her own poems if she were here", Riki replied. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran hummed. He looked to the bundle of crab burger wraps he had prepped. “Maybe you could impress your partner by busting out those poems we said,” Sovran suggested. @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hah, that's an idea." Yeonaixho agreed. "Especially since they seem to enjoy poetry alot, by your description." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Riki laughed lightly. "I'm afraid I won't remember either of them if I tried. But yes, Seki would probably like that... maybe I need to prepare a small poem for them to celebrate our reunion", he chuckled softly. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“That sounds even better,” Sovran grinned. “A poem from you to celebrate reuniting. Good idea, Riki.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, that's a wonderful idea!" Yeonaixho nodded enthusiastically. "What a wonderful gift..." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Riki laughed more, his ears bending back a bit and his tails moving on the floor. "Ah, if only I had any sort of poetic talent...!" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Nah, that’s not what it takes. As long as you just write somethin’ ‘bout how you feel, it’ll be appreciated. It doesn’t gotta be written all fancily.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Technically, you don't even need a rhyme scheme for poetry. It could be free-form!" Yeonaixho added. "I'm sure they'll appreciate anything you write." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Riki chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck bashfully. "I suppose... But I wouldn't want it to sound awkward or silly." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Just do whatever you’re comfortable with doin’,” Sovran gave Riki a pat on the back. “Everything’ll fall into place.” @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It won't be silly if it's genuine. And we won't judge you at all." Yeonaixho reassured. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Aw, heh... Well, could you two maybe help me with it, then?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“We can probably help edit if you’d like, but it does mostly gotta come from you.” Sovran chuckled. @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'd be happy to help." Yeonaixho nodded. "Though, maybe at a different time. I should get this food back to Jymaiyri and Nora, I think. I guess I'll 'see' you two later!" He laughed, and gathered up his belongings to leave. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Alright, that works. Say hi to them for us. I shall stay here and try to... survive", he chuckled tiredly and continued pulling fur out of his neck. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Say hi to them for me, too," Sovran chuckled. "Enjoy the crab wraps! Thanks again for helpin' me back there." @Twig | Kiran + Riki @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, fuck," Sovran cursed. He ate a crab wrap quickly and stood up. "I gotta go to that, I- Fuck. I know him." And with that, Sovran raised his hand. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Riki had been resting and drinking water now and then. He was socked hearing who was fighting, and raised his paw as well.

…Companion to a lost blue bracelet, here sat a ownerless sky blue blanket. Few remnants of a man who loved so much, so many. A man only to be remembered now. Nora’s knees buckled under her as she landed. Tossed to the ground shaking, the weight of her grief and terror locked her to the ground. She couldn’t do more than tremble. Her eyes fell upon the blanket. Her gift to him. It was supposed to be the first of many, in their life together as a family. A strangled cry escaped her. Nora’s hands clawed into the soft ground, dragging herself forward to the final remnant of her dad. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Zora dropped to the floor as well. When she landed, she curled up into a small ball in order to protect the small pot from Nathan. A last memento of him until they reunited. When would that be? It felt as though it would be a lifetime from now. She wanted them to be back on A side so badly. She wanted Juno to be living once more. There were so many things that Zora wanted, but she was unable to achieve them. Useless, always useless. Always unable to achieve anything, and if she did, there were always consequences. Consequences, like joining a family and then losing a member of that family almost immediately. Maybe she was meant for loneliness. Loneliness. Loneliness. Loneliness. The floor began to shift underneath her. It felt almost as if she was seeping through the floor, swaying from side to side as she slowly lost touch with herself. It was hard to feel grounded when there were simply so many negative emotions within her. It felt easier to just let it consume her. Consume her, feel everything at once, then feel nothing as she let it numb her. "N-Nora," Zora croaked out. She turned to face the other girl, desperate to see how she was doing. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Red thread still connected them, leading Zora’s eyes to where Nora was. The girl was dragging herself towards a blue blanket. Her body shook with the effort, her breath ragged. Dirt coated hands met the cloth, yanking it close to Nora’s heart. She hugged the blanket, clutching to it like a lifeline. Nora sobbed, burying her face into it. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Tearfully, Zora crawled to where Nora was. She didn’t hesitate when she pulled the other girl in for a comforting hug. “I-I know, I know,” She whispered. “I-it hurts.. It h-hurts so much..” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora weakly returned the hug. One arm around her sister, the other clutching the blanket between them. For a while, she just sat there and cried into her arms. Her body could hardly produce anymore tears, still, she sobbed. She didn’t feel empty anymore. Just sad and scared. Exhausted. It hurt. Her hand gripped Zora’s shirt tight. “hh.. Z-Zora…. why..? wh-why did.. he- he have t-to… to die..? t-to.. why.. d-did he l-leave..?” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

All Zora did was hug and comfort Nora, struggling to keep her own tears silent in an effort to be strong for the other girl. When she spoke, her words wobbled, “I-I don’t know why- It s-seemed personal, but-but I don’t know why.. Papá wouldn’t have wronged a-anyone to d-deserve that.. I d-don’t know..” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora’s voice was weak, crackling from strain and dehydration. She didn’t think any of it was deserved. The thing that killed her dad was nothing but a monster. Violence for the sake of violence. Something she was intimately familiar with. “mmonster… he- he didn’t… run away.. why…?” Her voice broke with another sob. “hh.. is- is it…. mmy fffault..? w-was I.. t-too happy..?” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

“No- no no no no no- No- it’s not your fault, hermana, it’s not your fault, you did nothing wrong, i-it’s-” Her voice cracked. “It’s that m-monster’s fault, o-or- Maybe it’s even my fault..” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora shook her head, hiding her face into the blanket. “y-you… don’t know, I- I’m.. hh.. only good for… hurting.. e-everything else is- is useless..” She hugged the blanket tighter, holding down her sobs. “I-I’ve been... r-really bad…. p-punished..” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"N-no, no you're not," Zora stated firmly through her own tears. "Y-you're not good at hurting, y-you're just like Juno where- You're good at healing. Y-you made me feel better when you m-made me my bunny, you made me feel h-happy and helped make me feel safe. You're n-not bad, you don't d-deserve to be punished for anything, you've done nothing wrong." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Her voice was raising, crackling through each sob. “Y-you don’t… d-don’t get it, I- I hurt… I- I can’t do.. anything else.. you heal!! Y-you.. you h-have.. nice light, I…” The poor girl was starting to hyperventilate. She didn’t want to say it. She didn’t want Zora to hate her- but she didn’t have that choice. She wasn’t supposed to be happy, she was supposed to hurt. Salvatore was always right. “I- I‘ve k-killed b-before!! I’m-! I’M NOT GOOD!!” She pulled away from Zora, upset with herself. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

6:03 PM

(whoops double @)

At the rising of Nora's tone, Zora flinched slightly and bit her lip. Anxiety began to well up inside of her when- Suddenly, a teary laugh escaped her lips. She buried her face into her hands and shook her head. "Y-you're so good, a-and it hurts that- You've been m-made to think otherwise," Zora whispered. "Nora, y-you're so good compared to me. Y-you've made such beautiful a-and thoughtful things, a-and what have I done? I-I destroyed an e-entire world because I was st-stupid and selfish." Another laugh came out that dissolved into a broken sob. "E-even before then, I-I killed, I-I hurt people, I-I've blinded people, I-I'm n-not good, I've d-done so much bad. A-and just when I think th-that maybe I am deserving of good, of a f-family, J-Juno's killed so s-soon after." Zora lifted her head from her hands. Despite the tears and the harsh shaking of her body as she tried to fight back her own sobs, she still had a small smile. "I-I'm cursed in wh-what feels like every way possible. Cursed to be forgotten, c-cursed to be forced to outlive everyone, cursed t-to lose my loved ones, c-cursed to exist. B-but you, Nora?" Zora reached out for Nora's hand, the one that had the bracelet on the wrist. She held onto Nora's hand tightly between both of her hands. The girl bowed her head and brought their joined hands to her forehead, where she gently leaned forward to make contact. Her tears slipped down her cheeks and landed on the wood. "Y-you're so good," Zora whispered. "You're worthy of so much good, y-you deserve love, a-and peace, and joy, a-and a family. You're Nora, my sister, th-the creator of my little bunny, wh-who thought of creating family bracelets b-because you have s-so much love inside of you. N-no matter how many times you think, o-or you feel th-that you're not good, I'll b-be here to remind you that you are good. Th-that's what big sisters do, look out for their l-little sisiters." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (edited)

Nora looked confused as Zora suddenly laughed, but as she listened her face shifted to sorrow. Zora would never be angry with her, and it hurt. She didn’t want her sister to hurt like she did, and yet… “Oh… y-you’re… like- like me..” Her lip quivered as she listened to her, she didn’t feel like she deserved such kind words as Zora said so many terrible things about herself. “Mm, y-you… you don’t… you w-wanted to be h-happy!! With- with your… your fffamily.. you.. you should.. I want.. you to be happy..! N-not.. not c-cursed.. o-or alone…” Her eyes burned with tears as she pulled Zora into a hug. “I.. if you.. you think I…. Deserve good.. th-then you- you do.. t-too..!” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Zora looked slightly surprised when Nora hugged her, but immediately, she hugged her back tightly, desperately. It was almost as if she was scared that Nora would slip and fade away as well. "G-guess we are pretty similar, huh?" She let out another weepy chuckle. "W-we both want good things, and-.. We deserve good things, huh?" Zora took in a deep breath. "We'll get g-good things together, okay? W-we'll find a way to be h-happy, and have our family, a-and we won't have to b-be alone.." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora hugged her tight. The pressure felt nice, it eased the ache in her chest. Nora followed her lead and took a deep breath. “Mhm… t-together.” Nora cringed a little as her voice gave out near the end. “I… m-my throat… mm, really hurts..” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

"M-mine does, too," Zora managed a small chuckle as she hugged Nora. Her hand briefly reached up to rub her eyes. "Maybe we c-can get some water.." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Oh gosh, her head really hurt too. “Mhm… um.. wh-where..?” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Well.. I know there's a stream around here.. W-we can try to head there and get some water there? It might be our best source of water.." She paused. "O-or we can go to the palm trees, and- Get coconuts. There's water inside of those, and then we can eat the inside, too." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, c-coconuts.. I- I’d.. like that..” Coconuts... she gave one to him, the first they met. Even thinking about him made her heart hurt. She moved to stand, still holding tight to the blanket, in spite of the heat. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Alright, then- Let's go." Zora held out her hand for Nora to grab onto. She intended on leading the way. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora took her hand, happy to follow. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Off to the #palm-trees they went! @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"Man. Not a single thing has changed about this." They either sounded relieved or dejected at that. Same old, mostly run down, piece of shit building. Looks like his patchwork clay stuff held up, though. "Smells just like dirt and petrichor. Perfect." At least he sounded a bit more genuine at that. "Hey, the blanket!" There it was! Lying on the ground where they last were. Sick. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Same old, same old,” Zora hummed. At the sight of the blanket, she lit up with a smile. “Good! Now you can have something comfier on.” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora sat down by Nathan’s blanket, staring at the other two- seemingly waiting for them to join her. “Mm what’s… pe-petr…pet-ri-chor?” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"It's like, that really earthy, kinda wet smell before it rains," Nathan explained, slowly lowering himself next to Nora with a slight groan. "Uh, it happens 'cause the, like, water and moisture in the air mixes with stuff in the dirt. Usually when it rains. Love it." "Cozy 'n comfy, agreed. But, uh- thanks, again, for offering to make it. It's nice." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Zora took a seat as well. She fidgeted slightly, messing with the bandages at her hand, before forcing herself to stop. She hated seeing Nathan in discomfort. If only her healing was able to do more.. “Mmhm, it’s a nice smell. Used to wake up to it all the time back home.” Zora hummed quietly. “It’s a very ‘nature’ scent.” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora nodded along. “Mm, okay! Like- like mud smell. Wet. Mhm.” Nora picked up the blanket, holding it up to Nathan’s torso. “I- I like helping! And- and mmaking stuff. Clothes should… should be nice. Um, comfy. Do you want- mm.. what do you.. wanna have?” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Yeah, like a mud smell. It's great. Love it. Waking up to that is- it's the best feeling, I'unno. It's great." "The stuff y'make is really nice, too," Nathan said, smiling. "Like, that blanket was just. Really good. Great texture. And helpin' people is nice too." "Hm...y'know that shirt I was wearing before?" How to describe a binder... "Maybe, kinda like that, but a bit tight, not as loose?" He'd bother Rakin for pants or something later. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Mmhm, you’re really good at making things and helping people, Nora,” Zora smiled. “Really great at it!” Zora hummed as she listened to Nathan’s request. She stayed relatively silent as the two of them conversed about what to make. This all felt like a fever dream still, one that she’d wake up from to find that Nathan’s still dead. For the moment, she’d let it all sink in that it was all real. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, it- it didn’t.. rain a lot before.. w-where I was before. It would.. um, rain a bunch and it was.. was loud and a lot. Then it was… was a long time… long wait for rain again.. mhm, smells nice.” She smiled at their praise. “Eehee.. mm, you want.. it t-tight? Tight shirt..” She rubbed her hands along the blanket, thinking. She usually made looser clothes… His shirt before was like a shirt without sleeves, she could probably do that. She thought for a long while before pulling out a bit of string and making a small loop so it could be pulled tight around. She held it up to Nathan. “Um, h-how tight do you.. you want? I- I don’t, um.. wanna hurt you. Um, ac- on.. accident.” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Nathan listened quietly as she spoke, the mental cogs churning in the back of their head. Did she go through a drought period? Maybe. They didn’t know. “That’s the best part,” they hummed. “After it’s super dry and it rains- that’s the best thing, ‘cause there’s so much moisture in the air just. Gathering. When I use my powers, sometimes it smells like that- only when I mess around with claystuffs, though.” “Ehh, you won’t hurt me, promise,” they reassured, lifting up their arms as Nora took their measurements. “Uh, maybe a bit tighter? Don’t worry about hurting me, uh- the shirt I usually wore was kinda tight. It, uh, it’s helpful if it’s tighter. Yeah.” ...Huh. The bracelet she made for him was gone, too… “Um- hey, Zora? Are you sure they didn’t give you anything? Bracelet, necklace- photo? Literally anything?” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Hm?" Zora perked up as the attention was brought onto her. Frowning slightly, she gave a shake of her head. "No, I- Didn't get anything. I'm sorry about that." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora frowned in thought as she measured. She already thought it was tight but she listened. It was a little too tight now! “Mm, like.. like that?” Her frown deepened as Nathan asked again. “I- I can.. can make you… more bracelet? Mm..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Argh, I think that's a bit too tight," Nathan said with a faint wince. Hoo. Ribs. Lungs. "But, uh, you're gettin' there." "Yeah, maybe we can make another bracelet. That'd be nice." They fiddled a bit with Nora's bracelet, offering a little smile. "Hey, maybe we can kinda make it like yours- y'know, with different colors 'n stuff." Despite their kind smile, their brows were pinched deeply together in thought. While it was a bummer he lost the bracelet, he could make another one with his sisters. More memories, why not? Graduation, winter of...whatever the hell. He graduated early. Ellie was there. She followed him to every class, but she didn't even go there to begin with. Nathan fiddled a bit more with Nora's bracelet, quiet, as he watched her take his measurements. They had matching necklaces. Jason preferred earrings. He didn't say where he got them. Amethyst, carnelian, sodalite. That crackling feeling in the back of his throat was returning. "...have I ever told you guys about my friends?" The words feel heavy and foreign on his tongue, but the crackling ceases, if only for a moment. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

“Not really.. I’d like to hear about them, if you’d like to talk about them.” Zora spoke softly as she gently took Nathan’s hand into hers. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“O-oh, um, sorry..” She loosened it and luckily to the right spot! She smiled a little as he fidget with the bracelet, the string moving and winding around his finger lightly. “That would- would be fun!” Nora tilted her head at him. “Mm, no.. I- I wanna, um.. hear about them.” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"That's better," he sighed, as Nora readjusted the string. "And it's alright, y'didn't do anythin' wrong." Nathan felt the warmth of Zora's hand in theirs, and they squeezed, lightly. When was the last time he talked about them to anyone? "I...don't think I mentioned them once here, like. The entire time," Nathan quietly said with a laugh. "I don't think the time ever came up. Plus, uh, I like listening to people talk more. It's nice to learn about you guys." My sisters, my family. "I...mmm. Hm. Well, they're the guys who gave me the, uh, necklace I...used to wear. There were these, like, bits of carnelian and sodalite on them- red and blue. We're all matching jewelry and stuff, except they have amethyst, this purpley rock on them. 'Cause I'm al purple 'n stuff." "Um...I called one of them. When I got sent to the other side- this guy...Ace. He's the red part of the necklace." Was. "Well, uh. Was, I guess." "Imagine this- this tall, lanky kinda guy, kinda like a tree," Nathan started, dragging his (and Zora's) hand up to show his height. "He's got this dark, dark black hair, like pitch-black- and these big, rectangley glasses. He can't see anything without them." "And he loves archery- he, he can actually make his own bow and stuff, since he has these like...string kind of powers? Nowhere as good as yours, though," he reassured, "not like actual string. Kind of like...magic string. Goldeny string, super resilient, he uses them for healing and, like, archery and stuff." He was lost in thought describing Ace, eyes focused on some part of the ceiling. That crackley feeling was still there. "I, uh, I thought he was a professor? For a good time? But no, he was just some guy who lived near the college I went to. He started studying to be a professor again, though. I think he interned at Borg Industries for that...? M'not entirely sure, though." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Zora squeezed his hand a bit tighter, even when Nathan moved their conjoined hands and forced her to sit up a bit further. She smiled adoringly as Nathan spoke on and on about their friends. “I like them,” Zora spoke softly. “Or at least- The sound of them. They sound good, like a good and interesting person.” Once more, she squeezed Nathan’s hand, as though she was encouraging them to go on. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora nodded and moved the string away. She turned to the blanket and picked up a corner, taking out the chalk Zora gave her and marking the pattern. She scrawled out something else that vaguely looked like measurements and a little smiley face. She paused as Nathan talked. She smiled as he gestured, nodding along. “Mm, Ace.. he has- has string too? A bow…” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I think you'd like them, Zora" Nathan laughed. "They're all about magicstuffs. They love doing research, and like, learning about the Elemental Masters, and like, Elemental-imbued stuff, like weaponry and- and just, artifacts. Stuff." They squeezed Zora's hand slightly more, watching Nora mark down their measurements. They smiled at the smiley face as well. "Yeah, strings- but not like yours, more like just...magic. He can heal with 'em, too. He hated stitching people up though, he always got kinda squeamish." Ace had been getting better, though. Slightly better. He'd gotten less and less pale over time. "I guess stitching is kinda like your sewing, too? I think you guys would get along." "Ellie, Ellie, Ells, she was the blue part- and she's just. So spunky. She's so energetic. Uh, she's kinda stocky, a little shorter than me? And she has these wicked powerful wind powers. It grw up watching all these cartoons and stuff as a kid, so it just likes to do like, all sorts of fancy wind-kicking stuff. Especially when it ice skates. You guys ever done ice skating before? Or seen it? Like, with all the spins and jumps? Phew. They are not easy. I-it's actually kinda scary. And she does it competitively." "I've known her for...years. Since I was a kid. It's always liked photography, too. I think it's done work for a buncha journals? B-but it's taken like, so many photos, enough to make those like, a good few scrapbooks." Nathan swallowed back the lump in their throat, licking their lips nervously as they spoke. "Um. Uhm. Ellie actually helped me print out that photo- um, I took it during my birthday, but I didn't know how to get it to print. It was a whole thing, wires and USBs and whatever, uh, it helped me print it out easily. I've held onto that thing ever since." Their fingers were shaking. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Zora squeezed Nathan’s hand in an effort to steady them. She reached out with her other hand and held their hand between hers. “Ace and Ellie sound like wonderful friends. M-maybe one day, Nora and I can meet them?” Zora suggested with a small smile. “I’m glad you have such caring people in your life. You deserve to have good friends.” For a moment, Zora fell silent. “.. Maybe there’s a way we can get your stuff back..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora smiled. “Mm, healing.. healing would be- um.. helpful! Mhm! I- I can stitch.. cuts and sstuff but.. doesn’t heal.” Nora looks back to the cloth, beginning to unravel the blanket. She started to unravel a square around the markings. “Oo.. um, ice..skating ssounds- sounds fun!! I think.. I saw it in- in a book.” She looked back up as their voice started to shake again. She seemed a bit nervous as Zora spoke. “Mm… h-how do- do we.. get it back?” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Nathan laughed, something warm and tender swelling in his chest. His friends, his sisters. "Yeah," he sighed, breathless. "They're great. T-they're really great. Man, I'd love for you guys to meet them. I think they'd love you guys too." And to think he hated them when he got here, wanted nothing but the worst for them. To think he'd be laughing, smiling, talking about them now, however thousand-bajillion-miles away from them he was. Now, he wanted nothing more than to go home with his sisters and reunite with his friends. The words withered away on his tongue as Zora spoke, and he squeezed her hand a little tighter. "How? I'm pretty sure it's gone since I di- I- since I fell," they quietly groaned. "But, hey, I'm open to ideas." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Maybe we can plan a day for a day in the city with them, and do some fun things. It’ll be exciting.” Zora smiled. “I think I have an idea, but-” Zora’s gaze dropped to their united hands. “I-I’ll just be right back, okay?” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora frowned, looking worried. “Wh-where are- are you g-going?” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"H. Huh?" Nathan peered down at their hands, letting go rather reluctantly. "Uh, sure. Right back, right?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Just outside real quick! I pr-” Remembering how Nora felt about promises, Zora quickly changed her statement. “Probably will be back sooner than you think! I’ll come right back.” Zora’s hand already felt empty without Nathan’s. She wanted to stick around a bit longer, but if there was a chance to get Nathan’s stuff back, well, she had to try. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora fidgeted worriedly. “Mm… o-okay… If- if you need h-help.. um, t-twist your.. your bracelet or- or, um.. mhm, twist.. I- I can feel it..” She looked into her eyes dead on. “Be.. be safe.. please.” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

"We'll be out right quick if you need help," Nathan agreed, watching Zora carefully. "Just give us a call, or- or twist your bracelet, yeah." "We trust you- just stay safe, yeah?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“I’ll be careful, I’ll be super careful,” Zora wrapped her arms around both of her siblings to give them both a hug. “I’ll do that if I need to. I’ll be back real quick!” With that, Zora let them go and gave them both a little wave before she scampered out the door.. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora returned the hug, watching Zora with a stressed look as she left. “Mm… sh-she’s.. do you, um.. think she’s- she’s gonna ask… R-Rakin ffor your stuff..?” She squeezed the blanket tightly. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan gently squeezed Zora's arm as she hugged them, patting her back lightly as she made her leave. Scamperin' off. Rakin. Eeug. Nathan tried to hide the grimace on his face, but it didn't turn out well. Instead, he shrugged, pressing his chin into the heel of his palm. "If she does, then I just hope Rakin's in the mood for a blindness sunbeam if he tries anything," Nathan grumbled. He gave Nora a reassuring smile however, gently setting his hand atop the blanket. "But Zora's strong, and she's real powerful, too. If Rakin tries to mess with her or anything, I doubt she's gonna just stand there and take it. Y'know her." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora nodded, still looking worried. “Mhm… a-and I.. I can help.. this time…” Her hands relaxed slightly, the threads further unraveling until there was a separate square around the patterns she marked out. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan's smile faltered at her words, brows pinching together deeply. "'Course y'can help," he reassured, patting the blanket lightly. "You're wicked strong too, don't forget it. We'll be out as soon as Zora needs us, quick as lightnin'." "...How do you sew and stuff?" Nathan asked, trying to distract her from her worries. "I've never sewn before, but I've seen Ace do it before. It looks pretty hard, eh?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora nodded again. “..was scary… don’t like.. wh-when I couldn’t.. d-do anything to- to help…” His question did seem to distract her a bit. She started pulling and unraveling around the holes of the shirt before pausing. “Oh, um…… mm..? I- I always.. know how to. You.. you tie the th-thread.. to the needle and.. um. Go. Keep going..? I- I dunno..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan removed his hand from the blanket to let Nora do her thing, watching her quietly as she unraveled the blanket. "So, it's kinda like, muscle memory for you?" They tried mimicking her movements, although rather sloppily. And strangely, as there was no string to mime stitching with. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora continued her work. “Mm… muscles h-have… memories? Um, mmaybe.. do you- did you, um… not know how t-to.. to do clay, um, a-always?” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Ehh, well...kinda? Muscle memory is like, when, you don't really have to think much about doing somethin' because you're already so used to doing it- like sewing, or stitching." "Not exactly, I, uh- didn't actually have clay powers to start with," Nathan quietly laughed. "My pa has poison powers, and my mom has clay ones- so it was kind of a gamble finding out what element I'd use and how well I'd use it." "So, I guess I learned how to use my powers over time. It feels natural to use 'em now, but not when I first started out. Was- was it not like that for you?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (edited)

Nora tilted her head curiously. “Mm.. p-pois..poison.. you got, um… your powers.. your mmom gave you.. hers?” She shook her head. “I- I always.. knew. I wanted… I wanted to.. to fix Kitty and.. and I knew.. how to. I dunno.. it- I.. I feel.. I just.. remember h-how? Mm..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

She continued working on the shirt! The front seemed almost done.

"Eh, I mean, pretty much, yeah," Nathan hummed. "When I was a kid, I started getting...poison powers? Like, biting things would turn them really...bleh. Also the general poison powers thing. But they mellowed out when I was...seven? Eight? And my mom started teaching me how to properly handle my clay powers." They watched Nora continue to make the shirt, leaning slightly more against the wall. "I mean, that's cool- it's like...instinct, right? You just knew how to do it from the get-go? Or like, memory stuff." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She looked confused. “You… had p-poison but it… it went away?” “Mm, what’s… what does insstick- ins..tink.. mean? Um… it’s like a- a memory… I just.. fffeel like I.. I did it b-before? Mm, but I didn’t. I- I dunno.” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ (edited)

"Mmhm. Like- poison powers, when I was a kid. It was only for a little bit, though. I don't poison people when I bite them anymore- I was a bitey little kid," Nathan quickly said, scratching behind their ear. "Uh- instinct is like, you've always kinda known how to do it, even without anyone teachin' you." They cocked their head to the side, thinking for a moment. "Like...hm, I think that might be instinctive. Like, feeling you did it before, without havin' done it." "It's not really a big deal, don't worry," they reassured. "It's just powers, they're always kinda weird sometimes." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, but.. wh-where did it- it go?” She nodded along with their explanation. “Mm, okay.. it’s- it’s like that. Mhm, weird.. not- not bad though..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Mm, maybe weird wasn't the best word," Nathan inwardly groaned. "Uh, magic is kinda...unpredictable sometimes. It's strange, but not in a bad way. Just- interesting. Random, sometimes. It's fun. And sometimes, magic and powers are really, real creative- like yours." "What d'you mean, where did it go? The poison...? Or the poison powers?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Th-the poison powers. What.. what happened to them?” Nora went back to working on his shirt, now working on the back half. “Mm.. sstrange and- and in-teres..ting. Mhm. Eehee, y-yours are- are creative.. you mmake stuff too!” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Knockity-knock-knock! Zora knocked before making her way into the old barracks. She definitely looked more tired than she had earlier, and now she had burns along her left arm, but she ultimately was okay. “I-I’m back, sorry it took so long,” Zora chuckled tiredly. “Nathan, I- Got all your stuff back!” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Um...disappeared, maybe?" Nathan didn't sound too entirely sure himself. "I never got it checked out after I got clay powers. I'm pretty sure they disappeared." Pretty sure, being the key word. Nathan didn't have much time to linger on those thoughts, opening their mouth to respond to Nora before suddenly, there was a knock at the 'door'. "Zora!" Nathan greeted, shuffling up to their feet. They grinned at the sight of their kid sister in their sweater- practically drownin' in it. But still! "Hey, no worries, no worries, y'don't gotta apologize. Nora and I were just chatting!" Nathan gently ruffled her hair, worry written on their face."Hey, uh, you- are you? Alright?" Pale purple eyes darted down to the burns. "Wgh- where'd the burns come from?" Nathan quickly asked, voice dropped into a hushed whisper. He didn't want to worry Nora. "Are you alright? Did you get into a fight with someone? Was it Rakin?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

(Just gonna respond real quick since most of this is directed at Zora and she's gonna try to hide the burns from Nora) "Hope I didn't worry you g-guys while I was gone," Zora smiled. She couldn't help but giggle as her hair was ruffled by Nathan. "Hermano, my haiirrrr." At the mention of her burns, she quickly rolled her sleeves down. She hoped that Nora didn't see. "I-I'm okay, just tired," She admitted loud enough for Nora to hear, then, in a quieter voice, she said, "No, I d-didn't get into a fight. My p-powers acted up on me, i-it's okay.." Slowly, she shrugged off Nathan's sweater and held it out to them to take. Her cardigan was still on, so it kept the burns hidden. "H-here's your jacket! All of your stuff's in the pockets!" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora smiled brightly and set aside the blanket. “Y-you’re back! Yaay!! Oh and- and you got.. his stuff! Um.. was it okay?” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Hermano. He kinda knew that word. It felt nice. Nathan stopped ruffling Zora's hair as she spoke. Powers, huh. He was still squinting, but the tension in their brows seemed to let up slightly more. "Alright," he quietly said, brief, as she passed their sweater to them. They weren't going to press her any more on the matter. "Only if you're alright." Nathan dug through the pockets of his jacket, seemingly looking for something- before immediately grinning, all stress from earlier now aliviated. "My stuff- hey, shit, my stuff!" Nathan exclaimed, taking out a thin piece of paper- a photo. The t-gel hit the ground with a sad little thud. His necklace, his photo- binder, pants, pants. "Aw, Zorrra, you're the best!" Nathan crowed. "You got my stuff back you- arrgh!" Nathan slung an arm around her shoulder, hugging her as tight (not too tight) as they could. The photo flapped furiously in their hand. "Thank you! Aw, that's awesome, thank you so much! That's crazy, you got everythin' back! How!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I'm okay," Zora gently reassured. "I'll h-heal it once I've gotten s-some of my strength back." "Mmhm! It went okay!" Zora beamed at Nora. "All I had to do was heal Rakin and someone named Itsuki, and everything was okay!" Zora giggled as Nathan slung his arm over her shoulder for a half hug. She wrapped an arm around them to return the hug. "Of course! Anything for you!" Zora giggled. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora smiled. “Mm, okay! Th-that was nice.” She looked at Nathan’s things and tilted her head. “Oh, you- your shirt.. um, you don’t.. need t-two shirts, hmm..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

"I'd noogie you if I could right now, but I'm kind and responsible," Nathan laughed, squeezing Zora briefly. "Thank you so much, it really means a lot to me. Like, really, a lot." Nathan held the photo between their teeth as they managed to slip their necklace on, one-handed. Carnelian and sodalite shimmered in the fading sunlight. "I'll keep your shirt, if- if you still wanna make it, that is," Nathan grinned, flapping the photo between their fingers again. "It's alright if y'don't wanna, but I'd wanna wear something you made, y'know? It's all good." They wanted to frown at healing Rakin, but it seemed in character for Zora. "Well, I think you healing Rakin was nice, all things considered," Nathan said. "Did he get roughed up bad? I wouldn't know." Or care, to be honest, but that's how it goes. "Wait, and you healed Itsuki? What happened to him? Was he alright?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Thanks for being so generous, Nathan,” Zora laughed. Her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Everything felt so light and warm, especially in her chest. This moment with her siblings just felt so kind and easy, a moment she would forever appreciate with them. Zora hoped for plenty more moments like this with them. “No, Rakin didn’t get roughed up. He had a medical condition that he wanted me to try and fix. I couldn’t fix it completely, but I helped a small amount.” Zora glanced around at the floor. Sitting sounded like a really nice idea, her legs were already feeling like jello underneath her. She hated how tired she got after healing burns. Bleh. Bleh bleh bleh. “It-Itsuki had a lot of burns, they w-were pretty bad,” Zora tried to hide how anxious burns made her, but she was somewhat failing. Her hand reached up to the left side of her face, where a burn of her own was healing upon her cheek. Woo, burns. “H-he’s okay now, I was able to h-help him.” She frowned. “He also said to tell you that he’s ‘not in the mood anymore,’ so, uhm, yeah..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, okay. Um, do you… sstill want it- it to be.. tight, or um..?” She looked at Zora with worry. “A-are you tired? You, um.. l-let’s sit down..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"It can still be tight, I don't really mind. Thanks, uh, in advance." "...Huh." Rakin. "Well, it's still nice you healed him. I'm glad y'could help, even if it wasn't complete," Nathan said, patting her shoulder. Their reassuring look immediately shifted into one of worry as she touched her burns- it was pretty apparent she was getting uncomfortable with all of this,. "We can grab a sit if you want," Nathan quietly said, shifting so that they could hold her up slightly. "Always healin' others, huh? After you get some rest, maybe you could focus on your own, too. I can grab some food if you want?" 'Not in the mood'. Nathan tried to hide the way their face twisted into a grimace, but it certainly didn't work. They scrunched up their nose, their ears turning the slightest shade of crimson. "Itsuki. Um. I'm glad y'could heal him, uh, too." They...should probably look for him at some point. Maybe Rakin gave him t? Hopefully. "And uh, thanks. I'll...keep that in mind." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Zora appreciated some support from Nathan. She offered Nora and him a small, tired smile. “Y-yeah, I’d like to sit.. I g-get a bit worn out from healing, e-especially with burns. It-.. Takes a lot out of me..” Zora admitted with a small sigh. “Food sounds good after.. All of that. B-but I don’t want you to go away-” Zora suddenly straightened up. “Y-you still have your orb, right? Of the other half of your power? H-hold onto it, and keep it safe, Rakin w-wants it.” “Y-yeah, no problem..” Zora left the Itsuki stuff at that. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora tugged on her sleeve a little, trying to get her to sit. “If- if you wanna, um.. sleep a-again you.. you can lay on- on the.. the blanket..” She didn’t really get what they were talking about with the lizard guy, but it wasn’t that important to her. Zora looked tired. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I won't leave you," Nathan reassured. They probably didn't have food on them after their fight. "I won't leave. We'll stay here- maybe there's some food leftover in here? I know someone was cookin' earlier. But let's get you seated and stuff first, alright?" Their orb! Sitting right there where they left it. Nathan grimaced even more at that, teeth gritted with some strained noise. "Come on, give me a break," they groaned. "Why does he want my powers again? Well. Half of my powers, but still. What business does he have with my clay shit?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Zora let Nora’s tugging gently guide her to the floor. She sat beside her sister and laid down, resting the top of her head against the side of her sister’s leg. Nora’s presence was warm and calming, as was Nathan’s. Being by them both would lull her to sleep soon: She felt completely safe and cozy with her siblings. God, she adored them. “Sl-sleep sounds nice,” Zora whispered. “It’s okay, I can- Hold off on food for now, it’s okay..” Cracking her eyes open - When had they closed? - Zora squinted up at Nathan. “I don’t know, h-he didn’t say, but- I don’t trust him with it.. He c-can’t have your powers, neither of your guys’..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Having Zora lay by her made her feel much calmer. It was nice being with the two of them again. Safe. She smiled warmly at Zora. “Mm, do- do you wanna.. um, you can use the- the blanket as.. as a- um… a pillow! If- if you want.” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sleepy time it was then. "And you can use my jacket as a blanket," they added, starting to take the stuff out from their pockets. "It's kinda warm as it is, but y'can hang onto it if you want." Nathan jerked their thumb to the corner of the old ass hut. "I'm gonna change right quick, but um. Here y'go." They draped the jacket carefully over Zora, dusting off their hands dramatically. "Nice 'n cozy and cookin' to death," Nathan sighed. "Alright. Changing. Second." They waddled off into the corner to get rid of that awful scratchiness. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (if you two wanna chat :] )

Warmth spread over Zora as she felt the presence of both of her siblings with her. Directly touching Nora and then having Nathan’s jacket with her.. It was comfortable, safe, cozy. She could stay here forever. Maybe not forever. There were better places to be. Tugging the jacket over herself, Zora curled up into the fetal position to fit underneath the jacket. Ah. Even cozier. “Th-thank you, for the jacket, hermano,” Zora smiled tiredly. “A-and maybe I could use the blanket as a pillow, it’d be a c-cozy pillow, nice and cozy..” She made sure to look away from Nathan to give them the privacy of changing. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora smiled and got out the blanket. Sky blue and soft, it made a perfect pillow as Nora tucked it under her head for her. “You- you’re.. cozy now? Hee..” There was a nice warmth in her heart. She could almost pretend they were all home safe together. “I, um…. I- I love you guys.. it’s- it’s nice to… to be together again..!” @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

“Thank you,” Zora smiled as her head was rested upon the pillow. She scooted a bit closer to Nora and chuckled. “I love you much more, both of you. I f-feel so comfortable and happy with you both. I feel- The happiest I’ve ever been.” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Aw, sayin' 'I love you' without me?" Nathan snickered, making their way over to the pair. They were dressed in their usual binder and pants again, necklace nestled on their chest where it used to be before. The absence of shoes was going to be a slight pain, but nonetheless. "I love you guys," they said, ruffling both of their hair lightly. "I'm- I'm really glad we met. Like, really. I love you guys so much." He never had siblings. He always wished he had. "You guys are everything I wanted to have as a kid," they quietly admitted. "And I'm just...really glad we're together again. I'm glad you guys are here." Alive again, home again, safe again. (And when the announcement rang in their ears and their kid sister disappeared beneath their fingertips, they raised their hand to the sky.) @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu (edited)

Nora laughed lightly as he ruffled her hair. Her hand reached up after his. “Eehehe, I- I’m glad we’re-” And like that, she was taken from them. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Gone. Gone. No. No no no no no- ”No no no no no!!!!” Zora screamed as Nora disappeared. Hugging the jacket tightly around her body, she patted the spot that Nora had been in. “No!!!” Tears instantly were in her eyes. Why is it that when she loved someone, they were taken? Oh god, she was going to lose Nora, she was going to lose her- “N-Nathan!” Zora half-sobbed out. “Th-they took her- It’s her fight-!” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Zora- Zora, she's going to be alright," Nathan quickly said, hands holding onto Zora's shoulders. "She's gonna be alright. She's tough, yeah? We talked about this earlier, she's tough. Nora's strong, she can win." (They tried to ignore their shaking hands.) "Nora's got this, yeah? Yeah." Nathan took Zora's hand, squeezing it tightly between their fingers. "I know it's stressful. It's really stressful, but she's going to win," they stressed. Pale purple eyes focused on hers. "Alright?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Teary purple met purple eyes. Her entire body was trembling. It felt too easy to slip into her panic, to let it entirely wash over her and drive her to the floor, helpless. Instead, she focused on the warmth of Nathan's hands and the weight of their jacket. Nice and grounding. "Y-y-yeah, she- She's- She's going to be str-strong, she can do this.." Zora whimpered. "L-let's- Let's g-go su-support her.." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan Arrival

Isabelle and Celena Spooky Times

Moses v. Frog, also Agustin is here

Family Arrives

Nora Nathan Naixho in the Barracks

Crab Soup

Celena's Here!

Shelter Arrivals

Nora Baby

Sov and the Strangest Boy

Speak of the Baby and she will Arrive

Dads of Maze

Today we might lose a fellow dad

Sisters Alone

Siblings Together