Tourn RP Archive

The pathway here was very simple, just downtrodden grass and sand leading from the upper part of #beach toward #old-barracks . It seemed like it was mostly just used to get to the common areas off to the side, #common-area-top, #common-area-right, and #common-area-left.

Walking slowly and carefully, Yeonaixho made his way along the path. He was pretty sure it was a path, at least. And paths usually led somewhere. It was these basic facts he held onto, in this unknown landscape. @soul | 🎻

Theora's head throbbed. Ow. Turns out being bonked by a rock hurt. But she persevered. Miles had to be somewhere. Then she'd work out how to get out of here with him in tow. She stormed down the path. Easier than wandering off into the unpathed areas. She could keep track. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho paused at the sound of someone else's footsteps. He lifted a hand in a polite wave. "Oh, hello there! I- uh, I'm a bit... new here? I guess? Hello?" @soul | 🎻

Theora instinctively lifted a gun she did not have. She then let her arms drop realising her mistake. "Have you seen a nineteen year old boy called Miles?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho, of course, did not see Theora readying a nonexistent gun. He rose his hands in surrender anyways- she sounded hostile enough. "I- I haven't seen anyone, ever- I can't see-" He stammered. @soul | 🎻

Theora scowled. At least he didn't see her mistake. "Well, have you talked to him?" She asked snappily. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"No, I-" Yeonaixho took in a deep breath, and fidgeted with his sweater. Damn, it was hot. "I've never met anyone by that name. Who is he?" @soul | 🎻

"I'm supposed to bring him back where he belongs," Theora continued. Unbothered. Flourishing. Missing her gun. "If you see him, you'll tell me." That was not a question. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well... if I come across him, I will. What's your name, by the way? In case I need to come into contact with you again?" He asked, then offered, "I'm Yeonaixho. Also, where does he belong?" @soul | 🎻

"My name is Theora." She stepped closer, as if intending to pass, but then Yeonaixho kept talking. Theora scowled. "He belongs at the facility. I think he belongs in a grave. But I don't make the rules." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, it's good to meet you, Theora," Yeonaixho laughed awkwardly, then paused. "A- a grave? Are you certain about that?" @soul | 🎻

"If I was allowed to kill him I would." She was so so serious. Her eyes burrowed into Yeonaixho. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Well, this was concerning. Yeonaixho had dealt with many a child before, but not many of them were this hellbent on murder. "Okay. Okay." He took in a breath. "Well- hm. You obviously can't kill him now, right? So, uh- new topic. Unrelated to Miles. I assume you just... appeared here, as well?" @soul | 🎻

Theora huffed again. "When I find him I'm taking him back." She glowered at the idea of changing the topic. How dare he. "I did. The people who took me took Miles as well, I saw it. So he's here somewhere." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, uh- I'm looking for someone, too." Yeonaixho said, sticking with his change of topic. "My wife, Jymaiyri. And my daughter. So maybe, they're all together?" @soul | 🎻

Theora narrowed her eyes. But didn't say anything. Not about the wife or daughter. "Once I get Miles, I'm getting out of here." You're in space girl. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Theora, I-" Yeonaixho sighed, "I hate to break it to you, but I don't think any of us are leaving any time soon. Or, uh- of our own accord." His voice dipped dangerously into fear as he went on. "That's the impression I got from Rakin, at least..." @soul | 🎻

Theora would have raised her gun if she had one. "I'll work it out," she said through gritted teeth. "They can't keep me here. I have a place to be." Girl's obviously never been in a tourn before. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well- I do too, and that's not stopping them. I have a six month old baby to be looking after, actually. But instead I'm here. So we're both out of luck." Yeonaixho huffed. @soul | 🎻

Theora grimaced. Baby. Ew. "I said I'll work it out. Getting Miles is the most important part." Girl no. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho furrowed his brow. Hearing someone say getting some guy was the most important thing was, almost always, not a good sign. He frowned, but didn't say anything. His doubt was clear. @soul | 🎻

Theora stared at Yeonaixho in his silence. "...you will tell me if you find him." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho paused, and sighed. "If you're planning on hurting him... then, no. No, I won't." @soul | 🎻

Theora's eyes burned into Yeonaixho. "You will." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"What? No, I won't. You can't just- boss me around like that." He titled his head to the side, facing slightly away from Theora. "No. I'm not telling you." @soul | 🎻

Theora side-stepped to keep staring at Yeonaixho's face. "You will. It's my duty. You won't get in the way of it." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well it's my duty to ensure the least amount of people get hurt as possible. I'm a medical professional." Yeonaixho countered. "And sticking by that duty is too important to me than listening to... some kid. Why are there kids here? You should be in school, or something." @soul | 🎻

Theora stepped back. Then she remembered she wasn't supposed to be afraid and stepped forward again. "I'm not a kid. I'm nineteen. I know that's supposed to be an adult." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho's brow only furrowed further. "Nineteen! You're still a teenager! And you're out here, talking about all of this, at this... whatever this place is..." He trailed off, shaking his head. @soul | 🎻

Theora frowned. "Miles is nineteen too. His age is harder to pinpoint." She also remembered she wasn't actually holding a gun. She crossed her arms. "I didn't choose to come here." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well- I didn't either, I don't think any of us did, but that's not the point. The point is-" He sighed, then grumbled. "Point is, I'm still not telling you about him if I find him." @soul | 🎻

"You will." Girl. He will not. "I'm not allowed to kill him anyway. He'll be fine." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"No, I'm not. What makes you think you can just... boss me around like that?" Yeonaixho asked. He wasn't so much angry or confrontation, as actually interested in the question. @soul | 🎻

"Because it's a simple request. It won't bother you to do so." Theora squinted at him. "The more people looking out for him, the quicker I can find him and take him back to where he belongs." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, it does bother me now that I know your intentions. And I'm not so certain I trust you to know 'where he belongs'." @soul | 🎻

"It's the same place as I'm from." Theora sounded very confused that Yeonaixho just didn't immediately understand her perspective. Rude. How dare he. "He'll live." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"And where is that?" Yeonaixho asked. He pulled at his shirt a bit, uncomfortably. @soul | 🎻

"The facility," she said as if it was common knowledge. Totally normal. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"The facility." Yeonaixho repeated, not believing this. "Just... 'the facility?'" @soul | 🎻

"Our facility. Yes." Theora narrowed her eyes. These things were so normal. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Is that supposed to... mean anything to me? What kind of facility is it?" @soul | 🎻

"It's the facility." Her ass was not elaborating. "It's science." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Science. Okay." Yeonaixho sighed. He got the feeling he wasn't getting more information than that, at least not right now. "You're going to take him back to the science facility." @soul | 🎻

"Yes, because he belongs there," Theora said very judgementally of this new random guy. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"How so?" Yeonaixho challenged. "Why's he belong there?" @soul | 🎻

"He lives there?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho thought for a second. "If he lives there, then why do you have to bring him back?" @soul | 🎻

"Because he left," Theora said, irritation scratching at her voice. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Then, obviously, he doesn't live there anymore." @soul | 🎻

Theora squinted. "No- he does- what?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, I lived in the North Loucari for my entire life up until I got married. And then I left, cause I wanted to move south with my wife. So now I don't live there anymore. I live in the South Loucari. Same principle applies." @soul | 🎻

"He doesn't live anywhere! He's just wandering around!" Theora threw her arms up in frustration. "Do you live here, now that you're not there?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh-" Yeonaixho's brow furrowed. "He's... homeless? Huh. Why doesn't he go back to... the facility?" @soul | 🎻

"Because he's an idiot." Theora gritted her teeth. She was glad Yeonaixho was blind. He wouldn't see her hands shaking. Her eyes scrunching up as she winced. He could hear the unsteady breath. "The facility is where we belong." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That's not very nice." Yeonaixho frowned. He noticed Theora's unsteady breath. "Hey, let's change topics. It's clear that talking about Miles is getting you all worked up- did a guy come talk to you before you got here? He said we're in space. I don't believe him." @soul | 🎻

"It's the truth." Theora scowled at the change of topics again but this time she humoured the old man. Not for long. "A strange floating thing talked to me. Didn't say anything about space." She chose not to mention being shot, or what she had seen. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"A... floating thing? Huh." Yeonaixho thought. "Well, I'm pretty sure the person I met wasn't floating, I could hear his footsteps. I guess it makes sense we'd all talk to different people..." @soul | 🎻

Theora huffed. "He told me he had Miles so he's somewhere here. I'll find him and I'll... take him back." She did not really sound pleased about not being able to kill him. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hm." Yeonaixho lifted his gaze, like he was scanning the horizon, though of course he wasn't. "Well, I came from the beach area, but I don't think he was over there." @soul | 🎻

"I'll find him either way." Sorry Theora. You will not. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"...ok." @soul | 🎻

Theora nodded to affirm herself. Didn't care Yeonaixho couldn't see it. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho just patted his pockets. Sorry girl he can't hear a nod. "Uh..." @soul | 🎻

"He should be glad I'm not allowed to kill him. I would if I could." Girl. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Is- is there a reason why you want to kill him?" @soul | 🎻

"Yes." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"And....?" Yeonaixho gestured for her to continue. @soul | 🎻

"And I want to kill him. But I can't." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"What's the reason?" @soul | 🎻

"I can't kill him because he needs to return to the facility alive?" Girl that's not what he's asking but okay. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"No, the reason you want to kill him." @soul | 🎻

"He betrayed me." She crossed her arms. "What do you care? He deserves it, that's all that matters." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, I generally care whenever anyone says someone deserves to die." Yeonaixho furrowed his brow. "I'm of the belief that no one ever deserves death." @soul | 🎻

"You haven't met Miles. He's an idiot. An idiot that will be betray anyone to stay alive. He has it coming. But he's got to stay alive for the facility." Theora huffed through her nose. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I don't think anyone's deserving of death. Regardless of how much of an idiot they are." @soul | 🎻

Theora narrowed her eyes at Yeonaixho. "You haven't met him." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I don't need to have." @soul | 🎻

Theora didn't answer, just huffing again. How dare this man not want to help her to kill somebody. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho sighed, and put his hands on his hips. He was thinking. @soul | 🎻

Theora watched him suspiciously. The fuck he thinking about. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho didn't say anything. Still thinking. @soul | 🎻

Theora continued to stare at him. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

The thing about Yeonaixho Sehwohl was that he absolutely did not care, or didn't easily notice, when someone was staring at him. He was still thinking. @soul | 🎻

"Tell me if you see him," Theora repeated, then stepped away as if to walk away. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, that'll be difficult." Yeonaixho hummed, but didn't object to Theora walking away. @soul | 🎻

Theora scowled. "If you meet him. Or hear him." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho contemplated this. "Hm. Sure. I'll tell you." @soul | 🎻

"Good." Then she turned to leave. Goodbye Yeonaixho. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Goodbye!" Yeonaixho said, and listened to Theora leaving. Huh. Weird kid. @soul | 🎻

Nora walked along the path, drinking from her coconut and getting a lay of the land. She quickly noticed a man in her way, and watched him curiously. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho was busy taking off his sweater and tying it around his waist, though he paused when he heard Nora's approaching footsteps. "Oh, hello there!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

It was strange to actually talk to people like this. But it was sort of nice. “H-hello. Umm… what are.. you doing?” The only thing was finding something to talk about. She shuffled forward, something was off about her gait. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, I was just passing through this area-" Yeonaixho said, then frowned as he noticed Nora's limp. "Are you alright? It sounds like you're limping." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She flinched- it was that obvious? “Um… n-no. I’m fine…” Nora wringed her hands. She didn’t like this. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Are you sure? I can help- I have healing powers." Yeonaixho held his hands out in a gesture of peace. "I'd hate to leave you hurting like that." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

A cold feeling washed over her. “It doesn’t hurt.” Her voice was strangely firm. Like a poorly rehearsed line. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho's brow furrowed. "Are you certain?" He repeated. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Her breathing was strange. “I-it doesn’t hurt- it doesn’t- I swear-” Not that the man could see, but she was curling in on herself, making her even smaller. Her eyes disappearing under her hat. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It sounds like it does," Yeonaixho cautiously approached Nora. "Hey, hey... you can trust me. I'm not going to hurt you. Why don't you want me to heal you?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She flinched again, but was frozen in place. “Wh- what do you want from me?” Make the scary man happy- he’ll go away- be good. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Yeonaixho kept his hands in the air. "I- I just want to help you! It's clear that you're hurting. It's no effort from me to heal you." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

It doesn’t hurt- But he could fix her. He could heal whatever’s making her weaker. Hesitantly, she nodded her head. “Okay… p-please do that. Please.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho led Theora over to the side of the path, and sat down. He gestured for her to join him. "Which leg is it that's hurting?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She sat far from him, just out of his reach. She didn’t trust him at all. “…this one.” She pointed at her right. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, uh." Yeonaixho laughed, and gestured vaguely to his eyes. Nora might notice how they were glazed over, like a fog had settled over them. "I'm blind. Could you, uh, be a little more specific?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“…? Huh? …how do.. you move around if.. you can’t see? Um… my…” She scrunched her face, trying to remember her right and left. “Um- I- I’m sorry. It’s… the one closer to you.” She kicked up a bit of sand to indicate. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I have my ways. I use my cane, for one." He gestured to his cane, now folded up again by his wrist. "Alright." Yeonaixho nodded, and put his hands over Nora's leg. Radiant warmth would spread over the limb as the pain nulled to numbness. At the same time, Yeonaixho's hands glowed a faint golden color. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She cringed at the touch, closing her eyes as he worked. [Cw description of injuries] The wound was a concerningly large gash starting from the top of her thigh and ending just before her knee. Tinier injuries pocked around the gash where it was seemingly sewed up several times, as thin string weakly held the wound close. Nora peaked out with one eye, and then stared, mesmerized by the glow. “Oh…” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Yeonaixho healed up the gash, systematically removing the amateur stitches as he closed the wound. Once the healing was done, he removed his hands, and the glow faded. "How's that feel?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora watched the entire process, she was used to her own blood, but didn’t trust this person yet. That must be what was making her feel so sick. She tested the leg, turning and flexing it. “It… doesn’t h- um. You… fixed it. T-thank you, um... what’s your name?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm glad I could help." He smiled. "Oh, I'm Yeonaixho. Yeonaixho Sehwohl. You are..?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She squinted as he said his name. “Yeo… Younaih… hh. S-sorry…I’m Nora…” Long name… @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"If that's too difficult to pronounce, you can call me Juno. It's an old nickname of mine." He suggested. "It's nice to meet you, Nora." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Juno.. okay. Nice… nice to meet you, Juno. Um… c-can I ask… why did you.. help me?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, I like to help people! I figure I was given these healing powers for a reason, Y'know. Might as well use them. Helping people is what I do." He shrugged. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

So he’s like a doctor…? “But, you don’t get anything… right?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"No. But it's worth it, being able to help people." Yeonaixho nodded, and smiled. "When I do it for my job, I do get paid. But you don't have to pay me back." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She sat quietly for a moment, processing this. Juno was… nice. A nice person. And he was real, not from a book. …strange. “I don’t get it…” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hm? Don't get what?" Yeonaixho tilted his head to the side. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“People… real people aren’t… supposed to be this nice…” She sounded very conflicted, and rather sad. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Yeonaixho frowned. "Really? I've met a lot of nice people in my life. I'd even say I believe all people are inherently good. What makes you say that?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She started to shrink back in on herself. “M-my…. Master said so… h-he said… people that nice aren’t real a-and… everyone always want things from you...” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Hm. Well, I suppose people have their own views, but... I fundamentally disagree. I think it's human nature to be kind and generous. Perhaps your master has met the wrong share of people." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She fidgeted, uncomfortable. “My Master… he taught me everything.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Ok, that was an even bigger red flag than the 'all people are selfish' bit. "You have learned everything... from only one person?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Y-yes… I never… met. Anyone else…” She had seen others, but never really knew them. Only her Master. She pulled a small string out and started tying it around her fingers, not too tightly, just enough to push down this strange feeling. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, in my experience, it's best to get information from as many sources as you can. That way, you can choose what you want to believe." Yeonaixho hummed. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

It didn’t make a lot of sense to her. Everyone she had ever spoken to wanted something from her. Those people from before wanted coconuts, she got them coconuts. They wanted to see her powers, she showed them her powers. That girl she tried to kill wanted to find someone, so she’s been asking. And… Rakin. She thought Rakin wanted her to kill but she did something wrong. Everyone always wanted something, except for Juno. She thought about this, and then snapped back to attention. “Oh- um, I have books! But, my Master said they aren’t real. Um… I don’t get to… go outside very much.” It was pretty nice to be here, even if it was hot. She got to be outside, and during the day too! That was new. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Books! Books are good. You can find a lot of information from books." Yeonaixho nodded enthusiastically. "What do you like to read?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

That topic seemed to cheer her up a little. “Um- I like… Winnie.. the yellow bear. And his friend the little pig. Oh, and um- the velvet rabbit!” She seemed to be fiddling with something in the crook of her arm… @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Ah, children's book. "Oh! My wife and I have been reading those to our daughter!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She smiled, just a bit. Many of her expressions seemed very subdued. “Yes, I really like them… I don’t have many books but.. I like those. I like ones with dolls.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm... Minerva likes them, too. I think she likes the pictures, that's what my wife says." Yeonaixho hummed. "Dolls, Hm? Any particular reason why?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“I like dolls. Um… I have a lot, but not here. They can… do lots of things, like chores and fight. I like… making my own dolls.” She was beginning to trust Juno, it helped that he was so nice. It still confused her, though. “Who is… are. Those people you talk about?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That sounds wonderful. You say they... do chores and such? How do they do that?" He was under the impression most dolls did not do chores. "Oh, Minerva's my daughter, and my wife's name is Jymaiyri." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Oh, well…” She pulled out from under her arm a cat stuffed animal. A red ribbon was tied around its neck, and with just a look, the ragdoll seemly came to life. She set the toy down and it walked around like a cat. It’s limbs were very floppy, but it walked just fine. It walked over to Juno’s leg and jumped into his lap. The doll was very light, it’s limbs were filled with beads and it’s fur was soft. It flopped when it landed, but quickly stood back up. It walked across him and then back to Nora. After that demonstration, Nora picked the cat back up, and it returned to its ragdoll state. “I can.. move dolls. Um.. m-my Master was much… better at it.” “Minerva and… Jymaiyri. Those are… pretty names. Where are they?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Huh." Yeonaixho was definitely surprised by Nora's power demonstration, but not afraid. He pet the doll gently as it landed in his lap- both to feel it than to show affection. "That's a very interesting power." At the question, though, he seemed to sadden. "I'm... not sure. I was told they were here, too, but..." He sighed. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She smiled more and petted her kitty. “I have magic string and… and when I sow the thread into my dolls, I can move them. Um… I can also… tie my string on animals and people and… um.. puppet them?” The way she said it, it seemed like she didn’t completely understand what the words meant. “They’re here… did you get lost from them?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Oh, huh. That is interesting." Yeonaixho nodded. Truthfully, the idea frightened him a bit, but he wasn't going to let it show. "Yes... I was... taken away before they were, I guess. I'm so worried. Minerva, she's only six months old..." He shook his head. "But I hope I'll be able to find them." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

He sounded sad, maybe lonely. “I can… look for them?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho smiled. "Really? If you'd like to help out, I'd greatly appreciate it. It's very kind of you to offer." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Huh? Kind… I-I just… you fixed me, so I can… help you back.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Still, I consider it kind." Yeonaixho said. "Jymaiyri is a woman of about my age, she's a about half a foot shorter than I am, and she wears her hair in a bob cut. Minerva is a baby- god, I hope there aren't too many babies out there for you to find. If you hear anything about either of them, please tell me." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Okay, that wasn’t so hard to remember. Babies are always with their moms, right? So if she sees a lady with a baby then that’s them. “Okay. Um, I’ll look for them.” She remembered that girl was searching for someone. “Oh, and… have you… met someone named Miles?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Again, thank you. I really appreciate it." Yeonaixho smiled. His brow furrowed. "Miles? Hm- by chance, have you met a girl named Theora?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Theora… yes, that was her name. “Yes, I-“ Kind people don’t fighting. “I.. met her. She was mad.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I met her too. She seems to have... strange priorities." Yeonaixho hummed. "She asked me to help find this 'Miles' after admitting to me she wanted him dead..." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Oh. So she also had a target. “Hm. She wants… to kill him? She was very… focused. She kept asking me if… I saw him.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yes. She does." Yeonaixho nodded solemnly. "She kept asking me if I'd seen him, too. I worry for her, and for whoever this 'Miles' is." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

He was worried for her? Oh, Juno was very very kind. He wouldn’t like it if she told him what she did. She looked down to the food she had been carrying. “…Mister Juno, have you… ever had coconut?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho tilted his head in surprise. "Coconut? Yeah, I've had it in desserts and such." He nodded. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She held up her coconut. “Do you want to eat?” The white inside was fresh, but all of the juice was gone. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"Oh, thank you!" Yeonaixho took the coconut in his hands, contemplating how best to get the white flesh from the inedible, outer husk. "Hmmm..." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“It’s very sweet. I like it.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I like it, too. Have you ever had macaroons? That's one of my favorite ways to eat coconut, and they aren't too hard to make." He hummed, and eventually resigned to trying to dig out the flesh with his hand. Somehow, it was working. "Good stuff." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She shook her head. “I’ve never had… macaroons… what are they?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, they're a type of cookie! They're made of coconut and condensed milk, mostly." Yeonaixho nodded. "Sometimes, you'll see them dipped in chocolate. They're rich, and chewey, and delicious." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Cookie… that sounds nice. Um… are coconuts a… fruit?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I think so! I should know this, my wife's a botanist, but I'm not exactly certain." Yeonaixho laughed. "I'm pretty sure it's a fruit." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“I like them. They’re… my favorite. I like them more than…” What were those awful fruits called… mushy things… “apples. I don’t like apples. Mm, what fruit do.. you like, mister Juno?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Really? I like apples, myself." Yeonaixho laughed. "Though, I'd have to say my favorite fruit is apricots, though I also like peaches and plums. Anything in that family of fruit." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Oh… I‘ve heard of peaches, but… not those other ones. What do… those taste like?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Plums and apricots look a bit like peaches, but smaller! They have pits like peaches, too. They're a bit tarter than most peaches, but just as good and juicy." Yeonaixho nodded sagely. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Oh wow… hmm?” In the distance, there was a place that looked sort of like a farm. Maybe there would be more fruit…! “Mister Juno, there’s… um.. a place with lots of different trees… um, a farm? There could… be more fruit!” She sounded excited. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Really?" Yeonaixho broke into a smile. "We should go check that out! Who knows what they could have?!" He was clearly very excited to hear about that. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mmhm!! Let’s- let’s go!” #farmland @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mmhm!! Let’s- let’s go!” #farmland @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho enthusiastically followed Nora over to the farmland!

Damien entered onto the pathway, looking around. He'd overestimated his ability to run after the exhaustion he'd experienced previously, and was much more out of breath than he normally would be. He tried to see if he could spot whoever ran off over here. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora in her paranoid state noticed the stranger approaching immediately. She turned around quickly. Her hands were shaking at her sides, but her face seemed expressionless. “…what do you.. want.” @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

Damien offered a little smile when she turned around, trying to ease the paranoia. "I saw you on the beach, just looked like you weren't havin a fun time. You doin okay?" His tone was friendly, but clearly concerned. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

The girl seemed confused, shifting uncomfortably. “…I’m fine.” She sounded apprehensive. She stared at him, reacting to the slightest movement. @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

Damien seemed to realize this, as he didn't try and move closer to her. He did look as if he didn't quite believe her, though. "You sure?" He frowned, eyes darting down to her shaking hands. "You don't have to talk about it, but I've felt funky like that before and sometimes it was nice to just talk to someone, y'know?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nora’s eyes drifted as she thought over his words. ‘I've felt funky like that before and sometimes it was nice to just talk.’ Mister Juno said something like that… ‘If you feel some way, there's a high likelihood someone has felt that way before. I've always found that a really- Her hands clenched at her sides. She’s not safe. She can’t show any weakness. She returned to staring at the man, her eyes barely showing under her hat due to the height difference. “W-who are you.” @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪 (edited)

Progress, at least. It worried him how tense she still was, and he didn't know quite how to help with that. "I'm Damien. Got here like 15 minutes ago" He replied. "how about you?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She wasn’t… great at telling time, but 15 wasn’t a lot, right? “I…haven’t been here.. very long.” She fidgeted a bit, seeming hesitant. “…I’m Nora.” She still seemed very nervous and unsure of herself. Not especially chatty. @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

"Nora, cool." Damien nodded. "You get zapped here too?" He looked around. It kinda unnerved him that a teenaged-looking person was stuck here as well, with all the suffering and death talk he'd heard before. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Zapped..? I- I was.. brought here. Um.. by Rakin.” Well, if he was going to continue to try and talk to her, maybe she can get some information before… “Um, what are… your powers?” @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

"Rakin? Floaty guy?" Damien questioned. In response to her question, Damien shrugged. "Not that exciting. I mess with air and stuff. How'd you know I had powers in the first place, though?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She fidgeted with her sleeves restlessly. “Floaty..? Um, I don’t know… if he can float.. um.. everyone.. I have seen here has powers. How do… yours work?” @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

"huh. What did he look like?" Damien questioned with a little frown. "Like this." He raised his hand, and made a little waving motion to Nora. A light breeze that came from exactly that direction blew over her. It was cooler than the regular temperature here. He'd probably be using that trick pretty often. "How about yours?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

She flinched when he began to demonstrate, easing slightly when the light breeze blew past. “Oh… that’s.. nice. Um… I have magic string.” She made a fist with one hand and with the other she began to pull a thin red string out. She didn’t seem especially excited to display her powers. She still seemed wary. @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

Damiens eyes lit up a little when he saw the string, and the breeze around himself increased a little for a few moments. "Dude, that's pretty neat!" He recognized her reluctance, deciding not to make her explain more, but frowning. "Hey, I'm not gonna try and hurt you or anything, okay? I know you probably can't take my word for it but that's all I got right now- and- yeah." He seemed kinda awkward, like he was figuring out how to talk to her. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Her hands tightened and she looked away. “Don’t… lie to me. We... are here to fight- um.. whenever Rakin says we can. You… are going to hurt me..” Her body was tense, scared. @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

Damien looked up at the sky for a moment. "Well I think Rakin sucks." He's not entirely sure the same guy introduced the two of them to this place, but if Rakins a part of this thing then Damien's opinion still stands. "And I don't wanna fight anyone, especially not a kid. Even if they want us to." He sighed. "I'm not lying. You don't have to trust me or anything, but its not gonna change that, okay?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (edited)

Her breathing picked up a bit, her voice breaking. “I- I don’t want to fight t-too, but..! I- I need to… survive..! There’s… nothing else I can do..” She seemed so lost, so scared. @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

"hey- hey" He instinctively reached out to comfort but stopped well before actually touching her, not wanting to freak her out more accidentally. "I want you to survive too- both of us man." His face softened a bit. "I think I'm freaking you out a bit, so I can head out if you want, let ya clear your head. Whatever makes you feel more okay." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Good call not to touch her, as she immediately flinched at the motion. Taking in his words, and general kindness, she relaxed slightly. She held herself tightly and nodded. “I- I would… like to be alone. Thank you… um. Please don’t.. tell anyone I’m here. Please.” @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

He immediately looked a bit more sad at the flinching. That's real familiar. Damien nodded, looked like he expected that answer. "Don't really have anyone to tell, secrets safe with me dude." He turned to continue up the path and leave. "I'll see you around, Nora!" He waved and smiled a bit as he left. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Um, goodbye… thank you..” Now that she was alone, what was she supposed to do? Maybe she could get more fruit… @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪 (edited)

Maki was not a fan of the heat, that was for sure. They scowled outwardly as they walked down the path, glaring down at the sand like it personally offended them. Maybe it did, by getting in their hair. They kicked at the ground frustrated before they continued down the path. Where was the nearest shelter? God they wanted to get inside. @Scream | Cane + Uly

"Mali king amin." Came a voice seemingly out of nowhere. Another person on the same path, going in opposite directions. While Cane did flash his usually greeting, this time it was more of a heads up to the other party. "Are you lost as well?" @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Maki glanced up when they heard a voice and they stared at Cane for a few moments. They didn't say anything aside from a small nod. They guessed they were lost. All they wanted was to go back home and not be in this awful place. Everything about it sucked as far as they could tell. @Scream | Cane + Uly

Cane slowly brought his hand up to the forehead of his mask and tapped it before waving through the air as a sign of welcoming. "Who knows how many of us are out here? At this rate, it could be a small army. Do not fear though, I am not your enemy; I am Cane." @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Maki watched before they nodded along. Huh. Another masked person. They'll definitely keep note of that. Maki. They signed. Hopefully this stranger at least knew some sign, if not they could always resort to their book as a back up. Maybe they could ask Rakin or someone for a book if they ever ran into them. Or someone who had something they could use to communicate with others who didn't know sign. @Scream | Cane + Uly

Cane tilted his head at the hand gestures the other made. It seemed as though they understood Terran, but the hand movements were foreign to him. Maybe this was part of the plan, a joke, assemble people who had trouble communicating with one another. After a brief moment of attempting to decipher the movements, Cane one again tapped his mask with his finger tips before flashing two fingers, this time more slowly. "Mali king amin." He repeated. "Ser Cane. Va antu?" @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Well, this was getting...nowhere. With a snap of their wrist a book appeared and Maki began to write inside it before they showed it to Cane. My name is Maki. They wrote. I am afraid I am unfamiliar with the language you are speaking. But I can write to communicate. @Scream | Cane + Uly

Cane's eyes shifted when the book manifested between the two of them. Truth be told, he did not see that coming. Thankfully, it would serve as a medium for them to communicate, hopefully. It was one thing to speak Terran, now he was going to have to read it; Oh my. Squinting his eyes, he leaned forward to get a closer look at the words, and perhaps sound them out behind the veil of his mask. After a brief read, Cane attempted to communicate once more. "Ma...Ki. Yes?" @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Maki nodded their head. Yes. That is my name. They wrote down before they stared at the book for a moment. I find it hard to talk. Its not easy for me. So I use my book to write. They explained. That way I can still "talk" to people. @Scream | Cane + Uly

Cane's brain pivoted, caught somewhere between trying to hold onto all of the information he had gathered so far to now trying to remember how to read a foreign language. This was definitely testing the limits of his scholarly capabilities. "Let me see here, hm..." He hummed as he scanned the book once, or thrice, hoping to decipher the words in a way that would not make him seem like a fool. "Hard...Talk, yes. Your journal is helpful." He clanced up at Maki before going back to the book. "I hope you do not mind me asking, but I was hoping you would have an idea as to what is going on around here. Anything you could tell me would be grand." @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Maki shook their head. I don't know anything. Sorry. They wrote down. They paused for a few moments, narrowing their eyes deep in thought. I only met one other person aside from you. His name is Moses. Maki wrote down. Have you met others? @Scream | Cane + Uly

"You...Me-Met...Oth...Ers..." Cane sounded aloud as he squinted in at the book. It was not pretty, or clean, but it was enough to put the dots together. "Ah--yes, I have met some others, stragglers, we are all just as lost as the next. I wish my ally Isabelle were here. They could probably read better than I. I think the general thought is that half of us are waiting for the end, the other half are waiting for a beginning. Neither group is making any real progress." @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

The end...? Huh? Maki blinked slowly before they tilted their head. The end? They questioned. The end of this? Or something else? They looked down at their book again and stared at it, almost like it would give them an answer but they knew better. Instead they let out amall dejected sigh.

I merely want to go home. It's hot here. I do not know anyone nor do I trust anybody here. But you are not an enemy so we can perhaps work together.

They wrote. Was this too much for Cane to understand? They hoped it wasn't. @Scream | Cane + Uly

More writing, and this time more than any of the other passages. Placing his hands on his hips, Cane looked down at the strange writings, hoping they would magically shift into a language he could better understand. "Mm." A small hum echoed from underneath his mask, but nothing else followed immediately after, not until the man tried to sound out one of the Terran words. "Ho-me. Ho-me. Hom? Home--Your home, yes?" Cane looked at Maki, hoping to judge their reaction for an answer. "Far from there, I imagine. I would say the same for myself, but I do not exactly know where 'here' is yet. Add that to the list of things I know nothing about." @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Maki nodded. Home. They watched Cane quietly before they looked down at the paper. They contemplated briefly before they scribbled something down. `

Write down your alphabet. Teach me basics. My powers are illusions. Perhaps I can create an illusions of your language when I write so you can understand.

They wrote down. That way we can communicate :) @Scream | Cane + Uly

At first glance he could already see some fairly large words in this cypher. Cane could only wonder if Maki was finding it as difficult to communicate with him as he was with the book. Knowing himself, he had probably missed some details in the blurbs his company had left for him. Still, the Ser would try, try again. "Let me see here..." The sound of his tongue licking what could only be assumed were lips echoed from behind the wall of his mask. "Teach...B...Ba...Bas...Ics..." Again, he looked to Maki for confirmation. "You want 'basics', basics of what I know?" He gestured to himself. There was another word in there he did know, 'write', at least he thought he knew it. With the Terrans, their languages tended to be all over the place. In his mind it was 'write', but was that...Right...Or Rite. @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Yes. Maki nodded. I can use my powers to speak your language. They handed Cane the book, encouraging him. If they understood the basics surely they could get a grasp...maybe. They never tried this with a language they didn't know...surely it couldn't be that difficult. @Scream | Cane + Uly

With a blink, Cane suddenly understood what was being asked of him. Maki did not want to know the basics of what Cane knew here. They wanted to know the basics of, well, what the Ser knew. With some hesitation, he took the book and pressed the spine against his chest while propping it up with his forearm. Looking at Maki, he made a motion that was similar to scribbling furiously just to make sure that he had the go-ahead to deface this stranger's book. @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Maki watched Cane curiously, they hoped this worked. It would all go fine. This was also a way to make communication easier and exchange information. They hardly knew what was going and neither did Cane...but maybe they could at least work together and maybe get some information. Maki had a feeling that was the general plan? They didn't know for sure but...they could guess people were working together for information. A ton of thoughts ran through their head before they looked upwards. They weren't spacing out... @Scream | Cane + Uly

With book in hand, Cane continued to stare at Maki while making a writing gesture. He was not quite sure what to write with, unless the book was able to written in by fingerprint alone? @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Maki stared back before they summoned a pen and handed it too Cane. Oops. @Scream | Cane + Uly

Taking the pen from Maki, Cane rolled it around in his hand a few times to get the feel of it before attempting to write in the book. Slowly he pressed the tool to the paper to see if it worked, and to his surprise, it did. There on the page was a clear dot. The masked man blinked before he began to write strange symbols down the page. "Alan, bara, gene, dala..." After every few moments, he made sure to turn the book around to show Maki so that they could follow along with him as the alphabet grew. "...Evs, val, bog." After he was done, just when it seemed like he was prepared to hand the book back, Cane paused and scribbled something else at the bottom of the page. Amin mali king With a nod, he gently put the pen into the middle of the book, folded it and handed it back to his newfound ally. "I hope this brings you success." @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Maki nodded along and studied the book now. Though Cane couldn't see, their eyes flashed with interest underneath the mask. Their curiosity peeked when they saw the message and they quickly wrote it down to translate. Amin...is Amin I? They asked. Amin...Maki. I Maki? They showed the book to Cane. @Scream | Cane + Uly

“Mali king amin.” Cane repeated his phrase from earlier. “It is a common Ser greeting, it means ‘safety be upon you’.” He explained with a gesture of his hand. “Amin mali king is the response, it means ‘and safety with you’.” @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

The words had barely had enough time to leave his mask before lightning ripped across the sky. It caught Cane so off guard that he braced himself for an attack, only to realize that it came from the weather patterns above. "Hm, it is starting to look a little scary out here. I think we should seek some shelter." As much as he was enjoying learning from this new person and their strange book, he had to find somewhere to hunker down and wait out the storm. Cane could only hope that his allies had the same ideas as him. With a slight wave, he turned and began to walk away, retracing his steps in hopes of reaching one of the shacks in time, or at least the bridge. @Cap! | Maki🧿 + Andre🌾

Maki jumped at the lighting before they looked around the area frantically. They even seemed rather..afraid. They nodded their head and followed behind Cane. Gotta get to safey. @Scream | Cane + Uly

Despite the fight announcement, Kenji had opted to stay in the TV room for a while longer to process—well, try to, at least—everything he and Lykos had learned from the video. Plus, the relative cooler temperature certainly helped with that decision. But he couldn’t just sit there forever— especially once he heard that Lykos was switching sides. That meant, as far as he knew, it was up to him to get the others up to speed. Great. This wouldn’t be a problem at all. Anyways, there’s differences in this version of him, especially now with a winter coat tied around his waist and a scarf wrapped around his face in a vague approximation of a mask, but the slightly longer hair and purple eyes are definitely recognizable. Though, understandably so, as he trudges down one of the main paths, he’s not quite paying full attention to his surroundings. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru (edited)

Damn, Isabelle really was the only one to show up to that fight. They really... aren't worth attending are they? She really hasn't bothered trying to get closer to anyone, until they can find a way to pull the rug out from under Rakin, there's no real point in her mind. At least Chen kept everyone alive. Barely. She kept her gaze on the ground as she moved through the path, not entirely sure where she wanted to go, but there might've been a new area? Only time will tell how this maze actually progresses- Isabelle unexpectedly made contact with something on the path. Or rather, someone. "Shit- sorry.." She looked up from the ground to look at the figure she had bumped into. Wait a minute... "Kenji?" @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

With how few people it felt like were left, the last thing Kenji would’ve expected was to literally run smack into another person heading the opposite way on the path. He scrambles a few steps away with a nervous laugh. “Oh— I-I’m sorry, hah, I didn’t see—“ As soon as he hears his name he completely freezes in place, hand still outstretched to help the person up. He’s well aware of all the people who know he still exists—and she doesn’t look familiar in the slightest. Slowly he takes another step back, expression shifting into wariness beneath the makeshift mask. “…W-Who are you..?” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru (edited)

Isabelle cautiously took Kenji's hand, a bit confused as she looked up at them. It has been... a l o n g while. She stared for just a bit too long, almost as if she was trying to see if her eyes were failing her. She even adjusted her glasses to make sure. But he really did look just like- "I'm, sorry. I... don't know what I was thinking. You look like someone I knew a long time ago... his name was Kenji, as you could probably tell." @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Kenji lets go as soon as she’s standing, shoulders hunching in on himself slightly the longer Isabelle studies him. He relaxes, minutely, when she apologizes, but immediately tenses again when she repeats his name. That jumpiness would definitely also be familiar. Still, though, she seems… Not hostile, at least? He thinks so, anyway. Despite Amara’s displeasure at the idea, Kenji shifts in place for a moment before finally admitting, “T-That’s— That’s my name, y-yeah..” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Your name is Kenji? Weird. Sure, the Kenji I knew I haven't seen in like 10 years, but you don't seem to really know me. Doubt memory wipe is... a thing. You're not exactly as I remember him either... but real similar." Isabelle took a step back to give Kenji some space, her gaze returning to the ground in thought. But she is kinda rambling now. She thought of asking if he recognized any names, but based on the look on his face, it seemed like a dead end waiting to happen. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Kenji shudders faintly at the mention of memory wipe, but doesn’t comment. He fidgets with the ends of the scarf covering his mouth, half tempted to just agree and move on, but something nags at the back of his mind. ……He’ll bring that up if there really is a connection between the person she knows and him. There’s still a chance for this to be a weird name coincidence. At a death tournament. In space. Coincidences exist here. Surely. “I don’t— I’ve never seen you b-before.” That he knows of. Ten years ago? That puts it right around… He pales a little bit. “Um.” His grip on the scarf tightens. “H-How did you know..him?” It’s really weird to talk about Someone Who Might Be Him in the third person. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle hummed in thought. "Yeah... I've come to understand that I have a memorable face." She gave the question some thought. "Oh, well funny enough, I've been through this shithole before... on earth. Crazy asshole named Chen. He was also there with me... along with... Madison and the others." It sounded like she was remembering things as she recounted them. A lot of repressed memories here. "If I remember correctly, he had the weird... overlord virus thing going on. When Chen was finally killed and people's powers were returned to them, both he and Madison started freaking out. It's like the overlord took control again. Madison wasn't very hard to subdue... but I remember Kenji being a bit of a problem. Took a while before we could knock him out and deal with that mess." That scene was wild I haven't reread the whole thing but I read some parts over to be sure. "It's a bit fuzzy, but he seemed fine after we dealt with the whole Overlord thing. Don't think I've seen him since we left that island, so I can't be too sure on what happened to him." @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

That’s more than Kenji was expecting—and, well, certainly more than enough to send him absolutely spiraling. Something about a virus of sorts, and an..Overlord..? It sounds a bit cartoonishly villain at first, but the whole losing control thing is in fact. Something he is frighteningly and painfully used to. His knuckles whiten on the scarf. (Amara, on the other hand, judging by the headache pounding at his skull, seems delighted.) But the biggest thing that grabs his attention, almost immediately and almost enough to redirect the growing panic in his chest, is Chen. Of course he remembers that fucking name. “It wouldn’t…” His voice is too thick in his throat, and he has to swallow down the panic that bubbles up. “When you s-say you’ve been through something like— s-something like this, it— it wouldn’t h-happen to be a t-tournament too..w-would it?” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

She took a step back. She knew this type of spiraling. Oh no. Clearly something resonated with him. But this was also very clearly not her Kenji... pretty sure this guy still has his tongue. "Would it make you feel better if I said no?" @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Yeah, tongue’s still fine. Can’t say for the rest of his face, though. Scarf’s probably (definitely) there for a reason. Despite himself, though, a bitter laugh slips out. “G-Gonna take it that’s a-a yes then. Fuck.” He shakes his head, running a hand through his hair anxiously. “S-Shit. I…. I was really hoping i-it would just be some— some fucked up coincidence. O-Of course it’s not.” He has to force his lungs to respond in order to take a deeper breath, finally letting go of the scarf and shoving his hands into his pockets. “R-Rakin told me. When I was—“ No. Don’t think about that. “W-When I got here. H-He said there’d be people who knew another m-me. I just— I-I at least thought m-maybe I—…he’d be b-better off.” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle wasn't sure if she should offer a comforting hand or- that was probably a bad idea. "Yeah it's... very unfortunate. But it seems this is in line with Rakin's twisted vision." At the mention of the other him she stopped to think about what actually happened. She hadn't run a check on everyone in quite a few years... Last she heard Kenji was... he was... "He's doing pretty well last I checked. Some... permanent damage, but alive nonetheless. We even got the overlord virus out of him if I remember correctly. It was... incredibly convenient. Seems the bastard accidentally brought the right elements together to deal with it. That was all on the island of course. After... like I said it's fuzzy, but from the last check I did a few years ago, I heard he was living with someone else from the island. Most of us who survived were lucky enough to return to some sense of normalcy." She was hoping this would bring some comfort to his very obviously tortured existence. He didn't need to know that her Kenji's been dead for at least 5 years already. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 (edited)

Kenji winces at the permanent damage mention, but his shoulders do relax, a little bit, overall. “That’s… That’s good to h-hear. It was— I-I guess it makes s-sense kinda, if we got similar, um.. similar things h-happening… I just.. I w-wish I could s-say the same,” he mumbles with a half-bitter sigh. About being alive? About having his possession gone? Could be either. (Definitely both.) “I.. don’t remember much about— about how we left, b-but we had to kill a Ch-Chen too. A-And I also left with— with s-someone from the island.” Despite how much he’s struggling to wrap his head around all of this, it almost looks like he’s.. blushing? Brother. Anyways. “And now I’m.. Now I’m h-here. Guess h-he should be glad I t-took his spot..” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

(Yeah because we don't need a Kenji ghost here too)

LMFAO

"I'm... Sorry. For what both of you had to go through. I can only imagine what happened on your island." Whether she referred to the person Kenji escaped with or the alternate Kenji himself was unclear. But it seemed there was a strange sense of solidarity among the two. "As for spots... Rakin chose you. Based on what he's told me among some other people at least. He chose all of us. For what reason, I don't know. Well I know the general reason, what with the killing us all and stuff, but he really did pick a strange bunch for his mission." @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“…T-Thanks. You too.” As for Rakin, Kenji hesitates before shaking his head slightly. “I-It sounded like he w-was expecting the other me.. B-But I guess that’s beside the point now. I…I know a bit too, I-I think… I’m not really s-sure if it matters w-who we are?” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle sighed. He was expecting the other... well that wasn't going to happen. Unless Rakin could pull from different times as well as different timelines. "You're probably right about that. Although he does seem to be putting in a lot of effort for people whose identities don't matter. All of these fights, at least the ones I've seen, are very personal to one if not both parties. You could also argue Rakin just wants to be flashy." @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

An intensely worried look finds its way onto Kenji’s face at that. “Hells, I— I h-hope mine’s not…” He really doesn’t want to think about what or where he might end up in once his time comes. “I mentioned— I mentioned it to s-someone else, but it’s gotta be p-powers stuff, right? I mean that’s— that was what m-my Chen wanted, so he could— He wanted t-to come back to life. And-And we’re supposed to be reviving some kind of— alien, o-or something…” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle hummed in thought. "I know... Rakin needs at least part of our powers. The other part..." Isabelle procured the tech froge. "Well the winner gets to keep it for now. Assuming Rakin actually gets to take them in time. Seems he can't quite get that part right lately. As for the reviving part, something something Pilarians something revenge something." She seemed very uninterested in the actual motive... or maybe she's just tired of talking about it so much. "The important part is how to stop it." @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Kenji bites his cheek to keep back the information he’d learned from the video—there has to be a way he can spread it without actually saying it. The whole power splitting is…nerve-wracking to say the least, anyways. “…I-I guess I just have to hope I win. Somehow. Someone else having even h-half my powers would… it w-wouldn’t be good.” The fight announcement, though, gives him pause. “…Sh-Should we go? I mean— W-We could try and figure more out since..we’ve..both done this b-before..” It’s admittedly kind of selfish of him—he hadn’t gone to a fight since the first one, and Isabelle talking about having personal arenas is just a little tiny bit scary. Just a bit. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"I see." Isabelle sighed. "I can't promise you'll like it. Or that it'll give you much information. They played a quiz game for one and they both scored so low they had to fight it out anyways. But if we want all the information we can get, they're likely the best way to gague Rakin's weaknesses. It's his vision being put on display after all. If you do decide to go, I'll be there with you." Isabelle hesitated for a moment before holding out her hand. If Kenji goes, she goes. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“….” He hesitates too, long enough for it to almost be a ‘no’, but. Well. “I-I should go. It’ll— I think it’ll b-be worse for me if I d-don’t see it again ‘til it’s me…” Gods forbid Amara is able to lock him out again if he’s disoriented enough. Kenji slowly reaches out and takes her hand, before raising his opposite. Off they go. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Zora squinted through the heat. God, it was significantly hotter out here than it had been in the barracks. Jesus Christ, she was suffering. “Rakin?” Zora called out. “Anyone? Anyone around?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Not even a moment later, lightning struck the ground next to her. Rakin was there, arms crossed over his chest. "Took you long enough. I've been waiting." He chuckled. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena tried not to jump as the lightning crashed down beside her. She did, and skittered a few steps back. “You were waiting, huh?” She squinted at Rakin suspiciously. “Waiting for what, exactly?”* @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Well, I'm always watching. And I was waiting for you to actually get out here so we can talk." Rakin said. "You want something from me." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I do,” Celena crossed her arms over her chest. “I want all of Nathan’s belongings. His pictures, his necklace, his clothes- Everything he had. I’m sure there’s some way you can get that back.” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Oh, yes, I could do it easily." Rakin said. "But you don't think I'll do it for free, do you?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I knew there’d be a catch,” Celena sighed. “What is it? What do you want?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Get me that other half of Nathan's powers he's still holding on to. And also heal one of the amphibs here, he needs it." Rakin said. "That is all. Not too hard, right?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’m not giving you Nathan’s powers. You already took half, surely that’s more than enough.” Celena glared. “I’ll heal the Amphib, but that’s it. Surely, if their life means that much to you, that’ll be enough.” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"No, you see, the half of his powers I took is in him now, it is how I brought him back. The piece he has outside of him is your half. I would just like to retain half, you must understand." Rakin said. "And yes, Itsuki and I would very much appreciate it. So sad that Yeonaixho doesn't like the man, and Agustin is so comfortable on the other side. You're his last hope." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“You took his life, I’m not taking anything more from him.” Celena answered firmly. “The deal will be I heal the Amphib, and you give me back Nathan’s stuff. That seems pretty equal to me.” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"So you're telling me if I decline this offer, you will just let Itsuki die horribly? That's harsh." Rakin shook his head. "And also, I didn't take his life, he did. He chose to give you his points." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“You’re willing to let people die in a horrible competition, why’s it so bad if I decide to do the same?” Celena huffed. “And you’re the one who put us in the situation in the first place. Mazeardy, right?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Because I figured you were a better person than me, is all." Rakin said. "And yes, it was Mazeardy, clever, right?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I am, but given the circumstances of this place, I’m doing what I have to do. Surely, you understand for my family. Do we have a deal?” Begrudgingly, and to get on Rakin’s good side a bit, she nodded her head. “It was pretty good. You should host more game shows.” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Now let's hold on for a minute, you think it was pretty good? A shame that the last fights I have planned aren't game shows.." Rakin said. "Oh! I could make the final fight wheel of fortune. That may be fun. But I kind of just want to see them kick the shit out of each other." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“You know Wheel of Fortune? That’s a good one!” Celena smiled. “I used to watch that all the time. Every night at 7pm, it would air on tv. It’s good. You could do a lot with that.” She decided not to comment on the last part. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Seven PM? Hm, I don't think I'll wait that long. I kind of want to get this all over with, Alrai Pin has grown quite restless." Rakin mumbled. "What other game shows do you like." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Why’s he getting restless? I thought this would be entertaining,” Celena frowned. “Other game shows? There was one I liked called Don’t that was hosted by one of my favorite actors, Ryan Reynolds.” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Mm. I guess a creature like Alrai Pin can never really ever be satisfied." Rakin hummed, seeming a bit distracted. "And who is Ryan Reynolds. I've only ever heard of Ryzen Renaldi." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Huh, is there anything that's ever come close to satisfying Alrai Pin?" Celena asked. "And oh, I've never heard of Ryzen Renaldi, but he sounds great, too. Ryan Reynolds is an actor who's worked on a few good movies. Most of them aren't that good, if I'm honest." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Well, every time there's a fight they're pretty invested. They love watching emotional turmoil." Rakin said. "And Ryzen Renaldi.. He made a movie called Hitwoman's Assassin. Did Ryan Reynolds make a movie that sounded like that." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Oh.. So I'm sure they liked my match, huh?" Celena asked. "And kind of! His movie was called the Hitman's Bodyguard. Maybe they're like the same person, but just different in that universe." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Oh yeah, they're a really big fan of that one. Drama aaaaaaaall the way to the end." Rakin said. "Cool- aaaaaaaanyway. That's off topic. I'll redo my deal since you are so against it. You heal Itsuki, and you heal me. How good are you with bones." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I'm glad we could be satisfying," Celena spoke with agony. "Okay, that could work. I heal you and Itsuki, and then I get all of Nathan's stuff. I'm pretty good with bones, it all depends, some are a bit trickier than others. What bones are broken?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I have a bone condition. Metabolic bone disease. It is why I am so frail and short." Rakin said. "It would mean a lot if you could turn that around for me. I think I would gain at least two inches if I was fully cured." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Ah, I see," Celena looked sympathetic. "I'd be able to momentarily repair your bones, but because it's a disease, one that progresses and is recurring in some, it would simply come back. I can't permanently fix this, I'm sorry, but I could give you momentary relief. This could last for a good while." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"..." Rakin pursed his lip. ".. And you're not just saying that to avoid fully healing me? It truly can't be done?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"It can't be done," Celena answered truthfully. "I can't fix the way a bone forms itself, I can only repair the damage. With time, it'll just continue to break down all over again. There isn't a complete cure for this, either, but there are medications that can help. I just- Don't think you really have access to it out here in space.." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"... Fine. Fine, we can do it still. I don't think I'll be living much longer anyway." Rakin mumbled and sat down on the ground in front of her. "I just want to go out not as weak as I've lived." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"That's.. Understandable." Celena spoke. Her light appeared over Rakin, and she got to work. "At least you'll feel a bit more comfortable than you ever have.."

10:44 PM

@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Many of Rakin's bones were frail and porous due to a lack of sufficient calcium. It definitely made his legs bow out a bit and caused him to slouch. "Is it working?" Rakin asked. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"It is," Celena spoke, sounding a bit surprised. "It's actually going pretty well, I thought I'd have some trouble, but- It's going well. Just continue to sit there, please, and try not to move." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Really?" Rakin figured it would hurt or something.. but it actually felt pretty nice. He remained still. ".. thank you." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

The light would be warm and gentle on his skin. It somewhat would feel as though a comfortable blanket was lying over him. "Of course," Celena hummed. Her light remained focused on Rakin. ".. Hey, Rakin, can I ask a question..? If I'm able to, of course." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Of course. I feel like my life is in your hands right now, so I'll try to be honest." Rakin said, keeping his eyes closed to not let the light blind him. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

".. Do you like the work that you do? For Alrai Pin?" She asked quietly. "I'm just- Curious. You don't entirely feel like the kind of person who would enjoy it." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Do I enjoy it? No, not really. I especially don't enjoy the parts of it they want me to do. All the artsy stuff is me trying to make it more tolerable. I just cannot back out from it." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Is.. There a reason why you can't back out of it?" Celena asked. "Is there some kind of space contract that they have you bound to?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"They are the amphib's God. Well- they hold the power of them, and plan on bringing them back. If they die out, all of the species the Pilarians have created will eventually become extinct as well. The Pilarians have created thousands of species- only a few on Earth, the rest on other planets. If I do not help them, even with something I find as deplorable as this, the blood of all these species will be on my hands. I helped wipe out the Pilarians originally, I have to do what I can to ensure we can survive. I have seen first hand the effect of their death. My people struggle with reproduction, and it's only been a few years now. The effect is quick." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena nodded her head as she listened to Rakin. "And, what led to the extinction of the Pilarians in the first place?" She asked. "What was the reason behind it, if they're responsible for bringing life to so many species?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"... They are evil creatures." Rakin mumbled. "They possess you, they mess with your mind, they only live to seed chaos wherever they go. But I do not think that means that everything they created is bad and deserves to die with them. They need to come back, for at least as long as it takes to come up with a solution to the problem of everything else dying." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Then, you will defeat them again?" Celena asked with a tilt of her head. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. Presumably. It may not be me, but.. Someone else. I know my wife would kill them given the chance. Or maybe we could stop them from meddling. I'm not sure yet." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Hmm.." As Celena thought his words over, her light flickered. Quickly, she regained focus on her healing and kept up the original level of care. "I see.. I'm a bit worried that they won't go down so easily this time after having been wiped out the first time. What if it's an even harder battle, and they decide entirely to wipe out your species, as to not have to deal with it?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"... All points that I've considered. I cannot just let everyone die out, regardless of how hard the upcoming fight may or may not be." Rakin said. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“.. You know, you’re- A complicated person, but I think most of us here are,” Celena admitted quietly. “.. I think you’re good, in a way, you’re not all bad. You value the lives of plenty of species even if they’re not connected to you. That.. Goes a long way. I dunno. I guess I’m sorry that you got wrapped up in all of this, and that you feel the weight of so many lives on your shoulders.” After a few moments, she asked, “How do you feel? The healing’s going well. Do you feel any differences?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. Thank you. This is never a situation I wanted to place myself in, believe me. Sorry you all had to get involved in this mess." Rakin sighed. "If you'll let me get up, I'll take some practice steps around. I think I'm feeling a lot better." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena simply gave a nod of her head. She wanted to say something along the lines of, * “We’ll find our way out of this mess, you know,”* but she bit this thought back. Letting her light fade away, Celena gave a nod of her head. “Okay, I put it away. You can give it a try to walk around a bit.” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Once the light faded away, Rakin pushed himself up to his feet. He now stood at a whopping.. 5'3! A whole two inch gain. "I think I'm a bit taller now- am I taller?" Rakin smiled. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“You are!” Celena put a hand to the top of Rakin’s head and measured out their heights. He was taller than her. “You’re taller now!” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Oh- wow. You really did make me taller." Rakin said, looking around the area with his new perspective. "Hah- I'm even taller than my wife now than I was before. She will be so confused." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Remember, this is a temporary kind of fix. I wish it could be permanent, but it might not be,” Celena smiled sadly. “But for now, you’re taller! That’s pretty nice!” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Temporary is better than never." Rakin said. "Since you have done half of your side, I will get you your items back. You promise to heal Itsuki when he gets to you?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Thank you,” Celena looked relieved. “I appreciate that. And.. What kind of injuries does Itsuki have? Should I go to him instead?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"He suffered third degree burns all over most of his torso. He got in to a bit of a tustle with the newt here." Rakin said. "I know that he's not dead, currently. He is with Aldreda and Tsubari. They're actually about to head over this way to find you." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“O-oh- Okay, okay,” Celena tried to hide her discomfort. “U-uhm- Just as a heads up, I don’t do too well with- Burns.. Handling them emotionally, I mean. Uhm. I guess that’s not a you problem, though. But- I’ll do my best! There may be some scarring, but I’ll do my best to keep most of it at bay.” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Well, hopefully your best is enough, because he will very surely die without your help. Buuuuut he is very scarred, at the moment. You haven't eaten recently, right?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena made a face. “.. No, I haven’t..” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"That is probably for the best. Do you want to go see him now?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Oh, she already was feeling nauseous. “.. Y-yes, I should see him now, I need to get back to my siblings s-soon..” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Very well. Follow me." Rakin said and walked down the path, now with much more confidence. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Celena slowly made her way after him. Yay.. It’d all be worth it for Nathan. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Theora and Yeonaixho

Nora and Yeonaixho

Damien and Nora

Mask Guys

All Around Me Are Familiar Kenjis

Please give my brother his pants back