Tourn RP Archive

Probably the most popular place on this side was the bonfire. It was pretty close to the #ice-stream, and the ice closest to it was less solid than the rest. A giant fire pit outside that was meticulously upkept. The snow around it had all melted, revealing dirt and stone. The area around the fire was quite nice, and it was the perfect mix of breathability and heat, unlike being stuck inside of the buildings. (edited)

With a ZAP of lightning, Axciom and Sovran appeared in the area. They were dressed in winter clothes surprisingly to their style. Dante and Zahara were here, enjoying the fire. @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Acxiom blinked their three eyes, looking very not stunned but still weirded out by the zap. They didn't even notice the clothing at first, just slowly looking around. "Oh shit" they mumbled in surprise. Their eyes glowed softly, dimming or brightening as if with Acxioms changing thoughts as they looked at the three other people in the room, suddenly feeling very out of their element. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Face down in the snow for a few moments, it took Sovran longer than he would’ve liked to have regained consciousness. He woke up to the familiar feeling of being suffocated by snow when he figured he’d be better off not going out that way. He finally pushed himself up to his hands and knees, coughing once air was available to him. His nose and cheeks were tingling. “God damn it,” He groaned. He gave his head another shake to get rid of the remaining snow in his shit. Sovran lifted his head and glanced around the area, spotting the ~~transformer~~ person a bit away from him and the two by the bonfire. Awkwardly, he nodded his head. “‘Sup?” @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Oh good heavens!" The smaller man sitting next to the fire said and stood up. He had a large, paddle-like tail with red spots. He looked between the two of them. "Gosh, good thing you appeared here- it's oh so cold most other places!" The chubby woman who had been sitting next to him stood up as well, looking at Sovran and Acxiom with worry. She didn't say anything yet. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

Acxiom looked between the three. He nodded his head back at Sovran with a little smile. "Sup." As the little guy with the tail spoke, Acxiom turned to look at the other two. "Yeah no I can tell" Acxiom replied with a shrug, walking a bit closer to the fire and holding his hands out. He didn't seem to want to be too close to any of the unfamiliar people, despite his tone. It was at this point he noticed he was dressed differently, looking down at himself and the clothes with a little approving hum. "How did you guys get here?" Felt like a nicer way of asking if everyone was kidnapped. He doubted the amphibian people, at least, were though. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Heavy footsteps came bounding up to the fire, but skidded to a halt. A giant wolf stopped outside of the group near the fire, growling in a low voice. ”More humans?!” The wolf once again turned away, looking for somewhere else to run to. @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Brrr. Cold. Connie pulled her scarf up her nose a little more to protect her from the chill, shuddering a little from the cold that rattled her bones. Brr. Yeah, it was definitely betterJymaiyri and Minnie (such an adorable widdle name) stayed inside. She followed down the path a little more to see the big, roaring bonfire, and a decent grouping of people there. It was cozy here, too- yet Connie kept wary. IfJymaiyri had powers, who's to say the others wouldn't, too? Truthfully, she wanted to find the foodstuffs on her own, and not have to talk to others. It'd be much faster that way! But it was cold, and she didn't know where to go, and they were kind of her best bet at getting food for them. Somewhat tentatively, Connie stepped forward to the bonfire, yet still keeping her distance from them. "Hi!" she hesitantly greeted, hands stiff at her sides. Robot guy. Big guy. Frog? Guys? DOG. "Do you guys! Have any food?" she asked, her voice getting higher. She jabbed a thumb in the building behind her, stiff and jerky. "Uh, there's a baby. There. With their ma." [ @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu ]

As Zahara split off with the wolf and lightning kid, Dante stayed with the other two. "Oh, oh gosh.. a lot is happening... and there's still no beautiful women of age here!" Dante lamented and let his shoulders slump. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

Looking at Connie, Sovran felt that she shouldn’t have been so far from her ma or whichever guardian she had. “I got some snacks and shi- Stuff on me, are you hungry?” Sovran’s gaze was locked on the child. When he saw that her attention was elsewhere, he glanced back to Dante. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ “Where exactly is ‘here?’” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

"Somewhere in space... I dunnoo..." Dante was still pouting about the lack of beautiful women suddenly appearing in front of him. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

They jumped a little as the wolf-dog-something spoke and ran past, but collected themselves. Lizard people and speaking dogs. Cool. Acxiom similarly looked at Connie as they approached, looking a bit sympathetic about the food thing. Despite having gray skin, it did infact look like skin, not metal or anything. "Sorry man, if I did have food I think that Rakin guy took it." Acxiom seemed thoroughly confused by the amount of stuff going on. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. Space, huh?" Sovran raised an eyebrow. "I didn't expect to be that far out from earth.. How much else d'you know about this place? You seem like- You've been here a good while." @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Sorry sir, I don't know much else." Dante said, shoulders still slumped. "We just appeared here a month or so ago, and Mr. Rakin said we just need to wait for something else to happen and everything will be okay." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

"I guess our appearance might be the 'somethin' else to happen' thing," Sovran sighed. He pushed himself up to his feet and dusted off the snow from his cloak. Despite the low temperatures, he didn't seem bothered. "What's your name, man?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Well Acxiom heard that things would very much not be okay but they felt like informing people of impending death was a second-hangout kinda thing. She shrugged and nodded as Sovran spoke, taking off her funky patterned gloves and warming her hands a bit with the bonfire. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"If this is the something else, well, I hope that means we can leave soon. Heavens, I'm missing mating season.. And I already failed last year- what beautiful newt woman would ever settle for a washed out twenty year old next year.." He sighed pathetically. "However, I am Dante! Master of fire here, currently, strange I know, for a man to have these powers. But I hope you do not judge me too much for it." @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

".. Right, right.. Well, hope you find someone.." Sovran spoke rather awkwardly. He cleared his throat. "Master of fire? Good to meet you, man. I'm Sovran- Fuck, sorry, I'm still so focused on the baby, I might check that out- What building is that?" Sovran asked, pointing towards the building that Connie had pointed at earlier. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

Acxiom seemed poised to leave soon as well, glancing around - though not having much interest in the baby, moreso the rest of this weirdass snow place. "Fire powers are pretty neat, but I'm gonna get out of here too. Good luck on your newt women, though." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Hm? Oh, that building over there..." Dante looked over his shoulder at the building. "That's where me, Agustin, and Zahara have been sleeping. It's pretty nice." @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪 @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Yeah, I'm gonna head out too- Gotta make sure that kid's doin' alright," Sovran sighed. He gave them both a two-finger salute, even if it was somewhat lazy. "We'll talk more in a bit." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @sketti | Acxiom 💿 + Damien 🌪

Acxiom mimicked the salute and his eyes gave a single bright pulse as if it were a goodbye, then he just skedaddled. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Oh- toodaloo fellas!" Dante waved excitedly as they both left. He got back to sitting by the fire, anxiously wiggling his tail in the dirt.

It wouldn’t be long before Dante had company again. The wolf came running out of the forest, slowing a bit before the fire and moving to sit a ways away from the man. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Oh, greetings wolf! Are you okay? You look like you just got out of quite the tussle!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

The wolf huffed. “Giant frog in woods. Claws.” They flopped down by the fire. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Hmm? Oh, sir Robbie! Yes, he doesn't like visitors very much.." Dante chuckled. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“It is named? Hmph. I wasn’t expecting a frog in this place. It fought well.” They stretched their legs out, warming their paws by the fire. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 (edited)

@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. You fought giant Sir Robbie?" Dante gasped. "Pardon me, but.. You should avoid telling dear Zahara or Agustín that.." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

The wolf let out a huff. “I wanted it’s den, it protected it.” Lykos shifted, licking at a wound. “I do not know these people, why do they care about this frog.” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Heavens.. I suppose I can't fault you since you just got here, but.. We are all amphibians here, us first three.. Sir Robbie is not much different. He is simply primal and suffering, in need of help but unable to accept it. He is best to be left alone." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Lykos shifted to look at him. “…you talk about him like an equal. Is he like you? An amphibian… person?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Mmm..." Dante leaned back and looked up at the stars. ".. It's hard to say. On a very deep down, base level, we are the same.. But he's primal, his developed brain is.. Has been undeveloped. He is either entirely incapable of healing, or we do not have what is required to do so. Not to mention, he's huge for a reason I do not know.." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Has been undeveloped… It was a worryingly familiar concept to the doctor. “What hurt him- changed him into that?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Being too far away from your Well can do that-.. By chance, have you laid eyes upon the big glowing rock in the stream? That is a Well, and it gives us amphibs power. If you are away from one for too long, you begin to lose your mind. Our theory is that Sir Robbie was here before us- before the Well was introduced- and he lost his mind before he had a chance to recharge. It is quite tragic, we do not even know if that is truly his name.. It is just something Zahara came up with that she said was popular for his species." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Lykos had a puzzled look, tilting their head. “…strange. Your kind are much different from the shapeshifters I knew. …There is no way to fix him?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I have heard that Rakin used to mend the minds of primal froglings from Zahara, but she said that they were never this far gone.. Sir Robbie is entirely wild." Dante said. "What shapeshifters did you know? Toads? Salamanders?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

So he was nothing more than an animal now. Lykos could understand that better than those with human minds. Animals dealt in territory, display and power. Humans were much more complicated. Humans and evidently other beings. “The people of Silvestria, forest dwellers. One with the wild. Those I… saw were Carnivora. Wolves, bears, and other such. The others were irrelevant to my work.” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Hm. And they turned human, too? Did they need a power source?" Dante asked, leaning forward toward Lykos a little. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Yes, they could shift from human to animal. They had access to wild magic, a discipline that must be passed down through generations, blood and practice. Does your kind not use magic?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Newts are all about magic!" Dante smiled. "But the rest of the amphibs-.. not as much. Unless the Wells count as magic." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Lykos’ tail thumped against the sand, this conversation was interesting. “Fascinating, what kind of magics? Are you all one species?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"The women newts are all talented witches with fire powers, and the men.. Ha, don't really have much going for them." Dante laughed awkwardly. "All newts can reproduce with each other, regardless of species. So different species but.. Same group?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Interesting. I meant all of the amphibian people, are you all one species that turn into different amphibians?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Oh, hmmmmmmm, I've never thought about that! We gotta be different- the toads, frogs, newts, salamanders, axolotls, and caecilians.. They are all very different. I can't reproduce with frogling women or-... Well, I guess I haven't tried with the others ones, but I'm guessing I can't." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hmm, you are different from the Silvestrians, then. They were all human, but could shift into animals.” Lykos thought for a moment. “What is your name?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 (edited)

"I am Dante Firetail!" Dante smiled. "What's your name?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Joy crossed the doctors face, teeth fully bared in a large smile. A rhythmic thump thump thump against the ground as their tail wagged. They haven’t had the chance to tell anyone their true name yet. “I am Doctor Lykos. It is good to meet you, Dante.” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 (edited)

"DANTE!" Here he is, the silly. "I know that name- is that a DOG???" Now Miles was sprinting over to them from wherever he came from - he really just popped up from nowhere - to the point that he was heaving out his breaths as he finally got to them and his breathing cut off his sentences: "Hi- you're Dant- that's a d- this is the- best day of my lif- I think." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Lykos stood with a start, yelping indignantly and then growling at the newcomer. They were too caught up to notice it coming, apparently. Lykos stood over the boy, hair bristling. ”Stop shouting.” @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 (edited)

"Hmm, oh hello new guy!" Dante smiled over at Miles as he ran up. "Yep, I'm Dante! And this is Sir Doctor Lykos. Who are you?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

Miles only beamed wider. "The dog talks!" Then he processed what Lykos had actually said and repeated, a bit quieter, "The dog talks..!" Then he turned to Dante. "I'm Miles! Another guy said that I shouldn't cause problems for you so I won't do that, I'm pretty good at not causing problems!" Being a problem, however. He turned back to Lykos, very excited, wiggling a little. "You talk, that's so cool, am I still allowed to pet you?? Or is it only the ones that don't talk? They're pretty good!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Lykos seemed incredibly confused. “I am not a dog- where are your survival instincts? I could rip your head off, I am not some pet.” They bared their teeth in an attempt to emphasize their danger to this child. @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Another guy? Hmm, guessing that was sir Agustín." Dante said, glancing between the two of them. "Hmm, let's just avoid the pet talk, I don't think Sir Doctor Lykos likes that." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

"You can rip people's heads off - that's so cool!" Miles no. "Sir Agustin! He didn't say his name so you're probably right!" Miles hummed in thought. "Are you not a dog, Lykos? Oh, are you an alien, cause that'd make sense since we're in space, yknow?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Lykos huffed and stepped away from the strange boy. “You will not survive the winter.” Lykos returned to their spot by the fire, sitting and showing their massive height. “Technically speaking, we are all aliens. This place is not my homeland, nor is it anywhere close. Hmph. I am a wolf, and you do not get to call me Lykos. It is Doctor to you.” @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Woah woah woah fellas, let's not start making any threats about not surviving the winter, I keep everyone nice and toasty here! I'm very good at my job, no one will be freezing. And Rakin will help us out soon enough, I'm sure." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

Miles did not register not surviving the winter as a threat. "I did pretty well last year! I think! I'm still here so probably did good at surviving winter." Thumbs up. Another thumbs up at calling Lykos Doctor. "Gottit Doc!" He then bounded over to the bonfire. "Are you in charge of this cool fire thing then, Dante? It's prettyyy neat." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Lykos laid down, keeping an eye on the rowdy boy. “Mmph. Winter is unforgiving, boy. Plenty of beasts would snap you up. You should be more cautious.” They returned to licking their wounds. @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"No beasts are going to get Sir Miles this winter! Rakin would not let that happen." Dante said. Then he stood up tall and placed his hand on his chest. "And of course, I created this bonfire! It is my sworn duty to keep the fire going at all times, as well as all of the torches and heat around this area. I take it very seriously. Along with making all of our beds in the morning, doing the dishes, sweeping the floors on my hands and knees, collecting food, general morale boosting, aaaaaand a few other things." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

"A cat stole my food once, but it was pretty small so I would have given it to it anyway, yknow, cause there's plenty of dumpsters," Miles replied to the comment about beasts. He tilted his head backwards to look at Dante. "Oh, so you're like the Mr Campbell of this place?? That's super cool, he's pretty nice, he gives me bread sometimes! No bonfire at his motel though, but it's usually not that cold." He exaggeratedly shuddered to emphasise his point. "Oh, collecting food, like Wendy's! That's cool!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

“Hmm. You have many duties, Dante. How many do you provide for?” She pointedly ignored Miles’ comments. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @soul | 🎻

Wow. Miles said a lot of things. Dante just smiled and nodded along as he spewed all that nonsense. "Golly Miles! That all is just so interesting." Dante turned back to Lykos. "And now that I'm here, I just take care of Sir Agustín and Miss Zahara! I guess now that there's new people I'll have some more to take care of, but that's not worry! I also helped my dear sister and her friends back home!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

Miles beamed at Dante, nodding along as he spoke to Lykos but clearly waiting for his turn to talk. And once it came, when there was a slight dip in the conversation, he seized. "Yeah, he actually was gonna gimme some bread before I got sucked off here into space." Miles no. He made a sucking noise as he lifted his hand up like a vacuum. No. "Now I'm here and then that guy gave me a burger- Rakin, I think? Agustin said that name too. Is the one that-" He cut himself off and did the hand lift again, complete with the slurp sound. No. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

So he was acting as their little butler. “Hmm. Well, if you desire any assistance with food, I am a good hunter.” Lykos’ ear flicked with irritation. “We were teleported here, you oaf. Not… vacuumed into space. Hmph, you are like a stray, begging for scraps. Did your family not teach you anything?” @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Once again, Dante just nodded along with what Miles was spitting. "Hey, Sir Doctor Lykos, let's stay away from any comments about Sir Miles intelligence! We should all be friends here." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

"It's kind of similar..." Miles deflated slightly. He knew he was being insulted at least but he recovered quick, given a new direction. "I assume they did, probably? Don't really remember so maybe they did but I wouldn't know!" He scooched closer to the bonfire, then smiled appreciatively at Dante. "Oh I'm not a sir, I'm just a guy." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

They huffed a bit at Dante. This wasn’t a matter of keeping peace, this damn boy doesn’t know a thing. How pathetic… they almost felt bad. “You do not remember? Hmm, well, did whatever orphanage you ended up in not teach you how to survive in the world?” @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Oh... Okay, Guy Miles!" Dante smiled back. "Yes, I am very interested to learn how humans develop.. I have not yet once left the forest! I just deal with woodland creatures.. And now I am here." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

Miles took a second to understand that. "Oh, that's the place where kids without families live? I might have been there! Maaayybeee? I don't really know where I was before." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

“…What? You- Stars, how old are you? Did you lose your memory?” @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Heavens- that does sound pretty sad.. I would hate to lose my memories of my dear family. No respectable newt woman would ever accept my spermatophore if that happened.." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

Miles splayed his arms and legs out in front of himself and stared at them investigatorily. Trying to work out his age. "I'd saaayyyy eighteen? Eighteen seems like a good number." One year off go king. "I don't think I lost it I just don't have any." That's. The same thing. "I mean I know I was, like, doing stuff, probably, cause if I wasn't I wouldn't be here- and I got like little things I remember but yknow, sometimes you just forget things I'm pretty sure!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Lykos licked their mouth a bit, getting annoyed by how much this boy talked. “You have no memory. That is not. Normal. What were you doing before you came here- and keep it brief.” This damn child… it was a miracle he was still alive at this rate. @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Well, sir doctor lykos.. I'm not positive that Guy Miles can remember what he was in fact doing before this." Dante hummed. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

"OH I know what I was doing before I got sucked off!" No. "Basically I was like hanging out in a motel - I told the other guy this first, Agustin, yeah- anyway I was sleeping under the bed to not get caught but I guess I did get caught cause Mr Campbell dragged me out and he made me leave but decided to give me some bread for the road cause he's done that before a little bit, we do this kinda thing where I sleep there, he kicks me out after a few days then I go and then I come back when I get kicked out of other places cause I know he tends to throw out a lot of good food and if I don't get it the animals will or it'll just get thrown away so really I'm doing him a favour- anyway he went to get the bread and I was checking if he'd thrown anything out again and then I heard the thing in my head and then I was here." Did Miles know how to keep it brief? No. In fact he only paused to take a deep breath, presumably before overexplaining where he had been before he got to the bonfire. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Lykos grumbled a bit. “All you remember… is trying to sleep at a motel, and begging for scraps. How long have you been doing that. How many winters.” @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Hmmmmmmmm.. Gee-wiz, that story was very confusing. What is a 'motel', and why was Sir Mr. Campbell throwing out food? That is oh so wasteful!" @soul | 🎻 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Miles shrugged. "I got no clue. I think I spent most of the time asleep!" Dante you cannot unlock his speech. "OH a motel is like- you pay to have a room and you stay there for like idunnoo a week or something? Sometimes less, but basically you get a whole room and sometimes you get food and stuff I think, I don't go into the non-bedrooms, and they throw away food that isn't get eaten cause it'll like 'rot'-" He did air quotations. "-or that's what I heard someone saying and I've seen food go all fuzzy and weird so you gotta throw it out when it does that." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Lykos looked about as appalled as a wolf could look. “You- child, you have no memories. And this does not concern you in the slightest?!” @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Oh, heavens, yes rotten food if very dangerous. Why doesn't Sir Mr. Campbell simply plan out his rations better? Then it wouldn't mold nor have to get tossed.." Dante frowned. "And Sir Doctor Lykos has a point, if you are so amnesiac that you cannot remember anything from your past, what hope do you have to be successful this mating season?" @soul | 🎻 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"I do have some memories! Like- like I remember a weird white room with some weird cartoon stuff on the walls and I was like laying in a bed? Some blurry stuff and someone telling me to keep my bag on me at all times-" Miles cut himself off with a gasp, searching around for the bag he knew Rakin had taken. Upon not finding it miraculously returned to him, he pouted. "-awh man, they won't give me back my bag! It's got my clothes and stuff in it and, yknow, some girl told me to keep it on me so I'm breaking my promise." Sorry Dante Miles didn't answer about getting bitches. He was too concerned about his bag. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Lykos huffed at Dante. “Mating is the least of his concerns! Memories are vital to survival.” Stars… Lykos stood and walked over to the boy. “Miles. You cannot survive off of others pity. This land we all find ourselves in will not be kind to you. What skills do you have.” @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"If you do not reproduce, your entire life up until this point will have been for nothing." Dante just had to add in response to what Lykos said. "But yes, I think pooling our skills would be a fantastic idea! Miles can start." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

"Well I'm at least eighteen so I did pretty good at surviving." Miles beamed at Lykos, and his beam grew wider as Lykos approached. "Well I'm pretty good at finding good food in dumpsters. And I can run pretty fast- oh, and I can stretch of course!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

The wolf scowled. “And yet you cannot recall your life before this. You do not know how to survive now. There are no dumpsters, and you cannot live off of begging.” Their ears flatted with irritation. “You can stretch? What kind of skill is that?” @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Stretching...?" Dante echoed. That was quite a silly power. And much less useful than his. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

tw body horror bc. stretch "Well I can probably scavenge kinda good? Dumpsters... the wilderness... kinda the same thing?" Miles shrugged again, grinning dumbly. No change there. "Yeah, stretching!" To demonstrate, Miles held out his arm and began to stretch. His skin paled further where the arm began to extend out, bones cracking as they grew - or split - under the skin. Miles seemed unbothered, still smiling as his arm grew long enough for his hand to be in front of Lykos' nose before he moved it toward Dante for a high five, shrinking the arm down so he didn't smack him in the face. "See? Stretching!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

[same tw] Lykos flinches and cringed as they could hear every little crack and split. They bared their teeth just a bit when the hand got too close. After that strange display was over, the wolf stared at the boy, incredibly confused. They shook their head. “What… what manner of the arcane has cursed you boy…? I… hmph. I suppose that is a useful ability, in some circumstances….can your skin stretch as well? If so, it could theoretically never be broken…” The doctor wasn’t sure whether to be in awe or in complete horror of this strange ability. It was certainly nothing like the magic they knew. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @soul | 🎻

As the hand rested in front of him, Dante smiled. No one ever reached out to him! "Wow, Guy Miles, you can stretch a lot further than I thought!" He moved his hand up to Mile's, but instead of giving him a hi-five, he interlocked their fingers in a much more intimate way. His hand felt very warm. As soon as he had a good grip on Miles, his body began to glow and shrink, shifting its center of mass up toward Miles' hand. After a few moments, the glowing faded, leaving a little black newt with orange splotches nestled in between his fingers, weaving in and out of them. The little wet creature still felt warm, despite the freezing temperatures around. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

"Oh I can just do this. Don't know if I always was able to, I kiiinda feel like I wasn't? But Idunno, yknow?" Miles was talking to Lykos but his eyes were on Dante, squeezing his hand back as if in greeting. As Dante transformed, his eyes widened and his hand splayed back out. "WHOAA!" Miles' hand unstretched, repeating the same awful process in reverse and he lifted his hand to his own face. "Is that you Dante???" Presumably. "That's so cool you're so- you're so tinier than before, whaat?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Once again the doctor was flabbergasted. “…how...” The wolf moved back towards Miles, sniffing at the newt in his hand. @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Dante could only nod in response, continuing to wrap himself around Miles' fingers tighter. Seems that it couldn't speak. If only Miles couldn't speak when he was using his powers. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

Miles held his hand out so Lykos could get a good view of Dante in newt form. "Do you have like... that language with hands? Do you have hands?" He lifted his hand closer to his face to check Dante for. Hands ig. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

“Hm… you cannot speak? Fascinating. Different again from the shifters I knew…” The doctor thought for a moment. “Dante, was this- did you change on purpose? Do… do you need to return to your Well?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @soul | 🎻

Dante had hands, alright. Four stubby toes on his front arms, and five slightly less stubby toes on his back. Miles wouldn't get to stare for very long before Dante began to glow again, quickly regaining his previous size and weight. That forced Miles' hand to the ground, and Dante didn't look like he cared that he was sitting on the other man's hand still. "I can control it! The Well here is powerful enough that it reaches all the way across the area, and gives us enough power to be in whichever form we please." @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

@soul | 🎻

Miles let his hand drop to the ground and didn't blink at Dante sitting on his hand. His arm was long enough for him to sit comfortable, thanks to the stretch. "That's so cool!! So- you can become the little slime thing, I can stretch and Doc is-is a dog that talks! I've never met other people with powers- where'd you get yours from?" He looked to Lykos first. "Were you always a dog or- I heard this story thing once where people got transformed into stuff-" Back to Dante. "-like how you just did but like not on purpose?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

The doctor nodded along with Dante’s explanation. “That is good.” She scowled a bit as Miles rambled along, licking their mouth in annoyance. “I have no powers- I simply am what I am. Anything before this is insignificant. And I am not a dog.” The ignorance was clearly getting to him, as the wolf growled a bit when they spoke. @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"All newts can be newts, silly Guy Miles! And that is what i am, a newt, not a little slime thing!" Dante chuckled, wiggling his tail behind him. "And I got my fire powers after I arrived here! They're pretty fantastic!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

"Oh- you're not a dog?" Miles seemed genuinely stunned. "You have the ears and the feet and the... the fur? I've seen a couple dogs around before and they just seem like... smaller yous?" He shifted, awkwardly wiggling his hand under Dante to try pry it free. "Newts... cool name- you can control fire?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

“Do not mistake me for some dimwitted mutt. I am a wolf, and unlike those foolishly loyal hounds I have no master. I am free. Tch- to put it simply, dogs look like wolves; wolves are wild creatures and dogs are weak, human loving prisoners.” This was clearly a touchy subject. @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Dante didn't move from sitting on Miles. Straight up unbothered. "Yep! I made all the fire here, and I make sure every torch and heater is going every night! Its my very important duty!" Dante nodded. "But... Sir Doctor Lykos.. Aren't we all prisoners right now? In this place?" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

"A wolf... I've met stray dogs though! They're pretty chill- maybe they were wolves cause they didn't have a person?" Not how that worked. His eyes shifted without the rest of his body to look over at Dante. "Honestly I don't feel like a prisoner - I mean, the guy knocked me out but he didn't chain me up and I got a burger out of it and I don't think prisoners get burgers?" Stop talking about the burger. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Lykos grumbled a bit. “..hmph. That is true- for now. When I find that Thing that brought me here I’ll make it pay.” They were getting more and more annoyed and less concerned for Miles by the minute. “Stop speaking about this. They are different- that is all you need to know. Do not call me a dog.” @soul | 🎻 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Sir Doctor Lykos, I know you're a wolf, but are you stuck like that forever? Can you change like me?" Dante asked, looking over at the wolf. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @soul | 🎻

Oh now Dante was asking stupid questions. “No. I am not stuck. I chose this form and I will remain within it until I die.” Lykos turned away abruptly. “I am tired of this conversation.” With that rude declaration, they left. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @soul | 🎻

Miles had been about to ask his own stupid question when Lykos just. Left. "Oh- okay- bye! Have fun!" He waved with his free hand, then turned back to Dante. "Doc seems pretty cool!" @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Yeah, they seem pretty cool! Wish they could have answered my question though.." @soul | 🎻

"Mm... maybe they're not the question answering kinda d- wolf?" Miles tilted his head in curiosity. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. Maybe. But I don't think I ever have met a question answering wolf before! Maybe they are rare!" @soul | 🎻

"The dogs I know can't even talk! Or the little slimy things. Haven't met a newt before but I saw one slimy thing with a shell." All slimy things were the same according to Miles. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Guy Miles, I do so believe that the aforementioned slimy thing with a shell you saw may in fact have been a snail!" @soul | 🎻

"....probably! I just remember the slime. That day's pretty blurry to me." Miles shrugged off the maybe concerning sentence with a grin. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"... Blurry? Did the snail attack your eyes with its slime?" @soul | 🎻

"Huh? Oh, no, no! I have a lot of blurry days but they get clearer the more recent they are! Just a lot of colour and pain and little things like snails." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. is that not worrying to you, Guy Miles?" @soul | 🎻

"Maybe it should be, but it is what it is." No. "The snail was pretty cool which is why I remembered that I think." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Do you perchance know what species of snail it was? I think mollusks are oh so interesting!" @soul | 🎻

Miles paused and thought about it. "Uhhh. It was small, brown and slimy. Mighta been a baby snail." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Small.. brown and slimy.." Dante hummed. "Could it have been Pomacea maculata? Those are pretty common where I am from!" @soul | 🎻

Miles blinked. Blinked again. Blinked once more. "Uhmm I'll take your word for it!" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"If that is what it was, maybe you were not too far from me, Guy Miles!" Dante smiled. He was still sitting on his hand. Maybe it was going numb by now. @soul | 🎻

Miles wiggled his fingers under Dante to try regain more feeling in his hand. "Maybe! I think I moved around a lot though, I don't really know. I've been hanging out nearby Mr Campbell for most of the non-blurry parts." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Even as Miles moved, Dante didn't react. Surely he must be aware. Dante's body was also very warm to the touch, even through his suit. "Do you know which human countries you were in, Guy Miles?" @soul | 🎻

Miles wriggled his whole hand this time, as if it was dancing to some silent music. "Think it was America. Mr Campbell's a big fan of America. But I guess he could be a fan and live somewhere else." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Oh! I was in America! South America, I do believe! I am not 100% familiar with human continent and country names, but I do so believe that South America is where I was. Agustín told me." @soul | 🎻

Miles nodded along. "See I don't know which America I was in. Just that Mr Campbell liked the country." Now Miles was flopping his arm up and down to try pry his hand free. Dante was too warm for him. Did not want a cooked hand. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Perhaps you were in East America, Guy Miles." Dante suggested. Still oblivious. @soul | 🎻

"There's a lotta Americas, huh." Miles pulled his arm but it just stretched out, the same horrific way it had before that he seemed oblivious to himself. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I think so!" Dante nodded. He finally looked over at Miles arm, winding his eyes up the stretched out limb. ".. What are you doing?" @soul | 🎻

"Trying to get my hand free," Miles said, to the guy sitting on his hand instead of asking him to move. "It's stuck." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"..." Dante followed the hand until it ended up under him. The heat seemed to increase for the moment before he scrambled up to his feet. "Heavens! I'm terribly sorry-.. I didn't realize.. apologies, Guy Miles.." @soul | 🎻

"Mm? It's chill- well, no, it was warm- but yeah!" With his hand freed, his arm went back to its normal length and Miles wiggled his fingers in front of his face. "Whoo! Hand back!" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. Why did you not simply tell me that I was sitting on your hand? That must have happened quite a while ago.." @soul | 🎻

"Well you were talking and then we were talking and like I'd get my hand back eventually so, yknow! And see, I did get my hand back!" Miles wiggled his hand to show that he did, in fact, get his hand back. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I do not have much feeling in my body anymore- next time I am sitting on you, please speak up sooner, Guy Miles!" @soul | 🎻

Miles blinked. "Anymore? So you used to feel more?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Of course! Before I got my brilliant fire powers!" Dante said, still smiling. "I do believe that they have burned most of my nerves off!" @soul | 🎻

"Oh cool!" That's not how you respond to nerve damage, Miles. "You got your powers too? I don't think I always had mine. I don't think blurry me was good at the stretching." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Really now? How do you believe you obtained your powers?" @soul | 🎻

Miles tapped his foot against the ground. "I haven't really thought about that. I think they kinda showed up." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

(thas a lotta threads) Now this was a place to catch Subarus eye. Big fire. R e a l big She stared at the dancing flames, her eyes wide as the light seemed to keep her there. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

There was a woman by the bonfire, all bundled up in warm winter clothes. She didn't seem to notice Tsubari at first, and was paying much more attention to a bundle of something she held in her arms. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Very smol bebe. Tsubari seemingly broke out of her trance once she noticed that the flame's dance had been slightly disturbed. Turning to the source, she noted the woman and bundle combo, tilting her head curiously. What was in there exactly? "Why are you outside? Isn't it supposed to be freezing or something?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri startled as she was approached, pressing the bundle closer to her chest and away from Tsubari. "It's not as bad by the fire. And I wanted to get us some fresh air." She said. "Why are you outside. You aren't dressed for it." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Tsubari huffed, not very interested in the bundle after that. "Hey. I have a scarf! Besides, I didn't like the outfit that froggy gave me." She did not understand the concept of fresh air. Air was air. But she is a bit too dumb right now to know. "And who's we?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Where did you get another outfit?" Jymaiyri's brow furrowed, before she shook her head. "Nevermind. 'We' is Minerva and I." She slightly lifted the bundle, to indicate that was what she was referring to. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"This is my outfit. That was the other outfit >:/" She looked at the bundle with confusion. "What... is that exactly? And why did you name it." Even with her dumbass she can't tell that's a baby. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"How did you- nevermind." Jymaiyri shook her head again. "This is a baby?" She lifted Minerva towards Tsubari, so she could just see the little baby's tiny little face. Minerva was more interested in the flickering, dancing fire than anything, but she did look up to the new person. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Subaru in her first form was a walking cocomelon character. Not really but she was very attention grabbing for young children and bebes. This subaru though... is almost... buffering? A teeny little pink question mark appeared next to her face. "Oh... that's what a baby looks like. I didn't know people... came that smol.... So itty bitty." Her focus had changed entirely to Minerva, almost flabbergasted at the concept of a baby. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Minerva just stared right back at Tsubari. Yup. "Yeah, they come this small. She was even smaller when she was born." Jymaiyri shrugged. Her weird hostility had faded as soon as it had appeared. "Have you never seen a baby before?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"I can't say I have." Her unnaturally red eyes scanned over the baby in awe. Not awwww but what th fuck is this. "How... small do people get???" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Huh." Jymaiyri replied. Strange, but maybe this was another of those frog people. Minerva watched Tsubari, but was distressed at the look of confusion on the girl's face. "Uh, well she was about this big when she was born," With Minerva in her sling, Jymaiyri could use her hands to gesture the size of a newborn baby. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"..." Eh? "that's so itty bitty!" She kept frantically looking between the bebe and her mother. This girl does not know how reproduction works clearly. "Wait why did a baby get took? She's itty bitty! She can't do nothin!" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, babies start out pretty small. She's growing fast, though." At Tsubari's question, her expression grew a bit distant. "I don't know why she was brought here. It wasn't my choice to take her- but she's stuck here with me nonetheless." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Tsubari was still trying to process that new information. It wasn't going well. She also did not notice Jymairi's change in expression. "Can I poke it?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri refocused. "What? No." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Tsubari stared at her. "I wasn't gonna poke her that hard. Looks squishy." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You can't poke my baby." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Tsub pouted. "Has anyone else asked before me?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"What's that matter?" Jymaiyri scoffed. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"I would like to poke the baby." She answered pretty honestly. "But I'm not allowed to poke the baby." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yeah, you aren't allowed." Jymaiyri affirmed. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"I still don't think it's a good idea to be outside in the cold with a whole baby." She commented. Subway doesn't know where else to go from this point why can't she poke the baby. I mean besides the obvious reasons. "I don't even know your name. You don't know my name. But I know the baby's name. Why is that?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, you can tell that to the person who put us here." Jymaiyri retorted. "My name's Jymaiyri." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"My name's Tsubari." She held out a hand to presumably shake it. To Jymaiyri, her everything was off. Probably not harmful to bebe off but off nonetheless. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri eyed Tsubari's hand with the same suspicion she looked at all of Tsubari with, but eventually relented and shook her hand with her own mittened one. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

She lit up at the hand shake. Almost literally. "Now we've been properly introduced. I will not ask to poke the baby again." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Thanks." Jymaiyri replied flatly. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Tsubari pouted again. She had half a mind to just go back to looking at the fire. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri didn't have much else to say either. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

soul | 🎻

Miles tapped his foot against the ground. "I haven't really thought about that. I think they kinda showed up." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 (split them off soon as well?

(Sure!)

10:40 AM

"Huh! Just like me! Guy Miles, I think we are pretty similar." Dante smiled widely. "Well, I think I must get going to check the fires. I would hate for anyone to be left out in the cold!" @soul | 🎻

"Huh! I've never met anyone similar to me." Miles matched Dante's wide smile. "Ohh yeah, warm this place up. It's super cold and stuff. Fire's pretty good for that." ...yeah. Anyway, since he was already standing, Miles did a little spin to scan the area around him. "I thiink I am just gonna look around cause I've just been hanging out here. Have fun lighting fires!" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Yes! You enjoy yourself as well, Guy Miles!" Dante waved as he ran off, leaving melted footprints in the snow. @soul | 🎻

Mles waved and ran off in. Another direction. Unsupervised king.

Tsubari looked at the fire again before kinda just walking away. I think this was a productive conversation. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Tsubari looked at the fire again before kinda just walking away. I think this was a productive conversation. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri just... watched as she left.

Miles only left for a brief minute. He could look around the bonfire more! So here he was. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri was still lingering by the fire. She seemed mildly interested that the guy who had just left was back already. @soul | 🎻

Miles looked around the bonfire and. Eventually noticed the other person. He waved! "Hey!" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, hey!" Jymaiyri waved back, keeping one hand over the baby's sling. @soul | 🎻

"This is a pretty good bonfire!" Miles sat down by Jymaiyri. "Dante's in charge of fire here, he's pretty cool. Well. He's warm actually." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I guess it is." Jymaiyri hummed. As Miles neared her, she instinctively moved her hands over Minerva. "Who's Dante?" @soul | 🎻

"He's one of the guys here, he just left. He's kinda... froggy??" Miles curiously leaned forward as Jymaiyri moved her hands. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, I was just talking to one of the frog people. Zahara, her name was." Jymaiyri leaned away from Miles and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Who're you?" @soul | 🎻

Miles... leaned forward more. "Oh, I'm Miles, who're you? What's in your hands?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm Jymaiyri." She held Minerva close to her chest. "This is my baby." @soul | 🎻

"Your baby?? Ohh that makes sense I thought you had like. A burger." When Miles thinks of food, he was thinking of that Wendy's burger. "The guy Rakin, he gave me a burger earlier... did he give you the baby?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"What? No." Jymaiyri shook her head. She couldn't help but laugh a bit. "I gave birth to her. Six months ago. Why would he give me a baby? And why did he give you a burger?" @soul | 🎻

Miles' eyes widened. "Whoa. People actually do that." He was quickly distracted by the question though. "Oh he just gave me a burger, I mean it was really good, never had one before but he said Wendy made it? She's doing something right." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"People actually- give birth? Yes? Did you think that was made up, or something?" Jymaiyri couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Huh. Okay. Well, he didn't give me a burger." @soul | 🎻

"I mean I just kinda heard about it. From somewhere." Miles thought about where he might have heard it but evidently came up blank. "Huh. Well, dunno why he gave me a burger but I'm glad he did. It was delicious, better than Mr Campbell's bread." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Okay. Well, now you know it's real." Jymaiyri said in reply. She didn't have anything more to say about burgers. @soul | 🎻

Miles...... leaned so far forward he was less sitting and more kneeling. He knew there was a baby now and he was intrigued. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Though she was still watching Miles, Jymaiyri refocused most of her attention to playing with Minerva- singing a little tune, playing peekaboo, standard baby play. Minerva was having a blast, giggling and babbling the entire time. @soul | 🎻

"That's what a baby looks like?" Miles continued to leeean forward. "The bread Mr Campbell sometimes gives me is bigger than that..." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Uh, yeah?" Jymaiyri briefly turned to Miles to answer his question before returning to her baby. @soul | 🎻

"I haven't seen a baby before. Not that I remember." He's not leaning any more forward, not because he'd probably fall and collide with Jymaiyri and he has enough sense for that, but rather because he was so fascinated by the baby that he forgot to continue leaning forward. "How did you manage to get it out?" Miles you can't just ask that. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri abruptly turned back to Miles, eyes wide. She sputtered. "Get her out- of my-?" @soul | 🎻

Miles did not understand the problem. "Well she's small but she's big and I know that they're from the stomach I think and that's probably difficult to get out of?" What is he on about. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri just kept sputtering. "She didn't- no. Just- stop talking. Please. Stop." @soul | 🎻

Miles looked a little perplexed but did indeed stop talking. For a little while at least. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Don't ask people questions like that." Jymaiyri declared, and went back to playing with her baby. @soul | 🎻

"Why not?" Miles. He looked at Minerva, then Jymaiyri again. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Because it's rude." Jymaiyri said curtly. @soul | 🎻

"Oh." Miles paused to consider this. "Is it?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yes." @soul | 🎻

"Oh. How?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"How... is it rude?" @soul | 🎻

"I dunno, that's what I'm asking." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It's rude to ask details about someone's pregnancy, cause that's personal. We just met." @soul | 🎻

"Oh. Aight." Miles leant backwards. Finally personal space. "Sorry." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Don't sweat it." Jymaiyri shrugged, and returned to her baby. Minerva cooed and babbled as Jymaiyri talked to her. Very cute stuff. @soul | 🎻

Miles watched curiously, head tilted to the side. "It's weird cause like... babies become people. But I haven't seen a baby so it's weird to think it'll start talking in... iunno, a couple years? I dunno babies." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yeah, they grow up pretty fast. She's already learning how to use her voice, though." Jymaiyri hummed. She seemed more happy talking about this. @soul | 🎻

Miles sat back down properly but scooted to sit closer to Jymaiyri. "You already had the baby when you got here?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Uh- yes? I had her before I got here. She got teleported away with me." @soul | 🎻

"Do you think they'd bring her food? I don't think she can eat burgers though." Miles was just thinking about food. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, she's not eating a lot of solids yet, so unless they're gonna bring her formula I don't think so." @soul | 🎻

"...probably wouldn't be able to eat Mr Campbell's bread. I struggle to and I'm great at eating solids." Miles leant forward and then backwards, like he was rocking real slow. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yeah. No bread for her, most likely." Jymaiyri hummed. Still, her attention was (rightfully) mostly on baby. @soul | 🎻

"The bread is good, just a bit tough, yknow? You gotta break it up in your hands and have water with it. It's tasty though." Miles was just kinda chilling, leaning forward then backward, just happy to be there. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That doesn't sound like very good bread." Jymaiyri remarked absentmindedly. @soul | 🎻

"It's bread that he was gonna put in the dumpster, sometimes he gives it to me instead." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri turned to face Miles, a concerned look on her face. "Miles, do you... not have easy access to food?" @soul | 🎻

Miles did not notice the concern. "The dumpsters around are always pretty full so there's always food there, and Mr Campbell sometimes gives me bread if he catches me." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Having to get food from dumpsters is not easy access. It's also not good for you, at all." Jymaiyri's brow furrowed. "How old are you?" @soul | 🎻

Blink blink. "Well I can easily get it... uhh eighteen, I think, roughly around there. Considering what I look like." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You- you don't know how old you are?" @soul | 🎻

Miles nodded. "Well, I've only not been blurry for a few months so trying to figure some stuff out." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"And you're not- wait, blurry?" @soul | 🎻

"Yeah, blurry, like, not really remembering stuff. Like everything before is kinda blurry." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Right." Jymaiyri said, clearly concerned. "Miles, I think you need help. Of the medical kind." @soul | 🎻

Blink. Miles stared at Jymaiyri. "Huh?" Blink blink. "It's just blurry stuff yknow?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It's not normal to have no memories of your life. It can be the sign of some pretty severe neurological issues." Jymaiyri frowned. @soul | 🎻

"Oh." Blink. "I'm doing pretty good so maybe it's not that bad. But. Oh." Yeah. Oh. Miles looked at the ground, then at Minerva. "How'd you know this? Are you a doctor?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm a doctor of botany. But you don't need botany, you need medial attention. There has to be someone here who can help you out, though..." Jymaiyri thought. @soul | 🎻

"The wolf is a doctor," Miles said absentmindedly. "Have you met the dog?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Dr. Lukas? Yeah, I've met him. I don't know what he's a doctor of either, but maybe he could help..." Jymaiyri thought. @soul | 🎻

"Yeah, the doctor wolf." Honestly Miles assumed all doctors were the same. "I don't think I'm damaged or anything. My bones go weird when I stretch but it doesn't hurt." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri blinked. "Your bones go weird?" @soul | 🎻

"Yeah, they crunch and just kinda feel weird but that's part of the stretching." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That doesn't sound healthy at all." @soul | 🎻

"You wanna see??" Miles. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Uh-" She paused, and adjusted how Minerva sat in her arms. "Not really." @soul | 🎻

"Oh." Miles slouched, a little disappointed that he couldn't show off his stretching power, but he shrugged it off. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri turned her attention back to baby. She was going between giving Minerva attention and giving Miles attention, at this point. @soul | 🎻

Miles glanced down at his arm, prodding the skin. His forearm stretched out slightly, so his hand was closer to Jymaiyri. He didn't realise he was doing it but. Still. In front of her salad. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri was too preoccupied to really notice Miles. Minerva, however, was facing right towards him and watching him closely. She gestured her little arm out, pointing vaguely towards him and babbling. @soul | 🎻

Miles grinned in delight and waggled his fingers at Minerva. They stretched slightly, making an awful crunching sound. That he seemed to notice and quickly pulled his fingers back, the crunching resuming as they shrank back to an almost normal length. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Minerva giggled at Miles as he waved his fingers at her, waving her own arms up and down in that way babies do when they're really excited about something. Jymaiyri noticed Miles was doing something at that awful crunching sound, and turned towards him. "Did you hear something?" @soul | 🎻

Miles grinned wide. This baby was cool. He glanced over to Jymaiyri but otherwise he was hanging out with the babby. "Oh yeah that's my bones." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Your- your bones?" Jymaiyri stammered. Minnie was still chillin tho. @soul | 🎻

"Yeah. Like-" And now he purposefully stretched his fingers out now and there was that horrific noise! "Sometimes it just happens, I dunno why. But I'm better at it now I'm not blurry." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri only grimaced more as Miles demonstrated his powers. "That's- don't do that. It's gross. Is that your powers?" @soul | 🎻 \

"Yeah, that's them." He at least retracted his stretched fingers and really focused on making them normal length. "I just kinda gottem." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Huh. Weird powers." Jymairyi said, then repeated, "Anyways, don't do that around my baby. It's gross." @soul | 🎻

"I think it's kinda cool and it doesn't hurt me!" Miles did at least stop stretching, going back to a normal height. "I can make myself taller or shorter if I want as well!" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"It's a bad influence on the baby." Jymaiyri said, and didn't elaborate on this sentiment. @soul | 🎻

"Oh." Miles would have appreciated elaboration. He leaned forward to Minerva and said, "I don't mean to influence you badly." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Minerva just smiled and waved her arms around. She liked Miles. "Do you want to play with her? Without the weird stretching?" Jymaiyri asked. @soul | 🎻

Miles grinned back at the baby. Jymaiyri he's barely capable of looking after himself. "Yeah!" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri smiled, and sat Minerva up on her knee so she was facing Miles more. "Do y'know how to play peek-a-boo? She really likes that." @soul | 🎻

"I don't know what that is!" Miles said, not losing any of the glee in his voice or grin on his face. He stretched his arm out, bones making that noise again, and very gently fistbumped Minerva's hand. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Stop doing that." Jymaiyri said, as Miles stretched out his hand. Minerva just giggled, though. "Peek-a-boo is a game you can play with little babies. You make sure they can see your face," she faced Minerva, then covered her face with her hands, "then cover up your face so they can't see. And then..." "Peek a boo!" She revealed her face again, and Minerva burst into laughter. "It works because babies don't have the best sense of object permanence. Very exciting stuff for them. Now, you try. No more bone stretching." @soul | 🎻

innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Stop doing that." Jymaiyri said, as Miles stretched out his hand. Minerva just giggled, though. "Peek-a-boo is a game you can play with little babies. You make sure they can see your face," she faced Minerva, then covered her face with her hands, "then cover up your face so they can't see. And then..." "Peek a boo!" She revealed her face again, and Minerva burst into laughter. "It works because babies don't have the best sense of object permanence. Very exciting stuff for them. Now, you try. No more bone stretching." @soul | 🎻

@soul | 🎻

Miles looked at Jymairyi, then at Minerva, then his arm. Then he retracted his arm, bones making that noise again. His arm was a little shorter than usual. Okay. He watched the demonstration, laughing himself at Minerva's reaction. "Object permanence...? Okay, cool!" He shifted to sit in front of Minerva and continued the game that Jymairyi started. He is chilling with this baby. And Jymairyi too. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri grimaced again at Miles's gross arm, but Minerva was chilling. Minerva, in fact, was having a great time. She laughed her little baby laugh every time Miles revealed his face, waving her mittened hands in the air. @soul | 🎻

Continuing the little game, Miles scooted forward to be closer to Minerva so he could gently high five her without stretching his arm horrifically. He's learning. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Minerva didn't quite understand the high-five custom, but waved her arm around excitedly. "I think she likes you." Jymaiyri smiled. @soul | 🎻

Miles was just kinda poking her hand but it was a high five in his heart. "Ohh, yeah? Hell yeah. I like her too, she's." He paused, trying to think of how to compliment a baby. "She's cool as hell." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri chuckled. "She is cool as hell. She's a pretty cool baby." @soul | 🎻

"She's gotta get it from her mother." Miles grinned at Jymairyi, then paused for a beat before adding, "Unless her dad's super cool." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hah, thank you." Jymaiyri laughed. "Personally, I think Yeonai's pretty cool. That's her dad." @soul | 🎻

"I bet having parents is cool," Miles said, still playing peekaboo. "I think I had them but, yknow, blurry." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You probably do. Everyone's got parents, cause you have to come from somewhere." Jymaiyri shrugged. "That's just how genetics works." @soul | 🎻

"Huh." Miles thought about it for a little while. "I don't really know where I come from either. America? I just kinda realised I was existing. Like- I didn't just wake up one day, it was kinda gradual, but one day I woke up with more... thought?" Yet there clearly wasn't a single thought in his head. Still playing peekaboo with the babby. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I think it's likely you had a life before, that you forgot." Jymaiyri said casually. Weird woman just drops shit like that. "A doctor will be able to help you with that." Minerva was still having the time of her little life. Peekaboo game of the year in her books. @soul | 🎻

"Yeah, the blurry parts. I assume that's what it is. Lotta white walls." Miles grinned widely at Minerva's obvious enjoyment of the game. "Do babies remember this kinda stuff?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"White walls? That's weird." Jymaiyri commented. "Well, depends what you mean by 'this kinda stuff'. She probably won't remember this specific moment, cause she's still too little, but if you hang out with her enough she'll probably remember your face and voice. It's kinda hard to tell who she remembers and who she doesn't, though, cause she's so friendly." @soul | 🎻

"Damn. Babies are also blurry." That's not what to take away from this but whatever. "She's super friendly and cool. The dog doctor wasn't that friendly but they were still pretty cool because they're a wolf dog." Still peekabooing. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"She is." Jymaiyri nodded in affirmation her baby was cool. "Dr. Lykos? Yes, they were pretty alright. If there's going to be a wolf doctor here, I'm happy they seem intent on not hurting me or my baby." @soul | 🎻

innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"She is." Jymaiyri nodded in affirmation her baby was cool. "Dr. Lykos? Yes, they were pretty alright. If there's going to be a wolf doctor here, I'm happy they seem intent on not hurting me or my baby." @soul | 🎻

@soul | 🎻 (do u mind if we wrap up soon lol, I don't wanna keep u if ur busy)

1

"Doctors are supposed to heal people." Miles paused to consider what he'd just said, as if he was surprised he said it himself. "I think?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, medical doctors are. There are lots of types of doctors." Jymaiyri shrugged. @soul | 🎻

Miles fully stopped for a minute. "There are? I thought there were just doctors who..." He mimed jabbing. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"What? What do you mean by that?" Jymaiyri mimicked his motion, and Minerva did too- as much as her tiny body and poor coordination would allow her to. @soul | 🎻

Miles continued the jabbing motion. "Like- they jab you in the arm. Makes you blurrier? Made my arm stretch more too I think?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Like, an injection?" Jymaiyri asked. She was connecting some of the dots now. @soul | 🎻

"Yeah, something was going in. Getting jected." Miles nodded, still mining the motion. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"And it made you blurry. And stretchy?" Jymaiyri asked. She could understand how an injection could make Miles 'blurry'. The stretching was more of a mystery to her. @soul | 🎻

"Blurrier, yeah, and I think once I was less blurry and they-" Emphasis on the motion. "And then I think they pulled my arm and I could feel the other wall?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Eugh." Jymaiyri grimaced. "That's- huh." @soul | 🎻

"it didn't hurt! Stretching doesn't hurt, see?" He had still been doing the jabbing motion but now was curling his arm around his head, then over his shoulders like a scarf. "Yeah, see? Doctors heal people, so my stretching doesn't hurt." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri grimace deepened as Miles wrapped his arm around his head. She began putting Minerva back in her baby sling and getting up. "It was nice talking to you, Miles. Please don't ever do that around me or my baby again." @soul | 🎻

Miles blinked, perplexed. "Oh. Nice talking to you too!" His arm stayed wrapped around him but his hand waved them goodbye. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri was already leaving. Goodbye Miles. @soul | 🎻

While it had been nice to hole up in the barracks for a while, Kenji couldn’t stay there forever. It was starting to get to him, having not seen anyone other than Agustin despite the promise (threat?) of a tournament he’d been told, so he’d pulled his scarf and boots back on and trudged out into the cold again. Luckily enough the giant bonfire was plenty visible from the path as soon as he stepped out. It still didn’t seem like anyone else was in his immediate vicinity, but at least the fire was a relief. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Lykos had exited the forest, unable to find any prey. Their paws were freezing, and that damn leg of theirs was aching in the cold. They ran up to the fire rather quickly, immediately flopping down next to the warm blaze. ..Well, there was a large wolf here now. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Kenji, halfway through unwrapping his scarf, immediately shoves it back into place as soon as he hears what sort of sounds like footsteps. And he’s right, but it’s definitely not the footsteps he was expecting. There’s a wolf here now. Freezing in place, Kenji can feel his heart pounding in his ears. What are you supposed to do with a wolf? Play dead? No, he’s vaguely sure that’s for bears. He just sort of ends up openly staring at the wolf for now. Sorry Lykos. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Calming down from the cold, the wolf’s ears twitch at the sound of shifting fabric. A pair of golden eyes are staring directly at Kenji now. After a pause, the wolf lets out a little huff. “Hmph. I do not know you.” It sighs before speaking again. “To begin, yes I am a talking wolf. No, I will not harm you or anyone else.” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Oh. They’re staring back at him. This isn’t worrying at all. Then the wolf speaks, and Kenji’s brain reboots ever so slightly. Okay. Talking wolf. In space. This is fine. At least they don’t know him, that’s a relief. “H..Hi?” His voice comes out a little higher pitched than normal and he coughs slightly to try and cover up his embarrassment. “Um. Okay.” Introductions. That’s a normal thing to do. This is normal. “I’m. I’m Kenji..?” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“I am Dr. Lykos. Hm.. tell me, Kenji- what do you know about this place.” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

A wolf that’s also a doctor? Sure. Okay. Kenji decides not to try and question it. “Not.. Not really a whole lot.. I know we’re in s-space—“ His voice cracks, a little bit, but hopefully it isn’t too noticeable. “—we were all brought here, and-and we’re supposed to.. fight each other.. I talked to someone earlier, he seemed like he’d.. been here longer. Said a lot of other people showed up when I did.” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hm. Yes, that is all true. When you were brought here, did you speak with Rakin or another being.” This person seemed shaken, though less than that Madison was. Best to gauge how much they knew before proceeding. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 (edited)

“It was.. It was Rakin, y-yeah…” Kenji’s voice quiets slightly. He doesn’t really want to think about that conversation. “Uh. Agustin, the person from earlier, he— he asked that too.” He’s hesitant to ask, but… “Do, um.. D’know what it is?” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“..Nearly everyone I have met has spoken to Rakin. Tch- I had the unpleasant opportunity to meet the.. other host of the tournament. I suspect it is the true mastermind behind all of this.” There was a bit of venom in their voice. They didn’t seem too thrilled about the whole ‘get abducted into space and fight strangers against your will’ thing. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 (edited)

Kenji subconsciously shifts a tiny bit away from Lykos at his tone, but also seems a little relieved to hear it’s directed at their hosts. Still, though, he’s almost scared to ask. “What did..it tell you?” Agustin had seemed hopeful about some kind of ‘our side vs host side’ thing, but Kenji was starting to lose hope about that being an option. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

’Pain. Torment. Despair. Your life.!.’ ’I will. Have. It. All.’ The wolf scowled as it remembered. “…It did not tell me anything. It tried to kill me. I’ve.. learned everything about this place from others.” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“…Oh.” Kenji swallows nervously, fidgeting with the ends of his scarf before hurriedly adjusting it when it starts to slip from his face. “I thought Rakin was— I thought he was going to kill me. But I guess they— they want us to k-kill each other instead.” He hugs his arms to his chest as he stares into the fire. “Agustin said someone he knows here thinks R-Rakin is trying to help us.” By the way he says it, it’s clear he doesn’t believe it in the slightest. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

It probably wasn’t best to disclose the whole ‘this tournament is all a game for entertainment’ thing, he probably wouldn’t take it well. “Rakin.. some here do believe he has.. a plan to help, but I would not rely on him. The other host is controlling him somehow. However, I do not believe we are without hope. Hm.. Kenji, do you have any magic? Some sort of.. power.” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“I wasn’t planning on it,” Kenji mutters with a small sigh. He seems to be noticeably more tense at the mention of Rakin being controlled somehow, and that only grows stronger as the powers topic comes up. He flinches, slightly, and doesn’t quite look directly at Lykos when he replies, “I, uh— Y-Yeah, I do…” Thank you for elaborating king. “Um. You?” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

They squint at him a bit at the lack of elaboration. “.. I do not have any magic.” They stretch out towards the fire more. Warm paws. “…Will you elaborate on your power or is this some sort of sensitive topic.” Blunt forcing that trauma. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 (edited)

“Oh. Sorry…?” He’s not really sure if that’s needed or not, but he offers it anyway. And, well. Blunt forcing that trauma indeed. Kenji shrinks in on himself even further at the question. “It’s— It’ll help me here. And I-I don’t want it to.” He might not have a say in the matter, though, and that almost scares him more. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hmph, it is fine. It was a trade I was willing to make.” They eye Kenji, feeling somewhat bad for the man. “It is something you cannot control? Hm. Dangerous, for others and yourself, it seems. …We need not discuss it if it will upset you.” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 (edited)

Kenji half shrugs, through his knuckles are white around the edge of his scarf. “I-I’m, um, better at controlling h— it now, “he chokes on the sentence, but hurriedly continues, “I promise, but… y-yeah. You’re right. I’m just— I’m gonna keep it as a last resort. If I c-can.” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (edited)

“…Are you cursed?” Asking flat out, those piercing golden eyes looking up at him from where they rest. Cold and curious. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 (edited)

The staring is definitely not helping. Neither is the faint chuckle he can hear echo in the back of his mind. “..No.?” Kenji’s voice cracks faintly in the reply, and he almost sounds unsure for a second. Hells, maybe he is cursed. Or just unlucky. “I-I don’t think so..” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hm. Two I have met now that seemed cursed.” They seemed to be mumbling to themself. At least they stopped staring. ..Augh, this damn leg. The wolf shifted again, now fussing with their left leg. They didn’t offer any more conversation. Rude beast. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“W-Who’s the other one?” Kenji asks after a moment, latching on to the shift in conversation away from himself like a lifeline. “I haven’t, um, seen people around all that much..” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mrr? Ah, the other is named Miles. He has very little memory, can stretch his limbs. Also rather stupid. Many signs of curse.” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“Little memory?” Kenji winces slightly. Hopefully it’s not some kind of similar possession issue. “Yeah, that’s— that’s not good.. Um. But stretching is an, uh.. interesting power.” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“His lack of memory would not worry me so much if he weren’t also so foolish. His.. ability is strange. This is why I believe he is cursed. Hmph. I cannot be certain. Not.. anymore.” They trailed off at the end. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“…Do you know. Um. A lot of cursed people?” It seems a bit strange to Kenji to jump right to being cursed, but maybe Lykos is used to it. “Is this like..a common thing, or…” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hmmhmhm- I am very familiar with curses. It is not common in your world?” Rumbly sort of laugh. They tilt their head as they ask. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 (edited)

“Not exactly? I’m, uh, not really sure.” Gods and hosts and cults, sure, but curses? …He wouldn’t be surprised, at least. “I guess it..depends, kinda. My parents probably would’ve known, they were, um, pretty into that kind of stuff. I-I never really picked up on it…” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hm. My mother was a well known witch, I followed in her footsteps for a time. Was well versed in black magics.” Their eyes were distant for a moment. When had they last seen that woman.. not that it mattered anymore. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 (edited)

“Oh, that’s n-neat. Was, um, that her power or something?” Kenji seems a bit uncomfortable with the idea of black magics—though he doesn’t really know much about magic overall, it does make him think some..not so fun memories. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hm? No, it is simply magic. Do people not have magic in your world?” They tilted their head even more. What a strange concept. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“It’s.. It’s hard to explain, um.. I guess it’s just different? I have powers and— and so do my siblings, but we were all born with them. So was most of the people I’ve met with them, I-I think. I..” Kenji pauses, mentally picking over his words. “I know there’s s-some..some people who, um, follow certain g-gods, they can..” His voice trails quieter as he talks, choking up a tiny bit. “They c-can do things with-without powers. B-But not many..” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hm. Most are born with magic- yet.. I would assume you cannot use magic outside of this.. power, yes? Some believe magic is from gods, I believe it is simply part of biology.” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“Y-Yeah, I mean, as far as I know.. Mine— mine changed, but they’re… N-Normal ones aren’t supposed to— to do that.” His head twitches slightly like he’s shaking off a thought. The last part of what Lykos says seems to catch his attention, though. “M-My parents always talked about— about fate to us, but.. Biology? H-How does that work?” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Mm, perhaps it is different for you, but.. Will, Soul, it is physical matter. Where it concentrates varies for each being. It is tapped into to form magic. Some will is not strong enough, and there are.. ways to amplify it, though it is ill-advised. Many from.. my world believe Will is gift from the gods, but I simply believe it is intrinsic to our biology. Though I have.. not had the time to research this fully.” Lykos shifted once more, coming back to the main topic. “Mm, most do not have specific powers like many here do. There are types of magic, and most have specialties, but just about everyone can use all kinds of magic where I hail from.” Their tail wagged a little as they prattled on, they seemed to enjoy talking about magic. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 (edited)

Will and Soul. Two things that Kenji was…kind of lacking in. The explanation that Lykos gives is definitely interesting, though. “That sounds a lot nicer than how mine work,” he says, the corners of his eyes turned up with a small smile hidden beneath the scarf. “I, um.. I wish there was other s-stuff I could do.” “I-I know some people say that powers like mi— like my siblings’, it’s possible it’s a genetic thing? Maybe t-that’s how your magic fits into the, um, the biology thing,” Kenji suggests. He pauses a second, then asks, “..Where, uh, are you from then?” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Bloodline is important in magical capabilities, yes. Certain magic can only be performed by certain beings. Hm.. I hail from Lunaestus, the continent of Sister Gods. I would assume you haven’t heard of it. Most just refer to the separate countries now.. I am from Novus, the other country is Silvestria. Have you heard of either?” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Bloodline is important in magical capabilities, yes. Certain magic can only be performed by certain beings. Hm.. I hail from Lunaestus, the continent of Sister Gods. I would assume you haven’t heard of it. Most just refer to the separate countries now.. I am from Novus, the other country is Silvestria. Have you heard of either?” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

(meant to send this b4 the fight but i had to leave so pretend it happened then

(just to finish this up since lykos is switching lol)) “N-No, it doesn’t really ring a bell… But it’s, I mean, it’s possible? I, um… I never really made it to the mainland. I live— I’m from a small group of islands. Lunaris, Stelrose Archipelago. Y-Your, um..” Kenji swallows nervously, seeming somewhat scared of the answer he’s expecting. “Your sister gods don’t have anything to— anything to do with d-death, do they?” Unfortunately, he won’t get an answer before lightning crackles, and nor will he once he returns. (edited)

Agustin had been wandering for some time, trying to find his boy to deliver this basket of oranges. He eventually decided to take a break and sit next to the bonfire, which was beginning to shrink in size due to lack of upkeep. Usually Dante was so on top of this... It was less of a concern since it had warmed up ever so slightly, but it was forever uncomfortably cold even in the middle of the day with no wind. He sat down, grunting as he did so, and rubbed his gloved hands together in front of the fire. The whiplash of hot to cold was still getting to him just a bit, but he was managing okay wth some help from his powers.. He let the basket of oranges rest next to him. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

The sudden teleportation to the fight earlier, as well as the outcome of said fight, quite frightened Kian. He wasn't sure just how serious Rakin was about this place, but it became quite clear to him that death of random innocent people wasn't something Rakin necessarily cared about. It made Kian sick, seeing what had happened to Madison and Isabelle. When he was finally brought back to the cold wasteland side of the maze, Kian was dazed. He didn't know how to process what was going to happen to everyone. The anxiety in his stomach continued to spread and the boy decided to start walking. It would at least give him something to do instead of dreading what was to come. Drawn back to the warmth of the bonfire, Kian's anxiety lessoned just a bit when he saw Agustin. The boy quickly ran up to his uncle and hugged him. "U-Uncle Agustin! D-Did you see all of that just now?!" Kian asked. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Woah there-" Agustin blurted out as Kian suddenly grabbed him. He hadn't been entirely paying attention to what was going on around him.. Regardless of that, he shifted himself around so he could hug Kian back. "No, I didn't see anything more out of the ordinary than usual.. Is everything alright, Kian..?" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian sniffled as he buried his head into Agustin's shoulder. "T-That fight! Did y-you not get teleported to see it? Miss Madison a-and.. A-And one of her friends--They had to fight each other a-and Miss Madison lost," Kian explained with a shaky breath. "S-She.. She just disappeared.. V-Vanished into nothing.." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. I didn't even know that was happening-..." Agustin frowned. He moved up his hand to the back of Kian's head, gently patting it. Was this comforting..? He hadn't had to interact with anyone younger than him who was human in quite some time.. "I never met Madison or Isabelle but... Madison vanished..? Did she die..?" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian let his weight sit against Agustin, appreciating the pats. "I-I don't know.. But it looked s-she did," he replied. "S-She sort of just.. disintegrated in a way. Rakin.. h-he was serious about making us fight till we killed each other o-or died.." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Disintegrated.. Its.. It's possible that that was an illusion to scare you. You don't have to accept that she's dead just because you think you saw it. And I won't let you die. I'll protect you." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

The boy was quiet for a few moments, shivering from both the cold and his anxiety. "I-I don't think it was fake, Uncle Agustin.. e-especially if Rakin said this was what they were going to do.." Kian sniffled. "I-I don't want anyone to die. We need to get out to here, Uncle Agustin.." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"We will get out, sobrino. I won't let you get hurt or die here." He pushed Kian back slightly, just so he could look him in the eyes. His gaze was dead serious, and even somewhat morbid. "You can trust me, right? You know i wouldn't lie to you?" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian's own expression was full of worry compared to his uncle's. "I-I know.. but.." He faded off, not wanting to think about the worst. "I-I'll protect you too. I want to protect everyone. I-I don't want the same thing that happened to Miss Madison to happen to anyone else." "I-Is there really no way to convince Rakin to let us go..?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"We'll find a way out, with out without Rakin. I wish it was easier to transport me as an axolotl, then you could hold on to me the next time you get summoned to see a fight and I could see.. But it's basically impossible. You'd have to take Dante or Zahara..." He took in a deep breath, moving his hands to firmly press them on Kian's shoulders. "I went to the other side. And I met a few people." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian wiped at his eyes as he settled into a spot beside Agustin. He let his uncle support him. "W-Why couldn't I bring you? Do I need to bring a bucket of water around w-with me?" He asked. Kian wasn't sure if he wanted to bring Zahara or Dante. Zahara because Kian was scared Rakin would be upset with him. Dante because of what Agustin had said about him. Though, Kian's eyes widened a bit when Agustin mentioned the other side. "Y-You did? How? W-When?? What was it like? Who was there?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Yes, I would need to be in the water.. Which might be hard to manage." Agustín sighed. "Rakin summoned me in to heal him after he got in to an altercation with another person. It was literally the opposite of this, it was hot and sandy and kind of gross.. I met with a man named Moses, mostly, but also Nora, Nathan, and Yeonaixho.." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"A b-bucket with some water shouldn't be too hard, right? I think the bigger issue is that w-we're taken so suddenly.." Kian frowned. "We didn't get any warnings or anything." "And it's hot on the other side? T-That's interesting-" Kian paused as he heard some familiar names, blinking a couple of times as he looked at Agustin. He already knew Yeonaixho was here, thanks to Jymaiyri, so his curiosity was only piqued further. "I-I know Mr. Yeonaixho.. s-sorta. He's Miss Jymaiyri's husband. Uhm.. how did they all look? The people you met." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I guess that would work, but you would need to frequently change the water and it might become needlessly complicated." Agustin sighed. "Uh.. Moses was a short guy, kind of looked like a military type. Nora looked like a little witch in a red dress. Nathan was... He had purple hair and clay powers. Oh, I think there was also someone named Celena, she had darker purple hair and lighter purple eyes. Are any of them familiar..?" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian frowned a bit. "I-I suppose it would be difficult, yeah. B-But I'm a little afraid to take Miss Zahara. Rakin seems to b-be close to her and he may think I'm trying to hurt her or something.. So.. I'd be left with Dante.." He mumbled. As Agustin described the people he met, Kian only really seemed to recognize one of them. "M-Moses.. He sounds like Sir Lor back home. Uhm.. I-I was friends with his son back then." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"So you knew him... From a different universe. But you didn't know all of them. If there's something we all have in common, I haven't figured it out yet." Agustin sighed. "And Dante.. He's strange, but I think he would be harmless to you. Maybe just annoying. Worrying about Zahara and Rakin is unfortunately a valid concern. I'm sure he always has his eyes on her. He probably wouldn't even let you go if you had Zahara." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"I mean.. w-we all have powers, in a way, I assume. If Moses is like Sir Lor, h-he has crystal powers," the boy replied with a small shrug. He looked up at Agustin with a small frown and nodded. "Y-Yeah.. That's why I'd prefer you, Uncle Agustin.. but if it's easier to bring someone like Dante instead, I-I can do it. I think." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. He does have crystal powers. I didn't hear about everyone else, though." Agustin nodded. "You should go find Dante soon then. And when you see him tell him to get back to manning the fires, they're getting a bit low.. Which is unlike him." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian smiled a bit as it was confirmed Moses had crystal powers. "T-That's nice to hear.. Its such a pretty power. Did Sir Lor make something for you? I-I imagine that's why you know he has them," he said with a faint chuckle. Though, his laugh died down when it was mentioned he should find Dante soon. "Y-Yeah.. I will try. Uhm.. Where does he usually frequent, Uncle Agustin?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Yeah, he gave me a basket to-" Agustin paused and looked down behind him. He was now entirely distracted from where to find Dante. "- Put all the oranges I got in." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian blinked before following to where Agustin was looking. His eyes lit up and he excitedly smiled. "Y-You got oranges?? And he even made you a crystal basket to hold them??" Kian beamed, also forgetting about Dante. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Yeah- there was a whole little farm on the other side with a bunch of different fruits and vegetables. I figured a little citrus is very needed on this side- scurvy might generally be a risk at this point with what our diet has been." Agustin chuckled and released Kian to pick up the basket. There were at least forty oranges in that basket. "I'm sure they're not as good as mine were, but.. It's something." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian looked over the bright oranges with excitement and smiled eagerly at his uncle. "C-Can I have one? It's been so long since I've had an orange. I can't even remember the last time-" Kian asked, bouncing a bit in his seat. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Of course, you should take a few. You need to be in good shape in case you get summoned next." Agustin held out the basket toward him. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Agustin's comment about possibly being chosen next didn't really register in Kian's head. He was just focused on orange. Eagerly, the boy took a couple and put one in each of his vest pockets, before taking another to peel open then and there. He pulled the unwrapped orange in half and offered it to his uncle. "Here you go. Let's eat them together!" Kian beamed. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Heh, thanks." Agustín chuckled and took the half orange. He pulled off one of the pieces and popped it in to his mouth, instantly smiling and moving his head back. "God- it's been so long since I ate anything but fish. These are incredible." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian excitedly ate his own slice, grinning ear to ear as he tasted the sweet juice in his mouth. "Mmm! These are delicious!" Kian exclaimed and quickly ate another couple of slices. At this rate, he was eating his oranges faster than he could peel with one hand. "Mm.. I'm s-so happy we finally got to eat oranges together, uncle Agustin. We never got to before." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Mm, yeah, it's too bad. That tree got a disease and died before it fruited anyway.." Agustín sighed, swallowing the pulpy remains of the slice before eating another one. Hopefully that wasn't some ominous warning of something else to come. "I wish I would have got more from the other side.. Next time I see Rakin I'll ask him to drop something off for everyone. It honestly feels unfair that the other side has so much food and we don't." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

It made Kian's heart pang a little hearing that. Guess even in Agustin's universe, the Kian there never got to eat oranges with his uncle. "Y-Yeah.. That would be nice. I don't know why he split all of us up in the first place. Or make it different environments. I think being together w-would still make things quite harrowing.." Kian commented as he finished his last orange slice. "..W-When you get back home, uncle Agustin.. Make sure you go visit your Kian a bit more often, okay? I never got to see my uncle much after my mom passed away. Getting to eat oranges together would be fun for him." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I'll be sure to do that, as long as I can get the compass Rakin stole back.. Otherwise I'll be waiting on someone from your side to come, which hasn't happened very frequently.. Or I can call Brandon too. There's a few options." Agustín nodded. "I'll be sure to meet up with him again, kid.. It sounds like you needed it." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian nodded, feeling a bit better after hearing Agustin's response. "Y-Yeah.. it would be appreciated. A lot," Kian sniffled and wiped his face with his shoulder. "Uhm.. T-Thanks for the oranges, Uncle Agustin. They taste really good." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I'm sure dad's would've tasted better if they had time to grow, but these are great too. Are there any other fruits you'd like when I get the chance to talk to Rakin..?" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian hummed in thought for a moment. "M-Maybe some star fruit?" He suggested with a small smile. "O-Or green melon? That would be nice.. whatever other people would want too. Speaking of which.. w-where did you say Dante would be again..?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Oh yeah, Dante, he's usually doing his chores somewhere. At the torches, or this fire, cleaning the bathroom, fishing.. Stuff like that." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian nodded, looking back at the fire in front of them. "I-I'll look around soon. Uhm.. You said Rakin had summoned you to the other side for getting into some sort of fight, right? Who got him over there? Must of been someone pretty gutsy.." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. It was Moses." Agustín sighed. "Got him pretty good. Enough to justify bringing me in to heal him." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian looked a bit surprised at that. "R-Really? Sir Lor..?" He repeated with a curious look. "Maybe that Sir Lor is a lot different than the one I know of. I can't imagine him attacking someone unprovoked.." Then again, perhaps Moses considered even being stuck here enough reason to be violent. "W-Well, regardless... It still let you see the other side. I w-wonder if Rakin plans on switching any more people.." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. I honestly doubt it was one hundred percent unprovoked. Rakin can be a bit.. Incendiary." Agustín sighed. "Considering he switched after this first fight, I might assume he'll continue to switch people around after each one. I don't see what the point of having sides is if you're going to keep mixing people up, though.." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian hummed, leaving the Rakin fight topic at that. "Y-Yeah.. I don't get it either. Maybe he'll just mix all of us o-or something in the end," he said with a small, weak laugh. The thought of being away from his uncle did make Kian feel a little unsteady, but it wouldn't be something new. "W-Well, I should go find Dante now, just in case. D-Do you think he'll like the orange?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Dante would probably appreciate the orange. I'm sure he's just as sick of fish as the rest of us are." Agustín said and grabbed the basket. "You should take a handful and pass it out to the people you see. I'll do the same. This citrus will really do everyone well." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian nodded and took a few more oranges. Whatever he could fit into his vest pockets and his pants pockets, he did. Which honestly, wasn't a whole lot, but it was what he could carry without his backpack. "Right. I-I'll make sure to do that," he said as he stuffed the last orange he could fit into his pockets. He had maybe ten oranges on him, so hopefully he didn't run into over ten people in the meantime. Kian looked up at his uncle and gave Agustin another hug. "Stay safe, okay?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Agustín hugged him back, squeezing him tight enough to knock the wind out of him. "I will. You need to too." Agustín took in a deep breath before releasing him again. "I'll go and hand these out as well. Good luck." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

There was a small 'oof' from Kian as Agustin hugged him, but he appreciated the affection. He smiled bright at his uncle and gave him a small nod. "Mhm. You too, uncle Agustin! I-I'll see you later!" Kian beamed before heading off. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Mallon’s hit by a blast of heat when they zap in to the other side, which almost instantly disappoints them, but once their vision clears their excitement returns and they dart towards the snowy edges. It’s an immense relief after the heat and sun and warm water they’d been stuck with and they sort of just—plop right down into the snow closer to the frozen over stream. They’re not wearing any sort of winter clothes or anything, either. @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

This time, Julien was ready for the zap. Or, at least he thought he was ready. As soon as he spawned in, his legs buckled upon setting foot in the snow, and he was sent rolling down uneven ground. As soon as he’d stood back up, he dusted the snow off his coat, and immediately laid eyes on the figure basking in the snow not too far from him. “You okay over there?” he asked as he approached them. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Mallon shakes the snow from their hair, cocking their head at the suddenly-arrived newcomer. “Yes,” they reply, pausing for a second, and then assuming a bit more of an explanation is needed they add, “The other side was too warm for me. But this I am used to.” Pausing again, they study Julien a little bit closer. “You just won,” they state—thought it seems a bit like it could be an accusation, it’s more of just an observation. @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

“Too warm? Yeah, I get that. It seemed nice over there, but the idea of another hurricane kinda freaked me out…” He glanced at Mallon, and all of a sudden their reasoning made a lot more sense- if looking like an anglerfish wasn’t just for show. But they seemed content, and that’s all that mattered. “…Yeah, I just won. I promise, I’m not hostile, though.” he instinctively raised his hands in the air. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Definitely not for show, that’s for sure, but there is something off about the lure drooping in front of their forehead. It looks a little bit better by now but still sort of mangled. Mallon doesn’t seem too bothered by it anymore though, shrugging as Julien’s hands raise. “I am not threatened. And it did..not seem you had much of a choice anyhow.” @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

“Yeah… it definitely wasn’t my choice. I still feel really bad for the other guy, though,” he sighed, shaking his head slightly. “I still can’t decide if that last move was… worth it, I guess.” he shrugged. Like Mallon, he was looking very much worse for wear, his face bruised, and his left arm hanging limp at his side. A shiny gold chain hung haphazardly around his neck, the crystal now damaged. Mallon could touch him, and he’d most likely crumple to the ground. “Is your head-light-thingy okay?” The injury looked slightly older, but on the off-chance it wasn’t, it was good to check. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“I do not want anyone to die. But we are..not prepared enough to refuse, I feel,” Mallon sighs. They reach a hand up to their lure, poking it gently. “It is healing. …Slowly. A large crab was involved.” They sound vaguely embarrassed and quickly move to switch topics, parroting Julien’s question back at him. “Are you okay? You look bad.” Real subtle, Mallon. @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

“This entire maze is so… put together. I think any resistance would be taken care of swiftly,” Julien sighed as well. “Rakin and that Alrai Pin guy are damn good at keeping us powerless.” He cringed at that last word. That… wasn’t true anymore, but it felt more relevant than ever. “As for your last question, I’m living, somehow,” a dry laugh escaped his lips. “Woke up in a bathroom, took those sludge-balls to the face, got a piece of metal stuck in me… definitely not good, but hey, I’ve been worse. What’s this about a giant crab? That’s kinda cool- that you were fighting it, that is.” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Mallon snorts faintly. “I still fail to see where maze comes from. Cage is more like it.” They squint up at him, head tilting once again. “Alrai Pin. That name was mentioned to me by two others before. They seemed to think it was in charge.” They seem to take Julien at his word of being not good but not worse, not offering help of any kind, and continue about the crab instead. “It would have been an excellent meal. For many, likely. A shame I did not finish the job.” Mallon’s gaze shifts to the ice, though, and the fish beneath it. “But perhaps I will have better luck in this place.” @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

“You’re probably right,” Julien agreed with a nod. “Though it does seem like Alrai Pin is the ringleader here, just from that ‘talk’ I had with them alone.” Julien’s eyes widened as Mallon continued to detail their crab escapades. “Hm, I don’t think I’ve ever had crab before…” he followed Mallon’s gaze. “You going to try to catch those?” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

They raise an eyebrow at that. The whole ringleader bit isn’t necessarily the surprising part, but— “You actually spoke with it?” A few more seconds of watching the fish later, Mallon glances back up to Julien at his question. “Crab is not my favorite,” they shrug. “But it would have been better than nothing. And I probably will. The ice seems thinner on this side.” @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Julien grimaced. “Yeah, once Rakin and I left the arena, I was put in a room with him and Alrai Pin to claim my ‘prizes’… if you can even call them that.” He redirected his attention back to the frozen over river. “Hmm, I could help you fish if you’d like? Something something power in numbers.” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“There is some reward for winning just one round?” Mallon questions. “Strange. I wonder why that is.” They seem a bit surprised by the offer, but not opposed, as they push themself to their feet and move a little bit to crouch at the stream’s edge. “Hm. That could help. I am not sure if it is deep enough for me to swim comfortably here.” @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

“I have no clue, though part of it was choosing which side I’d like to be on, and then opening a room for one of the sides. I chose B-side for both,” Julien shrugged. “The rest of the things I was given seemed really unnecessary.” he didn’t elaborate. “Yeah, the river does seem a little shallow- not to mention cold- but it seems like the depth is more of an issue than the temp. Hm… maybe there’s something around here we could use to spear the fish in the case that they’re too fast for either of us to grab?” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“Interesting. I and some others had discussed the purpose of being brought here. Perhaps there is a goal after all.” Mallon seems a bit fixated on the fish moving around in the river at the moment though, and doesn’t really comment on the fights any further. “Cold is not an issue for me. And I will be fast enough.” Sorry Julien. @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Connie had made her way to the bonfire in search of Zahara or any of the others she had mentioned previously. There were a few people around, but no one familiar yet... @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

“Who knows,” Julien responded simply, a bit relieved that Mallon didn’t talk more about the fight. “Right, I’m guessing you’ve done this before,” he hummed as he stooped down closer to the ice. “I’m sure these fish won’t be too hard to catch.” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

... Just as expected, Zahara was here, sitting close to the much smaller than usual bonfire. The area wasn't as warm as it usually was either due to the reduced size of the fire. Zahara was sitting on her knees praying, though as she saw Agustín and Moses approach, she paused. She stopped her mumbling and stared them down, looking anxious. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses walked here with Agustin, fully ready to put on this good cop-bad cop act, but it seems like Rakin had other ideas at the moment. He paused, looking quite surprised to hear that Yeonaixho was up next in a fight. "Shit... Seriously?" Moses mumbled more to himself and turned away from Zahara. "Agustin, do you want to go this fight and see for yourself what Rakin is doing?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. If you think you can get me there, I would like to attend this one." Agustin nodded. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses nodded and offered his hand to Agustin, before looking back at Zahara. "I know you don't know me, miss, but we're gonna go see this fight. Would you like to join us?" He offered Zahara. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"U-uhm.." Zahara mumbled. "I-if Raina wanted me there he'd- he'd have taken me himself.." "That's alright Zahara, you don't have to. I'll tell you what happens afterward." Agustin said and took Moses' hand. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

... As Moses and Agustín came back in, Zahara was gone and the fire was going in full force. Agustín stared in to it blankly, coat covered in blood and gore. He held on to the wrapped up heart, hair, and Yeonaixho's cane with slightly shaking hands. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

The sudden teleportation made Moses take a small step back. It took him a few seconds to fully recollect himself. The warmth of the fire seemed to clash against the harsh cold of the snow on whatever skin he still had exposed, pulling and tugging at his body. The scene of the previous fight still played in his mind and a pit formed in his stomach. He didn't register Agustin standing beside him at first, but realizing they were back in the tundra, Moses finally turned to look at him. His gaze seemed to sit back as he saw Agustin's current state. Slowly, he placed his hand on Agustin's arm. "Agustin..?" Moses quietly said, "It's not your fault, Agustin. You did what you could." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Agustín didn't move away, but he didn't look up from the fire either. ".. I could've done more. He's dead. Because I couldn't help him. Clearly Rakin thought I could do something.." He mumbled. "If my father were here he'd be able to fix all of this. But instead I am and he's- he's.. In a coma. I bet Rakin only bothered to bring me since he couldn't get my father.. Why choose me of all the axolotls.. There's nothing special about me. I'm not cut out for this.." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"No, it's Rakin's and his master's fault, Agustin," Moses said and stepped in front of Agustin. There was a mixed expression on his face. Something of concern and stern. "We were all boxed and forced to see what would happen. If Rakin wanted you to actually heal Yeonaixho, he would of sent you out there before it ever got to the point it got to," he reiterated. Moses gave Agustin's arm a gentle squeeze. "I'm sure your father is a great man, but that doesn't mean you aren't, Agustin. Every man learns through experience. There will be many times where we won't know what to exactly do. Yeonaixho.. He was already gone. There wasn't anything anyone could do. Don't hold this on yourself. No one does, or will." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Agustín blinked as Moses stepped in front of him, finally putting his attention on something other than the flames. "..." He took in a deep breath as he looked down at Moses. He couldn't be so easily convinced that this wasn't somehow his fault, that there wasn't something more that could have been done.. There was always something more that he could have done. "I'm only a year younger than my father was when he saved the multi-verse from a soul snatching three headed dragon. And I can't even save one person or- or find out a way to kill or convince one guy to let us go. What are we supposed to do? It all feels so- so-.. Hopeless." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses knew Agustin wouldn't be swayed by a pretty few words, but he didn't say them to convince him. He simply wanted to say the truth. Someone had to. "Agustin, if what you're saying is true, then I'm sure your father wasn't alone when he achieved all of that. He had healing powers like you, correct? Someone like that can't do something as big as saving the multi-verse on his own. Stop putting this on yourself," Moses sighed. "Things are looking bleak, you're right.. But losing hope means we've lost before we even started. Think about those you want to protect. Those you want to get home to... Your nephew, your father. You have people like me who want to help you get out too. You're not alone, Agustin. You don't need to be some bigshot hero." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"He has blood powers which are much more useful than whatever I got given here.. He can copy other people's powers by drinking their blood. There were.. Many people with powers there, more than are here.. He had help, but it's help that would be impossible for us to get here. We're stuck with who we have, split in half, and decreasing every few hours.." Agustin sighed. It was also a little sad that Agustin had no one to go back home to besides his dad. And he was in his thirties. And also his dad might die before he can get back. "I really appreciate what you're trying to do here, but my hands were just inside of a dead guy ten minutes ago and his blood is all over me. And I'm cold. And I'm holding his heart and hair. I think I need some time to process- which isn't great. Since someone else could die by then." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses sighed once again, shaking his head. He let go of Agustin and cupped his hands together, creating a crystal basket. "You're probably as stubborn as your father was, huh? I bet that's why he's alone on his deathbed with his son out here. Be careful, or you'll end up like that too, Agustin," Moses simply said as he held up the bowl towards Yeonaixho's hair and heart. "Put those in here. If you're cold, let's go inside. I'm not going to stand here and listen to your pity party. I've heard enough of those sort of things. When you're ready to focus on moving forward, I'll be there then. For now, we should get you inside to rest. I think Yeonaixho's wife and child are on the other side now. We can give them these things whenever a switch happens again." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Agustin placed the items in the basket without complaint, but did glare a bit as Moses spoke so poorly of his father that he didn't even know. And this also felt like another thinly veiled threat against him- considering the whole 'I need to be sure I can trust you' tangent Moses had went on earlier... "Pity party." Agustin mumbled. "Whatever. Yes. Let's get inside. I'm guessing that creature opened up a new room on this side, maybe there will actually be something useful in it. We should take a look around." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

He enclosed the items within the basket by making a covering, before shaping the crystal into a smaller sized cube. Carrying a ball of bloody organs and hair wasn't exactly all that preferable. "A new room? Sure, can't hurt to try. Where is it this time?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"If it's like how the phone room opened, probably along one of the other walls." Agustín said. "So we should get a move on before the snow blocks of all of the doors inside to anywhere." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Moses looked up towards the direction of the walls and nodded. "Alright, let's head over then. Maybe it'll be more useful than talking to Zahara would of been," he shrugged and started off. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

After freeing Tsubari, Calamity had gotten a bit of her ego back- to put it lightly. The demon was quite proud of herself, so much so that she took to flying in loops above the bonfire. She’d let out the occasional cackle, simply to inform anyone within fifty feet of the area that she was very fill of glee. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Like a moth to a flame- or a horny newt male to a receptive beautiful female- Dante ran toward the cackling, flying, pink figure. He ended up on the ground beneath her, and the bonfire grew in excitement as Dante stared up at her with heart eyes. @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Calamity eventually looked down, and upon noticing that whoever was on the ground was looking up at her, she began her descent. She landed gracefully right in front of Dante, her large pink wings remaining outstretched. “Hmm, didn’t realize I had an audience,” she grinned. “I don’t think we’ve met before.” she looked him up and down. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Dante smiled even wider as Calamity began to glide down toward him. As soon as she was on the ground, Dante fell to his knees in front of her, tail wagging behind him. "No, we haven't beautiful miss Calamity! But I am honored to make your smoking hot self!" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

At first, Dante completely threw Calamity for a loop. However, that didn’t last long… FINALLY. Someone here gets it. She put a clawed hand to her heart and grinned. “Oh! You flatter me!” her tail too, swished back and forth, though hers was purely in amusement. “I see word gets around! Now who do I owe the pleasure of gracing you with my presence to?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

At seeing her tail wag, Dante only got more excited. She had a tail and she was reciprocating! "I am Dante! Dante Red Paddle!" Stupid fucking name, par for the course for this guy. "I have heard much about you, Miss Calamity!" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

…It was a pretty stupid fucking name. Calamity snickered, then gently patted the newt on the head. “Ah, Dante! I’m simply going to call you Dante. Hmm, and you’ve heard a lot about me? Glad to hear the stuff all you talk about is finally getting interesting!” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Dante leaned in to her touch, and his hair was pretty warm. "Yes! You are the most interesting thing I've met here! I have heard you may want to talk about the Bible?" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Calamity instantly froze, then burst out laughing. “The Bible? You wanna talk to me about the Bible??” she wiped a tear from her eye. This guy was funny. “These guys here got it all wrong! Sure I’m a demon, but I couldn’t care less about that shit. I think I read it once for funsies? Gave it like a four out of ten,” she looked back at Dante. “Why would you- strange red-tailed man- want to talk to me about that of all things?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"A four out of ten? Ten what?" Dante asked, never letting his smile fall even as she laughed at him. "I was talking to something and it said something about demons and Bibles! And something about an accursed creature called Bibble, not to be confused with the Bible. But we can talk about something else! I heard you have wonderful fire powers, and they are pink! Tell me, perchance, are you a receptive newt woman? I already know you are quite beautiful!" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Wow, this guy sure was something… …Calamity liked him quite a lot. “Ah, well, the Bible as a piece of literature is passable, I suppose- though I prefer what I’m reading to be infinitely more interesting. The whole story tooooootally could’ve been an email. As for this Bibble… I’ve never heard of it,” she shrugged. “But enough of that- I agree, we should talk about something more interesting!” she pointed to herself. As she did, a ring of bright pink fire enclosed both the demon and the newt in the circle. “Your source was very right about my powers and my looks! Though, I am not a newt, and you can’t just say perchance.” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"What's an email- nevermind-" Dante interrupted himself as he watched in wonder as the ring of fire formed around them. "Awe, I was very much hoping you were a beautiful newt woman, though I suppose a beautiful demon woman is good too! I have recently learned that human men can have children with newt women, so I assume it works the other way as well! As well as with a demon instead of a human. And what was wrong with my verbiage of perchance? I thought it fit the context in which I spoke it quite well!" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Calamity raised an eyebrow. Then she let out a little laugh. “Soooooo you’re looking to start a family? Did I get that right?” she tapped Dante’s nose lightly with her claw. “As for your second revelation, people simply don’t say perchance. Except for you, I suppose.” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Dante giggled as she poked his nose. "Well, I love perchance! Aaaand I am looking to have kids, yes, and I do not care who keeps them! I can keep a few, you can keep a few, a few can go to the normal newt couples.. I just need to have my brood and then I can move on with my life!" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

“Hmmm…” Calamity paused, her hand shot up in the air. “…We’ll talk later ‘kay? I have someone in that fight I gotta support!” And with that, she zapped away! @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Huh, Aldreda?" Dante asked as he heard the announcement ring out. "Wait- nooooo! Come back, Miss Calamity!!"

Aaaaaand Calamity was back!! With a zap, the demon appeared right where she’d been before the fight- in front of Dante. “Soooooo… where were we.” It was more of a statement than a question, as Calamity appeared rather bored. At least Aldreda had won- she’d have to seek her out at some point. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Dante had stayed exactly where Calamity had left him. "Oh, Miss Calamity! We were talking about our lovely future brood!" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

“Uh huuuuuuuuuh… riiiiiiiiight,” Calamity drawled, deciding to humor him just a bit. “You have an itching to procreate. And you’re not going to carry the burden of raising them, yes?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Oh, she was actually working with him! "No, not all of them at least! Though maybe I can find a husband and we could raise one or two! And maybe my mother would want one if we have any girls- but I am very flexible!" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

…At least this guy was keeping his options open. Calamity crossed her arms. “Hmm, well flexibility suuure is a plus. And not only that, you drive quite a hard bargain. Your persistence is… admirable,” she purred, then flashed Dante a fanged grin. “I will think about your offer, Dante.” she patted him on the head again, this time fervently. Might as well play along with the little weirdo (no, she had not learned her lesson from last time). @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Ehehehee! You'll think about it! That's fantastic!" Dante giggled as she patted him again. "I am ready whenever! How long would your eggs take to hatch? A few days? Weeks?" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Calamity shrugged. “Hell if I know. But that’s part of the process, isn’t it?” she winked. “Just like my answer, it will surely take some time, silly!” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

So this one DOES last eggs! She didn't deny it! "Well then, I MUST get our nest ready! Do you have any requests? Extra fire or blue or sticks? Your wish is my command!" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Is this what happens why the guy even gets a maybe? Yeesh, he was Desperate. “You must?” Calamity couldn’t help but giggle. “A maybe isn’t a ‘yes’, yanno. Juust some words of the wise. But…” she let out a lengthy sigh. “…If you must…” “…I want your own, personal, unique take on Hell. From the Bible. Without reading the Bible!” she cackled. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"A 'maybe' is more than I have ever gotten!" Dante smiled. "But I can do that! Give me a brief description to work with and I will do my best to recreate Hell without the Bible!" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

“I can do that,” Calamity hummed, then put her hands over Dante’s eyes. “First, you need to close your eyes. You need total darkness to start, then I’ll fill in the details!” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Okay! They're cloooseeeed!! I pwomisee!" Dante squeezed his eyes shut, closing them hard enough to scrunch up his whole face. @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

“Good, good, that makes everything a hella lot easier!” Calamity cooed as she removed her hands from Dante’s face. “Now, I want you to think of a place absolutely on fire- use your imagination, perfect. Aaaand you’re eventually going to pepper in different types of sinners, you can get creative here. Like, think of those types of people that lived their lives doing bad or whatever. And now, torture those sinners! Get EVEN MORE creative!” she grinned. “Noooow let that sink in for a few moments!” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Oooohh fire, I can do that! I positively looooove fire!" Dante nodded. Thankfully she defined what a sinner was, because he didn't know that. "Okay okay, fire and torture! Do you need the 'sinners' to be real people, Miss Calamity? That may be difficult, last time I hurt anyone I got sent to the awful torture dimension!" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Calamity shook her head, though Dante wouldn’t be able to see her. “For this exercise, they can be fictional,” she clicked her tongue. “Hmm… you were sent to a torture dimension? Tell me more!” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Uhm- uh-" Dante frowned, just a tad, before smiling again. "W-well it was pretty awful..! Just- nonstop torture of all kinds! Very very creative things I assure you- a-and a few times I would be led to believe I was safe and placed back on this side, only for it to begin again! The things that happened seemed impossible, and I never died, but it all felt so so so real..! I would not recommend upsetting Rakin in any way!" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

@Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Calamity paused, taking it all in. The torture dimension sounded pretty stock-standard, though she wouldn’t tell Dante that. It was much more about who was behind the torture. “…RAKIN did that? Like, mopey, sad, confused, buzzkill Rakin? Hah!” she shrugged. “It’s just hard to believe we know the same guy!” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Well Rakin sentenced me to it, but- it was his master that went through with it..! Alrai Pin I believe- you shouldn't get on their bad side! Seriously!" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Calamity rolled her eyes. “That Alrai Pin as also suuuuuch a bore. I let them into my mind once, and they think they can control me! Ugh!” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Y-you- you what, Miss Calamity..?" Dante took a slight step away from her. "I-it's not controlling you now, right..? Correct?" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Calamity shook her head. “Oh, absolutely not! I threatened them, soooooo if they do it again, things will get messy!” she grinned. “I messed up a teensy bit on that front, but it won’t be happening again!” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I-i do not think they care about your threats, Miss Calamity, no offense! I-i think they're.. they're stronger than you realize. I could not do a single thing against them.." @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

“And I’m stronger than they realize,” Calamity scoffed. “I’m tired of this place- it’s no fun! And if they’re torturing someone like you… you’re not even a contestant, are you?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"U-uhm- no I don't believe I'm a contestant, Ms. Calamity.." Dante shook his head, pausing when he heard this announcement. "Oh- are you attending this one as well?" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

Calamity paused as well. “Hmm, I suppose I should. I’ve been a loyal viewer for each of the previous ones, and who knows- this could be my last fight to watch before I get put in that arena,” she mused, then frowned at the prospect of having to fight. She looked back at Dante. “Will yoooou be attending the event?” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Um- if you could somehow take me, I would love to attend this event with you! Is this like a date, Miss Calamity?" @Morgan | Calamity + Julien

After Jymaiyri had taken her shower, she briefly stopped at the bonfire, mostly to warm up, before she went back to chopping up wood for Lykos's cane. Her mind is clearly... elsewhere as she watches the flames flicker and dance. (edited)

6:25 PM

(WAIT SORRY MADS)

6:25 PM

@em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

(uh oh)

1

6:26 PM

(jymaiyri: this fire remind me of someone)

Mallon’s not sure how long they had remained by the aquarium—long enough for the snow to weigh them down, cold and heavy. That strange prickling feeling had remained, even after the rest faded into numb hollowness, until they’d found they could stay there no longer without jumping out of their skin. No one else had seemed around as they approached the stream, heavy step by heavy step, and achingly, painstakingly picked their way across the solid ice. Their mind feels too full, too scattered to think beyond the basic instincts. Still too scared to try swimming—but at the very least, they can eat. ——— From what Jymaiyri would be able to see, there’s movement down by the stream as water ripples softly in the melted area near the bonfire’s edge. An unmoving figure, save for a slight sway, is sitting there half in the water, a dead fish speared in their claws but not eaten just yet. Their bloodstained hair is more than enough to be recognizable to her. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri saw them out of the corner of her eye. The sight of them alone, solitary in the cold, is enough to still her completely. Recognition flooded her senses- it's them. Their hair still red with his blood. Her hand twitched in anticipation of the roots she's about to spring up- new life, to pay for the one she's about to take. Slowly, she circled the bonfire til she had her back to it, and faced the stream. Her gaze didn't break from Mallon, her posture tense. It'd be hard to tell in the low light, but her face is stone-cold stern in rage. Her hand shook as she rose it towards them, accusatory. In a voice that might just be familiar to them, she growls, "It's you." @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Normally, a sudden voice or footsteps would have startled them, given them reason to be defensive. At first they hardly seem to have noticed. But something tugs at the back of their mind, eventually, an echo of a speaker as they and Hannah had sprinted from the arena. Your powers have been used to resurrect me. You can remain here with Yeonaixho and I. He had remained. Hannah’s powers had been stripped for her. She had been part of it. The fish corpse slips from their grasp with a dull plop into the water. Mallon turns—eye slowly blinking open and closed, and settling in to a disturbingly familiar expressionless stare. It takes them a moment to find their words, another still to use them. Scratchy, hoarse, and numb as the surrounding ice. They’re still swaying, faintly, but with how limited the movement is it doesn’t seem purposeful as their head tilts just barely to the side. “You’re the voice.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Vines sprout, wither and die around Mallon's feet. Jymaiyri shakes, her voice unsteady with the weight of the emotion it carries. "The voice?" She stammers, unable to understand. "You- you killed my husband! Why? Why?!" There had been things she'd planned to say to this creature once it was finally before her. All that abandoned her now. All she could muster was blind rage. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Water splashes around their waist as the vines wither. “You said to leave or die.” Their voice doesn’t seem to be growing any stronger, still stretched out and disoriented, but they do seem to become more aware the more they speak. “You said we would not enact revenge.” Hearing Jymaiyri speak only further makes them sure. They blink slowly up at her again. “You were wrong.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You- what? I never said anything like that!" Her voice was growing harsher. "I didn't even know you till you slaughtered the love of my life. You're lying. Or you're delusional. I don't really care." She advances towards them, only a step that crunches the snow beneath her. "But, understand this, Mallon," She spits their name out like vomit. "I will avenge him. I will gut you like the animal you are." @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Maybe it’s the harsh bite in Jymaiyri’s tone, maybe it’s the accusations and the threats and the truths she throws at them, but the world is sharpening again back into focus. A creeping, freezing pace, but happening nonetheless. “You did,” Mallon insists, pausing only a fraction of a second as if hearing some sort of retort somewhere in the back of their mind. Childish. “You did.” Her threats drag the smallest of reactions out of them, earfins shifting to pin back against their head just barely. They’re still thinking about her question. Why indeed? How could they possibly begin to explain. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Shut up and die!" Jymaiyri spits. Finally, a vine thrives, instantly wrapping around Mallon's leg. Sharp thornes pierce and break through the skin as Jymaiyri wills the vine tighter and tighter around them. She doesn't say anything else, for now. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

The thorns tear through their skin with ease now that shells no longer can exist to block them. Mallon jolts, their body reacting before their brain can catch up as they flinch backwards and blood leaks into the frigid stream. A choked, surprised noise follows only a few seconds later, spiking sudden adrenaline that sends their numb hands scrabbling at the vine wrapped around them. It takes a second of wrestling but with a sharp yank they tear the vine in two—the dead piece remaining pierced in their leg. They stumble back a few steps towards the solid ice cap, clouded confusion clashing with sudden indignation at the attack. Mallon my love how on earth are you possibly surprised here. Again, it takes them a moment, but they bare their teeth nonetheless. [Mallon has 20 HP.] @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri tries to attack Mallon again, but her vines can't thrive in the cold water. She stumbles forward, almost automatically, and does not break eye contact with them. She says nothing, but her fury is written plain on her face. How dare they kill Yeonaixho. How dare they flee her. How dare they. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Mallon crouches slightly in the water, breathing heavily as they limp another step backwards. A chill curls down their spine at the look in Jymaiyri’s eyes. They recognize it, after all. “You want to know why,” they bite out. Maybe they will doom themself this way. But they can’t hold on to it anymore. Their chest still aches when they speak, words dragged out of their throat and rasping like sandpaper. “I know what he was like. I hear his voice. I had to stop him.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

"You think you knew him?" She's so shocked, it almost comes off as laughter. "If you'd known him, you wouldn't have killed him. You wouldn't have had any reason to. My husband was a good man. He showed mercy to and kindness to everyone he met. Fuck, he even wanted to reason with you!" Her voice is growing tense with anger. Another vine crawls up Mallon's leg, piercing their flesh. She slams a fist towards her chest in anguish. "What a pity, you find yourself here now. I'm far less merciful than Yeonaixho was." @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“He was a liar!” Mallon snarls, that aching cold numbness finally burning into familiar frigid rage. They choke down a pained whimper as the vine snares their other leg, staggering slightly. “That is what he does!” Their lip curls as they blink back sudden, traitorous tears. “I don’t need your mercy. I didn’t need his.” [Mallon is at 18 HP.] @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You're the liar!" Jymaiyri barked back. "I knew him! I knew everything about him! I knew that man better than anyone else in the world did- I married him, I bore his child. I loved him." Warm tears run down her cheeks, freezing in the winter chill. "You don't want my mercy, huh? Then you better prepare to meet whatever afterlife you believe in." @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Mallon’s gaze is boiling as they glare. They dig their claws into the vine gripping them, shredding it to bits even as the thorns slice at their shaking hands. “You should have stayed dead,” they snarl. To them, it’s a truth. To Jymaiyri, it would sound like a threat. “Maybe then—“ No. The words are too heavy, too bitter, clogging in their throat. A chill encompasses their shoulders. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri tries, desparetly, to pull up more vines from the ground, but no dice. Her breath is heavy and erractic, clouding on the cool air. She's still crying, but her face is stern with rage. "You're one to talk." She spat. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

With a growl building in their chest, Mallon doesn’t reply to that. Their eye darts all around them as they scan the water rapidly in anticipation of more vines. The dead ones still embedded in their skin send sharp, painful pulses up their legs. Their attention, ever so briefly, slips from Jymaiyri to the ice behind them, and the open space behind her. Going back to the aquarium.. just the thought makes their chill worse. They shift as if preparing to make a run for..something. They rush at Jymaiyri, finally clearing the stream, but swerve abruptly to try and get around her. This isn’t a fight they were prepared for, and not one that they intend to lose. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri steps back as Mallon advanced towards her- though there's only so much she can move backwards before she steps into the flame. In a swift, instinctual movement, she rises her arms up, and with them sprout large, thorny vines that surround Mallon completely. The vines ensnare Mallon, creeping up their limps and tightening around their torso. Skin breaks, bones crack, as Jymaiyri wills the plants tighter and tighter around Mallon's body. Maybe, at some other time, she'd be horrified at what she was doing, what she was capable of. All that fear was discarded long ago, replaced with cold rage. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

//gorey For a second, they think they’re free. Mallon shrieks as they’re grabbed, a strangled noise that claws out of them almost as painfully as the thorns that pierce into them, ripping flesh like fishhooks. It’s a horrid, gristly symphony of sharp, cracking bones and wet, tearing skin as they’re rooted to the ground. Deep-seated cold permeates the parts of them that aren’t broken. They blink, and Jymaiyri is him, hand outstretched in just the same way to pin them in place. They blink again, and he’s gone. It hurts to breathe. It hurts to breathe and to scream and to thrash as they hyperventilate violently and only dig the thorns in deeper. Yet what other choice do they have? [Mallon is at 11 HP.] @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

With shaking hands, Jymaiyri willed the vines to pull Mallon down to their knees, so she could stand over them. They still dug into their flesh, burrowing into them. Through the plants she controlled she relished every sensation of causing them pain. Pain they deserved. This- this thing had taken Yeonaixho. It had ripped out his heart. She almost considered doing the same. Absentmidedly, though, she reconsidered. Vines traveled up and around Mallon's body, encircling their neck with an unpleasant tightness. With the thorns blossomed withering leaves and frail edelweiss blossoms. A solitary vine crawled up the side of their face, cupping the cheek just below their eye. Small thorns dug into the soft flesh of their face, as the vine crept closer and closer up to their eye. Even if Mallon flinched away, the vines held them still and immobile. After an eternity of anticpation, it finally dug in- like a hungry worm. The vine crept up to Mallon's lower eyelid, and burrowed into the small, soft space between skin and jelly-like eyeball. The pain would be intense, and instant, as plant matter pushed and pierced through animal flesh. Jymaiyri kept stern eye contact, even as Mallon's remaining vision began to blot and darken with pain and loss of sensation. Still, her movement was slow and deliberate. She was actively trying to cause as much pain as she could. In the back of her mind, she understood why instinct had guided her to go for the eyes. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 @soul | 🎻 (MASSIVE TW: STRANGULATION & EYE TRAUMA)

In the last moments of sight, he watched. Appearing in the corner of their eyes, he kept his distance. It would be nice to pretend it was because he cannot bear to be closer, but he cannot feel remorse. Not anymore. Not even for the actions he set into motion. Even as he is visible to both. There is only the façade of being who he once was and it is empty underneath the eye. He is numb to the violence. He watched it from a distance. Far away enough to be separated from the brutality. Not far enough to escape. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

//violence/eye trauma Mallon thuds hard to the frozen ground—first one knee, then the other. Each jolt spirals white-hot streaking pain up their legs as the pressure only forces the thorns in further. It’s all they can do to force themself to keep heaving in shallow, ragged breaths, their head spinning as the vines tighten. Their heart skips a beat, the thorns tearing straight through their gills, and a gagged sob spills out into the air. They’re unable to see the flowers blooming, but they can feel them. The vine creeping its way up brushes underneath their chin like a forgotten hand as it slowly scores deep red lines across their face. It’s as if they realize what is going to happen a split second before it does. Slowly the vine crawls, and though Mallon struggles violently and drives the thorns gripping their limbs still deeper, it’s entirely in vain. At first, it doesn’t hurt. Enough that they ease up just a fraction. And then it strikes. Burrowing deeper and deeper and deeper, coiling around the back of their eye, until with a dry hurl they can feel it moving in their skull.

11:28 PM

Mallon is too proud to beg. But even if they wanted to, there are no words left in them to do so. Spots and starbursts exploding across their vision, wails and screams and half-forced snarls dragging out of them, they almost fail to see him. That distant, numbing chill curls itself around the vines pinning them to the ground, and they tremble involuntarily with the cesspool of hatred, terror, and agony all churning together in their stomach. He would leave them alone to live, yet join them to watch them suffer. Even now, though, they cannot bring themself to hate him. Not even as their vision bursts in light and dark, so nauseatingly like being yanked from the sea that for a moment they are not sure if they are back on that boat. He is still in front of them. Still watching. Their own language has no word for a parent—no need exists for one, after all. And right now, they can barely hold on to a thought in the language they learned. But to say nothing is to admit there never was anything at all. “D..ad—..” @dark trifecta (edited)

[MAJOR TW: VERY GRAPHIC EYE TRAUMA!!!!] Jymaiyri trembles as she forces vine to grow unnaturally- thriving despite the cold, contorting to the crevices of the skull's shape. She knows this is wrong- the gnawing pit in her stomach and the lightheadedness threatening to overtake her every sense are telling her as much. Yet she can't stop herself from continuing. It's like a carwreck she can't look away from, a crash so horrible it draws in all her attention. Except, she's the one who drove her car off the overpass. She's the butcher, holding the knife. Every instinct to flee or stall is replaced by blind, all encompassing rage. She forces herself to think of Yeonaixho, his dead cold body on the bow of a ship. His body tourn open, his heart in the hands of this monster. An eye is so little, in comparison to what they've taken for her. An eye is barely penance- it's hardly even a pity offering. They've taken a whole, so is it so wrong for her to take part? Yeonaixho once taught her, over a breakfast of porrige and peach, about the anatomy of the eye. He'd meant to inform her own his own blindness, back when they were still beginning to know each other. Her rage-guided instincts direct her to carve. Yeonaixho's ghost, still haunting her memories, told her where. The vine forms thorns that tear through the thin skin of Mallon's eyelids, but that is far from the brute of the action. Too many thorns point inward, piercing the flesh of the eye itself. It splits open, like a squashed grape, bursting into a gelatinous, jelly-like, bloody mess. It spills over Mallon's cheek, disgustingly. If they were able to feel any sensation but sheer, incomprehensible pain, it'd feel cold, and wet, and sticky, draining from an empty socket now in their skull. Edelweiss blossoms, where Mallon's eye once was. As thorns pressed into flesh, Mallon's remaining sight blotted out into dark blotches and flashes of light, their nerves singing a final, crying lament for life. The end to sight is sudden and swift, and they are thrust uncermoniously into complete blindness. It's not pure darkness or light, or oblivion, or the soft sheen of light and dark Yeonaixho was blessed with. It's nothing. Complete and utter nothing. Their nerves have been served, or otherwise damaged beyond repair. There's nothing left for them to see, nothing for them to see through. It's all nothing. They're left in the cold, and the silence. Jymaiyri realized, too late, the extent of her cruelty. As the rheum and vitriol spills out of Mallon, it dawned on her, with sickening, all-encompassing nausea. She did that. Her hand. A flower, where their eye used to be. What had even inspired her to do that? Guilt, sickness, and fear cause her to stumble backwards, dangerously closer to the flame. She can't feel guilty. Not when it's them. Not when she saw what they did to him. And yet, even when she'd rehearsed such crueler things in her mind, the sight of her own work sickens her. She cups a hand to her mouth to keep herself from vomiting. "I- I don't-" She stammered, "You-" The fragments are accusatory, harsh. But the vines around Mallon are loosening. @dark trifecta

As Jymaiyri worked, as her vines plunged into the sockets and took what little Mallon had left, he neared. Closed that widening gap between them, gliding through the snow as if it were fog, unsteady but pushing through. He joined Jymaiyri's side, staring down at Mallon, and nothing built up in him. There was no recognition, of them, of the course they'd taken, of why, of why, of why. He stepped closer, his hand wrapped around their chin, they'd feel it. The delicate, calloused fingertips that faded in and out of their flesh, that blood and jelly dribbled through without regard, but held them all the same. Those clawed fingers, as gentle as ever, as kind as he had once been, muscle memory over choice. He did not speak, but it was as if the touch radiated through their body, bringing his voice and words back to life inside of them, forming itself into something so simple. "Hello." @dark trifecta

12:08 AM

(gore continued)

Mallon wails weakly, voice torn to shreds in their throat, and quickly devolving into a gagging, spluttered cough as blood trickles down their face and into their mouth. Through fuzzy, jagged bursts of splotchy light they watch Ekmeros move to stand next to her. They can see his face enough, passive and unfeeling, even as they silently beg him to look. He’s looking down at them. He’s looking down on them. (The last thing they will ever see.) They cannot help but feel very, very small. The vine exploring their skull writhes, scraping muscle and bone until it crawls back to the dwindling light, and their world explodes into a cacophony of agony. There are, frankly, no words to describe truly how it feels. They hardly have the energy to scream. Cold, numb, nothingness envelops them. For a moment, they nearly think that they are back beneath the sea, back in the depths, back where life made sense, and in that moment, they forget how to breathe. An eternity later they slump forward, clinging to consciousness for dear life as only the cocoon of vines keeps them held upright. Fuzzy, gentle..somethings, blossoms of snow stained sticky and red, brush lightly against their cheek, almost in tune. They hardly notice, hanging limp, even as the vines loosen. They had stopped crying long ago, or at least, the tears had halted. Dry heaving sobs wrack their body yet nothing remains to show besides the frozen tears tracks scored into their skin. It’s hard to cry when there’s nothing left to cry from. Snow crunches, yet they can’t find the energy to lean back from what surely must be Jymaiyri finishing the job. No other ending to this seems possible. And yet, a hand, suddenly, lifts their chin. Something smears across their cheek, blood pouring down their face and dribbling from their mouth.

2:22 PM

Head lolling on their shoulders, disoriented in every which way, they painstakingly, childishly, instinctually press their cheek into what they know to be His hand. It’s a touch leagues kinder in death than it had even been in life. A single thin thread of relief that takes away the tiniest fraction of the tapestry of ruined flesh. “Y-Y— ou.. left m..e…” Mallon murmurs, words slurring in their mouth, but not daring to pull away from the hand. They draw in a deep, shuddering breath that only serves to snarl the thorns even deeper into their skin. Something already pulled taunt has snapped inside of them. “Yo..u chhose..th.em…” And then? ‘..Hello.’ Such a simple word, yet one which drags a final, distraught whimper from their battered chest. “Pl..ease.. don’t llleave…” (Again.) In the end, with a sharp crackle of lightning—once again, they’re the one who leaves. (edited)

2:22 PM

@dark trifecta

Jymaiyri's breath heaved, her entire body shook, as it took her entire will to keep from retching. All that, done by her hand. Nausea and guilt encompass her. Before Mallon even vanishes, she's turned tail and ran, running on nothing but adrenaline and her own fear of herself. (edited)

His finger traces their chin, pulling away from their cheek- he holds them in a pincer grip, yet close. Tight. Now they can feel the lack of everything in his touch, he's cold, bone cold, even in the snow. He makes the snow feel warm and at least the vines bite into them, he gives them nothing. He never did. Their words, he takes them on, letting the words dribble down his hand and bunch on his wrist, no higher. They will never reach high enough to mean something to him. He's lost that, so many things taken. But only one thing taken by Mallon. "Viol." @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 (i'm so sorry it's so fucking short)

3

Both Agustin and Kian walked to the bonfire, looking around for any signs of life. "Mr. Sovran?" Kian called out for the man, looking around as the wind whipped his hair around his face. "M-Mr. Sovran, are you out there?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Agustin squinted as he also tried to peer through the snow..

Through the thick blanket of snow, a figure came skipping into view. Was that? A child. And the child seemed to be holding something in its hands as it approached the bonfire. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Oh a kid- wait, is that the baby chick you were talking about..? That needs rescuing..?" Agustin mumbled, squinting over at Tsubari and Cansu... @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

The speed which Kian turned his head to look at the other child was breakneck. He gasped and quickly ran over to the kid. "C-Cansu!? Is that you?" He asked, completely baffled by both the chick and the stranger. If this wasn't Cansu, then the kid would probably think Kian was insane. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“-and that is the story of how I got a religious following dedicated to me-” Cansu was cut off when Kian approached. Snuggled comfortably in the child’s hat, Cansu looked down at Kian. “Kian! There you are- We were searching for you for quite some time.” Cansu hummed. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Tf you mean down Cansu Tsubari is miniscule. "I see. It's kind of like vtubing. People get real worshippy around them." Subaru was strangely attentive to the conversation, taking a moment to register that Cansu had shifted gears. "Oh, so that's Mr. Kian." It ran over to meet the two strangers. The static had since stopped playing in the time it took them to get there. "Hello Mr. Kian!" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"How did you manage to get Cansu out? Do you have lightning powers too, kid?" Agustin asked. "And hello, Cansu, I don't think we met any of the times I was in Laputa before..." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Wh--How--Where--" Kian stuttered as he heard Cansu speak and he resisted the urge to snatch Cansu out of the child's hat. "Yeah, h-how are you out, Cansu? A-And I'm sorry, uhm.. W-Who are you?" Kian asked as he glanced between the chicken and kid. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Ah, Agustin. I don’t believe I’ve met you.” Maybe he had, maybe he hadn’t. Cansu was hardly sparing him a glance when he was focused on Kian. “Kian, this is the great Tsubari,” Cansu puffed out his chest slightly before snuggling back into the hat for warmth. “She released me from that vile prison.” @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Technically speaking, I didn't. The weird lady with Dr. Lykos did. I just picked up Cansu and carried him with me." Subaru corrected. "I don't have lightning powers, but I am digital." It continued to rock back and forth on their feet, likely soothing the smol birb as they did. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

“She is too modest. She did it all on her own.” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

(yall can keep goin agustin is just standin there)

‍♂️

(yeah)

"T-Tsubari..? Miss Tsubari?? That's you??" Kian asked with wide eyes as he looked over the smaller kid. "Y-You look very.. different. Uhm," he turned back to Cansu and offered his hand up to him. "I-I'm glad she helped you get out, b-but it's dangerous to just wander out with strangers, Cansu. You're lucky it was Miss Tsubari that got you," Kian commented with a worried expression. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"... Oh shit I do know who you are." oops. "The description Cansu gave me was very misleading. But I'm starting to notice that trend." It hummed. "But yeah, that's me. I got my collar off again so I can look like whatever I want." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge (edited)

11:35 PM

@Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I will be cautious next time. Even if they had ill intentions, I’d be able to hold my own.” Cansu chirped as he fluttered into Kian’s hand. He immediately was shaking from the cold as his feathers poorly kept him warm. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Well- ZAP! Agustín vanished from right beside all of them.

6

2

Kian closely held Cansu, using some of his cape to keep the little bird warm. "O-Oh, I see, well—" He stopped as the flash of lightning appeared. Stumbling back, Kian shielded himself and Cansu with his cape before looking around in a panic. "U-Uncle Agustin!?" Kian exclaimed when he realized the Amphib had vanished. "Wh—R-Rakin! He—He took uncle Agustin-!" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Ah shit- we have less time than they thought we did." Subaru scrambled, several screens popping up as she looked for the file. "Here!" Static started sounding as the video played, "listen Kian, I don't entirely know what's happening, but we're trying to gather as many people into the dining hall as possible. Cansu said you'd be down to help us-" @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“They’ve taken him?! Those BASTARDS!” Cansu cursed. His body shook with not only the cold, but his barely suppressed rage. “We shall get your uncle back, Kian.” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian held Cansu close and in a protective manner as he tried his best to listened to Tsubari. Really, he was, but the sheer panic he was starting to feel was creeping up on him. "Uhm—Uh, y-yes, I'll do what I can, b-but—Uncle Agustin—I," Kian began to stress squeeze Cansu again. Sorry buddy. "W-Who else is coming?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"We're trying to get as many people as possible. Dr. Lykos... and the lady, I think her name was Isabelle. The only ones I've found so far are Cansu and you." Subaru was lowkey also panicking, but the message needed to be delivered godsdamnit. "I, this is different. There's no fight, no warning, I have to tell them what happened." Tsubari procured the reflective shard, trying to remember what they were supposed to do. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Kian- Kian, I am being squished again- Kian-“ Cansu wanted to add to the conversation, but he currently was being squeezed. Have mercy. sTRANGLE

@Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian gave Cansu a few more squeezes until he realized the chick was chirping quite loudly below him. "S-Sorry-!" He quickly apologized. Kian wrapped Cansu up in his cape again before looking back at Subaru. "Dr. Lykos a-and Isabelle..?" He repeated, unsure who they were beyond recognizing their names as a couple of the winners. "W-Well, we should tell them fast s-something is going on! Uncle Agustin—W-Who knows what they're going to do to him!?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Oh boy rubber chmken. Subaru nodded frantically, tapping the mirror a few times and waiting for a response. "Hopefully this works and she wasn't full of shit." @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

The face of the doctor reflected back in the mirror. ”Subaru? What is happening- and are you playing the sound?” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

.. Cansu wanted to peck at the shiny thing. He wanted to know what that was. However, he felt that now wasn't the time to interrupt. "We will get him back alive, all will be well, Kian," Cansu attempted to soothe the boy, though he knew he wasn't really the best at doing that type of thing. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

"What's up, Subaru?" Isabelle looked mostly confused. "Yes, I am. SO uhh-" Subaru wasn't sure how to put it. She moved the mirror away from Cansu. If he did manage to sneak a peck he would've gone straight through. "I found Kian. But Agustin, I think he was an amphib guy, he just disappeared. I think they took him. I don't know what that means but it isn't good. Something is happening and I feel like we're running out of time." "Wait, what? Rakin said they were here to serve Alrai Pin's purpose, what is he planning? Does anyone know if the other amphibs have disappeared?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Kian just sorta. Stood there

‍♂️. Like uncle like nephew. He gave the person in the glass a small unsure nod as he held Cansu like a bundled toddler. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 (I'm going to work soon so you guys can continue with the expo without me

)

(GOOD LUCK AT WORK AJ)

(GOOD LUCK!!!)

(good luck my dude)

Lykos looked away from the glass for a moment, glancing around before looking back. “Hm.. there is an amphibian here, Zahara. She has not been taken, though we will keep an eye on her. Hm…. Serving a purpose..” The doctor frowned. “They’re performing a ritual to bring back the Pilarians, the amphibian people must be a part of it somehow. Damn it, this is all happening so quickly- how many people have you gathered? We need to meet as soon as possible.” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @ajjjjjjjj (edited)

2:29 PM

”Shit- Zahara’s gone. We need to meet now. We’re losing time!”

Cansu wanted to ask who the hell Zahara was, but he was still fixated on the shiny mirror. Restraint, restraint, he was better than this. He continued to let Kian hold him as he listened into the conversation. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Subaru was starting to panic more. "I've only found Mr. Cansu and Mr. Kian." "I've only gotten a few as well. There aren't many of us left." "I can keep looking-" Tsubari added. "Just send as many people your way as I can." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

”Damn it.. We have to work with what we have. Subaru, keep looking and send them to the dining hall. Zahara was able to call for help before she was taken, we have backup incoming but we don’t know when they’ll arrive. We need to buy time.. Get to the dining hall first, we need a plan.” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Subaru nodded. "Roger, roger." Isabelle nodded as well. "I'll get going now." They both dropped from the call, leaving everyone just staring at a reflection. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺 Subaru looked back at Cansu and Kian. "You guys need to go to the dining hall. Do you know where it is Mr. Kian?" Since AJ is no longer here Subaru is just gonna tell them where and bounce. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

3:03 PM

(If Cansu wants to go with he can)

"T-The dinging hall?" Kian repeated before shaking his head. "No, n-no.. I don't know where that is. I didn't even know there was one over here," he frowned and held Cansu close to his chest. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Subaru sighed. "Just.. follow me. Hurry!" It started to run towards the dining hall. @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“To the dining hall we go, then,” Cansu hummed. “Perhaps there are others already there, waiting.” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru @Aj | Kian+Moses+Bridge

Acxiom and Sovran

Sovran Acxiom Dante

Newt Wolf and Stretch Armstrong if he was a teenage boy

Can I Poke the Baby

Goodbye Newt Boy, hello Infant Child

Back in the Fucking Building with a Wolf

Post Fight Orangs

Julien and the Fish Thing

I never liked the titanic movie

Are YOU a beautiful newt woman??

Edelweiss

CANSU!!!!! and rebellion squad