Streke nodded, running over to Ekimu’s group.
“Dakron!” he called out, his voice filled with relief at the sight of his friend.
The blind Okotan’s head snapped up in surprise. He looked towards the sound, signing Streke’s name.
“I found you!” Streke said, running up to Dakron and hugging him. “Why didn’t you tell me where you went?”
Dakron signed, “big rush, no time.”
Streke sighed. “Well I’m glad I found you. And I figured out who you’re going after… It’s Erebos, isn’t it?”
Streke glanced at Ekimu for confirmation. @rainsong
The Lord of the Undying Storm leaned back with a casual air, eyeing Morrus with a glaze over his eyes. The next second there was a blur, and the Storm’s axe was embedded right where Morrus was standing, having sliced him perfectly in half with frightening speed.
As his cape reacted to the sudden violent motion - and his body demanded some sharp breaths as recompense for the sudden expense of energy - a small figure walked out from Morrus’ splintered body, feeling the side of the axe with one hand as he did so. It was a very small version of Morrus, around the size of a three year old child, whose green mask and fingers were slowly turning brown. He was far more humanoid than the lurching bird-like Morrus was, and a blank stare was cast up at the Storm as his older form fell backwards and started to decay.
“Heh. Ha! MUAHHAAAAAAHHAAHHAHAHAAAAAAH!!”
The Storm threw his head back and cackled loudly enough to likely have been heard by Erebos before swinging his fist into Morrus’ face and rubbing his knuckles on his head, causing Morrus to fall back in irritation. “YOU RICKETY FOOL!! Where have you been all these years? I haven’t lopped your head off in centuries!”
“Please someone tell me I never have to go out to sea ever again.” Bramble tried to pull himself out of the boat, but fell back in with a thud. “It’s got sharks and shark women and water and I hate all of it so much.”
Risa stares at the encounter with a blank face. “…wait you two are friends?”
Ekimu nods. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Streke. I must apologize; there is something else that requires my attention at this moment. Besides, I’m sure you two have plenty of catching up to do; I would not wish to disturb you.” A faint smile tugs at his mouth, then he turns away.
He crosses to where the Storm and Skies are… greeting each other?
“Lord of the Skies,” he calls, his voice booming. “It is a surprise to see you again, especially in circumstances such as these. Why are you here.” He glances to Risa, who responds with a casual salute.
“No more boats,” Tathel agrees, rolling onto his back.
Tarkur quick to recognize the problem with having Morrus and Storm continue fighting spoke up, “My grand father told me this story of two dessert rats so deprived of food they would do anything for a full stomache. One day they both stood eye to eye in the middle a crumb of bread, unbeknownst to them it would be their last meal. Both rats fought valiantly but before their demise the violence had consumed the rats costing them their lives.” Tarkur states as he puts his hands up between the two giants while sitting on the gukko, “The wisdom I believe he wanted to embark from that story is that even though you are at the edge of starvation unity is still the key to survival. Because if the rats shared their meal instead maybe they would have been living a day longer.” He concludes looking at both of them in with an eye of disapproval of their behaviour.
Ooc: Oof this became redundant quick well I’m not gonna change anything to it, let it be a derpy move on my part.
Streke nods and turns back to Dakron. “So you went with Blaze and Ekimu?”
His blind friend nodded, signing “I figured it would be a good adventure. I wanted to get out and do something. You know how it is.”
Streke nodded again. “I understand. I wish you would have told me, though.” He places his hand on Dakron’s shoulder. “I’m just glad I found you. I can’t be mad, I’m too relieved.”
“…No.” Morrus murmured under the attack of knuckles from a hand the size of his whole body.
The Lord of the Undying Storm fist-bumped Morrus… In the face. “Me and caesar salad here go so far back your great great grandparents didn’t have great great grandparents.”
“What does that even mean?” Morrus glared, wiping his cheek. His voice was noticeably higher pitched thanks to his size.
The Storm jolted at Ekimu’s sudden thunderous voice, looking over his shoulder at the mask maker, and then back to Morrus, who is grinning from ear to ear with a malicious twinkle in his eyes. “So that’s what you’ve been up to.” He chuckled.
Marching past the Storm, he beckoned for Risa to follow. “We are not friends and I hate him.” He whispered loudly to her. “He’s the one we’re here for, he has a reputation for being a murderer, and that went insanely well.”
Morrus took a sweeping bow before Ekimu. “I am terribly sorry for intruding on your journey, but I was sent by the elders of the region of jungle to determine why the Storm had been released.”
He smirked. “Nice job.”
The Storm glared at Morrus as he stalked away. “I hate him.”
Hang on, that’s an idea.
“Don’t talk to him.” He dusted his armour off casually. “He never stops talking about ancient facts and prophecy. Once he starts he just keeps on babbling; spilling all sorts of secrets only he knows.”
With an effort, Bramble managed to kick himself out of the boat, landing on the wet sand with a cry.
“…How much do we owe you?” He gasped as his aching chest rose and fell.
Risa shrugs. “Eh, works for me. Just let me know when to start chopping fingers off.”
Ekimu regards him with suspicion. “Do you take me for a fool, to think that the Elders of the Jungle Capital would trust you to do their bidding? Or that you would care to act in service of another? Why are you here, Skies.”
“I owe somebody a new boat,” Tathel says, groaning as he remembers. “Y-you two don’t owe me anything. I’m just trying to help.”
Outside of the library a full convention is underway. Called by the Mask Maker himself, scientists and scholars from all over the island have gathered to demonstrate and share their work. Booths line the streets, vendors selling food and trinkets tucked anywhere they can between the real attraction. The scientists in question have their work on full display, be it charts and diagrams tacked up for all to see or even physical models and demonstrations to show off their work.
Morrus slowly recoiled back as the now taller than him mask maker lashed at him with accusations. “Yeah, okay, you talk to him.” He nudged Risa slightly. “I’ll just… Stand here and pretend to not exist.”
“Wait.” Bramble looked at him, his antler digging into the sand. “That wasn’t your boat?”
Chook walks out of the library “Huh, this stuff is pretty interesting! Maybe I could find some sort of mentor out of this bunch. Eh, not now, I’m hungry!” Chook says as he begins to walk toward a food stall.
“I don’t own a boat. My father does, but I wouldn’t have been able to get it very quickly. So I rented out a stranger’s boat… and now I broke it.” Tathel groans, covering his mask with his hands. “Don’t worry about it, I think I have the money to repair it. I-I can always ask for a few favors, too.”
Ekimu looks from Morrus to Risa, confused. Risa steps forwards.
“Hi Mask Maker Ekimu sir, I’m Risa, a mercenary on the Elder’s payroll.” She pulls out a wood-carven sigil of a flower. “Does that prove it for you?” Ekimu inspects the sigil closely, then nods slowly.
“Yes, yes, that does appear to be their sigil… now, Risa, you verify that this individual is also under instruction from the Elders?”
“Yyyup!” Risa nods. “Gotta be honest, I don’t really know what’s up, Kiva just told me to help him out, something about ‘pursuing a great threat.’ I’m just along for the ride here; you’ll have to ask him if you really want to know what’s up. Hopefully he’s not dumb enough to lie to you, or worse, recite poetry.” She shudders. Ekimu gives her an odd look before returning his attention to Morrus.
“Well, Skies, it seems you have quite the story to tell. You said you were here because of the Storm, yes?”
He has many options to pick from, vendors around him hawking fresh cowrie rolls, authentic lava-charred kebabs, and chilled sweets.
“Don’t look at me like I want to be here.” Morrus grumbled. “It’s cold and there are no plants and Storm is here. Three good reasons why I shouldn’t.”
“I’m not answering your earlier questions.” He glared, trying to compensate for his new size with attitude. “You want those, you can go to the elders yourself.”
Bramble summoned all his energy and pushed himself up on one shoulder to look at Vra’axinni.
Era was walking along the market streets were the fair had it’s root. Her objective was simple find this science guy and convince him to join the Guardians of the Elements peacefully, she hoped.
Domau finished prepping the last of his station and presentation to fine tune it before any investors appeared.
“Do not toy with me.” Ekimu scowls, folding his arms. “If you are to interfere with my business, I am to know why. What are your intentions here?”
Vohman walks over, pulling on the shovel.
The vendor waves him over with an easy smile. “You there, young man. You look like you could use a good meal. Ever had authentic cowrie rolls before? They’re my uncle’s recipe, the best you’ll find in the city, and only here for the convention.”