Feeling relieved when she finally found her new friend, Dris quickly jogged up to the Moogle, her long legs her feeling a bit sore now with all the running back and forth through the Wood.
“Jote and Mijrn have not returned from inspecting the barrier yet. The other Viera were attacked by a Malboro, they’re all alright, but this might mean that there are more Malboro prowling the Eruyt Village!” Dris spoke urgently to Solas, hoping that he would agree to return to the den with her. Though she wanted to pick up the small Moogle and run them both back to the closest place of safety that there was at the moment in the Wood.
“Jote and Mijrn have not returned from inspecting the barrier yet. The other Viera were attacked by a Malboro, they’re all alright, but this might mean that there are more Malboro prowling the Eruyt Village!” Dris spoke urgently to Solas, hoping that he would agree to return to the den with her. Though she wanted to pick up the small Moogle and run them both back to the closest place of safety that there was at the moment in the Wood.
Solas glanced up at Dris as she approached, lazily adjusting the angle of the goggles he wore atop his head. He silently wondered how a malboro could have gotten so deep into the village undetected, especially with all the barriers in place throughout the jungle. Something seemed very wrong.
"What should we do, kupo?" Solas asked. "I am no sainikah... I can't fight a raksas like that one from before... but I want to help. If there's anything I can do, kupo..."
"What should we do, kupo?" Solas asked. "I am no sainikah... I can't fight a raksas like that one from before... but I want to help. If there's anything I can do, kupo..."
“I’m not sure how Malboro’s are getting in our Village either. Jote and Mijrn will know what to do. They’ve probably returned to the den by now.” Dris said anxiously looking around, fearful what they would do if a Malboro appeared. Night was approaching and the forest would soon be only illuminated by a sliver of the moon above. They would have to run as fast they could, her night vision was good, but Malboro’s could easily blend into the surrounding forest.
“We must return to the den as quickly as possible, Solas. If you wish you can ride on my shoulder.”
From the looks of the Moogle, he appeared to be getting sleepy. She knelt down next to the moogle, offering her right hand toward him so that if he chose he could climb up onto her shoulder. Dris hoped he wouldn’t find her offering patronizing, she simply wanted to ensure that she could run as fast a possible back to the den and not leave him behind again. The thought of a Malboro gobbling up the little moogle for a midnight snack sent shivers down her long spine, and her tail and ears twitched anxiously.
“We must return to the den as quickly as possible, Solas. If you wish you can ride on my shoulder.”
From the looks of the Moogle, he appeared to be getting sleepy. She knelt down next to the moogle, offering her right hand toward him so that if he chose he could climb up onto her shoulder. Dris hoped he wouldn’t find her offering patronizing, she simply wanted to ensure that she could run as fast a possible back to the den and not leave him behind again. The thought of a Malboro gobbling up the little moogle for a midnight snack sent shivers down her long spine, and her tail and ears twitched anxiously.
"Uh..." Solas gave Dris a cautious glance. On the one hand, he was all for the idea of not having to walk any further... but he was also worried about his pride. Perhaps... a compromise...
"Ku... po..." Solas muttered under his breath thoughtfully as he tapped his chin with his index finger. An idea suddenly coming to his mind, he took off into the air, ignoring Dris's hand to land on her shoulder on his own. "Only because it will be faster," he said out loud in an attempt to justify agreeing to be carried whilst keeping his pride intact.
"Ku... po..." Solas muttered under his breath thoughtfully as he tapped his chin with his index finger. An idea suddenly coming to his mind, he took off into the air, ignoring Dris's hand to land on her shoulder on his own. "Only because it will be faster," he said out loud in an attempt to justify agreeing to be carried whilst keeping his pride intact.
‘I hope I can get us both back to the den as safely and quickly as possible…’ Dris thought trying her best not to focus on the nervousness that filled her mind. She had to trust in her ability to run as fast as possible. Propelling herself and the small moogle on her shoulder, as quickly as possible, the Viera ran through the lush forest paths. Dris kept alert, it was dusk and the moon was slowly rising into the sky. Focusing on the path back to Jote’s den and also looking out for anymore Malboro’s that may be camouflaging themselves within the surrounding heavy foliage. Dris nearly gasped when she noticed one of the fowl creatures creeping out of the forest right in front of them.
She didn’t slow down, she gracefully jumped into the air, her clawed feet hitting several of the Malboro’s eyes hard. Dris hoped that Solas was still holding onto her tightly, if he fell off it would be disastrous. The Malboro roared with fury, seemingly confused at where it’s prey had gone. Dris’s heard bounded in her chest, they were finally at the entrance to the den.
“S-sorry about about that bumpy ride Solas.” Dris smiled down at him apologetically, as she tried to catch her breath. Her feet seemed to ache, that was probably the quickest she had ever run through the Wood, everything had seemed like a blur near the end.
“Jote, Mijrn and Lilis haven’t returned yet…” Krim was obviously trying to keep his voice from shaking, despite his confident stance. He didn’t want to worry the other Viera that were already huddling together in fear, all of the saplings in the center of a protective circle of their fellow Viera’s bodies.
Dris was at a loss for words as her eyes met Krim’s, she was still steadying her breathing, her heart was thudding in her chest and her mind was racing. She knew they had to devise a plan of action to find Jote, Mijrn and Lilis…
She didn’t slow down, she gracefully jumped into the air, her clawed feet hitting several of the Malboro’s eyes hard. Dris hoped that Solas was still holding onto her tightly, if he fell off it would be disastrous. The Malboro roared with fury, seemingly confused at where it’s prey had gone. Dris’s heard bounded in her chest, they were finally at the entrance to the den.
“S-sorry about about that bumpy ride Solas.” Dris smiled down at him apologetically, as she tried to catch her breath. Her feet seemed to ache, that was probably the quickest she had ever run through the Wood, everything had seemed like a blur near the end.
“Jote, Mijrn and Lilis haven’t returned yet…” Krim was obviously trying to keep his voice from shaking, despite his confident stance. He didn’t want to worry the other Viera that were already huddling together in fear, all of the saplings in the center of a protective circle of their fellow Viera’s bodies.
Dris was at a loss for words as her eyes met Krim’s, she was still steadying her breathing, her heart was thudding in her chest and her mind was racing. She knew they had to devise a plan of action to find Jote, Mijrn and Lilis…
Solas seemed pretty stable atop Dris's shoulder, almost as if he had been given similar rides countless times in the past. Still, he tried his best not to look like he was enjoying it or that he was doing it for any reason other than practicality; though secretly, he was quite happy about not having to walk.
Though not quite holding on tight enough to remain in position during the jump ordinarily, Solas had wings to his advantage, which helped greatly in preventing him from falling off. Though for a moment he became unseated, he was able to hover in place whilst holding on with his arms, he easily got himself back into position.
"I guess sleep is out of the question, kupo..." Solas muttered to himself under his breath with a defeated sigh upon hearing the exchange when they got to their destination.
Though not quite holding on tight enough to remain in position during the jump ordinarily, Solas had wings to his advantage, which helped greatly in preventing him from falling off. Though for a moment he became unseated, he was able to hover in place whilst holding on with his arms, he easily got himself back into position.
"I guess sleep is out of the question, kupo..." Solas muttered to himself under his breath with a defeated sigh upon hearing the exchange when they got to their destination.
Dris felt like letting out a yawn, but held it back. This was no time for sleep, she thought resolved to go looking for Jote, Mijrn and Lilis. “I’m going to the barrier to look for them.” The words were said with such conviction and lack of fear that Krim couldn’t help but think that Dris sounded like Lilis.
“I should come too!” Krim said, uncertainty still straining in his deep voice. He knew that without him guarding the rest of the Viera they may be fair game for anymore Malboros that lurked around the wood.
“You must stay here.” Dris said, again sounding eerily like Lilis. “Make sure you’re magic power and your wits don't wain. If… If I do not return-" Krim’s eyes expressed his shock and dismay at even having to hear Dris whisper those words into his ears. “You all must leave the the Village. I’m not sure where you should go… But… You all can’t stay here to die. The Viera of Eruyt Village must live on.”
“But, without the Green Word…Without Jote, how will we know how to survive in the outside?!” Krim almost screamed the words, nearby Viera turned there heads cautiously toward the two that had taken the lead.
“Krim,” Dris’s voice became soft, her expression changing to a sorrowful, yet knowing expression “There are other Viera that live in the outside. We both know that… Our kind can survive among-“
“Among the Hume?!! Are you really expecting all of us to become rogue Viera?!!” He finally yelled in Dris’s face, exhaustion and fear finally transforming into anger. He was angry about this situation the Village was being put in, angry that the Green Wood would not speak to them about what had befallen their leader; Jote, and this anger was now directed at Dris.
“If that is what we must do to survive. We must…” Dris said, her voice staying calm, as she stood with her ears fearlessly erect, she wasn’t going to back away from the truth. She wanted the Eruyt Viera to be able to live on, and if that meant leaving the Village, so be it. “I must go now. If I do not return… Please, consider all that I’ve said Krim.”
With that Dris knelt down and addressed Solas, “I can understand if you’d like to leave now… Thank you again for all your help.” Part of Dris wanted to ask the Moogle for his help, but she felt that was selfish. Solas didn’t owe her or any of her kind anything, if he wished to flee now, she wouldn’t stop him. After all, she wanted her new companion to be safe, he probably had a very bright future ahead of him in the outside world.
“I should come too!” Krim said, uncertainty still straining in his deep voice. He knew that without him guarding the rest of the Viera they may be fair game for anymore Malboros that lurked around the wood.
“You must stay here.” Dris said, again sounding eerily like Lilis. “Make sure you’re magic power and your wits don't wain. If… If I do not return-" Krim’s eyes expressed his shock and dismay at even having to hear Dris whisper those words into his ears. “You all must leave the the Village. I’m not sure where you should go… But… You all can’t stay here to die. The Viera of Eruyt Village must live on.”
“But, without the Green Word…Without Jote, how will we know how to survive in the outside?!” Krim almost screamed the words, nearby Viera turned there heads cautiously toward the two that had taken the lead.
“Krim,” Dris’s voice became soft, her expression changing to a sorrowful, yet knowing expression “There are other Viera that live in the outside. We both know that… Our kind can survive among-“
“Among the Hume?!! Are you really expecting all of us to become rogue Viera?!!” He finally yelled in Dris’s face, exhaustion and fear finally transforming into anger. He was angry about this situation the Village was being put in, angry that the Green Wood would not speak to them about what had befallen their leader; Jote, and this anger was now directed at Dris.
“If that is what we must do to survive. We must…” Dris said, her voice staying calm, as she stood with her ears fearlessly erect, she wasn’t going to back away from the truth. She wanted the Eruyt Viera to be able to live on, and if that meant leaving the Village, so be it. “I must go now. If I do not return… Please, consider all that I’ve said Krim.”
With that Dris knelt down and addressed Solas, “I can understand if you’d like to leave now… Thank you again for all your help.” Part of Dris wanted to ask the Moogle for his help, but she felt that was selfish. Solas didn’t owe her or any of her kind anything, if he wished to flee now, she wouldn’t stop him. After all, she wanted her new companion to be safe, he probably had a very bright future ahead of him in the outside world.
Having finally hopped off Dris's shoulder, Solas was busy exploring the immediate vicinity throughout the conversation. Staying close to Dris, he circled around, admiring the architecture and culture, even despite the drama that was occurring around him. He couldn't help it - curiosity was in his nature.
Solas almost didn't hear Dris as she addressed him; but he managed to just about register what she had said. Slowly, he turned to face her, thoughts racing through his head as to what he should do next.
Knowing that he would probably have difficulty leaving the jungle without escort, Solas did not want to force any more viera away from defending their home. To do so would be selfish and wrong. But the only other way he could return to his own home would be to risk the almost certainty of dying out in the jungle, either from a monster attack, starvation or getting lost again. That only left two options: stay with the other viera in the village or go with Dris.
Solas couldn't deny that he was tired. Tired, and the very idea of wandering back into danger scared him. Yet staying behind was not currently a guarantee of safety, either. Sure, a larger number of viera around him was better than the company of one... but how could he sleep through such a dangerous scenario? But then... what use would he be to Dris...? He was no fighter; he would just be getting in the way... the decision was a difficult one to make.
"I... I want to help..." he said hesitantly. "Buuut... I-I'd just be getting in the way, kupo... I know it's not safe for me to go home on my own... but I feel it would be wrong to stay here and put a burden on the others with everything going on..."
He was well and truly stumped. Right now, a decision was beyond him.
Solas almost didn't hear Dris as she addressed him; but he managed to just about register what she had said. Slowly, he turned to face her, thoughts racing through his head as to what he should do next.
Knowing that he would probably have difficulty leaving the jungle without escort, Solas did not want to force any more viera away from defending their home. To do so would be selfish and wrong. But the only other way he could return to his own home would be to risk the almost certainty of dying out in the jungle, either from a monster attack, starvation or getting lost again. That only left two options: stay with the other viera in the village or go with Dris.
Solas couldn't deny that he was tired. Tired, and the very idea of wandering back into danger scared him. Yet staying behind was not currently a guarantee of safety, either. Sure, a larger number of viera around him was better than the company of one... but how could he sleep through such a dangerous scenario? But then... what use would he be to Dris...? He was no fighter; he would just be getting in the way... the decision was a difficult one to make.
"I... I want to help..." he said hesitantly. "Buuut... I-I'd just be getting in the way, kupo... I know it's not safe for me to go home on my own... but I feel it would be wrong to stay here and put a burden on the others with everything going on..."
He was well and truly stumped. Right now, a decision was beyond him.
“You’ve helped a lot Solas, thank you.” Dris smiled appreciatively at the Little Moogle, giving him a soft pet on top of his head.“You have my word that once we get to the barrier and find Jote, Mijrn and Lilis I’ll lead you out of the Golmore Jungle. It’s the least I can do for a new friend.” The words were almost a question, wondering if the moogle thought of her as a friend.
“Here… Take these.” Krim suddenly tossed three bottles of Prince’s Kiss potion. toward Dris, she caught them and nodded her head in thanks to the male Viera.
Finally, turning to leave Jote’s den, wouldn’t blame Solas if he decided at the last minute not following her. Unsure, if she should have offered her shoulder again to Solas, Dris tried to keep a steady but cautious pace, as she ran through the forest paths again toward the barrier. Thankfully there didn’t seem to be anymore malboro’s roaming the path, but she didn’t want to slow down to search them out.
Approaching the vicinity of the barrier, Dris heard odd voices she didn’t recognize, and stealthily stepped into the bushes. From her position low against the roots of the bushes, she was able to see the owners of the odd voices. They were two creatures within her line of sight that she had never seen before, with odd looking flat noses, wide bodies and cloven hoofed feet. Their voices were like snorts as they began laughing and looking over at a large wooden chest, which sat on a odd vehicle that was somehow floating a bit above the ground.
“Hehehea.. Boss was right. Just set some monsters loose on these Vieras and they’re push overs.” The creature on the right snorted, and kicked the wooden chest with it’s hoof.
“Yeah, this was easy, I knew Boss was right. Anyway, we should get going. Bunga must be dead or something, we can’t wait for him anymore.” The larger creature on the left snarled loudly at the other.
‘I can’t let them leave!’ Dris thought, quickly taking a Mage battle stance, still hidden by the bush, planning to cast a spell, Dris suddenly held herself back when she heard another loud voice.
“Wha-wait!!!” Another creature came running down the path, he was breathing heavily and was dragging a heavy sack behind him. “I got them, I got them!”
“Got what, Bunga?” Both of the creature’s comrades oinked in unison.
“The two sisters! You know the Royals here.”
Dris’s heart almost skipped a beat, her lavender eyes growing wide with fear, but then transforming to righteous anger.
“You idiot there’s no royals here in this green dump. We already caught one Viera for boss, why do we need another?!!”
“Cause what if one of ‘em dies on the way back to boss? Let’s just take them, if boss doesn’t want them well… just have to get rid of them later.”
Dris launched out of the bushes, slamming her foot against Bunga’s face. The two other creatures didn’t do anything but yell, stupidly. They immediately, hit a button upon the floating board they were on with the large wooden chest, and they were gone.
Bunga groaned on the ground, apparently dizzy, muttering something about how he was left behind again, and how much that hurt. Dris, wasn’t sure when the creature would get it’s stamina back and she couldn’t afford to find out. She quickly grabbed the heavy sack and ripped it open. Jote and Mijrn were inside, asleep, probably from some sort of spell from a malboro. Dris immediately, parted their lips and poured both prince’s kiss potions Krim had given her into their mouths. They both groggily woke up, confused at their surroundings but thankfully unharmed. Bunga was lurching toward her, about to hit Dris from behind with a large mallet.
“Here… Take these.” Krim suddenly tossed three bottles of Prince’s Kiss potion. toward Dris, she caught them and nodded her head in thanks to the male Viera.
Finally, turning to leave Jote’s den, wouldn’t blame Solas if he decided at the last minute not following her. Unsure, if she should have offered her shoulder again to Solas, Dris tried to keep a steady but cautious pace, as she ran through the forest paths again toward the barrier. Thankfully there didn’t seem to be anymore malboro’s roaming the path, but she didn’t want to slow down to search them out.
Approaching the vicinity of the barrier, Dris heard odd voices she didn’t recognize, and stealthily stepped into the bushes. From her position low against the roots of the bushes, she was able to see the owners of the odd voices. They were two creatures within her line of sight that she had never seen before, with odd looking flat noses, wide bodies and cloven hoofed feet. Their voices were like snorts as they began laughing and looking over at a large wooden chest, which sat on a odd vehicle that was somehow floating a bit above the ground.
“Hehehea.. Boss was right. Just set some monsters loose on these Vieras and they’re push overs.” The creature on the right snorted, and kicked the wooden chest with it’s hoof.
“Yeah, this was easy, I knew Boss was right. Anyway, we should get going. Bunga must be dead or something, we can’t wait for him anymore.” The larger creature on the left snarled loudly at the other.
‘I can’t let them leave!’ Dris thought, quickly taking a Mage battle stance, still hidden by the bush, planning to cast a spell, Dris suddenly held herself back when she heard another loud voice.
“Wha-wait!!!” Another creature came running down the path, he was breathing heavily and was dragging a heavy sack behind him. “I got them, I got them!”
“Got what, Bunga?” Both of the creature’s comrades oinked in unison.
“The two sisters! You know the Royals here.”
Dris’s heart almost skipped a beat, her lavender eyes growing wide with fear, but then transforming to righteous anger.
“You idiot there’s no royals here in this green dump. We already caught one Viera for boss, why do we need another?!!”
“Cause what if one of ‘em dies on the way back to boss? Let’s just take them, if boss doesn’t want them well… just have to get rid of them later.”
Dris launched out of the bushes, slamming her foot against Bunga’s face. The two other creatures didn’t do anything but yell, stupidly. They immediately, hit a button upon the floating board they were on with the large wooden chest, and they were gone.
Bunga groaned on the ground, apparently dizzy, muttering something about how he was left behind again, and how much that hurt. Dris, wasn’t sure when the creature would get it’s stamina back and she couldn’t afford to find out. She quickly grabbed the heavy sack and ripped it open. Jote and Mijrn were inside, asleep, probably from some sort of spell from a malboro. Dris immediately, parted their lips and poured both prince’s kiss potions Krim had given her into their mouths. They both groggily woke up, confused at their surroundings but thankfully unharmed. Bunga was lurching toward her, about to hit Dris from behind with a large mallet.
Solas followed after Dris from a distance. He made sure he was keeping up, but this time the distance he placed was purposeful - Dris had a duty, it seemed, and he didn't want to get in the way. He just hoped that his positioning didn't give off the wrong idea. Whilst he had not had enough time to form an opinion on Dris's personality, at the least he knew he could trust her; and out of all the viera, she seemed the most likely to help him get home - or at least to his stashed hoverbike, which he hoped he could somehow drag out of the jagd and get working again.
As he walked, Solas forced open a pouch on his belt and carefully pulled out an immaculately carved ocarina. The intricate detailing and the both elegant and functional sweeping shape of the instrument could only suggest that it was made by dexterous moogle hands. Resembling something that seemed like a cross between a leaf and a dragon's claw, the instrument was small enough for moogle hands, its air holes positioned as such that a bigger being might have trouble playing it. The ten holes that sat atop it were in a perfect position for a moogle, whilst the pair of thumb holes beneath were snugly placed so that they offered little strain on the hands. Placing the elongated stem-like offshoot of the instrument between his lips, Solas took a deep breath, ready to play the dark-emerald-green ceramic object...
Watching Dris suddenly stop and take cover, Solas instantly withdraw the ocarina and stuffed it back into its pouch. He dove into the nearby trees and fluttered his way off the walkway with his wings. Remaining underneath the path, Solas continued forward until he estimated he had reached Dris's positon. From there, he quitly hovered over the side and flopped to the ground behind a tree, not far from Dris's position.
Solas was too busy trying not to drop the fatal distance between the pathway and the ground to hear the conversation between the trespassers, but Dris's following reaction was enough to cause him concern. Pulling a couple of coins from a pouch, he rose back into the air and hovered over the scene ahead.
Before he had enough time to wonder just what was keeping the strange hovering object aloft with skystones being negated by the jagd, it was gone.
Watching the seeq lunge forward at Dris, Solas entered a panic. The was little he could do to prevent an attack. All of his skills lied in piloting... and apparently singing to strengthen the resolve of his allies... but beyond that... taking a moment to glance at his palm, Solas wondered to himself just why he had taken the coins from his pouch. What the heck was he expecting to be able to do with them? Cause a distraction...? Well... they were the best he had at the moment. He wasn't going to risk throwing his daggers; they were far too valuable, and he feared causing a fatal injury - he was no killer, after all. And he certainly wasn't going to move in close. Glancing back at the coins, he did the only thing he could think of...
Taking a coin in his left hand and holding it between his fingers like a shuriken, he launched the small golden disc at the Seeq. Without pausing to see what effect the coin would cause, he threw the other two he had grabbed in close succession. He was certain they wouldn't cause any significant harm to the seeq, but hoped they would at least stall the attack enough to prevent it from connecting... or at least connecting cleanly.
As he walked, Solas forced open a pouch on his belt and carefully pulled out an immaculately carved ocarina. The intricate detailing and the both elegant and functional sweeping shape of the instrument could only suggest that it was made by dexterous moogle hands. Resembling something that seemed like a cross between a leaf and a dragon's claw, the instrument was small enough for moogle hands, its air holes positioned as such that a bigger being might have trouble playing it. The ten holes that sat atop it were in a perfect position for a moogle, whilst the pair of thumb holes beneath were snugly placed so that they offered little strain on the hands. Placing the elongated stem-like offshoot of the instrument between his lips, Solas took a deep breath, ready to play the dark-emerald-green ceramic object...
Watching Dris suddenly stop and take cover, Solas instantly withdraw the ocarina and stuffed it back into its pouch. He dove into the nearby trees and fluttered his way off the walkway with his wings. Remaining underneath the path, Solas continued forward until he estimated he had reached Dris's positon. From there, he quitly hovered over the side and flopped to the ground behind a tree, not far from Dris's position.
Solas was too busy trying not to drop the fatal distance between the pathway and the ground to hear the conversation between the trespassers, but Dris's following reaction was enough to cause him concern. Pulling a couple of coins from a pouch, he rose back into the air and hovered over the scene ahead.
Before he had enough time to wonder just what was keeping the strange hovering object aloft with skystones being negated by the jagd, it was gone.
Watching the seeq lunge forward at Dris, Solas entered a panic. The was little he could do to prevent an attack. All of his skills lied in piloting... and apparently singing to strengthen the resolve of his allies... but beyond that... taking a moment to glance at his palm, Solas wondered to himself just why he had taken the coins from his pouch. What the heck was he expecting to be able to do with them? Cause a distraction...? Well... they were the best he had at the moment. He wasn't going to risk throwing his daggers; they were far too valuable, and he feared causing a fatal injury - he was no killer, after all. And he certainly wasn't going to move in close. Glancing back at the coins, he did the only thing he could think of...
Taking a coin in his left hand and holding it between his fingers like a shuriken, he launched the small golden disc at the Seeq. Without pausing to see what effect the coin would cause, he threw the other two he had grabbed in close succession. He was certain they wouldn't cause any significant harm to the seeq, but hoped they would at least stall the attack enough to prevent it from connecting... or at least connecting cleanly.
As the coin bounced off of the Seeq’s head, he looked up at the sky with a growl of annoyance. Dris immediately turned around, shocked that she hadn’t realized the Seeq had recovered from her kick to his face. Standing in front of the still recovering Jote and Mijrn, The White Mage concentrated as she casted the Green Magick spell of Drain on the Seeq. Slumping over with fatigue and confusion that he was being damaged but not being hit, Bunga could barely lift his club. He kept trying to aim his club and lifted his large arms again, hurling it near Dris.
“Enough!” Jote stood, with her Whisker of the Beast pole in hand and dashed confidently toward the Seeq, like a beautiful beast on the hunt. With graceful mastery of her weapon, she easily stabbed her attempted kidnapper. As the Seeq dropped to the forest floor, Jote calmly waved a hand over his body, and it became a dark moss upon the forest floor. Dris watched with morbid curiosity.
“Dris!” Mijrn hugged her apprentice from behind, tears running into Dris’s curly mane of hair. “T-Thank you..”
“Mijrn, I’m so glad you and Jote are unharmed!” Dris turned around and touched her ears to Mijrn’s with great affection.
“Are the others alright?” Jote asked, still standing next to the dark moss that had just been the Seeq named Bunga’s corpse.
“We were able to survive, when you didn’t return we-“ Dris stopped mid-sentence with realization and quickly asked “Where is Lilis?”
“Lilis is not in my den with the others?” Jote, raised an eyebrow, her ears twitching a bit.
“No, she went to search for you two when you didn’t return.” Dris explained. “And then when she didn’t return as well, Solas and I decided to go looked for all of you.” She gestured toward the brave, little moogle.
“We did not see Lilis.” Mijrn said, worry spreading on her face.
“Perhaps, Lilis returned to the den. I should return now too. Mijrn, you and Dris should strengthen the barrier again.” Jote said, and swiftly ran toward her den.
After, harmonizing their magick power into the barrier, The White Mages were even more tired than before. When they finally returned to Jote’s den, they found all of the Viera; including Krim, were gathered together on the fluffy grass within, sleeping soundlessly in a circle. Jote was sitting, her eyes growing heavy, but she did not and felt like she could not sleep. Lilis was not among them. Jote pleaded with the Green Word that her apprentice was not dead. When Mijrn settled her head onto her sister’s shoulder, lethargically, Jote finally gave into sleep, unable to hold back her tears any longer in sleep. It had been so long since she cried, not since Fran had left them…
Dris returned to her flower bed, hoping that Lilis was somewhere in the Village. “Thank you again Solas.” Dris yawned out the words, her voice barely a whisper. “Feel free to sleep wherever you’d like. Tomorrow I will help you out of the Golmore Jungle… I promise.” She couldn’t dwell on any thoughts anymore as sleep finally overcame her.
“Enough!” Jote stood, with her Whisker of the Beast pole in hand and dashed confidently toward the Seeq, like a beautiful beast on the hunt. With graceful mastery of her weapon, she easily stabbed her attempted kidnapper. As the Seeq dropped to the forest floor, Jote calmly waved a hand over his body, and it became a dark moss upon the forest floor. Dris watched with morbid curiosity.
“Dris!” Mijrn hugged her apprentice from behind, tears running into Dris’s curly mane of hair. “T-Thank you..”
“Mijrn, I’m so glad you and Jote are unharmed!” Dris turned around and touched her ears to Mijrn’s with great affection.
“Are the others alright?” Jote asked, still standing next to the dark moss that had just been the Seeq named Bunga’s corpse.
“We were able to survive, when you didn’t return we-“ Dris stopped mid-sentence with realization and quickly asked “Where is Lilis?”
“Lilis is not in my den with the others?” Jote, raised an eyebrow, her ears twitching a bit.
“No, she went to search for you two when you didn’t return.” Dris explained. “And then when she didn’t return as well, Solas and I decided to go looked for all of you.” She gestured toward the brave, little moogle.
“We did not see Lilis.” Mijrn said, worry spreading on her face.
“Perhaps, Lilis returned to the den. I should return now too. Mijrn, you and Dris should strengthen the barrier again.” Jote said, and swiftly ran toward her den.
After, harmonizing their magick power into the barrier, The White Mages were even more tired than before. When they finally returned to Jote’s den, they found all of the Viera; including Krim, were gathered together on the fluffy grass within, sleeping soundlessly in a circle. Jote was sitting, her eyes growing heavy, but she did not and felt like she could not sleep. Lilis was not among them. Jote pleaded with the Green Word that her apprentice was not dead. When Mijrn settled her head onto her sister’s shoulder, lethargically, Jote finally gave into sleep, unable to hold back her tears any longer in sleep. It had been so long since she cried, not since Fran had left them…
Dris returned to her flower bed, hoping that Lilis was somewhere in the Village. “Thank you again Solas.” Dris yawned out the words, her voice barely a whisper. “Feel free to sleep wherever you’d like. Tomorrow I will help you out of the Golmore Jungle… I promise.” She couldn’t dwell on any thoughts anymore as sleep finally overcame her.
Having had fluttered down to the ground, Solas kept out of the viera reunion, waiting to one side awkwardly, knowing it wasn't really his place to interfere. He had even pulled his ocarina back out and was attempting to play a simple tune with it; though tiredness and unsteadiness from recent events made his fingers less compliant than usual, and lapses in concentration made him lose some holes entirely, making him have to stop to find them again with his fingers. Still, even with the interruptions an failed attempts to hit notes - especially the low ones which required more fingers in the correct position to work than the higher ones - the tune was on balance pleasant and displayed at the least some level of talent.
Solas had stopped playing part-way on the way back. The bumpiness of having to walk and play at the same time was disrupting his melody and his thumbs were beginning to hurt from pressing against the lower air holes in the instrument. Having had put the object away, he fluttered over to Dris's shoulder and sat there for the remainder of the journey, giving the other viera glances that suggested trouble if they were to comment on it.
Naturally, the sleeping arrangements they arrived at caused great intrigue with the moogle, but as he was not used to them, he didn't think he could find comfort in them. He thought about asking Dris for a blanket, but as she already seemed to be falling asleep by the time the thought came to him, he decided not to. The idea of sleeping without a proper bed was one that he wasn't sure he could get used to.
Finding a surface he could lean against, Solas sat down on the floor on his own and groggily removed his goggles and shoes, wiggling his tiny toes at the extreme relief after having had worn the footwear for so long. Wishing he had a pillow, a mattress or a blanket at the least, he slumped over forward and closed his eyes, the need for sleep overtaking his lack of affinity with the arrangements. Soon, he began to drift off, knowing full well his back and neck would not be happy in the morning, but given the circumstances, not particularly caring at present.
Solas had stopped playing part-way on the way back. The bumpiness of having to walk and play at the same time was disrupting his melody and his thumbs were beginning to hurt from pressing against the lower air holes in the instrument. Having had put the object away, he fluttered over to Dris's shoulder and sat there for the remainder of the journey, giving the other viera glances that suggested trouble if they were to comment on it.
Naturally, the sleeping arrangements they arrived at caused great intrigue with the moogle, but as he was not used to them, he didn't think he could find comfort in them. He thought about asking Dris for a blanket, but as she already seemed to be falling asleep by the time the thought came to him, he decided not to. The idea of sleeping without a proper bed was one that he wasn't sure he could get used to.
Finding a surface he could lean against, Solas sat down on the floor on his own and groggily removed his goggles and shoes, wiggling his tiny toes at the extreme relief after having had worn the footwear for so long. Wishing he had a pillow, a mattress or a blanket at the least, he slumped over forward and closed his eyes, the need for sleep overtaking his lack of affinity with the arrangements. Soon, he began to drift off, knowing full well his back and neck would not be happy in the morning, but given the circumstances, not particularly caring at present.
Dris awoke with a dead leaf from from the tree above her flower bed resting on her forehead. Breathing in the pure air of the Eruyt Village, she sleepily sat up. Stretching her arms up toward the sky with a final soft yawn. Looking around, she found Solas leaning against a nearby tree. The moogle was still sleeping, and Dris smiled. She was really grateful to have met the Moogle, but he would be leaving today, returning to the outside world, the place she had always longed to explore. She knew it would probably be dangerous, but she wanted to at least know for sure what it was like outside of the Village and the Jungle.
Suddenly thoughts of Lilis filled her mind. Jote had looked so worried, and probably hadn’t slept. Her best apprentice; the Viera she had been training the most in the art of combat for the sake of protecting the Village, was missing. ‘Perhaps, they’ve found Lilis by now.’ Dris thought, as she still shook off the idea of returning to sleep as she walked to Jote’s den, leaving Solas more time to sleep.
“She has still not been found…” Jote said these words matter-of-factually, her eyes looked red and irritated.
“We all searched the village earlier this morning. The Green Word roused us all from sleep, but has yet to answer in regard to Lilis’s whereabouts. We must trust in her Green word.” Mijrn said, resting her hand on Jote’s shoulder. She was the only one that could comfort her sister now, she knew she had to stay strong for both of them. She knew that hardening her heart was the only way that she could stand with Jote during what was about to take place.
“You did not awaken with the rest of us,” Jote said, her voice once again without emotion as she added “because you can no longer hear the Green Word.”Dris froze, her heart felt like it was sinking as Jote stared at her with those cold, judgmental eyes. “Am I correct?” The question felt like daggers pointed at Dris, as Mijrn simply looked down at the forest floor, deliberately avoiding eye contact with her apprentice.
“… You are.” Dris finally said after several moments of awkward silence. A cool breeze tickled the fur of her ears, which did not droop with shame at her admonition.
“You wish to leave the Wood.” Jote was not asking a question, it was as if she had read Dris’s mind. No, she had not, Dris thought, the Green Word had told her the longings of her heart. Longings that only rogue, exiled Viera’s had.
Dris simply nodded, finding it odd that tears were not pouring from her eyes, she knew what was coming, yet did not defend herself. It was as if she had made her peace with the idea that one day she may become exiled from the only home she ever knew because of her persistent curiosity about the outside. She couldn’t help but wonder what was so wrong about a Viera wanting to know what Ivalice was really like for themselves.
“Leave by sun down.” The words stung, but still Dris simply kept staring into Jote’s tired eyes. Mijrn’s ears were inclined toward her head in despair, she was frowning as if holding back tears. “You are dead to us.”
The words echoed eerily through Dris’s mind, yet still she did not cry as she returned to standing by her lavender flower bed; the place she had always slept, and now never would again.
Suddenly thoughts of Lilis filled her mind. Jote had looked so worried, and probably hadn’t slept. Her best apprentice; the Viera she had been training the most in the art of combat for the sake of protecting the Village, was missing. ‘Perhaps, they’ve found Lilis by now.’ Dris thought, as she still shook off the idea of returning to sleep as she walked to Jote’s den, leaving Solas more time to sleep.
“She has still not been found…” Jote said these words matter-of-factually, her eyes looked red and irritated.
“We all searched the village earlier this morning. The Green Word roused us all from sleep, but has yet to answer in regard to Lilis’s whereabouts. We must trust in her Green word.” Mijrn said, resting her hand on Jote’s shoulder. She was the only one that could comfort her sister now, she knew she had to stay strong for both of them. She knew that hardening her heart was the only way that she could stand with Jote during what was about to take place.
“You did not awaken with the rest of us,” Jote said, her voice once again without emotion as she added “because you can no longer hear the Green Word.”Dris froze, her heart felt like it was sinking as Jote stared at her with those cold, judgmental eyes. “Am I correct?” The question felt like daggers pointed at Dris, as Mijrn simply looked down at the forest floor, deliberately avoiding eye contact with her apprentice.
“… You are.” Dris finally said after several moments of awkward silence. A cool breeze tickled the fur of her ears, which did not droop with shame at her admonition.
“You wish to leave the Wood.” Jote was not asking a question, it was as if she had read Dris’s mind. No, she had not, Dris thought, the Green Word had told her the longings of her heart. Longings that only rogue, exiled Viera’s had.
Dris simply nodded, finding it odd that tears were not pouring from her eyes, she knew what was coming, yet did not defend herself. It was as if she had made her peace with the idea that one day she may become exiled from the only home she ever knew because of her persistent curiosity about the outside. She couldn’t help but wonder what was so wrong about a Viera wanting to know what Ivalice was really like for themselves.
“Leave by sun down.” The words stung, but still Dris simply kept staring into Jote’s tired eyes. Mijrn’s ears were inclined toward her head in despair, she was frowning as if holding back tears. “You are dead to us.”
The words echoed eerily through Dris’s mind, yet still she did not cry as she returned to standing by her lavender flower bed; the place she had always slept, and now never would again.
Solas sat up slowly with a long groan. His neck was stiff in ached painfully. His back felt like it was trying to fuse into position. And all of his limbs felt heavy and bruised. The former two he knew were his own fault for sleeping in such a position. The latter-most... well... that was his own fault too for being careless enough to come here in the first place.
Slowly stretching his spine out to prevent inflaming the discomfort he felt from it, Solas took a moment to attempt to relieve his body of the feelings his sleeping position had created. He took a while to let the most acute of the aches die down before finally and clumsily reaching for his shoes and goggles, groggily returning them to his body. It wasn't until he was fully dressed that he wobbled to his feet and took some unsteady steps out away from the tree, still cradling his back as it continued to slowly recover.
Giving his eyes a quick rub, Solas looked over the village. He wished he had more time to appreciate it. Alas, the troubles he had witnessed had destroyed his chance to fully explore the breathtakingly beautiful habitat and learn the ways of its people. It felt a shame that he would have to leave it all behind to return to the outside world - he almost wished it wasn't so isolated, before realising that if that was the case, it would no longer be so special. It was probable that this was the only time he would ever get to spend here... it was a pity that monsters had spoiled the experience.
Slowly stretching his spine out to prevent inflaming the discomfort he felt from it, Solas took a moment to attempt to relieve his body of the feelings his sleeping position had created. He took a while to let the most acute of the aches die down before finally and clumsily reaching for his shoes and goggles, groggily returning them to his body. It wasn't until he was fully dressed that he wobbled to his feet and took some unsteady steps out away from the tree, still cradling his back as it continued to slowly recover.
Giving his eyes a quick rub, Solas looked over the village. He wished he had more time to appreciate it. Alas, the troubles he had witnessed had destroyed his chance to fully explore the breathtakingly beautiful habitat and learn the ways of its people. It felt a shame that he would have to leave it all behind to return to the outside world - he almost wished it wasn't so isolated, before realising that if that was the case, it would no longer be so special. It was probable that this was the only time he would ever get to spend here... it was a pity that monsters had spoiled the experience.
Feeling a longing that she couldn’t explain Dris shut her eyes. She needed to leave… She wanted it. She wasn’t sure what she would be searching for in the outside world, from the day she came into existence she had always wondered why. What was she here for? Perhaps, this was why she had always felt a kinship with the Hume Princess in the night tale Stra; the elder Viera, had told her so many times. Princess Ashelia B’nargin Dalmasca had reclaimed her life, and found her purpose despite all that she had lost. Dris opened her eyes again, staring closely at the lavender of her flower bed. She would miss Eruyt Village, but… There had to be more to her life in Ivalice than this, there had to be some purpose for her. Dris smiled serenely despite her sadness at her sudden exile from her homeland. She would trust in whatever this was, this flutter in her heart that had a longing for adventure.
Suddenly noticing Solas rubbing the sleep out of his eyes Dris said “Greetings, Solas. I hope you slept well. As I promised to you, today I will lead you out of the Golmore Jungle.”
Suddenly noticing Solas rubbing the sleep out of his eyes Dris said “Greetings, Solas. I hope you slept well. As I promised to you, today I will lead you out of the Golmore Jungle.”
Solas lazily glanced up at Dris. It took him a moment to register what she had said, his mind still waking up. With a half-dazed nod, he gave his eyes a final quick wipe before replying.
"My mind slept well... my b-b-bo-..." A huge, squeaky yawn interrupted his sentence. "My body... not so much, kupo. I can't believe you sleep like this every night..." He paused his dialogue as he turned to face in the direction that he guessed to be the village exit. He wasn't awake enough yet to try to work it out more accurately from the current location. "I am so grateful for your help. If I left on my own, I would probably be raksas food. Kastam... I am such a murkha for coming here in the first place. I know I am lucky you found me."
"My mind slept well... my b-b-bo-..." A huge, squeaky yawn interrupted his sentence. "My body... not so much, kupo. I can't believe you sleep like this every night..." He paused his dialogue as he turned to face in the direction that he guessed to be the village exit. He wasn't awake enough yet to try to work it out more accurately from the current location. "I am so grateful for your help. If I left on my own, I would probably be raksas food. Kastam... I am such a murkha for coming here in the first place. I know I am lucky you found me."
“I’m glad for all of your help as well Solas. I hope you regard me as a friend. We can leave when you’re ready to. If you’d like to stock up on items for our journey, go see Stra; the eldest Viera here. She should be sitting on an old tree stump near Jote’s den.” Dris said helpfully. She wanted to avoid seeing Stra, by now the entire village must have heard about her exile and the thought of seeing Stra cry made Dris’s heart skin even more.
Planning to wait for Solas next to the barrier of the village, Dris told him to meet her there and quickly was gone. She ran through the familiar paths again, breathing in deeply the sweet smell of the greenery that surrounded her. She already had everything she possessed with her, there were no personal belongings for her to take. Nothing but her heart would weigh her down now, and even that would fade soon and her jovial heart would return to normal. She reassured herself, a trace of a sad smile on her face.
Planning to wait for Solas next to the barrier of the village, Dris told him to meet her there and quickly was gone. She ran through the familiar paths again, breathing in deeply the sweet smell of the greenery that surrounded her. She already had everything she possessed with her, there were no personal belongings for her to take. Nothing but her heart would weigh her down now, and even that would fade soon and her jovial heart would return to normal. She reassured herself, a trace of a sad smile on her face.
Solas had plenty more to say when Dris disappeared, but he was feeling too tired to chase after her. His mind fixed on food, he went through his pouches and pulled out a small piece of bread that he had stopped eating mid-monster-chase some time earlier in the jungle and hadn't decided to resume. It was all he had left from a few days' worth of rations. Shrugging, he finished off the bread and ambled along the walkway, his gaze at the sky as he tried to push his hunger out so he could contemplate the scenery. The beauty of the nature around him was almost enough to make him think about staying longer; but with all the monsters, the humid jungle around him and the isolationist locals... it was not the place for a furry outsider with no combat experience.
Pulling himself out of his aimless walk, Solas turned to change his trajectory over to where Dris had suggested. Pulling out his ocarina, he played a simple melody that his groggy freshly awoken mind could easily keep up with as he walked toward where Dris said this Stra person was to be. Food was on his mind. Food, water... maybe even the idea of getting something for Dris... the way she left him was odd. Perhaps it was worry after all that had happened. Worry that her friend had gone missing and all the trouble brought onto the village. Perhaps there was an item he could bring her to at least take her mind off it. He was beginning to warm up to Dris - she was the only one here who didn't strike him as too cold. He didn't want to see her unhappy.
Pulling himself out of his aimless walk, Solas turned to change his trajectory over to where Dris had suggested. Pulling out his ocarina, he played a simple melody that his groggy freshly awoken mind could easily keep up with as he walked toward where Dris said this Stra person was to be. Food was on his mind. Food, water... maybe even the idea of getting something for Dris... the way she left him was odd. Perhaps it was worry after all that had happened. Worry that her friend had gone missing and all the trouble brought onto the village. Perhaps there was an item he could bring her to at least take her mind off it. He was beginning to warm up to Dris - she was the only one here who didn't strike him as too cold. He didn't want to see her unhappy.
“What would you like to purchase from us?” Stra the Viera asked the small moogle, standing tall next to the Eruyt store room booth. Her height was quite taller than Dris and was the eldest Viera in the Village, but visually to Humes she would appear to the be the same age as any of the other Viera in Eruyt Village. Her eyes were blurry, she hadn’t slept well and earlier that day had tended to the sapling Viera. She was primarily a care taker of the small Viera, teaching them the ways of the Green Word as they grew up. Dris had been so curious as a sapling, without hesitation asking Stra about all the history she knew; the history of the Viera, and legends of Ivalice. Perhaps, there were certain tales that Stra should not have told Dris… It broke her maternalistic heart that she would never see Dris again. The thought that she, a trusted elder Viera had led Dris astray from the Green Word haunted her mind, her eyes constantly holding back sorrowful tears.
Standing on her own next to the barrier Dris shut her eyes. She would not cry anymore, she didn’t want to worry Solas. In fact, she wouldn’t tell him that she was exiled now. Viera politics were something that she didn’t want to bother her new friend with, her ears twitched in confirmation of the thought. She didn’t want the young moogle to worry or even consider the thought that he might have been the reason she had been exiled. It had nothing to be with him, this was a scar she would have to bear alone. Dris tried to turn her thoughts on what she could control; her skill as a white mage, she mentally reviewed all of the spell formations that Mijrn has taught her.
Standing on her own next to the barrier Dris shut her eyes. She would not cry anymore, she didn’t want to worry Solas. In fact, she wouldn’t tell him that she was exiled now. Viera politics were something that she didn’t want to bother her new friend with, her ears twitched in confirmation of the thought. She didn’t want the young moogle to worry or even consider the thought that he might have been the reason she had been exiled. It had nothing to be with him, this was a scar she would have to bear alone. Dris tried to turn her thoughts on what she could control; her skill as a white mage, she mentally reviewed all of the spell formations that Mijrn has taught her.
Solas took a moment of pause to collect his confidence, before asking for some items politely. "D-do you have any food...? And water...? I don't have much gil with me, but I think I can afford that..." he glanced at the floor for a moment. "Oh... and uh... do you know if there's anything that Dris likes that you might sell...? Something seems to be on her mind, and I want to try to make her happy."