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[:]? Could... swim to it? [:]/ Don't really know how to swim yet.
@) couldfly,then.

I know the place. This way... *close enough that she isn't worried about wandering, and given the nature of the fold they'll probably be back before they really seem gone* *encouraged by Ribbon's guess, as they walk, she uncaptchalogues the two rocks she already has, turning them over in her hands* *indicating the smooth little gray one* I picked this up that morning... the day I entered the game. I don't know why. It's not like I knew I was leaving. I just liked the texture, I guess. And now it's my piece of Earth. *indicating the larger rough dark-almost-purple one* And this is a piece of LORAW. Took it out of one of the mines. Lots of minerals in that ground. Good for making magical weapons. *...yeah, that's about as far down that particular lane of memory she's able to give voice to, right then. But she's slowly growing more comfortable with sharing details, in a calmer way than the rush she spilled it all to Onponn*

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|/=@] ... Remember The car? And how the Zoo was so far, that even if you were to fly, it'd take all day to arrive?

The Island is much to far away to get to by flying or swimming. We're going to be using something to make it easier.
0~0 *Ribbon isn't going to interrupt this moment by headed right for the Quartz-Berry Bush*

*Skipping over the 'weapon potential', she focuses on what the rocks must mean to Sophie*

0u0 so these, and the Quartz that Mack gave when we left The Rotone's home...

All from places you've been and gone from...

So now you want one from here before we go to... -u-

0u0 I'm sure, sometime in the future when things have gotten better here, we'll go out to find a rock from The Island to remember it by. ^u^

*Ribbon Hopes that she's helping paint the idea of a bright future for everyone; something to be happy about*
*it makes Sophie smile* Yes. That’ll be nice.

—————-

@? ok...
[:]? *they don’t really get what’s going on, but they assume they’ll get to see soon*
^u^ 0u0 0~0 0//~//0

*Ribbon has a million thoughts and feelings rushing through their Heart & Mind. They have no idea how these sort of things are best expressed*
*At the risk of saying something that sounds stupid, Ribbon doesn't say 'Maybe we can be eachother's Rocks from now on'*

0u0 *instead, she hopes to hide her blush by going to get what she came here for; 1 fresh Quartz berry. Shiny!*

^u^ This should work.
|/=@] ... |/U=] I'm, sorry that things always seem to be changing. Were we to have our ways, we'd all get the chance to simply be together...

|/~@] But nothing is ever simple... |/=@] ... Let's, just head downstairs for now. |/==]
*she...thinks she saw a blush? But she probably imagined it. Best to just enjoy the good feeling that there is in the moment and not put any other assumptions on it* That’s a good one. Let’s get back. *adds to herself that walking off without saying where she’s going is a habit she really ought to break*

———————
[:]? @? *it’s an interesting and slightly unsettling life lesson, “nothing is ever simple”. It does match up with what they’ve experienced so far though. They ponder back and forth on it as they head downstairs. Some things it’s nicer to have two minds to think about together than one alone would be*
-u- *Ribbon tries to promise herself that she'll say that when they leave The Island... That should be enough time to sort through all this, right?*

0u0 Yea. Hopefully Onponn is all finished with packing. ^u^

*Ribbon goes to follow*
*Seems that Mack & Onponn have recently arrived. Mack is going through their Wallet, showing Dots what they've got for the trip*

*All the Kids are a bit less rowdy with Onponn around; being asked to wait patiently can work wonders*

*Nyx has taken to wearing Baby like a hat, the turtle gently nestled in the headspace between their horns*

*Halftone & Jubila seem to be communicating heavily, which is putting Nyx's PAL off; it has responded by trying to communicate with Marlow's PAL, though a few of their learned behaviors conflict... namely, Nyx's PAL's lack of continuous communication with Pilot, & Marlow's PAL's persistent communication with Pilot*

=:) ! =:D got everything? =:) We've just got to wait for Sophie & Ribbon then.
*as they walk, she scoops up a little white stone near the base of a tree - it has a "normalcy" to it that feels like a good contrast to the clearly magical berry* *the rocks go all together into one card for safekeeping*
*this new perch is unusual but pleasant enough for a turtle. Not that Baby really has much by means of opinions*

@) yeah,gotthings.
[:]o [:]D Turtle hat!
^u^ *With a tiny bit of time to work out her feelings, Ribbon decides that this is a good feeling; a GREAT Feeling! She takes to the air, & starts to fly on ahead*

Race you home!
7B3 "Yeah Turhat." *Nyx is happy you've noticed!*

( | x | ) *wondering what it'd be like to have Baby atop their computer screen... Guess one has to have a 'top of head' to really get the novelty of having an animal on it*

=[|:|??] *Is getting the distinct impression that Nyx's PAL would rather Marlow Not partake in the conversation between it & their PAL, but, also isn't exactly sure how to politely bring it up*

][:] ... *quietly to Onponn,* maybe I just shouldn't go. I've got the feeling that I'll probably not be welcomed.

=:? hush. you've not even met whoever is in charge of the place.

][(] in-charge types tend to not like me all that much... ][|]
*she laughs, and jumps up to zoom after her* Bring it!
[:]D *comes over to pat Baby on the shell, sort of patting Nyx on the head through them*
@? *is wondering where their mommies went off to... what the island will be like... lots of things to wonder about*
^u^ *Ribbon takes full advantage of her headstart, her brimming energy, & the fact that Home isn't all that far from here; were a window to be opened, she might have even tried flying in through it. Instead, she slows down near the door, carefully landing & ready to open it for Sophie*
^u^ hmm-hmm-hmm! SNRk-heehee-hee-Hee!
7BD *pats are nice* 7B3 "thankmew"

|/@=] *Hears the laughter by the door; Ribbon, they think?*

|/=@] I think they're here now. |/=^]

=:D Great! =:) *Onponn would be describing what exactly to expect, but they don't know anything about what The Island looks like, or where they will arrive*
*she's laughing as she lands, she didn't expect to win, certainly not with that headstart* Just goes to show, real wings are the way to go.
[:]D *they take Baby off of Nyx's head and carry them towards the door, eager to get going*
@)
7BO ! *their hat! oh wait, it was yours anyway* 7B?

^u^ hmmhmm... 0u0 Looks like everyone is ready. 0~0 Though I think we'll need to make a few trips.

*Hamnet/Factor, Sophie, Ribbon, Valdis, Dots, Onponn... Mack, Nyx, Marlow, Jofie... Even if The PALs are temporarily capchaloged, it'll take at least 2 trips to get everyone over with just 6 boxes*

0u0 Who wants to go first?

|/=@] |/@=] I think I'd like to get a good look. |/=^]

=:) I can wait with Mack. *Onponn isn't going to let Mack get away with not being given a bit of emotional support for this*

7BD "Island time!"

( 0 W 0 ) *Jofie also seems excited to get going*

=[|:|33] ... ? *oh! people are here. Marlow had gotten caught up in the PAL's conversation*

*Looks like first trip is probably Sophie, Hamnet/Factor, Ribbon, Valdis, Nyx, & Jofie; baring any other ideas*
Alright. *she uncapchalogues the boxes, passing them out to the first group* We all press the button at the same time, okay? *emphasis is for the kids... Though there isn't really anywhere to go on the other side, she doesn't want to take any chances*

[:]? Okay.
@? *studying the weird box in Hamnet's hands*
*A single press of the button once everyone is ready, &-*

-shwom-

*total Darkness all around; (possibly unnerving for one who draws the energy for life from light), lasting for a split second, then...*

-wom-

*Everyone is in a dark tunnel with a Light and a Large Person at the end of it*
*easily enough light to 'live' with; much better than that darkness*

*And, something else, that a would-be Seer of Heart may, or (most likely?) may not notice on some level... This Place is... Silent. Other places had a 'song' to them; sung solo around the mines and the town, sung as a duet in the 'Fold'... But not here. it isn't particularly 'good', or 'bad'; that distinction is up to choice... but it is 'Silent'*

[|)| zzz...

( | x | ) ??? ( > ? < ) ??? *Jofie is very confused; they were going to a Island... Something else seems odd to*

7BO ! 7BD "WOH! your HUGE!"

[|)? ~!~ [X)C mmmmh...

|/@~] Shhhh! |/=@]

0~0 *ah. Ribbon feels like she should have expected that kind of reaction*

0_0 *quietly,* nyx- why don't you bring the others here. *She offers her transporter*
*Nyx'll need a few more for Onponn, Mack, Marlow, & Dots*
@/ ! *the dilemma of wanting to cower inside Hamnet, but not wanting to cut off any light after that awful thing*

[:]/ *what foremost holds their notice is Factor's discomfort... and yeah, that guy IS huge...*

*Sophie takes Hamnet's transporter and offers both of them to Nyx* Be quick, now.
|/=@] ( | ? | ) *Valdis & Jofie pass Nyx their transporters to; though Jofie hopes to have the chance to 'eat' one later. they move in some totally different way than warping*

7B3 *4 extras in hand, Nyx heads on out*

-shwom-

[X)C ... [*)| mmmmh... shouting... what a pain... why is there shouting...

0~0 sorry-sorry. nyx just happened to be a bit amazed by you.

[*)? mmmh... fine... hold on... uh. think I've seen you before...

*They give everyone present a quick lookover... Ribbon, Sophie, Jofie, Valdis, & Hamnet/Factor*

[*)| uh... Grounded. Artificial. Grounded... ... Replanted- oh... urgh... what a pain... Replanted and carrying big tools... Then. uh, where was I... ... ... there we are... Grounded, and Grounded with a safely small tool...

[|)| can't use Island... With big tools like that... goodnight...

|/@=] ? *Tools?* |/=@] *the excess 'Heart' that Valdis has that they use to create magical constructs? ... ooh, giving that up to be here... well... maybe they can just leave it someplace safe right 'outside'*

|/=@] I, can probably leave those behind.

( | ? | ) ( | M | ) *Jofie is vibrating a little, & waving their feathers. they can't seem to warp here. its like there's a big Door in the way!*
[:]? @? *they have no idea what’s going on... not really enough to outright dislike... is this what an island is?*

Wait. What tools? *she doesn’t want going to the island to mean important things needing to be left behind... though “things” are more okay to leave behind than people... and she really wishes she knew what the guardian’s terms meant, grounded and replanted...it’d be so much easier if they’d just wake up and speak plainly!*
|/@=] I believe they might be referring to, what we have that lets us make things like Factor's Knot. Only much bigger, and capable of much more.

|/=@] It should be easy enough to put somewhere where I can immediately get it when returning.

-wom-

*Nyx is back! with Onponn, Mack, Dots, & Marlow; PALs are probably Capchaloged*

7B3 "Back." 7B? "Big guy still sleep?"

|/=@] *Valdis goes to get Nyx's transporter; but they won't leave just yet; just in case something happens*

=:? *oh. this isn't exactly what Onponn had been expecting, but she's sure that everyone can talk through it*

=:) Hello?

][:] [[:] *Mack has got the heeby-jeebies; they wonder if they can't just 'Steal' this guy away & let everyone they care about use it till they don't need it anymore*

=[|:|33] ? *ooh. this is a nice tunnel. reminds them of home*

[|)? mmmh... *no sleep for now they guess*

[*)? more to hide on island? uh. hold on...

*they take a moment to figure out who they haven't checked yet, then point at Marlow, Nyx, Dots, Onponn, & Mack*

[*)| uh... Grounded, Alarmed, Replanted... oh my... that's... a real pain...

[|)? uh... no simple way to say it... what a pain... Grounded Soul made from one who was Artificial, then made effectively Artificial by taking Alarmed form and levitating it, but also has different grounded self without levitation connected to levitated Alarmed form. Then last... Artificial.

[X)? what a pain...

[*)| Can't let you in... with that... uh... 'Blood Chip'. Also... might be good for Alarmed, to try and fall back asleep... And for last Artificial to be completely here.

[|)? But... If not using Island, as Island, and just hiding... Could let in all Grounded, Alarmed, and the Replanted without tools right now... then figure things with rest... mmh... rest... ... oh. uh, pretty sure... you have already figured it. one who wanted to hide.

*They point at Sophie; the one 'Artificial' that has already talked about why they want to be here, even though they are GT*

*Seems like Hamnet/Factor, Ribbon, Sophie, Jofie, Marlow, Nyx, & Dots are in the Clear*
*Just Onponn, Mack, & Valdis to figure things*
@? *why should stuff like the knot be left behind...?*
[:]? *tugs on Sophie's sleeve* Mommy, when are we going to the island?

*she puts a hand over theirs, trying to be reassuring, trying also to parse the Guardian's statements* Soon, Hamnet, just give us a moment...

*towards Onponn and Mack* ...I think, from what I know about this place, is that they don't like you to use - to take "shortcuts." *hopefully they get what she means; she doesn't want to go into more detail in front of the children* I'm happy to live without my shortcuts, I've explained that to them. I... It's up to you. We could figure something else out. Somewhere else out, if we had to.

*she feels a bit guilty, like it's her worry that's to blame for putting them at this choice - and she reminds herself that no, the danger is real, her worry is valid. And Valdis said they could set their tools aside, surely there's a way for Onponn and Mack to live without their "shortcuts" too, right...?*
|/=@] *Transporter in hand,* |/=^] I'll be right back.

-shwom-

=:) Its Perfectly Fine! Valdis had explained most of it. I just need to-

=:| ... take. Out... My GT Ch- =X?

=|( "how about no; That Chip ensures Reconstruction; I won't let Onponn take it out just because some unidentified Island bouncer says so;"

=X? D:= Stop that! =:? ... Um. =:) We'll just be a moment. =8? ...

][:] ... no shortcuts, eh? ... ][(] hehe... [[|] I've kinda... Taken all shortcuts...

][:] I mean, I even made sure to capchalog the Kitchen Machine once Onponn got her Grubself out of it, and...

[*)? ! oh yea... those card thingies... Artificially derived... Probably should not use them here... But... Guess I could let you use them, until you unpack...

][:] ][(] *Welp. that's enough for Mack* O, K! I Think I'll just be waiting Right next door then, where I can Steal ALLLLLLLL The Time I want, & move anything I want around as quick as a whip with a wallet.

7B? *No Syladex? eh. not a problem for Nyx* 7B3

*Nyx promptly Dumps their inventory. a Dozen spare swords, a bags worth of marbles, a bunch of little Lego thingies, 14 different kinds of lipstick, a crumply hat, a hand-drill, a scoop of metal bits & bobs, a small, old, busted robotic arm, (who's arm was this?), a few dozen Frogs in ALL kinds of colors, and... About 40 little Spiders*

0~0 ~!~ (|)_(|) (|)U(|) *nnnnnnNOPE!*

*Ribbon nabs the transporter out of Onponn's hands, & warps away from the creepy crawlies*

-shwom-

[*)| oh good... You seem agreeable... even if you yell... I will get you a glove so you can use the screens.

*They turn and walk towards the Wall, Passing through it*

*with them out of the way, it is possible to see a single yellow panel in the center of a seemingly knob-less door. There is a single empty Line on the panel, with a slightly rounder point on the bottom*

=[|:|??] ( | ? | ) ... *Marlow & Jofie just look at eachother; a wordless exchange that things are getting a little crazy, & that they should just... hang back till things sort themselves out. Marlow won't warp out with their box, but still...*

[!~!] *Oh Bother... Ribbon is probably going to need some help*
Er, I'll check in on Ribbon. Someone get the Spider issue taken care of... Er, and I hope Onponn gets the Smithy Issue taken care of, and that Mack... er... ... I'll help Ribbon.

-shwom-

*If anyone wanted to get a Transporter, there's just 3 left over here held by Nyx, Marlow, & Mack*

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