You have spent the last few days on Thesa Station, taking in the knowledge that your world is no more. Perhaps you've made some friends (or maybe an enemy or two). Either way, you aren't expected to spend all of your time on the Station. El Nysa needs you, after all, and you promised you'd help the planet thrive. Are you ready?
Submit an AC-eligible thread with a new character as a participant for 2 OLYMPIA REP POINTS OR 2 WYVER REP POINTS, respectively, HERE or HERE. THESA STATION
All refugees on the station are called to the hangar where a large-scale teleporter has been set up; everyone will be sent to the planet together. Simply step onto the space between the arrays and wait. Before they depart, all new refugees will be given a starter kit!
 You may have heard about earlier technical difficulties, but don't worry. I promise everything is in perfect working order this time. I'd say I tested it myself, but since that's not exactly possible, you'll just have to trust me! (Please.)
The older refugees will also be there to guide you to ensure no one is left confused... or behind. Make sure you wait for them — I've been detecting something odd so I'll be having them meet you at the landing site. Good luck, refugees! Not that you'll be needing it or anything...
The arrays begin to hum and glow, quickly building into a brilliant wash of light. It creates a column that travels all the way from Thesa Station to the surface of El Nysa. With the night sky as a canvas, the beam can be seen all the way from Olympia and Wyver — a view that has the natives whispering of blessings.
As a sudden but beautiful aurora splays across the sky, the refugees down on the planet receive a message asking them to travel to the landing site — and warning them to prepare for what may come of the strange readings Zasere's gotten from the teleport itself.
Traveling through the light leaves the impression of blinding starlight, a strange sense of weightlessness, and a disorienting moment of total sensory deprivation. The radiance of your teleport hangs bright in the sky above you, a shimmering aurora that reflects off the calm waters below, visible for miles all around.
You've landed on a peninsula to the east of the South Outpost. There's little here — scattered trees on spring-barren plains, with a few overgrown, dilapidated structures poking out of the brush. All is quiet save for the keening of animals and the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. This lonely desolation is hardly the bustling cities and vibrant cultures you were promised back on the station...
BY CAMPFIRE'S GLOW. But waiting for you is a group of your predecessors, and with them, a veritable tent city, with portable stoves, coolers of food and drink, comfortable bedrolls, and cheerful rings of bonfires — all that you need to make merry of the night, courtesy of Overseer Voss, who has, thanks to his interest in blessed meteorological phenomena and refugees, decided to make a holy expedition of the affair.
Settle in, meet new comrades, and enjoy yourself, for you've safely completed your journey. But don't wander too far from the fires — the dark is closing in, and there's a strange, electric feeling in the air, the scent of ozone drifting on the breeze. And what were those odd readings Zasere mentioned?
A SHEPHERD OVER THE FLOCK. The spring sun dawns on a grey morning, already burning away the fog rolling in off the sea. It quickly becomes apparent that Voss and his entourage of acolytes have been up for hours, hard at work. They've set up a brightly-draped stage and a travel pulpit, magically enchanted to amplify his voice, and as the sun breaks over the horizon, Voss is all set to do what he does best: proselytize.
 As our Goddess has sent Her blessing once before to herald the coming of those touched by Her light, so She has done once again! Here you see them, those surrounded by the light of our Goddess, each of them bearing the mark upon their skin of Her holiest of hands! Do you not see? Do none among you bear witness to the righteousness of Her message? Perhaps this is why our people have shamed themselves in front of our Goddess—
[ He continues for another 15 minutes... ]
Nevertheless. See you them before us now! See them as they are, coming to our gates with Her reminder, that these people must be treated with the utmost respect and care. Thesa's divinity is not to be treated with such flagrant disregard! Those who She chooses are not ours to use as mindless fodder, to hurt, to torture — shame upon those who allowed such deeds to shame us under Her watchful gaze!
To those of you who have just arrived here on our doorstep, be not afraid! The Temples of Thesa welcome you to our home with hearts and minds open! Should you ever find yourself in need of solace, seek out the Temples, as there are no greater allies to you than those of us within the Temple walls. You are welcome all to Olympia!
As he steps away from the enchanted podium, he can be heard saying aside to an acolyte, "How was that? Heavy on the shame, but I think it went well!" While he will not leave the area immediately, his acolytes will politely turn away attempts to speak with him and remind anyone interested that they can leave a message at the Temples.
Despite going off without hitch, the new refugees' arrival isn't entirely without incident. It seems that the "blessed" beam of light that brought the refugees down to El Nysa brought something else along with it — a sliver of the Storm. At least the beam was short enough that only a small fraction managed to squeeze through.
But it's enough to wreak a little havoc around the landing site and along the road back toward Olympia and Wyver — and even, for a few days, in the cities themselves.
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE. The Storm is an undeniably destructive force, and that's proven with this small sliver's effect as it ripples across the continent. While there's no visible sign of its presence, strange phenomena soon begin to appear, corresponding with Zasere's odd readings.
They're innocuous little things at first. A sudden silence, animals going quiet, insects stilling. All technology, no matter how advanced, ceases working. You discover when you check with a friend, the clock on your phone is twelve minutes slow even though you'd swear only a minute had passed — time missing. Walking through the woods takes longer than it should when brushing past one bush leads to brushing past that same bush again — and again, and again, the area looping on itself. It keeps you trapped, going in circles for minutes, even hours, before finally releasing you in a random direction.
Or perhaps you'll feel a sense of deja vu, like you've walked down this road, taken this turn, seen that bird fly from this branch before. This is the second time that cat has crossed your path. The person you're meeting, you already know their name; you're certain you've already met.
WE GOT COWS. The Storm sliver also ushers in sudden, localized weather anomalies — heavy storms, blizzards, strong winds, and more. Affected areas range from just a few feet wide to nearly half a mile. One minute, the sky may be sunny and clear, but the next dark storm clouds roll in, unleashing torrential rain. Small tornadoes surge along the road, kicking up winds strong enough to knock people over and carry objects away. Hail hurtles down from the sky, but only in a ten foot radius. Temperatures fluctuate wildly between one extreme and the next, from heat waves to cold snaps. Soupy fog blankets the area, thick enough that you can barely see your hand in front of your face. Good luck finding your way!
FORGETTING IS SO LONG. The visions come on suddenly and with very little warning. One second, you're carrying on as normal — but the next, you blink and find yourself (and anyone near you) somewhere else completely. You may recognize this place as a moment from the past, one that you lived through. It's a memory, your memory, and it now replays around you in exceptional detail, unnervingly lifelike. Or you may not recognize it at all. It might belong to the person next to you, or to someone else entirely — a memory that the Storm has swallowed up.
Either way, the scene plays out just as it once did, and there's nothing you can do to stop it — or escape it. The memory surrounds you to no end: every door you open leads nowhere, every hallway you turn down continues on forever, every horizon you flee toward hangs just out of reach. And linger too long or turn the wrong corner, and you may find yourself abruptly stuck in a completely different memory. It's almost tempting, then, to give up, to let the past sweep you away...
But this isn't the full might of the Storm. Look closely, and you can see that in the walls of this trap, there are minute, hairline cracks, a facade of fractured glass. Imperfections in the memory where the real world is breaking through. It seems the only way to escape these memories is to find those cracks and break through them — by force, by will, or by some other method entirely.
The time is coming to make a choice — perhaps not a permanent choice, but unless you want to spend the rest of your nights out under the stars, you'll need to pick which city you will initially spend your time in. On the horizon, you will see that people have arrived to help you make that decision...
A FORK IN THE ROAD. Refugees and the hyper-religious wishing to hear Voss speak are not the only ones out and about under the light of the aurora. Citizens of both Olympia and Wyver have flocked to a point on the road midway between the cities and where the refugees have appeared, and they all have the same goal in mind: convincing the newcomers who have just descended in the blessed light of Thesa to come to their city and not the other.
They've come with bribes — that is, examples of what their cities have to offer. If you spent much time at the exhibition up on Thesa Station, you might recognize some of what's being shown off, though the offerings here are markedly more tangible, and shown off by hawkers wearing substantially fewer clothes.
A herd of pegasi accompanies the Olympians, while a line of flying serpents is stabled at a tent bearing Wyver colors. Refugees are given the chance to experience solo flights and are told that if they prove their loyalty, they may have the privilege of owning such fine beasts one day themselves. The Olympians have also brought couture clothing, jewelry, and makeup to offer a taste of Olympian splendor, while the Wyver delegation has brought along fine weapons, sense-enhancing jungle plants, and small vials of diluted dragon’s blood (drinking confers a temporary boost in strength) to demonstrate their might. The Olympians speak proudly of the glory of the Temples of Thesa; the Wyverns speak of the Volkkran Pact and inform newcomers that they can make a pilgrimage to the summit of Namarak Mountain at the next full moon.
This is as good a time as any to compare your plans with others around you and exchange contact information before going your separate ways with people who are going to the city you are not. When you’re ready to go, don’t worry about safe passage — the natives of each city will gladly escort you there in luxury.
OF WHITE AND GOLD. The people of Olympia are ecstatic that you’ve come to join them... So much so that they’ve prepared a grand tour of the city for the new arrivals. You will be introduced to the major businesses in the city, including businesses that they are proud to point out were founded by refugees.
Refugees who have been here for some time already are encouraged to pair up with newcomers to introduce them to the parts of the city they like best. To facilitate this, they’ve made arrangements with many of the business owners: new refugees who visit their shops (and older refugees who escort them) are given discounts!
Just a few examples of many: the Wyvernest offers free desserts to first time visitors with the purchase of a drink, refugees who visit the Silk Wyrms can have one custom (though not exceedingly expensive) outfit made for them for free, and visitors to Shades Darker are offered a half-hour session with one of the prostitutes at half price… or access to a private room, if they seem to have taken a shine to one of their companions on the tour.
Lastly, tour guides will point out that over the course of the next week, the train to Flona Cove will allow new refugees to board for free so that they can experience the seaside for themselves. With the weather finally starting to warm, this is as good a time as any for a visit to the beach, isn’t it?
OF RED AND BLACK. Life in Wyver is typically a sink-or-swim sort of experience — but in light of the valor recently displayed by their predecessors, the natives are now more willing to assist in getting newcomers settled. The entire journey here they have been talking up the virtues of their city… and now is the time to show everything that's on offer.
The well-known businesses in the city are prepared for the influx of newcomers. Some are giving out discounted samples of their products while others are offering a more hands-on experience: in exchange for working a few hours, they will give training in whatever task is being performed.
At the Forged, newcomers can learn the basics of crafting simple weapons (and take one of their successes home), while visitors to spas near the lagoons are trained in the art of massage. Those who wander to Falmi’s Ring can learn the art of pugilism or how to keep (and fix) books if they're more inclined to the gambling that goes on. Newcomers interested in Wyver's dragons can get hands-on experience at the Fields of the Exalted's nursery. While they walk from place to place, a guide may point out a job posting from Highwind Hires, noting that refugees can make a name for themselves outside official channels.
The last stop on the tour is the Undergrowth. The guides speak of the jungle in reverent tones and caution new refugees not to wander too far in. They warn never to explore alone, but also urge refugees to take time to familiarize themselves with it; after all, the jungle is an important part of life in Wyver, and those who are going to be living here should understand it as well as they do.
You've chosen your path, refugee, but that doesn't necessarily make it a permanent one. Watch out for the strange effects of the Storm, which linger still in the two cities and everywhere in between for the next few days before dissipating just as mysteriously as they came, but otherwise enjoy the welcome and make yourself at home — after all, this is home now.
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Linneus | Teahouse
[It had been Linneus intention to retreat back home, before it grew too dark to go. Not that it ever ended up that way, of course, and Linneus can hardly bring himself to mind. There is a sense of welcome, of camaraderie to the little encampment they have here, and while he is limited in what he can do (too much fetching and carrying is out), he does what he can. Right now it's blankets - blankets are important as the night chill settles in, and he offers one with a gentle touch to a shoulder, a smile-]
Come, we shan't want anyone catching a cold - it's a busy few days, getting everyone settled.
ii) Forgetting is so Long
[he steps into a garden.
Not the manicured lawns of the Teahouse, with its immaculately tended flowers but something humbler, a little wilder. The herbs and berries have long overgrown any rhyme or reason to their planting, mingling together here and there, but there is a woman navigating it all. She is dressed in lightly worn clothes, hair twisted up under a wide-brimmed sun-hat that shades her face as she plucks berries, leaves, flowers pops them into a little basket on her arm, singing the while. Occasionally, her hand strays up to her chest, to a little bundle there, steadying it and patting lightly while she sways with it a few moments, before returning to her work.
The work doesn't seem to stop, she never seems to heed him, and she seems to be everywhere he turns. And while it makes no sense with where Linneus just was, and where it is he was going... it's not such a bad place to be, really, even though he lightly reaches and snags his companion's sleeve, in a hushed voice-]
...I think I am hallucinating again.
[...yes, he did say 'again']
iii) By the Campfire's Glow... bonus round!
[perhaps Linneus wasn't able to come around to you, but his miniature
ACPllama knows his habits well enough that she is taking it on herself to host to... mixed success, and a lot of despairing cries of "Lula!". Standing and talking? She'll be headbutting your leg until you start making your way to the food tables. Sitting by yourself? She'll be snagging a blanket and dragging it across the ground for you.What? She's helping...]
iv) Wildcard/OOC
(for ii I'm up for stepping into other memories, but Linn has a rough month last month so please be gentle! Finally, if you're up for something I've not listed, hit me up on plurk at
III
And then, bless his soul, an adorable little llama drags a blanket over to him, and his heart melts. He’s seen tiny tiger cubs, giraffes, and even has a bird of his own, but he’ll never grow tired of adorable, miniature animals.
Chuuya takes the blanket before reaching out to pet the llama, if she’ll allow it. He’s grinning like a fool.]
Aren’t you helpful?
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The blanket maybe got dragged around a bit, but at least was through dry earth; nothing that can’t be dusted off. And she is happy to relinquish it and accept her pats as payment.
Softly amused, Linneus comments from where he is seated, watching-]
...I half expected her to end up dragging it through the fire, to be entirely honest.
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That would’ve been a sight.
[Oh, Chuuya can’t resist petting those adorable ears. He does, however, do the polite thing and glance over at who he assumes is the little llama’s owner.]
Don’t think we’ve met before. Name’s Chuuya. What’s yours?
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[a light chuckle behind her hand as Lula pulls back and moment to shakes her head hard. But she's quick to lean back in for more touches to her ears with a brief, nasally bleating sound.]
She loves her ears touched, but it confuses her. The backs of her ears are a safe bet, though.
[a little nod at the offering of his name]
Chuuya. My name is Linneus.
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[Chuuya switches to rubbing the backs of the llama’s ears with a grin.]
I heard you calling for her earlier. Lula, right?
[A cute name for a cute llama.]
Pleasure to meet both of you.
[What a cute noise.]
Are you new here? Or a veteran?
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[with a light chuckle - who wouldn't, when she's contentedly leaning her head into those touches left and right, with more of those little noises]
I'm not sure I can call myself a veteran...! [musing as he moves nearer to make the conversation a little easier] I didn't come with the first group, but I've been here... about seven months, all told.
And you, Mr Chuuya?
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[He hadn’t brought the bird along for its own safety, because who knows what kind of crazy shit could happen planetside...
Wait. Mr. Chuuya? The only person that addresses him with any kind of due respect is Atsushi, so he’s caught off guard for a moment before the odd satisfaction sets in. Maybe he won’t correct Linnaeus just yet. For now.]
Been about three months. Still not used to all the weird shit that happens here.
[But he’s much more accepting of it now, at least.]
Nice of you to try helping the newbies.
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[so Lula was a bit of an adjustment, but he is grateful of her - moreso in recent days. She’s leaning up heavily against Chuuya now - pleased with her new friend.]
Three months... so you will have arrived after the winter celebration, then?
[oh, that means he arrived closer to Nithor’s festival, and the riots...]
I can only apologise for any... uproar you might have encountered. It’s only in recent months that it has got that way.
[the explosion aside, he means]
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By the Campfire's Glow
So we meet again.
[ But he knows Linneus, and the newly borne affection he has for the other man's company is too valuable to spoil over Dazai's growing desire to see what he'd look like with a deep blush creeping along every perfectly sculpted inch of his pretty face. So he reluctantly settles for a roguish grin, lopsided and languidly delighted at who his company is. ]
You're so right. I'd say it's advice you should follow...
[ Turning the tables on Linneus' attempt to cake-take those within the camp, Dazai takes the thin blanket woven of something downy and light, before carefully draping it around Linneus. The hem of his blanket's edges fall around Linneus' face, from forehead and cheeks to chin, framing it like a veil that has Dazai's mouth tugging into a expression that's undeniably fond. ]
But I'll happily warm you up if you get cold, Linneus.
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[...oops. He was surprised, in his defence. Pleasantly so, though, even if his smile is sheepish, because it is just Dazai, after all.]
Oh- it’s all right, there are other blankets and I can always--
[too late - a startled sound as Dazai catches him up in the blanket that is chased by a little of his shy laughter. All right, all right, turnabout is fair play, though he shakes his head lightly]
Well-- well, I suppose you shall be all right. So long as you stay by the fire.
[but the man’s back may still chill...]
...we shall have to turn you every now and then.
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Warming ourselves by the campfire sounds like the perfect solution.
[ His companion may be bundled up in the blanket, but surely he has one hand that's free enough for Dazai to seek out. And while it's in his nature to simply take when the opportunity arises, with Linneus he shifts gears and slows down to match a pace where every single gesture holds a world of carefully crafted meaning. So instead his own hand hovers within sight, imploring without words for his companion to take hold of it. ]
Sit with me?
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Of course.
[there are plenty of places to sit, if cobbled together - mismatched folding chairs, stumps, logs, the occasional rock circled around the fire. He lets Dazai lead him over, lets the other man choose where they sit.]
But you will tell me, if you get chilly?
[toying with the edges of the blanket. It's not large, but then neither of them has a particularly large frame either - it should fit over the both of them, but for now he carefully removes the section covering his head, letting it sit like a hood on his shoulders and back]
Have you been well, since last we talked?
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[ Those delicate fingers within his own are given the faintest squeeze, though it's less an increase in pressure than merely his thumb brushing down over top the back of Linneus' hand.
It's the only signal he'll give before gently guiding him towards the mishmash of assorted makeshift seating around the crackling fire. The rocks look unforgiving and those various chairs enforce a distance that's unsuitable for a night like this, so Dazai settles for one of the longer logs to guide Linneus toward.
Except that he chooses one with a tarp and blanket thrown out in front, with ample space between it and the roaring fire. Whomever was there before had been using the log as a backrest, while sprawling out on the strewn bedding in front. Which all together seems like a cozy enough place that he draws them both down to sit there. ]
I'm still in one piece.
[ Soon as Linneus tugs the blanket down he reveals a slight case of bedhead that Dazai is forced to chuckle over. And of course his free hand cannot resist reaching to smooth down the flyaway strands, sticking up at every angle. ]
That seems like a success story in this place.
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[returning that gentle touch and letting the man lead. The spot he picks out is certainly not objectionable, and Linneus is more than happy to get settled there, albeit with care - though it becomes clear that whoever set up the space before them was diligent in removing any rocks or sticks that might impede their comfort.
Well-chosen, Dazai.]
One piece is the best we can ask for, I suppose. [mildly - with that chuckle his hands rise to try to take care of his hair himself but, well, it seems Dazai has it. Better that he sit still under the attentions and let the man work.] So long as you haven't been getting into some terrible mischief? Trouble is no difficult thing to find here.
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Trouble does have a way of finding me. Even the terrible kind.
[ Not that his expression reads as particularly concerned. However bad things get, Dazai has forged through worse. And somehow, against all odds and every conceivable logic, he's still here.
And for the first time, in as long as he can remember, it doesn't seem regrettable. ]
Hm. I wonder if you'd try to rescue me, if I ended up in pinch~.
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'Try' is very much the operative word, you understand. I cannot call myself the most able rescuer.
[Linneus is under no illusions - he isn't the strongest person, even if he were a hundred percent, a little too delicate to attempt anything so dramatic as rescue. Then again, not every rescue is an entirely physical endeavour.
But enough of that - a light lift of his eyebrows, a teasing lilt]
...I'm starting to feel this is a common fantasy of yours, Mr Dazai.
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iii
So here he was, sitting on his own and watching the fire crackle. It was getting really late, and though the weather was getting colder, Reign didn't mind it at all. Vampires like himself prefer the cooler temperature anyway, and so he was quite surprised when a llama trotted up to him with a blanket. ]
Oh my, thank you.
[ Reign gratefully accepted the blanket and draped it over his shoulder, a kind of recognition dawning on him. ]
You're quite familiar, cute little one. I think I've seen you before.
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Gently, she leans her head into Reign's lap - to the sound of muted laughter from Linneus, seated near the fire as well. Does she get to be petted now?]
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Yes, you did a good job.
[ He glanced up upon hearing that muted laughter, recognising that shock of pink hair. ]
Linneus!
[ Now Reign realised just who this llama belonged to. If he could, he would have moved over to sit with Linneus. But Lula had her head on his lap, and thus Reign was bound to his seat. ]
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[hopefully Reign knows Linneus is not laughing at him?]
She is just a comical creature, I can only apologise...
[but it's good to watch Lula wandering up to strangers. The first few times she did it after he'd left the Sanctuary Linneus had had his heart in his throat, but he trusts her judgement a little better, now. Somehow she always seems to find the good ones.
More laughter, as she headbutts Reign's hands, gently demanding, but Linneus rises carefully and moves closer]
I hope she is not bothering you? I can have her leave you be?
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[ It was quite odd being called Mister, though if this was back in Reign's world, he would probably be referred to as Lord Fear or something.
Either way, Reign heard that laugh. He's a vampire after all, excellent hearing and stuffs. ]
No, she isn't. And it's nice to see her again. She was so small then, so tiny!
[ Well, still pretty small, much like Scorch, his own pet giraffe. With a laugh, Reign resumed petting Lula, occasionally rubbing her neck and under her chin. ]
Her name's Lula, right?
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[at least it wasn't Mr Fear?]
Maybe I don't notice, being around her all day, but I don't think she's grown much bigger.
[watching in indulgent amusement]
Not that there wasn't a growth spurt, but that was over with quickly. [joking-] I don't think I'd be able to get her back in the egg now...!
[and since Reign seems to be enjoying her so much...]
Lula, hug. Hug the nice man.
[because log-height is perfect for a miniature llama hug - or at least a hug the way Lula does them, leaning her head gently on Reign's shoulder]
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She certainly had grown, just a bit. I think all the animals hatched from the egg are all in small sizes.
[ Reign can attest to that as he chuckled with a nod. Scorch had a bit of a growth spurt too, and then he stopped growing. The small size was cute though, and Reign preferred it that way.
Now Lula's antics had Reign laughing as his arm came around the llama's neck. Being called a "nice man" had a lovely ring to it as well. ]
She's pretty intelligent as well, I see. How have you been doing?
[ Had Linneus been part of those kidnapped? Or maybe Linneus was one of the fortunate ones who avoided such a fate. ]
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[and although Reign is asking after him quite innocently, the question has him drawing up a little bit. He can't help it, it's a hard question and he would prefer the small talk - or the fawning over Lula - to discussing his present condition. It's a little too much connected to the recent past.]
I'm well enough. Bearing up.
[but that sounds too brusque in his effort to keep it to the bare facts. An apologetic shake of his head]
It was... a difficult month.
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