The soldier goes silent for a while after Daphne speaks, looking down as well. Suddenly, they look up again. “The wastelands. We can go through the ancestor’s cities here to cut through the snowy mountains. And- and maybe we can get help there? But I don’t know if the krill would accept us…” They pace around a bit behind Resh, seeming anxious.
(I think Resh and the soldier share braincel)
(But that would mean someone either lost a braincell or never had one in the first place)
(Also the fact that this went from funny crossover to “hey you need to run for your life from this psychopath because the writers thought it would be funny to annoy him :)”)
Teth looks up at Resh and the soldier, standing up. “Well… I guess there’s only one way to find out? Besides, like Resh said, it’s pretty much guaranteed that we’ll get caught if we stay here. At least we might have a chance if we go there.”
Daphne fidgets and looks down, letting the others figure it out on their own. I
won’t really be much help-
(If only they knew)
The soldier looks at all of them. “Then we should leave this town and get back into the woods as soon as possible. I can handle the guards posted at the gate if they haven’t gotten word of you yet.”
(evaporates)
Resh looks at the soldier and nods. “Well, let’s get going, then. Lead the way.”
The soldier nods in return. “Yes-… not sir. That’s not right. I don’t know your name.” The soldier shakes their head and turns around. They pat the wolf on the back to get her attention. “Come on.”
(the habit of saying “yes sir” to any vague order)
(Fabulous)
Resh laughs a little, then stands back as Teth, Tsadi, and Daphne start following the soldier. He starts following them shortly afterwards, making sure to stay in the back.
The soldier leads them through the streets headed towards the gate to exit the city. They make sure to avoid the main path—and any people who might see them.
Teth and Tsadi silently move to walk on either side of Daphne, while Resh looks around, tensing at the slightest of sounds. Daphne looks at Tsadi and Teth, blinking a few times, but doesn’t say anything.
The wolf switches between leading with the soldier and checking on Resh in the back.
The soldier is on edge the whole time. They’ve never done this before, not even with one person. And now they were trying to get four people and a wolf through the snowy mountains. They hadn’t even introduced themselves, or asked for any of their names. Well, they knew the Queen’s name. But that was different. They didn’t know her personally either.
(My guy I think everyone’s on edge)
Resh looks around, keeping a tight grip on the hilt of his sword. Why am I going through all this trouble for a random stranger I’ve never met- not really like I have a choice now, I guess.
Teth crosses her arms and looks around, clearly extremely tense. She’s unarmed in the worst possible situation to be unarmed… except for during a fight.
(My guy I think everyone is clearly extremely tense)
After a while of walking the soldier leads them back on the main path right before the gate. They gesture for the others to wait behind, and then walk through. They speak to a couple unseen people before gesturing for everyone to follow again.
(Sigh)
(:})
(I hate you ❤️)
They all quickly stop in their tracks when the soldier gestures for them to wait. Resh looks over at Teth, and Teth shrugs in return. They all quickly fall back into pace once they get moving again.
After they all leave the town, both he soldier and the wolf seem significantly more at ease. The soldier looks around at the group. "So… I haven't gotten your names yet."
Resh blinks a few times, then sighs. “Oh- right. Uh… I’m Resh.” He points to Tsadi, “He’s Tsadi, and the short one is Teth. Yes, I’m aware that sounds completely delusional, just don’t question it-“
The soldier tilts their head at him when he introduces himself, Teth, and Tsadi. They laugh at the last part of his statement, though. "I'm guessing you've gotten that reaction a lot. I'm Calian."
(ooo)
(That is a v cool name, anyway,)
Resh shakes his head a little. “You have no idea…” He tilts his head at Calian and smiles a bit. “Pleasure to meet you, Calian.”
(thanks i took it from Pinterest)
Calian bows their head slightly. "You too… Resh." I'll have to get used to their names. At least they won't be hard to forget.
Teth huffs slightly and looks up at Resh. “Why do you always introduce me as ‘the short one’? I’m not that short.”
Resh looks at Teth and narrows his eyes. “You’re tiny. And it’s easier that way.”
(Also it’s easier for me to write,)
(mlem)
Calian looks down at Teth. “Well… he isn’t wrong. By manta standards, at least.”
Teth glares at Calian and crosses her arms. “Shut up-“
Resh laughs and pats Teth on the head. “See, even they agree that you’re little.”
Daphne watches Resh and Teth for a moment, then speaks up. “Uh- I’m one of the shortest in my family. The only one shorter than me is my little sister, Evie… and she’s probably gonna grow taller than me anyway.” She shrugs.
Teth looks up at Daphne. “You’re the shortest? Dear Megabird, you people are giants…”
Calian laughs at Teth. “If you want to see shorter people, go to a butterfly village. They’re all-“ They gesture to a height a few inches shorter than Teth. “Most of them, at least. There’s always some outliers.”