Resh looks around at the settlement, watching the children for a bit before looking over at Calian. If those worked like the ports back home, all they’d need is a light source to activate. But it probably doesn’t work like that here. He goes back to looking around, particularly interested in the boats. Not that they were new to him, he's just always found them interesting.
(Wel Resh, that is how it works Calian just said it weird)
(They don’t have candles in their chests like you)
Calian looks around for a second before going up the steps to the port. Once they’re up there they keep looking around the settlement uneasily. We’re really leaving here this easily? They’re interrupted from their thoughts when one of the skykids offers their hand to them as a greeting. They touch the skykids hand and bow slightly.
(Random moths lighting you be like)
(Pfft)
(My brain is lagging way too much 💀)
(Burnt gums will do that to ya)
(Yes it’s definitely the burnt gums)
(they need to get on the boat)
(Shut up I’m dying over here-)
(I promise I’m trying to words ;v;)
(Hey! Guess what! Another shit response!!!)
As Resh looks around, he spots some soldiers in the distance, heading in their direction. They hadn’t seen them yet, but I think wouldn’t be long until they did. He narrows his eyes, then quickly turns to Calian, speaking in a low voice. “We should hurry.” He jerks his head towards the soldiers in the distance. “Don’t think any of us are in the mood for more fighting.”
Calian looks over at the soldiers and their eyes widen ever so slightly. They nod and make a little hand gesture. “Yeah. Come on, before they see us up here.” They move over to one of the boats that was starting to pass by and hop in, crouching down a bit so there’s less chance of them being seen.
(Both of them rn: 👁👁)
Resh nods and looks at the others, waiting for them to get into the boat before hopping in himself. He has to crouch down quite a bit to avoid being seen, along with Tsadi.
(wheeze)
The wolf hesitates for a moment before getting on the boat with the group. With all of them in there, it was a bit cramped. But the soldiers didn’t see them, or at least recognize who they all were if they did. However, they were still approaching the port.
The boat takes off from the port at a slow speed at first, but then increases speed the further away it gets. It begins to rise higher off the ground as well, and is off to their destination.
The wolf is laid down on the floor of the boat looking a bit tense and with her ears pinned back against her head. A wild creature on a boat flying in the sky.
(Noooo 🥺)
Daphne crouches down next to the wolf and starts petting her, half trying to comfort the wolf and half trying to distract herself. Petting the wolf seems to make Daphne relax a little bit.
(y'all mind if I just skip to the-)
Daphne's efforts seem to have a small degree of success in calming the wolf down, but for the rest of the journey she was still on edge.
It took a couple hours before the large coliseum-temple could be seen as they approached it. Even from a distance, the grand stone spires capped in gold shone in the sunlight. Torn red and blue banners hung from the outside pillars. Every detail about the building seemed to have a pattern of doubles. Even the three outsiders might be able to guess what was awaiting inside the temple.
(Oh nooo I don’t have to try and do a bunch of random filler stuff what a shame)
(Bitch do you think I’m complaining)
Resh looks at the temple, tilting his head slightly. With all the similarities between this world and ours, I think I wouldn’t be too far off to say the elders here are gonna be twins that share a single braincell. He could be wrong, though.
Daphne, who’s now sitting on the floor next to the wolf, looks around, then looks back at the wolf, whispering to her in Manta. ”It’s okay. We’ll be back on the ground soon.” She gently strokes the fur on top of the wolf’s head.
(Daphne and the wolf are besties now I take no criticism)
(Let me guess: ”He could be wrong, tho”)
When the boat reaches the dock for the temple, the wolf is the first to jump out of the boat. She shakes herself off and runs through the wide entrance to the coliseum, looking back at everyone as they exit the boat. She seems a lot happier on the ground now.
Daphne laughs a little when the wolf gets out of the boat and starts running, then hops out of the boat herself and waits for the others.
Resh hops out of the boat shortly after Daphne and the wolf, followed by Teth and Tsadi.
Calian exits last, following everyone into the coliseum.
It seems, Resh was correct about his assumption of the elder of this realm being two. At the entrance to the temple were two large statues, similar to those of the temple in forest. However, this time it was two different figures, really only discernible by their differing hairstyles and mirrored other features.
The coliseum itself was huge, and the dock they landed at put them in the middle of the snow-covered bleachers. The only way to go from here was down into the ice rink at the center and into the temple.
(Slippery ice,, fabulous)
(You really just scammed me out of the $10 I don’t have. You know you’re right)
Resh looks at the statues and sighs quietly. This should be interesting.
Once the group reaches the ice rink, Teth, Resh, and Tsadi all carefully step into it. Daphne hesitates for a few moments, then reluctantly steps into the rink, flaring out her wings and holding out her arms to keep her balance. However, as soon as she tries to take a step, she slips and falls down onto the ice.
Resh winces when Daphne falls over. “Oh, shit-“ He immediately goes to help her up, and she ends up leaning against him for support.
(hAh)
The wolf watches as Daphne falls over and huffs at her. If she were a person, that might count as a laugh. She has no trouble walking on the ice rink, even circling around the group once before running up to the temple entrance.
Calian is having their own troubles as they walk on the ice, but make an attempt and pretending everything is fine. You live in the snowy mountains, damn it. Get it together.
Daphne rolls her eyes at the wolf. “Oh, hush.” She watches as the wolf runs up to the entrance. Show-off.
Resh, Teth, and Tsadi all walk toward the entrance, albeit a bit slowly. Especially Resh, since he’s helping Daphne walk on the ice. He glances at Calian and chuckles. “You need help over there?” He thinks he deserves to be a little annoying. As if he isn’t always being a nuisance.
Calian glares at Resh and spreads their wings, then take off flying to land at the entrance. They look at Resh and shrug. “I think I’m doing just fine.”