[i][u]Caleb, Robyn, and Valencia[/u][/i]

Cináed's eyes widened at hearing both Valencia's and Caleb's comments about his sopping state. And by god, was that a [i]blush[/i] warming his cheeks? Narrowing his eyes to a glare, he lifted his staff and slammed the end back into the ground. A plume of flame erupted around him, and steam billowed through the smoke. When the fire dissipated, Cináed stood before them perfectly dry – and oddly fluffy. His hair was puffed up and frizzy from the humidity.

[color=orangered]"Bah!"[/color] He brought a hand up to his black hair and roughly tried to settle it. Then he looked back down at the group as though it was their fault. [color=orangered]"It's your fault I had to get wet in the first place,"[/color] he accused. [color=orangered]"Idiots messing with the river sprites,"[/color] came a grumble, directed towards the group who'd passed over the bridge earlier. Then he glanced at Caleb. [color=orangered]"And you're not Stalker. You're Lurker. You were lurking."[/color] The glow of the levitating bead.

[color=orangered]"…Huh."[/color] Without blinking, fire appeared around him again, and in the next moment he was standing oposite Valencia, on the other side of the bead. [color=orangered]"That's… not normal."[/color] Cináed reached out a hand, slowly moving to touch it. When the pad of his middle finger met the bead, the glow turned blindingly white for a moment before dying away just as quickly. The bead blackened and turned to ash, blowing away in a breeze. Cináed just stood there for a moment, frozen. He blinked at where the bead had been before his eyes focused on Valencia standing directly across from him. Then he looked to Robyn and Caleb. [color=orangered]"That's not supposed to happen."[/color]

[@jordy0403][@LizLegend][@ariplotter]

[hr]
[i][u]Jacob[/u][/i]

[color=hotPink]"I can do more with one hand than most can,"[/color] came the girl's strained reply. But even through the pain, there was something haughty and proud about it. She turned her focus to the knife she'd flung against the tree, and it yanked itself free from the bark. It zipped through the air and returned to her bloodstained palm – cutting dangerously close to Jacob's cheek as it did so. The corner of her mouth quirked up for the smallest moment, and an eyebrow twitched up. Then the pain was back and she looked down at her bag in his hands. 

A small tin lifted out of it and placed itself at her feet. It opened, and her knife floated down to slice out a dollop of some minty green salve. The flat of the blade lifted and went to work, smoothing the mixture over her shoulder. She leaned her head back against the tree and squeezed her eyes shut. Then the dagger dropped to the ground and she opened her eyes.

[color=hotPink]"I need to stand,"[/color] she announced, and grabbed Jacob's wrist without warning. The girl yanked with surprising force, and it was a struggle for Jacob to stay upright, let alone support her. Finally, after a grueling affair, she managed to stand. Almost as soon as she was up, she shoved Jacob away with her free hand. The force of it pushed her back against the tree, and she had to lean on it to stay upright. Panting from both the effort and the pain, she hissed through her teeth. Her hand slammed back onto her shoulder, the green salve mixing with her blood in a muddy concoction. But at least it seemed the blood had almost stopped flowing. 

She was a little thing, short and slight. But then she turned her sharp eyes back on Jacob. [color=hotpink]"Give me the bandage roll in the inner pocket,"[/color] she commanded.

[@Night_ Star]

[hr]
[u][i]Luce[/i][/u]

Luce was awakened by the sound of heavy footfalls echoing through the tree house. Early dawn light filtered through the windows as a shadow passed between them. The feet stopped just next to Luce.

[b]"She's a sprout,"[/b] came the old woman's voice, after a moment from far to Luce's left. [b]"Found 'er last night."[/b] There was another long pause.

[color=darkgray]"You sealed me out,"[/color] came a man's quiet voice finally. It was said as a flat statement, without accusation.

[b]"You know the rules, Rowan,"[/b] said the woman. And apparently, he did, because nothing else was said on the matter. The man, Rowan, stepped away from Luce's side to move around the house. [b]"She's not staying here. You'll need to take her to Nocklin."[/b]

[color=darkgray]"Too rough. A sprout won't last."[/color] The reply was quick, but said in the same flat tone. [color=darkgray]"Gengy would be better."[/color]

[b]"Hell, you wanna add another week to your trip you can take her to [i]Lasting City[/i] for all I care."[/b] The man gave a small huff, but was otherwise quiet. But then Luce felt the old woman's cane nudging her awake.

[b]"C'mon sprout, up you get,"[/b] came her gravelly voice.

[@alina13]