[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/gD9rVru.png[/img][/center] [color=AC5FFB]Time:[/color] Morning [color=AC5FFB]Location:[/color]Near River Kingdom [color=AC5FFB]Interactions:[/color][@Jamesyco][@Alivefalling][@Dezuel][@Tae][@MissCapnCrunch] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1Z62x3Z.png[/img][/center] Risa was surprised at Elsea's words but she was glad the girl had respect for herself. She felt her anger was completely reasonable with the situation. Not understanding where you were or who to trust were both big burdens just on their own and Elsea had both on her shoulders. In those situations, it was always best to trust one's own gut. She followed after, taking Dionaea's hand to lead her after Elsea and Kyran [color=AC5FFB]"Dionaea, they may have found our location so we have to hide. Sorry for such a rude awakening."[/color] She came to a halt when they had all came to a hole. The water was receding out of it, revealing space for them to go inside. [color=AC5FFB]"Alright everyone, in you go."[/color] Risa squeezed Elsea's hand before she went in and whispered to her, [color=AC5FFB]"Elsea, I'm sorry you have to go through this. I know it must be hard but you're doing great."[/color] She had faith Elsea would be a quick-learner and even adapt well to the land. She and Jean could end up being a great team as long as they didn't make a habit of making each other angry too much. It felt like she was swallowed by impenetrable darkness inside. The aroma of moist soil and grass was a bit overwhelming. Cool water reached up to past her waist, making her shudder. It wasn't the most pleasant feeling not being able to see what her body was submerged in. She could feel her cape and dress sticking to her body. She didn't like this idea so much. Risa wanted to be able to see what was happening. If she was needed to go heal Jean or Elthrael, she'd be willing to risk her life and do so. If only she could stay above ground without being seen, she would. The wolves would no doubt sniff her out if she did. Risa had to once again be a bystander. She had sworn to herself she would never let the fear of death turn her into a coward. The whole situation gave her déjà-vu. [hider=Optional Flashback] The shadows of the branches and leaves of the thick canopy seemed to dance over the young fairy's face as the sun broke through the cracks and illuminated the small cave. The tiny body laid in the fur of the belly of the sleeping bear, resting in it in the way things appear to sink in deep grass, as it seemed to hug her frame. the long pink locks of hair sprawled across it's back. She wore a loose white dress that reached past her knees. her arms were wrapped around a bear cub that seemed to have his paws reached across her torso. Her eyelashes brushed her cheeks gracefully as she slept in peace. "She is sleeping with bears." The male fairy, with short, curly red hair, was not big on talking to himself. It was an event reserved especially for dealing with his strange eight-year-old sister that seemed to go missing every chance she got. Their parents worshipped her like she was the most precious child in the world and rarely let the kid stray far from home. For a while, he had objected but after finding her in various weird scenarios, he understood the need for the overprotection. He rubbed his temples as he repeated under his breath, putting more emphasis this time," She is [i]literally [/i] sleeping with bears." She had been missing since dusk of the previous day. There had been search-parties all across the woods for hours the previous night. Their mother had been worried sick and their father fit to murder someone. The male fairy was about twenty years old and reached the tall height of 6'3". His violet eyes matched that of the young girl's and he wore clothing and padding more fit for someone training for battle. He fixed the green vest he wore and moved slowly toward the strange scene, kneeling down with slow movements to slowly pull the girl from the fur. '[i]Risa, if I get eaten because of you, I swear...[/i]' He made eye-contact with the cub as he had almost plucked her into his arms, who glared up at him. He was clearly quite disturbed from his comfort. "Sorry." The boy whispered, pleading the bear-cub with his eyes. The bear-cub made a sound of distress, awakening the mother bear, whose eyes snapped open. She jumped to her feet and swung her paw at him, gripping Risa's back of her dress with her claws. The tug-of-war that started only last a good two second before the mother bear was gently setting Risa down on the cave floor. The bear growled at Helio, who stepped back with wide eyes. Risa awoke with a yawn, asking,[color=AC5FFB] "Miss Beary... what's wrong?" [/color] She straightened up on her palms, her legs sprawled on the floor in her spot. She rubbed her eyes and set her gaze on her brother. [color=AC5FFB]"Helio!"[/color] The child was on her feet and hugging the male's waist within seconds. Helio was a little struck with shock from almost being clobbered by a bear, but he managed to set his hands on her shoulders. Before he could properly speak to her, she was bursting into tears. Risa had looked around wildly, caught off guard by the day-light. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she began to panic. She had forgotten to go home. She had only meant to rest a little while. Her parents would be so upset and never let her play outside again. [color=AC5FFB]"Oh no I've been here all night! I'm sorry!"[/color] "Risa, we've been searching all night. You're not old enough to wander the woods on your own..." Helio told her gently, being interrupted before he could lecture her much more. [color=AC5FFB]"Miss Beary lost one of her cubs and now she has only one baby. He's very lonely and enjoys having someone play with him while his momma goes out to get food. I didn't mean to fall asleep here, honest!" [/color]She rambled as the bear-cub nuzzled her leg loyally. She sighed, her childish mind going to the worst possible scenario. They'd never let her go out again. She'd be punished forever! [color=AC5FFB]"Please don't make me go home to mama."[/color] The girl always had some astonishing explanation. Last time, a spider had seemed lonely so she had sat next to its web talking to it for three hours. Fairies were known for their natural closeness to the fauna, but she took it to the next level. Still, Helio could not help but laugh. She was so innocent and unaware of the horrible world around her, always so fixated on such little problems. He could dimly hear her crying and babbling in the background of his thoughts, as well as protesting his laughter. Glancing down at her, he watched her pout, clearly offended he was laughing at her. With a sigh, he finally said with a smirk, "Miss Beary, huh? That's the best you got, Risa?" Risa continued pouting, her arms crossing now. Helio began to wipe her eyes, saying gently, "See, I already told Hades to go tell them I found you. That means I don't technically have to take you home right away." Her irises widened, [color=AC5FFB]"Are you saying you'll take me somewhere fun?"[/color] "Only if you promise to not go out alone anymore or sleep with ferocious creatures!"Helio said in a teasing, sing-song voice, "If you don't promise, I'll take you right home! Then I'm sure they'll take away all your dooolls." He continued, drawing out his voice with a grin as he amused himself with his own antics. Risa was pale with fear. She was too easy to mess with. "Oh and I'm sure they won't forget about your books." [color=AC5FFB]"Okay!"[/color]Risa exclaimed, sighing in defeat. She shuffled her feet, her gaze falling to the ground as she muttered. [color=AC5FFB]"I promise."[/color] "Good because they probably weren't going to actually do that."He mused, picking her up and flying into the air before she could protest. She sadly waved to the bear cub that stared up in confusion and sadness. It was a little while before he had the child's legs over each shoulder and her hands on his head as he made his way through the busy streets of Roshmi. The market district was less impressive in its architecture, being inhabited by many lower-class Demi-humans. The roads were crowded with people interesting in buying from shops. The voices of the cluster of people became one united mass of incomprehensible speaking. A string instrument playing a joyful tune could be heard dimly behind it. The aroma of fried meats filled the air, making his stomach grumble. He was taking her to the market square where many musicians performed while others danced. He knew Risa would enjoy seeing it. Their parents were very much the keep-to-your-own-kind type, but he loved Demi-humans. They were so lively and fun to be around. Risa was watching all of the heads with big animal-like ears on top of them pass by her with curiosity. [color=AC5FFB]"Wow...These people look like Kyran."[/color] Risa observed, moving her head upside down to look straight into his eyes. Her absurd amount of hair made it ten times worse. Helio gently shoved her head upward as he moved forward. "Outta my face Risa, I can't see." Helio complained annoyedly, "You little weirdo." When her face was out of his view, the market square was replaced. However, he did not see dancing folk. Instead, there was a demi-human chained to a wooden pole. A dark elf with a whip was moving toward him while other ones seemed to be pushing the crowds back away. He swallowed, realizing this was probably the last thing he should bring an eight-year-old to. Helio was about to turn away rapidly with her and get as far as possible when he recognized the chained demi-human. It was his friend Bastian, a wolf-hybrid. They had been in a secret rebel group together for years now. He slowly set Risa on the ground, "Stay here." Without hesitation, he moved forward through the crowd, whispering to a few people along the way that Risa guessed he had been acquainted with before, as the dark-elf viciously brought down the whip on Bastian's back, invoking a gasp from the crowd and a cry of pain from Bastian. The whip crack had been loud and rather intense for Risa. She had flinched, but had been too short and far away from the mess to see it. "This is what happens when you don't respect Aklenroth! This man was found talking ill of our glorious leader! Behold what happens!" The dark elf roared over the noise, "I will whip ANY of you disgusting creatures until there is not one square of skin left on your backs if you even think of insulting his name!" Bastian spat on the ground in reply to this, glaring up at the dark elf, "You'll beat us for having opinions? What kind of ruler puts that into law? Beat me for all I care. It won't change how much of a coward you are!" Risa moved forward to watch as her brother moved in front of Bastian, blocking his way. "A valid point Bastian brings up here."Helio calmly interjected, making the dark elf's face redden in fury, "There is no law against him speaking an opinion. This is just random public humiliation. Unless you have any proof of him breaking a law, then I think the only one breaking the law is you." A silence fell over the crowd as his words sank in. "I heard him, you insolent insect..."The dark elf began in a low voice but Helio waved his finger in his face and then pointed up to the top of a building, where a few cloaked figures were coming to the edge to look down at him. "You see the spies up there? They've been watching this whole charade."Helio grinned as he spoke. They were some demi-humans who were in league with him and Bastian. "Imagine Aklenroth finds out you randomly abuse people in his name, inventing new laws that don't exist." He tsked after speaking, "Can't imagine it'd be pretty for you. He does like everything his way, now. " The dark-elf hesitated, uncertain about the situation. He finally unchained Bastian, "Don't think I'm not onto you, you... traitors. I know what you do and I will be back to claim BOTH your heads." He stormed from the center, brushing rudely past people. Helio looked up at the "spies" high-fiving each other and grinned. He began to help Bastion up, healing him slowly as he rested Bastion's weight over his shoulder. Risa moved over to join them, staring in admiration at her older brother, who apologized quietly to her. Helio could have been killed yet he had thrown himself into the middle with no hesitation. She wasn't so sure she understood why this had all happened, but she knew her brother was a hero from the applause of the crowd. One day, she hoped to be as brave as him. [/hider]