[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/fF6qBZj/Casii.png[/img][/center][hr][i]Deserted 1.1: Fixin’ to do things Right this Time
Four Days Prior to 1.5[/i][hr]

[center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo_JLyShcpw&ab_channel=HunterQuinn-Topic[/youtube][/center]

The Arboretum was the usual haunting ground for one of the only handful of Yasoi attending Ersand’Enise. Casii’fyret’alan had taken a big step in her life by becoming a student at the human academy. It was all alien to her. The stone grounds, brick buildings, and bustle of people, humans, everywhere had placed her out of her element. This wasn’t the thick woods of Mycormi that she knew and loved. This was the Yaniis' new world order if the folks back home were right and if they were, the world would be covered in stone and brick in a few hundred years. Maybe in her lifetime. 

The, albeit weak, landscaping in the Arboretum was the only place Casii felt any comfort. Everything here had a real stink of being artificially made and it made her skin crawl. Even her dorm was uninviting and instead, she often slept out in the Arboretum. She even grew a cloister of native trees and plants, densely packing her own corner of the park to create her own room. 

It wasn’t [i]exactly[/i] sanctioned but Casii wasn’t going to budge. Any authority that challenged her had apparently given up after a while, maybe giving her a pass as one of the few Yasoi students. She wasn’t sure what the deal was. Regardless, she would have her peace after barking at any of the Yaniis who waddled over to her enclave like they were gawking at an exotic pet. 

It made her right sick, same as the Yanii buildings. Thankfully they got the message she wanted to be left alone and they all stopped trying after a while. For a time she hardly braved a trip outside of her enclave but that was leading her down a path that wasn’t very fulfilling. Her grand na had told her to see the Yanii world and filled her with remarkable stories of what she could be experiencing. She wanted that and lately, she has been taking some big steps. None larger than this previous one: An invite to assist a group of students with their task elsewhere in the world.

Casii reclined in thought, sliding deeper into the great oak’s trunk as her continued to swing idly in the air. She ain’t ever seen a desert before and now she was going to experience it. 
[color=6ecff6]”Better be watchin’, grand na.”[/color] She muttered in quiet prayer to her passed mentor.

A nearby crow squawked in response and, for a moment, Casii mused if she was hearing her grand na, but she was attuned to nature well. Something about that bird was off. She turned her gaze towards the sound, catching a glimpse of the black feathered bird. Her eyes squinted to slits, studying the thing. 

It wasn’t a bird. 

There wasn’t life or warmth pumping through that tiny body but magic. Casii clenched her left hand into a fist, drawing magic but directing it towards the tree that the crow was perched on giving it life to and chemical direction to grow a sudden branch to impale the intruder. The bird made a distressed sound but it wasn’t the sound of flesh being impaled but wood being shattered. A soft voice projected itself just loud enough for Casii to hear coming from beyond her enclave.

[color=6B4D8A]”My, my. Perchance you could extend me an invite to enter your domain, then? We need to speak.”[/color]

[hr]Deserted 1.2: Deserted Lands
Interactions: Jocasta [@Force and Fury]
Two days prior to 1.5[hr]
[i]Casii arrives to the Refuge and is greeted by Jocasta. She is shown the Great Path. Casii decides to make it her home for the next few days.[/i]
[hider=Deserted Lands]
Casii hadn’t been through a portal before today. Now she could cross that off of her bucket list, though it felt no different than stepping through the threshold of a door into another room. Only this other room was wider than the grasslands of Mycormi and hotter than dredges of the warmest Dorrad day. Dryer, though.

As one of the few Yasoi at the Academy, she was surprised to have even gotten a summons to attend. She reckoned the Yanii wouldn’t rely on a Yasoi but here she was. Eating her own words. She also never expected a desert to be as… yellow as it was. Sand, she thought, was supposed to be little rocks and would be colored all kinds of grey. No vegetation. Well actually very little from her first glance around the Refuge where the portal had been summoned.

Little vegetation and whole lot of Yaniis. Casii tugged at her red and yellow tunic, a size too small to completely reach down to her waist line allowing the barest hint of midriff and clinging tightly to her lithe form. A light brown linen leggings reached to her knees leaving her shins exposed until her ruddy boots. 

A single half of a Jamb’ysp hung in her right cheek, puffing out a slight bit. She turned and spat a wad of black tar. She looked unphased but she bounced on her toes and ruffled her fingers across her leggings. Who the hell was running this show? The wheel chair, lady, right? Hugo mentioned something about her.

Stepping lightly over she glanced down at the woman known as Jocasta. She didn’t look like much but Casii knew never to doubt someone by appearance. Legends like Talit’yrash weren’t no joke. 

[color=6ecff6]”So err.. Just how bad is it?”[/color] She plainly put, turning to spit behind her, trying to keep her habit away from the Yanii’s sight incase she had one of those sensitive dispositions.

They’d come through another of Hugo’s portals and, as ever, Jocasta found herself jealous at his abilities. [color=ffdead][i]Maybe if [b]I[/b] got to live to a hundred seventeen, I’d have a shot at being a spacetime god too,[/i][/color] she mused flatly. 

The first had been an androgynous Joruban, the second a powergazer street urchin. This one was a yasoi. Jocasta blinked. After a moment, she shrugged. [color=ffdead]“There’s about a hundred feet worth of reptilian death somewhere out in that desert, a greedy duke on his way here to possibly raze the place, and about three dozen bitter birdies down in our dungeon.”[/color] She took a few errant chews of her chicle. [color=ffdead]“Another day, another adventure. Speaking of which, that’s why you’re here, right?”[/color]

Casii mulled over what Jocasta listed in her head. She hadn’t quite been that experienced with the world as maybe someone like her but was that really how these [i]always[/i] went? [color=6ecff6]”Oh that’s all?[/color] The Yasoi almost sounded bored but really didn’t know how to comprehend the extent of everything she was being brought to face. At least it seemed like she, and every other student tagged for this would be on the same branch. Right before it snapped, no doubt.

[color=6ecff6]”Yeeeaaaah, I reckon I can do somethin’ about yer problems. I ain’t a stranger to a scrap but seems to me yer in more for a scrap. Exactly what are yer thinkin’ we do’n just who in swamp’s pit do we have here to help?”[/color] She turned and spat once more.

Jocasta’s eyes flicked, imperceptibly fast, to the disgusting wad of spit and she expertly repressed a shudder. This yasoi was nothing like Verdi. Nothing at all. Still, she was… another capable person and beggars couldn't be choosers. [color=ffdead]“Six of us students,”[/color] she replied, [color=ffdead]“and more coming out of that portal” - [i]and asking me all these same questions[/i] - “every little while, plus about a dozen trained magic users here.”[/color] She set hands to wheels, backing up a bit so she didn’t have to crane her neck so much to make eye contact. [color=ffdead]“Big problem’s all the untrained ones.”[/color] She shrugged. [color=ffdead]“They’ve got the Gift in spades, but no idea how to use it, so we’re here to give ‘em a crash course.”[/color]

Sounds of play, training, and construction all blended in together. They weren’t too far from the central courtyard, and around a bend was the Great Bath and Gran Naranja, and eventually the gardens. Jocasta really didn’t have time for this, but she could appreciate being a stranger in a strange land and… [color=ffdead][i]We’re working on not being awful to people, right?[/i] “I can get you a room,[/color] she offered, [color=ffdead]maybe somewhere high up? Give you the tour?”[/color] 

Casii watched in obvious bewilderment as the Yanii wheeled back, never quite seeing someone get around like that. She realized soon after that she was probably way too tall and quietly squatted down. Her heels bounced in the air but the rest of her remained still on her toes. [color=6ecff6]”All fine and dandy to me. Reckon you got it figured.”[/color] Casii didn’t quite sound convinced but she was just as game at being polite as this Yanii was. 

Now the offer of a room made the Yasoi fold her lips in a frown. She couldn’t even stay in her dormitory for an hour, let alone some strange room here. The offer for somewhere higher up was appeasing but glancing up to the roofs of the buildings, Casii could see the heat radiating, distorting the air in their usual manner. She’d burn to a crisp up there.

[color=6ecff6]”You’n all got a place of shade. [i]Tree[/i] shade? I’ll figure out how I sleep then.”[/color]

[color=ffdead]“For the record, you’re getting a room just so we can say we gave you one. And when it comes to trees, there’s not much to choose from around here,”[/color] admitted Jocasta, rolling from hard-packed dirt onto tiles. She tucked her gum into her cheek for a second so as not to swallow it by accident. [color=ffdead]“Though there’s Gran Naranja, down by the bath.”[/color] She began chewing again. It had taken her all of two days back here to become hooked on the chicle again, if only to manage the incessant pressure. She gestured. [color=ffdead]“I’ll take you there, but if you sleep in the tree, you be gentle,”[/color] she warned, half twisting as she wheeled. [color=ffdead]“She’s been here for two hundred years and she’s… like a great grandmother to us all.”[/color] 

They made their way, then, out of the courtyard and around the bend, to where the younglings, all under twelve and still on four, swam and played in and around the bath, innocent to the worst of what was going on elsewhere. A colossal, gnarled orange tree, its fruit-laden branches hanging a mere foot or two above the water in places, stretched its shade across the area, leaves rippling gently in a light breeze. Names and little pictures were carved into its ancient bark, a rope swing hung from a particularly sturdy branch that Jocasta knew a yasoi might recognize as ‘palbor’ or ‘elbor’, and numerous chairs clustered around its trunk. [color=ffdead]“You can see why,”[/color] the tethered remarked, watching the yasoi’s reaction carefully.

Gran Naranja didn’t make a lick of sense to Casii but it sounded like “Grand” so it was probably their largest tree. In all likelihood, a pitiful comparison to the trees back home but to the Yaniis, sure.

She gave a look in reaction to being asked to be gentle. Just [i]exactly[/i] who did she think she was? She wasn’t no Yanii but let it pass for now. Following Jocasta around to where their Gran Naranja was rooted, Casii’s gaze moved from watching how Jocasta wheeled herself around to the tree. Every bit of it was studied and judged. It wasn’t like a tree back home but she could tell then and now. It was special.

Quietly the yasoi approached, running a careful hand along the trunk of the old tree. She reached out with a little mana, letting the leaves rustle in excitement. New growths of fruit began to bud while those that had been afflicted by disease cured from their sickly color to the more vibrant namesake. 

Casii reached out and grabbed the nearest orange and spun, sliding to plop down at the base of the tree. She peeled an opening into her orange and took a bite, displaying a rather smug satisfaction back at Jocasta. [color=6ecff6]”I reckon Gran Nan will be fine with me here, don’t you?”[/color]

There was something about the little display that irked Jocasta. She wasn’t sure why, and the person she’d been a week ago would’ve thought horrible, nasty things. Trust a yasoi to love a tree, though, at least. [color=ffdead]“So you’re a greengrowth, huh?”[/color] the tethered asked. She gathered a bit of energy to lift herself and let the gravity loop do the rest. She floated forward and sat on one of the cushions under the tree, brushing a hand fondly over its trunk. [color=ffdead]“Skyborn, here. It comes in handy,”[/color] she admitted. [color=ffdead]“Sometimes, I don’t know what I’d do without it.”[/color] Jocasta let out a long sigh, closing her eyes for a second and trying to just relax. She had people to settle in, training to conduct, facilities to repair, interrogations to run, and meetings with Amanda, Escarra, the other students, the Afortunado, and… She took another deep breath. [color=ffdead]“I imagine it doesn’t compare much to home, but I hope it keeps you centered like it does for me.”[/color] She smiled. [color=ffdead]“Jocasta, by the way. I think we forgot introductions.”[/color] She held a hand out.

Casii watched as if she were being treated to a magic act of Jocasta lifting herself from her chair and levitating over to her own spot under the tree. It was at this point, the yasoi removed her Jamb’ysp she had been sucking on, prefering to taste the orange without the sharp taste of tar in her mouth. 

[color=6ecff6]”Skyborn.”[/color] Casii repeated, carefully sounding out her Avincian. It was a new word for her but she could understand what it meant considering the levitation. Good to know. [color=6ecff6]”Think me’n you are just like yer Gran Nan here. It’s got its fruits and we got our family gift.”[/color] She offered lightly with a mouthful of orange in her mouth. There was some missing context in her allegory with the fruits being an advantage over other trees. Lures to spread their seed far and wide from animals that came to gorge themselves. Family gifts were the same way, at least in Casii’s nature themed comparison, but Jocasta’s second sigh cut off the explanation.

[color=6ecff6]”Casii.”[/color] She replied, taking another bite and offering a slightly sticky, wet hand back. All from the orange, thankfully. [color=6ecff6]”It ain’t like home but yer right. It takes a special sort to stay here like this. Toughin’ the heat’n everythin’ else out like that. Givin’ you’n all us somethin’ more than just fruit, ya know.”[/color]

[color=ffdead]“Hun,”[/color] said Jocasta, eyes darting from Casii’s sticky hand to her face and back, [color=ffdead]“You forget, these are my feet, too.”[/color] She held her hands up. [color=ffdead]“I need ‘em clean to push my wheels.”[/color] She’d seen the yasoi’s curious looks and imagined that they were both fairly used to being on the receiving end of those. [color=ffdead]“But I’ll give you a magic handshake, if that’s just alright with you.”[/color] She shaped a hand out of telekinesis, her precision something only a tethered or a true master could manage, and shook Casii’s. [color=ffdead]“Now, much as I could just stay here all day, we’ve a crisis at hand and someone elected me to deal with about half of it.”[/color] One more deep breath. [color=ffdead][i]In, and out.[/i] “I hope this helped you get settled. I’ll have someone come by in a few and complete your tour, get you up to speed.”[/color] She was reaching down, uncrossing her legs. Jocasta paused for a moment, about to lift off. [color=ffdead]“Give you a room you probably won’t use,”[/color] she joked. [color=ffdead]“And then we’ll get you training people, ready for that aberration-addled dragon. We’ll win.”[/color] The tethered took a moment to roll her neck. She was honestly well-rested. It was just stress, all of it. [color=ffdead]“Oh, and before I forget, I think we might have a greengrowth here. She doesn’t know much about her abilities, but she’s usually attached to this tree like you wouldn’t believe, and it always seems to grow better in her presence. Luisa’s her name. Now…”[/color] she began straightening her dress. [color=ffdead]“I have so much to do and so few hours to do it in.”[/color]

Casii looked down at her hand, confused for a moment. What was wrong with her hand? Sure it had orange juice and pulp on it but that was just the benefit of eating a fresh fruit. Still, the yasoi didn’t protest the exchange. In fact, it only made an eyebrow raise as it felt [i]exactly[/i] like a hand shaking hers. Not just any hand but a hand and grip like what Jocasta’s hand would have been. 

There was a quiet consideration as Casii turned away and as the other continued to speak, going on about her responsibilities it was clear to see her initial instinct had been right. There was nothing fragile about the wheelchair bound girl at all. She even had the underlining confidence. A low chuckle escaped from the yasoi’s mouth as she stuffed another bit of orange in her mouth to suppress her tell.

[color=6ecff6]”Send her my way. Actually, I’m sure I’ll see her soon.”[/color] She muttered dutifully as she pried apart the orange, spattering juice into her face. [color=6ecff6]”I could teach her somethin’.”[/color]

Before Jocasta could get entirely away, Casii raised her head, an amused smile returning to her face as she turned to meet the other’s gaze. [color=6ecff6]”You know, I knew yer tougher than you appear.”[/color] She chuckled again, quietly approving of the answer to her earlier question of just who was in charge here. She turned back to her orange, fishing out seeds and stuffing them into her bag. [color=6ecff6]”You’ll know where to find me if yer in need of me.”[/color] She uttered, shifting her attention to the messy corpse of the orange she was now dissecting.

Jocasta was already rising, her gravity loop beginning once more. [color=ffdead]“Tellin’ me I don’t look tough?”[/color] she teased, [color=ffdead]“With arms like these?”[/color] She flexed playfully. Side effect of using her arms for everything: they were huge. [color=ffdead]“Anyways, It was a pleasure meeting you, and thank you for coming here. I’ll see you when I see you.”[/color] She turned daintily in the air and was back in her wheeled-chair moments later. Then, she was gone.
[/hider]
[hr]Deserted 1.3: A Lion and a Deer meet  
Interactions: Ayla [@Ti]
Evening of 1.2[hr]
[i]Casii is about to fall asleep and Ayla was practicing her dancing. Casii thinks the little Yanii is silly but Ayla is very sensitive.[/i]
[hider=A Lion and a Deer meet]
With Casii’s first day coming to a close, marked by the setting desert sun, she had come to at least somewhat tolerate this place. This was entirely due to the Gran Nan she had claimed as her own for the next few days. If she didn’t want anything, she’d be here. If she wasn’t required, she’d be here. Thankfully her only assignment, that of instructing Luisa a bit on being a greengrowth. It wasn’t hard. The whole family gift revolved around being natural, at least as far as her opinion was concerned. She wasn’t sure a Yanii would get it but Luisa did fine, showing an understanding and maybe an improvement after an afternoon of trials.

That left Casii with Gran Nan to herself and an evening sun to relax to. Climbing to one of the more robust branches of the orange tree, the yasoi reclined laying sprawled out on the bark, letting her limbs dangle off of the sides as she looked out into the rest of the complex. She still wasn’t sure if she belonged but at least she had this.

The momentarily peace would easily be disturbed by the noise occurring by the pool where a light framed girl in swim clothes seemed to be humming and singing followed by the repeated splash as she fell into the water before her. To her credit, the girl is getting herself back out, then attempting whatever it is she is doing again.

 [color=7ea7d8]“It seemed so simple…”[/color] the girl muttered to herself. She tries again as she starts to sing a silent song, then like fingers upon a piano, the tones of the song play as she steps out upon the surface of the water. The girl makes some distance this time before the music ends with an uncharacteristic splosh.

Casii felt her eyelids grow heavy, fluttering in near sleep as she reached the height of comfort. It [i]would[/i] have been nice to fall asleep there but the plunge of water made her snap awake. A scowl folded on the yasoi’s face as she lifted her head off of the branch and scanned the Great Baths. A muttering voice was around and Casii dropped her head with an audible sigh. Guess she wasn’t getting any sleep.

She lifted herself and nimbly navigated over to a perch on a higher branch that had an unobscured view of her intruder. Another student, this one floundering in the water. With the same posture as before, Casii dropped her stomach on the branch and let her limbs dangle as she watched, trying to figure out what in tarnation this Yanii was doing. It wasn’t long before she hollered.

[color=6ecff6]”Hey Yanii! Yer gettin’ all wet!”[/color] She called out with a laugh, heckling the poor girl.

Ayla looks up towards the talking tree? It is at that moment she starts to notice that it seems a lot greener than before as she casts her eyes up towards it as she exits the pool. [color=7ea7d8]“Good thing that we are not wearing our Blancho best then.”[/color], she calls in return, before considering the situation for a moment. She does a silent clap of her hands, before it erupts, the excess water upon her skin scattered around her.  [color=7ea7d8]“You must be one of the new students from the academy, pleased to meet you. Would take your hand but…”[/color], she moves over to tug upon a branch tip, as if shaking the hand of the tree.

Casii watched from her perch as the little Yanii climbed out of the water and casted to dry herself off. [color=6ecff6]”Blan-cho? What are you on about?”[/color] She uttered giving a look of confusion since she wasn’t quite as knowledgeable in Avincian words. She didn’t really care for the answer and instead something became even more pressing as Casii witnessed the Yanii reach out and shake a branch on the tree.

[color=6ecff6]”You shaking Gran Nan’s branch… like a hand? Yer not very smart, aren’t you Yanii?”[/color] Now Casii just felt bad. She rolled from her branch, sliding off like a slug from her perch and down to a lower branch, adding a touch of Kinetic magic to slow her momentum enough for her to easily swing up and around and land in a low crouch at the base of the very same branch Ayla was shaking.

[color=6ecff6]”I’m over ‘ere, Yanii. I ain’t a tree.”[/color] She tilted her head giving Ayla a patronizing look.

Ayla offers a smile as she looks towards the strange lanky individual, [color=7ea7d8]“Did you say your name was Gran Nan? Used to have one myself, she had white hair too.”[/color] She takes one of the ripe naranja from the branch, then offers it towards the shy girl. [color=7ea7d8]“My name is Ayla, not Yanii. Is Yanii the name of your friend you are looking for?”[/color]. As she examines the girl closely, she starts to notice some uncharacteristic aspects of her appearance, [color=7ea7d8]“Do you happen to be… a yasoi?”[/color], she asks questioningly.

Casii could feel her head tilt the other way at the name confusion. Gran Nan? She was sure she said Gran Nan’s branch. [color=6ecff6]”I ain’t Gran Nan. Gran Nan is the tree.”[/color] She curled her hand into a fist, tapping on the branch she was crouched on. [color=6ecff6]”You were shakin’ the branch, remember?”[/color]

The Yasoi let herself fall back, plopping onto her bum and lounged against the trunk. She quietly took the orange, though not exactly hungry, but instead twirled it in her idle hands. [color=6ecff6]”No. Yer a Yanii whose name is Ayla. And yes. I’m a yasoi. What gave it away?”[/color] She mused, giving the orange a toss and catch. [color=6ecff6]”Goin’ too fast for ya, Yanii?”[/color]

Ayla frowns as she looks towards the girl, [color=7ea7d8]“It seems you are not used to interacting with humans. It is considered polite in our society to provide one with a name, and to address others by their name.”[/color] She takes a moment to breathe, then relaxes, and starts again. [color=7ea7d8]“My name is Ayla Arslan, it is a pleasure to meet you, Miss…?”[/color], she tilts her head as she offers out her hand, giving the wrist a shaking moment as to ‘hint’ what the custom is to do in this situation.

Casii’s eyebrows raised as she considered the reaction. Yewwie this girl really ain’t been around enough. Better to take it slow and now it made sense what that other one had asked her. Keep an eye out for this one and that other one like they needed help. Sure enough they’d need help if Ayla was the measure.

[color=6ecff6]”Alright, [i]Ay-la[/i], I am called Casii.”[/color] She reached out and accepted, even shook Ayla’s offered hand. [color=6ecff6]”But you oughta know, Yanii is what I call yer kin. It is a yasoi word for humans and I wanna keep usin’ it. Hope that don’t hurt your sensitivities’n all that. It’s just natural.”[/color]

Casii touted, flashing a smug grin as she finally peeled apart the orange she was offered and bit into it. [color=6ecff6]”Just what are you doin’ out ‘ere anyway. Water dancin’?”[/color]

[color=7ea7d8]“Do you prefer to be called Yasoi, instead of Cas-ee ?”[/color], she adopts the similar type of pronunciation as the girl, not sure if that is a typical yasoi custom or not. [color=7ea7d8]“It would have been rude for me to address you as such, you’re a person, a being, more than a thing.”[/color], she nods towards her, using her reaffirming talk, [color=7ea7d8]“... and in a manner of speaking, yes, was practicing water dancing. Getting better at it too. ”[/color]

The yasoi scoffed, shaking her head in a disapproving way in response to Ayla’s question. [color=6ecff6]”If you wanna be that way, I don’t right much care what you call me, Yan~ii~.”[/color] She flourished with her tone proudly, not taking a liking to being directly confronted like that. Back home you’d only start doing that if you were looking to start something and there is no way Ayla would survive if she was going to start something.

[color=6ecff6]”Yea yer great’n all but why bother with dancin’ right now? It ain’t gonna do much when a giant dragon eats you’n everyone else whole.”[/color] She took a big bite of her orange to play into the point but she didn’t believe it. No way was everyone going to be eaten. Only those smart or strong enough to avoid it. [color=6ecff6]”Maybe yer dance can distract the dragon or somethin’.”[/color]

Ayla frowns, as she considers the situation a moment, [color=7ea7d8]“You know, they do say bullies are cowards…”[/color], she ponders as she whimsically makes a delay, [color=7ea7d8]“Perhaps hiding in a tree and throwing barbed insults will take care of the Sand Wyrm.”[/color], the jab obviously referencing current events. [color=7ea7d8]“As for dancing at this hour, practice makes perfect.”[/color] Ayla moves her hands together as if clapping, only for it to be heard behind Casii’s head as an orange from the tree erupts, splitting as if crushed, spilling its juices, though Ayla deliberately did not use the one within the girls hand for her demonstration. [color=7ea7d8]”Perhaps we should retire to bed, rest is needed for the morning. Buenas noches, Cas-ee.”[/color]

Poor Ayla, Casii considered as she thought she’d be getting a lecture. That thinking was too pure for what life really was. If you were too soft, you’d be squished by everyone and everything. This girl probably never got squished but Casii wasn’t about to be the one to rob the sweet innocence of someone like that. She bit her tongue, ready for the lecture… and was pleasantly surprised.

No lecture but a little show of teeth brought a smile to Casii’s lips. She wasn’t mad or stung by Ayla’s words, rather amused by the comment even laughing through her nose as she dug into her orange a bit more. She’d only peel herself away from her orange to watch the little display of Ayla channeling her magic, sound bursting an orange nearby. [color=6ecff6]”Well shoot, should have just said yer dancin’ helped you channel. Lead with that next time to shut a few mouths up before they start.”[/color] Casii’s own lecture was starting to slip in as she took, quickly scarfed down the remainder of her orange in that next second.

[color=6ecff6]”I sleep ‘ere. I ain’t much like rooms or beds or buildins like you’n them all Yaniis like. But reckon we can sleep. Night, Yanii.”[/color] Casii offered as she dusted her hands together to wipe away any of the orange juice clinging to  as she turned to climb up back to her cozy branch she had found earlier. [color=6ecff6]”Oh and Yanii!”[/color] Casii hollered from her perch. [color=6ecff6]”Try’n not take things so seriously. It ain’t gonna work with us if yer gettin’ worked up all the time. I ain’t meanin’ [i]most[/i] of it.”[/color]

Ayla also recalls the other tale for when confronting a bully, they soon back down when they face any resistance. She silently continues to move over to her towel, covering up her figure as she makes her way out of the courtyard, offering a light wave of her hand in farewell as she leaves.
[/hider]
[hr]Deserted 1.4: Tangling with the Yaniis
Interactions: Zarina [@YummyYummy]
One day prior to 1.5[hr]
[i]Casii ambushed Zarina outside of her room in the morning. They suck on breakfast melons together. They clash over spitting versus swallowing and sasuage.[/i]
[hider=Tangling with the Yaniis]
It had been a day since Casii’s arrival in a strange new land. Deserts were honestly frightening at first and yet as her understanding grew, it became an intriguing place. They were barren of most vegetation from view but they seemed to be life defiantly clinging on in what she counted as inhospitable place. It was inspiring to say the least. How the animals and plantlife defied their circumstances and thrived. 

If they could do it, Casii could too. Starting first with figuring out just who the hell these Yaniis were that she was stuck with.

There wasn’t a particular order but considering she only knew two by name at this point, thanks to the bag of bones she spoke to a few days ago, might as well start with them.

Casii was an early enough riser that she beat most people to wake up. Dressing in a loose green tunic that dipped beyond her waist and a pair of cloth leggings that had a very basic pattern, she was pretty much ready for the day. Dawn’s first light was always a warming sight for her so she never missed that but after the sun crested the horizon, she moved to hover around the rooms where her classmates were likely waking. 

Perching herself on the balcony, Casii lounged delicately along the low wall in the open hallway. One leg was propped up on the wall, the other kicked from the knee down in boredom as she waited for her first target. Zarina.

She heard the door open and Casii turned to spit a wad of tar from her mouth as she shifted the Jamb’ysp from her bottom lip to her cheek to speak clearer. [color=6ecff6]”Mornin’ Yanii. You get yer beauty sleep alright?”[/color]

Zarina was taking her sweet time. As per routine, she was generally awake a good half-hour before the sun broke through the horizon and thus had some time to kill before she could do anything with the other residents. Today she took an early morning bath! And boy did she enjoy it. The light splashes and the loud humming were easy to hear from the other side of her quarters’ door, almost taunting anyone that would be waiting for her. She did, eventually, dry up and get ready for the day with a visage that was about as fresh as it got with the local insomniac. A little bit of covering up here and there and she looked normal enough.

Finally, the door opened and Casii greeted the Virangish with a drawl that Zaz did not recognize. Not that it mattered too much as the tall teen nearly jumped in place and gasped at the sight of a supposed stalker with a look she definitely wasn’t used to. Okay, she was exaggerating a tad, Casii wasn’t that scary and Zarina wasn’t really caught off guard, but it was rude to wait outside her door like that! Or so she thought anyway, [color=C78A2C]”Fuck!”[/color] she clenched her chest, feigning a near-heart attack, [color=C78A2C]”At least wait until I’ve had breakfast.”[/color] she looked around to see if there wasn’t a sort of ploy going on, [color=C78A2C]”... What’s up?”[/color] she inquired with her own, foreign accent, [color=C78A2C]”What’s a Yanii? Are you making fun of me?”[/color]

Casii brought her tongue around to shift around the Jamb’ysp in her mouth as she watched Zarina react to her sudden greeting. She wasn’t sure if it was a Yanii thing to do, but being attuned to life, she could sense the reactions to stimuli in living things. It got more diverse and complicated as the life grew complex. Plants had them, especially to the sun and water. Animals had them with favorite foods. Yasoi and Yanii and their emotions. So why the fright? Casii didn’t feel that to be right.

She spat tar onto the floor of the hallway as Zarina continued before finally opening with her questions. Casii spat again, nearly hitting the same spot she made earlier. [color=6ecff6]”Yanii means human.”[/color] She stated matter-of-factly, mulling over her regional word for human. It was a different term compared to the proper Yasoi language. Not exactly as flattering but it wasn’t anything bad. Just what they called them. The prospect of talking about her own kind had interested her enough to sit up. [color=6ecff6]”Err… I’m forgettin’ the Yanii word for it but only a small number of my kin’n I use it. It ain’t bad.”[/color]

Casii turned, shifting to face Zarina fully, bringing her legs up to fold over one another in a seated position. Her fingers drummed on both of her knees as she continued. [color=6ecff6]”’Fraid I’m talkin’ shit about ya, Yanii? I ain’t even know you. Yet. Figured I’d start.”[/color]

She turned her head and spat another wad of tar, this time outside of the hallway. She already knew Zarina’s name and a bit about her. At least what her sister was willing to share but it wouldn’t do to come forth with that. She had to keep that on the hush. [color=6ecff6]”So spill, Yanii. What’s yer name and all that?”[/color]

Zarina squinted at the Yasoi after a certain mannerism of her’s became a clear habit. The spitting was not a pleasant sight, and even less pleasant to hear. She set her hands on her hips, her posture making her appear as tall as she could before she spoke, [color=C78A2C]”Right. Human. What do humans usually call you? Or can I make somethin’ up?”[/color] her jaw shifted when she saw Casii spit yet another time. She did not like that at all.

The Virangish looked to her left, where the row of doors leading to bedrooms was, and then to right which led to a group of halls with the kitchen at the very end. Zarina pointed in that direction in particular, [color=C78A2C]”You mind if we move? They’re still sleeping. And I’m hungry.”[/color] less so now that she witnessed all that spitting, but she was a slave to her early day routines. She began to walk, turning her head slightly to see if the peculiar female was following or not. If she did, Zarina would blink and stop for just a small moment. It’d probably be the first time she’d meet a girl taller than her, or at least noticeably taller. Boy was she in for a surprise back in school.

[color=C78A2C]”I’m Zarina. Zaz is fine.”[/color] she spoke during the little stroll through the empty halls of the still sleeping Refuge, [color=C78A2C]”Yours?”[/color]

Casii’s turn to squint in displeasure followed shortly after being asked what humans called her. She didn’t think this Yanii had the best intentions if given her choice of name to call her. [color=6ecff6]”Yasoi. That’s it.”[/color] She injected quickly in reply.

She eased up a little as Zarina offered to move this conversation elsewhere. That was fine but part of stationing outside of their doors was to catch them all at once and get it over with. Now some might slip away and it would become a whole deal to track them down. Despite her reluctance, she lifted her shoulders. [color=6ecff6]”Fine by me, Yanii.”[/color]

Casii leapt up from her perch and stepped quickly to reach Zarina’s side, pausing with her Yanii. She turned and met Zarina’s surprised look, tilting her head wondering what that was about for a moment before finally getting a formal introduction. 

[color=6ecff6]”Zaz.”[/color] Casii repeated getting a feel for the sound before turning her head and spitting again. [color=6ecff6]”Okay then. I’m Casii.”[/color] She turned and continued walking down the hallway. [color=6ecff6]”You’n ‘em all in your group get along? I ain’t never met many Yaniis so don’t reckon I know how y’all get along.”[/color]

Again with the spitting. The cringe was more apparent on Zarina’s expression with some of her features involuntarily twitching at the sound alone. Still, she didn’t speak up about it. It was far too early for whining and complaining. She let out a loud and conspicuous sigh right after it, hoping the Yasoi could correlate it with the incessant purging of tar.

[color=C78A2C]”Casii. That’s a pleasant name. Sounds pretty …”[/color] she pauses, [color=C78A2C]”Yanii.”[/color] and then she chuckles before throwing a little smile over to her newfound friend. The not-so-tall teen paused to think though her legs kept going. The smell of the kitchen was keeping her going and it looked as though the staff was already preparing meals for the residents at this hour, [color=C78A2C]”I think we get along. Nobody’s tried to kill anyone. Yet.”[/color] she shrugged.

They got to the kitchen, and adjacent to the relatively large facility was a large dining room meant for the youths. Coffee was already at their disposal, so she took a cup and poured one for herself, [color=C78A2C]”Want some, Yasoi?”[/color] she waved a second, empty cup, [color=C78A2C]”Am I the first you’ve met, by the way?”[/color] she asked while pouring for Casii regardless if she drank or not. It was proper manners to at least leave such a beverage at one’s disposal, even if they weren’t too interested, [color=C78A2C]”If so, you at least got the rough shit out of the way.”[/color]

Casii’s lips scrunched up and eyes squinted as Zaz turned her word against her. [color=6ecff6]”No, it ain’t. Casii is as Yasoi as… everythin’ else.”[/color] She retorted, bordering between serious offense and light-heartedness.

She supposed that the Yanii group she got stuck with getting along was good. It wouldn’t do if they were at each other’s throats and somehow Casii had to mediate. That wouldn’t go well at all. Still, the answer wasn’t exactly what she had expected. Wasn’t Yanii supposed to be very communal and bonding compared to Yasoi? Like herd animals she’d often hear back home. Yet here Zaz was saying they weren’t exactly fawning over each other. Just getting along. That was confusing, she had to admit. [color=6ecff6]”Oh. Good’n all.”[/color]

The kitchen didn’t quite prompt her hunger. In fact, the smell brought a tinge of repulsion as she smelled meat being cooked. She was vegetarian, believing that plants gave food willingly. Animals didn’t. It was a complicated belief and one that did allow eggs to be eaten, at least. She bit her tongue but her demeanor changed when entering the kitchen. She was tense and clearly bothered. It didn’t help that they left the open air for one reeking of burning animal fat. All packaged in the Yanii made walls and furniture of their dining room.

Casii turned and spat. Her hands fiddled with her bag. [color=6ecff6]”Coffee? Sure, yea.”[/color] She accepted but placed it on a table, not taking a drink. [color=6ecff6]”Yea you’n the group here will be the first I talk much with. I ain’t talked much at the school.”[/color] She spoke fast, finally conceding to a baser instinct and swiftly reaching into her bag. She pulled out an unsplit Jamb’ysp and cracked the shell into two pieces, revealing the black tar she had been sucking on. She placed one half into her mouth to join the first while offering the other with an outstretched hand.

[color=6ecff6]”Want it?”[/color] She offered, shuffling and fidgeting in place before turning to spit again.

The discomfort didn’t go unnoticed, though Zarina clearly appeared somewhat apathetic to it. It was only fair that both of them were a tad grossed out and not just Zarina with all that unsanitary spitting. Still, the steaming, dark coffee would potentially help with that should she drink it, given how strong the stuff was. The Virangish certainly indulged in her drink however– she needed it with how little sleep she got most nights of the week. With a single ‘sip’ about a third of the cup was already gone.
[color=C78A2C]”Really?”[/color] she raised her eyebrows at the revelation that she was not only the first member she met, but supposedly the first ‘Yanii’ too? She didn’t seem quite sure what to make of it, so she ended up opening her arms with a halfhearted smile on her face, [color=C78A2C]”Well it’s an honor to claim your first,”[/color] she said with an abundantly clear sarcasm, [color=C78A2C]”and you’re my first Yasoi. Truly a romance worthy of the theaters of Perrence.”[/color] she chuckled and winked at the one sitting opposite of her.

Again, spitting. It wasn’t enough to ruin Zarina’s mood at this point, and with an offering coming from Casii’s behalf, she let it slide completely, [color=C78A2C]”What’s thi- Oh.”[/color] it was the spitting material. Zaz pursed her lips and just looked at the Jamb’ysp half given to her, [color=C78A2C]”Do you just chew and spit it?”[/color] she seized the piece with her thumb and index fingers, bringing it close to her face for a sniff, [color=C78A2C]”... Does it make your teeth look gross? Or, like, do I HAVE to spit it?”[/color]

Both of Casii’s heels tapped lightly and rhythmically on the tiled floor. Her fingers drummed on the wooden table, joining the quiet orchestra of her Yasoi fidgeting. It wasn’t out of discomfort but usual inclination for her kind. Her discomfort was still present in her face, scrunching her face every time she got a strong whiff of the cooking just in the next room. 

She’d scrunch her face again, but this time it was a reaction to what Zaz was saying. Romance? Casii had only understood that word in Avancian as the word to describe sexual partners. Was the Yanii joking or were they really light about sex? She eyed Zaz up and down as if she considered it as an offer but ultimately decided to let that line pass, hopefully sparing her from making an awkward response.

[color=6ecff6]”Yea, Jamb’ysp.”[/color] She waved it in front a little just before Zaz took it from her hand. [color=6ecff6]”Yea you wanna be spittin’. It ain’t the type to settle right if you swallow.”[/color] Casii started before entering a low chuckle as she considered a dirty implication of swallowing. [color=6ecff6]”A bit like suckin’ someone off. Right nasty if yer takin’ that in.”[/color]

Casii turned and spat again but used that to lead into reaching into her bag and withdrawing a melon seed. She placed it down on the table, pinning the top and bottom of the seed with fingers. She channeled mana into the seed. It sprouted suddenly and the green, healthy stock grew swiftly and in a matter of a moments it germinated, spawning a ripe green melon that plomped on the table with a thud. 

[color=6ecff6]”Here. If yer hungry, I wouldn’t pop the Jamb’ysp into yer mouth yet. Eat first.”[/color] She raised her other hand and curled her hand into a fist. She dropped it down on the melon, splitting it with a bit of Force magic deftly applied.

Zarina just stared at the chuckling Yasoi. Lips only slightly parted, posture unmoving and the coffee left to cool before it could be finished. It went from light humors of romantic tropes to [i]swallowing[/i]. The judging was off the charts, and slowly her gaze narrowed. This was awkward and she definitely needed a moment to ponder her strategy with this one. But, luckily for her, the Yasoi had something to ease some tension from the situation: A melon! … Sucking, melons. Vashdal help this lass.

[color=C78A2C]”Err, wow.”[/color] a curious hand reached out toward the newly formed fruit that had just been prepped by Casii, [color=C78A2C]”Don’t mind if I do.”[/color] she seized this opportunity to let that previous exchange just kind of slip by. Using her own force magic, she waved her index in a perfectly vertical motion, which would cut a piece of the severed Melon, and then a little curve with the same finger to detach the orange piece of delicious fruitiness away from the shell. Then, she indulged, [color=C78A2C]”Mmm …”[/color] she chewed, chewed and chewed before taking another piece.

[color=C78A2C]”This is fucking good.”[/color] she rapidly pointed at the opened melon, eyes wide with enthusiasm, [color=C78A2C]”How- just, like, how did you do that?”[/color]

Casii lifted her shoulders in a lazy shrug before reaching out to drum her index fingers on the melon she had just grown. [color=6ecff6]”Yanii call it Greengrowth. Castin’ leaks to other livin’ creatures so I just cast everythin’ into the melon. Easy.”[/color]

[color=C78A2C]”Easy she says.”[/color] Zarina mumbles. Her arms crossed under her chest and her back sagged against her chair as she let the pieces of melon levitate into her mouth whilst she listened to the long-eared newcomer.

She wasn’t hungry, having eaten the parent melon that this melon’s seed had come from just a moment ago. [color=6ecff6]”Savin’ the seeds though. Need ‘em.”[/color] The second Jamb’ysp she had taken was starting to take effect. The room seemed to spread out like looking through a fish’s eye while the colors saturated, bleeding over into the other colors and mixing. Naturally, Casii’s words were starting to sound a bit more slurred as her attention to keeping her Jamb’ysp from impeding her speech was placed to the wayside.

[color=6ecff6]”Better than that there kitchen stuff.”[/color] She gestured her head over towards the kitchen. [color=6ecff6]”Meat is no good’n gettin’ sick of smellin’ it. Don’t ya, too?”[/color]

The Virangish squinted at her Yasoi counterpart. The effects of what she had just ingested were becoming evident. A subtle brush of her hand over her side of the table had that Jam-grub be flung further away (although not on the floor, she’d be damned if a kid at this). The accent Casii wore was bad enough on its own, but now that it was slurred too, Zarina could only just stare in awkward silence as she only got about half of what was asked, only uttering a loud [color=C78A2C]”Uhhhh.”[/color] to pad out the moment, [color=C78A2C]”Yeaaaaaahhhh?”[/color] she shrugged with a clearly confused grimace.

Although, as fate would have it, the cooked sausages were about ready to be served and some were available on the buffet table already. Clapping her hands together, Zarina stood to indulge in some of them, plus some churros that came along with it and some freshly made, goat-milk produced cream, [color=C78A2C]”Want some, [i]yasoi[/i]?”[/color] she shot a smile at Casii.

Yeah? Casii didn’t believe the Virangish girl, but the Yanii would soon get the chance to prove herself. The food came out and the extra Jamb’ysp had done its part to dull her senses to endure what was a fairly uncomfortable experience. This was her seriously trying to get to know her Yanii classmates and she didn’t want it to go poorly. Zaz seemed alright by Yanii standards, Casii quietly mused as she watched her collect her breakfast. Hopefully she would understand that the Yasoi did not want to see…

Meat. Sausages, specifically. Casii cringed as the Viragnish brought one up for a first bite. The smell was puncturing now and the vegetarian retreated her hands to hide her nervous fidgeting. [color=6ecff6]”Can you not eat those in front of me.”[/color] Casii stiffened trying to sound diplomatic but her tone had taken quite the turn to be more severe.

Zarina was just about ready to dig in. Knife and fork in hands, the still greasy and steaming piece of meat was about to be punctured for an added dose of stomach churning aromas. But it seemed as though Casii’s speech was a bit more digestible when put in distress- enough so to get Zarina to stop and look up at her, [color=C78A2C]”Hmmm? You don’t like sausages?”[/color] she asked with a somewhat dumb look on her face. She was hesitant to just eat a piece anyway, because that sausage [i]really[/i] looked good. 

The Virangish opted to just drop the utensils, pushed the plate away and just plucked a churro from her tainted breakfast so she could at least enjoy that, [color=C78A2C]”Shame, they’re actually real good. Churro?”[/color] she waves the long piece of sugary carbs. Its shape resembled a sausage too, and the smell from both the kitchen and the plate really helped to imagery here, [color=C78A2C]”Extra good with the cream, too. Better than uh-”[/color] she paused, recalling her own nauseating experience with Casii. A quick dip in the cream later and she took her first bite from the treat, [color=C78A2C]”Mmm. Better than riding through the Torraro coastline.”[/color]

Perhaps under different circumstances, you know, without any gross looking sausages being around stinking up the room, Casii would have loved to have tried a churro. Instead, the offer was spoiled by the presence of something hated. [color=6ecff6]”No thanks.”[/color] She sneered, suspecting the offer wasn’t quite as innocent as Zaz was making it out to be. In retaliation, Casii instinctively turned her head and spat, having spent the past few minutes collecting a considerable wad of tar and saliva. 

[color=6ecff6]”Never been. One day.”[/color] She commented on it but quickly relented to her impulse to try and leave this damned room. [color=6ecff6]”You wanna go outside, somewhere?”[/color] Between the smell of meat, seeing sausage, and the double Jamb’ysp she had been sucking on, she was starting to feel sick to her stomach.

Speaking of spoiling, nothing was more appetizing than seeing a sky-high Yasoi spit a wad of Jamb-shit and mucus into the floor just a couple of feet away from you. Zarina’s facial features twitched at the sight. The accumulated sleep debt and natural explosiveness of her person brought her to a near-headache at such foul sights. The Virangish’s mouth remained slightly agape, her stare directed at the impact point of the spit. It was important for Casii to notice this, and when she did Zarina would turn her gaze toward the tattoo’d face before her, [color=C78A2C]”Is it some sacred rite from your people to belch literal shit while eating?”[/color] she too had her appetite ruined and tossed her churro onto her discarded plate with a rough swing of her hand. 

[color=C78A2C]”Alright, new rule.”[/color] she tapped both her hands on her side of the table and rose up, [color=C78A2C]”No sausages. But no more fuckin’ spittin’ indoors.”[/color] a very crude imitation of the Yasoi’s drawl, [color=C78A2C]”To ensure the safety and prospering of future breakfasts. Yeah?”[/color] a tad aggressive, but her restraint testified to her desire to keep some peace. The Yasoi was gross, but at least [i]tried[/i] to be enjoyable.

Casii followed Zaz’s appalled gaze to her spit before turning back to the clearly antagonized glare awaiting her. The Yasoi found her teeth clenching as the Yanii made a stab at her race, not quite understanding that is more meant for her. In hindsight, it was silly to get worked up about but there was a lot going through Casii’s head. It was difficult to search through the rationale part while stressed at the very moment.

Of course when Zaz rose up, Casii rose up as well, her chair sliding away in a rush as she was prepared to meet whatever Zaz intended. It was a common enough thing for her to fight back home and Casii believed if this Yanii was moving to try her luck, she’d be ready. It wasn’t quite as aggressive and the Yasoi only kept her glare trained on Zarina’s face, eyes darting around as if searching for something.

Zarina was about ready to square off as body languages were getting a bit too aggressive. Was the Yasoi going to leap onto her? Humans seldom dealt with them these days, so extra twitchiness was to be expected.

Casii would relent, her expression easing slightly. [color=6ecff6]”Fine. No spittin’. But pardon me if I ain’t much of an indoors person in the first place.”[/color] She withdrew a few steps from the table. [color=6ecff6]”Enjoy your breakfast in peace.”[/color] With that, Casii turned and walked out. Once outside and back out in the open space, she spat another wad of tar into the courtyard before heading off to her sanctuary she carved out of herself.

The Virangish relaxed the moment Casii complied and abandoned all stiffness in her disposition. The tension in the air had lightened at the very least, [color=C78A2C]”Aye. Enjoy the cool morning air before it chokes with the heat.”[/color] she didn’t stick around and packed some of her food and coffee to enjoy in her quarters. Zarina didn’t quite feel like dealing with people this morning after all.
[/hider]
[hr]Deserted 1.5: Call to Action
Interactions: The Deserted Group
Present[hr]

[center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pR4uWxbuoo&list=RDEMfdWp3WYHwHj8h6BB6u8EGg&index=29&ab_channel=OsiandTheJupiter-Topic[/youtube][/center]

Casii felt the world around her rush into view as she awoke. The Great Bath was still cloaked in the veil of night but she had a feeling that dusk would be arriving soon.The yasoi stirred to life, uncurling herself from her nest up in the Gran Nan orange tree. She threw off the blanket she had helped herself to the previous night. As it turns out, the desert gets cold at night but nobody ever talks about that.

Rising to her feet, Casii stretched her long body out and moved to get herself awake and to check to see how the rest of the Refuge was doing. She navigated the branches to face more into the Great Bath’s alcove, making sure to give each of her newly planted orange trees a once over. Several new orange trees were introduced as noninvasive as she could help it. They made the Great Bath feel closed off with the new additions acting as a perimeter wall. These trees weren’t as impressive but they did bear fruit and Casii would use them instead of Gran Nan if she required the mass.

It helped to have another greengrowth and teaching Luisa the intricacies of managing her family’s gift had afforded Casii the ability to go wild. Looking beyond her new trees, the Refuge seemed to be stirring to life this early in the morning. A night’s watchman ran past, his lantern weakly flickering from lack of care to add more fuel. 

Casii squinted, crouching low as she considered the sight. They should be sluggish at this hour, not that energetic. She mulled it over in her head and decided to slip away from her commandeered nature reserve to further investigate.

She moved, light on her feet, to furthest branch reaching just enough to packed wall of orange trees. Leaping onto one of those tree’s branches, she moved from tree to tree until eventually reaching the staff’s patio. From there she climbed up to the roof of one of the buildings and ran across towards the front of the Refuge.

It wasn’t hard to notice in the great distance of nothing but sand, a few lights on this still dark morning. A collection of Yanii soldiers marched, lanterns held by some lighting their way. They were making no secret about their arrival, likely messengers arriving. A prelude to the soldiers she had been briefed about. 

Quietly, the yasoi exhaled coming to a stop and turned around. She reached into her bag and pulled out a roll of smokeleaf sticking one end into her mouth while she climbed back down to the staff patio. A lantern had been graciously provided and present for her to take the smokeleaf joint, light it using the flames of the lantern. She took a great puff, smoke exhaled through her mouth as she climbed to the patio railing. She sat on the edge, looking out at the Great Bath that had pretty much been her home this past day, admiring the bits of overgrowth she and Luisa had done. It felt a bit like home and this felt like one last admiration.

It was going to be a long day.