QUEST II

[thecanopycrew]

Who leads the Night?
Who leads the Day?
Join their hands before the Heart of the Tree.

For a gift of fire, pour the lifeblood of the oldest over the youngest.

Comments

[princeandscholar]

I-I don't know... [And he's just going to lie back on the floor.] S-someone check the Tree over... make sure everything looks all right...

[nullity]

[ that's good, you lie there and rest! ] I'll check! It's okay. [ he briefly puts his small hands on orcelito's arm, hoping to bring some small comfort, before standing and heading for the tree. just what sort of state is it in now? ]

[princeandscholar]

[Orcelito appreciates the gesture. He'll probably still be lying here when Nai gets back. He has the most splitting headache right now...]

[dragonblood]

[ nai will be gone for a while because he truly wants to make sure the tree is alright. that gives enough time for riona to come out and see what all the commotion is about, and who does she see amongst those gathered near the ground floor? and actually on the floor? ]

Orcelito! [ riona races over. she's accompanied by ninna, who settles close to the boy and is just as concerned as her host. ] What happened, why is everyone panicked? What did you do?! Are you hurt, where does it hurt?

[thecanopycrew]

[Nai will find that the tree is pretty okay, even if small objects may have fallen over and there's a lot of leaves outside.]

[princeandscholar]

R-Riona... [He almost wants to laugh. What is she doing here?] I'm sorry... my plan... it didn't work... how bad is the Tree? Is it okay? [Articulate? What's that? He looks dazed, like someone who has a concussion.]

[dragonblood]

[ it'd be a miracle if everyone wasn't already gathered here. how can she stay out the way after something like this has happened? she'll be yelling at you later, mister. ]

I don't— I don't know about the tree right now, what about you? What's wrong with you, are you bleeding somewhere? I want to help.

[princeandscholar]

[Orcelito reaches up a hand to touch her arm.] I need you to get... [He looks confused suddenly.] No. I'm sorry. I'm... I don't think it broke the skin... [He takes his hand away. His other one, the one he grabbed Kit's gem with, is too numb to move] It felt like... it just hurts everywhere...

[dragonblood]

[ if he were bleeding or burned, she could have helped in some way—a little trick she learned after traveling with a mercenary—but it's good to know he isn't going to die or anything. ] Oh, well...then just stay there. What do I need to get? Tell me what to do, Orcelito.

[ anything to make this situation because there are some people in pain, others all over the tree like they're preparing for a fight, a few others just gathered around. it's all a mess, but since orcelito's involved, she'll try to help. ] Where's Kit?

[princeandscholar]

[.. Do? He hasn't the faintest idea. He's never been zapped by a gemstone before. If this was the castle, he'd be lying in a bed wrapped in blankets getting checked over and drinking some awful tea. But here? He just... can't think of anything.] Let me lay here until my head clears... [That sounds reasonable.]

Kit went to check on Chime... I think something may have happened up there...

[dragonblood]

[ she nods, agreeing completely. then she looks up when he mentions it and frowns. ] I'll take a look. Don't do anything stupid again, all right? I'll be right back. Ninna, come!

[ she pats his arm once before standing up and gripping her gem so she can fly up and check on kit and chime, with ninna following closely behind. ]

[princeandscholar]

[He watches her leave, then closes his eyes. He wants to join everyone, but right now he just needs a few moments...]

[nullity]

[ eventually nai returns to orcelito and if he's still on the ground, will fall to his knees beside him. ] The tree is okay, it didn't get hurt. The floor's all messy though, we have to clean up later! [ he says that as if it's just as important as anything else going on in the tree. and hey, it is. ] Is Orcelito okay?

[princeandscholar]

[Orcelito listens carefully, as well as he can through this haze of pain. It's a relief to hear that the Tree is intact and safe. He manages a smile.] I will be. Thank you, Nai, for checking on the Tree for me.

[nullity]

You're welcome. [ he nods and smiles back but only for a short while before he places a hand over orcelito's. perhaps an overly familiar gesture between strangers, but such concepts have little meaning to nai. ] The tree's not hurt but some people are. Why?

[princeandscholar]

[The gesture doesn't bother Orcelito; the touch and warmth of Nai's hand brings him a little more to his senses. It's comforting.]

Some people are hurt? [Orcelito narrows his eyes - he's not squinting in pain this time. Oh no... were people besides himself, Kit, and Hakuryuu injured?] I'm sorry, Nai. It wasn't your fault. Don't worry.