thehometree | Welcome Back, Adventurers!

[ he certainly did, and she'll probably say it a few more times because it's just that unbelievable. but a good unbelievable! because as orcelito goes on, her smile solidifies and she gets a little excited. to be near people again and not have to worry for her safety, was something she wondered if she would ever experience again. and now here she is, living a life similar to her old one in an entirely new place. ]

Siblings... [ she did mention that once, didn't she? ] Maybe...! I'm very curious. Mhm... Kit would be a younger sibling, I think. And you the older one? [ on that note— ] How old are you?

[Orcelito is excited too… and nervous. He’d never had a roommate before. Now he has two.

When he first moved into his house, he was determined to hold onto his newfound privacy and freedom. But… ah, that got lonely pretty fast. He was so used to having others around. Besides, there was only so much room in the Tree, and he couldn’t leave a little girl like Kit out in the cold halls by herself!

It was a risk. And it’s been a challenge. But he has grown accustomed to it, and now he feels there’s enough space to welcome in Riona.

The question of his age brings up his lingering surprise at the passing of time. Because if it’s midsummer that would make him…]

I’m seventeen.

[ she's surprised and not surprised at the same time, if that makes any sense. surprised from hearing the actual age, but not surprised because a high age is what she expected. ]

You're an adult... I always thought so. You can do so much on your own already. And you know so much. There are so many things you've taught me. Now I know why you're so smart. [ she nods matter-of-factly while saying that. ]

[He smiles – a controlled, even smile – and accepts the complements with a graceful nod.]

Thank you. Your regards are kind.

[He is surprised to be called an adult, as he is not eighteen yet. But perhaps to someone young, he does come across that way. The past year has forced him beyond childhood into his kingship. And because of that, he finds himself with an increasing respect for others who have by circumstance had to take on adult responsibilities early in life.]

You seem quite independent as well. Living in the forest has clearly taught you much.

[ she smiles a bit at the gratitude, but it fades into a look of curiosity. those words remind riona of a realization she came to when she first arrived at the tree. while the compliment itself is kind, it isn't exactly true. ]

Do you really think so...? [ she looks down at her place and picks at the piece of cake. ] I've actually... Well, I've lived in the forest my entire life, but I've never been alone. There was always someone there with me. One person, maybe two. [ she pushes her lips to the side. ] I wasn't allowed to leave but I'd sometimes try. When they eventually found me I'd say I just got lost in the woods but that wasn't always true.

[ then she got older and learned the reason she couldn't leave, and accepted it. ] If I seem independent, it's because this place feels like home. But if I went to one of those towns you talked about, I wouldn't even know where I'm supposed to walk.

[ for a girl her age, that's a remarkable moment of clarity. but she's had the opportunity to think about it all, so it was only a matter of time. in any case, that was rather candid. goes to show how comfortable she feels around orcelito now. after a second or two of silence, she peers up at him. ]

You're four years older than I am.

[Not being alone is understandable; she is young. The fact that she was unable to leave, moved frequently, and confined to the forest perks his interest. Not for the first time he wonders who she might be… or perhaps, what she might stand for.]

I wasn’t left alone at your age either. Adults are like that. [He smiles, as though it’s a secret trait that only children know of their guardians. For him it is, perhaps, a bit more personal.]

I was raised in a town but, truthfully, it did not prepare me for this. The rules there were… very different. [He frowns a little, shifting his weight to the side and holding his arms close; the plate remains perfectly balanced.] In a town, there are people to do everything for you. I never had to make my own paper or fix my meals. Much of what I’ve learned here has been new.

[He readapts a smile for her.] You're quite capable for thirteen, then! I couldn't have lived on my own at that age.

No, I know you could. I have a good feeling. [ she really does believe he's very smart and talented, and that if he puts his mind to it, he could survive anywhere. maybe it's an embellished view of orcelito, but it's definitely out of respect. ]

Adults are always like that. But you're different from them, at least. So are a few of the ones here...it's strange, really. [ she pauses before continuing. ] What do you mean, people do everything for you? Are those...servants I think? Or slaves?

[ the words and meanings aren't foreign, but she actually hasn't seen either one in the flesh. ]

[Embellished? Very. But flattering? That too. He doesn’t believe her; he won’t allow himself to. But he accepts her regards gracefully as the admiration it is intended to be, as he does for his own sister.]

Yes, my family has hired servants. I've grown up with them. They do all of the household chores and take care of the grounds.

[That shouldn’t sound suspicious; it’s fairly obvious from his jewelry and manners that he comes from a wealthy household, and the wealthy always hire servants. Perhaps it is the same in her world. As for slaves… there are those too, but he doesn’t want to talk about it.]

Also, because there are many people in a town, you don't have to provide everything yourself. Remember I told you about markets? Farmers bring in harvested food, and craftsmen create things, and weavers make fabric... if you need something, you can buy it.

[ she listens attentively. so he has servants... she remembers being told she'd have a castle's worth of servants for her own, but that definitely didn't stop her from trying to get things done by her own power. and now she won't have any chance but to continue learning from there. ]

I remember. Mhm... So that's why they sell their things out in the open, like Chime's shop. It's for everyone to share. [ or buy, rather, but she gets the idea anyway. ]

Is that normal? To have servants? If they're doing everything for you, what does your family do? I think, ehm...you said your brother travels the lands. And your sister hasn't decided. What about your parents?

[ asking for too much? maybe, but riona is more concerned about learning how his world works. ]

[He nods] It is normal for landowners to have servants, yes. Having servants frees us to do our work, whether that is managing a business or overseeing territory.

[He’s expected someone may ask about his parents sooner or later, so he has an answer prepared.]

My father manages our land and other assets. My mother passed away some years ago. But she assisted my father in his work.

[It’s not a lie. It’s not the truth. But it’s all he can give her and still keep his identity a secret.]

[ she takes this news with a relatively calm expression. so he's missing a parent too. ]

Are they...administrators, like you? [ she pauses, her expression shifting into one of contemplation. ] Managing land and assets sounds like...like nobility. I've never met a noble, but I know what they're meant to do. They serve their king and are granted land, titles, and coin in return. They're servants themselves but they're wealthy enough to buy servants of their own. And...they aren't like others. Like the common people. Farmers or blacksmiths. They're loyal to their king too but they're aren't nobility. I think the difference was...

[ she pauses, trying to remember her studies. but she's blocked so much of it out, and she also doesn't particularly want to remember what she had to learn to prepare to rule dragua. it was all such a waste of time in the end. so she exhales before her features turn somewhat serious, and she looks up at orcelito. ]

Did your parents enjoy it? Managing businesses and assets.

Mm, yes, that was one of their many duties.

[He watches her puzzle it out, considering. While he can’t reveal his status as royalty, he could at least tell her that he is nobility. She’s not the sort who would take advantage of it – nor could she in this world. Without his title, lands, and authority, there are no privileges in being associated with him.

At the same time, she appears to have had negative experiences of some sort with her country’s governing system. As the nobility factors heavily into the actions of a monarch, he suspects her opinion of them might not be high. If it would be easier for her to think of him as being unassociated with a governing body… he will let her opinions stand as they are.]

They did. [He gives a wistful smile. Perhaps it is nostalgia that makes him speak in past tense. His tone conveys a great respect.] My father was an excellent leader and my mother very kind. They were a great influence in our country.

[ expression unchanging, she's quiet as he answers. he's smiling, but it's not the happy smile he's shown before, and it makes her curious—as does his use of past tense which she also notices. ]

They aren't anymore?

[… Oh no. He slipped up, didn’t he? Orcelito's shoulders stiffen and his eyes widen slightly – but he recovers immediately.]

Ah… well, my father is sick right now. [He is careful to keep his tone calm. His feelings are stuffed deep down and they’re not surfacing anytime soon.] In his absence, I took over his responsibilities. Just until he recovers.

[ she blinks, surprised at that second-long change in orcelito. did she...say something wrong? maybe he doesn't want to talk about it. now that she thinks about it, she's prying. she knows she wouldn't be so eager to speak of certain matters if their positions were reversed. ]

Oh... [ she wonders how she can improve the mood again. ] Well... He must be relieved, then. To have someone as capable as you in his place. I hope he recovers.

[Orcelito blinks, and that in itself is not a sign of anything in particular, though it is a rapid blinking and he seems to have trouble focusing. As it turns out, telling a lie is hardest once you get the reply.]

Yes. Thank you.

[He really should dismiss himself or change the topic. He’s tired, and it’s causing him to get comfortable and make mistakes. He quickly finds a distraction in the forgotten plate he’s balancing in his hands and takes another bite of cake. He barely even tastes it, but he needed those few seconds of chewing to reorient himself.]

Oh, I don’t know what your schedule has been the past month. [Schedules. He can always talk about schedules.] Kit and I usually go to bed early. And we wake up around sunrise… I hope that’s all right? I wouldn’t want to disturb you if you like to sleep in.

[ she doesn't take her eyes off him but she does relax a bit. it seems he didn't want to talk about his parents after all when he changes the subject, and riona is happy to go along with it if it means he won't act strangely. seeing him take a bite of cake has her briefly glancing down at her own plate, but the dessert remains untouched for the moment. ]

Uh... No, I'll be fine. [ she shakes her head. the month before coming here forced her to become a light sleeper when she and liam had to constantly be on the lookout for pursuers or bandits. as such, she's becoming accustomed to staying up late and waking early. not the best sleep schedule for a young person, but she manages. ] I wake before first light so there's no need to worry. Ninna won't bother you either.

[ she turns to look at the large cake now, her thoughts progressing down a particular path. ] Do you think we could take some of the cake back to the house for dinner?

[He too tends to wake when it’s still dark... though that won’t be the case tonight. He’s exhausted, and once he’s in a bed that’s not moving to the waves, he’ll probably sleep through dawn.]

Of course. That’s an excellent idea. [He glances back towards the mist boundary.] I saw some wild strawberries when I was unloading the ship cargo. We should pick some to have with the cake.

[ despite the good news of tasty treats, she looks back at him with a brief pout. that ship... ]

... It was my first time seeing a ship in person, but now I'm not so certain I like it anymore. That thing kept you and Kit away for weeks.

[Aside from not visiting towns, she’s also never seen a ship? Curious....]

The ship took us to our destination and back in five days. My teammates and I are certain. Those on the wagons agreed to the same time frame. [He has absolute confidence in their experiences. And yet-] If something happened… I think we may have been enchanted without our knowledge. Though when it occurred I don’t know.

[Part of him wonders if the ship and wagons were… cursed somehow. Because they lost team members and time alike. But he won’t say so; it could easily have been their destinations that were to blame. Or the sword, or any number of things.]

[ she'd huff and cross her arms but since she's holding precious dessert, she just goes with huffing. no matter what the true cause is, she has something to blame it all on. ]

It's those cursed riddles! Why do the people here keep trying to solve them? I understand if another spirit like Chime was trapped, but it wasn't like that this time, right? I didn't know what to think... I thought those who left might have just returned home.

[Orcelito frowns slightly. But he’s used to calming huffing little girls, so his voice is level as he explains.]

I believe another spirit is trapped. The riddle said ‘free the servant of the Tree.’ And we have been hearing sounds from beyond the crystals.

Kit said something happened to Chime’s family… there might be more than one here.

[His words are benevolent enough. If he has… other reasons for solving the riddles, he won’t reveal them here.]

I know, I've heard them too... [ she says grumpily. ] I've spoken with Kit as well, but I would be more worried about the one who trapped Chime's family in the first place. They're clearly working up these riddles to toy with us. It's all a game to them, but someone is going to get hurt one day. Didn't I hear that people have gone missing once they returned to the forest? They could have just returned home, but that doesn't make any sense. Why would only a few leave and the others be left behind?

We don’t know why Chime’s family was scattered. Or how it is connected to the riddles.

[But this isn’t about the Tree spirits, is it? His voice stays sensible and firm.]

We don’t know who is involved here, or what happened. It’s true that this could be someone’s idea of a game… but we can’t jump to that conclusion yet. All we know is what we’ve experienced so far.

People have vanished. Without any pattern to the disappearances, it is impossible to say why they left or where they went. We’ve lost time as well, and again that is a mystery.

[He sighs. The more he admits to ignorance, the more pressure he feels. His free hand clenches.]

I’m frustrated too, Riona. [He can’t bring much feeling into those words. He’s numb and confused, and full of justifications that Riona wouldn’t want to hear anyway.] I’m sorry I can’t answer your questions. I wish I could.

[ she listens quietly, albeit with a firm frown, but by the end it strangely loosens as she wears a distant expression instead. ]

... Just be more careful. Kit as well. Trying to learn the truth is the obvious path to take, but by the time we find it, it could already be too late.

[ as ominous as that may sound, she doesn't elaborate. but her tone suggests she doesn't mean it lightly. now she pauses, gaze averting for a second. ] Don't apologize. I'm sorry. I know you have your frustrations, I shouldn't burden you with my own.

[ then, while continuing to speak, she turns around to get more cake. ] If you or Kit decide to leave the forest to solve another riddle, I think I'll go with you.

Welcome Back, Adventurers!

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