Echo peaked out from behind a tree afar from the dhole, curious of what was happening but unsure if it was safe. How does Echo get in these situations and places? Who knows, the Narrator sure doesn't.

She focused on the human, concerned but not yet moving from her spot.

((Also just to preface, please bear with me if I’ve forgotten some aspects of my OC’s relationships with others, it’s been a while haha))

The Bushbeast had mostly ignored the trailing deity as it traipsed through the forest, but it acknowledged him now. “Hello, Galaxian,” the creature rumbled, though it did not take its eyes off of the unconscious form in front of it. Its voice was likely familiar to the god, but not one that he had heard for a long, long time. 

Huck appeared much the same as he had on the day of Milo’s death when sank into the earth, but the stones that made up his eyes seemed paler, sadder, somehow. The leaves on his body were tinged red on the edges, hinting at the arrival of autumn. “I was not expecting anyone else to be here. I assumed most would have abandoned it when…” he trailed off. Finishing his sentence was too painful.

“This mortal, I—” he paused, struggling for words. “I was dormant, and I felt this distant pull, a call for help. It felt like Ishmael’s summons. But when I emerged at the source, it was not Ishmael at all. Two mortals were battling in a large courtyard of a castle of some sort. This one was hurt badly, and I could sense the pull had come from him. I took him and departed.”

The Bushbeast sat, shaking the ground around him. The mortal shifted slightly in his sleep, and Huck lowered his head to sniff the body. “That was a long time ago. He has not woken since. I have done what I can, but there is some kind of poison in his body that does not respond to my magic. The most I am able to do is keep him alive. I hoped to come here for answers and possibly contact an elder Bushbeast, more adept at healing than I, but I have not sensed any since I have arrived, not even the ancient ones who have been dormant since before my time.”

The mortal bore a startling resemblance to the peace god, though there were minor differences. He was paler, taller, and more muscular than the deity, though most everything else was a spitting image. His expression was remarkably peaceful, given the circumstance.

Echo got a bit closer very slowly, wanting to say, "Maybe I can help?" but instead staying quiet as she didn't know when to speak up. Echo knew she could heal with her tears, but she wasn't sure if the healing properties were strong enough for poison. Maybe outside wounds, though.

Echo felt sad seeing the man. Not because she knew Ishmael (she never met him, nor would that matter since most of her memories had vanished), but because the man was wounded, therefore more than likely in pain.

"Ah, it's been a while since there's been some activity here." A voice says, belonging from Time as he approached the others, giving them all a quick look of greeting "Long time no see, all."

"So, who's this guy?" He points down to the form, "He looks a lot like Ish, kinda."

Galaxian clamps his hand over his mouth quite forcefully, not saying anything further. He does weakly wave (mostly to Germaine), indicating the mortal on the ground.
Okay, time to slightly change tact. He's about to double over from all the deaths. To be honest, he walked right into that, even if figuratively. 
I think we should leave, he interrupts telepathically. Since when was it up to Galaxian to talk telepathically while a Bushbeast talks aloud? Who knows. Maybe it's because of all the change that has happened this past...whatever amount of time.

Sure, goes Galaxian's voice in telepathy, just a lot more deadpan than he can usually manage it. But if we do get attacked in this place, it's probably the least advantageous terrain we could be in. There aren't any Bushbeasts here, at least those who want to be found, anyways.

Echo spoke up quietly because she felt a bit overwhelmed, as well as foolish when she announced her ability aloud, "I have healing tears, if that helps any... but I dunno how much they can do."

Echo very carefully stepped over, leaning down beside the mortal. Assuming the mortal is not wearing gloves or something covering his hand, Echo took one of his hands (if something like cloth was covering his hand, she obviously would remove it). Luckily, Echo didn't have to ask for the man's bandages to be removed as her tears didn't require to have to touch the wounds.

"...I'm going to cry now," Echo announced in monotone, already teared up. And then she cried, because, well, that's what she was suppose to do.

Assuming there isn't anything blocking the healing, the largest wound would only heal half-way at best, while smaller wounds like scrapes and cuts would heal but leave temporary, waxy scars. Tbh this part is up to Narrator Ishmael, so *shrug*.

Technically he knows full well that they could accomplish what they're doing outside of the domain, but what's he to say when others are dead set on staying here? Maybe wanting to leave was selfish in the first place. Others don't feel what he feels, after all. 
Galaxian grimaces to himself and steps backwards a little, away from the rest of the group. 

As the healing magic took effect, the mortal’s breathing eased, as did his peaceful expression, which sank into a frown. He mumbled something incoherent and began to move a little more. It seemed that bit of healing was all he needed to start coming to.

“Checking something.” Huck rumbled back at Time. As he continued through the trees, he continued to try to sense the presence of other Bushbeasts. The fact that they were nowhere to be found troubled him deeply. He was supposed to protect them, after all. If something had happened to them all while he was dormant… he couldn’t bear the thought of losing them, as well.

The Bushbeast stopped on the edge of a break in the trees, maybe 30 feet in diameter. A small patch of blue and purple hyacinths flourished in the sun, still in bloom despite it being well past spring. Plants created for a Bushbeast burial often behaved oddly, and Milo’s burial site was no different. Huck sat down, staring at the flowers with a sorrowful intensity.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When Huck had gone dormant after Milo’s death, Ishmael would come to the flower grove, sit, and talk for hours at a time. Huck was never sure if he was talking to himself, to the Bushbeast, or some combination of the two, but it seemed to be therapeutic for the deity, at least. He remembered one day where Ishmael got on to the topic of flowers and the meanings that mortals attached to them.

“Hyacinths are interesting,” the god had said. Although Huck was underground and couldn’t see him, he knew that Ishmael was likely holding one of the flowers in the palm of his hand, gently pulling the petals to see the structure of it. “Some flowers just have a universal meaning, no matter the color. Sunflowers, for instance, usually symbolize worship and adoration, because of the way they turn to follow the sun’s path when they’re young. But hyacinths are more complicated. They can represent play, jealousy, love, peace… but blue hyacinths represent constancy. It’s quite fitting that they’re here. I never saw one of you without the other. That kind of consistency is hard to find.”

The god paused for a moment, perhaps selecting another flower, or just staring off into the distance. “Purple hyacinths are for sorrow, and apologies… forgiveness, if you will. Essentially, the message you’ve sent here is ‘I am here, I am sorry, please forgive me’.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I am here. I am sorry. Please forgive me.

Huck shut his eyes, lowering his head as emotion threatened to overwhelm him. He had lost Milo, Ishmael, and now the Bushbeasts were missing. He had nothing left.

Except for the mortal he carried here. He had been drawn to the human for a reason, but he didn’t know why. Maybe he could get some answers, something that might help him find the rest of his species.

With no small amount of effort, the Bushbeast stood, opening his eyes. They glimmered with a newfound determination. He watched the hyacinth field for a moment more, then turned and made his way back to the others.


((He needed a little crisis, it’s good for the soul))

Ark has gotten up, and is walking towards the guy. "Hey, you're finally awake"

"Please retain your composure," Time speaks out to the mortal, studying the mortal and his reaction (and the plants' reaction). He takes a knee by the mortal, for more level eye contact.

"We're going to move to somewhere more secure, where your wounds can be fully treated, and then we can answer your questions, and you can answer ours, got it?"

"I suppose my place will work. Does anyone have any objections?" Time said, standing up, he started to trace a circle in the air. Which was followed by lines of golden magic, which then spread out and opened into a full portal. Big enough for Huck to fit in as well.

On the other side, it seemed to be an infirmary in the Clocktower, "Anyone here is welcomed inside." He stepped aside for people to start their way in, "Can you carry the mortal? Huck?"

Last edited by Time (September 26, 2021 11:15:03)

Echo looked back and forth from each speaker in the conversation, then Germaine, then back to the mortal. She continued to stare at the mortal with large yet blank eyes, not a thought going through her mind, head empty.

Still staring, Echo stood up and went over to Germaine, grabbing Germaine's hand gently. At this point, Echo was more-than-likely trying to creep the mortal out.

Weird kid, honestly.