[PRP] Lost in the Woods [Nictor & Kolako]

[Taki-di]

 

[Taki-di]

Nictor Sabbat

The skies were clear, a light breeze swaying the tree tops of Four Fronds. The pleasant evening was a far cry from the destruction that was that military hunt just a few weeks back. Up in the air, a hulking white mass traveled along, slowly descending towards the canopy, a constant buzz of wings accompanying it.

Nictor laid across Beehemoth's back, hands clutched tightly into his fluff. Normally Nictor would be sitting up enjoying the whipping wind and excitement of flight. Today though, he was laying on Bee's back, holding on for all his worth, cheek pressed against the lusus's back. All the cuts and scratches there had healed well enough, but his hands were still tender as the lacerations from sharp rocks healed over and scarred. Bandages wrapped over herb poultices were bound tightly on the marks to keep him from reopening the wounds. Which had happened a few times, given how prone he is to accidents and how often he had to use his hands to catch himself.

Nictor had been doing okay, really. It just hit him pretty hard to be faced with the sudden and violent realization that Bee wasn't impervious. He'd been absolutely terrified down in the caves when Bee almost got crushed. This was their first real flight out of Chittentown since. Bee had been recovering pretty well too, which was a relief to both. Nictor had a lot to think about now after that disaster. He worried about Bee, he worried about facing the world, he worried about trolls and what to do about them. Hazmas had helped him. Heck, Hazmas and his lusus had saved Nictor and Beehemoth. It was a dilemma if he ever had one. He would never think another troll would go so far to help him. Trolls were horrible and violent and mean. He knew they were mean. But that big yellowblood hadn't been mean either.

Nictor shook his head and propped himself up as Bee descended and landed on the forest floor, clicking to ask if his little grub was okay. Nictor returned in kind, assuring his lusus he was fine and humming a similar question back.

The two carried on in a similar manner, the little yellowblood tripping every so often only for his lusus to gently catch him. As they explored the forest, Nictor happily took in the sights of the lush forest and referenced one of the herb journals he got from the library. He needed to replenish his supply, and his usual herbs spots weren't plentiful to be picked from.

quite uneventful

it bEGINS

 

[quite uneventful]

What a weird pair, Kolako thought to herself, watching the newly arrived yellowblood with their lusus curiously, hiding in a nearby tree with curious eyes. She hadn't been there for long, had merely passed by, observing the outer side of the forest curiously for any lost trolls-- And finding, well, a small pair of lusi and child looking at the cool plants in the area. It was rather interesting to watch the yellowblood always right about to fall, and then be caught by their lusus. She stifled a giggle when he'd almost fallen for the 3rd time, trailing along their path easily and lightly, curiously. She did this sometimes-- simply watched trolls from her spot to the side if they seemed capable enough to get out of the forest or if they needed her help somehow. Watching how the troll constantly wandered from plant to plant without regard to how dangerous that specific type of plant could be, she felt like he might've needed a little help wandering around the forest. Actually-- He needed her help, NOW!

Poking her head out of the trees, the brownblood released a loud "PARA!" The moment they got near a bush of some dangerous plant Kolako had one too many experiences with. "Don't touch it!" She exclaimed, leaping out of the tree and landing with a light thump on the ground before immediately bounding over toward the yellow duo. Kolako slid to a stop near him, pulling both of them back as the plant snapped out of its shell, trying to dig its piercing insides into the nearest trolls face. Kolako took this moment to breathe, glancing over to the yellowblood and rolling her eyes. "That'sa Snapperclapplanter." IThat wasn't the official name, of course-- But her guess had an awesome name, of course! "It eats trolls! So, jajaja, si. You might wanna stay away!" She grinned at the troll, smiling widely and motioning with her nose toward the bones that were only visible when you looked at the ground around the beautiful flower. It was sometimes too late for the trolls she found, but thankfully she'd been watching out for him! "Everything ok?"

Taki-di

BEGINS WITH A BANG

 

[Taki-di]

Nictor Sabbat

Obviously, Nictor probably ought to have gotten a book or two about the local flora and not just a medicinal book.

Nictor yelped when he was yanked backwards by his collar, eyes popping when he saw the brightly colored flower he'd been briefly enticed by unfold into a beast-like snapping maw that was coming straight at him. Rather than his mysterious helper dragging his dead weight back, Nictor was flailing backwards with all his might, making his trip from the other's grip and land on his butt a few steps away. Oh wow, that was close. He stared at the spot for a few moments, looking for his lusus who would have normally taken the hit for him. Nictor needed Beehemoth to be okay. Nictor felt a writhing anxiety in his gut at the thought of Bee being struck down. He had to stop getting into these situations.

Of course, Bee was now hovering threateningly above them, quite agitated that a plant had tried to get at his little grub. He'd been a taken aback by the yank on his fluff by the troll that had leapt from the trees, which had been ridiculously strong and may have taken some of his down with her, but he'd immediately started buzzing (useless) threats at the flora the moment he realized when was happening.

Nictor immediately calmed as the soothing rhythm of Beehemoth's chittering registered. His lusus located and accounted for, the nervous knot in his stomach released, flooding him with relief. It really wasn't good for either of them to be getting so wound up all the time.

Of course, now he had to address the other matter at hand. There was another troll standing in front of him and starting to talk.

Nictor listened, wide eyed, as tension began to creep over him again. Oh wow, he had not expected another troll to appear. He also was not expecting another troll to start talking at him (some of what she was saying being unintelligible to him), all smiling and bright. He had literally no clue what to do with situation. Was she trying to trick him? That didn't seem quite right, she just saved him from a vicious flesh-eating plant and that surely would have made an entertaining show. And she's a brownblood, lower on the hemospectrum than him, which meant she was less likely to attack him, right?

His eyes darted to the plant when she motioned towards it and wow how had he not noticed those bones.

He jolted a little when she actually asked him a question though.

"Ah, I... I----'m okay," Nictor muttered, rubbing his hands on his shorts nervously, grinding more pollen into his clothes. Oh wow, this troll just went out of their way to save him for literally no reason what so ever. Nictor's thinkpan was more than a bit boggled. He stared strangely at the brownblood before him for about a minute before he seemed to realize something. "Oh!, Uh, th-thaaank you f-for that."

quite uneventful

*sobs in corner over own ineptitude at timeliness*

 

[quite uneventful]

Kolako's eyes watched him quizzically, eyebrows arching in confusion before giggling a little and offering him a hand. Y'know, to help him up! "Ya sure don't look okay, Buzzy. Jeje, like buddy, get it? Jaja!" Koko seemed beside herself with her own joke. It was a good one, after all. Papion would be proud! Placing her other hand on her hip and jutting it to the side, the young female merely shrugged and smiled widely. He'd just taken a few seconds to stare at her weirdly. Was that a new custom from the trolls in the other areas? "Don't mention it! Jeje! It's my self-given job, helping trolls lost in the forest. El bosque es muy peligroso-- It's really dangerous in here! So I try and help if I can. Those tipos were just unlucky!" Koko pointed once more at the bones before shrugging and releasing a laugh. "It's just how life works, though!" She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Creo. I guess?"

Kolako glanced around, almost as if she were looking for something, before turning her attention back to the yellowblood. "But yeah! What brings you to the deep, daaaaark forest of Four Fronds? I'm guessing not to die, right?" She giggled a little at the last mini joke before returning to her inquisitive expression, actually somewhat interested.

Taki-di

you're free to attack me OTL

 

[Taki-di]

Nictor Sabbat

Nictor flinched when a hand came towards him, expecting the worst. His throat was nice and vulnerable with him sitting on the ground like he was, it was an opportune moment for the brownblood really.The thought was quick to disintegrate as he recognized the gesture as just offering to help him up. Right. Okay. That made sense, given the brownblood saving him and all.

Nictor bit his lip uncertainly, glancing between the hand, the troll it belonged to, and Beehemoth for a few moments, considering his options. Before he could take the take the offered hand, she continued on speaking.

That... that seemed like a weird self-given job for a troll. The only violent thing about it would be if she needed to defend someone. Did she do it because her lusus wanted her to? Nictor doubted it was any kind of military influence. They were a bit outside the normal areas for propaganda and drones to be around to promote subservience to the trollian empire.

As she continued her talk, he hesitantly took her hand to get pulled upright.

It was a moment after he took the forest troll's hand that he realized that pollen was gonna get all over it. What if she got upset? Pollen tended to stick on stuff and was hard to get out.. This could be a potential problem.

Once upright, after a slight stumble, he was about to apologize for the pollen, when he tensed up again. come her to die? Was she implying something? Nictor's nerves were fast to act up at the mention of death. Is that how she "helped" some trolls? Is that what would happen if he didn't answer he question? Well, Bee was around, Nictor highly doubted he'd die, but there may be an unpleasant experience on the horizon.

"Haaa, n-n-n-ooo," Nictor stuttered, shaking his head in a short quick motion, wide eyes locked on Kolako. "I j-j-just ahh n----eed t-to g-g-get s-sooome herbs."

He reached for his hoodie pocket to show her the journal he was referencing, as if to prove his claim, but found it wasn't in his pocket. He'd had it in his hands when he'd gotten pulled away from the flower, so he must have dropped it. Looking around somewhat frantically, he spotted the book a few steps behind Kolako. He gave a small breath of relief that it hadn't landed next to the flower, because that would have been just his luck.

quite uneventful

it's weird making Nic all nervous around Koko again :U

 

[quite uneventful]

Even though he was taking a bit to grab her hand, Kolako didn't mind. She was very patient, after all, and thinking this only made her more willing to wait. She just kept on smiling,hand outstretched as she waited, and her expression only changed when he finally grabbed her hand-- Her grin grew wider, grip firmer as she hauled him up. She stared at her hands after she was released before taking some of the powder and observing it a little closer, rubbing it between her fingers and looking up at him. "What is this? Que chulo!! This is so cool!" She exclaimed excitedly, seeming pleasantly surprised by her new friend. Maybe she could use it for a new color! Or something. It'd be interesting!

When he finally responded, Kolako merely gaped and nodded, seeming rather interested. Nothing was really stopping her tonight-- There were no hunts, so they'd be okay. "Herbs!" Kolako echoed in amazement, eyes wide and curious. "Which herbs? Enseñame! Could you show me? I only know some of 'em, but I didn't really--" As he searched around frantically, Kolako stared at him curiously, thinking maybe he was just doing some random dance, but as he looked behind her, he seemed to relax. Kolako blinked at it blankly, reaching over and grabbing it easily. She flipped through the pages in awe, recognizing quite a few of the flowers and herbs in the book before stopping at a page and pointing at it, looking up at the flower and back down before gasping loudly. "I've seen this one before!! Come, ven conmigo!! Follow me!!" She exclaimed, immediately bouncing away, journal in hand.

Taki-di

you are welcome to stab me and/or murder me, i have taken Way Too Long

 

[Taki-di]

Nictor Sabbat

The deviation of the expected script in his head was throwing him for a loop. She’d pulled him up easy and he was rubbing his fingers against his palm that still tingled from contact. He was pretty sure she was stronger than him and the proximity made him distinctly uncomfortable. Sure she’d helped him up, but you never knew what could come next with trolls. That big grin revealed sharp teeth and he could see them tearing into his cheek if she wanted from this close. The notion had him drawing his shoulders in close and shuffling back a little

Wait did she just ask--

Nictor belatedly blinked a few times, thinkpan catching up on the words she’d said just before the momentary panic of losing the book.

It was always a little absurd to him how trolls didn’t know what pollen was. It decorated every surface of his hive, stained and rubbed deep into the fabric of his clothes, ground into skin and hair. Woe to any poor sap with allergies that Nictor managed to run into. The stuff clung to the young troll and his lusus, as natural as anything. And even when Nictor had had run ins before where he got yelled at about spreading a mess on things, it always confused him after the fact that they didn’t know what it was. After the fact given at the time he was much more concerned with the angry troll that was after him.

“Ahh, wh-” His face crunched in a confused grimace. Wait no she’d said more after the comment about the pollen he just focused in on that. Before he could really straighten out his thoughts he flinched when his mysterious savior moved, shuffling a step back instinctively towards the steady hum that was Beehemoth.

Nictor’s eyes widened when the redblood picked up the book and started flipping through. He was almost immediately tense, nerves jitting through him as his eyes darted between her open mouthed expression and the book. Part of him was clamoring in worry over the tome given it did not belong to him, it belonged to the library and if he lost or damaged int hen he would get in trouble. Well, it was good that she was interested? The library was all about books and learning and sharing them but also Nictor checked this book out and he was responsible for it which was suddenly more daunting when someone else was holding it.

He startled when she gasped, entirely unsure what to expect next from this troll who had appeared form nowhere to spar him the fate of the flower but could jsut as eaisly hunt him herself. Before he could catch up with her words, she was alreayd bounding off. With his library book.

Ah.

Wait.

AH, NO.

“”W-w-wai-!” Nictor stumbled on the exclamation, torn between the need for the book back and not aggravating the stranger. Does he know that telling her to wait, to give that back, would irritate her? No, but the idea of trying to demand it back or even ask his him quailing on the inside. Still. That did not alleviate the need for the book back because it wasn’t his and he couldn’t get in trouble with the library for losing a book what if they never let him back what if they started blaming him for other lost books what if-

The list of awful possibilities went on. All it did was leave Nictor with nerves and a need to follow that girl in hopes she’d hand back the book.

Never mind that the conversation might have led a normal person to putting together the dots that the little forest troll wasn't super likely to attack right now and that she seemed to be looking to help Nictor locate the herbs he'd mentioned looking for. He was too busy lagging behind the conversation as he tripped on his own nervous musings.

And so Nictor stumbled after the other kid as quick as he could.

quite uneventful

:'v im so sorry